Canucks HC: Winning 1st game back from COVID-19 outbreak is 'special'
Sunday's win was no ordinary victory for the Vancouver Canucks.
In their first game since March 25 following a severe COVID-19 outbreak, the Canucks stunned the division-leading Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime.
"This isn't just a regular win like you have in the regular season. It's a special win," head coach Travis Green said postgame, according to TSN's Farhan Lalji. "We've gone through a lot. ... I'm proud of our group."
Some team members who contracted the virus dealt with harsh symptoms like vomiting, cramping, and dehydration. Family members also became ill.
The Canucks were originally supposed to return Friday, but the NHL ended up giving them additional time after forward J.T. Miller voiced his concerns, saying the team wasn't ready.
Vancouver captain Bo Horvat was clearly prepared on Sunday night while potting two goals, including the overtime winner.
"I couldn't be prouder of the guys in that room," Horvat said postgame, according to The Athletic's Thomas Drance. "Not just great for the organization, but for our families, it definitely felt great."
Canucks goaltender Braden Holtby was also excellent in the contest. Toronto generated 21 high-danger scoring chances compared to Vancouver's five, according to Natural Stat Trick. But Holtby shut the door, stopping 37 of the 39 shots he faced, including a brilliant windmill save on Wayne Simmonds in the third period.
Braden Holtby made a season-high 37 saves, including this highlight-reel stop on Wayne Simmonds in the third period, as the @Canucks rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Toronto in their return to action. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/w38jWu12LJ
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 19, 2021
"It was a gutsy effort from our group, we all just went out there and gave it all we had," Holtby said. "We stuck together and believed we had a chance to win."
Vancouver is back in action Tuesday against Toronto. The Canucks will play 18 games over the next 31 days.