Thursday, September 11, 2008
Food, Wine and Good Company... and that's it for now
New Canucks GM Mike Gillis, capologist Laurence Gilman, Henrik and Daniel Sedin and agent JP Barry met on Wednesday night, and at least by the Sedins' account, things went well (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun).
Now, the party apparently didn't talk money or contract extension, but both sides laid down some groundwork (TSN.ca).
From Iain MacIntyre (Vancouver Sun):
JP Barry, the Sedins' agent, likes to trot out the names Scott Gomez (cap hit - $7.357 million; NTC), Chris Drury ($7.05 million; NMC) and Shawn Horcoff ($5.5 million; NTC) as comparables. Other comparables may include Martin St. Louis ($5.25 million), Mike Ribeiro ($5 million), or even, Olli Jokinen ($5.25 million) and Ales Hemsky ($4.1 million). Out of all these players, only St. Louis (246 points; 1.01 points per game average) and Jokinen (251; 1.02) have put up better numbers.
This isn't to say that the Sedins are now worth double their current $3.575 million contracts. They're certainly due for a raise, but especially given the NHL's wacky free agent market, how much of one should they get? Or better yet, how much of a hometown discount are they willing to give?
"I felt good after the meeting," Daniel said. "I talked to Henrik in the car after and it felt good. Mike is a nice man. I like his ideas on the team. He wants to play a more exciting style of game. We had an open dialogue."The question is if the feeling is mutual (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun):
More than anything, Daniel and Henrik Sedin went to dinner last night needing to be needed. But Mike Gillis isn't the warm and cuddly type.After last night, perhaps Gillis was able to explain himself to the Sedins' satisfaction.
The two sides will learn to like one another. And Wednesday's bread-breaking was probably a pretty good start.
In truth, Gillis has made it known for a while that he wanted his best two forwards to remain Vancouver Canucks beyond next season.
In truth, a contract offer has been on the table most of the summer. In truth.
But the universal perception -- shared by the twins -- is that Gillis was unsure about his leading scorers from Ornskoldsvik and might view them as former general manager Dave Nonis's leftovers.
That perception was largely shaped by Gillis. And not only because of his famous April quote questioning if the Sedins were "players the team will be built around moving forward," but because he didn't contact them in the following four months to provide the context he admits was missing from his remarks.
Now, the party apparently didn't talk money or contract extension, but both sides laid down some groundwork (TSN.ca).
Gillis described his meeting with the twins as a get-to-know session.If anything, there's no doubting the numbers the Sedins have put up in the last 3 seasons.
"We didn't discuss it last night, and I'm not going to discuss it publicly with anyone," he said Thursday. "We want to keep quality players here, we want to have players that want to play here, and the strategy for any player is to try and accomplish those goals. You know, we've had a strategy in place for some time, and we're gonna follow through on it."
From Iain MacIntyre (Vancouver Sun):
You can argue Daniel and Henrik aren't "dominant" first-liners or "dynamic" first-liners or "intimidating" first-liners. You might even claim they're not "good enough" first-liners, but you must have awfully high standards because by any statistical measure, Daniel and Henrik are elite forwards.And from Ed Willes (Vancouver Province):
In the last two seasons, Daniel has 158 points and Henrik 157. Mats Sundin, who has left Gillis hanging on a two-year, $20-million offer and whose only contract right now is with an online poker service, has 154 points the last two seasons.
Only 18 players have outscored the Sedins. There are 30 NHL first lines -- by definition, 90 first-line players. So the twins not only score like first-line players, but are among the better ones in the league.
The twins, after all, aren't exactly negotiating from a position of weakness. For starters, they are one year away from unrestricted free agency. They also represent an alarming share of the Canucks' -- for wont of a better term -- offence. (Last season Henrik accounted for 76 points and Daniel had 74. The next closest returning Canucks were Ryan Kesler and Taylor Pyatt with, ta-da, 37 points each.) And when you come right down to it, the numbers they've put up in the Canucks' no-goal system compare favourably to some of the NHL's elite.In fact, the Henrik and Daniel's 232 and 229 total points, respectively, in the last 3 seasons rank 19th and 20th in the entire league and their 0.9431 and 0.9347 points per game average during the same time span rank 31st and 33rd.
