Saturday, March 08, 2008
Game Day Post: Blues at Canucks
Finally, some good news (Jason Botchford, The Ice Hole):
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
The Canucks received some surprisingly good news Saturday.______________
Not only did Kevin Bieksa and Ryan Kesler get medical clearance to play but so did Mattias Ohlund who, just a few days ago, many people thought would miss the rest of the regular season because of bone chips in his knee.
The pain and swelling in Ohlund's knee have subsided and it's a good bet he will play Saturday against St. Louis.
"He looked fine this morning ... and if he looks good in warmup and says he can play, he'll play," Vigneault said.
Ohlund said he felt ready.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Blues, game day preview, Ohlund
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Game Day Post: Predators at Canucks
It was fun to have the Canucks' top-six defensemen together for a couple of games *snicker snicker*, but alas, another injury has befallen one of them (Vancovuer Province).
Tonight's as good a night as any to get a win streak going. They win and they're back in eighth place in the Western Conference. They win and the Avs lose to the Ducks and they're back in sixth. They lose and they burn the game in hand they have over the Coyotes who, after beating the Stars last night, are only a point back of the Canucks now.
To say that this is a huge game would be understating it.
More previews from today's MSM:
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Mattias Ohlund had an MRI (magnetic resonance image) on Wednesday to evaluate the extent of a knee injury he suffered Tuesday in Denver.Luc Bourdon was called up to replace Ohlund in the lineup.
Tonight's as good a night as any to get a win streak going. They win and they're back in eighth place in the Western Conference. They win and the Avs lose to the Ducks and they're back in sixth. They lose and they burn the game in hand they have over the Coyotes who, after beating the Stars last night, are only a point back of the Canucks now.
To say that this is a huge game would be understating it.
More previews from today's MSM:
- Mason's back in the lineup. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- In light of their recent slump, maybe the Sedins should be more fazed. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- And the rest of the team should be as well. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- The fans certainly are. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Shades of 2004. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Slowly but surely, Mo's getting there. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: game day preview, Morrison, Ohlund, Predators, Raymond, Sedin
Friday, February 08, 2008
Canucks 2 Thrashers 1
I think most Vancouver Canucks fans would be in agreement that last night's 2-1 win over the Atlanta Thrashers wasn't pretty, though as they say, a win is a win. After the doom and gloom at the start of this road trip, the Canucks are at least going home with four of the possible eight points.
Alex Burrows had a great game (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province):
More from the MSM:
Saturday night against Colorado (a Hockey Day in Canada game) and Sunday night against Chicago
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Atlanta+Thrashers
Alex Burrows had a great game (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province):
It also marked a highlight-reel night for Alex Burrows, who got under Kovalchuk's skin and also scored the winning goal. The super-pest strategy could have backfired, but the agitating Burrows wasn't worried about that.Mattias Ohlund was back in the lineup and provided a huge psychological lift (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province):
"If we can get under his skin, that's another part of the game that we've got to do," said Burrows.
"Those Russian guys. Normally, it [agitating] doesn't really wake them up. They like to shut it down and just going at him is part of my game."
Scoring isn't, but Burrows is one of the Canucks' most-improved players and his sixth goal spoke of hustle and enough skill to thread the needle.
Vigneault's convinced the process started well before the puck was dropped. It started when Mattias Ohlund went above the call of duty to help the Canucks improve to 14-16 in one-goal games.The win was a big monkey off their back but now comes another key stretch of games. The Canucks have seven games left before the trading deadline. Five of those seven games are at home and four of them are against Northwest Division rivals. As the Forsberg and other trade talks heat up, the team has that long to put themselves back in playoff contention or slide right out of it.
Not only did the defenceman start the sequence for the tying goal -- his slapshot from the left boards was deflected by Daniel Sedin -- he returned from taking care of a family matter to rejoin the Canucks at the morning skate.
"For him to take a red-eye [flight] last night and to come here and play says so much about the individual and how much he cares about his teammates," said Vigneault.
