The Missing Powerplay

Stanley Cup Playoffs
Semi Finals
Game # 3
Series 2-1 Ducks

Canucks 2
Ducks 3

The Canucks had every oppurtunity to win this one. If only they could make the most of their powerplays. We did manage to score one goal on the Powerplay, so there is still Hope. Naslund potted a garbage goal to tie the game at one. The Canucks never led this game, always trailed, but i give them kudos for coming back to tie it up every period. If they had had a few extra seconds in the game, they might have tied it up again.

Perry Powers Ducks past the Canucks this night though. Luongo made some good saves tonight, but he dropped the ball on the first goal. Which is okay - Naslund scored on the powerplay to even it at 1. The Second anaheim goal was scored on a Markus Naslund Penalty - gee thanks Naslund. If you could only score as often as you take penalities, we would be in good shape. Daniel Sedin bailed us out - yes a Sedin scoring in the series. But on a delay of game penalty on Burrows for clearing the puck over the glass, Perry wasted no time in making the Canucks pay. I hate that penalty call. The Canucks never gave up, but they just couldn't beat Giguere.

Better luck next game ! Hopefully !!!!

Funny story, bout game 7

Secret tabled at Turco dinner

Greg Douglas, Vancouver Sun

Published: Saturday, April 28, 2007

SCENE & HEARD: It will be awhile before Dallas Stars goaltender Marty Turco has dinner again at Umberto Menghi's signature eatery, Il Giardino on Hornby Street. Not that Turco has anything against the food or service at the charming Tuscan-style villa. He loves the place. But as Turco's superstitions go, forget it.

Turco picked up the tab for eight of his teammates last Sunday on the eve of Game 7 in the Canucks-Dallas playoff series. Funny thing is, Il Giardino isn't open Sundays. But Turco insisted. He had wined and dined the same eight teammates earlier in the week and when the Stars won Game 5 the next night at GM Place, Turco wasn't taking no for an answer prior to Game 7. The Dallas players would sit in the same seats, order the same meal and drink the same wine.

After several desperate calls from Turco, the chef and two senior staff members agreed to open the restaurant for his private sitting. All in, it would cost Turco close to $10,000 to have the lights turned on, the grills fired up and the tab delivered for the nine hearty diners.

Dallas, of course, lost 4-1 the next night and Turco to this day is unaware that there was a Canucks souvenir collectible coin -- Roberto Luongo edition -- securely taped to the bottom of his chair. Turco should have known. As the team's rallying cry goes: "We are all Canucks".

© The Vancouver Sun 2007

A Positive Spin

IN THE PRESS By Josh Plummer APR.27.07 The best thing about the Canucks defeating the Ducks on a Friday night is there won't be an overload of negative press to have to suffer through on Saturday morning. The Vancouver Sun will have their weekend edition, but at least the beat reporters won't be able to focus on trying to destroy the spirit of Canuck Nation like they did after the Canucks dropped game one on Wednesday night. Most scribes from The Vancouver Sun and The Province, and almost every other talking head on television broadcasts from across the country said you could stick a fork in the Canucks - they were done like dinner against a supposedly quicker, bigger and more talented Ducks squad. Thanks to the mainstream media, the pulse of this city during the last two days has been nothing short of listless and lethargic. Thank goodness the Canucks were on the road in Anaheim and didn't have to read what the rest of us were exposed to. That's assuming the Canucks players read the hometown papers at all. I know if I was a player, the only use I'd have for the local papers is for housebreaking my piddly puppy. Our guys really got fired up by everything that was being said about the big, bad Ducks and how they were going to stomp all over us, said head coach Alain Vigneault after Friday night's 2-1 OT victory. Nobody gave us a chance because we have a depleted line-up. Being a newspaper beat reporter covering a local sports team must be a difficult gig because maintaining a fresh positive spin doesn't sell copies nearly as well as dragging the Canucks through the dirt does. Can you imagine if the Sun or Province wrote about how the Canucks were blown out in game one, but still managed to generate more scoring chances against the Ducks in one game than they did in one week versus the stingy Dallas Stars? Or how the Canucks were still riding the emotional wave of their game seven victory over Dallas less than 48 hours earlier but have no fear, the hometown boys will regain their focus and get back to playing Canucks hockey in game two? It would never happen. At least the Canuck players and coaches realized what the media didn't. After the first game, we said to ourselves there's opportunity there, we just have to find them and make plays, said Trevor Linden, who assisted on the OT game winner. �It was nice to get it done tonight. We came out of game seven and we didn't seem to have the edge to carry us through. Their speed kind of overwhelmed us a little bit and we were much better at that tonight - we handled it better. We understood just what it's going to take. I'm not sure why, but it's much easier to be a defeatist and write the Canucks off than it is to instill optimism in a hockey crazed city. I know it's not the job of beat reporters to lift the spirits of Canucks fans, but I'm pretty sure their job isn't to crush spirits either. We knew that we could play better, said Vigneault of the game one loss. There was a lot of talk that we were overmatched and they were a much better team than we were. It seemed that after that first game the series was already over with. Based on the negative reporting in this series, it's no wonder some players say they don't bother reading the papers. It's tough enough trying to win a seven game series on the ice.