Over the last three seasons, for example, both Henrik and Daniel have put up more points than Brad Richards, Patrick Marleau and Marian Gaborik. Of those players, Marleau will be the lowest-paid this season at $6.3 million. Uh, if we can figure that out, rest assured there are others.
JP Barry, the Sedins' agent, likes to trot out the names Scott Gomez (cap hit - $7.357 million; NTC), Chris Drury ($7.05 million; NMC) and Shawn Horcoff ($5.5 million; NTC) as comparables. Other comparables may include Martin St. Louis ($5.25 million), Mike Ribeiro ($5 million), or even, Olli Jokinen ($5.25 million) and Ales Hemsky ($4.1 million). Out of all these players, only St. Louis (246 points; 1.01 points per game average) and Jokinen (251; 1.02) have put up better numbers.
This isn't to say that the Sedins are now worth double their current $3.575 million contracts. They're certainly due for a raise, but especially given the NHL's wacky free agent market, how much of one should they get? Or better yet, how much of a hometown discount are they willing to give?
Labels: Sedin
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Coyotes 1 Canucks 3
I've ordered the Canucks pay-per-view game on Shaw seven times this season. I've had problems five of those times. Last night, I missed the last 10 minutes of the game because the screen blacked out. It was stupid. Fucking stupid. (Or maybe I am for forking out the money anyway.)
For those who want a refund, the number is (604) 629-8888. You can also send an email from this link:
https://secure.shaw.ca/need_help/Request_Help_Form.asp
They'll offer you a refund of anywhere of $4.32 because they claim that there was only ten minutes left in the game. I'm personally of the opinion that we should all get full refunds but I'll leave it to you to think if $4 is fair or not.
*****
The Canucks looked a lot more interested last night than the last time they played Phoenix (the 2-0 loss). As he'd done all season, Luongo shut the door. For the first time in a long time, the Sedins provided the offense. As was expected, Rick Rypien and Nathan McIver didn't let the Coyotes throw their weight around. If the Canucks were intimidated last time around, they weren't last night, and in fact, controlled a good chunk of the game.
While the Morrison, Naslund and Pettinger line didn't show up on the score sheet, I thought they had another great game. Naslund and Morrison looked like they may have rekindled some chemistry from their WCE days. Pettinger hasn't looked out of place either and seemed to be able to read where Nazzy and Mo were going.
If this line could be a consistent threat, then it's obviously good news for the Canucks but especially good news for the Sedins. It certainly makes the opposition coaches think twice about who they want defending which line. I don't think it's a coincidence that, one game after combining for nine points, Nazzy, Mo and Pettinger faced Ed Jovanovski for most of the game. The Sedins faced Keith Ballard and Derek Morris and took full advantage.
*****
Does injury news even surprise us anymore? This time, Mason Raymond is expected to be out of the lineup for four weeks with a second degree MCL sprain (TSN.ca).
After the game, Alain Vigneault wasn't pleased:
I agree with Alanah. The hit was definitely a knee-to-knee, though I can't tell if Ballard intentionally stuck out his knee. Raymond's quick and Ballard's not. To me, it just seemed that Ballard went for the hit, Raymond kinda got by him and Ballard ended up getting him late. Tough call for sure, but even tougher break for Raymond, who's really been one of the Canucks' bright spots this season.
More from the MSM:
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, Phoenix+Coyotes
For those who want a refund, the number is (604) 629-8888. You can also send an email from this link:
https://secure.shaw.ca/need_help/Request_Help_Form.asp
They'll offer you a refund of anywhere of $4.32 because they claim that there was only ten minutes left in the game. I'm personally of the opinion that we should all get full refunds but I'll leave it to you to think if $4 is fair or not.
