The Vancouver Canucks are very well represented in the 2010 Winter Olympics held in Vancouver, British Columbia, with 6 players suiting up for their respective countries.

In an Olympic tournament that has had surprisingly few degrees of seperation, “underdog” nations are making headlines.  Earlier today, the strong Slovakian team learned this the hard way, with one of the narrowest escapes for a favored country, slipping past Norway, 4-3.  The Czech Republic also survived a scare with Latvia to squeak out a 3-2 overtime win.

Demitra’s Slovaks had some adversity to overcome to advance to the quarter-finals.  The Norwegians tied the game 3-3 in the final second of the 2nd period.  Fellow Slovaks Michal Handzus and Marian Gaborik scored powerplay markers and Miroslav Satan netted the game winner in the third.  With their prolific, high scoring forwards, Slovakia could present some real problems for reigning Olympic champions, Sweden.   Lubos Bartecko could be lost for the rest of the tournament with a concussion, following a scary hit to the head from Norway’s Ole Kristian Tollefsen.  Bartecko’s helmet came off before his head hit the ice, which opened a gash that bled profusely.  He would lie motionless for several minutes before a silenced sell-out crowd at GM Place.  He was treated by trainers in the arena before being moved to a clinic in the olympic village.

Considering that a record number of viewers (most ever for a hockey event in Canada) took in the Canada/ USA game on Sunday, I won’t drag readers into a full recap of the Americans first victory over Canada in 50 years.  But interestingly, Ryan Kesler foreshadowed the match with sentiments that the Americans would win this game.  Though Canada played it’s best hockey of the tournament in the last 4 minutes of the third period, Team USA would add an empty net goal to win 5-3.  That win forced Canada to play yesterday against Germany in a qualifying match for the right to face Russia, which Canada won handily, 8-2.

Following Canada’s loss to the Americans, head coach Mike Babcock approached Roberto Luongo Sunday night to inform him he would be starting the must-win game against Germany.  Though Luongo didn’t have to make a save until halfway through the first period, he was sharp, and saw the puck well.  Many of Germany’s shots were perimeter shots, with the Canadian defense playing aggressively.  On the second goal, Luongo stopped the first shot of a two-on-none, but was helpless to stop the rebound.  He finished the game with 21 stops, and looks to get the start in goal as the Canadians try for their first win over the former Soviet Union since 1960.  “I had a lot of fun out there tonight, and I’m sure I’ll have a lot more fun tomorrow” said Luongo.  The Canadians have been outscored by almost a 2-1 margin, and have a 1-9-0 record against the Soviets/Unified Team/Russians.

The reigning Olympic champions, Sweden, are off to another fantastic start in this tournament.  They are undefeated in their first three games, with only USA boasting a similar record.  The Sedin twins have factored largely into the winning equation, working very well with Daniel Alfredsson.  As has been witnessed so often in GM Place, their uncanny passing and ESP-esque playmaking continues during their olympic run.   Many hockey pundits are predicting that, despite Slovakia’s hardworking style and potent offense, that Sweden will overtake them in the quarter-finals.  The general prediction is a 4-2 final.

Excitement continues to build as the push for Olympic gold intensifies after the playoff rounds.   Several teams seem poised for glory, but the quarter finals will force a couple of contenders into a battle for silver and bronze medals.

While it won’t necessarily breed malcontent in the Vancouver Canucks dressing room, it should be interesting to see what national bragging rights will do for any Canucks that have gold medals hanging from their necks come tourneys end.   No matter the result, Vancouver Canuck fans can hold their heads high, knowing their team is comprised of Olympic heroes.

With their loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday, the Vancouver Canucks dropped to 2 games below .500 on the road.   Could  some roster changes be far behind?

Not that anyone is pressing the panic button yet, seeing as how the club is not far removed from a 7 game winning streak.  But on their current road trip, the Canucks are 2-3, with one of the wins coming against one of the leagues worst teams, and the other versus a team that had lost 9 straight games.

The fact is that the Canucks are a different team on the road, and it’s showing now more than ever.

