Vancouver Canucks

Say No to the Shoot-out

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 08:41:06 PST

I did not like the idea of the shoot-out when the NHL brought it in last year. It was a gimmick, although producing a definitive winner, it was still a gimmick. After two seasons, I'm not as against the idea as I use to be. It's here and it doesn't look like it's going to be removed from the NHL game any time soon. But, the idea of a shoot-out to decide the winner of the Stanley Cup is not just a stupid ass idea, but it is sacrilege. This is not soccer. After game one of the Canucks-Stars series went to four overtimes, and coming close to a fifth, before Henrik Sedin finally ended the game at 12:35 am pacific time for the Canucks, people started talking about the idea of a shoot-out. To them, like Sports Illustrated's Michael Farber, you're an IDIOT!

I understand the desire for a game to be determined sooner than later. I understand that the level of play is going to drop; players get tired and the ice gets worse. But, the shoot-out is not the answer. Go to four on four hockey right from the first overtime and continue on. More open room for the players to operate and with one less player jumping over the boards on each shift, that should mean the players should be fresher. Plus, the last time I checked, there has only been three games that have gone into overtime this year. People like Farber are overreacting to something that isn't really a big problem.

Keep it the way it is now or go to four on four. Leave the shoot-outs for soccer.

Canucks Win Ot Thriller

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 12:25:33 PST

With just under two minutes to go before game one of the Dallas/Vancouver series would go into a fifth overtime period, Henrik Sedin ends it, scoring his first goal of the playoffs on a pass from who else, but his twin brother Daniel. Daniel had scored the game's first goal, some five and a half hours earlier (the game start time 7:00 PM). The twins, along with Taylor Pyatt actually looked better and surprisingly fresher as overtime went on…and on…and on. I had a feeling they were going to get the winner, although a couple of OT periods earlier. And, the goal wasn't some ugly goal that deflected off someone after one of the players just took a blind shot hoping to get lucky. It was a beauty and I was happy that I was still awake to see it.

The Canucks should have won the game in regulation, having a two goal lead in the third period before allowing the Stars to come back and tie up the game. Dallas outplayed the Canucks in the third and had a glorious chance to win it in overtime with a two man advantage, but hey, that number one penalty kill came through.

I thought the Captain had a very good game, scoring once. I thought Jeff Cowan had a great game, too, hitting everyone in site. The Brabarian certainly had his own chances to play the role of the hero. That would have blown the roof off GM Place. As for Roberto Luongo, for his playoff debut, yeah, I would say he had a pretty good game, making some 70 plus saves. He did give up a couple of bad guys, but I'll chalk it up to nerves. I don't think it'll happen again.

It was a pretty big surprise seeing Ryan Kesler back on the ice. I had heard nothing about his return. Unfortunately, get one back, lose two. Matt Cooke and Alex Burrows go down with injuries. Hopefully, they both will be back for the next game. As for Kesler, he actually had a very good game and didn't look out of place.

Overall, this was a great game and shows what the playoffs are all about.

Game 2, Friday night, 6 PM PST.

Playoff Hockey is Finally Here

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:51:01 PST

The road to the Stanley Cup begins

After my Vancouver Canucks missed the NHL playoffs last year, they are not only back in, but 3rd in the Western Conference after winning the Northwest Divison. They played better than anyone expected during the regular season and so I'm hoping that continues in the playoffs all the way to the Stanley Cup finals.

Of course, I'm picking them to go all the way, considering they do have the top goalie in the entire western conference in Roberto Luongo (who's in the top two overall in the league, alongside Martin Brodeur). Henrik and Daniel Sedin have been great all year long and I don't see them disappearing anytime soon. I don't think the defense, especially the top 4 (Mattias Ohlund, Sami Salo, Willie Mitchell, and Kevin Bieksa) get enough credit. There are flashier names, but in the end, these guys get the job done. If Canuck captain, Markus Naslund, can start scoring like he use to, then I don't think Dallas has a chance, no matter what the so-called experts are saying.

The Dallas Stars are the Canucks' first challenge. They finished sixth in the west and actually had two more points than the Canucks, 107 to 105. The two teams are pretty even and it is expected to come down to goaltending and special teams. Dallas has a good powerplay, but the Canucks penalty killing is much better. As for goaltending, this will be Luongo's first ever post season appearance, but the Stars' Marty Turco has been somewhat of a choke artist, so the edge goes to the Canucks. Did I not mention Roberto is, afterall, one of the best goalies in the league.

My final prediction, Canucks in six.

Go! Canucks Go!