It took some time, but Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen is finally starting to produce at a solid rate.
Selected with the sixth overall pick in 2014, Virtanen recorded just 14 points through his first 65 games. The BC native finished with 10 goals and 10 assists last season but has showed steady improvement in the 2018-19 campaign with 5 goals and 2 assists through 14 contests. More importantly, however, the Canucks seem to have more success when Virtanen finds his way onto the scoresheet. In fact, they’ve won their past 14 games when he’s notched at least one point.
The ‘Nucks have arguably been the most surprising team of the season so far. With a win tonight they moved into first place in the Pacific Division with an 8-6 record. Virtanen now sits fourth on the team in scoriring behind Brock Boeser (7), Bo Horvat (10) and rookie sensation Elias Pettersson (10).
Fans have been shotgunning beers every time Virtanen has been scoring this season and tonight was no exception. People were chugga-luggin! Shoutout to Mike Halford and Jason Brough from TSN 1040 for helping kick off this trend.
Time will tell if the young squad can keep it up but it’s nice to at least see Virtanen starting to have some success.
(H/T r/Hockey)