Of course, I’ll be one of the first individuals to defend the Canucks ineptitude on the road by pulling the ‘injuries’ card.  It has never been lost on me that Willie Mitchell is our top shutdown defender, and I hope he continues to wear a Vancouver sweater for years to come.  Following a hit from Evgeni Malkin January 16th, Mitchell has been suffering post-concussion symptoms, including headaches.  While a number of Canucks defenders have picked up the slack, it’s nearly impossible to replace what the minutes-muncher brings to the table.  It is projected that he will be back after the Olympics break, but just ask anyone with the last name Lindros how tricky these kind of injuries are, and you see it’s just that – projection.

Any Vancouver hockey fan knows that every year, a certain amount of games for Sami Salo have to be written off in lieu of injury, -this season being no exception.  They also recognize that when he is healthy, he provides the team with veteran qualities that are hard to replace.  He is patient with the puck, almost always makes a great first pass out of their zone, and his bomb from the point makes goaltenders nervous.  His calming influence on the blueline was noticeably absent in their first 4 games of the current road trip.  Even when things get scrambly, particularly behind Luongo and in the tough areas along the end boards, he remains poised.  He returned from a groin injury against Tampa Bay and during 25 shifts played over 24 minutes, with 4 shots on goal.  Canucks fans are  all crossing their fingers his health prevails down the stretch.

Kevin ‘Boom Boom’ Bieksa must have nightmares about sharp, slicing blades.  His misfortune with errant skate blades has been epic, if not outright freaky.  In particular, the months of November and December are ominous ones for the intense, yet well-humored Grimsby, Ontario native.  November 3rd, 2007 had the 5th round draft pick lacerate his calf, subsequently missing the next 47 games.  The following November (13th), he broke his foot, though only missing 7 games.  Bad luck struck again last December, with a left ankle tendon laceration.  He is sporting a walking cast, and still sidelined indefinitely.  Though Shane O’Brien has elevated his game in several aspects, Bieksa’s nastiness in front of Luongo is sorely missed.  He causes opponents to have their head on a swivel should they crash Roberto when he is patrolling.

The official trade deadline is March 3rd, though there is a roster freeze in effect starting Friday while the Olympics take place.  Of course, General Managers (including Mike Gillis) still have the ability to enter talks with other teams regarding prospective deals.  Considering Gillis’ past performance, I don’t expect more than 2, possibly 3 moves come the deadline, but something must be done.  With the Canucks penchant for sustaining injuries heading into the postseason, and particularly on defense, it should behoove Gillis to pull the trigger to add some defensive depth.

Given Vancouver’s situation in the standings (currently 6th in the Western Conference, 2nd in Northwest), they are ill-advised to stand pat.  Were the playoffs to begin today, the Canucks would face the Colorado Avalanche, with the Avalanche holding home advantage.  Unless Vancouver can get and retain top spot in the Northwest, they will likely will spend the majority of whatever playoff hockey they play on the road.  Considering the Avalanche’s home record (19-8-2), combined with their superior road record (Colorado: 15-11-4,  Vancouver:  12-14-1), the glass certainly looks half-empty for the Canucks.

Should the Canucks road woes continue prior to the Olympic break, it’s highly likely that my next blog will be focusing in on possible names on the tradeblock, and potential suitors from around the NHL.

The Vancouver Canucks’ motion for a victory was denied by the hot Ottawa Senators near Parliament Hill on Thursday night.

Thanks in large part to the play of sophomore goaltender Brian Elliot and center Jason Spezza, Ottawa extended it’s team record winning streak to 11 games, defeating the Canucks 3-1.  Elliot may have lost the shutout bid with 99 seconds remaining, but he beat his own team record with his ninth straight win.  Captain Daniel Alfredsson netted  three assists during the victory, while Jason Spezza extended his goal scoring streak to six games.  “Ells (Brian Elliot) has been phenomenal, there’s not enough we can say about how well he’s played,” noted Spezza.  “He just keeps it going and it seems like every night he seems better and better, so it’s going well for us.”

