In an exciting clash at Rogers Arena, Kiefer Sherwood scored his first-ever NHL hat trick, leading the Vancouver Canucks to a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on December 16. Sherwood’s standout performance was key in securing the Canucks’ first win in three games, with his hat trick driving them to a much-needed triumph following a heavy 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins.
Sherwood’s Breakthrough Performance
Sherwood, who has been impressive this season with a career-high 11 goals in just 30 games, got the Canucks off to a great start by scoring the opening goal at 16:14 of the first period. Sherwood followed up with a short-handed goal in the second period, before completing his hat trick with an empty-net goal late in the third.
Fans at Rogers Arena were electrified as Sherwood scored twice, with loud chants greeting his goals. “A pretty special honor. I really appreciate the fan support,” Sherwood said, reflecting on the memorable night.
Demko’s Key Saves
Goaltender Thatcher Demko was crucial in securing the win for Vancouver, making 30 saves to earn his first victory of the season. Demko’s performance included key stops on Colorado’s Cale Makar and Valeri Nichushkin in the second period, preventing the Avalanche from building any momentum. Demko, who had missed the first two months of the season due to a knee injury, noted the importance of the win after going 0-2 in his first two starts back.
Avalanche’s Struggles
The Avalanche, coming off a three-game winning streak, struggled against Vancouver’s forecheck throughout the match. Despite having multiple opportunities, including a power-play chance in the third period, Colorado could not find the back of the net until the final minute, when Nichushkin scored to spoil Demko’s shutout bid.
Colorado coach Jared Bednar noted that Vancouver’s forecheck played a significant role in frustrating his team’s offensive flow. “We didn’t make a lot of clean breakout plays,” Bednar explained.
The Road Ahead
With the win, the Canucks (16-9-5) have shown resilience, bouncing back from their recent loss. Sherwood’s performance and Demko’s return to form give Vancouver a confidence boost as they continue their season. Meanwhile, the Avalanche (18-15-0) will need to regroup and work on improving their power-play and overall execution as they look ahead to their next games.
Notable Highlights:
- Sherwood became the 13th player in Canucks history to score a natural hat trick.
- Rantanen extended his point streak to six games with an assist on Nichushkin’s goal.
- Tye Felhaber made his NHL debut for the Avalanche, registering one hit in limited ice time.
With Sherwood’s career night and Demko’s solid performance, the Canucks continue to prove their potential this season.
