Saturday, April 05, 2008
One More Time With Feeling
Tonight, I hope the fans give Trevor Linden one, good, final hurrah (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun). And if it happens to be the last time we see Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison and Tommy Larscheid, one for each of them too.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Avalanche 4 Canucks 2
In the Canucks' defense-first approach, it's no surprise that they're 30-8-4 when they score the first goal in a hockey game and 18-6-2 when they have the lead after the first period. Here's the problem. Since the trade deadline, those records have been a lot more mediocre. The Canucks are only 3-3-1 when they score first and 5-3-1 when they have the lead going into the first intermission.
Once again, they blew a decent start and pissed away two points. It's the third time they've done that in the last week and pretty much explains the position they're in now - ninth place in the Western Conference and needing to win both of their remaining games and hoping for the Nashville Predators to lose at least one of theirs.
And it's not just the fact that the Canucks are losing games, it's how they're losing them. Lately, they've allowed doubt and panic to seep into their games. One goal against is usually followed by another and sometimes another. Consider these numbers from their last four losses:
What happened to defense-first?
More from the MSM:
Next game:
Thursday night against the Edmonton Oilers.
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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, Colorado+Avalanche
Once again, they blew a decent start and pissed away two points. It's the third time they've done that in the last week and pretty much explains the position they're in now - ninth place in the Western Conference and needing to win both of their remaining games and hoping for the Nashville Predators to lose at least one of theirs.
And it's not just the fact that the Canucks are losing games, it's how they're losing them. Lately, they've allowed doubt and panic to seep into their games. One goal against is usually followed by another and sometimes another. Consider these numbers from their last four losses:
- March 25th vs. Calgary - They allowed two goals in 41 seconds in the third period.
- March 26th vs. Colorado - In the second period, they allowed two goals in 73 seconds and then another two goals in 62 seconds. Those four goals came in a span of only 6:47.
- March 28th vs. Minnesota - They allowed two goals in 5:44 in the first period and another two goals in 5:00 in the second period.
- April 1st vs. Colorado - They allowed three goals in 5:19.
What happened to defense-first?
More from the MSM:
- Game recaps from the Vancouver side. (Matthew Sekeres, Globe and Mail; Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province; Ed Willes, Vancouver Province; Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Botchford blames Louie. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Cole blames Nazzy. (Cam Cole, Vancouver Sun)
- Game recaps from the Colorado side. (Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News; Terry Frei, Denver Post)
- Decent team is putting it nicely. (Waiting For Stanley)
- Tapeleg earned some bragging rights. (Jerseys and Hockey Love)
Next game:
Thursday night against the Edmonton Oilers.
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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, Colorado+Avalanche
Labels: Avalanche, game recap, Luongo, Naslund
Monday, March 31, 2008
Flames 2 Canucks 6
One down, three to go.
The Detroit Red Wings gave the Vancouver Canucks a gift earlier in the day - the ability to control their own playoff destiny again - and the Canucks took full advantage. They beat the visiting Flames 6-2 and took over eighth place in the Western Conference.
The game was a remarkable contrast from the one they played in Calgary just less than a week ago. Last week, they built a 2-0 first period lead and then wilted down the stretch to lose 3-2. Last night, the Canucks actually initiated a lot of the physical stuff and had to claw back from two first period deficits before finally pulling away.
With three games left in the regular season, it doesn't get any clearer than this: win and they're in. And as Ed Willes (Vancouver Province) said this morning, all the criticism the team has faced would be forgotten:
Like Jarome Iginla and Dion Phaneuf did last week, Markus Naslund and Trevor Linden stepped it up when it mattered the most and were absolutely phenomenal.
Here's Jason Botchford (Vancouver Province):
It was only one game but it was a good one. Three more of those this week would be nice.
More from the MSM:
A visit from the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.
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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, Calgary+Flames
The Detroit Red Wings gave the Vancouver Canucks a gift earlier in the day - the ability to control their own playoff destiny again - and the Canucks took full advantage. They beat the visiting Flames 6-2 and took over eighth place in the Western Conference.
The game was a remarkable contrast from the one they played in Calgary just less than a week ago. Last week, they built a 2-0 first period lead and then wilted down the stretch to lose 3-2. Last night, the Canucks actually initiated a lot of the physical stuff and had to claw back from two first period deficits before finally pulling away.
With three games left in the regular season, it doesn't get any clearer than this: win and they're in. And as Ed Willes (Vancouver Province) said this morning, all the criticism the team has faced would be forgotten:
For the Canucks, the only salient facts to emerge from their 6-2 win over the Calgary Flames is they're now back in eighth place in the Western Conference and with three homes games left on their schedule, they control their own destiny.Not completely forgotten, in my opinion, but at least pushed aside temporarily (like, until the next loss). Last night, the team played like a team. They looked like they cared. They hit, they scored and they stood up for each other.
This is all you need to know. Everything else is irrelevant. So save the deeper analysis for another time because it was out of place after this night.
Like Jarome Iginla and Dion Phaneuf did last week, Markus Naslund and Trevor Linden stepped it up when it mattered the most and were absolutely phenomenal.
Here's Jason Botchford (Vancouver Province):
It was an improbable throwback to a different era, an iconic image that infused hope into a fan base that had no reason for any.And Brad Ziemer (Vancouver Sun):
As a smiling Trevor Linden glided across the ice after scoring his second of the game -- his biggest, most important goal of the season, the one that breathed new life into the Canucks' foundering playoff hopes -- his arms were outstretched to the heavens. The grateful, elated, relieved, in-love crowd showered him with a lingering standing ovation. It could have been his last as a player.
It was memorable.
So was Linden's play. So was Markus Naslund's. So were the Canucks, a team who somehow beat the Calgary Flames 6-2 Sunday when the mood, the momentum and the flow suggested they had no chance.
If they really will both be gone after this season ends, Trevor Linden and Markus Naslund gave us something to remember Sunday night.The rest of the lineup was good too. Jeff Cowan and Byron Ritchie were noticeable, which means they were doing their job. Alex Burrows got Iggy off his game. Brad Isbister played big and threw his weight around. Taylor Pyatt played big and attacked the net constantly.
They also gave Vancouver Canuck fans hope.
Linden and Naslund are two of the big reasons why we are able to put off the post-mortem and instead are once again talking about the playoffs.
It was only one game but it was a good one. Three more of those this week would be nice.
More from the MSM:
- Ahead again in the playoff race. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun; Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Relaxed Roberto. (Marc Weber, Vancouver Province)
- From the Calgary side of things. (Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald; George Johnson, Calgary Herald)
- Zanstorm took in the game from GM Place... (Waiting For Stanley)
- and Temujin liveblogged it. (Waiting For Stanley)
A visit from the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.