After winning 7 straight, the Canucks have run into some hot teams from the East, first Montreal Tuesday, and now Ottawa on Thursday.  But the road trip gains some optimism with a trip Saturday morning (10 am PST) to Boston, where the Bruins have lost nine straight, including a 3-2 overtime loss to the surging Montreal Canadiens.  “We had been good on the road prior to these last two games and the game in Montreal, but that being said, we’ve got a lot of guys whose personal stats are as good on the road as they are at home,” said coach Alain Vigneault with some concern in his voice.

Alain Vigneault decided to start Andrew Raycroft, after starting Roberto Luongo the past 26 games.  In that span, Luongo’s record was 17-6-3.   Raycroft recorded his 100th career loss, right on the heels of his 99th career victory in a comeback victory  over Toronto on Saturday.  Raycroft made 18 saves on the night, with the 3rd Sens tally being scored into an empty net.

The Canucks have an immediate chance for some redemption when they take on the listless Boston Bruins, who have lost 9 straight, Saturday.   But they also have a chance for retribution once they finish their landmark 14 game road trip.  The Senators will play in Vancouver March 13th, the Canucks first home game back after this trip, with Luongo almost certain to get that start.

Kyle Wellwoods third period goal (2-1 Ottawa) courtesy of Pouya from CanucksHD

The Vancouver Canucks said ‘adieu’ to GM Place on a high note Wednesday, grabbing their sixth straight win, amidst a controversial slashing call.

With an unparalleled 14 game road trip on the horizon, the Canucks did themselves a solid, leaving GM Place (the Garage) behind for 45 days on winning terms.  The win vaulted the hot hockey club into sole possession of 1st place in the Northwest division, leap-frogging the Colorado Avalanche.    The Canucks played catch-up after Keith Tkachuk shelfed a nice cross crease pass over Roberto Luongo’s trapper.   Mason Raymond, the game’s first star, put the Canucks ahead with his second of the night, fooling Conklin with a fake slapshot, before beating him stick side.  The 2nd line combined for 7 points, with Raymond adding an assist on Christian Ehrhoff’s game-winner with 7:48 remaining in the third period.  Ryan Kesler, who was named the game’s third star, had a fantastic night as well, with three assists, and was 9 for 13 (69%) in the faceoff circle.

The controversy ensued after the Blues’ Paul Kariya whacked at Henrik Sedin, who was starting out of the Canucks zone with the puck.  The near-side official didn’t make a call, but the back-side official raised his arm.  The slash hit Henrik on the left glove, forcing his hand off his stick, and loss of puck control.  In most cases, where a trip or a slash would result in an offensive chance for the guilty party, the call is made.  That was the case here, and the Canucks, who are 4th in the NHL with a 22% power play efficiency, capitalized.  “Whether we agree with them or not is irrelevant,” said Blues goalie Ty Conklin in reference to the officials’ call.  “You’ve still got to kill them off.”  Conklin finished with 31 saves.

T.J. Oshie tied the game midway through the third period, chipping a pass from David Backes high over  Luongo’s blocker.  The Sedin line, who earned a combined 30 points over the last 5 games, were held pointless, but the 2nd line helped negate that.  “That’s part of winning consistently.  You need secondary scoring to chip in,” said coach Alain Vigneault.  “We put a lot of emphasis on making sure we continued the streak we were on and we ended the homestand properly.”  The ‘Nucks begin their well-documented road trip starting in Toronto against the Maple Leafs Saturday, for Hockey Day in Canada.

Notes:  Not that Mike Gillis has the time to read this, but concerning the rumors surrounding trading David Backes for Cory Schneider – please don’t do that.   Backes has 1 goal in 16 games, and would really only be removing an opportunity for any number of other Canucks waiting for their chance.  Schneider might not play for us for awhile, but his value certainly outweighs any short-term stopgap.

Courtesy of Pouya from CanucksHD, here are the game highlights (just click):  Blues at Canucks – game highlights

Christian Ehrhoff and the Vancouver Canucks prevailed over a Dallas Stars club that initially burned bright, but faded as the game wound down.

