Jake DeBrusk and the Vancouver Canucks take on the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
As the Vancouver Canucks prepare to battle the Edmonton Oilers, most of the focus heading into the game is being directed at Conor Garland. In a story that has been blown out of proportion, Garland is being targeted by fans and media members for holding down Connor McDavid in the final seconds of the Canucks 3-2 victory over the Oilers on Saturday night. Despite the fact that McDavid retaliated by cross-checking Garland in the head, which resulted in a three-game suspension, based on social media comments, many in Edmonton feel like there is some sort of retribution that needs to come Garland’s way.
Fan bases despising certain players is nothing new. A good example is Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand, who gets booed across the league. One player who has witnessed this booing firsthand is Jake DeBrusk, who was Marchand’s teammate for seven seasons before signing in Vancouver. When asked about the booing and hatred of Marchand, DeBrusk pointed out that it actually motivates him, which often makes fans even angrier.
“I think even the last game that we played against him here in Vancouver,” said DeBrusk. “I remember games against Montreal, Toronto, you name it; the guy’s been booed about in six, seven, maybe eight different arenas. He loved it. It was one of those things where he actually wanted that. He wanted people to get on him when he’d get a penalty. It got him into the game.”
As for DeBrusk, he has also experienced plenty of boos in his career. Most of the time, this occurs during rivalry games and the playoffs as fans become engaged in the battle on the ice. Like Marchand, DeBrusk enjoys hearing the boos as it is a good indicator that he is doing his job correctly.
“I think it makes it more exciting. To be honest with you, I’ve also been booed once. I’ve been booed in Toronto, and it kind of makes you excited, but it depends on what it’s for. In saying that, people say that if there is booing on one side, there’s cheering on the other, so, you know, you’re doing something right for one fan base and wrong for the other.”
While there is a lot of noise ahead of Thursday’s game, the players don’t think it will impact the play on the ice. After practice on Wednesday, Garland admitted that he doesn’t care about being labelled as public enemy #1, with his focus remaining on the game. As for DeBrusk, while he knows the game will be tense, he believes most of the drama will come from people online rather than from the players.
McDavid Suspended Three Games For Cross-Check On Canucks Garland
Regardless of what happens online before and during the game, the crowd at Rogers Place is going to be pumped up. This is the first time since Game 6 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs that the Canucks and Oilers will face off in Edmonton, and the last of three regular-season matchups between these Pacific Division rivals. While DeBrusk is new to the rivalry as a player, he knows all about the history between these two teams and is excited to play in front of what should be an excited crowd.
“You can feed off it. I think anytime there’s an exciting crowd or you’re playing in general, it is a pro. I think for me, it’s always exciting when the crowd’s alive. I think when the crowds alive, whether you are getting booed or cheered, I think it brings more to the game. In saying that, we want to quiet them down, so that’s kind of our goal as a road team, to try to limit the noise and limit the chances to cheer. I’m from Edmonton. I know how passionate they are. I haven’t been a fan there in a while, but I think it’s one of those things where it’s a lot different in the regular season than in playoffs, that’s for sure.”
In the end, while the Garland storyline will get some play on Thursday, Vancouver needs to stay focused on collecting two points. The team has struggled as of late and is currently fighting to get back above the playoff bar. Overall, Thursday presents a massive opportunity for the Canucks, as they look to establish some consistency ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off.
