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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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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Labels: game recap, Jaffray, Luongo, Sedin, Sharks
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Game Day Post: Canucks at Sharks
I'll be honest. I don't have a good vibe about tonight's game against the San Jose Sharks and am wondering whether or not I should bother ordering the pay-per-view feed. Bah, who am I kidding? I probably will order it and sit and watch and hope that Shaw doesn't screw up the feed again.
Tonight's game is for sole possession of second place in the Western Conference. There may also be a bit of pride on the line. It's the last meeting this season between the two teams - unless they match up in the playoffs - and the Sharks are 3-0 against the Canucks. No doubt the Canucks don't want to get blanked out of the season series.
The Canucks are on a decent roll, winning four of their five games since the Christmas break. However, those four wins were in the comfort of GM Place and their lone loss was on the road against the Calgary Flames.
If it's any consolation, the Sharks don't have a great home record. They're 5-0-1 since the Christmas break, but four of those wins were on the road. In fact, they have a sub-.500 record (7-9-4) at HP Pavillion Place, including a 3-4-2 record since December, but mind you, one of those three wins was against the Canucks.
One thing the Canucks have to focus on tonight is getting their offense going and throwing more pucks on Evgeni Nabokov. This season, they've been outshot in every game against the Sharks and have only scored a total of five goals (two of them on the powerplay).
Another thing is that they have to find a way to slow down Joe Thornton. Believe it or not, San Jose, for the season, averages less goals per game than the Canucks (2.51 vs 2.60), but they have exploded for an average of four goals per game against our normally stingy team. Joe Thornton and his six series points (3G-3A) is a huge part of that.
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
Tonight's game is for sole possession of second place in the Western Conference. There may also be a bit of pride on the line. It's the last meeting this season between the two teams - unless they match up in the playoffs - and the Sharks are 3-0 against the Canucks. No doubt the Canucks don't want to get blanked out of the season series.
The Canucks are on a decent roll, winning four of their five games since the Christmas break. However, those four wins were in the comfort of GM Place and their lone loss was on the road against the Calgary Flames.
If it's any consolation, the Sharks don't have a great home record. They're 5-0-1 since the Christmas break, but four of those wins were on the road. In fact, they have a sub-.500 record (7-9-4) at HP Pavillion Place, including a 3-4-2 record since December, but mind you, one of those three wins was against the Canucks.
One thing the Canucks have to focus on tonight is getting their offense going and throwing more pucks on Evgeni Nabokov. This season, they've been outshot in every game against the Sharks and have only scored a total of five goals (two of them on the powerplay).
Another thing is that they have to find a way to slow down Joe Thornton. Believe it or not, San Jose, for the season, averages less goals per game than the Canucks (2.51 vs 2.60), but they have exploded for an average of four goals per game against our normally stingy team. Joe Thornton and his six series points (3G-3A) is a huge part of that.
More previews from today's MSM:
- Pissing off Pyatt. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Ohlund's getting better. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: game day preview, Sharks
Friday, December 14, 2007
Canucks 2 Sharks 5
In hindsight, there were far more exciting things to do than to watch last night's snoozefest to the Sharks: watching paint dry comes to mind, and also, going to a Celine Dion concert.
The Canucks looked tired and I don't blame them. They were playing their seventh game in seven cities in 11 nights. They went from east to west and are now heading north to finish the road trip from hell up in Edmonton (how fitting, eh?).
Give credit to the Sharks. They took full advantage of a tired team and turned turnovers to goals. Down 3-0, the Canucks actually made it interesting when they scored a couple of goals early in the third period, but turnovers by Aaron Miller and Lukas Krajicek turned into Joe Thornton and Steve Bernier goals to put the game out of reach.
Don't look now, but after a good run of games, the Canucks have only won one of their four games. In a tight playoff race - right now, six points separate 2nd and 12th in the Western Conference - they can ill-afford to go into any extended slump.
