The 1988–89

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

season saw the Canucks finish in fourth place in the

Smythe Division The National Hockey League's Smythe Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honour of Conn Smythe, who was a longtime owner, general manager, and he ...

with a record of 33 wins, 39 losses, and 8 ties for 74 points. They met the first-place

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

in the Division Semifinals and extended the series to a decisive seventh game. However, the Flames won the game and the series with Joel Otto's overtime goal, clinching the

Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...

championship.

Off-season

In June 1988,

Nelson Skalbania Nelson Mathew Skalbania (born February 12, 1938) is an engineer and businessman from Vancouver, British Columbia, who is best known for signing a then 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky to the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association, and for h ...

attempted to broker a deal with his friend, Edmonton Oilers owner

Peter Pocklington Peter Hugh Pocklington (born November 18, 1941) is a Canadian entrepreneur. Peter Pocklington was known among North American hockey fans as " Peter Puck", an entrepreneur from oil-rich Alberta who was also the owner of the National Hockey League ...

to acquire

Wayne Gretzky Wayne Douglas Gretzky ( ; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "the Great One ...

for the Canucks. Skalbania was also in talks with Gretzky's agent Mike Barnett. Pat Quinn played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Vancouver Canucks by selecting Trevor Linden with the second overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft. His strategic approach to team building, which had started with key transactions during the previous offseason, continued as he sought to strengthen the Canucks through further trades and acquisitions. The Canucks only had to part with a third-round pick in 1989 (Veli-Pekka Kautonen) to sign the veterans Paul Reinhart and

Steve Bozek Steven Michael Bozek (born November 26, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left wing who spent 11 seasons in the NHL with five clubs. Noted for his hard shot, he was a reliable two-way forward and strong penalty killer. Playing c ...

from

Calgary Calgary () is a major city in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806 making it the third-largest city and fifth-largest metropolitan area in C ...

on September 6. The following day, defenseman Robert Nordmark and a 1989 second-round pick ( Craig Darby) were traded from

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

in exchange for Dave Richter. The Canucks would have their power-play point men for the coming season in order, and gave up hardly anything to get them. The free-agent signing of Harold Snepsts returned a familiar face to the Canucks blueline, and suddenly defence seemed to be a strength of the Canucks. Combined with solid netminding from

Kirk McLean Kirk Alan McLean (born June 26, 1966) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers. ...

and Steve Weeks, only powerhouses

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

and Calgary would surrender fewer goals than the Canucks that season. With Garth Butcher, Rich Sutter,

Stan Smyl Stanley Philip Smyl (born January 28, 1958) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He was selected 40th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft and went on to play his entire NHL career with the ...

, Jim Sandlak,

Ronnie Stern Ronald Stern (born January 11, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for 12 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and San Jose Sharks. Playing career Stern was born in Sa ...

, Darryl Stanley, and Snepsts in the line-up, Vancouver was suddenly a not-so-pleasant stop on a western road trip.

NHL Draft

Regular season

The Canucks went 6-1-1 in the pre-season and on an early-season visit to

Edmonton Edmonton is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. It is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Central Alberta ...

ended a three-year, 27-game winless streak against the Oilers with a 6–2 victory. Though they would only lose by more than three goals once all season, goal production was a problem. Both

Tony Tanti Anthony Tanti (born September 7, 1963) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a left winger and played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Vancouver Canucks. Originally selected 12th overall ...

(47 points) and

(25) had big drop-offs in production and, by association, so did Greg D. Adams (33) and Barry Pederson (41). The scoring slack was picked up by Petri Skriko (66 points), Linden (59), and by Reinhart (57) and Nordmark (41). Even with that, however, by mid-season the Canucks were only producing results that were marginally better than the previous few seasons and only remained in the playoff race due to an unexpectedly poor season by

Winnipeg Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Manitoba. It is centred on the confluence of the Red River of the North, Red and Assiniboine River, Assiniboine rivers. , Winnipeg h ...

. A club-record seven-game winning streak in February changed the team's outlook. Jim Sandlak was the hero in the seventh win, a tight-checking game against

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

that was played in front of a packed house and a national television audience. His rebound goal with 18 seconds to play in overtime off of a Snepsts point shot after an offensive-zone face-off win by Linden sent the home crowd into a frenzy. People around the league were now taking notice.