"It was a huge lift for us and I'm really pleased to be his coach because he's a top-notch competitor."
Ohlund logged 23:36, had two shots on goal and played well even though he could have been easily distracted by events in Vancouver.
More from the MSM:
- Going home on a high. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- 55 games in, the Canucks finally had their first regulation win after trailing after two periods. (Charles Odum, AP via Globe and Mail; Carroll Rogers, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
- Maybe, maybe not. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun; Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province).
Saturday night against Colorado (a Hockey Day in Canada game) and Sunday night against Chicago
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Atlanta+Thrashers
Labels: Burrows, game recap, Ohlund, Thrashers
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Game Day Post: Canucks at Stars
Just when you thought that the Canucks' injury woes couldn't get any worse came yesterday's string of bad news (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province):
Alex Edler and Luc Bourdon as a top pairing would have been great if we were talking about the Manitoba Moose. Heck, a blueline that consists of Edler/Bourdon/Weaver/McIver/Fitzgerald isn't bad really if we were talking about the Moose. That these guys might form the Canucks blueline tonight is lame (pardon the pun).
More from the MSM:
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
The prolonged post-practice conversation between Alain Vigneault, Dave Nonis and medical trainer Mike Burnstein said it all Monday.This is freakin' ridiculous.
Here in Big D, where they serve big steaks, the trio wasn't making dinner plans. They were wondering what cuts of hockey beef the Vancouver Canucks will ice tonight against the Dallas Stars.
While Sami Salo is set to return after missing two games with a groin strain, Aaron Miller didn't practise and is questionable after blocking a shot Friday in Florida. Mattias Ohlund has returned home for personal reasons and his playing status is also uncertain.
Alex Edler and Luc Bourdon as a top pairing would have been great if we were talking about the Manitoba Moose. Heck, a blueline that consists of Edler/Bourdon/Weaver/McIver/Fitzgerald isn't bad really if we were talking about the Moose. That these guys might form the Canucks blueline tonight is lame (pardon the pun).
More from the MSM:
- The Stars are hot, the Canucks are not. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- The Marty motivation factor. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- It's not quite as bad as the 'Nucks, but the Stars have some injuries on the blueline as well. (Mike Heika, The Dallas Morning News)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: game day preview, Miller, Ohlund, Salo, Stars
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Blues 2 Canucks 3 (SO)
After stopping Andy Macdonald in the shootout and winning the game for the Canucks, Roberto Luongo skated out of his net and did a little fist pump. The rest of the team skated out, greeted him and patted each other in the back. The losing streak was over and everyone was excited and relieved.
To me, the most telling part of the game was just how much the fans stuck with the team, even when they were trailing in the third period. There was no bronx cheer from the crowd, even after a Louie gave up a couple of un-Luon-god-like goals, but instead, plenty of encouragement. Maybe we're beginning to shake off our reputation as a goalie graveyard after all.
The Canucks needed that win. If they had lost, they would have entered the All-Star break with five straight losses with the possibility that Columbus and Nashville would knock them down to 10th in the Western Conference. As it stands, they have a three-point lead on both teams and a chance to rest easy for a week.
More from the mainstream:
January 29th against the Dallas Stars.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, St.+Louis+Blues
To me, the most telling part of the game was just how much the fans stuck with the team, even when they were trailing in the third period. There was no bronx cheer from the crowd, even after a Louie gave up a couple of un-Luon-god-like goals, but instead, plenty of encouragement. Maybe we're beginning to shake off our reputation as a goalie graveyard after all.
The Canucks needed that win. If they had lost, they would have entered the All-Star break with five straight losses with the possibility that Columbus and Nashville would knock them down to 10th in the Western Conference. As it stands, they have a three-point lead on both teams and a chance to rest easy for a week.
