Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Canucks 2 Stars 3 (SO)
For a team that played without five of its top six defensemen, the Vancouver Canucks did pretty good to earn a point last night. Among the veterans, Markus Naslund was their best forward, Matt Cooke and Alex Burrows stirred things up pretty good, the Sedins and Sami Salo were okay and Roberto Luongo made some big saves when he needed to. Even Mike Weaver stepped it up a notch. Among the kids, I thought Mason Raymond looked more and more confident as the game went on and the rest of the patchword "d" played admirably well (until about the 10-minute mark of the third period anyway).
For all that, they got a single point against the best team in the Pacific Division. That's huge. Believe it or not, if they win against the Thrashers tomorrow night, they'll have taken half of the available points in the road trip. It's not great, but I guess considering the circumstances, it's not bad either. I mean, things could be worse.
More from the MSM:
Off to Atlanta to thrash the Thrashers tomorrow.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Dallas+Stars
For all that, they got a single point against the best team in the Pacific Division. That's huge. Believe it or not, if they win against the Thrashers tomorrow night, they'll have taken half of the available points in the road trip. It's not great, but I guess considering the circumstances, it's not bad either. I mean, things could be worse.
More from the MSM:
- No one's complaing about the 'Nucks' effort. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province; Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Fitzgerald makes his NHL debut... wearing Lukas Krajicek's stuff. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- A not-so-good update on Aaron Miller and mum's the word on Mattias. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- An update that's not really an update on Peter Forsberg. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Former Vancouver Giant does well in Dallas. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- The Stars have now won four straight games, all against the Northwest Division. (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- Both captains came through on the shootout. (Tracey Myers, Star-Telegram)
- Nazzy had a hat-trick of sorts. (Canucks Fangirl)
- A liveblog from the Dallas side of things. (The Shootout)
Off to Atlanta to thrash the Thrashers tomorrow.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Dallas+Stars
Labels: game recap, Stars
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
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Stars 4 Canucks 3
There were some good parts in the Vancouver Canucks' 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars last night. Like maybe the first few minutes and the last few seconds. What they did in between, well, I can't say I'd file it under the good category.
Don't let the score fool you. The game wasn't close. The Stars held the territorial advantage and had the better scoring chances. They also had more 2-on-1's than Jenna Jameson. Sure the Canucks had more shots on goal, but as has been the case lately, there wasn't much finish.
It was actually quite frustrating to watch the game last night. On home ice, the Canucks should be more dominating than that. I hate to always play the injury card, but it's tough watching guys who would normally be in the press box or with the Moose get outplayed on a regular basis. Yes, I'm talking about Mike Weaver, who got outmuscled a lot, and Nathan MacIver, who got turned around a few times. And this isn't necessarily a criticism of those guys because they've filled in admirably at times. However, it's a bit much, especially with all the injuries, to expect them to replace the Mitchell and Bieksa long-term.
Curtis Sanford was just as brutal and he knows it (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province).
More from the MSM:
Tomorrow night against the Tampa Bay Lightning
(Note: I have a couple of family things to attend to tonight and tomorrow so I won't be posting a game-day post. I'll be back on Friday.)
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Don't let the score fool you. The game wasn't close. The Stars held the territorial advantage and had the better scoring chances. They also had more 2-on-1's than Jenna Jameson. Sure the Canucks had more shots on goal, but as has been the case lately, there wasn't much finish.
It was actually quite frustrating to watch the game last night. On home ice, the Canucks should be more dominating than that. I hate to always play the injury card, but it's tough watching guys who would normally be in the press box or with the Moose get outplayed on a regular basis. Yes, I'm talking about Mike Weaver, who got outmuscled a lot, and Nathan MacIver, who got turned around a few times. And this isn't necessarily a criticism of those guys because they've filled in admirably at times. However, it's a bit much, especially with all the injuries, to expect them to replace the Mitchell and Bieksa long-term.
Curtis Sanford was just as brutal and he knows it (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province).
The Canucks lost a winnable game Tuesday and the reason was all over Curtis Sanford's face, in his disheartened body language and in his own words.It's too bad really. A couple of key saves here and there could've made a difference. Ask the Stars. They got more than a couple of key saves from Marty Turco, who seems now to relish playing against the Canucks.
"The last two goals are saves I have to make and I should make," the backup said after getting pulled for the second time in his past four starts.
"I put the team in a bad position and I put Alain [Vigneault] in a bad position. It's embarrassing to get pulled in front of your own fans. [Vigneault] had to do that. If I was in his position I would have done the same thing. I waved at Modano's goal, basically. I didn't fight through the screen on the last goal."