The match had some of the look and feel of the previous night, where Vancouver was outplayed early by the Edmonton Oilers.  Dallas was successful using a quick counterattack against Vancouver.  Though Vancouver went up 1-0 at the 14 minute mark of the first period, Dallas replied only 2 1/2 minutes later with Loui Eriksson beating Loungo for his 21st goal of the season.   Mason Raymond beat former Canuck goaltender Alex Auld with a seeing-eye backhand that found the top corner over Auld’s blocker.

There were two goals in the second period, and strangely enough it was a short-handed tally for both clubs.  Tom Wandell sent Toby Petersen in alone on Luongo, who misjudged his quick release slapper.  The Stars owned most of the puck possession for the 2nd frame, and their hard work earned them a late powerplay.  Had they have known what would happen during the Salo (who appeared to hurt his shoulder on the play) tripping minor, they would have declined the penalty.  Alex Burrows sped in on the forecheck, causing Auld to hesitate with the puck on his backhand.   “I gave him the puck and he had an empty net and it seemed to be a big turning point,” said Auld.  “It’s tough to give up a goal like that and lose by one.”

With momentum swung in the Canucks favor, they raced out of the gate to begin the third frame.  The Sedin twins had Christian Ehrhoff finish off a beautiful passing play, as he went blocker side on Auld who couldn’t get set because of Ehrhoff’s speed in the slot.  “They made a couple great plays there and I ended up alone,” Ehrhoff said.  Alex Burrows helped initiate the play with a calm stutter move just inside the blueline on Trevor Daley.

Though the Stars employed a similar style game to Vancouver’s, they were fortunate not to be behind on the score sheet earlier.  Alex Edler (clocked with the hardest shot at the Canucks super-skills competition last Sunday) had two booming slapshots ricochet off the post, Auld clueless as to where either rebound went as well.   Unfortunately for the ‘Nucks, one of those rebounds came right out and turned into a 2-on-1 that Dallas capitalized on shorthanded.

Kyle Wellwood busted a 26 game goalless drought on a partial breakaway in the third period.  Because Trevor Daley scored with 2.8 seconds remaining in the contest, he was credited with the game-winner.

Both teams finished with 23 shots, and the win was the Canucks third in a row.  They now sit in a tie with Colorado atop the Northwest division.   Vancouver will have their hands full with the hot Blackhawks, who did the Canucks a favor by beating the sputtering Flames 3-1 Thursday.   24 of the NHL’s 30 teams play on Saturday.   Captain Lou continued his hardhat and lunch-bucket mentality, starting his 21st consecutive game.

Ehrhoff\’s go-ahead goal vs Dallas (just click) Courtesy of Pouya from CanucksHD :p

It’s been said that time is the great equalizer, and if you wound the Vancouver Canucks’ and Edmonton Oilers’ clocks back 25 years, the adage appears true.

The year was 1985, and it was a cold, snowy January day in Quesnel, British Columbia.  My mother, Marilyn, was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen as I watched the Vancouver Canucks host the Edmonton Oilers.  I still remember the anxiety I felt watching the game, as my favorite team started to lose, and lose badly, to an amazing Oilers club.   Hope flickered late in the first period, as the Canucks scored to make it 3-1.  But Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Jari Kurri proved too formidable for the slumping “Flying V’s” (in reference to the black, orange and yellow giant V designed jerseys).   The game reached the 8-2 mark early in the third period, and as much as I loved the Canucks, I could watch no more.  The Oilers would finish the season 49-20-11-0 under Glen Sather, and went on to capture the Stanley Cup (pictured).  Wayne Gretzky would score 73 goals, and add 135 assists en route to a 208 point season.

Flash forward now to present day, where the Oilers cast include names akin to Doug Halward, Michel Petit, Garth Butcher and Rick Lanz.  Decent players that played with heart, but not overloaded with skill.   The correlation would be that Patrik Sundstrom (Canucks leading scorer that year, 25 goals, 43 assists for 68 pts) or Ales Hemsky for the Oilers, the teams’ star player, was lost to injury.  Vancouver (25-46-9-0) had an eerily similar year to the one the Pat Quinn led Oilers are having now (currently 16-27-5).

