Teammates hail Boeser’s resolve
Foot injury after blocking a shot reveals winger’s commitment, players say
Michael Del Zotto knows shot blocking comes with the job description.
Whether a veteran or rookie — whether a defenceman or forward — sacrificing yourself for the good of the team shows up in a statistical column that often goes overlooked.
However, the Vancouver Canucks defenceman knows what it means in the room when a hotshot rookie like Brock Boeser drops in front of a shot instead of bailing out.
On pace to be a Calder Trophy favourite with 17 goals and 13 assists in 31 games, Boeser took the brunt of a Mark Giordano shot to the top of his left foot early in the second period Sunday during a 6-1 loss to the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena.
Boeser was spotted post game on crutches and wearing a walking boot. The Canucks didn’t announce the severity of the injury because as the swelling will need to subside before making an accurate assessment.
Del Zotto knows what Boeser’s effort means to the team.
“I saw him after the game and the first thing I said to him was: ‘Don’t change anything’, ” said Del Zotto, whose 51 blocked shots are second on the club to Alex Edler’s 62. “He has obviously done a great job for us in scoring and putting up points, but his play away from the puck has really grown since day one.
“His commitment to blocking shots and seeing that as a teammate goes a long way. It speaks volumes to his character and commitment to trying to win.”
Still, seeing Boeser in agony and trying to crawl to the bench was hard to stomach.
“I was hoping they would blow the whistle there,” added Del Zotto. “He’s crawling off and you kind of kept your fingers crossed and hope for the best. We haven’t got an update yet.
“Tonight is tough. I’m not going to make excuses with the injuries we’ve had. We gifted them a few goals, but any time that happens, you have to stick with it and you have to stay together.
“The effort has to be there every day. It’s learning how to be a pro and not just give in and let the other team take over. That comes with a winning culture and teaching the young kids. Some the veterans in the third period were still giving everything they had regardless of the score (and being outshot 19-4).”
Jake Virtanen is constantly learning and Boeser’s dedication has rubbed off on the winger. Virtanen took three penalties Sunday, but also showed bursts of speed and is learning to head straight to the net and not go around it.
“He’s a big part of the team and that (shot block) just shows the character he has,” Virtanen said of Boeser.
“He really proved to the coaching staff and the players that he belongs. He’s the purest scorer that I’ve ever been on a team with. He has a nose for the net and can score from anywhere.
“And he’s great guy. He’s a leader on this team already and has done so many great things on and off the ice. Everybody loves him and that’s good.”
Travis Green was asked pre-game about the advancement of Boeser that has the league and endorsement companies salivating about another blossoming young star. The irony of the injury is that Boeser did exactly what the coach has been preaching.
“We’ve seen things from Brock throughout the season and even in his first game he responded,” said Green. “For me, it’s a mark of a kid who gets it — the work part, the humble part and parts away from the puck.
“It’s not just about scoring when you’re a scorer, you have to do other things. And to win, you have to do other things.”
Some of those other things that plagued the Canucks was coughing up three goals in four minutes, not getting pucks to the net and over-passing at times. And when the Canucks got down, they were cheating on the back check and blowing the zone early. That spells lopsided loss.
If the Canucks recall a winger, Reid Boucher should warrant a look. He’s leading the Utica Comets in scoring with 25 points (13-12) and ranks eighth in American Hockey League goals and 16th in points.
The 24-year-old is putting up the offence, but his defensive game is improving and he’s also on the penalty kill and power play. Boucher has also been more physical and avoiding taking penalties. He has taken just three minors.
OVERTIME — Jacob Markstrom was pulled after allowing five goals on 19 shots — he was beaten stick side four times — and he cut to the chase post game. “We can’t have games like this,” he said. “I take a lot of fault, especially in the second period. I’ve got to be better, but we can’t be one (chance) and done. We’ve got to be more consistent as a team.”