Last night was special.
An otherwise nondescript second-to-last game of the year for two teams going nowhere became must-see TV.
Even if, like me, you’re a Canucks fan living in the Eastern time zone and saw the game – and its signature moment – carry on well past 1 a.m. ET.
Watching the Sedins take their three-hour farewell skate at Rogers Arena, being met by a wave of screaming cheers every time they took the ice, got this BC boy reminiscing about where a night like this ranks in team lore.
And that was before the Hollywood ending that was either “unbelievable” or “expected,” depending how closely you have watched the twins play since the turn of the century.
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‘Best games’ is one kind of list. The following, while including some that would qualify for the former, are the most memorable or notable ever to be played at home – the “had-to-be-there” games at either the Pacific Coliseum or GM Place/Rogers Arena. The games that are likely to be talked about forever.
This top-10 list (in chronological order) is all about the shared experience of a fan base who bared witness and still get asked incredulously, “YOU WERE THERE?!”
Note: I’m not including the franchise’s inaugural game in 1970. Too obvious.
December 29, 1972
A Vancouver fan reaches over the glass (yes it’s been elevated a bit since then), grabs the hair of the Philadelphia Flyers’ Don Saleski and one of the scariest incidents in NHL history unfolded.
Along with several fights on the ice – standard stuff for the Broad Street Bullies in those days – visiting players also made their way into the seats at the Coliseum. In the end, seven Flyers were charged with various offences including swinging sticks at the Canucks faithful.
May 1, 1982
In game two of the Campbell Conference final in Chicago two days earlier, Roger Neilsen had waved the white towel in mock surrender to the officials, late in a loss that evened the series.
Two nights later, the Canucks hit the Coliseum ice to a building full of white towels people had brought with them from their homes.
It was a stunning sight that not only started a tradition in Vancouver but one that fans all over hockey have adopted.
November 5, 1991
Many who were there still talk about Pavel Bure’s NHL debut as the most electrifying night in Vancouver sports history.
For a franchise that never had a true superstar in its first two decades of existence, it’s almost like the packed house at the Coliseum had its collective breath taken away every time the Russian touched the puck.
He looked like he was in a video game stuck on fast forward.
May 25, 1994
Greg Adams scores 14 seconds into double OT to beat the Maple Leafs in game 5 of the Conference Final and send the Canucks to their second Stanley Cup Final.
Many factors combined to push that night over the top, including the improbability of the Canucks heading to the Cup Final.
The fact it came against the Leafs (who had blown a 3-0 lead in that game), and that after scoring, Adams headed straight for the corner to celebrate with the fans before his teammates arrived to mob him.
June 11, 1994
Game Six of the Stanley Cup Final. The Canucks would win 4-1 but not without a heart-stopping use of instant replay on a Geoff Courtnall goal that could not be reviewed until play was finally stopped following a Rangers goal at the other end.
That was only the capper on one of the three or four greatest games in team history.
March 8, 2004
Memorable or notable doesn’t always mean good. But anybody in the building the night of the Todd Bertuzzi-Steve Moore incident won’t ever forget the ugliest night in team history.
April 5, 2008
Trevor Linden hadn’t officially announced his retirement but it was pretty clear that this was his plan as the Canucks welcomed the Flames for the home-season finale.
The third period began with the Flames and Canucks stepping away to allow Linden to bask in the adoration of the Vancouver faithful. The victory lap afterwards and the memorable wave as he left the ice are etched in Canucks lore.
Perhaps the most emotional night in team history (or 1a/1b with the final item on this list.)
April 26, 2011
The Canucks slay the dragon.
After blowing a 3-0 series lead to the defending champion Blackhawks and a late lead in Game 7 of the first round, there may not have been a more intense event in team history than overtime that night.
Alex Burrows steals the puck, fires and scores and the loudest collective exhale in Vancouver sports history morphs into one of the wildest celebrations.
June 15, 2011
Again, not the best of memories to say the least but this night marked the only time in Canucks history that a game was played on their home ice with a chance to claim the Stanley Cup.
This game was as big as it gets in terms of historical significance for a team still in search of its first championship.
April 5, 2018
Perfection. Like Derek Jeter’s game-winning RBI in his final-at-bat at Yankee Stadium, the Sedin’s final home game ended as it should: Henrik setting up Daniel (and not the other way around) in overtime, pushing an already emotional evening over the top.
As a lifelong fan, I don’t think I can remember a better crowd at the Coliseum or the new joint. They were on-point the entire night, leaving the two best players in franchise history with no doubt as to what they mean to the city.
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