Jonathan Lekkerimaki is a courteous and well mannered boy of actually couple of phrases and a wealth of capability.
The Vancouver Canucks novice proper winger favors to permit his arising NHL online game do the speaking. It howled doable Monday in Newark, N.J.
Not simply did the slick 20-year-old Swede rack up a third-period goal to draw his membership additionally versus the Devils– a excessive hockey I.Q. initiative that talked about testing the online game, gliding proper into an employment alternative, and launching a quick and actual port wrister off a Derek Forbort cornerboards feed– he after that swiped this system along with his occupation initially and efficient shootout effort.
It was simply the way it started and completed to supply the Canucks a 4-3 triumph that had jaws taking place and made the emphasize reels.
Lekkerimaki initially twirled his stick in self-confidence or anxiousness– he in a while claimed he was “excited”– previous to driving in the direction of earlier Canucks goalkeeperJacob Markstrom He went huge proper, after that diminished left all through high of the port, revealed he was going handwear cowl, and afterwards reworked the angle to find the blocker aspect diminished.
Lekkerimaki after that enabled himself a few delicate hand pumps previous to being thronged by colleagues.
Markstrom, that’s combating with a 1-5-1 mark on condition that coming back from a March 2 knee dysfunction, responded to the online game victor by damaging his stick on the target article in utter disappointment previous to storming off the ice. It was terrific theater.
The Canucks performed a shootout wanting inkling by goalkeeper coach Marcus Torenius to allow Lekkerimaki to win it in Round 4, and in any other case, Brock Boeser was up following. The end result resulted in interesting post-game takes by head coach Rick Tocchet and goalkeeper Thatcher Demko.
“Obviously a great choice,” claimedTocchet “Goalie coaches have a lot of input with shootouts, and then you watch him in practice. He’s a gifted goalscorer. So why not?”
Lekkerimaki is quickly advancing from being proper right here to acquire a development look, or a recall selection, to banging on the door to stay.
“I’m trying to get him some chemistry with guys, and I’ve got to try and find more minutes for him,” Tocchet included of Lekkerimaki’s 9:52 of ice timeMonday “Two beautiful shots for us. The shootout was great, but the other one was a goal scorer’s goal. To me, that was impressive.”
Demko actually didn’t see the Lekkerimaki stick twirl, nevertheless had one thing to say from a goalkeeper’s viewpoint.
“Did he stick twirl?” Demko requested with a smile. “We might need to have a chat with him about that. Big aim. I’m certain he’s feeling it a bit. He’s a very good child. He works exhausting and desires to get higher. Those are the belongings you search for in younger guys.
“That willingness to compete and listen. He’s going to be a really good player down the road.”
Oddly adequate, Lekkerimaki hasn’t been a shootout selection withAbbotsford He hasn’t had an effort, despite 19 targets in 32 AHL video video games this era. Tristen Nielsen, that has a set of shootout targets, along with Danila Klimovich and Linus Karlsson have really been the perfect males.
Raty is ruling the skirmishes
Recalled centre Aatu Raty, 22, gained 7 of 8 reels within the preliminary periodMonday It had not been sudden.
He ended up 8-for-11, and contemplating he ran at 56 p.c effectiveness in his earlier 21 NHL video video games this era, it was extra verification he would possibly resolve a future requirement with the big membership. However, he has numerous different job to do initially.
“We’ve still got to work with him in our own end,” nervousTocchet “It’s down low and knowing where to go. It’s a fast league up here and he has to figure that out. But he’s really good on the draws.”
Raty grew to become a part of the Bo Horvat occupation plan with the New York Islanders and will need to have added motivation Wednesday when the Canucks make their 4th give up on a six-game journey.
He leads Abbotsford in racking up with 39 elements (17-22) in 41 video video games and is a restricted freelance hereafter interval. Six numerous different forwards in Abbotsford are moreover on ending affords.
Suter like ‘an assistant coach’
Versatile onward Pius Suter has really been known as an excessive amount of factors and they’re all beautiful.
From “Glue Guy” to “Swiss Army Knife”, the pending limitless freelance intends to stay to theCanucks He is making pretty the occasion. With a career-high 21 targets, a top-pairing existence on the group’s fifth-ranked wonderful kill, and functionality to go up and down the schedule with out elevating a peep, he’s a coach’s pleasure.
Suter, 28, is at present working as an environment friendly first-line centre in lack of the broken Filip Chytil and Elias Pettersson.
“It’s his brain,” Tocchet claimed ofSuter “Smart guy and a systems guy. He’s like another assistant coach for us.”
Suter isn’t a speedster nevertheless acknowledges simply how one can permit the puck do the job and attain racking up areas. He is moreover among the many NHL’s terrific offers. His ending two-year settlement lugs a extremely tasty $1.6 million United States wage cap hit.
bkuzma@postmedia.com
