Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver-Canucks

Kevin Bieksa: 15 Seconds Of Fame…And Total Bada$$ne$$!

Saturday afternoon marked a cold and chilly day for the home crowd of Colorado…and not because of the below-freezing temperatures. Kevin Bieksa, of the Vancouver Canucks, denied a victory from the Colorado Avalanche with a spectacular diving save and a shifty shot…all within 15 seconds. With about 49.7 seconds on the clock of the 3rd period of a 2-1 game, Bieksa made a diving save to stop T.J. Galiardi’s back-hand shot from center line. With aboiut 34.7 seconds on the clock, Bieksa netted his 5th goal of the season on a wrist shot that tied the game at the end of regulation. The Canucks eventually won 1-0 on a shoot out.
Check out the extra effort by Bieksa.

Canucks vs. Colorado Avalanche blog: Love’ em & Hate’ em

New Linemate – The Stanchion
This should be about a 2-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. We should be talking about the Vancouver Canucks continued struggles that apparently didn’t leave them at the All-Star break. Instead, the Canucks are leaving Denver tonight with two points.
I’m at a loss for words.
Let’s try to figure out what happened. Here is my Love Em/Hate Em for the Avalanche game Saturday.
Love’ em
1. Goal Bieksa Assist Stanchion
The simplest answer is that Kevin Bieksa put on Patrick Kane’s red cape from Ottawa and did his best impression of superman on skates.
After flying across his own slot to prevent the puck from going in the empty net, he calmly led the play the other way and got in the perfect position for a juicy pass from his old buddy “The Stanchion”.
Kevin Bieksa: Clutch. I’d love to see him around closing time at The Roxy.
2. Luu-urns
The other reason for the win was between the pipes. Roberto Luongo really hasn’t played a bad game since December 1. What’s crazier is that he’s actually winning games.
There was a time before Boston, before Chicago, before Cory Schneider, when Roberto Luongo was the undisputed franchise player on this team and the talk that he had the potential to drag the Canucks kicking and screaming into a Stanley Cup.
This was especially prevailing after his first year when the city of Vancouver went from watching Dan Cloutier to watching Roberto Luongo and we all lost our minds when he singlehandedly defeated the Dallas Stars in the first round and prevented the Anaheim Ducks from sweeping the team in the second round.
We all know what happens next and somewhere along the way the script was flipped and it become about how Luongo was holding the team back from Stanley Cup success.
I realize his performance in February is meaningless if things flare up again in May, but no matter has happened over the years Roberto Luongo is still the franchise goaltender we acquired.
3. Splitting the Sedins?
Alain Vigneault may or may not have hit the panic button in this game when he split the Sedins up for the second straight game.
On the surface it obviously makes no sense, but if a team is struggling offensively like the Canucks are it’s hard to juggle the line-up if you don’t mess around with the first line.
Therefore, I like the idea in theory if it’s done correctly, and putting Alex Burrows with Ryan Kesler is a nice trickle-down effect.
We Win. You Win. Canucks vs. Colorado Avalanche Love’ em & Hate’ em
However, when it means that Henrik Sedin and Dale Weise are out on the ice with 90 seconds left and the Canucks down a goal, something went wrong in the execution.
Hate ‘Em
1. ..Well, The Sedins
The reason why AV is pulling the seldom used Sedin Split card is that the twin have been offensively for a while now.
They haven’t been the same since the Boston game (hey, there it is again!) and despite lighting up the All-Star Game and Daniel notching the OT winner against the Blackhawks, it looks like the slump has bled into February.
It’s a problem when the Canucks rely on the twins for offence so much that they take 80% of their starts in the offensive zone. If the Sedins aren’t getting it done, the team is in trouble.
The five-on-five has suffered, the powerplay is flaccid, and the team is suffering.
2. Regulation Wins
Good news: the Canucks have points in 11 of their last 13.
Bad news: they have one regulation win their past ten.
This is a problem, probably. One hand it’s great to see points gained every night but on the other hand…playoffs.
Still, something tells me if you get the Sedins going this whole problem goes away.
3. SOB
My best friend and yours Shane O’Brien was front and centre with Alex Burrows in a third period altercation.
O’Brien took down Burrows after the whistle leading to Burrows reacting like a cat scorned. The two tussled and jawed for a bit until O’Brien popped his head back out of his jersey and cocked his fist back.
Not entirely sure what set it all off, and it was certainly immature, but is it wrong to want Shane O’Brien back on the team?
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Vancouver vs. Colorado – February 4th | NHL Highlights

Canucks vs Avalanche Game Recap
Did you miss the Vancouver Canucks vs. Colorado Avalanche Saturday afternoon on Rogers Sportsnet Pacific? We’ve got the highlights for you.
Canucks vs. Avalanche highlights courtesy NHL.com.