More from the MSM:
- The Canucks have given up the first goal of the game for seven consecutive games now. It's like 2005 all over again. (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province; Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Methinks Turco likes it when we chant his name. (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)
- Willie's out but hopefully for not too long. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province; Elliott Pap, Vancovuer Sun)
- Something from the Dallas side of things. (Tracey Myers, Star-Telegram)
- Hannah's frustrated as well. (Canucks Fangirl)
- Talking Turco. (Andrew's Dallas Stars Page)
- His Stars won but Art wants to talk about the refs. (Stars Scene)
Tomorrow night against the Tampa Bay Lightning
(Note: I have a couple of family things to attend to tonight and tomorrow so I won't be posting a game-day post. I'll be back on Friday.)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Dallas+Stars
Labels: game recap, Sanford, Stars
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Game Day Post: Stars at Canucks
Tracy and I were hoping to be at GM Place tonight as the Canucks celebrated their 200th consecutive sellout, but alas, our kitchen renos are still in full swing and there's still a lot we need to do. It should be a good time as the Canucks have special plans for the fans who attend, including video tributes from players and stories from long-time season ticket holders.
200 consecutive sellouts is nothing to sneeze at - the last time the Canucks didn't officially sell out a game was on November 12th, 2002 against the St. Louis Blues (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun). I remember working Saturday night Canucks games at GM Place and there would only be 13,000 people there. I remember, one season, the Grizzlies outdrawing the Canucks. But that was also the era when both teams combined couldn't string three wins in a row. (There was a joke back then too about Orca Bay not knowing how to log on to the Internet because they couldn't put three W's together.) For the Canucks, things are much different and definitely much rosier these days (Mike Beamish, Vancouver Sun; Matthew Sekeres, Globe and Mail).
On the ice, things aren't quite as good. Well, they're doing their darndest to keep pace with the Flames and Wild and they're still hanging around for the Northwest Division title, but their already depleted defense just received a double dose of bad news: Willie Mitchell and Lukas Krajicek will miss tonight's game against the Dallas Stars (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun; Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province). That means Curtis Sanford will have a group of Mattias Ohlund, Sami Salo, Alex Edler, Aaron Miller, Mike Weaver and Nathan McIver in front of him and I wouldn't be surprised to see Ohlund, Salo or Edler log 30 minutes of ice-time.
More preview pieces from today's MSM:
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
200 consecutive sellouts is nothing to sneeze at - the last time the Canucks didn't officially sell out a game was on November 12th, 2002 against the St. Louis Blues (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun). I remember working Saturday night Canucks games at GM Place and there would only be 13,000 people there. I remember, one season, the Grizzlies outdrawing the Canucks. But that was also the era when both teams combined couldn't string three wins in a row. (There was a joke back then too about Orca Bay not knowing how to log on to the Internet because they couldn't put three W's together.) For the Canucks, things are much different and definitely much rosier these days (Mike Beamish, Vancouver Sun; Matthew Sekeres, Globe and Mail).
On the ice, things aren't quite as good. Well, they're doing their darndest to keep pace with the Flames and Wild and they're still hanging around for the Northwest Division title, but their already depleted defense just received a double dose of bad news: Willie Mitchell and Lukas Krajicek will miss tonight's game against the Dallas Stars (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun; Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province). That means Curtis Sanford will have a group of Mattias Ohlund, Sami Salo, Alex Edler, Aaron Miller, Mike Weaver and Nathan McIver in front of him and I wouldn't be surprised to see Ohlund, Salo or Edler log 30 minutes of ice-time.
More preview pieces from today's MSM:
- Already, Curtis Sanford's appeared in more games than Dany Sabourin. (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)
- Don't worry ladies. You'll get to see more of Taylor Pyatt's pretty face again. (Vancouver Province)
- Fresh from the AHL All-Star game, D-Mac will back-up the Sandman. (Tim Campbell, Winnipeg Free Press)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: game day preview, Mitchell, Sanford, Stars
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Game Day Post: Stars at Canucks
It was a late night and an early morning - I had some family things to rush to last night - and don't have much time to do a proper post. I'll keep this short and you guys can consider it kinda like an open thread.
The Canucks will win tonight because:
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The Canucks will win tonight because:
- Surely the Canucks are better than any team that has Mike Ribeiro as their leading scorer.
- Marty Turco can still hear the "Tuuuuuur-cooooooo" chants from game 7 of last season's conference quarterfinals.