More from the mainstream:
- Finally, a come-from-behind win. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province; Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun; Matthew Sekeres, Globe and Mail)
- Matty Ohlund is a monster performer. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Louie looked shaken and stirred early but recovered nicely late in the third period and the shootout. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun; Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province; Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province; Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- In the shootout, the Blues are the anti-Edmonton. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
January 29th against the Dallas Stars.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, St.+Louis+Blues
Labels: Blues, game recap, Luongo, Ohlund
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Game Day Preview: Rangers at Canucks
I know it's been a while since I last checked in here so, first and foremost, I hope everyone has had a good start to 2008 and I wish everyone the best of the year to come.
*****
I'm very much looking forward to tonight's game against the Rangers. It's been five years since we last saw the Blueshirts in town and there's a group of 20 of us attending this game. No doubt it's gonna be a good one.
I was chatting briefly with a colleague of mine today - actually, I also worked with him at GM Place when I worked there - and we talked about how much of a rivalry the Canucks truly have with the Rangers. I don't know whether I'm in the majority or minority of Canucks fans, but I don't like the Rangers for the plain and simple fact that they won the Stanley Cup against the 'Nucks. 1994 was of course a long time ago, but I, for one, have never forgotten it. When I went to Madison Square Garden a few years ago, the usher made sure to point out the Stanley Cup banner on the rafters. I had told him that I was from Vancouver and I believe his exact words were, "Thanks for that" (pointing to the banner). I realize the Canucks/Rangers rivalry isn't on the same level as say the Canucks/Flames or even the Canucks/Leafs one, but I think it's a noteworthy one.
The Rangers are coming into tonight's game hoping to snap an 0-4-1 winless skid against Western Conference teams. They lost just last night to the Flames so no doubt they'll be a tad pissed off. I know Sean Avery is - he got a diving penalty and a 10-minute misconduct at the tail end of that game. (By the way, any Mary Kate Olsen or Elisha Cuthbert sightings around town yet?)
The Canucks are coming off a 2-1 New Year's Eve loss to the same Calgary Flames. Don't look back now, but the Flames are only a point behind the 'Nucks in the Northwest Division standings
At first glance, the Canucks and the Rangers seem polar opposites. The Rangers boast an impressive lineup up front with Jaromir Jagr, Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Brendan Shanahan and Martin Straka, but they have a not-so-well-known group in the back end led by former Canuck, Marek Malik. The Canucks, well, while deeper on defense, just don't have the same firepower up front.
Or do they?
It sounds crazy, but in the first half of the season, the Canucks are actually averaging more goals per game than the Rangers (2.60 to 2.42) and even with them on the powerplay (18.0%). True, the Rangers are among the league leaders in shots on goal - the Canucks are dead-last - but that's about as much of a difference the Canucks and Rangers forwards have.
Why the Canucks will win tonight:
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
*****
I'm very much looking forward to tonight's game against the Rangers. It's been five years since we last saw the Blueshirts in town and there's a group of 20 of us attending this game. No doubt it's gonna be a good one.
I was chatting briefly with a colleague of mine today - actually, I also worked with him at GM Place when I worked there - and we talked about how much of a rivalry the Canucks truly have with the Rangers. I don't know whether I'm in the majority or minority of Canucks fans, but I don't like the Rangers for the plain and simple fact that they won the Stanley Cup against the 'Nucks. 1994 was of course a long time ago, but I, for one, have never forgotten it. When I went to Madison Square Garden a few years ago, the usher made sure to point out the Stanley Cup banner on the rafters. I had told him that I was from Vancouver and I believe his exact words were, "Thanks for that" (pointing to the banner). I realize the Canucks/Rangers rivalry isn't on the same level as say the Canucks/Flames or even the Canucks/Leafs one, but I think it's a noteworthy one.
The Rangers are coming into tonight's game hoping to snap an 0-4-1 winless skid against Western Conference teams. They lost just last night to the Flames so no doubt they'll be a tad pissed off. I know Sean Avery is - he got a diving penalty and a 10-minute misconduct at the tail end of that game. (By the way, any Mary Kate Olsen or Elisha Cuthbert sightings around town yet?)