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Canucks rally for shootout win over Avs

Kevin Bieksa played impromptu goalie and goal scorer in the final seconds to save the Vancouver Canucks.

Shortly after altering a shot with the net empty, the defenseman flew back down the ice to knock in the tying goal with 34.1 seconds remaining in regulation.

From there, Mason Raymond and Roberto Luongo took over. Raymond scored the lone goal in the shootout and Luongo stopped all three shots as the Canucks rallied for a 3-2 win over the struggling Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

”Plays like (Bieksa) made enable you to get points,” Raymond said. ”We’ll take it.”

Trailing 2-1 with 1:33 remaining, the Canucks pulled Luongo for an extra skater. Soon after, T.J. Galiardi had a chance to cement the win for the Avalanche, but missed the empty net.

Hardly by accident. Bieksa positioned himself in such a way that caused Galiardi to sail his shot wide.

Then, Bieksa made it a costly misfire as he blasted a shot past Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

Not bad for a new stick.

Just before scoring his tying goal, Bieksa sat on the bench, studying his stable of sticks. He wanted one that would be more grippy given the deteriorating ice conditions.

He selected wisely.

”I like to go to a freshly taped stick, in case the puck bounces,” Bieksa explained. ”If I feel like it’s a little whippy or the tape’s messed up, you switch to a new one.”

After a scoreless overtime, the game came down to a shootout.

Usually, that’s advantage Avalanche.

They had won seven straight this year and 10 in a row dating to last season, which was one shy of tying the NHL record set by the Dallas Stars during the 2005-06 season.

But Raymond put an end to that streak by sending a shot through the pads of Giguere. On a sneaky move, too, as Raymond drifted out wide and then worked his way back into the center.

”I just wanted to be patient and he just sneaked a shot in there,” said Giguere, whose team has dropped five straight games. ”They’re a good team. They know how to win. They found a way at the end.”

Thanks, in big part, to Luongo, who stopped a season-high 44 shots in regulation and overtime.

He was just warming up.

In the shootout, Luongo stuffed Milan Hejduk, Gabriel Landeskog and Ryan O’Reilly. Luongo pumped his fist after stopping O’Reilly’s attempt.

”Those guys have some pretty good shooters. They have a pretty good shootout record,” Luongo said. ”I was able to get a couple of breaks there.”

Jay McClement and David Jones had goals for the Avalanche as the team finally halted a long scoring drought against the Canucks. The last time Colorado put a puck in the net against Vancouver was last March, ending a dry spell that spanned nearly 178 minutes.

McClement’s goal in the second period was his first in 19 games. He took a feed from Daniel Winnik and blasted it by Luongo.

The Avalanche could’ve been up by more if not for the sprawling saves turned in time and again by Luongo. His biggest save may have been stonewalling Winnik on a breakaway with just over 5 minutes remaining.

And while Bieksa doesn’t get credit for a stop, his was pretty important, too.

”Just wanted to put my body in front of it,” Bieksa nonchalantly said.

Ryan Kesler got the Canucks on the board first when he sent a shot past Giguere early in the opening period. The goal came soon after defenseman Kyle Quincey lost his stick and was unable to effectively cover anyone. It was Kesler’s 16th goal this season.

Colorado answered right back as Jones knocked in a shot from the left side of Luongo after receiving Paul Stastny’s pinpoint pass. That broke the hex Vancouver had on Colorado’s goal scorers.

In two games this season, Luongo and Cory Schneider have each posted a shutout by bottling up the Avalanche.

For Jones, this was a step in the right direction to escape coach Joe Sacco’s doghouse. Jones was benched last game for his recent struggles on the ice.

”It’s tough to watch your teammates out there and not be able to do something to help them,” Jones said. ”So, it’s nice to get back out there for sure.”