- This game's not going to a shootout, dammit!
- Try the net: Vigneault (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Kesler good at both ends (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Miller goal all in a decade's work (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Bad memory's dogging Stars (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Top line told to think of nothing but net (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Good, but no parade plans yet (Barry MacDonald, 24 Hours)
- Jaffray finally gets his chance (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
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Labels: game day preview, Jaffray, Kesler, Miller, Stars
Monday, April 23, 2007
Round 1 Game 7: Three Times A Charm?
After what seemed like a certain second round match-up against the Anaheim Ducks just five days ago, it's now come down to this. One game. Game seven. Winner takes all.
If you're a regular reader of this blog, you'll know that I tend to be a glass half-full kinda guy. I know I focus a lot on the positives, spin or otherwise. Right now, I would normally be rattling off stats like how long it's been since the Canucks have lost three in a row; or how many times the Sedins have been left scoreless for this many games this season; or how much more experienced the Canucks are when it comes to playing in game sevens; or how many times Roberto Luongo has lost a game seven in his career.
However, one thing I've noticed in my postseason posts is how often the games have gone against the stats I've pointed out, so for tonight's game, I'm going to point out a negative stat instead in hopes of reversing it. In all the game sevens that I've ever attended at GM Place, the Canucks are one game under .500. They've won one (Blues '03) and lost two (Wild '03 and Flames '04). Along with the Sedins' and Naslund's lack of scoring and the powerplay's ineffectiveness, surely that's a stat the Canucks want to correct, eh?
Plenty of pregame previews for tonight's game seven:
- Seventh: heaven or otherwise. (Vancouver Province)
- It's been a long, long, long series. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Old guard knows it's time to win this battle for playoff survival. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Coach Vigneault still pointing finger. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Sedins feel responsibility. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Burrows maintains there was no malice aforethought in his slash on winger Morrow. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- No hitch to slow down Modano's speed game. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Game 7: It's up to the Canucks tonight. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Work ethic goes AWOL in humiliating Game 6 loss. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Vigneault's advice: Try harder. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Burrows, Morrow agree to differ. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Port McNeill rallies around hometown hero Mitchell. (Chantal Eustace, Vancouver Sun)
- Vigneault wants veterans to get worked up. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- There could be a shortage of Canadian teams in playoffs. (Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun)
- Turco, Stars roll into Game 7. (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- Can Stars push enough to pull an upset? (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- Seven will be a winner for Stars. (Jean-Jacques Taylor, Dallas Morning News)
- Stars consider backup plan. (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- A quiet, confident ride for Stars. (Kate Hairopoulos, Dallas Morning News)
- With all things equal, pressure is set on high. (Dallas-Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
- Digging deep now paying off. (Tracey Myers, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Definitely the coach's Stars. (Jim Reeves, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Canucks have had ups, downs in Game 7. (Milenko Martinovich, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Turco carries his entourage again. (Jennifer Floyd-Engel, DFW Star-Telegram)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Dallas+Stars
Labels: Believe In Blue, game day preview, Stars
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Canucks 0 Stars 2
I'm hungover, I'm tired and I'm pissed off.
I want to curse and swear and rant on and on about how the Canucks, on their most important game of the season, didn't bother to come out and play, but Alain Vigneault already did that (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province):
More from the Mainstream
About the game around the blogosphere
My 3 Stars of the Game
Official Statistics
Next Game
Game 7 tomorrow at 6 PM.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Dallas+Stars
I want to curse and swear and rant on and on about how the Canucks, on their most important game of the season, didn't bother to come out and play, but Alain Vigneault already did that (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province):
Before his players could board the bus, Alain Vigneault threw them under it Saturday night.Neither do I, though like they've been able to do all season, I hope they can somehow snap out this little funk and pull out the series win tomorrow night.
Citing a lack of leadership and effort from his veteran core in a crucial 2-0 loss to the Dallas Stars that evened the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series at three games apiece, the Vancouver Canucks coach put his stars in the crosshairs and pulled the trigger.
How they respond to the tongue-lashing will either script a series victory Monday night in Game 7 at GM Place or a sorry slide from another 3-1 series lead.
"Players that have played the longest are not bringing their A-game to the table and that's why we lost," said a solemn Vigneault. "Not just the game they're putting on the ice, but their work ethic and dedication and commitment that's needed. And that's just not good enough.
"If we bring this type of game and effort on the ice [in Game 7], I don't like our chances."
