Canucks back-end depth to be tested in Game Four
Posted May 21, 2011 06:57:51 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SAN JOSE, CA (NEWS1130) – Defencemen Keith Ballard and Andrew Alberts could play for the Canucks in Game Four in San Jose. Christian Ehrhoff and Aaron Rome were both knocked out of Game Three by the Sharks’ Jamie McGinn.
Ehrhoff had a shoulder-to-shoulder collision with McGinn late in the first period of Game Three and did not return. Rome had his back turned in the third period, when the San Jose forward walloped him into the corner boards. The Canucks defenceman had to be helped from the ice. McGinn received a game misconduct after the Rome hit, but was not disciplined after a hearing with the NHL.
Following Vancouver’s optional skate today, Head Coach Alain Vigneault would not confirm that Rome and Ehrhoff would sit out the next game of the Western Conference Final. Although, both Alberts and Ballard were speaking about playing in Game Four. Recently called up defenceman Chris Tanev could also be an option for the Vancouver coaching staff.
Vancouver will miss the offensive output of Ehrhoff, as the German is fourth in team playoff scoring with two goals and nine assists. Only Dan Boyle of the Sharks has more points in the playoffs as Ehrhoff. Boyle has 15 points.
The Canucks have shown some depth on the back-end. During the teams’ record breaking regular season, 13 different defenceman saw playing time on the Vancouver blue line.
Game Four beings at noon tomorrow.