Don Cherry Donald Stewart Cherry (born February 5, 1934) is a Canadian former ice hockey player, coach, and television commentator. He played one game in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Boston Bruins. After concluding a playing career in the A ...

hopped on the Canucks bandwagon and on ''

Coach's Corner ''Coach's Corner'' was a commentary and analysis segment that aired from 1982 to 2019 during the first intermission of the ''Hockey Night in Canada'' (HNIC) television broadcast of National Hockey League (NHL) games. It featured Don Cherry (ice ...

'' wore a button declaring "I vote Trevor Linden NHL Rookie-of-the-Year 1989". Those buttons became a common site around town that spring. In the game following the seventh win, the Canucks lost 3–2 in

to end the streak, but Linden scored twice to tie and pass

Ivan Hlinka Ivan Hlinka (January 26, 1950 – August 16, 2004) was a Czech professional ice hockey player and coach. He is considered to be one of the most important figures in Czech ice hockey history. A big centre, his playing style was comparable to Ph ...

's club record for rookie goal scoring. He finished with 30—tied with Skriko for the team lead. These new heroes would continue to delight the Coliseum faithful, as they racked up a 12-game home unbeaten streak (11–0–1). The Canucks secured a playoff spot on March 23 and threatened to overtake Edmonton for third place in the Smythe before tapering off in the last couple of weeks. The 74 points would earn them a playoff date against the NHL's number one team in the regular season, the Calgary Flames. Despite finishing last in scoring, with just 251 goals scored, the Canucks had a solid defensive corps, finishing 3rd in fewest goals allowed (253).

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , T, , October 6, 1988, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...

( 1988–89) , , 0–0–1 , - , 2, , T, , October 8, 1988, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1988–89) , , 0–0–2 , - , 3, , L, , October 10, 1988, , 2–3 , , align="left",

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 1988–89) , , 0–1–2 , - , 4, , W, , October 12, 1988, , 6–2 , , align="left", @

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1988–89) , , 1–1–2 , - , 5, , L, , October 14, 1988, , 3–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 1–2–2 , - , 6, , L, , October 16, 1988, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 1988–89) , , 1–3–2 , - , 7, , L, , October 18, 1988, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 1–4–2 , - , 8, , W, , October 19, 1988, , 4–0 , , align="left", @

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 1988–89) , , 2–4–2 , - , 9, , W, , October 23, 1988, , 6–5 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 3–4–2 , - , 10, , L, , October 25, 1988, , 3–4 OT, , align="left",

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

( 1988–89) , , 3–5–2 , - , 11, , W, , October 28, 1988, , 5–2 , , align="left",

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

( 1988–89) , , 4–5–2 , - , 12, , W, , October 30, 1988, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 5–5–2 , - , - , 13, , L, , November 1, 1988, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 1988–89) , , 5–6–2 , - , 14, , W, , November 3, 1988, , 5–2 , , align="left", @

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 1988–89) , , 6–6–2 , - , 15, , W, , November 5, 1988, , 3–2 OT, , align="left", @

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...

( 1988–89) , , 7–6–2 , - , 16, , L, , November 6, 1988, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 1988–89) , , 7–7–2 , - , 17, , T, , November 9, 1988, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 7–7–3 , - , 18, , L, , November 11, 1988, , 1–3 , , align="left",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1988–89) , , 7–8–3 , - , 19, , L, , November 13, 1988, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 7–9–3 , - , 20, , L, , November 15, 1988, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 1988–89) , , 7–10–3 , - , 21, , L, , November 17, 1988, , 6–7 , , align="left", @

Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...

