from Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province,

Booth’s commitment to regain his powerful stride and balance after knee, ankle and groin injuries the last two years wasn’t just talk.

Before the Canucks departed on their last road trip on what was a travel day, Booth and Aidelbaum had a 7 a.m. skating session at Rogers Arena. During the four-game trip, teacher and pupil exchanged technical analysis, and when the club returned Wednesday, Booth and Aidelbaum had another session.

The results have been quick and quite remarkable.

Booth scored in successive games on the trip, but his bold move out of the corner and powerful cut to the net to bury a backhander on Nov. 30 at Madison Square Garden was an eye-opener. He looked more like that 30-goal scorer with the Florida Panthers in 2008-09 than someone who has struggled to score three times in 18 games this season and has been in the Tortorella doghouse.

That goal against the New York Rangers was beyond encouraging. It was an epiphany.

“That was technical,” Aidelbaum said Wednesday. “With the skills comes comfort, and with comfort comes confidence, and it works directly in that order. If the skating is sharp, the mind is sharp and they feel they can conquer the world.

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