Cowan My Cowan

Stanley Cup Playoffs
Semi Finals
Game 2

Series tied 1-1

Canucks 2
Ducks 1
Overtime

Canucks sink Ducks to even series Roberto Luongo with 49 saves tonight. Helped out on a few of those shots by two posts. Overall, I felt that the Canucks played great throughout the game. Probably their best game of the playoffs so far.


Naslund opened the scoring, on a solo effort, that was vintage Naslund. 1-0 Canucks. Anaheim got helped out by a few powerplays, and just as one had expired they scored. Luongo made a great glove save, but couldn't control the rebound, and Moen shovelled it in. TIE GAME.


Thats how it stood going into the third, and that's how it stood going into Overtime. And thats how it stood going into the second overtime. Who would be the hero?? Yankee Mike called it, just a few minutes before the goal was scored. Cowan got the puck from Linden, and somehow, someway managed to squeeze it in past Giguere. Canucks win 2-1.

DOUBLE OVERTIME Strikes again. Go Canucks Go !!!!



Taylor Pyatt was a monster out there winning puck battles against the boards, throwing his weight around. Jan Bulis - wow - slipping checks, maintaining control of the puck. Where was this bulis through out the regular season. YOu know what? I dont even care. Just Enjoying this Bulis for as long as possible. I thought Brendan Morrison was on fire out there, for a few shifts, his line really controlled the play, and had some good chances! What can I say about Roberto Luongo that hasn't already been said? Lukas Krajicek, and Brent Sopel, with the increased icetime, played really well. Krajicek really impressed me tonight. Naslund, scored a goal, but took at least 3 or 4 penalities. He has to work on that, but he's scoring, and thats what we pay him the big bucks for. Alex Burrows, was at his pesty best - keep up the good work Burrows !!

Willie Mitchell left the game in the first period and didn't return for a few shifts. After the game Alain Vigneault was asked what the problem was and his reply ? - " Flu - like Skate syndrome" I take that as a problem with his skate ........ We can't afford to lose Mitchell as well. He used his long stick again to get the puck off the goal line. Both Salo, and Bieksa still out. Hopefully we get them back for Game 3 on Sunday.

Next Game : Sunday April 29, 2007 5:00 PM

Don't hit the panic button - not yet anyway

Stanley Cup Playoffs
Round 2
Semi Finals
Game 1

Canucks 1
Ducks 5

Game One

, wasn't exactly what I had in mind as a good way to start the semi finals. The Canucks started off well, Cowan got the first goal - but after that, it was all Anaheim. The Canucks started the parade to the penalty box, and at times seemed like they were fighting for a spot in the penalty box instead of fighting to win a hockey game.

It didn't help that they were missing two of their top defenseman, in Salo, and Bieksa, and finishing off a hard fought game 7 just a mere 2 nights ago, probably didn't help either. I'm not willing to pass judgment, until after the next game.

McDonald, and the Ducks were just too much for the Canucks tonight.

The Canucks need to get their powerplay working, and between now and friday let's hope Bieksa, and Salo recover from their "FLU"

GO Canucks GO !

Captain Canuck

Stanley Cup Playoffs
Quarter Finals
Game 7

Canucks 4
Stars 1

Unbelievable !!! Captain Canuck was the difference

Captain Canuck, and Roberto Luongo. Going into this game - I must admit, I was worried. After listening to the radio all day, and hearing everyone be so down on the Canucks, i thought it would take a miracle for them to win this game. I dont know if they found the miracle, or if they just somehow managed to find a way. Either way, I'm not complaining. !!!

The Canucks did not help themselves by taking a penalty early in the first period, but they managed to kill it. It was typical Canucks, Stars hockey - kinda wait and see approach !! Dallas scored first, I was worried. End of the first period, Canucks trailing 1-0. Knowing how Dallas plays with the lead, I was stressed going into the second.