( 1988–89) , , 7–11–3 , - , 22, , W, , November 19, 1988, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1988–89) , , 8–11–3 , - , 23, , W, , November 20, 1988, , 7–4 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 9–11–3 , - , 24, , W, , November 22, 1988, , 4–2 , , align="left",

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1988–89) , , 10–11–3 , - , 25, , T, , November 25, 1988, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 10–11–4 , - , 26, , W, , November 27, 1988, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 11–11–4 , - , 27, , T, , November 29, 1988, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 11–11–5 , - , 28, , L, , November 30, 1988, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 11–12–5 , - , - , 29, , L, , December 2, 1988, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 11–13–5 , - , 30, , L, , December 6, 1988, , 3–5 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 11–14–5 , - , 31, , L, , December 9, 1988, , 2–4 , , align="left",

Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques (, pronounced in Quebec French, in Canadian English; translated "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972–1979) an ...

( 1988–89) , , 11–15–5 , - , 32, , W, , December 11, 1988, , 8–6 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 12–15–5 , - , 33, , L, , December 15, 1988, , 0–2 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 12–16–5 , - , 34, , L, , December 16, 1988, , 3–5 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 12–17–5 , - , 35, , W, , December 19, 1988, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 13–17–5 , - , 36, , W, , December 21, 1988, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 14–17–5 , - , 37, , L, , December 23, 1988, , 2–5 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 14–18–5 , - , 38, , L, , December 26, 1988, , 2–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 14–19–5 , - , 39, , W, , December 29, 1988, , 6–3 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 15–19–5 , - , - , 40, , L, , January 1, 1989, , 0–4 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 15–20–5 , - , 41, , L, , January 4, 1989, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 15–21–5 , - , 42, , T, , January 6, 1989, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 15–21–6 , - , 43, , W, , January 7, 1989, , 7–5 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 16–21–6 , - , 44, , L, , January 9, 1989, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1988–89) , , 16–22–6 , - , 45, , L, , January 13, 1989, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 16–23–6 , - , 46, , W, , January 15, 1989, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 17–23–6 , - , 47, , W, , January 17, 1989, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 18–23–6 , - , 48, , L, , January 21, 1989, , 4–5 OT, , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 18–24–6 , - , 49, , L, , January 24, 1989, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 18–25–6 , - , 50, , W, , January 26, 1989, , 6–2 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 19–25–6 , - , 51, , T, , January 29, 1989, , 4–4 OT, , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 19–25–7 , - , 52, , W, , January 31, 1989, , 6–2 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 20–25–7 , - , - , 53, , L, , February 1, 1989, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 20–26–7 , - , 54, , L, , February 4, 1989, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 20–27–7 , - , 55, , L, , February 5, 1989, , 4–5 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 20–28–7 , - , 56, , L, , February 9, 1989, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 20–29–7 , - , 57, , W, , February 10, 1989, , 5–4 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 21–29–7 , - , 58, , W, , February 12, 1989, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 22–29–7 , - , 59, , W, , February 14, 1989, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 23–29–7 , - , 60, , W, , February 16, 1989, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 24–29–7 , - , 61, , W, , February 19, 1989, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 25–29–7 , - , 62, , W, , February 21, 1989, , 2–0 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 26–29–7 , - , 63, , W, , February 23, 1989, , 2–1 OT, , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 27–29–7 , - , 64, , L, , February 26, 1989, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 27–30–7 , - , 65, , W, , February 28, 1989, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 28–30–7 , - , - , 66, , L, , March 2, 1989, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 28–31–7 , - , 67, , L, , March 4, 1989, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 28–32–7 , - , 68, , L, , March 5, 1989, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 28–33–7 , - , 69, , W, , March 8, 1989, , 3–0 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 29–33–7 , - , 70, , W, , March 10, 1989, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 30–33–7 , - , 71, , T, , March 14, 1989, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 30–33–8 , - , 72, , W, , March 16, 1989, , 3–0 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 31–33–8 , - , 73, , W, , March 18, 1989, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 32–33–8 , - , 74, , L, , March 20, 1989, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 32–34–8 , - , 75, , L, , March 22, 1989, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 32–35–8 , - , 76, , L, , March 24, 1989, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 32–36–8 , - , 77, , W, , March 26, 1989, , 7–3 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 33–36–8 , - , 78, , L, , March 29, 1989, , 2–5 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 33–37–8 , - , - , 79, , L, , April 1, 1989, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 1988–89) , , 33–38–8 , - , 80, , L, , April 2, 1989, , 4–5 , , align="left",

