Rookie’s historic start lost in drama

If this keeps up, Elias SUNRISE, FLA. Pettersson’s wrist shot is going to be studied by physicists.

With the Vancouver Canucks trailing 1-0 the Florida Panthers in the second period, he collected a nice Sven Baertschi pass off the left boards and found himself on the edge of the slot on the right faceoff circle.

He collected himself and then fired a patented wrist shot over Panthers goalie James Reimer’s left hand. The shot was so quick that Reimer barely moved. It was really only his head that moved — out of self-preservation, it seemed — and his hand, which made a hopeful stab for the rocketing biscuit.

Pettersson’s career-opening, five-game point streak — extended in Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Panthers — now has him tied for the club record with Don Tannahill, who had three goals and two assists in his first five games in 1972-73.

IMPRESSIVE DEBUT

Meanwhile, Antoine Roussel made his Canucks debut on Saturday.

And what a debut it was. After taking two penalties in his first five shifts in the first period, the Roussel-on-the-first-line experiment came to an end.

Matched with Brandon Sutter and Jake Virtanen, the trio proved to be effective.

Roussel scored a great goal on the penalty shot. He toe-dragged from left to right through the slot and Reimer probably thought he was going to try a high shot over his blocker, as is customary with such a move, but instead Roussel wired it under his glove hand.

The penalty shot was the result of Roussel being fouled on a breakaway, one created by a deft pass from Virtanen, who slipped the puck behind the Panthers defence at the blue-line, perfectly timed for the onrushing Roussel.

BIEGA ON WAIVERS

To make room for Roussel, the Canucks announced Alex Biega would be placed on waivers Sunday morning.

If he clears — other teams have until 9 a.m. Monday to put in a claim — he’ll be reassigned to the American Hockey League’s Utica Comets.

Green said it was a difficult decision to take Biega off the roster.

“He’s a good man. Dedicated worker, great character,” he said.