NHL

Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes, front, and San Jose Sharks’ Kevin Labanc vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, December 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Streaking Canucks win 3rd in a row, sink visiting San Jose Sharks 6-2

Horvat has 4 points for Vancouver, Hughes nets first goal of season

Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes, front, and San Jose Sharks’ Kevin Labanc vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, December 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

THE MOJ: Ovechkin versus Gretzky sparks many a spirited debate

Best way to compare elite athletes is their dominance against their peers

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) waves as he continues to celebrate his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, in Washington, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. It was Ovechkin’s 802nd NHL goal. Ovechkin, Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev and Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nick Wass

Ovechkin, Georgiev, Pettersson named NHL’s three stars of the week

Ovechkin had two goals and four assists as the Capitals won all three of their games on the week

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) waves as he continues to celebrate his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, in Washington, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. It was Ovechkin’s 802nd NHL goal. Ovechkin, Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev and Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nick Wass
Vancouver Canucks defenceman Ethan Bear, right, is tripped by Edmonton Oilers forward Dylan Holloway during second period NHL hockey action in Edmonton, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Captain Bo Horvat has 4 points to lead Canucks to 5-2 road win over Oilers

Vancouver heads into NHL Christmas break on a high note

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Ethan Bear, right, is tripped by Edmonton Oilers forward Dylan Holloway during second period NHL hockey action in Edmonton, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Washington. This was Ovechkin’s 801st NHL goal. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Ovechkin nets 2, passes Gordie Howe for 2nd in NHL career goals

Washington winger now has 802 tallies, behind only Wayne Gretzky

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Washington. This was Ovechkin’s 801st NHL goal. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
A Pavel Bure mascot wearing a face mask walks through the crowd as fans wait to enter Rogers Arena for the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild in Vancouver, on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: For many Canuck fans, the hope candle has stopped burning

After nine years of disappointment, fingers are pointing at ownership for franchise troubles

A Pavel Bure mascot wearing a face mask walks through the crowd as fans wait to enter Rogers Arena for the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild in Vancouver, on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Kyle Burroughs (44) and Seattle Kraken’s Brandon Tanev (13) fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Pettersson nets shootout winner, scores 2 others as Canucks top Kraken 6-5

Vancouver forward finishes with 5 points on the night

Vancouver Canucks’ Kyle Burroughs (44) and Seattle Kraken’s Brandon Tanev (13) fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
John McKinley and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)

PODCAST: Canucks at a crossroads, plus memories of old-time road hockey

NHL UPDATE: Black Press insiders McKinley, Wolf discuss 2022-23 NHL season

John McKinley and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)
Andrew Hammond in net for Ottawa Senators in 2015. (File photo: Andre Ringuette)

B.C.’s ‘Hamburglar’ retires from hockey after 10-year pro career that almost never happened

As a teen, Surrey’s Andrew Hammond thought about quitting the game that eventually earned him folk-hero status in the NHL

Andrew Hammond in net for Ottawa Senators in 2015. (File photo: Andre Ringuette)
St. Louis Blues’ Robert Thomas (18) stickhandles past Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes (43) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, December 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Kyrou leads visiting St. Louis Blues to 5-1 triumph over Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver wraps up 3-game home stand Thursday against Seattle

St. Louis Blues’ Robert Thomas (18) stickhandles past Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes (43) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, December 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Luke Schenn, back right, shoves Winnipeg Jets’ David Gustafsson, of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Connor extends streak, Winnipeg Jets hand Vancouver Canucks lopsided 5-1 loss

B.C. side continues 3-game homestand Monday against St. Louis Blues

Vancouver Canucks’ Luke Schenn, back right, shoves Winnipeg Jets’ David Gustafsson, of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko, left, of Russia, and Bo Horvat talk before a faceoff against the Florida Panthers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Canuck free agents, pricey pitchers and the value of irrelevance

‘What is Kuzmenko going to cost?’ in a Friday sports potpourri

Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko, left, of Russia, and Bo Horvat talk before a faceoff against the Florida Panthers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks goalie Spencer Martin, left, and forward Conor Garland celebrate defeating the Calgary Flames in a shootout during NHL hockey action in Calgary, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Kuzmenko, Martin lead Canucks to 4-3 shootout win over Calgary Flames

Vancouver opens a 3-game homestand against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday

Vancouver Canucks goalie Spencer Martin, left, and forward Conor Garland celebrate defeating the Calgary Flames in a shootout during NHL hockey action in Calgary, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin holds his 798, 799, and 800th career goal pucks in the locker room after an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Ovechkin at 800 now chasing Howe for 2nd on NHL goals list

Ovechkin is just two goals behind Howe, 94 behind first-placed Gretzky

Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin holds his 798, 799, and 800th career goal pucks in the locker room after an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat waits to take a faceoff against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat says he’s focused on playing hockey as talk picks up about his future with the team.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canucks’ captain Bo Horvat trying to focus on hockey as trade talk swirls

Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat says he’s focused on playing hockey as…

Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat waits to take a faceoff against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat says he’s focused on playing hockey as talk picks up about his future with the team.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat waits to take a faceoff against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: If it wasn’t for bad luck, we wouldn’t have any Canuck luck at all

Horvat and Miller contract timing typical of what we’ve come to expect from this franchise

Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat waits to take a faceoff against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Minnesota Wild’s Mason Shaw, left, and Vancouver Canucks’ Curtis Lazar get into a scuffle during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, December 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Gustavsson earns 1st career shutout as Minnesota Wild defeat Canucks 3-0

Vancouver plays in Calgary on Wednesday

Minnesota Wild’s Mason Shaw, left, and Vancouver Canucks’ Curtis Lazar get into a scuffle during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, December 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Ilya Mikheyev, back, of Russia, Brock Boeser, back right, and Elias Pettersson celebrate Mikheyev’s goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Reassuring to see the allure of the Montreal Canadiens continues

Rich legacy of the franchise ensures their visits to B.C. are never really road games

Vancouver Canucks’ Ilya Mikheyev, back, of Russia, Brock Boeser, back right, and Elias Pettersson celebrate Mikheyev’s goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
John McKinley and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)

PODCAST: What would you do as GM of the Vancouver Canucks?

NHL UPDATE: Black Press insiders McKinley, Wolf offer thoughts on surprise teams, top rookies

John McKinley and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)
Vancouver Canucks centre Dakota Joshua (81) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Pettersson nets OT winner for 2nd straight game as Canucks edge San Jose Sharks 6-5

Vancouver hosts the Minnesota Wild on Saturday

Vancouver Canucks centre Dakota Joshua (81) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)