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
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Game Day Post: Devils at Canucks
Marty vs. Louie.
The battle between two possible goalies for Team Canada in the 2010 Olympics goes tonight as the New Jersey Devils pay a rare visit to GM Place.
On the one hand, I'm excited to see this match-up. I'm also very excited to watch Zach Parise play. (This kid's a keeper.)
On the other hand, I, unfortunately, still have memories of the last time I saw the Devils play at GM Place. I was still working there and was working a center ice tunnel when the Devils held the Canucks to eight shots on goal... for the entire game. I remember the Canucks tied a club record with 0 shots on goal during one period as well. It was riveting hockey, I tell ya.
Besides the interest behind the Marty vs. Louie subplot, I'm not sure what to expect from this game. Neither team plays the trap necessarily, but both certainly play a defense-first system. Both are in the top half of the league in shots against - that is, they allow fewer shots against than half the league - and in the bottom half in shots for. Not surprisingly, both teams are in the top half of the league in goals against and in the bottom half for goals for.
Are we in for a titanic defensive battle? Perhaps. And it won't hurt to have a large pot of caffeine handy.
More from today's MSM:
- Getting better all the time (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Top two goalies know how to read the play (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Nothing else matters but winning to these boring Devils (David Pratt, Vancouver Province)
- Salo uncaged and ready to unleash (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Morrison casts himself disappointed (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Mr. Big Shot firing blanks (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Morrison aiming to be back a few weeks before playoffs (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Devils' Pelley returns to play in his home province (Tom Gulitti, northjersey.com)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Devils, game day preview, Morrison, Salo
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:
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
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)
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, Luongo, Naslund, Salo, Wild
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Update on Sami
From Jason Botchford (Vancouver Province):
Via Brad Ziemer (Vancouver Sun):
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Salo had two plates inserted into his face, one to fix his nose and the other to fix his cheekbone area. He is expected to be out another two to four weeks while his face heals with the new plates.When Salo returns, he'll be wearing a visor.
He's able to do only light workouts with weights right now and hopes to start doing some cardio work next week.
He will be off the ice for another week, at least, and it's unclear when he'll be able to start skating again.
Via Brad Ziemer (Vancouver Sun):
The Canuck defenceman said the injury was the wake-up call he needed to convince him to start wearing a visor.It's too bad, really, that it takes an incident like this to convince players to wear visors. I mean, isn't it just the obvious, smart thing to do?
"I want to protect my eyes," Salo said before the Canucks met the Oilers at General Motors Place.
"You can always fix noses and cheekbones, but you can't fix your eyes. I don't want to be in a vulnerable position if I don't wear a visor and the puck hits my eye. I'm not worried about my face and nose."
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Salo
Friday, November 02, 2007
Predators 3 Canucks 0
Roberto Luongo got booed last night. He also got the Bronx cheer. My reaction is pretty much the same as Brendan Morrison's (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province):
I don't mean to shield Louie from the criticism, but you can't blame the Canucks' record on him. Especially when, on most nights, he's the only reason the Canucks are in the game.
Sure he allowed two goals on his first two shots last night, but the first was off a skate with a Predator in front of the net for like forever and the second was on a clear breakaway after a Canucks giveaway on the blueline.
The rest of the team? That's another story.
Ohlund looked like he was skating on mud and was the main culprit on Nashville's second goal. Bieksa, before his injury, was playing like crap. The Sedins were playing like crap. Their passing was brutal, they looked slow, they looked disinterested, and they let the previously-winless on the road Predators - who, by the way, was playing their backup goalie - take the game to them.The Canucks started well enough and generated some good chances early in the game, but for whatever reason (and I'm excepting Morrison and Kesler from this because I thought they played alright), they stopped skating and were as disorganized a team as I've ever seen them.
It was a mess, and unfortunately for Bieksa, Salo and the Canucks' "d", it was a bloody mess (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun).
A day late, but Happy Halloween, Canucks fans.
More from the mainstream:
Next game:
Saturday night against the Mullet and the Colorado Avalanche.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
"To boo our goaltender after he let in two goals on the first two shots, I thought that was crossing the line a bit," Brendan Morrison. "I think it's horse(expletive). It's funny how these things work.Louie doesn't.