More from the Mainstream
- Sleepy series suits Buddhists, not fans. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Pathetic powerplay sends it to 7. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Ultimate test of character on Monday. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Limping Morrow says he'll be back. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Injured Cooke clearly not cut out for the cheerleading role. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Stars are aligned. (Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun)
- No mystery after Dallas victories. (Terry Jones, Slam Sports)
- Turco, Stars roll into Game 7. (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- By doing a little more, Stars to play another day. (Jean-Jacques Taylor, Dallas Morning News)
- Finally, a goal for Modano. (Chuck Carlton, Dallas Morning News)
- Stars upset at late slash. (Chuck Carlton, Dallas Morning News)
- Stars to report Canucks for slash on Morrow. (Dallas Morning News)
- Canucks coach calls out his players. (Kate Hairopoulos, Dallas Morning News)
- Turco's zeroes force Game 7 for Stars. (Tracey Myers, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Stars say bye-bye to boring and hello to momentum shift. (Jim Reeves, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Monster Mo has Stars looking scary. (Jennifer Floyd-Engel, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Best Canucks not giving their best? (Milenko Martinovich, DFW Star-Telegram)
About the game around the blogosphere
- Postgame calmness from Alanah.
- Postgame thoughts from The Chief Canuck, Waiting For Stanley and Canucks Fangirl.
- Jes has some not-so-cool stats.
- If you're the type to like torturing yourself, The Yankee Canuck liveblogged the game.
My 3 Stars of the Game
- Mike Modano (DAL): His first goal of the series stood as the game-winning goal.
- Marty Turco (DAL): Two consecutive shutouts now.
- Roberto Luongo (VAN): Was perhaps the only Canuck to bring his A-game.
Official Statistics
Next Game
Game 7 tomorrow at 6 PM.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Dallas+Stars
Labels: Believe In Blue, game recap, Stars
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Round 1 Game 6: Take Two
Remember when the Canucks had a chance to clinch the Northwest Division against the Colorado Avalanche? Remember how the didn't but clinched a couple of days later in San Jose?
Like then, I pray to God that after the Canucks' inability to close off the series last Thursday, that they can go into Dallas and finally eliminate the Stars. Let's face it, no one outside of Texas wants to see a game seven.
In any other year - and with anyone but Luongo in goal - I would probably be nervous about going to the road team's building for a crucial game. However, the Canucks haven't lost back-to-back games in more than a month, and as you know, the Canucks always save their best games for the road (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun):
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Like then, I pray to God that after the Canucks' inability to close off the series last Thursday, that they can go into Dallas and finally eliminate the Stars. Let's face it, no one outside of Texas wants to see a game seven.
In any other year - and with anyone but Luongo in goal - I would probably be nervous about going to the road team's building for a crucial game. However, the Canucks haven't lost back-to-back games in more than a month, and as you know, the Canucks always save their best games for the road (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun):
The Vancouver Canucks have the Dallas Stars right where they want them tonight: In Dallas.More game day pieces from the mainstream:
Strange, isn't it? Teams sweat it out to finish high in the standings, they gain home-ice advantage and then all they do is lose.
The road is a beautiful place in this series. The road team has won four straight. The home team has prevailed just once -- and that took quadruple overtime.
Dallas, in fact, has dropped six straight home playoff dates. Things couldn't look any better for the Canucks as they attempt to finish off the Stars at the American Airlines Center.
- The series about nothing. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Don't fret over powerplay, coach warns. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Paging the Sedins. (Terry Jones, Winnipeg Sun)
- Canucks, Stars regroup for pivotal game. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Turco shows his saving grace. (Jean-Jacques Taylor, Dallas Morning News)
- Another streak looms for Stars. (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- Stars' Sydor thrives on hitting. (Kate Hairopoulos, Dallas Morning News)
- Burden of proof. (Jennifer Floyd-Engel, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Signs of a shift? (Tracey Myers, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Oh brother, where's the scoring? (Milenko Martinovich, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Checklist is incomplete on home ice. (Tracey Myers, DFW Star-Telegram)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Dallas+Stars
Labels: Believe In Blue, game day preview, Stars
Friday, April 20, 2007
Stars 1 Canucks 0 (OT)
The Dallas Stars' powerplay, 2-for-28 in the series prior to the opportunity they got in overtime, picked a good time to get going. Brendan Morrow went to the front of the net, tipped Sergei Zubov's point shot behind Roberto Luongo and extended the Stars' playoff lives for at least two more nights.