*****
The Canucks looked a lot more interested last night than the last time they played Phoenix (the 2-0 loss). As he'd done all season, Luongo shut the door. For the first time in a long time, the Sedins provided the offense. As was expected, Rick Rypien and Nathan McIver didn't let the Coyotes throw their weight around. If the Canucks were intimidated last time around, they weren't last night, and in fact, controlled a good chunk of the game.
While the Morrison, Naslund and Pettinger line didn't show up on the score sheet, I thought they had another great game. Naslund and Morrison looked like they may have rekindled some chemistry from their WCE days. Pettinger hasn't looked out of place either and seemed to be able to read where Nazzy and Mo were going.
If this line could be a consistent threat, then it's obviously good news for the Canucks but especially good news for the Sedins. It certainly makes the opposition coaches think twice about who they want defending which line. I don't think it's a coincidence that, one game after combining for nine points, Nazzy, Mo and Pettinger faced Ed Jovanovski for most of the game. The Sedins faced Keith Ballard and Derek Morris and took full advantage.
*****
Does injury news even surprise us anymore? This time, Mason Raymond is expected to be out of the lineup for four weeks with a second degree MCL sprain (TSN.ca).
After the game, Alain Vigneault wasn't pleased:
"In my opinion it was a dirty hit," Vigneault said. "I can't see how they couldn't have seen that, knee-on-knee. I hope the league is going to review it."Alanah (Canucks and Beyond) has the Youtube video:
I agree with Alanah. The hit was definitely a knee-to-knee, though I can't tell if Ballard intentionally stuck out his knee. Raymond's quick and Ballard's not. To me, it just seemed that Ballard went for the hit, Raymond kinda got by him and Ballard ended up getting him late. Tough call for sure, but even tougher break for Raymond, who's really been one of the Canucks' bright spots this season.
More from the MSM:
- Split Sedins. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province;
- Payback's a bitch. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province; Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province; Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun; Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Ohlund speaks to the press. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province; Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun).
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, Phoenix+Coyotes
Labels: Coyotes, game recap, Raymond, Sedin
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:
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
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)
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, Morrison, Ohlund, Predators, Raymond, Sedin
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
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Game Day Post: Blues at Canucks
Dear Canucks,
For the love of people who will be listening to people calling into talk shows for the next week bitching about you, please don't lose five games in a row.
That's all. Thanks.
J.J.
Less whining and more informative 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
For the love of people who will be listening to people calling into talk shows for the next week bitching about you, please don't lose five games in a row.
That's all. Thanks.
J.J.
Less whining and more informative pieces from the MSM:
- Jaffray in, Beech beached. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun; Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- The Blues are the new Wild. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Produce and play more or play more to produce? (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Still waiting for the big one. The big trade that is. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- The Canucks aren't the only one on a mid-season skid. (Jeremy Rutherford, St. Louis Dispatch)
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, Blues, game day preview, Sedin
Monday, January 14, 2008
Weekend Wrapup
It was Jeckyl-and-Hyde kinda weekend for the Vancouver Canucks. On Friday, they suffered a regulation time loss at home for the first time in more than two months; last night, they won on the road for the first time since Christmas. I'm actually glad they won last night. They came into the game on a two-game losing streak and I would've hated to write this post after three consecutive losses.
For the last couple of months, we've been able to somewhat sidestep the issue of secondary scoring. When the Canucks started to right the ship in November, everyone was contributing and the team didn't have to rely on the Sedins to put the puck in the net. Especially after this weekend however, the issue is noticeably beginning to rear its ugly head again.
The Canucks have scored 20 goals in their eight games since Christmas. Of those 20 goals, twelve - or 60% of them - were scored by the Sedin line. Yes, they've had revolving wingers (i.e. Naslund, Raymond and Pyatt) but that doesn't seem to matter. They're the only line right now that are consistently producing anything on offense. (The Kesler line has also produced chances but just haven't been able to put the biscuit in the basket, ya know?)
Case in point was last night's game and the third period of Friday night's game. Whenever the Canucks needed a goal, Vigneault threw the Sedin line out on the ice. At times, they were on the ice every other shift and the end result was a season-high 22:15 minutes of ice-time for Henrik and a near season-high 20:59 minutes of ice-time for Daniel.
