Tocchet slams Canucks' effort vs. Flyers: 'Who are we to think we're anybody?'
It's a good thing Rick Tocchet didn't order those Stanley Cup rings.
Less than a week after the Vancouver Canucks head coach delivered a memorable quote in the aftermath of a dominant season-opening win, he spoke with similar conviction to summarize a disappointing effort against the Philadelphia Flyers.
"It's a good lesson," Tocchet said after the 2-0 loss Tuesday. "Who are we to think we're anybody?"
The Canucks suffered their first loss of the young season in the Flyers' home opener, and the game wasn't as close as the scoreline indicated. Philadelphia outshot Vancouver 42-25 while controlling 68.6% of expected goals and 56.2% of shot attempts at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.
"I can't even pick one guy who played well other than (goaltender Thatcher) Demko," Tocchet said. "He was unreal. He was great tonight, and the rest of the guys weren't."
The coach added: "We just got some guys, they better pick it up. I don't like using the word 'soft,' but I didn't see guys competing at all, and that's alarming."
The Canucks won their first two games of the season - each against the Edmonton Oilers - by a combined score of 12-4. Their next opportunity to find the win column again comes Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.