Yahoo Autos Canucks top Leafs 3-2 in OT in return from COVID layoff
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The Vancouver Canucks returned to the ice after a COVID-19 outbreak prompted nearly four weeks of worrying, wondering and waiting.
They were finally able to play for the first time since March 24 — and celebrated their first game back with an overtime victory.
Bo Harvat scored his second goal of the game 1:19 into the extra period, giving the Canucks a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night.
“This isn’t just your regular win during the regular season," coach Travis Green said. "It’s a special win. We’ve gone through a lot here with our group over the last few weeks."
Horvat also had an assist, Nils Hoglander had a goal and an assist, and Braden Holtby made 37 saves for the Canucks, who had at least 21 players and four members of the coaching staff test positive for the coronavirus.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our guys in that room," Horvat said, “the way they manned up tonight and stuck with the process and willed their way to that win.”
Green thought it was fitting that Horvat, Vancouver's captain, sent the team to victory in its return.
“He was phenomenal,” Green said. “What are you going to say? Two goals and an assist. You want guys to step to the plate and when your captain’s right at the front of the line leading the way, there’s a reason why he’s wearing a ‘C’ on his jersey.”
No Canucks players remained on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list Sunday, but some of Vancouver’s regular starters remained out of the lineup, including goalie Thatcher Demko, defenseman Nate Schmidt and forwards Tyler Motte and Jake Virtanen.
“It was a hard game,” Green said. "You’re playing a really good hockey team on the other side. I’m proud of our group and how we stuck with it and won tonight.”
William Nylander had a goal — the 100th of his NHL career — and an assist for Toronto in his first game after missing five due to COVID-19 protocols.
“I think I had a little stretch before I went into quarantine where I could have scored that 100th goal," Nylander said. “So it’s nice to get that one early.”
Auston Matthews added his league-leading 33rd goal in his return from a nagging wrist injury for Toronto, and John Tavares added a pair of assists. Jack Campbell stopped 21 shots as the Maple Leafs remained atop the all-Canadian North Division and hold a 4-2 edge in the season series with three games to go.
The teams play again in Vancouver on Tuesday night.
