Team History

1985-1986: OILERS MAKE QUICK WORK OF THE CANUCKS

Changes were the order of the day after a disastrous 1984-85 campaign. Gone were Vice-President, General Manager, and Head Coach Harry Neale and Associate Coach Ron Smith. Assistant GM Jack Gordon was promoted to GM and Director of Hockey Operations and 1982 Jack Adams Trophy winner Tom Watt was brought in to coach. The team would undergo a cosmetic change as well, altering their jerseys so that the big "V" on the front was replaced by the team logo, while smaller "V"s would appear on the shoulders. In the Entry Draft, the Canucks would take 6'3" RW Jim Sandlak with the fourth overall pick. He would play 23 games for the team in the season, collecting four points.

Stan Smyl became the first Canuck to reach the 200-goal plateau on November 22 in a 6-5 loss to New Jersey. Richard Brodeur would earn team MVP honours, appearing in a career-high 64 games and keeping the Canucks in many games they had no business being in. On February 28, he registered his 100th win as a Canuck in a 3-1 win over Philadelphia. Sophomore Petri Skriko earned career high marks in goals (38) and points (78). His point total led the team but he trailed Tony Tanti by one in the goal department. Other than that, the only thing to keep fan interest was the three-way turtle derby between the Canucks, Jets, and Kings for the final two playoff spots in the Smythe. In the end, the Jets and Canucks would finish with 59 points each while the Kings would be out with 54.

On the basis of winning more games (26-23), the Jets claimed third place while the Canucks drew fourth and a first-round date with Edmonton. It was quick and painless. Though they managed a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes, the Canucks would drop game one by a 7-3 score and then lose a pair of 5-1 contests for a much-expected three-game sweep.