The most entertaining moment of the first period – maybe even the game, judging by the fans’ raucous reaction – was a brawl between Cody McLeod and Byron Bitz that left McLeod’s face dripping blood. It was McLeod’s club-leading 11th fighting major this season.

Bitz was just called up from Chicago of the AHL on Friday and played in his first NHL contest in nearly two years.

NOTES: Avs F Peter Mueller was a scratch just before the game because of the flu. He missed 40 games earlier this season with concussion symptoms. … Landeskog had nine shots on goal, setting a new franchise mark for a rookie. … Kesler has scored goals in four of the last five games.

Raymond’s shootout goal helps Canucks get by Avalanche

The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in a shootout. Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa scored for the Canucks while David Jones and Jay McClement scored for the Avalanche. Mason Raymond was the only player that scored in the shootout. The Avalanche outshot the Canucks 46-29. The Avalanche had the advantage in the shootout because Roberto Luongo usually struggle in the shootout and the Avalanche are 10-0 in shootouts this season. Go figure. The Canucks are now 3-0 against the Avalanche this season. Byron Bitz also got into a fight with Cody McLeod. Bitz made McLeod bleed during the fight. Bitz played his 1st NHL game in nearly 2 years. The Canucks will now head to Nashville when they will take on the Predators on Tuesday.

Canucks 3, Avalanche 2, SO

Kevin Bieksa tied the game with 34.1 seconds remaining in regulation and Mason Raymond scored the lone goal in the shootout as the Vancouver Canucks rallied for a 3-2 win over the struggling Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

Raymond sent the puck through the pads of Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Roberto Luongo stopped all three shots he faced for Vancouver, which ended the Avalanche’s 10-game streak of shootout victories.

Ryan Kesler also added a goal for the Northwest Division leaders.

Trailing 2-1 with 1:33 remaining, the Canucks pulled Luongo for an extra skater. Soon after, T.J. Galiardi had a chance to cement the win for the Avalanche, but missed the empty net.

Bieksa made it a costly misfire as he blasted a shot past Giguere. Just before scoring his tying goal, the defenseman was sitting on the bench, looking at new sticks. His selection apparently paid off.

In the shootout, Luongo stuffed Milan Hejduk, Gabriel Landeskog and Ryan O’Reilly. Luongo pumped his fist after stopping O’Reilly’s attempt. The Avs fell one shy of tying the NHL record for consecutive shootout wins set by the Dallas Stars – all during the 2005-06 season.

McClement’s goal in the second period was his first in 19 games. He took a feed from Daniel Winnik and blasted it by Luongo.

The Avalanche could’ve been up by more if not for the sprawling saves turned in time and again by Luongo, including two in succession midway through the second period.

Luongo finished with 21 saves, many of the splendid variety, including stonewalling Winnik on a breakaway with just over 5 minutes remaining.

Kesler got the Canucks on the board first when he sent a shot past Giguere early in the opening period. The goal came soon after defenseman Kyle Quincey lost his stick and was unable to effectively cover anyone. It was Kesler’s 16th goal this season.

David Booth had an assist on the play for the Canucks, who improved to 10-1-2 this season when he records a point.

Colorado answered right back as Jones knocked in a shot from the left side of Luongo after receiving Paul Stastny’s pinpoint pass.

In two games this season, Luongo and Cory Schneider have each posted a shutout by bottling up the Avalanche.

For Jones, this was a step in the right direction to escape coach Joe Sacco’s doghouse. Jones was benched last game for his recent struggles on the ice.

Bitz was just called up from Chicago of the AHL on Friday and played in his first NHL contest in nearly two years.

It wasn’t the only tussle as Alexandre Burrows and Shane O’Brien got into it late in the game. They were each sent to the penalty box for roughing and jawed at each other the entire time they were in there.

NOTES: Avs F Peter Mueller was a scratch just before the game because of flu-like symptoms. He missed 40 games earlier this season with a concussion. … Duchene (knee) missed his 15th straight game. … Canucks F Chris Higgins sat out his second game with the flu. … Kesler has scored in four of the last five games.

