While Wednesday night was an entertaining game for many reasons, that one may sting for the Vancouver Canucks for a little while. The club came out firing, outshooting their opponent (Calgary Flames) 13-1 and taking a commanding 3-0 just over halfway through the first period.
However, before the offensive outburst from the Canucks, there was a scary moment in that first period when JT Miller and Kevin Rooney collided. Rooney got the worst of it as he fell awkwardly into the boards and was left motionless on the ice against the boards. Medical trainers came onto the ice to check on him and supported his neck, which is always a worrisome sign.
While Rooney was on the ice, Canucks fans started chanting, “J-T-Miller,” as they started doing last season when he made a big play. Unfortunately, fans apparently did not see the severity of Rooney’s injury (we hope). So, a chant that’s supposed to be a positive was viewed negatively with a player seriously ailing on the ice.
Thankfully, Rooney was able to skate off the ice with the help of his teammates. But the Flames players certainly didn’t appreciate it. In Sportsnet’s Eric Francis’ latest article early Thursday morning, he shared words from Flames forward Connor Zary, who scored the game-winning goal in overtime to beat Vancouver 6-5.
“I think that pissed guys off,” admitted Connor Zary of the scary situation that unfolded eight minutes into a scoreless season opener. Obviously, Miller didn’t mean to hurt Rooney, but when the crowd is chanting his name after he knocks a guy out, it’s not a very good thing to hear.”
No matter the severity, you never want to see a player get injured on either side of the ice. While the hit was accidental, sometimes, in hockey, you still have to answer the bell. Anthony Mantha was trying to instigate a fight with Miller after the hit, and Miller obliged late in the first period.
The Canucks and Flames meet again in Rogers Arena on November 12.
