Canucks 2024–25 Memorable Matches 4: December 16, 2024
Dec 16, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Danton Heinen (20) and Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood (44) celebrate Sherwood's third goal of the game against the Colorado Avalanche during the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Welcome back to another Memorable Match from the Vancouver Canucks' 2024–25 season. Last time, we looked at the team's match against the Detroit Red Wings on December 1. This week, we'll take a look at Kiefer Sherwood's December 16 domination of the Colorado Avalanche.
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The 2024–25 season was a spectacular one for Sherwood, who hit career-highs in goals (19), assists (21), points (40), and more. His NHL record-breaking hit total on the season has been spoken about at length, earning him the fan-voted title of the team's unsung hero. The Canucks were high on Sherwood long before they signed him in free-agency, noting that their first-round playoff series against the Nashville Predators opened their eyes to his skills.
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Early on in the season, Sherwood got off to a bang, expressing his confidence in possibly breaking the NHL season hit record. By December 15, Sherwood was already at eight goals, six assists, and 179 hits.
On December 16, Sherwood broke his career-high in goals scored in one season. Previously, he'd scored 10 in 68 games with Nashville in the 2023–24 season. On the 16th, he scored his first NHL hat trick to set a new personal record. His three goals propelled the team past the Avalanche, whose only goal came from Valeri Nichuskin.
Sherwood's effort in this game resulted in fans starting a 'Kief-er Sher-wood' chant. After the game, he'd discussed how hearing the chant was 'a pretty special honour.
'I was trying to take it in,' he said at the time. 'I really appreciate the fan support. Obviously, passion is something that Vancouver is known for, and that's pretty cool. I will definitely remember it.'
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