The second period, was unbelievable, the turnaround on the Canucks team. They took control of the game and never looked back. Outshooting the Stars , and finally capitalizing on their powerplay. Somehow, someway Henrik Sedin was all alone in front of Turco, Bingo, Bango a pass from Daniel, the game is tied. A beauty of a goal, and just what the fans at GM Place needed to boost the noise !! Going into the Third, the Canucks maintained their strong play. Getting alot of help from some key powerplays at certain points in the game. At one point, even a 5 on 3 advantage. In all this Luongo, made some key saves keeping the game tied, until his team could once again capitalize on the POwerplay. This time, it was Captain Canuck, Trevor Linden who tipped a Mattias Ohlund slapshot past Marty Turco, for what turned out to be the game winner. Two empty net goals, by Pyatt, and Smolinski iced the victory for the canucks. For the first time in years, the Canucks advance past the first round, and are headed to the Semi Finals versus Anaheim. Alain Vigneault in his first year as Head coach of the Canucks, has done what Marc Crawford in his years with the Canucks could not do - win a playoff round. For the first time since 1995, the Canucks have advanced to the second round.





So here's to you, Dallas homers , I hate to break it to you, but YOU WERE WRONG !!!! The Canucks advance, and the Stars go home. Turco played great, but when it came down to it, he was just no match for CAPTAIN CANUCK.

UNBELIEVABLE !!!

Canucks face the Ducks Wednesday night for Game 1 of the Semi Finals

GO CANUCKS GO !!

Battle For Supremacy

And so here it is, here we are. Game 7, Do, or Die. Who will emerge Victorious?

I BELIEVE!!!

Must Work Hard

Canucks will have their hands full tonight - game 7 against the Dallas Stars. Working hard, and working smart is key to their game. If they work hard, work smart, and score a goal or two, they have a very good chance of winning the game, winning the series, and advancing to the next round. I'd like all series to go seven games, there is just something about game 7 - winning in game 7 is awesome, losing in game 7 is heartbreaking. Let's hope we win in game 7 :D

GO Canucks Go

I BELIEVE !

NOT AGAIN!

Stanley Cup Quarter Finals
Game 6
Series tied at 3

Canucks 0
Stars 2

And the Dallas Stars once again avoid elimination - man its frustrating being a Canucks fan. How great has Turco played, or is it that we just haven't played well enough. They better bring their 'a' game on Monday !!!!

*yawn*

Stanley Cup Playoffs
Quarter Finals
Game 5
Series 3-2 Canucks




Canucks 0
Stars 1
Overtime





The Vancouver Canucks let a golden oppurtunity slip through their hands. Please don't let this be shades of the past where we let a 3-1 series lead get away and turn into a 4-3 series loss.

I couldn't even tell you much about this game if I wanted to. I was being lulled to sleep by sheer boredom. It was typical Dallas/Canucks game. No one wanting to make that first mistake - a few good chances on both sides. Turco, and Luongo both played sensational. Seriously, do we need to give Turco anymore confidence? two shutouts in this series for him now. :( The winning goal was scored on the powerplay, a too many men on the ice penalty by the Canucks. I just knew that was gonna rear its ugly head and bite them in the butt.

The key to the next game, or one of the keys - CANUCKS NEED A POWERPLAY GOAL!! Dallas is winning that so far this series. I think they have 3 powerplay goals to the Canucks 1 I believel.

Next game Saturday Night

WE WANT A WIN!

WIllie Mitchell is my HERO !!

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2006/2007
Quarter Finals
Game 4

Series 3-1 Canucks

Canucks 2
Stars 1

I don't even know where to begin with this one. I had to work, so I was pretty disappointed about that. Once again, CBC was kind enough to stream this game online so I was able to see most of it.

Which team would show up for this game? I had my answer right from the get go tonight. It was the team that worked hard for 60 minutes. First period was pretty straightforward for a Dallas Canucks Game, except for the two man advantage the Canucks had to kill for 1 minute and 54 seconds. And, kill it they did !!!

The second period was more of the same.

Through out the first two periods - There were a few players who jumped out at me.

*Jan Bulis - where was this guy all season?
*Jannick Hansen - he continues to impress with his speed, his skating and his smart plays with the puck
*Willie Mitchell - he's having a great series so far, strong on the puck, good hitting. He levelled Nagy. Although that was more a result of how nagy hit the boards than anything else. But, I"ll take it.