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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, Calgary+Flames
Labels: Flames, game recap, Linden, Naslund
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Calling Out The Coach
My apologies for disappearing for a few days. It had nothing to do with being depressed over the Canucks' now four-game losing streak, but everything to do with Shaw and my Internet service going down for the 1,406th time in four months.
*****
Since Alain Vigneault was hired as the Canucks' head coach last season, he's made it a habit to call out players for poor performances. After four consecutive losses where the Canucks have looked as bad as they've ever looked, I think it's time to call out the coach himself.
I think Vigneault has lost the room. His players look lost on the ice. They look like they don't know where to go and what to do. Their defensive coverage in front of the goaltender is horrible. Their offense is non-existent. They've given up a ton of odd man rushes. They've given up goals due to bad line changes. Simply, they're not playing together. There could be a variety of different reasons for these, but I believe first and foremost is a team that has tuned out the coach.
For almost two seasons now, Vigneault has the Canucks playing his system. And that's fine because the team has certainly had success with it. But what about the times where the system isn't working? There are, of course, many games within the games and a good coach knows to adapt to any situation. Especially in these last four games, Vigneault hasn't done that. Win or lose, he coaches the same game. Sure he juggles his lines more than Mario Lopez juggles his models, but at times when the system isn't working against a particular team, a coach needs to focus his group and adjust his attack.
Case in point was last night against the Wild. When the Canucks needed to kickstart their game on the powerplay, how many times did we see the dump and chase? How many times did the Canucks retrieve the puck? How many scoring chances did they produce as a result? The answers are: all game long, not very often, and almost none. When the Canucks fell back 2-0, why didn't the coach activate the defense? He should know as well as every other Canucks fan that sitting back and waiting for Minnesota to make a mistake wasn't going to happen.
The other night, after the Avalanche tied up the game in the second, the Canucks were noticeably rattled and started running around their own zone. Where was Vigneault's timeout to focus his team? Or what about when the Avalanche scored another goal a minute later? And another goal just four minutes after that?
Tiny details and perhaps a bit of 20/20 hindsight thinking, but the coach needs to be able to read the game and have a feel for the game.
He also has to have a feel for his players.
A few days ago after the loss to Calgary, Tony Gallagher brought up that, with the Canucks down 3-2, their goaltender pulled and obviously needing to score to tie the game, Markus Naslund wasn't on the ice. On the ice in the final minute: Sedin, Sedin, Kesler, Pettinger, Morrison and Edler. Markus Naslund's final shift in that game - he scored a goal in that game, by the way - came with three minutes left.
While Naslund would be the first to admint that he hasn't had a banner season offensively, he still has 24 goals. That's still second-best on the team. That's still 54th in the league. It's not a great total, but it's not bad. And it's still more goals than guys like Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, Chris Drury, Patrik Elias, Ryan Getzlaf, Alexander Frolov and Jonathan Cheechoo have. When the Canucks needed a goal, why didn't Vigneault put him out there? In that same Calgary game, seven Canucks forwards had more ice-time than Naslund. Heck, Mike Weaver had more ice-time than he did. Like Trevor Linden is finding out, and especially for a lead-by-example kind of guy like Markus, it's hard to be a leader when you're not on the ice. It's hard to ask a player to be more confident when you don't instill confidence in him.
But probably the most troubling thing about this is what seems to be a disjoint between Vigneault and some of the veteran leaders of this team. It was refreshing when Vigneault came in and wasn't afraid to name the guys who he thought didn't play well. For the younger guys, that was probably a good approach as they still needed to know what the expectations are at the NHL level. For the guys that have been around, they may well have taken that approach as a slap in the face.
Let's look at the list of players that we know, at one time or another, have questioned the coach's tactics: Naslund, the Sedins, Willie Mitchell and Matt Cooke (when he was here). Trevor Linden, while he has been diplomatic, is surely wondering the same. Even Roberto Luongo, if I'm not mistaken, popped off once. Their one thing in common? They're the leaders of this team. We know Vigneault loves his grinders, and probably rightly so given what he has gotten from the likes of Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows, but if he truly wants his best players to be his best players and his leaders to be his leaders, he also has to adapt his style to enable that.
By the way, the only other Canucks coach I know that has elicited this much reaction from the leadership group? Mike Keenan. And he loved his Harry Yorks and Brian Noonans too.
Now, the season isn't quite over yet. Given their inconsistency this season, it's not out of the question for them to pull out of this funk, win their last four games - all at home - and make the postseason with some momentum. When they do that, I'll give Vigneault his due credit. For now however, he needs to be called out as much as his players.
______________
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
*****
Since Alain Vigneault was hired as the Canucks' head coach last season, he's made it a habit to call out players for poor performances. After four consecutive losses where the Canucks have looked as bad as they've ever looked, I think it's time to call out the coach himself.
I think Vigneault has lost the room. His players look lost on the ice. They look like they don't know where to go and what to do. Their defensive coverage in front of the goaltender is horrible. Their offense is non-existent. They've given up a ton of odd man rushes. They've given up goals due to bad line changes. Simply, they're not playing together. There could be a variety of different reasons for these, but I believe first and foremost is a team that has tuned out the coach.
For almost two seasons now, Vigneault has the Canucks playing his system. And that's fine because the team has certainly had success with it. But what about the times where the system isn't working? There are, of course, many games within the games and a good coach knows to adapt to any situation. Especially in these last four games, Vigneault hasn't done that. Win or lose, he coaches the same game. Sure he juggles his lines more than Mario Lopez juggles his models, but at times when the system isn't working against a particular team, a coach needs to focus his group and adjust his attack.
Case in point was last night against the Wild. When the Canucks needed to kickstart their game on the powerplay, how many times did we see the dump and chase? How many times did the Canucks retrieve the puck? How many scoring chances did they produce as a result? The answers are: all game long, not very often, and almost none. When the Canucks fell back 2-0, why didn't the coach activate the defense? He should know as well as every other Canucks fan that sitting back and waiting for Minnesota to make a mistake wasn't going to happen.
The other night, after the Avalanche tied up the game in the second, the Canucks were noticeably rattled and started running around their own zone. Where was Vigneault's timeout to focus his team? Or what about when the Avalanche scored another goal a minute later? And another goal just four minutes after that?
Tiny details and perhaps a bit of 20/20 hindsight thinking, but the coach needs to be able to read the game and have a feel for the game.
He also has to have a feel for his players.
A few days ago after the loss to Calgary, Tony Gallagher brought up that, with the Canucks down 3-2, their goaltender pulled and obviously needing to score to tie the game, Markus Naslund wasn't on the ice. On the ice in the final minute: Sedin, Sedin, Kesler, Pettinger, Morrison and Edler. Markus Naslund's final shift in that game - he scored a goal in that game, by the way - came with three minutes left.