The team has been up-and-down since the end of November, a month in which they compiled a 9-2-2 record and took 77% of the available points. In December and so far in January, they have a more average 11-7-2 record and took only 60% of available points. It's not bad but it's not great. Are their injuries - Morrison, Ohlund and Bieksa especially - finally catching up to them?
About the game around the blogosphere:
Tomorrow night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
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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
For the last couple of months, we've been able to somewhat sidestep the issue of secondary scoring. When the Canucks started to right the ship in November, everyone was contributing and the team didn't have to rely on the Sedins to put the puck in the net. Especially after this weekend however, the issue is noticeably beginning to rear its ugly head again.
The Canucks have scored 20 goals in their eight games since Christmas. Of those 20 goals, twelve - or 60% of them - were scored by the Sedin line. Yes, they've had revolving wingers (i.e. Naslund, Raymond and Pyatt) but that doesn't seem to matter. They're the only line right now that are consistently producing anything on offense. (The Kesler line has also produced chances but just haven't been able to put the biscuit in the basket, ya know?)
Case in point was last night's game and the third period of Friday night's game. Whenever the Canucks needed a goal, Vigneault threw the Sedin line out on the ice. At times, they were on the ice every other shift and the end result was a season-high 22:15 minutes of ice-time for Henrik and a near season-high 20:59 minutes of ice-time for Daniel.
The team has been up-and-down since the end of November, a month in which they compiled a 9-2-2 record and took 77% of the available points. In December and so far in January, they have a more average 11-7-2 record and took only 60% of available points. It's not bad but it's not great. Are their injuries - Morrison, Ohlund and Bieksa especially - finally catching up to them?
About the game around the blogosphere:
- Edler bails Rypien out. (Waiting for Stanley)
- Compared to losses last Thursday and Friday, the Canucks were tougher to play against last night. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province; Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- It was the Sedins show. Why aren't BOTH of them all-stars? (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province; Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- It was the schedule's fault. (Norm Sanders, Belleville News-Democrat)
- The Blues can't score in the shootout. Sound familiar, Canucks fans? (Jeremy Rutherford, St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Tomorrow night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
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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 recap, Sedin
Friday, January 11, 2008
Canucks 1 Sharks 3
There's no way around it. The Canucks sucked last night. The Sharks this season are what the Ducks were for the Canucks last season. For whatever reason, the Canucks just don't have a solution for big, bad San Jose.
I don't know if the Canucks were tired, but the Sharks were bigger and quicker last night. They were beat to the puck a lot and took seven penalties, five of them of the hook and hold variety. It didn't seem to matter what lines Alain Vigneault threw out there, but none of them worked.
Some random thoughts:
Tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes
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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, San+Jose+Sharks
I don't know if the Canucks were tired, but the Sharks were bigger and quicker last night. They were beat to the puck a lot and took seven penalties, five of them of the hook and hold variety. It didn't seem to matter what lines Alain Vigneault threw out there, but none of them worked.
Some random thoughts:
- Jeff Cowan returned to the lineup for the first time since early December; however, I hardly noticed him. Mike Brown would've at least got himself into a scrap to try to wake the boys up.
- I know it's only been a couple of games but Mason Raymond looks out of place on the Sedin line. He had a couple of shots tonight but both came on the rush rather than off the cycle. Plus, his skinny frame makes it hard for him to win a lot of corner battles.
- The defense, especially youngsters Alex Edler and Lukas Krajicek, had tough games.
- On the positive side, I thought Taylor Pyatt had another good game. Also, Ryan Kesler's goal was his career-high 11th goal this season.