It was a disappointing end to what was the most entertaining game of the entire series. The Canucks talked about killer instinct prior to the game. To be fair, they did all the right things except beat Marty Turco. They came out strong and generated some early scoring chances. In fact, the shots were 6-1 before the game was even four minutes old; Turco stopped them all.
It was a matter of first break gets the goal and first goal gets the win, and Dallas got their break in overtime with a lousy Canucks line change that led to their powerplay goal.
Game six is Saturday night in Dallas. It should be a hostile environment (though I don't know if Jennifer Floyd-Engel will be watching). I have tickets for game seven, but I don't want to have to use them.
More from the Mainstream
About the game around the blogosphere
My 3 Stars of the Game
Official Statistics
Next Game
Game 6 goes Saturday night back in Dallas.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Dallas+Stars
It was a disappointing end to what was the most entertaining game of the entire series. The Canucks talked about killer instinct prior to the game. To be fair, they did all the right things except beat Marty Turco. They came out strong and generated some early scoring chances. In fact, the shots were 6-1 before the game was even four minutes old; Turco stopped them all.
It was a matter of first break gets the goal and first goal gets the win, and Dallas got their break in overtime with a lousy Canucks line change that led to their powerplay goal.
Game six is Saturday night in Dallas. It should be a hostile environment (though I don't know if Jennifer Floyd-Engel will be watching). I have tickets for game seven, but I don't want to have to use them.
More from the Mainstream
- Luongo, Turco duel to death. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Oh, oh, oh no! 3rd OT game a loss. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Yet more anxiety to come for the faithful. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Playoff battle scars tell the true story of Canucks' Pyatt. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Cooke crumbles? (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Six years between playoffs for Green. (Jim Morris, Canadian Press via Vancouver Province)
- Peak experience lets Dallas survive. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Tussle's set for Texas. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Winning this won't be easy. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- One more to Morrow. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Former Canuck keeps tabs on old team. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Coach deserves credit for Canucks' success. (Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun)
- Stars live another day. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- This could be the year of Luongo. (Stephen Brunt, Globe and Mail)
- Stars alive after five with win in OT. (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- Morrow challenges with a capital 'C'. (Jean-Jacques Taylor, Dallas Morning News)
- Sedin twins can't find the net. (Kate Hairopoulos, Dallas Morning News)
- Lindros makes presence known. (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- Stars alive for the Morrow. (Tracey Myers, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Gee, all it took for Stars was begging, pleading. (Jim Morris, DFW Star-Telegram)
About the game around the blogosphere
My 3 Stars of the Game
- Marty Turco (DAL): 2nd shutout of the series.
- Roberto Luongo (VAN): Only goal to beat him was a tipped powerplay goal.
- Brendan Morrow (DAL): Stars captain tipped in the game's only goal in overtime.
Official Statistics
Next Game
Game 6 goes Saturday night back in Dallas.
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Dallas+Stars
Labels: Believe In Blue, game recap, Stars
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Priceless Take On The Stars
I know we sometimes think the mainstream media in this city can be too critical of our beloved team. Well, it turns out those in other cities can be as well. Check out Jennifer Floyd-Engel's (Dallas Fort-Worth Star-Telegram) take after the Dallas Stars' game 4 loss to the Canucks:
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Dallas+Stars, Jennifer+Floyd+Engel
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Dallas+Stars, Jennifer+Floyd+Engel
Labels: audio, Believe In Blue, Stars
Round 1 Game 5: Put Them Away
You all know the story. In the first round of the 2003 playoffs, the Canucks came back from a 3-1 series deficit to the St. Louis Blue and beat them in seven games to move on to the second round. In the second round, the Canucks had a 3-1 series lead over the Minnesota Wild; the Wild came back, stole game seven at GM Place and eliminated the Canucks.
Statistics say only 8% of teams come back from a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven series. Forgive the Canucks, involved in two such series only three playoff seasons ago, if they think otherwise.
Of course, it's a good thing that they don't want to forget 2003. The last thing the Canucks would want to do is to give Dallas even a small sense that they could come back. I certainly don't want a repeat of the Wild series, and I know it's stating the obvious, but I think everyone would agree that they are best to try and finish off the Stars tonight.
Here are today's pregame pieces:
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
Statistics say only 8% of teams come back from a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven series. Forgive the Canucks, involved in two such series only three playoff seasons ago, if they think otherwise.
Of course, it's a good thing that they don't want to forget 2003. The last thing the Canucks would want to do is to give Dallas even a small sense that they could come back. I certainly don't want a repeat of the Wild series, and I know it's stating the obvious, but I think everyone would agree that they are best to try and finish off the Stars tonight.
