The Vancouver Canucks are back on the ice at Rogers Arena for another full practice before they host the San Jose Sharks for the first time this year on Thursday night.
The Sharks were one of 28 teams in action on Tuesday, pulling out a 3-1 home win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Elsewhere in the Western Conference—the Kings, Stars and Jets won, while the Blues lost and the Flames were idle. The Canucks remain in 10th place in the conference, just one point behind St. Louis in the second wild-card. They're now in a three-way tie with Dallas and Winnipeg at 52 points, although the Canucks do have games in hand.
The team also gathered at the Hotel Vancouver on Tuesday evening for the 17th annual Dice and Ice event, the big charity fundraising gala for the Canucks for Kids Fund.
Your #Canucks are ready to roll! #DiceandIce is underway and these guys are making sure all the games run smoothly. pic.twitter.com/AMnJfNWZcL
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 1, 2017
I got a chance to stop by the reception and speak with a few players as they were manning the blackjack and roulette tables on the casino floor.
"This is the stuff that everybody enjoys," said Erik Gudbranson, who was partnered up with Luca Sbisa at one of the roulette tables. "Putting a nice suit on and coming out—I'm very excited for this evening."
Gudbranson says his roulette knowledge was limited coming into the evening. "I don't think I'm up on a roulette table, lifetime-wise. I never really actually understood the inside.
"Typically, when i walk up to a roulette table, I'll play the outside one or two hands and then that's it. I'm not a big gambler."
Brendan Gaunce was similarly humble about his record as a player at blackjack tables. "I'm not very good at it, so I tend to stay away," he admitted, though he sounded confident that he'd win the day as a dealer.
"I will be getting funny money for everyone because I'll be dealing out blackjacks."
Nikita Tryamkin was running the second roulette table like a boss, alongside Alex Biega.
The social media highlight of last year's event was the rookie lip-sync competition, especially Ben Hutton's rendition of "Barbie Girl."
How much planning had gone into that segment?
"I knew we had to do a lip-sync battle. We all picked our songs before, but I didn't realize we were supposed to bring costumes and stuff, a different outfit. I was like 'I gotta pull something out of my hat here, I gotta do something...'"
The rest is history....
The team kept a tight lid on what the rookies would be expected to do this year. "We haven't heard anything yet," said Troy Stecher. "I know they have something planned so I'm pretty nervous...I have no idea."
Brendan Gaunce said he was unfazed. "There's a couple of us that have to do it. If I was by myself, then maybe (I'd be nervous), but there's a couple of us, so..."
So far, only this teaser has made it onto social media. There should be more to come...
Tryamkin and Rodin get the rookie treatment at #DiceandIce! Stay tuned for the full video.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 1, 2017
Thank you to all who donated to @Canucksforkids! pic.twitter.com/WjuIZWpfjE
Gudbranson's eyes sparkled mischievously when he revealed that he and Brandon Sutter had been assigned the task of introducing the players during the dinner portion of the evening, and that they had been asked to roast their teammates a little bit.
Here's what we have from that so far...
"The defenceman from Toronto, Mr. Steady. Contrary to popular belief, he's not actually asleep, Chris Tanev!"
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 1, 2017
😂
"Now we have one of the nicest guys in the league, someone that is always on time... except to the 1000 point party - Daniel Sedin."
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 1, 2017
"And now the most recent 1000 point man, but still with the wrist shot of a 9-year old, Henrik Sedin!"
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 1, 2017
#33 welcomed by a standing ovation.
Among the many silent auction items was this autographed Bo Horvat All-Star jersey - complete with the elusive "R"!
Autographed @BoHorvat All-Star jersey one of many #DiceAndIce silent auction items for @Canucksforkids pic.twitter.com/IqgjpKitjg
— Carol Schram (@pool88) February 1, 2017
I was also intrigued by this original oil painting by former Canuck goaltender Richard Brodeur.
Over its history, the event has raised over $4.95 million for the Canucks for Kids Fund. I'm sure that total got a significant boost last night.
"it's a great foundation," said Gudbranson. "Anything that reaches out and does stuff for the youth of a town or a city is something that every single one of my teammates is excited to take part in. An event like this tonight just goes to show what kind of a first-class organization this is and what first-class people there are in this city for coming out and supporting it. We're very excited to be here."