* Luongo - what can i say about Luongo, that hasn't already been said

The third period - tied 0-0. Who would make the first mistake? As it turns out it was Dallas. Smolinski shot wide, drawing Turco out of position, and he couldn't scramble back in time to recover for Ohlund recovering the puck from the end boards and slapping it home. 1-0 Canucks. The Stars wouldn't go away so easy though. Three minutes later, on a halfhearted attempt by Naslund to clear the puck, the Stars solved Luongo. 1-1 game, with about 8 minutes to go in the 3rd. Was this game destined for Overtime? 2 minutes later, we had our answer. Trevor Linden scored a vintage goal to put the Canucks up on top. with about 6 minutes left to go. Would they be able to hang on for the win?

If Luongo and Willie Mitchell have anything to say about it - you better believe they'll hang on for the win! The Stars started coming, and coming and coming. Luongo couldn't be beat. WIth about 2 minutes left, the Stars pulled Turco. 6 on 5 time slipping away on the Stars. They shot, it beat Luongo ......... It didn't beat Mitchell though. Using his long reach, or his long stick, I"m not sure what it was, he pulled that puck off the goal line.

clipped from www.cbc.ca

While Luongo will get most of the credit for Vancouver's win, it was Mitchell who prevented Dallas from getting the equalizer with less than three minutes remaining.

Stars centre Mike Ribeiro wired a shot that trickled through the legs of Luongo, but Mitchell instinctively cleared the puck away before it could completely slide past the goal-line.

Officials reviewed the play but maintained the puck did not cross the line.

"I would have gone nuts if it was called a goal," Mitchell said.

Added Linden: "Willie came to the bench and said it wasn't in. You always ask the guy who made the play. He's not going to lie to you."

Disaster averted. Canucks clear, aim for the empty net, miss. Time slipping away - going, going, going, GONE.

Canucks have won it ! They have won game 4. They take a 3-1 series lead, and a chance to win the series at home on THURSDAY.

Go Canucks Go !!!

Pyatt Riot

2006/2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Game # 3
Series : 2-1 Canucks

Canucks 2
Stars 1
overtime


Another game that Luongo kept them in it, until they could get going. After Stu Barnes scored on a deflection for Dallas, the Canucks seemed to wake up and realize there was a game to be won here. The last half of the game, the Canucks really took it to the Stars, and in the third were rewarded by a goal. Jan Bulis, with assists by Jannick Hansen and Brendan Morrison tied the game at 1. The Canucks had loads of energy in the 3rd, outshooting the stars, and having a few good scoring chances. Turco played well.

Overtime - I was thinking to myself, "was this gonna be another marathon?" Luckily, it wasn't. just under 8 minutes in, Taylor Pyatt, scored his first NHL Playoff goal, with assists by Bryan Smolinski, and Trevor Linden, and the Canucks win it 2-1.



It will be interesting to see which line starts game 4. Will Naslund be playing with the Sedins. They all by themselves swung the momentum their way when Vigneault started juggling lines. The other lines, picked up on it, and thus bulis scored, and Pyatt ended it in OT.

GO CANUCKS GO

maybe a little too believable

2006/2007 Playoffs
Round 1
Game 2

Series : 1-1

Canucks 0
Stars 2

What can I say? I'm extremely disappointed in this result. A loss, I think I can handle, but to be shutout at home in the playoffs. It embarrasses me. Although why I have anything to be embarrassed about I dont know.

The stars scored in the first minute, of both the first and second periods. And that's all she wrote for the Canucks. They were badly out played in the first half of the first, they started sort of playing near the end of the first, and the second. THere were a few spurts of brilliance here and there, but they couldn't solve TURCO.


*putting on rose colored glasses*

The play of Jannick Hansen, was promising. If he can keep that up, lots of energy and smart plays tonight. He didn't hurt them at all. Jan Bulis was really noticeable. I was impressed with both these players. Naslund was having a good game - mostly anyway. He was hitting, and thats sort of unusual for him.


* Taking off rose colored glasses *

Let's just say i was real disappointed with the all round effort. It didn't help that Dallas got on the board right away. The Canucks were chasing right from the get go. Really, I shouldn't be surprised. The Canucks seem to make a habit of having a let down game after an emotional victory. I'd have to say winning game one in quadruple Overtime is about as emotional as it can get in the sport of hockey.

Game 3 on Sunday in Dallas. Perhaps Matt Cooke, and Alexandre Burrows will be back? We miss their energy. I expect a better effort out of them on Sunday, but they'll be in tough. The ice will probably be really bad as there is a basketball game, or concert just a few short hours before the hockey game

UNBELIEVABLE !