( 1988–89) , , 33–39–8 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Forwards

''Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points''

Defencemen

''Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points''

Goaltending

''Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against'' 1988–89 Vancouver Canucks on Hockey Database
/ref>

Playoffs

Smythe Division Semifinals

Jim Taylor of ''The province'' predicted that it would be the first best-of-seven series to be settled in three. The Flames were given 3:1 odds to win the Stanley Cup, while the long shot Canucks' odds were set at 100:1. In the first game, however, the Canucks managed to stay within a goal of the powerful Flames until Robert Nordmark tied the game on a third-period power-play. In the dying minutes, Harold Snepsts made a game-saving stop when Kirk McLean was caught out of position. At the 2:33 mark of the extra frame, ex-Flame Paul Reinhart exacted revenge on the team that was so quick to part with him by sending a wrist shot through traffic over Mike Vernon's left shoulder. To the surprise of many, the Canucks had won 4-3, winning the first game in the series. In the next two games, however, the Flames dominated the Canucks in all facets of the game, scoring 5-2 and 4-0 victories. It looked doubtful that the series would last longer than five games. But the Vancouver Canucks weren't going to roll over. The Flames started committing penalties, resulting in four power-play goals and a shocking 5–1 lead, which chased Vernon from the game. Trevor Linden, who would earn a reputation as a clutch playoff performer, had four points on the night, including his first ever playoff goal. The Flames scored two late goals to make it a 5–3 final, and the series was now even. But four games in five nights had taken its toll, and the overworked Canucks were no match for the depth of the Flames in Game Five. The Calgarians cruised to another 4–0 win, and looked to end the series two nights later. Trailing 1–0 in the second period, Linden brought the crowd to its feet when he split the defense and scored a beautiful goal to tie the score. The Flames regained the lead, but three goals in 2:18 late in the period, scored by Brian Bradley, Rich Sutter, and Garth Butcher (with his first goal all season), gave the Canucks a 4-2 lead heading into the final frame. The Flames did not want to go to a seventh game and demonstrated that in the third period. They got to within a goal and were pressing hard for the equalizer. The team defense of the Canucks was showing, though, as they were forcing most shots from the outside. With less than four minutes to play, a deflection off of two sticks caused two Flame skaters to be caught flat-footed. Brian Bradley, another ex-Flame, beat them both to the puck and found himself on a breakaway. He skated in on Vernon, faked to the forehand, deked to the backhand, and scored to give the Canucks a 5–3 lead. The deal was sealed with an empty-netter at 19:56 and the series was, incredibly, headed back to "CowTown" for a seventh game. Surely

Terry Crisp Terrance Arthur Crisp (born May 28, 1943) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey coach and player. Crisp played ten seasons in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers be ...

would not keep his job should the Flames lose this game. The Saddledome was eerily quiet as the game began, which was a stark contrast to the raucous Coliseum two nights earlier.

Joe Nieuwendyk Joseph Nieuwendyk ( ; born September 10, 1966) is a Canadian former National Hockey League (NHL) player. He was a second round selection of the Calgary Flames, 27th overall, at the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and played 20 seasons for the Flames, Dall ...

and Robert Nordmark traded power-play goals in the first thirteen minutes. With two minutes to play in the period,

Al MacInnis Allan MacInnis (born July 11, 1963) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 23 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Calgary Flames (1981–1994) and St. Louis Blues (1994–2004). A first round selection ...

' shot hit Gary Roberts in front and appeared to ring off the cross-bar. The goal judge turned the red light on, and referee Bill McCreary stopped play to check it out. After conferring at length with the goal judge and the linesmen, McCreary ruled it a goal. Replays showed his ruling was correct. Early in the second, with

Rob Ramage George Robert Ramage (born January 11, 1959) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Minneso ...

off for high-sticking Rich Sutter, Trevor Linden unleashed a powerful shot that beat Vernon to tie the game. In the final minute of the middle stanza, Garth Butcher was sent off for high-sticking Gary Roberts (the two were at each other constantly in the series). Seconds later,

Joe Mullen Joseph Patrick Mullen (born February 26, 1957) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins betwe ...