"He's the guy everyone is fawning over and then, as a team, we're having a tough start and all of a sudden everyone's (expletive) on him.
"He doesn't deserve it. I will take the (jeers) as a team because in a lot of instances we deserve it."
I don't mean to shield Louie from the criticism, but you can't blame the Canucks' record on him. Especially when, on most nights, he's the only reason the Canucks are in the game.
Sure he allowed two goals on his first two shots last night, but the first was off a skate with a Predator in front of the net for like forever and the second was on a clear breakaway after a Canucks giveaway on the blueline.
The rest of the team? That's another story.
Ohlund looked like he was skating on mud and was the main culprit on Nashville's second goal. Bieksa, before his injury, was playing like crap. The Sedins were playing like crap. Their passing was brutal, they looked slow, they looked disinterested, and they let the previously-winless on the road Predators - who, by the way, was playing their backup goalie - take the game to them.The Canucks started well enough and generated some good chances early in the game, but for whatever reason (and I'm excepting Morrison and Kesler from this because I thought they played alright), they stopped skating and were as disorganized a team as I've ever seen them.
It was a mess, and unfortunately for Bieksa, Salo and the Canucks' "d", it was a bloody mess (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun).
In addition to the game, the Canucks lost two key defencemen as both Kevin Bieksa and Sami Salo were sent to hospital with injuries that coach Alain Vigneault said figure to keep them both out of the lineup for an extended period.I'll be surprised if Bieksa is back this season. Apparently, Fiddler's skate cut right into his calf muscle, and if that's the case, then Bieksa will probably be on crutches for at least four weeks and it'll be a while after that before he can even skate again. It's hard to believe that Salo's injury is actually the less serious one.
Bieksa suffered a deep cut to his right calf late in the second period while battling on the end boards with Nashville centre Vernon Fiddler. Late in the third period, Salo took a puck in the face off the stick of teammate Alex Edler. Vigneault said it appeared Salo suffered a broken orbital bone.
"It's easy to say both those guys are going to be out for a while now," said Vigneault, who added that the team will have to call up at least one defenceman from Manitoba.
A day late, but Happy Halloween, Canucks fans.
More from the mainstream:
- Canucks woes get way, way worse. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- It's not far to go from the top to the bottom. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Hansen happy to be back in the NHL. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Backup leads Nashville to win. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Preds ready to move. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Canucks home woes continue. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- No. 2 goalie Ellis gives Predators their first road win. (Jessica Hopp, The Tennesean)
Next game:
Saturday night against the Mullet and the Colorado Avalanche.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Bieksa, game recap, Luongo, Salo
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Preseason: Ducks 3 Canucks 2 (OT)
As could be expected from a roster filled with mostly farmhands and prospects, last night's OT loss showcased some good things and some bad things.
From Elliott Pap (Vancouver Sun):
It was about the kids for the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and Ryan Shannon, the 24-year-old baby-faced forward, showed he was more than all right.And Jason Botchford (Vancouver Province):
Playing both right wing and the left point on the power play, Shannon demonstrated his speed, skill and savvy as the Canucks opened their 2007 pre-season schedule with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
The Ducks won 3-2 in overtime when Petteri Wirtanen scored his second goal of the game. But that hardly mattered.The rest of todays' links, including updates on Sami Salo's injury:
What did mater was Ryan Shannon had spark, Alex Burrows had edge and Luc Bourdon had a few headaches.
The winning goal deflected off of Bourdon after the young defenceman attempted an ill-advised pass. It wasn't the only time Bourdon had problems. He couldn't clear the puck out of the crease on the second goal when Wirtanen barrelled into the net, and he made a half-hearted effort one-on-one with Travis Moen in the first that led to a holding penalty.
- Can this squad handle it? (Barry Macdonald, 24 Hours)
- Luongo puts neck on line in practice. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Krajicek expected to take another step up. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Maybe Salo asked for it. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- 'Casual' Sami's need for speed. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun):
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Anaheim+Ducks
Labels: game recap, Krajicek, Salo, Shannon
Monday, September 17, 2007
Luongo Okay; Salo Not So Much
It wasn't just the 7,006 fans at Victoria's Save On Foods Memorial Centre that went quiet after Brad Isbister's shot felled Roberto Luongo. The rest of us in Canuckland did as well.