While Naslund would be the first to admint that he hasn't had a banner season offensively, he still has 24 goals. That's still second-best on the team. That's still 54th in the league. It's not a great total, but it's not bad. And it's still more goals than guys like Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, Chris Drury, Patrik Elias, Ryan Getzlaf, Alexander Frolov and Jonathan Cheechoo have. When the Canucks needed a goal, why didn't Vigneault put him out there? In that same Calgary game, seven Canucks forwards had more ice-time than Naslund. Heck, Mike Weaver had more ice-time than he did. Like Trevor Linden is finding out, and especially for a lead-by-example kind of guy like Markus, it's hard to be a leader when you're not on the ice. It's hard to ask a player to be more confident when you don't instill confidence in him.
But probably the most troubling thing about this is what seems to be a disjoint between Vigneault and some of the veteran leaders of this team. It was refreshing when Vigneault came in and wasn't afraid to name the guys who he thought didn't play well. For the younger guys, that was probably a good approach as they still needed to know what the expectations are at the NHL level. For the guys that have been around, they may well have taken that approach as a slap in the face.
Let's look at the list of players that we know, at one time or another, have questioned the coach's tactics: Naslund, the Sedins, Willie Mitchell and Matt Cooke (when he was here). Trevor Linden, while he has been diplomatic, is surely wondering the same. Even Roberto Luongo, if I'm not mistaken, popped off once. Their one thing in common? They're the leaders of this team. We know Vigneault loves his grinders, and probably rightly so given what he has gotten from the likes of Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows, but if he truly wants his best players to be his best players and his leaders to be his leaders, he also has to adapt his style to enable that.
By the way, the only other Canucks coach I know that has elicited this much reaction from the leadership group? Mike Keenan. And he loved his Harry Yorks and Brian Noonans too.
Now, the season isn't quite over yet. Given their inconsistency this season, it's not out of the question for them to pull out of this funk, win their last four games - all at home - and make the postseason with some momentum. When they do that, I'll give Vigneault his due credit. For now however, he needs to be called out as much as his players.
______________
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
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Canucks 1 Avalanche 2
The good news is, the Canucks seem to have found their secondary scoring. The bad news is, their primary scorers are nowhere to be found.
After a 2-1 loss to the Avalanche last night, the Canucks extended their losing streak to four games and dropped to ninth place in the Western Conference. In those four games, they've scored a grand total of six goals and Sedin-Sedin-Naslund contributed a grand total of one assist.
In fact, Sedin-Sedin-Naslund have been quite quiet for six games now. The team scored 13 goals in span; none were scored by those three. So who's been doing the scoring? These guys:
Ed Willes (Vancouver Province) offers two trains of thought. The more optimistic one says:
More from the MSM:
Tomorrow night against the Nashville Predators
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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, Colorado+Avalanche
After a 2-1 loss to the Avalanche last night, the Canucks extended their losing streak to four games and dropped to ninth place in the Western Conference. In those four games, they've scored a grand total of six goals and Sedin-Sedin-Naslund contributed a grand total of one assist.
In fact, Sedin-Sedin-Naslund have been quite quiet for six games now. The team scored 13 goals in span; none were scored by those three. So who's been doing the scoring? These guys:
- Shannon - 2 goals, 3 assists
- Kesler - 3 goals
- Raymond, Salo, Edler - 2 goals, 1 assist
- Burrows - 1 goal, 1 assist
- Pyatt, Ohlund, Mitchell - 2 assists
Ed Willes (Vancouver Province) offers two trains of thought. The more optimistic one says:
Depending on how you looked at things, in fact, the Vancouver Canucks were sitting in an enviable position before they skated into Denver to meet the Colorado Avalanche, and they're still not that badly off. They're in a three-way cluster around the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference and hold games in hand over both the Nashville Predators and the Avs.The other one, not so much:
They're still 6-3-5 over their last 14 games and they're very much alive in the Northwest Division pennant race.
I mean, it almost seems pointless to go over it all again but if you wondered why so few still believe in the Canucks the evidence was on display again Tuesday night. Watching this team trying to score goals is like watching someone trying to pass a kidney stone.I agree that it's too early to jump off the bandwagon. I just wish the team wouldn't make it so hard to stay on it.
Their best players seem to be incapable of changing the momentum of a game. That lack of offence puts too much pressure on Roberto Luongo to play like Superman every night and even Luongo isn't good enough to get this team in the playoffs the way they're playing.
If that wasn't enough, it now seems the Canucks' defensive corps, which was supposed to be the strength of the team, has been vastly overrated. They're not supplying offence. The Canucks still surrendered 31 shots Tuesday night.
More from the MSM:
- On the outside looking in. (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province; Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- All about Foppa. (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province; Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- And from the Colorado side of things. (Adrian Dater, Denver Post; Woody Paige, Denver Post; Bernie Lincicome, Rocky Mountain News)
- Tapeleg was at the game and has a recap and lots of pictures. (Jerseys and Hockey Love)
Tomorrow night against the Nashville Predators
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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, Colorado+Avalanche
Labels: Avalanche, game recap, Naslund, Sedin
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Game Day Post: Canucks at Thrashers
If we want to look at positives, we can at least look at the Vancouver Canucks' play over the last couple of games. They lost both in the shootout but were arguably their better efforts of the road trip.
Markus Naslund, especially, has looked good, making some key defensive plays and putting up some points on the board. Is the pre-lockout Markus back for good? Well, who knows, but for all the grief that he's put up in this city, he's certainly looked like a leader. And yesterday, for the first time in as long as I can remember (maybe ever), he made a bold prediction (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province):
More pregame pieces from the 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
Markus Naslund, especially, has looked good, making some key defensive plays and putting up some points on the board. Is the pre-lockout Markus back for good? Well, who knows, but for all the grief that he's put up in this city, he's certainly looked like a leader. And yesterday, for the first time in as long as I can remember (maybe ever), he made a bold prediction (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province):
"At the end of the day, we'll make the playoffs and go from there," predicted Naslund. "I really like our team if we have everyone back. We're as good as anyone."As a Canucks fan, hearing those words from the oft-questioned captain is something real sweet.
More pregame pieces from the MSM:
- No offense to the 9th, 10th, 11th d-men on the depth chart, but... (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Zach-lovin' it. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province; Winnipeg Sun)
- More Foppa talk. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
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: FitzGerald, game day preview, Naslund, Thrashers
Monday, January 21, 2008
Bits, Bites and Tonight's Game
Tracy and I had a busy weekend entertaining her cousin from Vernon and his girlfriend, and hence, the lack of posts. It didn't help that the Canucks lost to Kings (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun), their third consecutive loss and fifth in their last six games.
Here are some random bits and bites:
. First of all, a wholehearted thank you to everyone who supported me during this weekend's BC Children's Hospital's Skate for the Cure. Thanks to you, I raised $330 and Tracy and I had a great time doing laps around GM Place. I also had a chance to meet Matt Cooke for being one of the first 325 people to raise over $250. So thank you, thank you, thank you.
