The Canucks stopped trolling “tank nation” and in the last game ever at Rexall Place dropped a 6-2 to the Edmonton Oilers.
Connor McDavid had three points (one goal and two assists) in the 6-2 win in the final game at what’s been their home arena since 1974.
“It was a pretty special night, we put on a good game for the last one here, everybody wanted to do that,” McDavid said. “Everybody understood the message that was given down from the coaches and we came ready to play. The fans have been behind us all year long even though we haven’t given the much to cheer about. Tonight they were great. That last minute was pretty special. We were all just trying to take it all in and soak it in for the last time here.”
Patrick Maroon scored twice on Wednesday, Taylor Hall had a goal and two assists, and Nail Yakupov and Leon Draisaitl scored for Edmonton (31-43-7).
Cam Talbot made 25 saves, while Jacob Markstrom made 32 for the Canucks
The Canucks got goals from Matt Bartkowski, and Bo Horvat.
Yakupov scored his 8th on the season 8:27 into the second period to give the Oilers a 1-0 lead. He collected the puck along the right boards from Mark Fayne and shot it over Jacob Markstrom’s shoulder.
Maroon gave the Oilers a 2-0 lead at 13:16, intercepting a pass from Canucks forward Emerson Etem in the slot and beating Markstrom high for his 10th.
McDavid put the Oilers up 3-0 at 17:26, poking a rebound past Markstrom from the top of the crease. The goal was his 16th.
Canucks were finally able to get on the board when Bartkowski scored at 5:21 of the third period to cut the lead to 3-1. Horvat scored at 12:09 to make it 5-2. He was able to get around Oilers defenseman Jordan Oesterle at the right faceoff circle, and get a shot through Talbot.
For Henrik and Daniel Rexall Place has been especially memorable.
“The building has always been great, I’ve always enjoyed coming in here,” Henrik Sedin said. “The ice has always been really good and working well towards our game. The crowd is always good, it’s always loud. I remember our first five, six, seven years, the rivalry was there and we had some good teams and tough games coming in here. It was always fun to come here.”
Edmonton took a 5-1 lead in the third period with goals 18 seconds apart by Maroon and Hall. Maroon scored at 9:08, tipping a pass from Eberle through Markstrom for his 11th. Hall scored at 9:26, coming off the wing and sliding the puck under Markstrom for his 26th goal.
The last goal on Rexall Place came off the stick of Draisaitl on the power play with 1:57 left in the third period, taking a pass from Hall in front and beating goalie.
Here’s to new memories at Rogers Place.
Up next: Canucks get ready for a match up with their long time rivals the Calgary Frames Thursday night in Calgary.
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