• The Sedins are hot - both have combined for 13 points (6G-7A) and a +5 rating in the last three games - but it seems Vancouver fans are still slow to warm up to them (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province). I'd like to take this opportunity to remind all Canucks fans that these twins are much, much better now than they were in 2001. Now go out and buy their stuff.
• Markus Naslund didn't score a goal last night, but chipped in with plenty of good plays and two assists on the scoresheet. Is he feeling the pressure of not scoring a goal in nearly a month? Apparently not.
• Jim Matheson (Edmonton Journal) also chimes in with a piece on the struggling Canucks captain.
• Two days of All-Star voting left and ten reasons why you should Vote For Rory.

My 3 Stars of the Game

1. Daniel Sedin (VAN): Second consecutive three-point effort.
2. Mattias Ohlund (VAN): Two goals and some solid defensive work on Ryan Smyth's line.
3. Markus Naslund (VAN): Two assists and leadership by example.

Official Statistics

• Scoresheet
• Stat Sheet
• Shift Chart

The Vancouver Canucks added a bit of depth to their lineup on Saturday, claiming forward Jeff Cowan off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings.

Cowan, who has two assists in 21 games this year, began his career with the Flames and played four seasons in the AHL before playing seven seasons in Calgary, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

The 30-year-old has 40 goals and 70 points in 325 career NHL games.

Assets: Has good size and strength in fighting off players in the corners. Owns a deceptively quick shot when given the space to get it off. Is extremely determined and feisty.
Flaws: Must reduce the number of bad penalties he takes regularly. Doesn't seem to have the quickness or anticipation to get into good shooting position.
Career potential: Fourth line winger

Four games to talk about, three teams played since the last episode: Boston, Columbus, and Calgary. The first two games were painful for Canucks fans, but the home and home series against the Flames was nothing short of pure delight. J.J gives us the inside scoop of his involvement with the CBC story on the whole Vote for Rory campaign, and Alanah seems to be getting a tattoo after losing a bet on Luongo’s save stats in the first half of the season.

Labels: podcast

• It was such a beautiful goal that Gordon McIntyre (Vancouver Province) relives Brendan Morrison's shorthanded goal - the Canucks' first shorthanded goal of the season.
• Elliott Pap (Vancouver Sun) is waiting for captain Markus Naslund to bust out of his scoring slump. So are we. (Against the Oilers tomorrow night would be nice.)
• Now that the Christmas trade freeze is over, trade rumors are abound again. Take 'em for what they're worth but Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun (link via Spector's) notes a few, including one that involves Brendan Morrison.
• With only one point separating first and last place in the Northwest Division - yes, the Canucks are still no. 1, thank you Los Angeles Kings - George Johnson (Calgary Herald) explores whether it is due to parity or if it is simply the toughest division in hockey.

• It's not often that Mikka Kiprusoff gives up six goals in one game. Apparently he was pissed off afterwards and refused to talk to the media.
• Even after a couple of good wins, Ed Willes just had to give a sobering reality check on Markus Naslund and Roberto Luongo. He has an argument for Naslund, who is obviously not playing like he did one Gary Bettman-led lockout ago, but calling out Luongo? Sure he wasn't great in the third period last night, but he sure was for five periods before that.
• Rory Fitzpatrick speaks out about Don Cherry's comments on the weekend. Muzzle up, Don. It's a campaign like the one for Rory that made you the 7th greatest Canadian, ahead of Wayne Gretzky, Maurice Richard, Sir John A. Macdonald and Louis Riel.

My 3 Stars of the Game

1. Matt Cooke (VAN): Played easily his best game of the season - one goal, one assist and six hits.
2. Daniel Sedin (VAN): Three more points (1G-2A) for Daniel.
3. Kristian Huselius (CAL): A couple of goals and more than 25 minutes of ice-time for the Flames winger.

Official Statistics

• Scoresheet
• Stat Sheet
• Shift Chart

The Canucks ended a string of six straight road games in which they surrendered the first goal. They also played a much more disciplined game, got a few breaks and outstanding goaltending from Roberto Luongo.

"We're no different than any other team in this league," said relieved Canucks coach Alain Vigneault. "Starts are key and that's where you build confidence.

