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They were chanting Mike Santorelli’s name last night in Vancouver

Avalanche Canucks Hockey

Vancouver Canucks’ Mike Santorelli celebrates after scoring his second goal against the Colorado Avalanche during third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)

AP

It wasn’t the loudest chant you’ll ever hear; they rarely are at Rogers Arena. But there was no mistaking the name of the fans’ favorite during Vancouver’s 3-1 victory last night over Colorado -- San-to-rel-li.

As in, Mike Santorelli. Formerly of the Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers. Had a brief, unsuccessful stint with Winnipeg last season. The Canucks signed him to a two-way deal in July, with the expectation he was bound for the farm team in Utica.

Turns out expectations were a tad low. Not only did Santorelli -- a Vancouver native, by the way -- make the big club, the 27-year-old forward now sits fourth in team scoring, with 21 points in 32 games.

Santorelli figured on all three Canucks goals versus the Avs, scoring two of them and setting up Ryan Kesler’s 15th.

Speaking of which, his apparent chemistry with Kesler is another bonus, given the elusiveness of that particular pursuit for Canuck management. But the chemistry makes sense. Santorelli is a good puck distributor, which isn’t something you’d call Kesler, who’s more of a puck taker.

Santorelli is also a pending unrestricted free agent who should be in for a nice raise next season, particularly if he can keep producing at the same rate for the Canucks. And he did have 20 goals and 21 assists for the Panthers in 2010-11, so it would be unfair to call what he’s doing now a fluke. It’s just, nobody really heard about him when he was in Florida.

Related: Santorelli impressing Torts in Vancouver