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OkillSports30SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2011 Oreskovich a big hitin NHL playoff debutCanucks forward enjoying life as a fourth-line checkerBy Jon Kuiperijto pay too much attention to that, but itsBEAVER SPORTS EDITORgreat when you watched Coachs Corner as akid.Victor Oreskovich has figured out the bestBeing recognized for his physical play isway to make an impact in the Nationalsomething new for Oreskovich, who had 76Hockey League is to make plenty of impactspoints in 81 career games in the Ontarioon opposing players.Hockey League. But when the Whitby nativeKnown more as a finesse player in hiswas trying to make the NHL with the Floridayounger days, including a fewPanthers last season followingyears in the Minor Oaks HockeyMy whole life a short retirement from hockey,Association system, the 24-year-he realized he needed to changegrowing up, I really old local resident has been a bighis style.didn't play overlyhit as a fourth-line checker inMy whole life growing up, Iphysical... But oncehis NHL postseason debut withreally didnt play overly physi-you get to the NHLthe Vancouver Canucks.cal. Even in the OHL and withThe physical play of level, the skill guysNotre Dame (where he playedOreskovich and linematescollegiate hockey), that wasntare so, so good. You Maxim Lapierre and Tannermy role, Oreskovich said. Butkind of have to find Glass has been credited as aonce you get to the NHL level,a different identity.major reason why the Canucksthe skill guys are so, so good.carry a 3-1 lead in their first-You kind of have to find a differ- Victor Oreskovichround playoff series with theent identity. Last year, playingChicago Blackhawks intoin Florida, thats what wastonights (Thursdays) Game 5.expected of me, to be physical, get on theThe line combined for 15 hits in the open-forecheck and create chances off my speeding game of the series, setting the tone for aand size. This year, Ive really come to realizeVancouver club that hadnt exactly beenmy role even more so than last year, and Iveknown for throwing its weight around in itsbeen comfortable with that.past few playoff appearances. Oreskovich,Traded to the Canucks last summer,Lapierre and Glass even drew some praise forOreskovich suffered both a concussion and atheir work from the CBCs Don Cherry onseparated shoulder this past season withJEFF VINNICK / COURTESY OF VANCOUVER CANUCKSHockey Night in Canada a few days ago.Vancouvers American Hockey League affili-That was pretty cool, Oreskovich admit-MAKING AN IMPACTate, the Manitoba Moose. He was called up to: Minor Oaks Hockey Association product Victor Oreskovich is playing ted with a laugh Monday. A couple of mythe Canucks in the middle of February, thenin his first-ever National Hockey League playoffs this year with the Vancouver Canucks. The 24-year-buddies messaged me about that. You try notold See Playing, page 32forward has been receiving plenty of praise for his physical play on the Canucks' fourth line.