Ian Esplen: Canucks/Avalanche Game Day and the Jack Jablonski Story

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The Vancouver Canucks take to the ice today for another afternoon matinee against the Avalanche. Despite a pair of so/so team efforts since the All-Star Break, Vancouver has gone 1-0-1 thanks to the stellar goaltending of Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo. The Avâ€™s have stru…

Why the Canucks are Terrible in Shootouts

The Canucks lost another game in the shootout on Thursday night, losing the game 4-3 to the Detroit Red Wings. While they didn’t deserve to win the game based on their play in regulation time and overtime, the shootout is a different animal. It usually has very little to do with the run of play. They lost the shootout because Detroit is a much better shootout team than the Canucks.
The Canucks are one of the best teams in the NHL but they are one of the worst in shootouts. One would think that a team that boasts a Vezina trophy finalist and a lineup filled with offensive talent would be good in shootouts. Instead, Vancouver has a 3-5 record, are 19th in shooting percentage and are 5th worst in save percentage. And this is not a new problem for the Canucks, it has gone on a few years. They were 4-5 last season and 4-4 the year before and 3-7 the year before that. So what gives?
No Go-To Guy
The shooters that beat Roberto Luongo on Thursday night were Pavel Datsyuk and Jiri Hudl…

Game 52: Canucks vs. Avalanche ready to rumble in Denver

Boy Do I Have A Headache
Seriously, I have a pounding headache and it’s partially due to just having a long day.
Drink of Choice For a NOON game! The Red Eye! At its core beer/ tomato juice.
However, it is also because of the fact that the Canucks have been playing like absolute crap lately.
Although you do have to give credit where credit is due and said credit must go to Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider who have both stood on their heads, almost literally (Schneidz on B-Mo) to keep their team in games.
If it weren’t for the best goaltending duo in the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks would have 0 points instead of 3 in the last two games and the goal differential would be -10 instead of Even.
It all started after the Canucks left Boston.
Yes, they actually ended up with a stellar record since that game, but it was all while playing hockey worthy of a crowd in Columbus.
It’s been embarrassing and that all came to a head against Detroit on Thursday.
Once again, they were outshot by a very wide margin and once again, out shooters failed to produce in the shootout.
Don’t get me wrong, Roberto Luongo deserves a ton of credit for getting us there but it’s just ridiculous how all skill goes out the window when we get the so-called “skills competition.”
There are three things the Canucks need to do to not just win in Colorado Saturday, but to have a successful road trip and month of February while not looking horrible doing it.
The first is they need to play up to their level.
We see the customary dressing room shots before each game. Kevin Bieksa is tapping each guy with his stick, Luongo is hunched over talking to himself; and the game-faces are officially on. But when they step on the ice, it’s like they’re playing a game of shinny out there.
They just let all their cares in the world go bye bye.
It’s pathetic; it’s frustrating and it’s a disgrace.
I like to go by one particular saying in life which is, “Say what you mean; mean what you say and do what you said you would do.”
The next step is to rally around their goaltenders….SERIOUSLY!
Well the Canucks need to buck up and do what they always say they’re going to do; play better.
The next step is to rally around their goaltenders.
To be frank, they owe them; and they owe them big-time. Of course Lu and Cory can’t let up, but the players in front of them need to earn the trust of their goalies back. Roberto and his sidekick Robin,
I mean Schnu) have been hung out to dry in recent games and the fact remains that the Canucks have not only two of the best forwards in the game but tons of depth at forward and one of the best defensive corps in the entire NHL.
They need to play like they give a crap because sooner or later, those two men behind the masks are going to start to get kind of P.O.’d.
Would I blame them?
Not at all.
Hell, the veterans on this team also owe a guy like Cody Hodgson.
Hodgson has been one of the most consistent players all season long, not to mention in January, being named Rookie of the Month.
He’s showing up Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler night in and night out; that’s not right.
Finally, they need to treat the road trip as a reality check.
The fans get it; this is a player’s career; their job; their occupation. But the players have to remember who’s cheering for them; that being hundreds of thousands of fans back home.
In the whole grand scheme of things, it’s the fans that should provide the most motivation for any team.
The players claim that we are the best fans in the league on numerous occasions but why don’t they play like we’re watching?
They’re heading into the home stretch of the regular season; in a good position but playing like crap.
Maybe an evening watching Forever Faithful would jog their memories that this city is yet to see a Stanley Cup in 40 years of the Canucks franchise.
I think that should be enough motivation to win every game here on out.
Puck drop is at TWELVE PM on Sportsnet Pacific.
Now please, someone bring me some Tylenol!
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Canucks vs. Colorado Avalanche Betting Odds & Handicapping Preview Feb. 4