The Canucks are coming off a 2-1 New Year's Eve loss to the same Calgary Flames. Don't look back now, but the Flames are only a point behind the 'Nucks in the Northwest Division standings
At first glance, the Canucks and the Rangers seem polar opposites. The Rangers boast an impressive lineup up front with Jaromir Jagr, Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Brendan Shanahan and Martin Straka, but they have a not-so-well-known group in the back end led by former Canuck, Marek Malik. The Canucks, well, while deeper on defense, just don't have the same firepower up front.
Or do they?
It sounds crazy, but in the first half of the season, the Canucks are actually averaging more goals per game than the Rangers (2.60 to 2.42) and even with them on the powerplay (18.0%). True, the Rangers are among the league leaders in shots on goal - the Canucks are dead-last - but that's about as much of a difference the Canucks and Rangers forwards have.
Why the Canucks will win tonight:
- Sean Avery brings bad karma wherever he goes.
- Mike Brown will kick Sean Avery's ass.
- Mason Raymond will score his first career hat-trick.
- Little offence is going a long way (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Avery? Just let him yap (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Renney not fooling with April (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Rangers' changes wide-ranging (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)
- Canucks playing to their strength (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Coach Vigneault having trouble saying the C-word (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Avery is a tool, game day preview, Kesler, Ohlund, Rangers
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
Monday, December 03, 2007
Canucks 1 Wild 2
Bah, I suppose all good things must come to an end. Like Roberto Luongo's shutout streak (212:02 minutes) and the Canucks previously-unbeaten in regulation time record against the Northwest Division (9-1-2).
Some thoughts:
Wednesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Minnesota+Wild
Some thoughts:
- The truth is, the boys looked flat last night. Minnesota took the game to them and forced them to take some lazy penalties. Altogether, the Canucks were shorthanded seven times, including four times in the first period that set the tone for the game.
- I thought it was funny hearing the Wild fans boo mild-mannered Mattias. Given the incident with Mikko Koivu, the reception wasn't unexpected. But it's funny because next to Markus Naslund and Sami Salo, Ohlund is probably my least expected Canuck to be public enemy no. 1.
- Despite the balanced scoring the Canucks have received in the past month, I'm still hoping that the Canucks can find one more guy that has some decent offensive instincts. While I've always appreciated the work of Brendan Morrison's line - at both ends of the ice - imagine what it would be like if Mo had someone with some finish to pass the puck to.
- Where did this Steve Yzerman-like Markus Naslund come from? On the offensive end, Nazzy had three shots on goal - the classic Naslund kind, not the wimpy 2006-2007 ones - and defensively, backchecked and probably broke up just as many Minnesota plays. And this isn't a one-game phenomenon either. Nazzy's consistently been doing this for about a month now.
- Luongo's shutout streak ends in loss to Wild (CP via Globe and Mail)
- Brain cramp sinks Canucks (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Deflection finally beats Luongo (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Voros' voracious play has 'em going Wild in Minnesota (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- All Canucks' parts point to much better year (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Canucks streaks end (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Wild boo-birds can't rattle Ohlund (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Minnesota Wild rookie Aaron Voros delivers 1-2 punch (John Shipley, Pioneer Press)
- Wild's Belanger cheers jet-lag parity plan (Michael Russo, Star-Tribune)
- Post-game thoughts from Waiting for Stanley.
Wednesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Minnesota+Wild
Labels: game recap, Luongo, Ohlund, Wild
Monday, November 19, 2007
Flames 1 Canucks 4
If you look at their statistics over the past six games, you'd never have guessed that the Canucks were missing two or three of their top-four defensemen.
They're the only team in the league that hasn't lost in regulation time against a divisional opponent. Once 10 points back of the first-place Minnesota Wild, they're only three points back now. They play the Oilers and the Wild on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and if they somehow extend their win streak a couple more games, they could actually pass Minnesota. Now that's wild.
