Friday, September 21, 2007
Preseason: Oilers 4 Canucks 5
I finally made it down to GM Place for last night's preseason game, a fairly entertaining 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers. It's always nice to get that first hot dog of the season.
Because the Canucks didn't ice very many veterans (actually neither did the Oilers), I saw a lot of the kids the press has been hyping up for the last couple of weeks. They didn't disappoint.
Mason Raymond was solid and scored a heckuva goal after a heckuva pass from Ryan Kesler. Ryan Shannon, while he didn't show up on the scoresheet, played with a lot of poise; I'd be very surprised if he didn't make the team. Kesler had a great game - on both ends of the ice - and chipped in a goal and a couple of assists. Josef Balej, Brad Moran and Jason Jaffray all had their moments.
Luc Bourdon played more than 22 minutes last night and was mostly unnoticeable except on the Oilers' fourth goal, when he and Lukas Krajicek seemed out of position. But largely, not noticing Luc on the ice is a good thing. I didn't even realize he played as many minutes as he did until it flashed on the jumbotron. It means he didn't make as many bad decisions as he's been prone to make in his still very young career.
I know I shouldn't get too excited about the preseason, but if last night's game (and the one against Calgary the night before) was an indicator of the team's future, Canucks fans are in for a treat. There's some real skill in the system and some of these guys definitely have NHL game.
They attack the net and do it with speed and with regularity. A lot of their chances came from right in front of Mathieu Garon. They even had the powerplay going. On paper, they were 2-for-7, but they also had a lot of puck possession and certainly had their share of quality chances.
If the kids keep this up, they will force Dave Nonis and Alain Vigneault to make some tough decisions. Because the Canucks already have 12 forwards on one-way contracts, they have room on the roster for maybe one more. The good news for Canucks fans is that the guys that are up for that spot have all stepped up.
More Canucks stuff on today's MSM:
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, Edmonton+Oilers
Because the Canucks didn't ice very many veterans (actually neither did the Oilers), I saw a lot of the kids the press has been hyping up for the last couple of weeks. They didn't disappoint.
Mason Raymond was solid and scored a heckuva goal after a heckuva pass from Ryan Kesler. Ryan Shannon, while he didn't show up on the scoresheet, played with a lot of poise; I'd be very surprised if he didn't make the team. Kesler had a great game - on both ends of the ice - and chipped in a goal and a couple of assists. Josef Balej, Brad Moran and Jason Jaffray all had their moments.
Luc Bourdon played more than 22 minutes last night and was mostly unnoticeable except on the Oilers' fourth goal, when he and Lukas Krajicek seemed out of position. But largely, not noticing Luc on the ice is a good thing. I didn't even realize he played as many minutes as he did until it flashed on the jumbotron. It means he didn't make as many bad decisions as he's been prone to make in his still very young career.
I know I shouldn't get too excited about the preseason, but if last night's game (and the one against Calgary the night before) was an indicator of the team's future, Canucks fans are in for a treat. There's some real skill in the system and some of these guys definitely have NHL game.
They attack the net and do it with speed and with regularity. A lot of their chances came from right in front of Mathieu Garon. They even had the powerplay going. On paper, they were 2-for-7, but they also had a lot of puck possession and certainly had their share of quality chances.
If the kids keep this up, they will force Dave Nonis and Alain Vigneault to make some tough decisions. Because the Canucks already have 12 forwards on one-way contracts, they have room on the roster for maybe one more. The good news for Canucks fans is that the guys that are up for that spot have all stepped up.
More Canucks stuff on today's MSM:
- Isbister's late goal gives Vancouver win. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Fashion statement. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Injuries put cuts on hold. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Raymond, Kesler hook up. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Bourdon lagging behind. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Hansen suffers broken thumb. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
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, Edmonton+Oilers
Labels: game recap, Hansen, Kesler, Oilers, Raymond
Friday, September 14, 2007
Camp Quick Links - 09/14/2007
I'm late for work so I'll comment more later. In the meantime, there's lots and lots and lots of Canucks coverage from training camp in today's MSM:
- Luongo unhurt in training camp collisions. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Twins must redouble effort. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- This Dane's not great, but he sure is good. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Working on defensive depth. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Rypien ready to fight for job. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Less fighting, more skating at training camps. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Old boys network begins to improve team. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Fall guys. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Rick's letting Ryp. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Future, meet the present. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Now, it's all about fitness. (Sharie Epp, Victoria Times Colonist)
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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
Labels: Ellington, Hansen, Linden, Luongo, Mitchell, Morrison, Naslund, Rypien, Sedin, Sharrow, training camp 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Stories From Prospects Camp - 09/10/2007
By most accounts, Canucks Prospects camp has started to separate the men from the boys. Edler, Bourdon, Raymond and Hansen have had impressive camps, and even with the odd hiccup, they will most likely join the veterans at main camp later this week. But for the most part, there has been plenty of praise for the kids, fuelling hope - and expectations - that they can fill the two remaining roster spots on the team.
