The Vancouver Canucks came to play in their first playoff game since 2015.
Facing the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues in game one of their first round series, captain Bo Horvat scored twice to lead the Canucks to a big 5-2 victory.
Game at a Glance, presented by @ToyotaPacific - #Canucks light up the defending champs 5-2 in Game 1 thanks to goals from @BoHorvat (2), @_EPettersson, @troystecher & Miller. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ttpwJNaELO
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) August 13, 2020
He opened the scoring on a powerplay early in the first period, but the Blues bounced back with a powerplay goal of their own courtesy of David Perron.
Tied at one goal apiece in the middle frame, Elias Pettersson restored Vancouver's lead with another goal on the man advantage.
However, the lead didn't last long as Jaden Schwartz capitalized on a breakaway to draw the Blues even once again.
That 2-2 tie lasted until the third period, when Troy Stecher broke the deadlock 5:37 in with a slapshot from the right side that found its way through Jordan Binnington.
For Peter Stecher 💚 pic.twitter.com/eeOTgj9eYY
— Vanessa Jang (@vanessajang) August 13, 2020
As he celebrated the goal, he pointed to the heavens in honour of his late father, Peter Stecher, who passed away at the age of 65 on June 21.
"I miss my dad every day," Stecher said after the game. "It was a big goal at a crucial time in the game. I had a couple seconds there to reflect on my dad."
Less than three minutes after that emotional and important goal, Horvat took over the game as a top-end captain does.
He picked up the puck in the neutral zone, undressed Vince Dunn at the St. Louis blue line and snapped a quick shot blocker side on Binnington to double the Vancouver lead.
Bo Horvat oh MY pic.twitter.com/A7pvX6FXpM
— Hockey Central (@HockeyCentraI) August 13, 2020
After Jacob Markstrom made a vital toe save late in the game, JT Miller put it on ice with a powerplay goal in the final minute of play.
The 5-2 win gives Canucks first blood in the best-of-seven series and they'll look to continue their hot play and double their series lead when the teams face off in game two on Friday afternoon.
It's a 3:30 pm PT start from the bubble in Edmonton and, like always, the game will be broadcast on Sportsnet.