More from the mainstream:
Saturday night in Edmonton
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The Canucks looked tired and I don't blame them. They were playing their seventh game in seven cities in 11 nights. They went from east to west and are now heading north to finish the road trip from hell up in Edmonton (how fitting, eh?).
Give credit to the Sharks. They took full advantage of a tired team and turned turnovers to goals. Down 3-0, the Canucks actually made it interesting when they scored a couple of goals early in the third period, but turnovers by Aaron Miller and Lukas Krajicek turned into Joe Thornton and Steve Bernier goals to put the game out of reach.
Don't look now, but after a good run of games, the Canucks have only won one of their four games. In a tight playoff race - right now, six points separate 2nd and 12th in the Western Conference - they can ill-afford to go into any extended slump.
More from the mainstream:
- Canucks lack energy in loss (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Sharks getting their bite back (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Road trip clearly running out of gas (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)
- Call-up backup gets action (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)
- Jaffray debut unbelievable (Ken Wiebe, Winnipeg Sun)
- Sharks celebrate back-to-back home wins (David Pollak, The Mercury News)
Saturday night in Edmonton
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Labels: game recap, Jaffray, Sharks
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Sharks 4 Canucks 2
Before the game yesterday, I wasn't sure what Vancouver Canucks team to expect against the San Jose Sharks - the one that beat Edmonton twice over the weekend or the one that has struggled against non-Alberta-based teams so far this season. As it turns out, both Canucks teams showed up last night.
The Canucks dominated the first 30 minutes of the game. They kept up with the big, fast Sharks. They drew penalties (six of them). They generated numerous scoring chances. They looked good.
But alas, Evegeni Nabokov was impenetrable and the Canucks could only get one puck past him.
The game turned midway through the second period, about the time Doug Murray and Rick Rypien dropped the gloves and Murray dropped Rypien with a few, good shots. (To be fair, Murray had pulled Rypien's jersey over his head and Rypien was throwing punches like a kid swinging blindly at a pinata at a birthday party.) The mood changed after this bout, and true enough, the Sharks built some momentum and tied the game.
The third period last night was eerily similar to the first period of the home opener. The Canucks' defense, which was supposed to be one of the strengths of this team, was anything but. Lord knows what Aaron Miller and Mike Weaver were doing that far up the ice defending a 5-on-3 when Joe Pavelski scored the tying goal. And Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo got the defense running around to score theirs. It's been an inconsistent start to the season for the defense to say the least. Sami's supposed to be back in the lineup on Friday. Hopefully, that'll help.
More recaps from the mainstream:
Friday night against the Los Angeles Kings.
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The Canucks dominated the first 30 minutes of the game. They kept up with the big, fast Sharks. They drew penalties (six of them). They generated numerous scoring chances. They looked good.
But alas, Evegeni Nabokov was impenetrable and the Canucks could only get one puck past him.
The game turned midway through the second period, about the time Doug Murray and Rick Rypien dropped the gloves and Murray dropped Rypien with a few, good shots. (To be fair, Murray had pulled Rypien's jersey over his head and Rypien was throwing punches like a kid swinging blindly at a pinata at a birthday party.) The mood changed after this bout, and true enough, the Sharks built some momentum and tied the game.
The third period last night was eerily similar to the first period of the home opener. The Canucks' defense, which was supposed to be one of the strengths of this team, was anything but. Lord knows what Aaron Miller and Mike Weaver were doing that far up the ice defending a 5-on-3 when Joe Pavelski scored the tying goal. And Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo got the defense running around to score theirs. It's been an inconsistent start to the season for the defense to say the least. Sami's supposed to be back in the lineup on Friday. Hopefully, that'll help.
More recaps from the mainstream:
- Missed chances costly in setback. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Hot issues. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Difference is Thornton. (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)
- Canucks lose bite. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Sharks break it open in third. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Canucks exposed as pretenders. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Three-goal third period flurry leads Sharks to win. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Cooke makes return to lineup to face old foe. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Wilson wakes up Cheechoo. (David Pollak, San Jose Mercury News)
- Waiting For Stanley has his game recap up.
