Poor Shane O’Brien. He’s replaced Kyle Wellwood this season as the brunt of any jokes involving the Vancouver Canucks and all he did was gain a few pounds, stay out too late partying and show up late to practices and team meetings. That’s just off the ice.
On the ice, he had come under a fire a bit in the first round series for having his emotions get the best of him at times. Celebrating after a fight against Wayne Simmonds didn’t help much. Yet in the all-important Game 6 against the Kings, O’Brien perhaps had his best game. It’s no coincidence that he was a bit more under control emotionally as well. Per Ben Kuzma of The Province:
“I felt I did a better job of being more relaxed [Sunday] and I told myself that before the game,” said O’Brien. “Growing up, you dream of this situation and I get a little emotional sometimes and do some stupid things here and there. But it’s about winning and my teammates, who have been great to me. And you definitely don’t put yourself ahead of the team and I’ve just got to keep telling myself that.”