Here are today's pregame pieces:
- There's lots of work still to be done. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Pedal to the metal for Canucks. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Sedins' learning curving peaked at '06 Olympics. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Reading between all the line changes is getting really tough. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Loose lips sink ships. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Modano appears to wave white flag. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Same shifts, different day. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Mitchell's stick frustrates Stars' top forwards. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- The Canucks are only worried about themselves. (Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun)
- Morrow: Effort hasn't been good enough. (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- Canucks keep focused. (Kate Hairopoulos, Dallas Morning News)
- Stars facing another golden goalie. (Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News)
- Jokinen's injury could cause shuffle in lineup. (Chuck Carlton, Dallas Morning News)
- Stars on ice? (Tracey Myers, DFW Star-Telegram)
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, game day preview, Stars
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Canucks 2 Stars 1
I'm not surprised that the final score last night was 2-1 once again. After all, it was the sixth time in eight meetings this season that a Canucks/Stars game ended 2-1. I expected close games and a tight series, and if anything, I'm more surprised - pleasantly surprised - that the Canucks now have a 3-1 series lead.
Game five played out like every other game this series - tight-checking and very good goaltending from both Roberto Luongo and Marty Turco. All three goals scored came in the latter half of the third period. Trevor Linden, the '94 Cup run veteran, scored a garbage goal for the gamewinner.
It's eerie watching this Canucks team right now. They're playing with great calm and a great sense of confidence. No matter their circumstance, they're so committed to Alain Vigneault's system, knowing full well that if they stick to it and keep the game close, then somehow, some way, they have a chance to come out with a win.
Last night's was probably the Canucks' most complete, team effort of the series (well, except maybe for the powerplay). They rolled four lines, even later in the game. They killed all six Dallas man-advantages, including a 1:55-long five-on-three chance.
Throughout the lineup, guys have elevated their games. Rookie Jannik Hansen continued his strong play; Jan Bulis is playing his best hockey of the season and even dropped down to block a shot - I think the first time in 83 games I've seen him do so; Willie Mitchell and Mattias Ohlund have pretty much made Mike Modano's line disappear; Lukas Krajicek seems to have grown leaps and bounds in this series.
Most importantly, with Sedin, Sedin and Naslund closely watched by Dallas' best defensemen, others have stepped up to the scoring plate. Bulis and Hansen combined for the tying goal on Sunday night. The third line of Smolinski, Linden and Pyatt line scored the winning goal on Sunday night; they were also responsible for both goals last night.
Just one more effort like that on Thursday night, guys. Just one more.
More from the Mainstream
About the game around the blogosphere
My 3 Stars of the Game
Official Statistics
Next Game
Back at the Garage on Thurday night.
______________
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
Game five played out like every other game this series - tight-checking and very good goaltending from both Roberto Luongo and Marty Turco. All three goals scored came in the latter half of the third period. Trevor Linden, the '94 Cup run veteran, scored a garbage goal for the gamewinner.
It's eerie watching this Canucks team right now. They're playing with great calm and a great sense of confidence. No matter their circumstance, they're so committed to Alain Vigneault's system, knowing full well that if they stick to it and keep the game close, then somehow, some way, they have a chance to come out with a win.
Last night's was probably the Canucks' most complete, team effort of the series (well, except maybe for the powerplay). They rolled four lines, even later in the game. They killed all six Dallas man-advantages, including a 1:55-long five-on-three chance.
Throughout the lineup, guys have elevated their games. Rookie Jannik Hansen continued his strong play; Jan Bulis is playing his best hockey of the season and even dropped down to block a shot - I think the first time in 83 games I've seen him do so; Willie Mitchell and Mattias Ohlund have pretty much made Mike Modano's line disappear; Lukas Krajicek seems to have grown leaps and bounds in this series.
Most importantly, with Sedin, Sedin and Naslund closely watched by Dallas' best defensemen, others have stepped up to the scoring plate. Bulis and Hansen combined for the tying goal on Sunday night. The third line of Smolinski, Linden and Pyatt line scored the winning goal on Sunday night; they were also responsible for both goals last night.
Just one more effort like that on Thursday night, guys. Just one more.