's shot toward the net hit the skate of Harold Snepsts and directed through McLean's legs to give the lead back to Calgary with a period to play. The Canucks were the dominant team in the third period, outshooting the Flames 13–10. At the 7:12 mark, Doug Lidster took a shot on goal as Tony Tanti skated across the goalmouth to screen Vernon. He bumped Vernon's arm as the puck hit Calgary defenseman

Brad McCrimmon Byron Brad McCrimmon (March 29, 1959 – September 7, 2011) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and coach. He played over 1,200 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, ...

's skate and slid into the net. The goal stood, to the outrage of Vernon, and the game was tied. In the final minute of regulation time, a screened Vernon made a quick glove save off of Greg D. Adams to preserve the tie. In overtime, there were numerous chances for each team, especially the Canucks. On one chance, Petri Skriko appeared to have a lot of net to shoot at as Vernon was slow coming across, but he didn't get everything on his shot and Vernon managed to kick it out with his left skate. Stan Smyl had two chances. He beat Vernon on a wrap-around but hit the far post. Minutes later, the Flames were caught on a bad change and he had a breakaway, but Vernon was quick with the glove again. Then Vernon made yet another great glove save off the stick of Tony Tanti. The Flames had some chances of their own. Nordmark turned over the puck behind his net and

Doug Gilmour Douglas Robert Gilmour (born June 25, 1963) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for seven different teams. Gilmour was a seventh round selection, 134th overall, of the ...

fed Mullen alone in front. Mullen made a move to put McLean down and out, but they young netminder flung his goal-stick out in desperation and knocked the puck away at the goal line. On another occasion, the Flames did put the puck over the line, but the net had been dislodged an instant before. Finally, in the last minute of the first overtime period, the Flames rushed into the Vancouver zone.

Jim Peplinski James Desmond Peplinski (born October 24, 1960) is a Canadian former National Hockey League (NHL) player. He played ten seasons in the NHL (all with the Calgary Flames) and won the Stanley Cup in 1989. He represented Canada at the 1988 Winter Ol ...

sent a casual shot toward the net that re-directed off the skate of Joel Otto and into the net. Only Otto knows for sure what his intentions were, and years later he claimed that he did not even see the shot coming. Perhaps he's right, as Doug Lidster was trying to clear him from the front of the net at the time. There was a lot of confusion, but the goal stood. The game was a classic. The Canucks were the only team to take the Stanley Cup Champion Flames to the brink of elimination that spring. ''Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 3''

Awards and records

That summer, several Canucks were acknowledged for their performances during the season by becoming the first Canucks to be nominated for post-season awards. Though Trevor Linden (

Calder Memorial Trophy The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League (NHL)." It is named after Frank Calder, the first president of the NHL. Serving ...

), Kirk McLean (

Vezina Trophy The Vezina Trophy ( ) is awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the thirty-two List of NHL general managers, NHL general managers vote to dete ...

), Stan Smyl ( Masterton Trophy), and coach Bob McCammon (

Jack Adams Trophy The Jack Adams Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) coach "adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success." The league's Coach of the Year award has been presented 51 times to 43 coaches. The winner is selec ...

) came away empty-handed, they, along with all of their teammates, had truly given the fans of Vancouver a series to remember. * Trevor Linden, Runner-up, Calder Trophy * Trevor Linden, NHL All-Rookie Team * Trevor Linden, Voted

The Hockey News ''The Hockey News'' (''THN'') is a Canadian-based ice hockey magazine. ''The Hockey News'' was founded in 1947 by Ken McKenzie and Will Cote and has since become the most recognized hockey publication in North America. The magazine has a reader ...

Rookie-of-the-Year * Trevor Linden,

Molson Cup The Molson Cup is an award presented to a distinguished player on Canadian ice hockey teams. After each game, the " three game stars" are selected, usually by a member of the media. At the end of the season, the player with the most three-star h ...

(Most game star selections for Vancouver Canucks) * Trevor Linden, Cyclone Taylor Award (MVP of the Canucks) * Trevor Linden, Most Exciting Player (Canucks team award)

Transactions

Trades

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1988-89 Vancouver Canucks season Vancouver Canucks seasons Vancouver C

Vancouver Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the cit ...