Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Wild 3 Canucks 2 (OT)
While watching last night's 3-2 overtime loss against the Minnesota Wild, I got around to thinking of how much, despite this nice 24-5-5 post-Christmas run they're on, the Canucks haven't exactly dominated in recent games.
Last night was a perfect example. The Canucks built an early 2-0 lead, but for whatever reason then allowed the Wild to take over the game. From that point on they seemed to sit back a bit; Minnesota outshot the Canucks 29-18 the rest of the way and carried the majority of the play as well.
Roberto Luongo was good again. He kept the Canucks in the game as much as he could until Brian Rolston beat him with yet another slapshot late in the third period. To be fair, on that play, the defense had all sorts of problem clearing the puck.
Speaking of the defense, I thought Kevin Bieksa too often tried for the big hit and took himself out of the play. He logged more than 28 minutes of ice-time, but with Willie Mitchell out of the lineup, perhaps tried to overcompensate too much. He wasn't completely horrible - he did help shut up Marion Gaborik - but moreso than I can remember of any game this season, he reminded me of a Jovo Jr. (Apparently, Ben Kuzma disagrees with me.)
The powerplay also continues to struggle. The Canucks enjoyed more than ten minutes of powerplay time (in seven powerplay opportunities), but very rarely gained control. It has now only converted on one of their last 26 chances, a span of 47 minutes and 19 seconds.
Now, it's hard to complain because the Canucks are still coming out of most games with at least a single point and they're still hanging on to first place in the Northwest Division. I hope this is just a small bump on the road. After all, they've played a lot of games in a short amount of time and last night's game was their first at home after playing three in four nights on the road. With a favorable schedule coming up to finish the regular season (7 of their last 12 games are at home; 8 games are against teams that don't currently occupy playoff spots), I hope they can get rid of some of the kinks and get suitably ready for the postseason.
More from the Mainstream
About the game around the blogosphere
My 3 Stars of the Game
Official Statistics
Next Game
Thursday night against the St. Louis Blues.
______________
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, Minnesota+Wild
Last night was a perfect example. The Canucks built an early 2-0 lead, but for whatever reason then allowed the Wild to take over the game. From that point on they seemed to sit back a bit; Minnesota outshot the Canucks 29-18 the rest of the way and carried the majority of the play as well.
Roberto Luongo was good again. He kept the Canucks in the game as much as he could until Brian Rolston beat him with yet another slapshot late in the third period. To be fair, on that play, the defense had all sorts of problem clearing the puck.
Speaking of the defense, I thought Kevin Bieksa too often tried for the big hit and took himself out of the play. He logged more than 28 minutes of ice-time, but with Willie Mitchell out of the lineup, perhaps tried to overcompensate too much. He wasn't completely horrible - he did help shut up Marion Gaborik - but moreso than I can remember of any game this season, he reminded me of a Jovo Jr. (Apparently, Ben Kuzma disagrees with me.)
The powerplay also continues to struggle. The Canucks enjoyed more than ten minutes of powerplay time (in seven powerplay opportunities), but very rarely gained control. It has now only converted on one of their last 26 chances, a span of 47 minutes and 19 seconds.
Now, it's hard to complain because the Canucks are still coming out of most games with at least a single point and they're still hanging on to first place in the Northwest Division. I hope this is just a small bump on the road. After all, they've played a lot of games in a short amount of time and last night's game was their first at home after playing three in four nights on the road. With a favorable schedule coming up to finish the regular season (7 of their last 12 games are at home; 8 games are against teams that don't currently occupy playoff spots), I hope they can get rid of some of the kinks and get suitably ready for the postseason.
More from the Mainstream
- Talk around town is how the Canucks tried to sit - and then blew - a two-goal lead. - Brad Ziemer (Vancouver Sun), Jason Botchford (Vancouver Province), Tony Gallagher (Vancouver Province), Grant Kerr (Globe and Mail)
- After scoring his second OT winner in as many games, they're calling Brent Burns Mr. OT. (Didn't we name Sami Salo that earlier this season?) - Elliott Pap (Vancouver Sun), Michael Russo (Star Tribune)
- You know that annoying, obnoxious guy that tags along wherever you go, even invites himself, and just won't freakin' leave you alone? That annoying guy is the Minnesota Wild. - Cam Cole (Vancouver Sun)
- No ACL? No problem. - Ben Kuzma (Vancouver Province), Elliott Pap (Vancouver Sun)
About the game around the blogosphere
- Waiting For Stanley blames Christina Aguilera (who was at the game) for the loss.
- Canucks Fangirl blames the power(less)play.
- For some Minnesota-style chest-thumping, check out Wild Puck Banter. He doesn't even say any words.
My 3 Stars of the Game
- Brian Rolston (MIN): I wonder if Luongo has nightmares about his slapshot.
- Brent Burns (MIN): Scored the game-winner in OT.
- Mattias Ohlund (VAN): Was all over Marion Gaborik for 27:38 minutes.
Official Statistics
Next Game
Thursday night against the St. Louis Blues.
______________
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, Minnesota+Wild
Labels: game recap, Wild
3 Comments:
I guess the last things I wanna see are 1) a 2 goal lead and 2) a third period lead :). At least from what I can remember, the Canucks blew several two goal leads in the season. That includes FOUR 2 goal leads against the Flames this season in 3 matches which resulted in 2 losses.
Was all over Marion Gaborik for 27:38 minutes.
You mean 27:28... because for ten precious seconds he was not all over Gaborik. In fact, Gaborik made him his bitch during that time, and waltzed around him like he was a novice defender.
Gads, that was depressing to watch.
^ Touche. :P
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