"Five or six games in a row killing penalties to start, you waste energy and momentum, and hopefully tonight was the start of something positive."

Willie Mitchell needed just one word Tuesday to summarize a third-period sequence in which Roberto Luongo turned aside four scoring chances on a crucial 5-on-3 power play.

"Exceptional," Mitchell said after Luongo backstopped the Vancouver Canucks to a 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames.

"He was really good. That wasn't exactly the way we wanted to play the 5-on-3 -- we got into a few mix-ups out there -- but he was tremendous.

"They score there and it's different game. That's why he's an all-star."

• The key to last night's win? According to Iain MacIntyre (Vancouver Sun), discipline and preparedness. It also didn't hurt that the Canucks' dynamic duo on defense - Willie Mitchell and Kevin Bieksa - shut down Jarome Iginla again.

My 3 Stars of the Game

1. Roberto Luongo (VAN): Stopped 26 of 27 Calgary shots when it counted. Only shot to beat him - a late David Moss goal - didn't have an impact on the game.
2. Daniel Sedin (VAN): Two goals gives him a tie for the team lead.
3. Matthew Lombardi (CAL): Quick forward was a handful for the defense and generated a few scoring chances. Four shots on goal and won nine of 12 faceoffs (75%)

Official Statistics

• Scoresheet
• Stat Sheet
• Shift Chart

This episode caught some of us off guard, but anytime you throw a bunch of Canucks fans together, it’s not hard to talk hockey for a half hour. The whole gang was here, but our connection to Dave cut out towards the end. That didn’t stop the podcast, you can count on that.

Record as of this episode: 17-16-1 (5th in the Northwest Division)

We cover the last three games, but we only played two teams during that stretch; Calgary and Minnesota. Luongo takes center stage for some discussion, we pick out the rag of the week(only because it seems that whoever we pick on tends to start doing better), and wonder what the heck is going on with the officiating during some of the games. Dave also gives a first hand report on venturing out for a Vancouver Giants (WHL) game, J.J. gives us a Vote for Rory update (listen to an interview with Rory on the website under “Rory Speaks!”), and Alanah is live with her new blog, canucksandbeyond.com.

Labels: podcast

"(Cooke) has to get it up if he wants to score."

• Last night's game followed a familiar plot line from early in the season. Gordon McIntyre (Vancouver Sun) has more.
• Going into last night's game, the Canucks had shut out opposing teams' powerplays for four consecutive games. A string of penalties in the first period, however, resulted in both Bruins goals, both on the powerplay.
• Elliott Pap (Vancouver Sun) goes one-on-one with Alain Vigneault and talks about... Santa (and other Christmassy things).

About the game around the blogosphere

• Waiting For Stanley is giving Jan Bulis some slack, and deservedly so. Even as a noted Bulis-basher, I have to agree that his play is much better these days.
• Jaci of Wicked Bruins Fan was at the game and will hopefully put up a nice recap from the Boston side of things.

My 3 Stars of the Game

1. Patrice Bergeron (BOS): On a hot streak recently and chipped in with another goal last night. Logged 24:38 minutes of ice-time, more than any other forward on both teams.
2. Tim Thomas (BOS): Stopped all 39 Canucks shots.
3. Mattias Ohlund (VAN): The defense did what they were supposed to do. Oliie led them with more than 26 minutes of ice-time.

Official Statistics

• Scoresheet
• Stat Sheet
• Shift Chart

This one was a total team effort. Nearly everyone played terrible.

The Canucks, hoping to ride some momentum into the Christmas break, instead were as soft as Santa in Tuesday night's 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

Roberto Luongo got things started by waving at another Pavol Demitra slapshot, and soon he had lots of bad company.

You want names? Here's a few. Matt Cooke was a minus-four. And he also found time to take a boneheaded penalty, punching Derek Boogaard, who happened to be on the Minnesota bench. Josh Green, who seems to have absolutely no finish, missed a wide open net in the second period that would have tied the game 2-2. Captain Markus Naslund was again mostly invisible. He played more than 17 minutes, had one shot and was minus-two. He has not scored in nine games.

There were others, but you get the picture, and so does coach Alain Vigneault, who was quietly seething about his team's no-show in St. Paul.