- Let's hope the 'Nucks and Sharks don't meet in the playoffs. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun; Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)
- Henrik's going to the All-Star game. (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province; Matthew Sekeres, Globe and Mail)
- No, Iain. There's nothing wrong with Louie missing the All-Star game. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Some nice words on Jason Jaffray. (Gary Lawless, Winnipeg Free Press)
- Nabokov 4, Luongo 0. (David Pollak, San Jose Mercury News)
Tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes
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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, San+Jose+Sharks
Labels: game recap, Jaffray, Luongo, Sedin, Sharks
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Avalanche 1 Canucks 2 (OT)
I know it's late, but after Friday's 2-1 OT win versus the Colorado Avalanche, Tracy and I took off for the long weekend to visit family and hang out with some good friends. We're back now, and I have to say that after three consecutive wins, things are much, much better in Canuck-land. The weather may be crappy, but when the Canucks are winning, even the rain smells good.
With their win on Friday, the Canucks passed the Calgary Flames for 3rd place in the division. They also moved to within four points of the second-place Minnesota Wild, who they play twice in the next week. I'm looking forward to the next five games to see if they can gain any more on the Northwest Division.
Friday's game was easily the most entertaining I've seen at GM Place this season. Both teams played great. There were numerous chances at both ends and only some good saves by both Roberto Luongo and Jose Theodore kept it a low-scoring affair.
From the Canucks' side, the Sedins had another great game against the Avs. They lit them up for six points a week ago; on Friday, Henrik scored both goals.
Once again, Ryan Kesler played a heckuva game. He didn't show up on the score sheet but man, he was skating like the wind out there. He certainly created some good chances by using his speed.
The defense was also solid. Alex Edler was steady, Aaron Miller's getting better and Willie Mitchell was very good. I know I've criticized Mike Weaver in the past, but to give credit where credit's due, he was also very good.
It was a nice team effort all around. Let's have more of those please.
Catching up on some 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
With their win on Friday, the Canucks passed the Calgary Flames for 3rd place in the division. They also moved to within four points of the second-place Minnesota Wild, who they play twice in the next week. I'm looking forward to the next five games to see if they can gain any more on the Northwest Division.
Friday's game was easily the most entertaining I've seen at GM Place this season. Both teams played great. There were numerous chances at both ends and only some good saves by both Roberto Luongo and Jose Theodore kept it a low-scoring affair.
From the Canucks' side, the Sedins had another great game against the Avs. They lit them up for six points a week ago; on Friday, Henrik scored both goals.
Once again, Ryan Kesler played a heckuva game. He didn't show up on the score sheet but man, he was skating like the wind out there. He certainly created some good chances by using his speed.
The defense was also solid. Alex Edler was steady, Aaron Miller's getting better and Willie Mitchell was very good. I know I've criticized Mike Weaver in the past, but to give credit where credit's due, he was also very good.
It was a nice team effort all around. Let's have more of those please.
Catching up on some pieces from the MSM:
- Burrows bulks up to win (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Best offence isn't a good defence this season (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Healthy Miller picks up play (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Left-winger Cowan back after hip injury (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Bourdon learns to play simple game (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- PK unit gets better of late (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Morrison out to prove critics wrong (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- GM Place ice a carnival-like circus of sorts at practice (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- As Sedins go, so do Canucks (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Canucks finding successful passage through Northwest (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Forwards better going backward (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Raymond back in the hunt (Ken Wiebe, Winnipeg 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: Avalanche, Bourdon, Burrows, Cowan, game recap, Miller, Morrison, Sedin
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Three-For-Edmonton
It's been a great weekend for Vancouver fans and a horrible one for those from the *ahem* city of champions. The Canucks, of course, bounced back from that debacle of a Flyers game and took both games of a home-and-home, back-to-back set against the Edmonton Oilers. For good measure, the BC Lions also pulled a 24-18 win over the Eskimos after trailing for the first 56 minutes of the game.
Good times, good times.
On Friday night in Edmonton, the Canucks rode Rick Rypien's return to the roster and Roberto Luongo's goaltending en route to a 5-2 win. They played better than they did on Wednesday, though admittedly, they were outplayed for large stretches of that game. Thankfully, Louie was great and Garon and Roloson weren't and the Canucks extended their win streak against the Oilers to six consecutive games.
On Saturday in Vancouver, the Canucks made it seven straight wins against the Oilers. They won 4-1 and were full value for the victory. Louie made some great saves, the defense was solid and made very few mistakes, Morrison and Naslund combined for a goal and two assists, and the Sedins once again dominated.
