Canucks Notebook: How Tyler Myers went from suspension to plaudits for inspired play

Myers finished with five shots, six attempts, two blocked shots, an empty-net goal and a plus-3 rating in 22:58 of ice time Monday in St. Louis.

In fact, he worked harder on his game in practice to maintain a level of fitness and ensure he wouldn’t be a liability Monday in St. Louis.

He was far from that.

Myers stripped a power-play foray, then pivoted and saw Suter streaking away and he snapped one home in the second period to put the Canucks up 4-1.

“It was massive,” said the Canucks captain, who was paired with Myers. “His game and the way he breaks out pucks, and works the penalty kill, he was just so solid. And he defends hard. It’s leadership.”

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Tyler Myers is hounded by Predators pest Kiefer Sherwood during NHL playoff game on April 21 at Rogers Arena.Photo by Derek Cain /Getty Images

He leads the team with 17 minors, many of which come in trying to adjust is 6-foot-8 frame to defend with his body and not the stick.

However, Myers also leads his team in blocked shots (85), and is second in take-aways (21) and blueliner scoring with 14 points (3-12). That moxie was on full display Monday.

“He was one of the best players on the ice and he was terrific,” Tocchet said of Myers finishing with five shots, six attempts, two blocked shots, a fitting empty-net goal and plus-3 rating in 22:58 of ice time, up over his 20:36 average.

“You really miss a guy like that. His break-outs were great and he was excellent. And those games he missed, he worked real hard and didn’t miss a beat. Really proud of him.”

As for the mild-mannered Myers, he stayed the course to explain his place in the game.

“It’s the same mindset going into every game,” he said. “It (the suspension) felt like a long break and it’s great to be back and just try and help the guys win.”

It showed Monday.

“I obviously liked our start and we defended well and did a job creating more, whether it was moving our feet in the O-zone and our attacking seemed better,” said Soucy. “We just have to realize what’s working for us. We take pride in our defending, but the offence is coming the last couple of days.

“We just have to stick with it.”

Lekkerimaki is on the mend

Prize prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki is making progress after his head struck the endboards during an AHL game in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday.

The winger crashed heavily midway through the third period with his team up 6-2. Lekkerimaki was back-checking on the play, but lost an edge and it wasn’t certain at the time whether his shoulder or head took brunt of the brutal blow.

The winger crashed heavily midway through the third period with his team up 6-2. Lekkerimaki was back-checking on the play, but lost an edge and it wasn’t certain at the time whether his shoulder or head took brunt of the brutal blow.

“He’s good. There are just some precautionary days here, but he’s feeling good,” Johnson told Postmedia. “We just want to make sure after a scary fall, but he’s going to be fine.”
Lekkerimaki, 20, has three points (2-1) in 11 rookie NHL games this season and 21 points (14-7) in 24 AHL games. His shot and high hockey I.Q. have set him apart.
“He scores goals with very little risk, and the other end of it by not sacrificing puck management or defensive responsibility,” stressed Johnson. “It’s what has jumped off the page in Abbotsford and when he first came over from Europe.
“He knows his responsibility is beyond scoring goals and he plays well with his other skills. He’s much more well-rounded than I anticipated. He has that release and ability to find quiet areas as good as anybody.”

OVERTIME — The Canucks have recalled centre Aatu Raty from their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford. The feisty Finn has four points (2-2) in 20 NHL games this season and has won 56.3 per cent of his draws. He has also delivered 48 hits. He has 23 points (8-25) in 23 AHL games this season.

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