With an eye toward their upcoming three-in-three preseason schedule that kicks off Tuesday night at Rogers Arena, the Vancouver Canucks made some tweaks to their practice groups on Monday as training camp wraps up at Whistler.
Click the image to see the full breakdown.
today’s #Canucks skating groups on final day in Whistler pic.twitter.com/DcO2STN2xu
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) September 17, 2018
Group A this morning is all veterans, and is working on special teams. This will be the core group for Tuesday night's preseason kickoff against Edmonton. Check out those eight familiar, healthy defensemen!
On the forward side, Jake Virtanen, Nikolay Goldobin, Brendan Gaunce, Brendan Leipsic, Tyler Motte, Darren Archibald and Reid Boucher are all grouped with the kids today and will take part in what looks to be a two-part scrimmage. Brandan Batchelor is still up in Whistler, so hopefully we'll get another round of play-by-play, starting at 11:10 a.m.
On Sunday, Petrus Palmu and Lukas Jasek got back into the scrimmage mix, subbing in for Kole Lind and Jonah Gadjovich. Once again, Palmu was a standout. He's making the most of every opportunity he has been given so far. I'm eager to see what he brings in preseason.
Highlights from Day 3 scrimmage where Team ⚪ï¸held on to an early lead beating Team 🔵 3-1. #CanucksCamp presented by @TD_Canada. pic.twitter.com/kUfZ0EtMwP
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 16, 2018
Palmu, Archibald and Goldobin scored for Team Blue, while Virtanen replied for Team White.
Tyler Motte and Brendan Leipsic also had strong games up front on Sunday, and goaltending was excellent. Jacob Markstrom and Anders Nilsson were both perfect in the first period, though it sounded like Markstrom faced the more difficult chances. In the second period, Richard Bachman allowed the three goals for Team Blue, while Thatcher Demko was beaten once.
Antoine Roussel continues to skate on his own as he works to recover from his offseason concussion. And though he was listed on the initial training camp roster, defense prospect Evan McEneny hasn't seen any on-ice action this week. He had knee surgery last December, and while Ryan Johnson told Ben Birnell of the Utica Observer-Dispatch in July that he expected McEneny to be ready for camp, that hasn't been the case.
Tough guy Yan-Pavel Laplante also remains on the shelf. Birnell reports that Laplante developed an infection following surgery for an upper-body injury he suffered last November. He's not on the camp roster and his return date remains unclear.
Sunday's main camp action got underway a little later, as the day started off with Virtanen, Leipsic and Gaunce leading a session with minor hockey players from Squamish and Whistler.
It's all about the kids! @19LEIP, @BrendanGaunce16 & @Jake_Virtanen spent time with minor hockey players from Squamish and Whistler this morning, as part of #CanucksCamp, presented by @TD_Canada. pic.twitter.com/SfTuGqJaJe
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 16, 2018
The players had some free time on Saturday afternoon. Anders Nilsson went on a rainy treetop adventure with his brood:
A bunch of the other boys did what hockey players do, taking to the links:
You’ll never guess what the #Canucks were up to this afternoon... ðŸŒï¸…♂ï¸#CanucksCamp #teambuilding pic.twitter.com/lHXaJ0KLEp
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 16, 2018
And if you're Jonesing for some Sedin action right about now, don't fret. The twins suited up for a charity soccer game on Saturday, where Henrik set up actor Colin O'Donoghue from the TV show "Once Upon a Time" for a sweet goal:
Henrik to Hook.
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) September 16, 2018
Watch as @colinodonoghue1 opens the scoring in tonight's Legends & Stars charity match in support of @BCCHF.#VWFC pic.twitter.com/EzYOPyDAF7
I can't wait to see whether the twins will pop up in the press box at Rogers Arena during games this year. If they do—alone or together?