Nooner?
Another matinee? The Vancouver Canucks head out on the road after a less-than-scintillating six game home stand Saturday with a trip to Colorado – a team that they have absolutely owned the last couple of years.
Vancouver Canucks (31-15-5) at Colorado Avalanche (26-25-2)
When: 3:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 4, 2012
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
Broadcast: SNET-P (HD), ALT (HD)
Canucks vs. Avalanche Betting Lines from Bodog
Spread: Canucks -1 ½ (+180)
Moneyline: Canucks -160: Avalanche +130
Over/Under: 5 ½ goals
*NHL ATS Matchup Report*
The Vancouver Canucks have gone 6-2-2 in their last 10 games while the Avs have gone 3-6-1 in their last 10 including losses in four straight games.
The Colorado Avalanche come into Saturday’s game on the heels of a 6-7-1 stretch that began with a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks.
Nothing much is going right – they are without their top offensive weapon, Matt Duchene which doesn’t help matters!
The Avalanche have been terrible against the Canucks as of later – a 1-7 record and having lost the last two games by a combined score of 9-0. Colorado’s goaltending against Vancouver is another story.
Seymon Varlamov is 0-2-0 with a 4.39 GAA versus the Canucks this season and has lost three straight games going into Saturday’s match. Jean Sebastien Giguere is 0-3-0 with a 4.29 GAA in five games against the Canucks.
Vancouver was somewhat lucky to have gained three of a possible four points in their last two games against Western Conference elite Chicago and Detroit.
They didn’t play all that great but still managed a win and a shootout loss. The Colorado Avalanche could be exactly what the Canucks need.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Colorado Avalanche Gambling Lines & Preview
Vancouver’s second and third lines have been very good lately – David Booth has five points in five games and Ryan Kesler has four points in four.
The Sedins have lit up Avalanche lately- the offense will be fine.
There is a chance that Cory Schneider plays in place of Roberto Luongo but it shouldn’t really matter at all – neither has given up a goal to the Avalanche this season against the Avs.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Cory Schneider in goal in an awkward matinee – he is 4-0 in his last four starts and is 11-5-0 with a 2.28 GAA this season.
Betting Prediction:
Vancouver is 9-1 in their last 10 Saturday game and 6-2 in their last 8 road games. The Canucks are 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
I would be absolutely shocked if Vancouver loses this game!
Pick: Vancouver Canucks -160
Here are some interesting Player Props for Saturday’s game:
Dan Hamhuis Points
Line = 0.5 Over (1.75) | Under (1.50)
Henrik Sedin Points
Line = 1.5 Over (1.70) | Under (1.55)
Daniel Sedin Shots on Goal
Line = 3.5 Over (1.40) | Under (1.85)
Ryan Kesler Goals
Line = 0.5 Over (1.75) | Under (1.50)
Alex Burrows Goals
Line = 0.5 Over (1.75) | Under (1.50)
Colorado Shots on Goal
Line = 31.5 Over (1.55) | Under (1.70)
Colorado Power Play Goals
Line = 0.5 Over (1.80) | Under (1.45)
Jannik Hansen Points
Line = 0.5 Over (1.75) | Under (1.50)
David Booth Shots on Goal
Line = 2.5 Over (1.50) | Under (1.75)
(Click To Bet Now At Bodog (Bovada.lv If Your In USA))

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State of the Canucks – Weekly notebook | February 3rd