- Ditto The Chief Canuck.
Friday night against the Los Angeles Kings.
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Labels: game recap, Sharks
Monday, October 15, 2007
Game Day Post: Sharks at Canucks
Including the preseason, the Canucks have yet to win a game against a non-Alberta-based team so I'm not sure what to expect when they face the San Jose Sharks tonight. See, the last time the Sharks were here, they built a 3-0 first period lead and pretty much coasted to a 3-1 win. They were that good (and the Canucks were that bad). Of course, the Canucks played much better against Edmonton this weekend and the hope is that they have finally shaken off any remaining off-season rust.
My keys to the game:
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My keys to the game:
- Stop Joe Thornton.
- Score early on Evgeni Nabokov.
- Buy Jeremy Roenick a lap dance at Brandy's.
- Luongo his old reliable self against Edmonton. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- San Jose presents a tough test for Canucks. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Nobody said losing was easy. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Cooke quiet after scratch. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Mitchell plays waiting game. (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)
- Cooke feeling heat for lacklustre start. (Ben Kuzma, Vancovuer Province)
- Sharks aim to go one better. (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)
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Labels: Cooke, game day preview, Luongo, Sharks
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Preseason: Sharks 4 Canucks 3 (SO)
Something about California-based teams seems to bring out the worst in the Vancouver Canucks. Another game against the San Jose Sharks last night, another loss. The Canucks are 2-2-2 in the preseason, but have lost all four games - and have looked horrible (okay, sounded horrible) for all four losses - to the Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks.
It's obvious some work still needs to be done. The good thing is, they have two preseason games left to get it together and neither is against California.
Today's links:
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It's obvious some work still needs to be done. The good thing is, they have two preseason games left to get it together and neither is against California.
Today's links:
- Lay off Nonis, already. (Barry Macdonald, 24 Hours)
- Canucks' glasses half-empty after loss. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Luongo stands firm over threat to quit. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Luongo adamant. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Not a pattern you'd want to bank on. (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)
- D-man Miller almost ready for debut in hockey mad market. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Finally the Sharks are believers again. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- McGillis hopes to make most of tryout. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Rookie makes big pitch with his stick. (Stephen Snelgrove, San Jose Mercury News).
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Labels: game recap, Luongo, McGillis, Miller, Sharks
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Preseason: Canucks 1 Sharks 3
Tough game for the Canucks last night as they lost 3-1 to the San Jose Sharks. The score was a bit flattering; if it wasn't for Bobby Lou, the score might have been more lopsided (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province).
On the injury front, the news isn't much better (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun).
*sigh*
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With 10 Canucks sidelined by injury -- the list grew by two Friday with Ryan Kesler becoming the sixth to sustain a sore groin while Kevin Bieksa has abdominal soreness -- and Mattias Ohlund the lone veteran blueliner, it was left to Luongo to steal the show.Nope, it wasn't pretty.
Luongo even gloved a Tomas Pihal penalty-shot attempt in the middle frame when the Sharks centre was hauled down on a partial breakaway by Jim Sharrow.
The Canucks took four-straight penalties to start the game and the Sharks went 3-for-9 on the power play while the Canucks were 0-for-6.
On the injury front, the news isn't much better (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun).
The Vancouver Canucks added another body to their lengthy injury list today when centre Ryan Kesler, the first star in Thursday's 5-4 win over Edmonton, came up with a sore groin and was scratched for the weekend's pre-season road trip to California.That's a total of 10 guys down. Nine of them regulars. And the season hasn't even started yet.
Kesler joins Trevor Linden, Willie Mitchell, Byron Ritchie, Rick Rypien and Brendan Morrison on the sidelines, all with groin soreness, although Morrison is close to returning.