. This mini-dip the Canucks are on has relegated them to fourth place in the Northwest Division and eighth place in the Western Conference, three points ahead of the ninth-place Columbus Blue Jackets and five points ahead of the St. Louis Blues. How big is that game on Wednesday against the Blues? Well, the Blues could inch to a point back of the 'Nucks with three games in hand.
. The last time the Canucks lost three games in a row was 13 months ago in December 2006.
. For playing his 1,000th career game earlier in the week, the Canucks gave Markus a classy tribute on Saturday night. So did the fans. They gave Markus a standing ovation and stayed standing up for about ten minutes while the Canucks gave him some goodies and played a video highlighting his career and his work in the community. For all the crap he gets from fans and such, it was a good to see him get some love for the ten-plus years he's given to this city.
If you missed the video, here it is:
. Matty Ohlund was back in the lineup after missing 11 games, but in what seems like the year of cursed Canucks d-men, Willie Mitchell was scratched due to back spasms. And apparently, he might not be back until after the All-Star break (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun).
. Ohlund vs. Koivu, part 2 (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)? Probably not, though it's weird to think that tonight's Canucks vs. Wild game could be the most entertaining game this week. And yes, I know the All-Star game is this week.
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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
Here are some random bits and bites:
. First of all, a wholehearted thank you to everyone who supported me during this weekend's BC Children's Hospital's Skate for the Cure. Thanks to you, I raised $330 and Tracy and I had a great time doing laps around GM Place. I also had a chance to meet Matt Cooke for being one of the first 325 people to raise over $250. So thank you, thank you, thank you.
. This mini-dip the Canucks are on has relegated them to fourth place in the Northwest Division and eighth place in the Western Conference, three points ahead of the ninth-place Columbus Blue Jackets and five points ahead of the St. Louis Blues. How big is that game on Wednesday against the Blues? Well, the Blues could inch to a point back of the 'Nucks with three games in hand.
. The last time the Canucks lost three games in a row was 13 months ago in December 2006.
. For playing his 1,000th career game earlier in the week, the Canucks gave Markus a classy tribute on Saturday night. So did the fans. They gave Markus a standing ovation and stayed standing up for about ten minutes while the Canucks gave him some goodies and played a video highlighting his career and his work in the community. For all the crap he gets from fans and such, it was a good to see him get some love for the ten-plus years he's given to this city.
If you missed the video, here it is:
. Matty Ohlund was back in the lineup after missing 11 games, but in what seems like the year of cursed Canucks d-men, Willie Mitchell was scratched due to back spasms. And apparently, he might not be back until after the All-Star break (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun).
. Ohlund vs. Koivu, part 2 (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)? Probably not, though it's weird to think that tonight's Canucks vs. Wild game could be the most entertaining game this week. And yes, I know the All-Star game is this week.
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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: game day preview, Naslund, Wild
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Game Day Post: Canucks at Red Wings
It looks like Alain Vigneault finally realized his team needs to score more and recalled Mason Raymond from the Manitoba Moose; Rick Rypien and Mike Brown were sent back down (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province). Looking at the numbers, Trevor Linden and/or Brad Isbister should draw back into the lineup.
This gives the Canucks a couple more options up front. It doesn't really matter who plays with the Sedins, but whoever doesn't gives the second line some potential for offense. Good thing too. I love what Matt Cookie brings to this team but if I have to watch him whiff at a puck in front of the net again, I'll go nuts.
My line projections:
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
This gives the Canucks a couple more options up front. It doesn't really matter who plays with the Sedins, but whoever doesn't gives the second line some potential for offense. Good thing too. I love what Matt Cookie brings to this team but if I have to watch him whiff at a puck in front of the net again, I'll go nuts.
My line projections:
- Sedin, Sedin and Pyatt
- Naslund, Beech and Raymond
- Cooke, Kesler and Burrows
- Isbister, Ritchie and Linden
- Happy 1000th game, Markus! (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- The Wings have a great team. On the ice and off it. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- It hasn't been a happy new year so far. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Beechy's just trying to fit in. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- More Sundin talk. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- The window of opportunity is not just this year and the next. It's for as long as Roberto Luongo is in a Canucks jersey. (Ed Willes, 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
Labels: Beech, game day preview, Luongo, Naslund, Raymond, Red Wings
If The Price Is Right
The 'net is abound with many suggestions on how to fix the Canucks' offensive woes. Okay, mostly Markus Naslund's offensive woes.
I don't doubt that Peter Forsberg will look good on a line with Nazzy (Barry Macdonald, 24 Hours):
Sundin and Hossa are this year's Forsberg and Smyth. Both are impending UFA's and both will cost an arm, a leg and both nuts to get. The Predators and Islanders had to give up a couple of top prospects and a couple of high-round draft picks to get them, and no doubt, Sundin and Hossa will cost the same. Think Ryan Kesler or Alex Edler plus Luc Bourdon or Mason Raymond plus a first-round draft pick and perhaps another draft pick.
In a cap system where teams need young players to step up and make significant contributions for cheap, I could live with trading one Moose prospect and the draft picks for either (Sundin preferably), but not with having to give up a core part of the team or the team's future. And that's assuming that the next in lines - i.e. Michael Grabner, Jannik Hansen and Nathan Maciver - can step in and play the same role that Raymond and Edler are playing this season and that guys like Juraj Simek and Shaun Heshka can progress further. As we know from this year, you never want to keep the prospects cupboard bare in case the team goes through a rough patch of injuries.
Which brings me to Peter Forsberg. He's trying to make another comeback (TSN.ca), and if he's successful, it will cost the Canucks nothing more than $$$ to get him in the new Free Willy jersey. This is key - they won't have to give up a Kesler or an Edler; they just have to sign him.
Admittedly, there's a risk involved in signing Forsberg. He has had his share of injuries and there's not guarantee that, even with whatever procedure he has to go through with his ankle, that he won't get hurt again. Chances are, he will, but likewise, there is no guarantee that a Sundin or a Hossa won't get hurt either. The only hope is that he remains healthy enough to re-invigorate Naslund and help get the Canucks deeper into the playoffs.
With Roberto Luongo, the Canucks are as good as most teams in the league. With a Peter Forsberg or a Mats Sundin, they could even be like tonight's opponent, the Detroit Red Wings. It would be nice, but only if the price is right.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
I don't doubt that Peter Forsberg will look good on a line with Nazzy (Barry Macdonald, 24 Hours):
Adding Forsberg to the mix? Imagine the possibilities. Like Markus Naslund finding his form, and the net with a little more regularity. Like the Canucks having another line that they can count on offensively. Like a parade.Ditto Mats Sundin (Ken Campbell, The Hockey News via Metro Vancouver):
Vancouver needs a second-line centre in a big way, especially with the uncertain status of Brendan Morrison. Sundin has proven this season that his offensive skills and instincts are as sharp as they have ever been and that he can be counted upon to score in all situations. I’m sure Jason Jaffray is a nice young man and all, but don’t you think Sundin would be a great fit between Markus Naslund and Taylor Pyatt?What about Marian Hossa (Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Sun)?