Canucks All Access
The NHL All-Stars were out to shine over this past weekend in Ottawa and four of the Canucks’ best enjoyed time in the nation’s capital to showcase their talent on the big stage.
Alex Edler and Cody Hodgson may not have lit the city up during Saturday’s skills competition, but their twin teammates did manage to salvage the weekend with a pair of pretty plays alongside team captain Daniel Alfredsson.
Alfie and the Sedins united in an effort to feed the hometown hero the puck during the All-Star game; however the trio fell short of earning an MVP trophy for their home country after Marian Gaborik fired home a first period hat trick, sealing MVP honours.
Around the (Home) Rink
Following a poor performance in the NHL All-Star skills competition, youngster Cody Hodgson rediscovered his shot after returning to the comfort of Rogers Arena and his many helpful teammates.
Hodgson roofed a crucial tying goal in the third period against the Blackhawks earlier this week, pushing the Canucks to overtime in a hard-fought 3-2 victory.
The Canucks’ win over Chicago marks the halfway point in a dangerous Western Conference showcase this week, playing back-to-back games against the best the conference has to offer.
After Cory Schneider earned the start against the Blackhawks to begin the week, Roberto Luongo is expected to start Thursday’s matchup with the Detroit Red Wings.
State Of The Canucks February 3rd
Luongo was solid in the crease during a feisty pre-Christmas clash between the Canucks and Red Wings and can expect to be busy in the blue paint against Thomas Holmstrom and the master crease crashers from Detroit.
While no “GRRreat SAVE Luongo” calls will be heard from Rogers Arena on Thursday, Jim Hughson’s contribution to Canucks hockey will never be forgotten.
Earlier this week Hughson and four other deserving candidates including former players Scott Niedermayer and Rob Brind’Amour were announced as the 2012 inductees to the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame.
In the Infirmary
The Canucks enter Thursday’s game against the Red Wings boasting a lineup almost too healthy for the middle of the NHL regular season.
Andrew Ebbett is the only Canuck on the shelf due to injury and will miss his ninth game on Thursday out with a Collar bone injury.
Despite the current state of health and happiness surrounding the Canucks, will GM Mike Gillis still search for additional defensive depth as the trade deadline approaches?
In The Community
The Canucks for Kids Fund – The Fund dedicates resources to assist charities who support children’s health and wellness, foster the development of grassroots hockey, and facilitate and encourage education in British Columbia. more here
Canucks Yearbook – The 2011.12 Yearbook is now available! The Official Vancouver Canucks yearbook is a glossy, high-quality, collectors’ book for the 2011.12 season including player profiles and team statistics, along with highlights from last year’s winning season.
Pick up a copy at your favourite newsstand or call 604-299-2116 to order.
Meet Fin
For more information on having Fin appear at your upcoming community or corporate event call FIN’S MASCOT HOTLINE at 604 899-7888, or send FIN an e-mail.
Whats On Tap This Week?
Schedule/Results

NEXT 5

Date
vs
Last Meeting

2/4/12
@COL
W 6-0 12/6/11

2/7/12
@NAS
L 5-6 12/1/11

2/9/12
@MIN
W 3-0 1/4/12

2/11/12
@CAL
L 1-3 12/23/11

2/13/12
PHO
W 5-0 11/25/11

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Flying V’s Hat Trick: Red Wings best Canucks in shootout

Seriously…Shootouts
The Detroit Red Wings rode their patented combination of speed and skill to overcome Ryan Kesler and the Vancouver Canucks in a 4-3 shootout victory Thursday at Rogers Arena.
Kesler and the Canucks proved they can play with the best the Western Conference has to offer, but were unable to maintain an up-tempo style of play for a full sixty minutes against the Red Wings.
Despite Roberto Luongo’s best efforts to keep his team in the game during regulation, the Red Wings relied on their skill to win easily in a shootout.
The Hat Trick
Kesler Converts
Ryan Kesler pounced on a rebound in the first period to pull his team even with the Red Wings but was unable to will the Canucks to victory in final forty minutes. Kesler and his teammates came up with another terrible second period on Thursday, managing only three shots in the middle frame as Detroit took over the hockey game.
The Red Wings generated 15 shots including Jiri Hudler’s 17th goal of the season that gave Detroit their second lead of the game.
Big Bad Bert
Todd Bertuzzi looked at home in the comforts of Rogers Arena on Thursday, dancing past defenders and busting out one-handed power moves as if the game was being played a decade ago.
Big Bert broke in on Roberto Luongo with a pretty first period power move but was robbed of a birthday goal by big bad Roberto.
Luongo Large
After Bertuzzi broke through in the first period the Canucks completely lost their legs in the second, giving any skater wearing the winged wheel full permission to pepper Roberto Luongo.
While the skaters in front of him slowed, Luongo kept pace with the Red Wings, making 14 stops in the second period in an exemplary effort to keep his team in the game.
Flying V’s Hat Trick: Red Wings best Canucks in shootout. – (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
As was the case on Tuesday, the lone point earned against Detroit can be completely credited to their goaltender.
V’s Thoughts
The Vancouver Canucks brought a bland performance versus top Western Conference competition again on Thursday but were unable to sneak out a victory against the disciplined Red Wings.
Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin struggled again opposite the Red Wings and were split up in an effort to bump the mini-slump.
Look for more line juggling and new combinations as the Canucks head out on a four-game road trip beginning Saturday night in Colorado.
Quote
“Great goaltending again,” Vigneault said. “We found a way – by not playing a very good game – to get a point.”
The 3 Stars
1st. Danny Cleary – GOALS: 1| PTS: 2| ASST: 1 SOG: 6| PLUS/MINUS: 0
2nd. David Booth – GOALS: 0| PTS: 1| ASST: 1 SOG: 1| PLUS/MINUS: 1
3rd. Roberto Luongo – SAVE PCTG: 0.930
Recaps
BOXSCORE | Q’s POST GAME RECAP
Detroit 4, Vancouver 3
When: 10:00 PM ET, Thursday, February 2, 2012
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Referees: Marc Joannette, Greg Kimmerly
Linesmen: David Brisebois, Thor Nelson
Attendance: 18890
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Red Wings-Canucks wrap-up and overnight report: objective met, plus news about Bertuzzi and Howe