On Raymond and Hansen (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province):
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
On Raymond and Hansen (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province):
The only constant through three days of determining the dozen who will be promoted to main camp Thursday is the explosive play of right wingers Mason Raymond and Jannik Hansen.More on the rest of Prospects Camp:
While much ink has been spilled chronicling the battle between Edler and Bourdon for the seventh blueliner spot on an NHL roster that seems virtually set, the gaping second-line hole on right wing is fast becoming headline material.
Especially if the solution is found from within, rather than the trade route.
"For me, the best player on the ice [Sunday] was Hansen," said Vigneault. "He had a lot of speed and good moves. If he comes to main camp and does what he's doing now, then we'll have to see if we have a player."
- A few of the folks from HF Boards went to prospects camp and give their reviews. (HFBoards)
- Ellington inspired by brother's attitude. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Little hope for diminutive Coulombe. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Famous disappearing act not recommended. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Hunt just happy to 'soak it all in'. (Sharie Epp, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Injury almost ended career. (Sharie Epp, Victoria Times Colonist)
- At this camp, age matters. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Goaltenders fight for their future. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Goaltending consultant sticks with prospects, fine-tuning Luongo comes later. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Victoria is where it all begins. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Isbister expected to boost offence. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- The Island is rooting for its favourite son, Willie Mitchell. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Watch for Canucks, coaches on and off the ice. (Brian Drewry, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Arena ready for Canucks. (Sharie Epp, Victoria Times Colonist)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Bourdon, Coulombe, Edler, Ellington, Grabner, Hansen, Hunt, Isbister, Mitchell, Raymond
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Stars 2 Canucks 0
The Stars scored two early period goals last night and then rode an impenetrable defense and a good Marty Turco the rest of the way. They won 2-0 and have now tied the series 1-1.
The Canucks employed a similar strategy for much of the regular season. Talk about getting a taste of your own medicine.
It was Marty Turco's first career playoff shutout; it was probably one of his easiest ones as well. The Canucks offered little in terms of good scoring chances. They threw 35 shots on Turco, but a lot of it were from the outside with little or no traffic in front of him.
Ryan Kesler, Matt Cooke and Alex Burrows - three of the Canucks' grittiest (and annoying) players - all missed the game due to injuries and it showed. At least, those three were capable of breaking through the defense and create some space for their linemates. The Canucks sorely missed them last night.
More from the Mainstream
About the game around the blogosphere
My 3 Stars of the Game
Official Statistics
Next Game
Game 3 goes Sunday in Dallas.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Dallas+Stars
The Canucks employed a similar strategy for much of the regular season. Talk about getting a taste of your own medicine.
It was Marty Turco's first career playoff shutout; it was probably one of his easiest ones as well. The Canucks offered little in terms of good scoring chances. They threw 35 shots on Turco, but a lot of it were from the outside with little or no traffic in front of him.
Ryan Kesler, Matt Cooke and Alex Burrows - three of the Canucks' grittiest (and annoying) players - all missed the game due to injuries and it showed. At least, those three were capable of breaking through the defense and create some space for their linemates. The Canucks sorely missed them last night.
More from the Mainstream
- Canucks errors cost the game. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- The Stars play a chess game that picks the Canucks apart. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Dane debuts new duds. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Turco sucks... life from the Canucks. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Ribeiro gets over hatred. (Jim Morris, Canadian Press via Vancouver Sun)
- Turco earns series split. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- First winning scorer likes chances. (Maurice Bridge, Vancouver Sun)
- Quick striking Stars get even. (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- Stars may fall but they'll rise. (Jean-Jacques Taylor, Dallas Morning News)
- Ott fights back to regain form. (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- Stars' Swedish twin makes his mark. (Kate Hairopoulos, Dallas Morning News)
- Stars even series. (Tracey Myers, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Stars had to have this, and Turco delivered. (Jim Reeves, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Turco's saves silence critics. (Jennifer Floyd Engel, DFW Star-Telegram)
About the game around the blogosphere
- Canucks Fangirl is gushing over Jannik Hansen, who played his first, ever NHL game.
- Isabella from stick in rink shares her thoughts on Marty Turco.
- Mike the Yankee Canuck drunk liveblogged the game and the remnants were pure gold.
My 3 Stars of the Game
- Marty Turco (DAL): 1st career playoff shutout.
- Sergei Zubov (DAL): 28 minutes of ice-time anchoring a very good Dallas defense.
- Stu Barnes (DAL): Has been very noticeable this series so far. A couple of assists last night.
Official Statistics
Next Game
Game 3 goes Sunday in Dallas.
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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, Dallas+Stars
Labels: Believe In Blue, game recap, Hansen, Stars, Turco
