On Wednesday, Oct. 30, the Vancouver Canucks hosted their second-ever Firefighters Night, during which the team honoured first responders who put their lives at risk every day to help keep the community safe.
Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes played a key role in honouring the dedication of local firefighters as the Canucks faced the New Jersey Devils.
The Firefighters Night
The Canucks are continuing to bounce back from getting eliminated in Round 2 of the NHL Playoffs last season.
So far, the team has picked up 11 points from the first nine games of the 2024-25 NHL season and are on the hunt to win the team’s next game. Bookmaker sites currently see the Canucks as the fifth favorite to win the Pacific and the fans are hoping the team can add another banner to its rafters. When examining the best sites for sports betting in Canada, writer Neil Roarty found many sites that allow gamblers to bet on the NHL. Specifically, bettors can make prop bets, correct score bets and same game parlays.
However, the team’s latest match against the Devils wasn’t only about hockey. During the game, the team honoured Lake Country firefighters in its annual Firefighters Night.
Lake Country Captain Ryan Murdain, Deputy Chief Brent Penner and 122 more firefighters were in attendance as the Canucks took on the Devils. Penner even sounded the siren to kick off the third period.
Following the game, the firefighters got to meet Hughes and his two brothers, Jack and Luke, who both play for the Devils.
Quinn Hughes honours heroes with Team 43
2024 Norris Trophy winner Hughes helped create the Firefighters Night initiative in honour of his grandfather, Marty Hughes, who had a 31-year career as a firefighter and served as battalion chief with the NYC Fire Department.
Last season, the Canucks captain also launched his Team 43 program. Under the program, the defenceman donates four tickets to every home game to first responders in B.C. Hughes said he was inspired by how much firefighters sacrifice to keep the community safe and wanted to do something nice for them.
Hughes also said that Team 43 serves to create a bridge between the sport and the dedication first responders put in.
Last year, he visited the West Kelowna Fire Department and spoke to those protecting the region from the wildfire that saw 35,000 people under evacuation orders. Hughes said that the commitment first responders put in is admirable and touched upon the fact that their shifts can sometimes be as long as 18 or 19 hours.
During his visit to the firehall in September 2023, the Canucks captain mentioned that his grandfather is really proud of what he’s doing in the NHL but had said that it’s still not too late for him to take the fire test.
Facing the New Jersey Devils, the Canucks also promoted limited edition Team 43 merchandise, with all proceeds going to charity.
The game
Although it was a special night for many, the Canucks ended their streak of five games with points as the Devils handed them a 6-0 loss.
Nick Hischier led the Devils, scoring and recording two assists in the game. Jack Hughes and Dawson Mercer also contributed with both having a goal as well as an assist.
While Jacob Markstrom earned his 21st career shutout, Arturs Silovs finished the game with a 727 save percentage in his first game since Oct. 15.
Defending off the rush was difficult for the Canucks, with the four goals they conceded coming in transition. The fifth tally came from Jack Hughes, who scored a tap-in during a power play in the third period.
Tocchet even referred to the game as the team’s worst defensive performance since he took over the Canucks in Jan. 2023.
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