We've been saying this for a couple of weeks now, but the defense has stepped it up a notch. That they're doing it with Ohlund, Salo, Bieksa and Krajicek all missing games is impressive. That they're doing it with a couple of rookies and a waiver wire pick-up filling in is an eye-opener.
I can't say enough about Alex Edler's and Luc Bourdon's play.
In the last six games, Edler has played a lot - he's averaged more than 20 minutes of ice-time - and played well. He's moved up to the shutdown pairing with Willie Mitchell and he's chipped in with a couple of assists and a plus-two rating.
Luc has steadily gotten better and more comfortable during his six-game stint. Last night, he logged 17:48 minutes of ice-time and looked as steady as he's ever looked in a Canucks uniform. (It's helped, of course, that he's partnered up with veteran Aaron Miller and that Miller himself has played better.) Luc was a plus-one last night and is a combined plus-four since his call-up.
About the game around the blogosphere:
Tuesday night vs. the Edmonton Oilers
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Calgary+Flames
- 5-0-1 record in six games
- 11 points out of a possible 12
- 9 goals allowed in six games
- +7 in even-strength goals
- Louie's 1.47 GAA and .946 save percentage
They're the only team in the league that hasn't lost in regulation time against a divisional opponent. Once 10 points back of the first-place Minnesota Wild, they're only three points back now. They play the Oilers and the Wild on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and if they somehow extend their win streak a couple more games, they could actually pass Minnesota. Now that's wild.
We've been saying this for a couple of weeks now, but the defense has stepped it up a notch. That they're doing it with Ohlund, Salo, Bieksa and Krajicek all missing games is impressive. That they're doing it with a couple of rookies and a waiver wire pick-up filling in is an eye-opener.
I can't say enough about Alex Edler's and Luc Bourdon's play.
In the last six games, Edler has played a lot - he's averaged more than 20 minutes of ice-time - and played well. He's moved up to the shutdown pairing with Willie Mitchell and he's chipped in with a couple of assists and a plus-two rating.
Luc has steadily gotten better and more comfortable during his six-game stint. Last night, he logged 17:48 minutes of ice-time and looked as steady as he's ever looked in a Canucks uniform. (It's helped, of course, that he's partnered up with veteran Aaron Miller and that Miller himself has played better.) Luc was a plus-one last night and is a combined plus-four since his call-up.
About the game around the blogosphere:
- Mike the Yankee Canuck liveblogged the game.
- Hannah the Canucks Fangirl has her recap up.
- Canucks win war of attrition (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Beat up blueline passes test (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Practicing shootouts sounds good, but... (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Ohlund gets 4 games for Wild slash (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Path to victory is clear (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Flames go 2-and-out again (Steve MacFarlane, Calgary Sun)
- Flames flattened by high-flying Canucks (Jean Lefebvre, Calgary Herald)
Tuesday night vs. the Edmonton Oilers
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Calgary+Flames
Labels: Bourdon, Edler, Flames, game recap, Ohlund
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Ohlund Suspended For Four Games
From NHL.com:
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Mattias Ohlund has been suspended for four games, without pay, as a result of a slashing incident during NHL game #277 against the Minnesota Wild, Nov. 16.Again, I'm not arguing the suspension. Ohlund deserves to be suspended for his stickwork. But what about Gaborik's and Koivu's flying elbows? So much for all that talk about eliminating blows to the head.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Ohlund will forfeit $74,866.32. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
The incident occurred at 16:06 of the third period when Ohlund struck Minnesota player Mikko Koivu with a slash. He was assessed a slashing major and game misconduct. Koivu suffered a broken bone in his left leg on the play.
Ohlund will miss tonight’s game against Calgary, Nov. 20 in Edmonton, Nov. 21 in Minnesota and Nov. 23 in St. Louis. He will be eligible to return Nov. 25 at home against Chicago.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Ohlund
Game Day Post: Green Riders at Lions, Flames at Canucks
It's a busy sports day in Vancouver today with the BC Lions hosting the CFL West Final against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 1:30 PM and then the Canucks hosting the Calgary Flames across the street at 5:00 PM. Apparently, the local folks are expecting 80,000 people to come down for the festivities (John Coleburn and Joe Ruttle, Vancouver Province).