Back in 1985, no-one could have consoled me with the news that years later, the Canucks would again make it to the Stanley Cup finals.  Only a couple of seasons removed from their improbable run to the finals with the powerhouse New York Islanders, I was devastated by their spiraling play.  Still, Ms. Mok (my grade 3 teacher) would have to remind me to pay attention to Social Studies lessons instead of drawing pictures of Richard Brodeur and Tony Tanti on my notebook.  But I still remember the disappointment of perpetually being canon fodder for the Edmonton Oilers.

Naturally, only so many comparisons can be drawn between the Oilers of yesteryear and the present day Canucks.  Vancouver has many, many miles to go in order to illuminate the landscape of hockey in Western Canada the way Edmonton has.  But with Henrik Sedin sitting on top of the NHL world right now, his brother and Alex Burrows riding shotgun, and an accumulating talent pool, the future has some sparkle to it.  There may no longer be only 21 teams vying for the Stanley Cup, as opposed to 30, but we musn’t forget that even Wayne Gretzky and Oilers needed several years to find their groove.   Jari Kurri and Wayne Gretzky always had chemistry, but needed time for that to mature into real, tangible results.  If the Canucks are to have legitimate playoff success, the Sedins must take that next step as well.   Roberto Luongo will be counted on to be Grant Fuhr-esque.  Ryan Kesler, Mason Raymond, Willie Mitchell and Sami Salo will be depended upon to emulate Mark Messier, Mike Krushlynski and Paul Coffey.  The pieces are in place, and the Canucks’ system seems poised to be successful for years to come.  For all of the tough years that Vancouver fans have witnessed, it seems inevitable that the shoe will finally be on the other foot.

On the same day that Colin Campbell and Gary Bettman decided to withhold discipline from Stephane Auger and fine Alex Burrows $2500, the Canucks misfortune spilled onto the ice.

Derek Boogaard of the Minnesota Wild threw more controversy at the Canucks camp.  Boogaard, who hasn’t scored in 200 games (Jan.7, 2006) told the Minnesota Star-Tribune that just prior to his fight with Darcy Hordichuk, Hordichuk said: “The coach is making us fight you guys.” Hordichuk was given a 5 minute major for fighting, as well as a 10 minute misconduct penalty, but thus far there hasn’t been any indication of further penalization.  Canucks bench boss Alain Vigneault didn’t speak to the allegations, but noted that the Burrows/Auger drama is just that.  “That’s absolutely no distraction at all… That’s not why we lost this game,” noted Vigneault.

Minnesota goaltender Niklas Backstrom set a franchise record for wins (114) during the 5-2 win over the visiting Canucks.  Antti Miettinen had two of the Wild’s 3 third period goals.  The Wild are winners of 4 straight, have scored 19 goals in that span, and 9 of those in the third periods.

Kyle Brodziak spoke to the teams’ confidence. “If we really believe in ourselves every game and every minute of every game, not just one or two periods of the game, I think we can really be a dangerous team and I think guys are really starting to realize that.”   Brodziak gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead less than 2 minutes into the game, redirecting a pass from Latendresse past Luongo.

Following a timeout, while on a 4-on-3 power play in the third, Marek Zidlicky fed Mikko Koivu in the right circle.  His one touch pass found Miettinen in the slot, and his one-timer beat Luongo stick side.  Eric Belanger, having an excellent season for Minnesota, was tenacious on the forecheck, forcing the ‘Nucks to cough up the puck that Owen Nolan wristed off Luongo’s glove.  Miettinen powered a slapper past Luongo at 9:32; it was their 3rd shot of the period and third goal, chasing the Canucks starter.  He finished with 14 saves on 19 shots.  “I have to make some saves,” added a morose Luongo.

The Wild are suddenly red hot, starting the season 5-10-0, are now 19-10-3 since and within 2 points of a playoff spot, the closest they’ve been since Oct. 9th.  “It’s a long road still, but I think everybody in the locker room is very confident with the way we are playing,” Miettinen said.  The Canucks now play 9 of their next 11 at home, beginning with Pittsburgh on Saturday.  Penguins captain Sidney Crosby notched his 30th goal of the season in a 3-1 victory over the Calgary Flames Wednesday night.

