Sherwood's First Career Hat Trick Leads to 3-1 Victory Over Avalanche – Hockey Writers – Vancouver Canucks

Led by Kiefer Sherwood's first natural hat trick, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-1 on Monday night at Rogers Arena. The former Avalanche forward had his strongest game of the season and now has a career-high 11 goals after scoring 10 last season. The Avalanche were in danger of being shutout, but Valeri Nichushkin made sure that didn't happen with a last-minute goal to break Thatcher Demko's bid for his first shutout since returning from injury. Demko got his first win of the season after dropping an overtime game to St. Louis Blues and a 5-1 decision over the Boston Bruins. Blackwood, meanwhile, lost for the first time since being traded to the San Jose Sharks in Dec. 9.

Recap of the game

The first half was dominated by the Canucks, the scoring chances were 11-4 and the most dangerous chances were 4-1. They finally got one of those chances when Sherwood won a battle along the boards and eventually got the ninth from Mackenzie Blackwood after a pass between Pius Suter and Danton Heinen. Heinen drove into the net, and Blackwood made the first save, but Sherwood was there to push away the rebound. The period ended 1-0 when the Avalanche went on a power play after a call on JT Miller.

The Avalanche had two good chances at the end of their power play to tie the game, but Demko held firm to keep the Canucks up 1-0. After that, it was back and forth with both teams trading chances until Sherwood doubled up with the first shorthanded goal of his career at 16:04. Taking the puck off Nathan MacKinnon's stick at the blue line, he raced around Cale Makar and chipped it past Blackwood for his 10th of the season. The Avalanche couldn't score on the power play to counter it, and the score remained 2-0 to end the second.

The first hat trick of Kiefer Sherwood's career, and a natural hat trick! 👏

Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstrazenecaUS pic.twitter.com/Sr4qzVDxKQ

— NHL (@NHL) December 17, 2024

The third period was the Avalanche as they tried to cut off the Canucks' two goals. But they couldn't get past Demko despite playing a strong game. The Canucks bent but didn't break and in the end, Sherwood put his third into an empty net at 17:25 to cap off his first-ever hat trick. The Avalanche would break Demko's shutout bid in the final minute, but had little choice but to fall to the Canucks 3-1.

Demko was solid in his second straight start with Kevin Lankinen still feeling under the weather, finishing with 30 saves on 31 shots. Blackwood on the other hand was good too, stopping 22 of 24. Both teams are deadlocked as the Avs went 0/4 and the Canucks 0/2.

What's Next For Canucks & Avalanche?

The Canucks will leave Rogers Arena for a quick two-game road trip starting Wednesday against the Utah Hockey Club. The Avalanche, meanwhile, will head to California to face the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.