It took Alain Vigneault fewer games to get more wins than former Canucks coach Marc Crawford.
Unless general manager Mike Gillis lost his mind, there was never any doubt that Vigneault would surpass Crawford’s 246 wins as a Canuck coach.
After Wednesday’s 3-0 win against the Colorado Avalanche, it carried a little more meaning as it may also turn out to be part of the turning point in the Canucks’ season.It was one year ago today that Vancouver’s 4-2 win against Colorado launched the Canucks from another mediocre start and sent them rocketing to a 17-1-2 second quarter that was the best in franchise history.
It took the Canucks to the peak of the National Hockey League, where they stayed until the Boston Bruins pitched them off the north face in Game 7 of the final. They’ve won five of seven games, avoided the complacency trap against the sagging Avalanche and climbed two games over. 500 for the first time this season.
“You know what?” Vigneault stated as he smiled. “I’m the winningest coach of the Vancouver Canucks. I’m going to celebrate tonight and I’ll tell you tomorrow. I really feel honored and privileged,” Vigneault said of wins record, accomplished in only 5 1/4 seasons. “The Vancouver Canucks is a great organization. I do think what it means is I’ve had some real good players. I’ve had two general managers who have given me some great players to coach, and I’ve been able to surround myself with great coaches. And it’s really a credit to the players and the coaches I’ve had with me.”
Congrats coach, we salute you!
Let’s take a look back at some of the Canucks best times with AV!