Achi news desk-
The Calgary Canucks returned from Whitecourt, Alta., with a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Inter Pipeline Cup final.
The Canucks were dominant in Whitecourt, winning the first game on Friday night 5-1 and then coming back and taking Game 2 on Saturday night 5-2.
Forward Gavin Garland has eight goals and seven assists in the playoffs and says the Canucks were just looking for the start.
“It was huge, we definitely needed those two away games for sure,” he said.
“I think playing with confidence and playing together as a group, we’ve come together really tight over the last few months, and it’s been helping in the play-offs.”
Ten pucks up and two to go
The series now moves to Calgary for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Puck drop for both games will be at 7 pm in the Ken Bracko Arena at Max Bell.
With the two victories in Whitecourt, there are now 10 pucks on the wall and only two to go to reach their ultimate goal of winning the AJHL Championship and advancing to the Centennial Cup.
Forward Gavin Schmidt is back in the league after breaking his ankle.
He played a big part in Game 2, scoring a pair of goals, and had the last puck in the wall.
“Yes, it was amazing,” he said. “A great tradition for the team and it makes us look at the big picture of our goal and what we are going for.”
“It felt really good for me, because I’m coming off an injury, and it took me a while to get back into it, but finally I feel like I’ve got my rhythm according to.”
Pack the stalls
The buzz in Calgary for the Canucks grows with each playoff round.
Forward Jack Plandowski has 10 assists in 13 playoff games.
He says he would love to see the Ken Bracko Arena packed for the next two games.
“It would be really cool,” he said.
“When all the fans are behind us and this building is packed, it gets pretty rowdy in here. It’s fun to see. Late in the season, there’s not as much hockey going on in the city, so when we still play it’s pretty cool.”
Got their swagger
The Canucks have gotten better with each playoff round.
Head coach Brad Moran says the team plays with some swagger and that’s never a bad thing when it’s used the right way.
“They’re having fun and they’re all chipping in,” he said.
“They all pull the same way and it makes a big difference, and they believe in themselves and in each other. I think that goes a long way.”