The good news this morning is that Luongo seems okay and will be back practicing before their first preseason game. Unfortunately, the news isn't as good for Sami Salo and Trevor Linden:
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
The good news this morning is that Luongo seems okay and will be back practicing before their first preseason game. Unfortunately, the news isn't as good for Sami Salo and Trevor Linden:
Even if Luongo is okay, defenceman Sami Salo may not be.More links from today's MSM:
After having his left wrist jammed on a bodycheck, Salo was sent to hospital for X-rays. He returned to the rink wearing a splint but won't know the extent of the injury until today. Teammate Trevor Linden also was unable to finish the game and is out day-to-day with a groin injury.
Salo looked despondent as he spoke about the injury, which comes after a summer spent recovering from last season's back, groin and shoulder problems.
- Bieksa tries to beat the sophomore jinx. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Edler favoured for position. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Burrows needs goals or his bubble will burst. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Six players under the microscope. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Nonis ignores Carter, focuses on D. (Vancouver Province)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Bieksa, Burrows, Edler, Linden, Luongo, Salo, training camp 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Intrasquad Game Injuries
Sonuvabitch. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
Vancouver Canuck goalie Roberto Luongo left the National Hockey League team's intrasquad game injured after being hit on the collarbone or throat by Brad Isbister's high shot.And Louie wasn't the only casualty. Via canucks.com:
Luongo, a finalist for both the Hart and Vezina trophies last season, lay facedown the ice for several minutes at the Memorial Centre in Victoria after getting beaned by Isbister late in the first period Sunday morning.
Sami Salo also left the game after jamming his wrist and will get x-rays, while Trevor Linden left the game with a pulled groin.More updates as they come.
(Photo credit: Vancouver Sun)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Linden, Luongo, Salo, training camp 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Believe In Blue
Hindsight being 20/20, the Canucks missing the playoffs last season was perhaps the best thing to happen to this franchise. Count me among those who were emotionally-attached to the previous core of players. Count me now among those who believe in this current group.
If the Canucks had made the playoffs in 2006, how much tinkering would Dave Nonis have done in the offseason? Would he have traded Todd Bertuzzi? Would he have acquired Roberto Luongo or stuck with a still developing Alex Auld? Would he have re-signed Ed Jovanovski? Would Marc Crawford still be the coach?
Thankfully, the answers don't really matter really because this season has already made us forget about last. What this group of Alain Vigneault, Luongo, the Sedins and everyone else has done this season is nothing short of amazing. Consider the new individual records they set:
- Roberto Luongo - 47, most wins in a single season
- Roberto Luongo - 76, most games played in a single season
- Roberto Luongo - .921, best save percentage in a season
- Roberto Luongo - 2.26, lowest GAA in a season
- Henrik Sedin - 71, most assists in a single season
The team also set these new franchise records:
- 49, most wins in a single season
- 105, most points in a single season
- 192, fewest goals allowed in a single season
What makes these records even more amazing is the fact that at Christmas time, the Canucks had a very average 17-18-1 record. They got better as the season went on, found ways to win and ended the season on a 32-8-6 run.
This is as cohesive a Canucks team as I've seen since I became a Canucks fan. They're well-coached and they've all bought fully into Alain Vigneault's system - a team-first approach that is key in any playoff run. In the first couple of months of this season, I thought maybe they'd grind it out for one of the final playoff spots and then eke out a win or two; a Northwest Division title later, I think they're better than that. A lot lot better.
Today's Canucks-related links:
- Talk softly, carry big stick. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Edge in series pretty much all even. (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)
- Nothing new about OT for Canucks, Stars. (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)
- Turco says he's shed that Cloutier-like pian. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Blueliners declared fit. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- The National Scream. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Duel of decades. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Canucks for dummies. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Luongo ready for real season. (Jim Morris, Canadian Press via Victoria Times Colonist)
- Luongo relishes the role of new sheriff in town. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Turco hopes only past gets by him. (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Dallas+Stars
Labels: Believe In Blue, Luongo, Salo, Turco
