Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Canucks 4 Canadiens 0
It was a homecoming of sorts for many Canucks players, all of whom had a contingent of family and friends in the stands. And they didn't disappoint.
Alain Vigneault went back to Montreal for the first time since being let go by the Habs and recorded a win; Roberto Luongo recorded his third shutout of the season and 30th of his career; Jan Bulis chipped in with a goal and an assist; Alex Burrows played a key role on a PK unit that didn't allow a goal in five Montreal powerplays; and even Marc Chouinard played a good, if not spectacular, game after four games in the press box.
In fact, it didn't matter that the Sedins didn't record a point because the rest of the lineup played a good and opportunistic team game. They won a lot of puck battles and maintained possession of the puck most of the game. They didn't give Montreal a lot of chances and when they did, Roberto Luongo was there. As he always is.
Luongo was the biggest story of the game. He took a puck in the throat during Monday's practice and had to spend Monday night in ICU. Not being able to sleep or eat or drink, his status for the game was doubtful as late as Tuesday afternoon. All he did was stop all 30 Montreal shots.
It was a performance we will all remember for some time:
Thursday night against an equally-hot Ottawa Senators
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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Montreal+Canadiens
Alain Vigneault went back to Montreal for the first time since being let go by the Habs and recorded a win; Roberto Luongo recorded his third shutout of the season and 30th of his career; Jan Bulis chipped in with a goal and an assist; Alex Burrows played a key role on a PK unit that didn't allow a goal in five Montreal powerplays; and even Marc Chouinard played a good, if not spectacular, game after four games in the press box.
In fact, it didn't matter that the Sedins didn't record a point because the rest of the lineup played a good and opportunistic team game. They won a lot of puck battles and maintained possession of the puck most of the game. They didn't give Montreal a lot of chances and when they did, Roberto Luongo was there. As he always is.
Luongo was the biggest story of the game. He took a puck in the throat during Monday's practice and had to spend Monday night in ICU. Not being able to sleep or eat or drink, his status for the game was doubtful as late as Tuesday afternoon. All he did was stop all 30 Montreal shots.
It was a performance we will all remember for some time:
When the movie is made, Mark Wahlberg can play Roberto Luongo. He'll have to wear a wig, though, and a goalie mask in place of the Philadelphia Eagles helmet he donned in a recent hit film.Invincible? And maybe The Godfather.
The name, however, can stay the same: Invincible.
In the most dramatic moment of the Canucks' season, Luongo shook off a sleepless night spent being monitored in a hospital bed to not only lead his teammates but inspire them with a storybook shutout in his hometown.
He sounded like The Godfather but played like a god. Vancouver Canuck Roberto Luongo is not only a goaltending marvel, he's a human marvel, too.More from the Mainstream
The National Hockey League's Bionic Man got out of hospital Tuesday morning and by that night was shutting out the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 despite being weak and sore from a practice shot to the throat that left him with a welt and Marlon Brando's voice from The Godfather movies.
Like Brando, Luongo seems to own the screen when he's on it.
"One day," Luongo might have rasped, "I will ask you to do a favour for your godfather." And whatever it is, the Canucks should grant it unquestioningly because they have never possessed a player like this.
- When the Sedins don't record the point, who picks up the slack? Who else but Jan Bulis, Josh Green, Ryan Kesler and Lukas Krajicek. - Iain MacIntyre (Vancouver Sun)
- The last time the Canucks won in Montreal, Americans were more worried about Monica than Osama. - Jason Botchford (Vancouver Province)
- Willie still doubtful for Thursday; Taylor probable. - Jason Botchford (Vancouver Province)
About the game around the blogosphere
- The Chief Canuck and Canucks Fangirl both recap on the game.
- Waiting For Stanley won a bet last night; Eyes On The Prize paid up.
- From the Habs side of things, A Theory Of Ice has resorted to Buddhism to cope with the loss. Jordi's just plain pissed.
My 3 Stars of the Game
- Kevin Bieksa (VAN): Two more assists give him 17 points in his last 17 games
- Roberto Luongo (VAN): 30 saves and his 3rd shutout of the season
- Ryan Kesler (VAN): One goal, two assists, three hits and as solid a performance as we've seen from him all season
Official Statistics
Next GameThursday night against an equally-hot Ottawa Senators
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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Montreal+Canadiens
5 Comments:
equally-hot? I think the Sens is probably the hottest among the four the Canucks opponents in this road trip. Buffalo has a better overall record, but Ottawa has a way better record in the last ten, going 8-1-1, while Buffalo has a 5-4-1 record. I want to see another win tomorrow, but I'd be happy to see the Canucks get one point and won't be too disappointed if they don't get any.
if you're going to link to my suffering, you could at least add me to the sidebar...
^ Done! :D
Pissed indeed. The sad thing is, I didn't even alcohol with this moment. It just takes the fun away from suffering.
hahaha! Beer makes anything fun. Didn't you learn anything when you were in Canada?
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