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CANUCKS HOCKEY BLOG

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Devils 0 Canucks 5

Across the country, Luke Richardson scored his first goal since the '05-'06 season. Over here, Aaron Miller scored his first in four years. And in what was supposed to be an epic battle between two of the best goalies in the world, one was true to form and got the shutout while the other had an off night and allowed five goals. Amazingly, the goalie that got the shutout was ours. Apparently, I should have bought a lottery ticket last night.

It was a great all-around game. Louie was back in net and made his presence known just 10 seconds into the game. Nazzy and the Sedins chipped in with seven points. Kesler not only shut down Zach Parise's line, but scored a great goal on a great second effort. Trevor Linden looked like he had a bit of a pep in his step and scored. And like I already mentioned, so did Aaron Miller (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province).

Miller couldn't remember his last goal, or at least that was his claim. Neither could he remember who he had scored it against as a member of the Avalanche, but when the name Sean Burke was mentioned it seemed to ring a distant gong.

"Look at me, Willie," he quipped to Mitchell. "The media is talking to me."

"That's what happens when you're a goal scorer," was the rejoinder, Mitchell already having scored his goal this year.
Remember the Canucks' woeful home record? I'm knocking on wood, but it looks like it's a thing of the past now. After a 1-5 start at home, they're 7-1-2 in their last ten games. Not only that, but they're not allowing many goals. In his last five games at GM Place, Louie has four shutouts. In the last month at home (six games), he's only allowed two goals: one against the Flames on November 18th and one against the Penguins on December 8th.

More from the mainstream:
About the game around the blogosphere:
Next game:

Thursday night against the other Marty and the Dallas Stars

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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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Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Game Day Post: Devils at Canucks



Marty vs. Louie.

The battle between two possible goalies for Team Canada in the 2010 Olympics goes tonight as the New Jersey Devils pay a rare visit to GM Place.

On the one hand, I'm excited to see this match-up. I'm also very excited to watch Zach Parise play. (This kid's a keeper.)

On the other hand, I, unfortunately, still have memories of the last time I saw the Devils play at GM Place. I was still working there and was working a center ice tunnel when the Devils held the Canucks to eight shots on goal... for the entire game. I remember the Canucks tied a club record with 0 shots on goal during one period as well. It was riveting hockey, I tell ya.

Besides the interest behind the Marty vs. Louie subplot, I'm not sure what to expect from this game. Neither team plays the trap necessarily, but both certainly play a defense-first system. Both are in the top half of the league in shots against - that is, they allow fewer shots against than half the league - and in the bottom half in shots for. Not surprisingly, both teams are in the top half of the league in goals against and in the bottom half for goals for.

Are we in for a titanic defensive battle? Perhaps. And it won't hurt to have a large pot of caffeine handy.

More from today's MSM:
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Saturday, March 03, 2007

Another All-Star Head Hunted Down

If you haven't seen the video of Cam Janssen's hit on Tomas Kaberle, here it is:



Plain and simple, it was high - very high - and late - very late. I've never been a fan of head shots and I never will be. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I like my NHL to be physical but I don't want it to be dirty. And a high and late hit such as Janssen's is dirty.

Kara Yorio (Sporting News, link via Kukla's) probably says it best:
This is a dangerous sport. It is a contact sport. It is an unbelievably fast and powerful sport. Both of those elements are part of what makes it so great. But it's also what makes it so dangerous. Players can be paralyzed or killed on a clean hit. Let's say Janssen's shot wasn't an elbow to the head. Maybe it was a shoulder. Maybe it was the back of his arm between his elbow and his shoulder. But it was a hit to the head. No doubt about that. No one can watch the replay and see anything else. He took multiple steps toward Kaberle, who by the way, did not have the puck and was behind the play, and he hit him in the head.

No penalty.

No kidding. No penalty. As if that would even be enough.
When you watch the clip, there was a referee was right next to Kaberle when this happened. Sutherland and Watson called 12 penalties during the game, nine of them the hooking and clutch the jersey kind, but a shot to the head is apparently okay.

Maybe Tom Golisano can let JFJ send the same letter he sent to Gary Bettman only a week ago.


[update: 03/03/07, 1:34 PM]:

The NHL conducted a hearing this morning and has now suspended Cam Janssen for three games. That's some consolation for the Leafs, who will continue to fight for their playoff lives without one of their top two defensemen.

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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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