More from the Mainstream
- Linden gets goal satisfaction. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Mitchell's Luongo stick. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Linden, Mitchell steal show. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Crease crashing, hard goals. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- A furious floppage clinic. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Green bailed out by mates in nerve-wracking return to action. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- No regrets for speedster Modano. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Canucks: Home with a Hammer. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Stars put brave face on losses. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Linden turns back the clock with a dominant playoff performance. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- There are powerful forces at work in Canucks' rise. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Willie to the rescue. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Stars deny they're dirty. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Unlikely heroes lift Vancouver to win. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Everyone wants a piece of Luongo. (Ian Austin, Vancouver Province)
- Even Luongo tipped his hat to the save Willie made. (Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun)
- Loss puts stars on long road back. (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- Canucks make most of trip. (Kate Hairopoulos, Dallas Morning News)
- Modano tames, but others to blame. (Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News)
- Stars a game from elimination. (Tracey Myers, DFW Star-Telegram)
- A long line of 'What-ifs'. (Jennifer Floyd-Engel, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Stars still alive, but their chances have departed. (Jim Reeves, DFW Star-Telegram)
About the game around the blogosphere
- Yankee Canuck and Daz both liveblogged the game.
- Alanah comments on a comment from a Dallas Stars fan.
- Waiting For Stanley, Canucks Fangirl and The Chief Canuck all post their game recaps.
My 3 Stars of the Game
- Roberto Luongo (VAN): For every Canucks win, Louis is pretty much a sticky as 1st star.
- Trevor Linden (VAN): Came through when it counted.
- Marty Turco (DAL): Can't fault him for the loss. 27 saves.
Official Statistics
Next Game
Back at the Garage on Thurday night.
______________
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, game recap, Linden, Stars
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Round 1 Game 4: Stay The Hell Away From Roberto
The Canucks have a great opportunity to suck the life out of the Dallas Stars tonight. Win and they take a 3-1 stranglehold on this first round series and then head back home to GM Place for game 5 on Thursday night. Lose and it's down to a three-game set.
Truth be told, the Canucks have outplayed Dallas for only about 37 of the last 127 minutes of play. We saw on Sunday night how much different the tempo of the game is when the Canucks are able to control it. They need to build on that momentum.
Now, what is turning out to be one of the bigger stories of this series is the constant running of Roberto Luongo. He's not happy (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun):
In the regular season, Nagy would have been pummelled by Kevin Bieksa, Willie Mitchell and Jeff Cowan; however, with the games so close, the Canucks can ill-afford to send a message like so. Let's hope the league just listens to Louie now.
Here are today's links:
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
Truth be told, the Canucks have outplayed Dallas for only about 37 of the last 127 minutes of play. We saw on Sunday night how much different the tempo of the game is when the Canucks are able to control it. They need to build on that momentum.
Now, what is turning out to be one of the bigger stories of this series is the constant running of Roberto Luongo. He's not happy (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun):
Roberto Luongo doesn't intend to become some stick-wielding, white-clad avenger in Game 4 here tonight but, come to think of it, it might not be a bad idea.(Mike Ribeiro on the other hand........)
One thing is clear: the Vancouver Canucks' marquee man in this Western Conference quarter-final playoff series against the Dallas Stars is getting a little riled at being run.
Luongo accused the Stars of being cheap-shot artists, pointing a finger at lightweight Ladislav Nagy for barrelling into his left arm in the third period of Sunday's 2-1 Vancouver overtime victory.
"He kneed me in the elbow," Luongo said Monday, the temperature in the series finally starting to rise. "I thought it was a bit of a cheap shot because it was after the whistle. All of the times they've bumped me have been after the whistle, so that's what's a little disheartening.
"If it was happening during the play, with traffic and stuff, fine. That's part of the game. But after the whistle is a bit disappointing. I wasn't on the ice faking. It's not my style. I was pretty sore."
In the regular season, Nagy would have been pummelled by Kevin Bieksa, Willie Mitchell and Jeff Cowan; however, with the games so close, the Canucks can ill-afford to send a message like so. Let's hope the league just listens to Louie now.