Ah yes, the Sedins. They recorded five points (2G-3A) last night - they combined for seven points (3G-4A) for the weekend - and now have 31 points in their last ten games against Edmonton. And on one memorable powerplay shift, they toyed with the Oilers, hemmed them in their zone for 2:20, and scored the Canucks' second goal of the night. If you missed it, a video clip of the shift is already on Youtube:
More recaps from the mainstream:
Monday night against the San Jose Sharks.
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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, Edmonton+Oilers
Good times, good times.
On Friday night in Edmonton, the Canucks rode Rick Rypien's return to the roster and Roberto Luongo's goaltending en route to a 5-2 win. They played better than they did on Wednesday, though admittedly, they were outplayed for large stretches of that game. Thankfully, Louie was great and Garon and Roloson weren't and the Canucks extended their win streak against the Oilers to six consecutive games.
On Saturday in Vancouver, the Canucks made it seven straight wins against the Oilers. They won 4-1 and were full value for the victory. Louie made some great saves, the defense was solid and made very few mistakes, Morrison and Naslund combined for a goal and two assists, and the Sedins once again dominated.
Ah yes, the Sedins. They recorded five points (2G-3A) last night - they combined for seven points (3G-4A) for the weekend - and now have 31 points in their last ten games against Edmonton. And on one memorable powerplay shift, they toyed with the Oilers, hemmed them in their zone for 2:20, and scored the Canucks' second goal of the night. If you missed it, a video clip of the shift is already on Youtube:
More recaps from the mainstream:
- Quick-fix Rick does the trick. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Got any more messages? (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Edmonton's less-than-champ weekend. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Hot issues. (Vancouver Province)
- Canucks extend streak. (Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal)
- Hannah posts her thoughts from Friday and Saturday.
- The Chief Canuck raves about the Canucks' balanced scoring on Friday and raves more about the play of the Sedins and Brendan Morrison on Saturday.
- Relive Friday night's win with Mike the Yankee Canuck's liveblog.
Monday night against the San Jose Sharks.
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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, Edmonton+Oilers
Labels: game recap, Luongo, Oilers, Rypien, Sedin, video clip
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Two More Days
I'm still in Sainte-Adele, Quebec, and to be perfectly honest, I'm looking forward to going home tomorrow night. Two weeks is just way toooooo long to be away. The good news is, I'm going to be home in time for the Canucks home opener - this, I'm very much looking forward to.
I'll post my thoughts on the upcoming season when I get back, but in the meantime, here are some of today's preview pieces:
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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
I'll post my thoughts on the upcoming season when I get back, but in the meantime, here are some of today's preview pieces:
- Great expectations. (Ken Wiebe, Winnipeg Sun)
- Morrison keeps his streak alive. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Vancouver calls on Morrison, Naslund to return to form. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Sedins shake off 'sister' slurs with quiet, hard work. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Everyone may love Raymond. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Linden's trade to NY one for the ages. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
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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
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Preseason Game Day Post: Flames at Canucks
Mike Keenan is in town tonight as the Canucks face the Flames in preseason action. Here are the quick links:
- Keenan relishes chance to rekindle Flames. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Five players injure groins. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Burrows in fine form. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Kesler more determined than ever. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Kesler out to prove team's faith is well placed. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Newest Swedish twin sensation: the Speedins. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
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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: Burrows, game day preview, Kesler, Sedin
Friday, September 14, 2007
Camp Quick Links - 09/14/2007
I'm late for work so I'll comment more later. In the meantime, there's lots and lots and lots of Canucks coverage from training camp in today's MSM:
- Luongo unhurt in training camp collisions. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Twins must redouble effort. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- This Dane's not great, but he sure is good. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Working on defensive depth. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Rypien ready to fight for job. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Less fighting, more skating at training camps. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Old boys network begins to improve team. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Fall guys. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Rick's letting Ryp. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Future, meet the present. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Now, it's all about fitness. (Sharie Epp, Victoria Times Colonist)
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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Ellington, Hansen, Linden, Luongo, Mitchell, Morrison, Naslund, Rypien, Sedin, Sharrow, training camp 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
Blues 2 Canucks 3 (OT)
The Canucks are tied for the league-lead in one-goal games with 28. In a way, I'm not at all surprised that, even with a non-playoff bound team like the St. Louis Blues in town, the Canucks won by a single goal.
