Vancouver Canucks’ rookie Christopher Tanev makes a big series debut in Game 5 against Boston Bruins
Vancouver Canucks finally gave its young rookie, Chris Tanev, a chance at showing what he’s capable of in Game 5 of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Stanley Cup Finals’ series against Boston Bruins on Friday, June 10th, as Canucks faced a shortage
of defensemen.
The 21-year-old rookie from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was picked up by Vancouver Canucks this season and has played 29 games in the regular season in which he registered only a single assist.
Tanev has participated in three games so far this postseason, twice against San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Finals and once in Game 5 against Boston now.
He is yet to pick up a point in the playoffs so far.
"It means a lot", said Tanev about getting a chance to play in the finals for his team. "It's a dream come true".
This decision came after Aaron Rome was suspended in Game 3 for knocking out Nathan Horton with a severe concussion.
Canucks is already without another defenseman, Dan Hamhuis, who went out with an undisclosed injury and has not returned as yet.
Vancouver has always struggled with its defensive end, seeing that Manny Malhotra is also able to play for a limited period in each game.
Having to use a backup defenseman was the only way to fill up the gap and it worked well in their way as Canucks shutout Boston, 1-0, to take a 3-2 lead in the series as they are headed for their first Stanley Cup in 40 years.
"He's come in and he's played really solid, very consistently all year", said Kevin Bieksa who is a teammate and mentor for Tanev. "And that's the thing. He doesn't have too many ups and downs. For a young defenseman, that's a great compliment".
Chris Tanev is expected to continue on playing for the remainder of the series in Rome’s place who will miss this series entirely due to a four-game suspension issued to him by the NHL disciplinary committee.
Game 6 is scheduled to be played on Monday, June 13th, at the TD Center in Boston, in which Tanev will surely be a contributing factor.
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