Here are today's links:
- Truly a we-hate-them, they-hate-us series. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Despite game 3 magic, Naslund may be separated from twins again. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Powerplays killed by Canucks penalties. (Jason Botchford and Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- The Danish Prince of Playoffs. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Modano held in check. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Roberto Luongo is now the man in this town. (David Pratt, Vancouver Province)
- Dallas' Stars not shining in this series. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Past not haunting Dallas, says Turco. (Vancouver Sun)
- Players nice on ice. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Canucks coach Vigneault juggles his lines to victory. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Moose rookie a hit with the big club. (Adam Wazny, Winnipeg Sun)
- This Roberto Luongo is something else. (Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun)
- Is a safe approach smart for Stars? (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- Time for Stars' scorers to shoot. (Mike Heika and Kate Hairopoulos, Dallas Morning News)
- A Star search is officially on for team's best players. (Jennifer Floyd Engel, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Get a lead, check; Now try to keep it. (Tracey Myers, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Points becoming secondary effort. (Milenko Martinovich, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Stars have an OT score to settle. (Jim Reeves, DFW Star-Telegram)
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, Stars
Monday, April 16, 2007
Canucks 2 Stars 1 (OT)
The last time the Canucks were in Dallas, Jan Bulis played the role of "goat", taking a horrible goaltender interference penalty late in the third period. The Stars tied it up and then won the game in overtime.
Last night, Bulis atoned for his many boneheadedness (is that a word?) during the regular season. With the Canucks trailing 1-0, him and rookie Jannik Hansen came out flying in the third period and then combined to tie the game only five minutes in.
Taylor Pyatt then scored his first career playoff goal in the first overtime to give the Canucks a 2-1 win and a 2-1 series lead.
For a while, it didn't look like the Canucks were ever going to score again. They threw a lot of shots at Marty Turco, but like in game two, many were from the outside and with little traffic in front of him. For two periods, the Stars thoroughly controlled the play and gave the Canucks little room.
Then suddenly, something changed, and it wasn't just the line combinations. You can almost see the light bulb go off, but the Canucks suddenly figured it out. Instead of sitting back and watching the Stars break out, they forechecked and pressured and forced turnovers. And Bulis' and Pyatt's goals? Yes, they were off turnovers.
More from the Mainstream
About the game around the blogosphere
My 3 Stars of the Game
Official Statistics
Next Game
Game 4 goes Tuesday night in 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, Dallas+Stars
Last night, Bulis atoned for his many boneheadedness (is that a word?) during the regular season. With the Canucks trailing 1-0, him and rookie Jannik Hansen came out flying in the third period and then combined to tie the game only five minutes in.
Taylor Pyatt then scored his first career playoff goal in the first overtime to give the Canucks a 2-1 win and a 2-1 series lead.
For a while, it didn't look like the Canucks were ever going to score again. They threw a lot of shots at Marty Turco, but like in game two, many were from the outside and with little traffic in front of him. For two periods, the Stars thoroughly controlled the play and gave the Canucks little room.
Then suddenly, something changed, and it wasn't just the line combinations. You can almost see the light bulb go off, but the Canucks suddenly figured it out. Instead of sitting back and watching the Stars break out, they forechecked and pressured and forced turnovers. And Bulis' and Pyatt's goals? Yes, they were off turnovers.
More from the Mainstream
- Bulis, Hansen find scoring formula. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Pyatt's first playoff goal timely. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Sedins know they must do more. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Three kings a wise move. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Naslund, Sedins show the way. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Kesler fights to come back again. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Taylor-made victory for Canucks in OT. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Stars anything but in overtime. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Down, but not out. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Vancouver strikes on road. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Overtime magic, yet again. (Terry Jones, Sun Media)
- It's sunny in Dallas. (Terry Jones, Sun Media)
- OT = Ominous Trend as Stars lose. (Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News)
- Stars need more from Modano. (Jean-Jacques Taylor, Dallas Morning News)
- Ott goes from afterthought to force. (Dallas Morning News)
- Canucks gain momentum. (Kate Hairopoulos, Dallas Morning News)
- Vancouver's changes make late difference. (Milenko Martinovich, DFW Star-Telgram)
- Stars overthrown on home ice again. (Tracey Myers, DFW Star-Telegram)
- Barnes' surprising goal was a powerful moment. (Jennifer Floyd-Engel, DFW Star-Telegram)
- It takes 60 minutes to win every time. (Jim Reeves, DFW Star-Telegram)
About the game around the blogosphere
- Alanah from Canucks and Beyond was not liveblogging the game and not drunk. Strange.
- Waiting for Stanley and The Chief Canuck share their postgame thoughts.
My 3 Stars of the Game
- Roberto Luongo (VAN): Held the Canucks in the game when Dallas controlled the play.
- Marty Turco (DAL): Held the Stars in the game in the third period.
- Jan Bulis (VAN): Scored the game-tying goal and was prominent in the Canucks' comeback.
Official Statistics
Next Game
Game 4 goes Tuesday night in 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, Dallas+Stars
Labels: Believe In Blue, Bulis, game recap, Pyatt, Stars