The game looked like it should have been a romp. The Canucks outshot the Blues 12-2 in the first period and led them in shots 20-5 about halfway through the second. They dominated the play - and by they, I mean mostly the Sedin, Sedin and Cowan line - and the Blues rarely got within spitting distance of Roberto Luongo. At that point however, all they could show for their good play was a 1-0 lead on Henrik Sedin's 10th goal of the season; midway through the third period, Trevor Linden also scored his 10th goal of the season - a nice finish on a nice odd-man rush - to extend the lead to 2-0.
Game, set, match, right? Well, not quite.
Almost as if on cue, the Canucks started to sit back on their two-goal lead much like they did against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night. The Blues sensed this and slowly yet surely clawed their way back to force overtime.
Thank goodness Eric Brewer felt the need to stand up for Curtis Sanford, who dove when Matt Cooke skated by him. Thank goodness the Sedins made him pay with a beauty of a powerplay goal in overtime.
More from the Mainstream
My 3 Stars of the Game
Official Statistics
Next Game
Big Saturday night showdown versus the Detroit Red Wings.
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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, St.+Louis+Blues
The game looked like it should have been a romp. The Canucks outshot the Blues 12-2 in the first period and led them in shots 20-5 about halfway through the second. They dominated the play - and by they, I mean mostly the Sedin, Sedin and Cowan line - and the Blues rarely got within spitting distance of Roberto Luongo. At that point however, all they could show for their good play was a 1-0 lead on Henrik Sedin's 10th goal of the season; midway through the third period, Trevor Linden also scored his 10th goal of the season - a nice finish on a nice odd-man rush - to extend the lead to 2-0.
Game, set, match, right? Well, not quite.
Almost as if on cue, the Canucks started to sit back on their two-goal lead much like they did against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night. The Blues sensed this and slowly yet surely clawed their way back to force overtime.
Thank goodness Eric Brewer felt the need to stand up for Curtis Sanford, who dove when Matt Cooke skated by him. Thank goodness the Sedins made him pay with a beauty of a powerplay goal in overtime.
More from the Mainstream
- Postgame from the Vancouver and St. Louis sides. - Grant Kerr (Globe and Mail), Kevin Woodley (St. Louis Post Dispatch)
- Our Sedins are all growns up. - Ed Willes (Vancouver Province)
- For the first time since moving Jeff Cowan from the fourth line, Alain Vigneault changed his line combos again. - Cam Cole (Vancouver Sun), Ben Kuzma (Vancouver Province)
- The definition of a workaholic. - Brad Ziemer (Vancouver Sun)
My 3 Stars of the Game
- Daniel Sedin (VAN): OT winner plus an assist.
- Curtis Sanford (STL): 34 saves on 37 shots. Was pretty much the only reason the Blues were still in the game in the third period.
- Henrik Sedin (VAN): One goal and one more assist towards Andre Boudrias' record.
Official Statistics
Next Game
Big Saturday night showdown versus the Detroit Red Wings.
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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, St.+Louis+Blues
Labels: Blues, game recap, Sedin
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Game Day: Canucks at Coyotes
The Canucks are in Phoenix tonight to face the Coyotes, the first game of a three games in four nights set on the road. No word from the coaches yet, but Dany Sabourin is expected to make one of the starts and give Roberto Luongo a breather.