I didn't get to follow the Lions' season as closely as I would've liked and I only made it to BC Place for only one game this year so other than a simple "GO LIONS" and "ROAR YOU LIONS ROAR", I can't really say much. Yes, these Lions have been good (Lyndon Little, Vancouver Sun) and a win today will earn them another Grey Cup appearance - it would be their third appearance in four years - and a chance to repeat as CFL champs.
The Canucks will be looking for their fifth win in six games when they face a Calgary team that played the late CBC game last night. Very rarely does the schedule work well in the Canucks' favor and this is one such instance.
It's funny how this game works. A couple of weeks ago, it was all doom and gloom in Canuckland, but now, after taking nine out of the last possible ten points, the Canucks have their swagger back. I love watching this team play like this. I love watching them skate and get dirty in the corners. I love seeing them pay more attention to the defensive side of the rink. I hope that slow start is now behind them.
I haven't seen anything cross the wire yet, but I'm guessing Mattias Ohlund is a maybe for tonight's game. No one, not even Mattias himself, liked the chop on Koivu and I think most are in agreement that he should miss a game or two. Even though Koivu was a slimy little snot for throwing a flying elbow at Mattias' head - and you know, the league is supposed to be cracking down on blows to the head - Mattias should have just been the bigger man.
More from today's MSM:
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, CFL, BC+Lions
I didn't get to follow the Lions' season as closely as I would've liked and I only made it to BC Place for only one game this year so other than a simple "GO LIONS" and "ROAR YOU LIONS ROAR", I can't really say much. Yes, these Lions have been good (Lyndon Little, Vancouver Sun) and a win today will earn them another Grey Cup appearance - it would be their third appearance in four years - and a chance to repeat as CFL champs.
The Canucks will be looking for their fifth win in six games when they face a Calgary team that played the late CBC game last night. Very rarely does the schedule work well in the Canucks' favor and this is one such instance.
It's funny how this game works. A couple of weeks ago, it was all doom and gloom in Canuckland, but now, after taking nine out of the last possible ten points, the Canucks have their swagger back. I love watching this team play like this. I love watching them skate and get dirty in the corners. I love seeing them pay more attention to the defensive side of the rink. I hope that slow start is now behind them.
I haven't seen anything cross the wire yet, but I'm guessing Mattias Ohlund is a maybe for tonight's game. No one, not even Mattias himself, liked the chop on Koivu and I think most are in agreement that he should miss a game or two. Even though Koivu was a slimy little snot for throwing a flying elbow at Mattias' head - and you know, the league is supposed to be cracking down on blows to the head - Mattias should have just been the bigger man.
More from today's MSM:
- Wild will lack Koivu; Ohlund hit reviewed (Kent Youngblood, Star Tribune)
- Wild rematch could get ugly (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Gritty Kesler relishing shutdown role (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, CFL, BC+Lions
Labels: Flames, game day preview, Kesler, Ohlund, roar you lions roar
Thursday, June 14, 2007
No Title To Describe This
Where the heck did this crazy talk come from?
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Mattias+Ohlund
Dave Nonis won't rule out a trade at the NHL entry draft, but he did rule out a strange scenario where veteran defenceman Mattias Ohlund would leave the Vancouver Canucks this summer and return to his native Sweden.It must be slow news day in Sweden. At least I hope that's all it is.
A Swedish-based rumour has Ohlund retiring from the NHL and moving his family so his children can be schooled back home. The report also suggested Ohlund would play in the Swedish Elite League with Skelleftea.
Ohlund couldn't be reached for comment, but Nonis was stunned at a suggestion that the blueliner would bolt.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Mattias+Ohlund
Labels: Ohlund