A league executive indicated if Waddell decides to deal Hossa, the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings will all be in the hunt.If Dave Nonis wants to upgrade his forward group, he definitely has options. The question is, how much would it cost the team?
Sundin and Hossa are this year's Forsberg and Smyth. Both are impending UFA's and both will cost an arm, a leg and both nuts to get. The Predators and Islanders had to give up a couple of top prospects and a couple of high-round draft picks to get them, and no doubt, Sundin and Hossa will cost the same. Think Ryan Kesler or Alex Edler plus Luc Bourdon or Mason Raymond plus a first-round draft pick and perhaps another draft pick.
In a cap system where teams need young players to step up and make significant contributions for cheap, I could live with trading one Moose prospect and the draft picks for either (Sundin preferably), but not with having to give up a core part of the team or the team's future. And that's assuming that the next in lines - i.e. Michael Grabner, Jannik Hansen and Nathan Maciver - can step in and play the same role that Raymond and Edler are playing this season and that guys like Juraj Simek and Shaun Heshka can progress further. As we know from this year, you never want to keep the prospects cupboard bare in case the team goes through a rough patch of injuries.
Which brings me to Peter Forsberg. He's trying to make another comeback (TSN.ca), and if he's successful, it will cost the Canucks nothing more than $$$ to get him in the new Free Willy jersey. This is key - they won't have to give up a Kesler or an Edler; they just have to sign him.
Admittedly, there's a risk involved in signing Forsberg. He has had his share of injuries and there's not guarantee that, even with whatever procedure he has to go through with his ankle, that he won't get hurt again. Chances are, he will, but likewise, there is no guarantee that a Sundin or a Hossa won't get hurt either. The only hope is that he remains healthy enough to re-invigorate Naslund and help get the Canucks deeper into the playoffs.
With Roberto Luongo, the Canucks are as good as most teams in the league. With a Peter Forsberg or a Mats Sundin, they could even be like tonight's opponent, the Detroit Red Wings. It would be nice, but only if the price is right.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Game Day Post: Canucks at Jackets
Taylor Pyatt, protective cage and all, might play, and if he doesn't, Alain Vigneault says Trevor Linden will draw back in (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province). Pyatt has been the Canucks' best forward in the last couple of weeks and it would be a shame if he can't go.
You would've thought that if Pyatt couldn't go, then Markus Naslund would simply take his place on the Sedin line. Apparently, AV has other plans: Naslund will be on the wing on the team's top checking line with Kesler and Burrows (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province). Publicly anyway, Nazzy is welcoming this new challenge.
More from today's MSM:
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
You would've thought that if Pyatt couldn't go, then Markus Naslund would simply take his place on the Sedin line. Apparently, AV has other plans: Naslund will be on the wing on the team's top checking line with Kesler and Burrows (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province). Publicly anyway, Nazzy is welcoming this new challenge.
"It's obviously going to be different for me and I do have to be a little more cautious," he said.No doubt this is a gamble. While Kesler's line is primarily responsible for shutting down opposing teams' top lines, they've also consistently produced scoring chances in recent games. What they've lacked is finish. I'm sure Vigneault is gambling that Naslund can adjust to this new role and finish those chances without hurting the team too much on the defensive end of the ice.
"They're obviously out there to shut other people down. But, that being said, they're good enough to take advantage of other teams.
"It's a little bit of a new challenge for me. I do want to be able to play in all different scenarios. I like those guys. They're not just defensive guys. They can skate and they can put the puck in the net."
More from today's MSM:
- Where will the goals come from? (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Of course, this is the first year in three years that I don't have Zherdev in my hockey pools. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Fans - and teammates - back up Louie. As it should be. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Turning up the cold in Columbus. (Jeffrey Sheban, Columbus Dispatch)
- The Jackets have the second-best home record in the league (15-6-4). The good news is, the Canucks won their only other game there this season. (Tom Reed, Columbus Dispatch)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Blue Jackets, game day preview, Naslund, Pyatt
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).
More from the mainstream:
Thursday night against the other Marty and the Dallas Stars
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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.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.
"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.
More from the mainstream:
- One net asset pays big dividends (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Nazzy lifts weight off Sedins (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Contrast in styles adds up to 2010 dilemma (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- No surprise rookie coach Sutter had Devils streaking (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- All Canucks, all the time (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- One of those nights (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Canucks 5 Devils 0 (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Devils blanked in Vancouver (Rich Chere, Star-Ledger)
- Alanah liveblogged the game.
- Keep your eyes peeled on 2Man Advantage for the Jersey side of things.
Thursday night against the other Marty and the Dallas Stars
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Devils, game recap, Luongo, Naslund
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Canucks 3 Blackhawks 2
Thumbs up: Markus Naslund for surpassing Trevor Linden as the Canucks' franchise scoring leader. He surpassed Trev with an assist on Mattias Ohlund's goal in the first period. Next up is the career assist mark.
Thumbs up: Mattias Ohlund for tying Jyrki Lumme for most goals by a Canucks defenseman. Now in his 9th season as a Canuck, he's got 83 goals of which almost 25% (18) are game-winners.
Thumbs down: Shaw PPV for bungling up their game coverage. I've only ordered the game three times at home this season. One time, they went to the Canucks game late because the early game (which was on the same channel) ran late. Then last night, they lost the feed for part of the first and second periods. Canucks TV PPV's slogan is something about "games you won't see anywhere else". Apparently not even with Shaw.
Thumbs up/down: The win was nice and it moved the Canucks back to first place in the Northwest Division, but I don't think the guys played that well at all. They were kinda sloppy and their passes weren't all that crisp. I thought too that the Blackhawks outskated them and won most of the puck battles, and this showed with the difference in powerplay opportunities between then the two teams.
Thumbs down: During the November to remember, the Canucks were rarely outworked and outskated, and of course, they were nicely rewarded for their efforts. They drew penalties as a result, and for the entire month, had seven more powerplay opportunities (73-66) than the opposition. In contrast, during their October from hell, they had one less power powerplay opportunity (64-63). I know it's only a couple of games into December, but so far the opposing teams have had eight more powerplays (13-5) than the Canucks.
Thumbs down: While I'm bitching about the powerplay discrepancy, I might as well bitch about the refs missing two high sticks on the same shift: one on Ryan Kesler and the other on Jeff Cowan.
Thumbs up: If it's any consolation, at least the Canucks have been doing a decent job on the penalty-kill and have only allowed two powerplay goals against in the last five games (24 times shorthanded).