Keslers 2-2 goal (courtesy of Pouya from CanucksHD, just click)

In the third period of Saturday’s match between the Canucks and the Calgary Flames, CBC Commentator Mark Lee described the game as having a “Nasty tone”.

Particularly in the third period did both teams dish out physical punishment.  Both coaches, Alain Vigneault and Brent Sutter, regularly dispatched their third and fourth lines, trying to match brawn.  In a couple of instances, the result brought most players on the ice together in scrums, face-washes, punches, and take-downs.  As pictured, Rick Rypien and Brandon Prust threw the gloves to the ice twice, comprising the ‘Main event’.  Rypien had a slight edge in the first bout, while the second had to be declared a tie.  The camera man captured Prust in the box after the second fight, so exhausted he could barely hold his (slightly disfigured) head up.

If you missed it, here is Part 1:

Rypien vs Prust: Part I

Featured (Canucks.com) Fan-Zone contributor Jason C touches on it a lot more in his most recent article, but the referreeing by Bill McCreary and Stephon Walkom had as much to do with the rough stuff as the players.  Essentially, they ‘let the players go’, and, as Jason C points out, it seemed more to Calgary’s advantage, particularly in the case of Dion Phaneuf.  Phaneuf easily could have made 3 more trips to the penalty box for his shananigans after the whistle, giving Daniel Sedin and Alex Burrows extra punches and cross-checks right in front of McCreary, who turned a blind eye.

Roberto Luongo, the games’ 2nd star, made 38 saves and kept Vancouver in it all night.  The game was tied 1-1 after the opening period, and 2-2 after the second frame.  “We’re disappointed with the loss, obviously, but we found a way to get it to overtime.  So the game was right there for us.”  Red hot Alex Burrows was stymied in his quest to become the 1st NHLer to record three straight hat tricks, but had an assist on Daniel Sedin’s tally (see link below).  “Louie was great, that’s for sure,” said the 6′1 Pincourt, Quebec native.  “I think, for the most part, they outworked us in a lot of areas.”

Evan Oberg and Brad Lukowich both stepped into defensive roles for the Canucks, who lost both Sami Salo and Aaron Rome to facial lacerations Thursday in their win over Phoenix.  Veteran Lukowich, who has a Stanley Cup ring with the Tampa Bay Lightning, set the tone early with a big hit on Rene Bourque behind the Canucks goal.  He didn’t look out of place at all, and though it was Oberg’s first taste of NHL action, he too jelled nicely with teammates.

Coach Alain Vigneault refused to use the injuries to the blueline as a crutch.  “Four of our defence had a little bit more minutes than usual.  It can be challenging but at the end of the day, whether they get a few minutes or not, that shouldn’t stop the rest of the group from playing real hard and we just weren’t good enough tonight.”

Brent Sutter was a little less gracious post match.  In an attempt to steer attention away from some of the none-calls his club received from McCreary, he ranted about the Canuck fan that had a laser pointer.

“It was brought to the attention of the refs and security, and it’s hard to believe that can go on for 60 mintues in a hockey game and it’s not located and not found.”  Sutter went on to reiterate this, in a multitude of different ways, post game.

The Flames now hold the Northwest division lead by 1 point, thanks in part to call-up Jamie Lundmark from their AHL affiliate, the Abbottsford Heat.  He scored the tying marker, and ended the game with his shootout conversion.  The 28 year old Edmonton native was drafted 9th overall in 1999, but has failed to bring his junior scoring knack to the NHL.   “It was huge,” said Lundmark of the win. “From last night coming off a loss, I think everybody stepped up tonight and played well.”  He partially has goaltending coach Jamie McLennan to thank for the shootout move.  He backed up Luongo earlier in his career, and knows Luongo’s tendencies.

Next up:  The Predators are back in town for a swipe at the Canucks on Monday.

More Sedin magic… (click and enjoy)