Canucks Report: Team White strikes back

Team White evened the Canucks Camp scrimmage series at a game each with a 3-1 win over Team Blue Sunday at the Meadow Park Sports Centre in Whistler.

After a scoreless opening 20 minutes or run-time action, Nikolay Goldobin got the party started ripping a wrist shot off the bar and in past Richard Bachman on a 2-on-1 with Chris Tanev, to put White up 1-0.
Four minutes later Darren Archibald doubled the White lead with a breakaway goal. Less than a minute after that, Petrus Palmu posted up just outside the crease and knocked a puck past Bachman, who was injured on the play.
With five minutes remaining in the game, Brendan Leipsic set up Jake Virtanen on a 3-on-1 to break the Anders Nilsson, Thatcher Demko shutout. They combined for 26 saves in the win.

COACH'S COMMENTS

Canucks camp thus far has been brought to you by pace and tempo. Those are the two words being thrown around the most by players and coaches, who have all noted that camp is visibly faster this year.
Coach Green has tailored his practices to get the most out of the players and even on day three, he has yet to see a drop in pace or tempo.
"We've done a lot of structure stuff in practice, yet kept the pace high in practice," said Green. "I thought today I might see a bit of a drop-off, but the guys were skating hard again."
Today's player of note was Petrus Palmu. The 21-year-old Finnish forward scored the third Team White goal and has been impressing coach Green even in practice.
"He was good today, I thought he looked good in practice and in the game. He's strong on his feet, he's short in stature, but he's thick - like someone else I know (Green said, looking at Sportsnet650 play-by-play man Brendan Batchlor, laughing.) I'm joking. But I've liked him so far."

GOOD GAUD

Adam Gaudette played five NHL games with the Canucks at the end of last season, five more than many of the young guys at camp. That hasn't led to a complacent Gaudette, who loves his first pro camp.
"I feel good out there, I feel strong, I feel fast and I feel like I'm keeping up," said the 21-year-old. "It's a lot different than college, but I'm working my hardest and having fun."

FAMILIAR TERRITORY

Michael Del Zotto came into camp last season as a new guy. In addition to learning new systems on the ice, he was tasked with getting to know all the Canucks staff off of it, while also traveling to China as part of training camp.
It's safe to say he's more comfortable this year.
"It's easier this year for sure," said Del Zotto. "The energy has been high, guys are having a good time working out there. I think everyone is pretty excited to get this season started and even though the practices have been tough, we've been enjoying ourselves."

TWEET OF THE DAY

Meadow Park Sports Centre in Whistler has been packed during both Canucks scrimmages so far and we are loving it! A huge thank you to all the fans coming out to support the Canucks during camp. Keep sending us your tweets!

ROUSSEL

Antoine Roussel skated on his own for the third straight day Sunday morning, but there's no further update on his recovery from a concussion suffered pre-camp.

MASKED MAN

Thatcher Demko was the first player on the ice before Team White and Team Blue squared off. As he stretched on the penalty box, mask in hand, I asked about the design. He beamed and pointed to the skeleton Johnny Canuck on the right side.
"I designed that. Thought it up and had the pros do it up nice for me. I'm really happy with how it turned out."
As a twist on traditional Johnny, this one is a goaltender.
"And he's wearing the same pads I have on right now," said Demko. "It's all about the details."

MONDAY DONEDAY
The end is near. The Canucks wrap up training camp Monday morning at Meadow Park Sports Centre, beginning at 9 a.m. The Canucks will take part in another scrimmage, set for 11 a.m. Daily ice-sessions are free for fans to enjoy.