More from the mainstream:
Tonight against the Nashville Predators.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Chicago+Blackhawks
Thumbs up: Mattias Ohlund for tying Jyrki Lumme for most goals by a Canucks defenseman. Now in his 9th season as a Canuck, he's got 83 goals of which almost 25% (18) are game-winners.
Thumbs down: Shaw PPV for bungling up their game coverage. I've only ordered the game three times at home this season. One time, they went to the Canucks game late because the early game (which was on the same channel) ran late. Then last night, they lost the feed for part of the first and second periods. Canucks TV PPV's slogan is something about "games you won't see anywhere else". Apparently not even with Shaw.
Thumbs up/down: The win was nice and it moved the Canucks back to first place in the Northwest Division, but I don't think the guys played that well at all. They were kinda sloppy and their passes weren't all that crisp. I thought too that the Blackhawks outskated them and won most of the puck battles, and this showed with the difference in powerplay opportunities between then the two teams.
Thumbs down: During the November to remember, the Canucks were rarely outworked and outskated, and of course, they were nicely rewarded for their efforts. They drew penalties as a result, and for the entire month, had seven more powerplay opportunities (73-66) than the opposition. In contrast, during their October from hell, they had one less power powerplay opportunity (64-63). I know it's only a couple of games into December, but so far the opposing teams have had eight more powerplays (13-5) than the Canucks.
Thumbs down: While I'm bitching about the powerplay discrepancy, I might as well bitch about the refs missing two high sticks on the same shift: one on Ryan Kesler and the other on Jeff Cowan.
Thumbs up: If it's any consolation, at least the Canucks have been doing a decent job on the penalty-kill and have only allowed two powerplay goals against in the last five games (24 times shorthanded).
More from the mainstream:
- Morrison leads Canucks past Blackhawks (AP via Globe and Mail)
- Ugly Canucks get job done (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Line dancing yields Canucks win (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Playing like a broken record (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Weird, ugly yet another win (Ben Kuzma, Vanvouver Province)
- Hockey buzz back in the Windy City (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- No let up by Canucks' Luongo vs Hawks (Len Ziehm, Chicago Sun-Times)
- Bad blast from the past for Hawks (Tim Sassone, Daily Herald)
- As new alternate captain, Toews respects veterans (Tim Sassone, Daily Herald)
- Luongo continues mastery of Hawks (Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune)
- Waiting for Stanley and Canucks Fangirl have their recaps up.
Tonight against the Nashville Predators.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Chicago+Blackhawks
Labels: Blackhawks, game recap, Luongo, Naslund, Ohlund
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Game Day Post: Canucks at Wild
As the Canucks get set to face the Wild for the third time in two weeks, the whining has begun (Michael Russo, Star-Tribune):
The fact is, however, being an effective checker and being annoying is not dirty. Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows are not dirty players. They're aggresive and effective and they certainly yap a lot. They're annoying to play against, but they don't hit late and they don't hit high. For examples of late, high hits, see Gaborik, Marion and Koivu, Mikko.
And the reason Derek Boogard received so much attention from the league during the last Canucks/Wild game? Well, he was stupid enough to spout off a lot of garbage prior to it. Repeatedly uttering threats directed to the Canucks' best players was stupid, and surely, he didn't expect the league to not pay attention.
Much like last game, first place in the Northwest Division is on the line this afternoon. So are the Canucks' 9-0-2 record against divisional opponents and Roberto Luongo's streak of you-know-whats.
Kesler, Burrows and Mattias Ohlund, who returned last week after serving a four-game suspension, may be marked men, but with so much on the line, I hope the Canucks simply play like they did two Wednesdays ago - annoy the Wild and go for the two points.
More previews from today's MSM:
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
When Vancouver came to St. Paul 11 days ago, the four referees and linesmen stood on each bench during warmups in order to avoid a pregame skirmish.First of all, I like Michael Russo and I try to link to his pieces whenever the Canucks play the Wild. I do agree with him that the instigator rule needs to be scrapped because doing so will only discourage dirty hits and hold the offending player accountable for his actions.
When Derek Boogaard fell next to the red line to stretch like he always does, you could sense all eight eyes focused on Boogaard, who was warned before the game that he better behave.
The thing is: Why's the NHL worrying about Boogaard when Matt Cooke, Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows are the ones who run around every night? Is it possible that the NHL is this unaware of how the Canucks, back to face the Wild today, and several other teams have turned agitating into an art?
The fact is, however, being an effective checker and being annoying is not dirty. Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows are not dirty players. They're aggresive and effective and they certainly yap a lot. They're annoying to play against, but they don't hit late and they don't hit high. For examples of late, high hits, see Gaborik, Marion and Koivu, Mikko.
And the reason Derek Boogard received so much attention from the league during the last Canucks/Wild game? Well, he was stupid enough to spout off a lot of garbage prior to it. Repeatedly uttering threats directed to the Canucks' best players was stupid, and surely, he didn't expect the league to not pay attention.
Much like last game, first place in the Northwest Division is on the line this afternoon. So are the Canucks' 9-0-2 record against divisional opponents and Roberto Luongo's streak of you-know-whats.
Kesler, Burrows and Mattias Ohlund, who returned last week after serving a four-game suspension, may be marked men, but with so much on the line, I hope the Canucks simply play like they did two Wednesdays ago - annoy the Wild and go for the two points.
More previews from today's MSM:
- Naslund going for Canucks points record (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Luongo prepares as well as anyone (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- His season can only go up from here (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Great rivalries a thing of the past (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Minnesota Wild center Wes Walz retires (John Shipley, Pioneer Press)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: game day preview, Luongo, Naslund, Salo, Wild
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Game Day Post: Blue Jackets at Canucks
It sounds like Tony Gallagher (Vancouver Province) has a man-crush for Chris Pronger:
Now, on to tonight's game.
After watching the last couple of games at home, and Louie and the team going as good as they are right now, I almost feel that I should just get rid of my tickets for tonight as well. Louie's going for three straight you-know-whats - i.e. the 's' word that shall not be uttered - and can even, possibly set a new Canucks record tonight for consecutive you-know-whats.
He's not the only one looking for a new Canucks record tonight. Markus Naslund is one point away from tying Trevor Linden as the franchise's new scoring leader. When I first posted about this last week, nebcanuck commented that people were expecting Markus to Trev last season. He may have taken a season and a few games more in doing it, but when he does, I hope us Canucks fans pay him proper tribute.
We talked about this on The Crazy Canucks podcast last night, but Markus' rediscovered scoring touch has also spawned a seemingly more involved captain. He's never been the rah-rah-rah kinda guy, but in the last few games, he's been more vocal with his teammates on the bench and on the ice. He looks excited to be playing again and that makes me excited to watch him.