"Too many of our top players tonight had a bad night and that's why the score is what it is," Vigneault said.

• Like John, my fellow Crazy Canucks podcaster, Tony Gallagher (Vancouver Province) wants to see the Canucks in HD. Presumably Tony wrote this piece before last night's game because I'm sure glad I didn't see a clearer, better broadcast of it.

My 3 Stars of the Game

1. Brian Rolston (MIN): Canuck-killer had a goal and an assist and was a pain in the arse for the Canucks defense.
2. Todd White (MIN): Failed to kick in a goal this time around but recorded two assists.
3. Branko Radivojevic (MIN): Very opportunistic and scored a couple of goals.

Official Statistics

• Scoresheet
• Stat Sheet
• Shift Chart

For the Canucks to return to the Western Conference playoffs in the spring, they will need their top-paid players to put up numbers that reflect their positions on the payroll. Naslund understands and takes his responsibilities seriously.

"I would like to score more goals, there's no doubt about it," Naslund said before the team departed for a four-game trip beginning tonight against the Minnesota Wild. "I try to do the right things, and hopefully things will come along and I will get my chances -- and I'll get my goals.

"Right now, it doesn't seem I've really had my opportunity. Maybe I'm too conscious about being on the right side of the puck and playing [defensively]. Maybe I should take a chance once in a while. But in tight games, you don't want to risk too much."

• Willie Mitchell, a Lady Byng candidate? Not quite, but Brad Ziemer (Vancouver Sun) talks about why Willie's low penalty numbers are a a good thing.
• Three times unlucky, all Alex Burrows wants for Christmas is his first goal this season.
• After allowing only four goals in his last three games, Roberto Luongo seems finally settled in Vancouver.
• Do you believe in Christmas miracles? After three straight Canucks wins, Ed Willes (Vancouver Province) does.
• It's no longer 1994, but as James Mirtle (Globe and Mail) points out, Trevor Linden is playing a key role on the 'Nucks' powerplay.

Dave joins John and Rebecca in “the studio” while we have Alanah and J.J. on the line for this slightly longer edition of the podcast. We tackle the latest news regarding the end of Alanah’s blog, Vancouver Canucks Op Ed, and look ahead to what we can expect from her new role with Kukla’s Korner. You can read her first feature article on her new home, “Bringing Hockey to the People“. So yes, the hockey blogging will continue.

That also sparks a brief debate over blogger and podcaster fans of the NHL in general, and their role in covering their favorite hockey teams in this age of new media. Whoa… deep.

Record as of this recording: 15-15-1 (5th in the Northwest Division)

Canucks! Oh yes, we talk Canucks as well. Carolina, Calgary, and Phoenix are the latest foes to face, so we do our best to cover our likes and dislikes over the games. The way things have been going, we have all been surprised with who we’ve been liking on the ice. We also get a little bit of a Vote for Rory update, tackle goalie mask designs, and toss around various thoughts about who’s hot and who we’d like to see contribute some more.

Labels: podcast

Dupuis had basic physics on his side. Even though Luongo was covering the goal line, and the puck was in the air, his mask was clearly in the net when the puck hit him.

But despite more circumstantial evidence than the OJ prosecution team -- and the fact CBC later blew up a video still to leave nearly no doubt -- the officials in Toronto threw up their hands and said they couldn't prove what they knew to be true.

"We thought the puck was in but we couldn't find a picture that showed the puck across the goal line conclusively and that's our job," said Mike Murphy, the NHL's senior vice president.

"The referee didn't make a ruling and we didn't see it clearly because there was a puck on a dark uniform. Our job is to find the whole puck across the goal line."

• Ed Willes (Vancouver Province) was frustrated about the officiating. Can't say I blame him. Much like Thursday's game, the officiating was horribly inconsistent - and Ed goes through some of the "noteworthy" calls in his piece. For what it's worth, the same referees last night worked Thursday's game as well. Hmmm...
• Taylor Pyatt returned to the lineup but Sami Salo is still out. Salo suffered a setback on Friday, but as Jason Botchford (Vancouver Province) reports, will travel with the team on their upcoming road trip.
• After watching paint dry last night's game, Tony Gallagher (Vancouver Province) longs for more run-and-gun games against the East.

