Canucks 5 - Ducks 4 (SO) - Game Notes

The Canucks remain perfect in the pre-season with a shootout victory in Anaheim.

• After a long off-season we finally got a look at Bernier with the Sedins and it was a pretty good one. Bernier was creating a lot of space on the ice by drawing defenders while the Sedins looked to make plays. Bernier was also a force in front of the net and on the forecheck (when this guy throws a hit, it looks like it hurts). The line is looking pretty good so far, the Sedins look ready to start the season tommorow.
• With the exception of the Perry goal, Rob Davison had a really good game. He was especially strong in front of the net and along the boards. He is going to give Krajicek a run for his money for #6 ice-time, likely drawing in against the bigger more physical teams.
• Kyle Wellwood was invisible for most of the game, but somehow manages to score a nice goal and win the game in the shootout. The Canucks can clearly use his offensive skills, but is there room for him in the lineup. Are they willing to hide him on the 4th line and bring him out for PP's and in the shootout? Can they afford to have him taking a regular shift on the second line? Wellwood is going to get a long look.
• Vintage Salo. Nice to see.
• Jeff Cowan took a couple of terrible penalties in the offensive zone. I can live with one, but to come back and take a second hooking penalty in the offensive zone is just unacceptable. Cowan has an experience and contract advantage over some of the guys trying to take his job, but he is really going to have to step up if he's going to crack the top 14 forwards.
• Penalties are becoming a concern, it's early but at some point they really need to tighten up the discipline.
• Lawrence Nycholat had a pretty decent game, played 20 minutes. Nice to see Gillis get a decent asset for a guy (Shannon) who wasn't going to fit in here. Nycholat is a nice addition to the callup depth. Between Nycholat, Baumgartner and McIver the organizational depth on defense is pretty solid.
• Curtis Sanford had a great game. Sanford really needs to establish the confidence of the team and coaching staff. So far so good.
• Henrik and Wellwood were both over 65% in the faceoff circle.

Cuts coming tommorow, many players will be packing their bags for Moose camp.