Morrison plans to practise with the team Saturday morning and if all goes well, he will suit up for the Anaheim game on Sunday. The Canucks meet San Jose on Saturday.
Also out of the lineup and not on the trip are Sami Salo (broken wrist), Aaron Miller (abdominal surgery), Kevin Bieksa (stomach inflammation) and young forward Jannik Hansen (broken thumb).
*sigh*
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Labels: game recap, Kesler, Luongo, Sharks
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Canucks 4 Sharks 3 (OT)
Oh, how sweet it is!
Bring on the Stars!
[update: 04/08/07, 7:00 AM]
The postgame pieces:
About the game around the blogosphere:
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
Bring on the Stars!
[update: 04/08/07, 7:00 AM]
The postgame pieces:
- Tough play is what it takes. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Intensity mounts as playoffs loom. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Captain likes how his team is battling. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- For momemt, it seemed SJ took devastating hit. (Mark Purdy, San Jose Mercury News)
About the game around the blogosphere:
- Waiting For Stanley, The Chief Canuck and Canucks Fangirl all recap the game.
- The Yankee Canuck gets ready to put his hate on Dallas.
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, Sharks
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Canucks 2 Sharks 1 (OT)
I'm gonna be honest here, guys. I'm hungover as hell. Some of my good friends and I went to the Shark Club on Georgia St. to celebrate my birthday and watch the game, and let's just say, I probably had one more Jager-bomb than I should have. It was a great time - I also met some of the cool folks from Canucks Corner, who were having their annual meet and greet - however, because of aforementioned Jager-bomb (and other like alcoholic drinks), my memory of the game is a bit on the fuzzy side.
I'm sure it was a great game. The Canucks won 2-1 in overtime and extended their win streak to five games. They are 11-1-1 in their last 13 games and have a four-point lead over the Minnesota Wild and six-point lead over the Calgary Flames for the Northwest Division title.
Except for parts of the first period when the Canucks took a couple of penalties and the Sharks dominated the play, I thought the guys in Orca white looked good. In an even-matched, tight-checking affair, they threw 37 shots on Evgeni Nabokov, who stopped 35 of them.
Meanwhile, on the other end, Roberto Luongo did what he normally does. He wasn't as busy - he only faced 26 Sharks shots - but he was just as good. His win was his career-high 39th of the season; with it, he also set a new Canucks franchise record for most goaltender wins in a single season. Next up, Bernie Parent's NHL record of 47 wins.
More from the Mainstream
Official Statistics
Next Game
Early Sunday evening against the Chris Pronger-less Anaheim Ducks.
Postscript: Thanks to Ernest and Naomi for sending in this pic from San Jose.
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I'm sure it was a great game. The Canucks won 2-1 in overtime and extended their win streak to five games. They are 11-1-1 in their last 13 games and have a four-point lead over the Minnesota Wild and six-point lead over the Calgary Flames for the Northwest Division title.
Except for parts of the first period when the Canucks took a couple of penalties and the Sharks dominated the play, I thought the guys in Orca white looked good. In an even-matched, tight-checking affair, they threw 37 shots on Evgeni Nabokov, who stopped 35 of them.
Meanwhile, on the other end, Roberto Luongo did what he normally does. He wasn't as busy - he only faced 26 Sharks shots - but he was just as good. His win was his career-high 39th of the season; with it, he also set a new Canucks franchise record for most goaltender wins in a single season. Next up, Bernie Parent's NHL record of 47 wins.
More from the Mainstream
- Lesser lights lead the way. - Iain MacIntyre (Vancouver Sun)
- Home cooking? With Sharks no. - Victor Chi (Mercury News)
Official Statistics
Next Game
Early Sunday evening against the Chris Pronger-less Anaheim Ducks.
Postscript: Thanks to Ernest and Naomi for sending in this pic from San Jose.
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Labels: game recap, Luongo, Sharks