More previews from today's MSM:
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
So he'll never be mistaken for Vancouver Olympic mascots Quatchi or Sumi. Deal with it.We won, they lost, I'm dealing with it fine. But, the fact that Pronger has gotten away with murder his entire career doesn't excuse him for it. I don't think the fuss over his hit on Kesler is laughable because, while Kesler is lucky to be okay, the hit could easily have caused some serious injury. Tony might want to ask Tomas Holmstrom and Dean McAmmond what they think of Pronger's shenanigans. I don't think they'll be laughing.
The fuss about Anaheim Ducks defenceman Chris Pronger working over a few Vancouver Canucks Tuesday night has been nothing short of laughable. Has it escaped everyone's notice he's been doing this since he got into the league. Hell, the new rules have toned him down to the point where his stick hardly makes contact anymore.
That cross-check on Ryan Kesler Tuesday night after Kesler scored a goal was routine five years ago. Now the crown is probably considering charges.
Now, on to tonight's game.
After watching the last couple of games at home, and Louie and the team going as good as they are right now, I almost feel that I should just get rid of my tickets for tonight as well. Louie's going for three straight you-know-whats - i.e. the 's' word that shall not be uttered - and can even, possibly set a new Canucks record tonight for consecutive you-know-whats.
He's not the only one looking for a new Canucks record tonight. Markus Naslund is one point away from tying Trevor Linden as the franchise's new scoring leader. When I first posted about this last week, nebcanuck commented that people were expecting Markus to Trev last season. He may have taken a season and a few games more in doing it, but when he does, I hope us Canucks fans pay him proper tribute.
We talked about this on The Crazy Canucks podcast last night, but Markus' rediscovered scoring touch has also spawned a seemingly more involved captain. He's never been the rah-rah-rah kinda guy, but in the last few games, he's been more vocal with his teammates on the bench and on the ice. He looks excited to be playing again and that makes me excited to watch him.
More previews from today's MSM:
- Oh say, can he 'C' (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Star goalies won't face each other (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- It's Spiderman and Superman (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Nash learned a key lesson (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Father knows best (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Hainsey fit to see extended ice-time (Aaron Portzline, Columbus Post-Dispatch)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Blue Jackets, game day preview, Kesler, Luongo, Naslund
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Game Day Post: Ducks at Canucks
For the first time since getting traded, Bert is back. Naturally, all the talk around Canuckland is about him playing his first game at GM Place in about a year and a half.
I don't think there's any question that Bert's return will be well-received by the GM Place faithful. Even in his darkest hour, Vancouver fans stood by him. I was at the Brad May Charity Classic - during the lockout year and in the middle of his suspension - and fans saved the biggest ovation for him. I don't see any reason for those sentiments to have changed.
I was a big Bertuzzi fan during his time here. I can't think of any other Canuck skater - maybe Pavel - that could dominate the game and control the game the way he did. When he was on the ice, he pretty much did anything he wanted to. Really, the only question was, well... how often he wanted to. Obviously, Bert hasn't been as dominant in the last few years. He's only played three games since coming back from his latest injury but he's got three points (all assists) in them.
The Canucks will have their hands full tonight. Emotions aside, the Ducks are actually on a nice, little roll. They started the season much like the Canucks did, but turned it around and are a very good 7-2-2 in November, including a 3-1 record on the road. Ryan Getzlaf, especially, has played great and now leads the Ducks in scoring with 25 points, 15 (7G-8A) of which he put up in 11 November games.
Roberto Luongo is coming off a shutout of the Blackhawks on Sunday, and I hope he's forgotten about the last time he faced Anaheim. On that one, fateful overtime period in May, Louie took his eye off the puck for a split-second and let in a blast (sure, let's call it that) fromRob Scott Niedermayer that eliminated the Canucks from the playoffs. I'm thinking Louie's over it, but I hope he has some special sort of payback in mind tonight.
More on this game 'round the 'net:
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
I don't think there's any question that Bert's return will be well-received by the GM Place faithful. Even in his darkest hour, Vancouver fans stood by him. I was at the Brad May Charity Classic - during the lockout year and in the middle of his suspension - and fans saved the biggest ovation for him. I don't see any reason for those sentiments to have changed.
I was a big Bertuzzi fan during his time here. I can't think of any other Canuck skater - maybe Pavel - that could dominate the game and control the game the way he did. When he was on the ice, he pretty much did anything he wanted to. Really, the only question was, well... how often he wanted to. Obviously, Bert hasn't been as dominant in the last few years. He's only played three games since coming back from his latest injury but he's got three points (all assists) in them.
The Canucks will have their hands full tonight. Emotions aside, the Ducks are actually on a nice, little roll. They started the season much like the Canucks did, but turned it around and are a very good 7-2-2 in November, including a 3-1 record on the road. Ryan Getzlaf, especially, has played great and now leads the Ducks in scoring with 25 points, 15 (7G-8A) of which he put up in 11 November games.
Roberto Luongo is coming off a shutout of the Blackhawks on Sunday, and I hope he's forgotten about the last time he faced Anaheim. On that one, fateful overtime period in May, Louie took his eye off the puck for a split-second and let in a blast (sure, let's call it that) from
More on this game 'round the 'net:
- Bert back in Vancouver with Ducks (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Emotional time for Naslund (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- It was what it was: Six years of Bertuzzi quotes (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Warning goes missing (David Pratt, Vancouver Province)
- (Un)happy returns (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Canucks expect cheers for Bert (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Todd Bertuzzi will be center stage (Dan Wood, OC Register)
- Ducks' Bertuzzi ready for his return to Vancouver (Eric Stephens, Los Angeles Times)
- Bertuzzi ready for return (J.P. Hoornstra, San Bernardino Sun)
- Kurten Call - The Return of Bertuzzi (Orland Kurtenblog).
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: Bertuzzi, Ducks, game day preview, Naslund
Friday, November 23, 2007
Game Day Post: Canucks at Blues
Hopefully, the Canucks can carry over their winning ways against divisional opponents. After their just concluded 6-0-2 run, they now have a 9-0-2 record against the Northwest Division. Next up is working on that 2-8-0 record outside of it.
In Canuckland, everyone is still talking about Nazzy's hat trick from a couple of nights ago (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province; Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun). I don't blame them really. It's fun watching Markus have fun. I don't know if anyone noticed, but after each of his goals on Wednesday night, he actually showed some emotion. He seemed genuinely excited and that's something we don't see often from him.
The Canucks face a different St. Louis Blues tonight. Paul Kariya leads the team and Keith Tkachuk, Braddy Boyes, Eric Brewer and Barrett Jackman are having good, bounce back years. They're also getting solid contributions from their youngsters - sometimes at the expense of the veterans (Jeremy Rutherford, St. Louis Dispatch) - like Lee Stempniak, David Perron, Erik Johnson and Steve Wagner.