Here are today's Canucks-related stuff:
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, Phoenix+Coyotes
Here are today's Canucks-related stuff:
- Daniel Sedin, 30-goal scorer. It has a nice ring to it. - Jason Botchford (Vancouver Province)
- Lee Goren down in the farm just hit the 20-goal plateau himself - Ken Wiebe (Winnipeg Sun)
- Everyone in Vancouver is still talking about Jeff Cowan. - Gordon McIntyre (Vancouver Province), Elliott Pap (Vancouver Sun), Grant Kerr (Globe and Mail)
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, Phoenix+Coyotes
Labels: Cowan, Coyotes, game day preview, Sedin
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Lightning 1 Canucks 5
Last night's game between the Canucks and the Tampa Bay Lightning was a much-anticipated meeting between one of the best defensive teams in the league versus one its highest-scoring ones. It didn't exactly happen. The Canucks' suffocating defense limited the high-powerd Lightning offense to 17 shots on goal - and even less scoring chances - and delivered a convincing 5-1 victory to go undefeated in their three-game homestand (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province).
It wasn't exactly a night off for Roberto Luongo but it came close.This wasn't the only story of the night as, much like in many others this season, the Canucks put together a clinic in team play.
So often this season, Luongo has carried the Canucks and the hopes of their fans on his formidable shoulders.
Turnabout is fair play.
The Canucks D-men shut down Tampa Bay's top line like a high school kegger after the cops arrive. It helped Luongo to his 38th win of the season, tying Kirk McLean's mark set in 1991-92.
Daniel Sedin scored 21 seconds in the third period to give the Canucks a two-goal cushion; the goal was his 30th of the season, the first time in his career he's reached that plateau. Henrik added two assists. Bryan Smolinski scored his first goal as a Canuck. Lukas Krajicek played his best game in recent memory. And of course, Jeff Cowan - yes that waiver wire pickup Jeff Cowan - chipped in with two goals. He now has five goals, a fight and a bra thrown at him in three games (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun).
In the rest of the world, lightning never strikes twice. In Vancouver, it never strikes once, except when it hits five times in three games for Jeff Cowan.Jeff, I take back everything I said when the 'Nucks first plucked you from the waiver wire.
The Tampa Bay Lightning, who entered the National Hockey League in 1992, remained 0-for-ever in Vancouver as the Canucks got a pair of goals from their grinder-turned-sniper Tuesday and beat the 2004 Stanley Cup champions 5-1.
As the saying goes, the Canucks left it all on the ice. And after Cowan's second goal capped a rollicking third period, so did one female fan. At least we assume it was a she who tossed a bra on to the ice, creating a standoff between Canuck defenceman Willie Mitchell, who speared the unmentionable with his stick, and referee Dave Jackson, who was hesitant to transfer it to the penalty box.
Three games ago, Cowan may as well have been John Doe. Now, he's Tom Jones.
More from the Mainstream
- More postgame thoughts from the Vancouver press. - Ben Kuzma (Vancouver Province), Grant Kerr (Globe and Mail)
- Now from the Tampa Bay side. - Damian Cristodero (St. Petersburg Times), Erik Erlendson (Tampa Tribune)
- Heading towards the playoffs, the 'Nucks are clicking on all cylinders. - Ed Willes (Vancouver Province)
- It's been well-documented. Louie is glad to be heading to the playoffs. - Erik Erlendson (Tampa Tribune)
- Some roster notes on Rory, Kes and Dany. - Elliott Pap (Vancouver Sun)
About the game around the blogosphere
- The Yankee Canuck is the latest to praise Jeff Cowan.
- Ditto Jes Golbez.
- Waiting For Stanley is all for more bra-throwing on the ice.
- Isabella from stick in rink was at the game and gives her minute-by-minute account.
- Canucks Fangirl and The Chief Canuck also throw in their two cents.
My 3 Stars of the Game
- Daniel Sedin (VAN): Scored his 30th goal of the season.
- Jeff Cowan (VAN): Two more goals and a long standing ovation from the crowd.
- Kevin Bieksa (VAN): Led all Canucks in ice-time and scored the game-winning goal.
Official Statistics
Next Game
Away from the Vancouver rain and on to Phoenix on Thursday night.
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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, Tampa+Bay+Lightning
Labels: Cowan, game recap, Lightning, Luongo, Sedin