2006/2007 Playoffs
Round 1

Game 1

Series lead 1-0

Due to the extremely lengthy game - i will not be blogging about it until tommmorrow after work. Its twenty to 1 and I have to leave for work in 4.5 hours.

CANUCKS WIN IN QUADRUPLE OVERTIME 5-4

I still cannot believe the results of this game. The game as I'm sure you all know by now went to a fourth overtime period. It wasn't until late in the fourth overtime period that the Canucks were finally able to capitalize.

What a game !!! So much for the low scoring games we were used to. ALthough I think that both teams will play more defensively in the games to come. The Canucks had goals from Daniel Sedin, Mattias Ohlund, Markus Naslund, and Bryan Smolinski. Henrik Sedin scored the game winner at 18:06 of the Fourth Overtime Period.

Markus Naslund, the Twins, and Jan Bulis had huge games. They were on fire. And strange as it may seem - the twins seemed to get better as the game went on. Cowan, was great in the Overtime periods

Unfortunately the Canucks lost both Matt Cooke, and Alex Burrows to injury. Cooke to a groin strain, and Alex Burrows to a slight concussion. Also, Kesler who was playing in his first game back since he went on injured reserve is out 4-5 weeks with a broken finger. Man, you gotta feel for the guy ! He played last night, and did not hurt the Canucks at all. Its too bad. THe Canucks have now called up two players from the Moose.

Roberto Luongo - What can i say here. Sure he wasn't stellar in regulation, but neither was Turco. Sure A two goal lead disintegrated in the third in less than 6 minutes. It was his first playoff game, and he acquitted himself admireably. Facing 76 shots in that marathon of a game. Stopping 72 of 76 shots - this guy will not stop breaking franchise records.

clipped from www2.sportsnet.ca

Henrik the hero

Henrik Sedin pots the winner in the fourth overtime as the Canucks win an epic battle. Apr 12

Click to play

2007 Playoffs

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

I believe !

Believe ! This could be the year !!!

Could Kesler be back for the Playoffs?

This could indeed be interesting. If Kesler makes it back in time for the first round. Who would sit out? Do you think he's ready?

clipped from www2.sportsnet.ca Play: Kesler aims for a playoff return

Western Conference Standings as of 6 pm Sunday April 8

clipped from www.canucks.com WESTERN CONFERENCE GP W L OT PTS x - DETROIT 82 50 19 13 113 x - ANAHEIM 82 48 20 14 110 x -VANCOUVER 82 49 26 7 105 x - NASHVILLE 82 51 23 8 110 x - SAN JOSE 82 51 26 5 107 x - DALLAS 82 50 25 7 107 x - MINNESOTA 82 48 26 8 103 x - CALGARY 81 43 28 10 96 COLORADO 81 43 31 7 93 ST LOUIS 82 34 35 13 81 COLUMBUS 82 33 42 7 73 EDMONTON 82 32 43 7 71 CHICAGO 82 31 42 9 71 LOS ANGELES 82 27 41 14 68 PHOENIX 82 31 46 5 67 x - clinched playoff spot

High and Dry

Canucks 1
Coyotes 3

well that ends the regular season. A record breaking season for the Canucks, a successful season. A season in which many predicted the Canucks to miss the playoffs. And here we are, headed to the Playoffs, first in our division, and third in the conference. No matter how well they do in the Playoffs, I'm happy with the success of the team so far. Of course anything less than a stanley cup and I"ll be disappointed, but over all I'm happy with what they accomplished.

Bring on the Playoffs, and Bring on the Stars

Northwest Division - CLINCHED

Canucks 4
Sharks 3

I'M LOVING IT ! San Jose Sharks were gamers today. It was certainly an entertaining game. The Canucks were up 2-0 5 minutes into the first on goals by Matt Cooke, and Taylor Pyatt. San Jose never gave up though. Helped greatly by two five on 3's they stormed back in the second to tie the game. Tie game going into the third - Bieksa was the hero, scoring on the powerplay. with 10 minutes or so left in the game. It was a tense 10 minutes. Thornton, was once again carrying the team - and totally levelled Matt Cooke with a hit on the end boards, which ended up being a boarding penalty. It looked painful. 30 seconds left in the game - San Jose ties the game 3-3. I was a little distraught. Overtime. This could happen I though, the Canucks have a good overtime record. They really need to win. would they be able to? Thanks in large part to Joe Thornton, who took a penalty in the Overtime, they did. Mattias Ohlund scored 34 seconds or so into the extra period, the Canucks clinch the northwest division, and appears that the will play Dallas in the opening round

GO Canucks GO