The suddenly potent Vancouver offense will get a bit of a test tonight. The Blues are 5th in the league in GAA (2.37) and 2nd in PK% (90.1). But if the Canucks can get to Manny Legace early, Roberto Luongo should be able to hold the fort at the other end; Louie played seven of the past eight games and only allowed 13 goals.
More on the Blues' side of things from The Checking Line.
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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
In Canuckland, everyone is still talking about Nazzy's hat trick from a couple of nights ago (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province; Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun). I don't blame them really. It's fun watching Markus have fun. I don't know if anyone noticed, but after each of his goals on Wednesday night, he actually showed some emotion. He seemed genuinely excited and that's something we don't see often from him.
The Canucks face a different St. Louis Blues tonight. Paul Kariya leads the team and Keith Tkachuk, Braddy Boyes, Eric Brewer and Barrett Jackman are having good, bounce back years. They're also getting solid contributions from their youngsters - sometimes at the expense of the veterans (Jeremy Rutherford, St. Louis Dispatch) - like Lee Stempniak, David Perron, Erik Johnson and Steve Wagner.
The suddenly potent Vancouver offense will get a bit of a test tonight. The Blues are 5th in the league in GAA (2.37) and 2nd in PK% (90.1). But if the Canucks can get to Manny Legace early, Roberto Luongo should be able to hold the fort at the other end; Louie played seven of the past eight games and only allowed 13 goals.
More on the Blues' side of things from The Checking Line.
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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: Blues, game day preview, Naslund
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Canucks 4 Wild 2
Pinky and the two brains did their thing; the Booger Man didn't. Pinky had a hat trick; the Booger Man had three... minutes of ice-time. It's hard to do your thing when you don't get on the ice. And in a game where NHL officials made their presence felt (Vancouver Sun), you don't get on the ice after you've threatened the other team's players.
Save for a Mike Brown-Aaron Voros scrap, the game, not surprisingly I suppose, didn't have the expected fireworks. With first place in the Northwest on the line, both teams behaved themselves and played a good-paced and relatively-clean game.
I commended the offense in yesterday's post, and lo and behold, Markus Naslund took his offensive game up another notch with his 10th career hat trick - tying him for most hat tricks in Canucks history. My favorite part? Well, a couple actually. First, Markus shot is obviously back and he scored all three of his goals within ten feet of the crease. Second, he scored two of his goals in the third period when his team may have been feeling the effects of playing in Edmonton the night before and the long flight to Minnesota afterwards. For the first time in a long time, the Canucks captain carried the team on his shoulders and earned them two crucial points.
I'm quite enjoying looking at the standings this morning. A quarter of the way into the season, the Canucks are tied for first place in the Northwest Division and a single point behind the San Jose Sharks for second place in the Western Conference. Is it too early to look at the standings? Perhaps, but after a horrid October, it's been fun to watch this nice little run the Canucks are on.
About the game around the blogosphere:
Friday night against the St. Louis Blues
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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, Minnesota+Wild
Save for a Mike Brown-Aaron Voros scrap, the game, not surprisingly I suppose, didn't have the expected fireworks. With first place in the Northwest on the line, both teams behaved themselves and played a good-paced and relatively-clean game.
I commended the offense in yesterday's post, and lo and behold, Markus Naslund took his offensive game up another notch with his 10th career hat trick - tying him for most hat tricks in Canucks history. My favorite part? Well, a couple actually. First, Markus shot is obviously back and he scored all three of his goals within ten feet of the crease. Second, he scored two of his goals in the third period when his team may have been feeling the effects of playing in Edmonton the night before and the long flight to Minnesota afterwards. For the first time in a long time, the Canucks captain carried the team on his shoulders and earned them two crucial points.
I'm quite enjoying looking at the standings this morning. A quarter of the way into the season, the Canucks are tied for first place in the Northwest Division and a single point behind the San Jose Sharks for second place in the Western Conference. Is it too early to look at the standings? Perhaps, but after a horrid October, it's been fun to watch this nice little run the Canucks are on.
About the game around the blogosphere:
- If Wild fans want to re-live the game, Mike the Yankee Canuck has a liveblog up on his site.
- Hannah the Canucks Fangirl only caught the third period but at least she saw Nazzy's hat trick goal.
- Naslund turns a trick (CP via Globe and Mail)
- Canucks in the pinky (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- No elbows, no cheap shots, no revenge (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Naslund scores with vintage style (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Fists don't play but goals do for Canucks' Naslund (Mike Russo, Star-Tribune)
- A swing and a miss (John Shipley, Pioneer Press)
- Game not as much fun as the buildup (Tom Powers, Pioneer Press)
Friday night against the St. Louis Blues
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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, Minnesota+Wild
Labels: game recap, Naslund, Wild
Monday, November 19, 2007
Gaining On Trev
I haven't seen this get a lot of press yet, but after his goal and assist performance last night, Markus Naslund has quietly - does he do it any other way? - moved to within nine points of Trevor Linden's franchise scoring record.
Sometime in the near future, I'm sure we'll start debating about who the better Canucks captain was. Last season, Naslund passed Linden as the Canucks' goal scoring leader. Earlier this season, Linden passed Stan Smyl as the Canucks' assist leader; Naslund is now also within 24 assists of Trevor's mark. Both have so far served as Canucks captain for seven seasons each.
It's really amazing how a lot of their career numbers are similar; however, there is one glaring difference. Trevor has appeared in 124 playoff games (all but six with Vancouver) and has 99 postseason points (all but four assists in a Canucks uniform). Markus has only played in 45 postseason games and has 33 points in them (all with Vancouver). In his time as captain, Trevor led the Canucks to six playoff series wins. Markus has so far led the Canucks to only two, though a long playoff run this season can bump that number up pretty quick.
And in what could be the final year for two of the best players to ever lace up for this team, a long playoff run is kinda what we're all hoping for.
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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
Sometime in the near future, I'm sure we'll start debating about who the better Canucks captain was. Last season, Naslund passed Linden as the Canucks' goal scoring leader. Earlier this season, Linden passed Stan Smyl as the Canucks' assist leader; Naslund is now also within 24 assists of Trevor's mark. Both have so far served as Canucks captain for seven seasons each.
It's really amazing how a lot of their career numbers are similar; however, there is one glaring difference. Trevor has appeared in 124 playoff games (all but six with Vancouver) and has 99 postseason points (all but four assists in a Canucks uniform). Markus has only played in 45 postseason games and has 33 points in them (all with Vancouver). In his time as captain, Trevor led the Canucks to six playoff series wins. Markus has so far led the Canucks to only two, though a long playoff run this season can bump that number up pretty quick.
And in what could be the final year for two of the best players to ever lace up for this team, a long playoff run is kinda what we're all hoping for.
______________
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