My 3 Stars of the Game

1. Roberto Luongo (VAN): 28 saves gave his team an opportunity to win in the third period.
2. Henrik/Daniel Sedin (VAN): Two assists each for Daniel and Henrik. Henrik is now tied for 5th in the league in assists.
3. Mikko Koivu (MIN): Saku's younger brother didn't show up on the scoresheet but was a constant threat on the ice. Played more than 22 minutes and won 13 of 22 faceoffs.

Official Statistics

• Scoresheet
• Stat Sheet
• Shift Chart

All the way back in training camp, Alain Vigneault surveyed his new team and there was a vision.

He'd have rock solid goaltending. He'd get balanced, three-line scoring. He'd have sound special teams and a smart, well-positioned defence that didn't crumble like blue cheese in front of its own net.

It took 32 games but Vigneault's once fuzzy, at times laughable Canucks concept has started to focus.

The Canucks got goals from three different line combinations, rode Roberto Luongo's sturdy back and showed off some face-washing grit in a self-proclaimed statement-making 3-1 win against Calgary, which boosts Vancouver's still-meek divisional record to 3-8-1.

So if that was a statement game, what statement did the Canucks make on Thursday night?

"That we can compete against one of the top teams in our division," said Brendan Morrison.

"I think we rose to the physical challenge and showed we can play with these guys in every facet of the game."

After Saturday's nadir in Calgary, where Luongo allowed four goals on 24 shots and was hooked, and Naslund went pointless and minus-two and was absolutely eclipsed by Flames' star Jarome Iginla, the Canucks' six-million-dollar men had much to play for in Thursday's rematch.

Luongo brilliantly outplayed Flames' goalie Miikka Kiprusoff and Naslund outpointed Iginla as the Canucks won 3-1 in one of their most encouraging performances of the season.

• More on the game from Elliott Pap (Vancouver Sun) and Grant Kerr (Globe and Mail).
• I can't say enough good things about Kevin Bieksa. Last night, teamed with Willie Mitchell, they shut down the formerly red-hot Jarome Iginla.
• Can anyone even tell what a penalty is? Last night's brilliant officiating crew gave the Flames six consecutive powerplays in the second period, including one that got a Ryan Kesler goal called back.
• Here's a story about why Willie Mitchell wears no. 8 and how he turned into more of a defensive defenseman.
• Just some odds and ends about Josh Green's pinky toe, Rory's first game back and Sami's possible return to the lineup.

My 3 Stars of the Game

1. Roberto Luongo (VAN): "Only" 22 saves, but many were of the "big" variety
2. Kevin Bieksa (VAN): Logged a team-high 26:32 minutes of ice-time, had a +2 rating and eight shots on goal. Was instrumental in shutting down Jarome Iginla and the Flames' powerplay
3. Matt Cooke (VAN): Was his usual pot-stirrer self. Settling in on a line with Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund and assisted on Morrison's goal

Official Statistics

• Scoresheet
• Stat Sheet
• Shift Chart

Much has been made of the Canucks' sorry 2-8-1 record against fellow Northwest Division teams. They enter tonight's game two points behind the Flames, who have three games in hand. Vancouver can ill afford to throw away too many more points against division rivals.

"It's going to be a big, big game," said Vancouver centre Henrik Sedin, echoing his coach. "If it's not a must-win game, it's pretty close to a must-win for us."

Tonight's game is the first of four the Canucks will play against the Flames between now and Jan. 2. Anything worse than a split in those four games could be devastating to their playoff ambitions.

"Obviously all points are important, but divisional games are that much more important," said centre Brendan Morrison. "I think winning these games goes that much further to getting teams where they want to go and that is to the playoffs. You look at the last several years and the difference between the team that does get it and those that don't is three or four points. You win two games against one opponent in your division and that's the swing right there."

The Canucks have already lost two games to the Flames this year. And now Calgary comes to GM Place on a major roll. The Flames have been unstoppable at home recently, winning 10 in a row to set a franchise record. Jarome Iginla has been lights out with a six-game goal streak. After tonight, the Canucks will meet the Flames three more times in the following three weeks.

Vigneault said tonight is a pivotal game for Vancouver, as he's hoping his team can win back-to-back games for the first time since they won three in a row Nov. 17-22.

