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CANUCKS HOCKEY BLOG

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Working Towards Goals

When you're as desperate the Vancouver Canucks to score goals, you're willing to try anything (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province):

Vigneault turned the practice ice Tuesday into his own blackboard jungle for an offence-only cram session. He spread four nets across the rink and at each one there was a station where coaches ran specific drills designed to give players a refresher course on how to beat NHL goalies.

Players practised one-timers at one station, then tried to score from the slot with a coach hanging off their jersey in another.

In the other two, forwards attempted to beat Dany Sabourin in one net and some stacked pads in the other.
Previous versions of the Canucks had about as much problems scoring as Ben Affleck at Brandy's. With a new-look roster and an increased focus on the defensive side of things, this year's team is scoring less - a lot less.

So far this season, the Canucks are averaging 2.44 goals for/game (27th in the NHL), down from their 3.07 average last season. Not including the shootout, they've only scored more than two goals in six of their 17 games. They haven't scored more than two goals in five consecutive games now.

The positive is that the Canucks are only allowing 2.31 goals against/game (6th in the NHL) and this has allowed them to stay in games. Of their eight losses, only two of them were by more than two goals and one was on a shootout. On most of those losses, the Canucks outplayed their opponents and perhaps deserved better results. Another goal or two in those games surely would have helped.

Let's see if yesterday's practice helps them get there.

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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.

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posted by J.J. Guerrero, 6:46 AM

2 Comments:

At November 08, 2006 10:11 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The season average may be 2.44, but it's getting worse, instead of better. Every since a 5 goal breakout against a depleted Chicago lineup, they have managed only 2 goals in each of the following 5 games. Going 2-3-0 in that stretch, with only one win in regulation.

That trend is very very alarming.

 
At November 09, 2006 6:20 AM, Blogger J.J. Guerrero said...

They need to score more, that's for sure. Or Dave Nonis needs to find someone who will score more.

 

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