In the final home game of the season, the Sedins dazzle the crowd with a classic Sedinery goal in overtime and say farewell to the Canucks faithful. RECAP
Henrik Sedin. Daniel Sedin. Goal.
What, you thought it would end some other way?
The Vancouver Canucks won 4-3 in overtime against the Arizona Coyotes Thursday night thanks to a goal manufactured by team legends Daniel and Henrik Sedin.
Fellow Swede Alex Edler also notched an assist, which turned the brothers' last game on home ice into a hard-earned win.
Henrik to Daniel. OT-winner. Magical. #ThankYouSedins pic.twitter.com/cN6MJA9iVq —@NHL
On Thursday, fans, teammates and competitors paid tribute to the twin brothers who are retiring at the end of this season, their 17th with the team.
It was an emotional way to cap off their tenure, which saw them grow into fan favourites and beloved contributors to the Vancouver community.
Before the game, Daniel did not predict he would tear up at the end of the game as he and his brother waved goodbye to the crowd at Rogers Arena.
"No matter how we react, I think deep inside it's going to be great."
Vancouver Canucks' Daniel Sedin, left, and his twin brother Henrik Sedin, wave to the crowd after defeating the Arizona Coyotes 4-3 in their last home NHL hockey game. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
Even though it's the last at home, Henrik doubted there would be much diverting from the pre-game routine the two have carved out over the last 17 seasons.
He'd pick up Daniel on the way to the rink and drive the usual route. Then ease into the evening by watching some of the East Coast games with a few Swedish teammates before heading to the pre-game meeting.
Once on ice, however, Henrik admitted things would be anything but normal.
Congrats on a great career to the Sedins. Two of the best play makers to ever play the game! All the best in retirement. —@Bmarch63
"Tonight, I don't know if I'm going to watch the jumbotron," said Henrik. "Maybe I'll look at the ice and talk to my teammates more."
Earlier Thursday morning, the twins got a sneak preview of what to expect in in the tribute video department.
Instead of the usual pre-game video session, head coach Travis Green screened a retrospective of the brothers for the entire team — partly to honour them and partly to remind younger players that the superstar twins weren't always so super, especially in the early days of their career.
Vancouver City Hall will be lit up tonight in alternating blue and yellow in recognition of Canucks veterans, Daniel and Henrik Sedins’, final home game. pic.twitter.com/cGaAHzUxdF —@CityofVancouver
"It wasn't all speed and skill. There were a lot of dirty plays and it was a different kind of hockey back then," said Green. .
"These two as young players had to persevere through some tough hockey and tough lessons. And to see what they've become ... it's a really good lesson for our players."
The Sedin's parents, Tommy and Tora, and two older brothers, Peter and Stefan, flew in to be a part of the celebration and a social media campaign asked all fans in attendance to stand and give the twins the "Viking clap" in the third period.
Gutted I’m not in Vancouver to watch their final home game tonight. Thank you for all the great memories. @Canucks #ThankYouSedins pic.twitter.com/WBQEvFhRhE —@sincy12
Former teammate Trevor Linden, who is president of hockey operations for the Vancouver Canucks, says that the pair will leave a void in the organization.
"We'll never see this type of duo again. We're just so lucky to have been able to enjoy them for so long and we get one more night tonight," Linden said.
Outside Rogers Arena, fans expressed what the brothers meant to them, writing heartfelt messages on a special tribute wall hours before the game.
Lots of @Canucks fans already emotional ahead of tonight's game. Final match for the Sedins and people are leaving their thank you messages. #Sedins #NHL #Canucks #Vancouver #BCHockey pic.twitter.com/W8xqD85RkQ —@anitabathe
As well, Vancouver city hall flashed Swedish blue and yellow in honour of the evening.
The Sedin twins will play the final game of their careers Saturday night in Edmonton.
#ThankYouSedins for stickhandling us through 18 glorious years in #Vancouver, both on and off the ice! 🏒
Tonight, they play their last home game for the @Canucks. Heading to the game? Remember, you can pre-purchase a return Compass ticket to avoid the line-ups! ^at pic.twitter.com/VPZSvSJ78y —@TransLink
With files from Karin Larsen
The Vancouver Canucks celebrate an overtime goal by forward Daniel Sedin (22) against the Arizona Coyotes. (Photo: Anne-Marie Sorvin, USA TODAY Sports)
Canucks legends Henrik and Daniel Sedin played in their final game in Vancouver on Thursday night, and much like they did for their entire careers, they put on a show.
After combining for a goal in the second period, the twins won the game against the Arizona Coyotes in overtime on the power play with Daniel scoring off a feed from twin brother Henrik.
The twins and longtime teammate Alex Edler first hooked up on a pretty passing play during the second period.
That the Sedins combined again for a goal in the city they became hockey icons in was cool.
Even cooler? The strike was Daniel Sedin's 22nd goal of the season — 22 being his jersey number — at the 33-second mark of the second period — 33 being brother Henrik's number.
Daniel's 22nd of the year.
Scored 33 seconds into the period.
Assisted by Henrik, #33.#ThankYouSedins for these moments. pic.twitter.com/zcy9yzzHiN — NHL (@NHL) April 6, 2018
The Canucks rallied from a 3-1 hole in the third period to force overtime at 3-3, and Daniel Sedin ended the game by pumping home his second goal of the contest off a feed from Henrik.
Second of the game for Daniel, scored at 2:33 of OT and assisted by Henrik, #33.
WE ARE NOT MAKING THIS UP. #ThankYouSedinspic.twitter.com/x0nX30GL2t — NHL (@NHL) April 6, 2018
The pair received a lengthy ovation from the home crowd following the game.
"You couldn’t dream of a better ending in this building, the last time we stepped on this ice. It was emotional," Daniel Sedin said.
Said Henrik: "When I woke up this morning I knew it was going to be a big day. We tried to enjoy every minute of it.”
“It’s tough to find the words. Special from warm-up to now. This is a night to remember.” - Henrik Sedin — Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 6, 2018
Edler, the Sedins' Swedish countryman, also picked up an assist on the OT winner.
“We talked before the game it was going to be loud. We just fed off that," Edler said.
“The twins had a great game. They were on fire. It was a perfect ending.”
The Sedins, 37, announced earlier this month that this season would be their last.
They made their NHL debuts in the 2000-01 season after being the second (Daniel) and third (Henrik) overall picks in the 1999 NHL draft, establishing themselves as a premier playmaking duo in the NHL. Captain Henrik led the NHL in points in 2010 and added the Hart Trophy as league MVP. Daniel Sedin won the 2011 Art Ross race and Ted Lindsay Award for most outstanding player as voted by the players. That season the Canucks went all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final before falling to Boston.
More: Sure, the NHL playoffs will be fun. But there are reasons to be disappointed before it even starts
More: Hockey Hall of Fame chances for seven of league's grizzled veterans
The Sedins sit 1-2 in team history in games played and points (Henrik just ahead of Daniel in both categories), while Daniel holds the team record for goals.
Contributing: Associated Press