• I know I haven't been the kindest to Jan Bulis this season but I'll give credit where credit is due - I like how he's making the most of his opportunity to play with the Sedins. Now he knows what Anson Carter felt like last year.
• Josh Green and Rory Fitzpatrick may play tonight.
• Kevin Bieksa's play is certainly being noticed around these parts. Here's another spotlight piece on him, this time from Iain MacIntyre (Vancouver Sun).
• The Canucks aren't playing pretty hockey right now (Barry Macdonald, 24 Hours). Do you care if, at the end of the day, it earns them a playoff spot?

The game that started with the spotlight on Jovanovski ended with Kevin Bieksa stealing the show. Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, who was at the game, had to be impressed with Bieksa, who patrolled Vancouver's blueline with Keith Richards-like cool. On Saturday in Calgary, Bieksa was the Canucks' best defenceman. Tuesday, he was better.

Bieksa played more shifts than anyone in the game, played more minutes (24:09) than any other Canuck, scored a goal and added an assist. He has four points in his past two games.

Getting the Canucks going eight minutes in with a goal-scorer's goal replete with lots of patience in front of net, Morrison was full of life all night, getting himself noticed on virtually every shift, making most everyone forget his hip surgery.

"To be honest with you, I think I've been skating a lot better in the last three weeks but I think there's more to come," said Morrison. "I spoke to the surgeon three weeks ago and the procedure has only been done for five years over here -- longer in Europe. He said the recovery is a lot like an ACL in that you can get back playing in four or five months but you won't feel 100 per cent for a year. So I don't think I'm completely there yet."

• Brad Ziemer (Vancouver Sun) says the Coyotes can come back anytime. That'd be nice. After last night's game, I'm sure the league's lowest-scoring team will welcome the league's worst defense.
• Before last night's game, Ed Jovanovski said he would have loved to stay with Vancouver. Afterwards, I wonder if he actually did. Iain MacIntyre (Vancouver Sun) also has more on Jovocop.

1. Kevin Bieksa (VAN): Goal, assist, seven shots and a +4 rating.
2. Brendan Morrison (VAN): One assist extended his point streak to three games. Starting to look like Mo circa 2003 out there.
3. Mattias Ohlund (VAN): One goal and very solid on his own end.

About the game around the blogosphere

• The Chief Canuck is back, giving his good and bad. Nothing ugly about last night's game.

• Scoresheet
• Stat Sheet
• Shift Chart

At one point during his seven years as an energetic and emotional Canucks defenceman, Ed Jovanovski took issue with a radio rant ripping his teammates.

In true Jovocop fashion, he called the station, called the call-in complainer "a clown" and sounded like he wanted to drop the gloves with anyone questioning the team's resolve.

And that was just off the ice.

"We miss him, without a doubt," Canuck blueliner Mattias Ohlund said after a rigourous practice at the Garage. "He's obviously been one of the best offensive defencemen in the league the last few years.

"He brought something that very few guys have, the ability to turn a game around with a big play. He was also one of the leaders here. He had a good personality and he was a good fit in the room. I guess it's part of the business to see guys like that go."

"Jovo is a big-time energy guy who added a lot of excitement and enthusiasm," explained Canuck centre Brendan Morrison. "He was a big part of this club for many years and it's going to be a little different playing against him.

"He can deliver tape-to-tape passes and can skate pucks out of the zone, which is a huge asset in today's game. It's a lot easier in your end when you know you have a guy who can pick up the puck and go."

"I'm sure he'll be excited about coming back and showing that he's a great player," said Naslund, who's been fighting an annoying cold the last few weeks. "I think Eddie wanted to come back, but I just think it was a matter of the cap and they couldn't pay him what he got in Phoenix.

"After playing with him, it will be a little different playing against him."

• Tony Gallagher also chips in with his 2 cents worth on Jovanovski.
• Kevin Bieksa, team emotional leader? Perhaps.
• Rory Fitzpatrick and Josh Green practiced yesterday and may be ready to return as early as Thursday's game against the Calgary Flames. When they do, Alexander Edler, who filled in very capably, will be returned to the Manitoba Moose.
• As Gary Mason reports, the bandwagon is half-empty again. See y'all after the Canucks' next win.