The Detroit Red Wings didn’t exactly dazzle and missed several opportunities to take definitive control of their perhaps karmically correct 4-3 shootout victory over the Vancouver Canucks, going 0-for-4 on the power play and only denting the twine behind Roberto Luongo twice over a 40-minute period of time in which they out-shot their opponents 30-11…

But a win is always welcome for the Wings, especially when it comes away from Joe Louis Arena, so the Wings flew to Edmonton to enjoy a well-deserved day off before taking on the red-hot Oilers (did I say that right?) with a slightly more commanding lead over each and every one of their Central Division and Western Conference rivals, the Canucks included, and that’s what really matters.
Continue reading “Red Wings-Canucks wrap-up and overnight report: objective met, plus news about Bertuzzi and Howe”

Game 51: Canucks 3, Wings 4

The Canucks has no business winning this game tonight. Their first and second period was all Detroit, the only reason they were still in it going into the third period was because of Luongo. ***** all you want about him losing the shootout, but we wouldn’t be in the overtime or the shootout if Luongo hasn’t been huge tonight.Question we are all asking ourselves: why was Mason Raymond in the shootout?God I hate to play Detroit. They are just so damn good.A bring spot for the Canucks were the two Michigan born players playing great tonight.But how about Sam Gagner? Ridic.

Rational and irrational anger: Riley’s rants and raves

Gettin it off my chest!
This week, things that bother me about the Canucks and the NHL.
Keith Ballard
Not a fan. At all. He has seven points (sixth among defencemen on the team), 57 PIM (third on the team), +1 (middle of the team) and two danger hip checks per game (leading team. by a lot).
He contributes NOTHING, and every game could potentially be another bad moment when cripples a player and gives the Canucks a bad name.
His hip checks are EXACTLY the kind that Marchand used on Salo, and we know how much Vancouver fans liked that. Time to end the double standard.
Plus, his contract is fat so the sooner we dump him the sooner we have space.
Give him away for a second rounder and then trade someone else and fill the space with a decent defenceman.
The All Star Weekend
I’m sure you’ve already read a thousand rants about why the All-Star break sucks. Well get ready to read another one, because that’s how bad it is. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS WEEKEND AT ALL.
First of all, we have the draft. It’s a clever idea, but its fallen flat on its face.
Why?
Because no one actually cares, least of all the players. They don’t seem particularly offended if they’re late picks, if they get passed on for rival players, or if their teamates end up playing against them. It’s all in fun for them. The worst part of the draft is the constant analysis that goes into it.
We need to make the NHL All Star Game matter again.
There is roughly 248 hours of discussion around each pick, with analysts and talking heads pretending that somehow the players acutally put thought into this, instead of just picking their buddies and joking around like a bunch of guys in a Saturday night beer league. T
he most exciting moment of the weekend?
Kane’s clever goal in the shootout contest.
And I hate Patrick Kane so that’s enough of that.
We need to make this weekend matter somehow. I really like baseballs idea where the winner of the All Star game gets home field advantage in the World Series.
Why doesn’t hockey try this approach?
Or just let the players take the week off and practice with their team rather than go through the motions with all of their usual opponents?
CHANGE SOMETHING!
The continuing Sidney Crosby Saga
Actually, I don’t hate this. It brings a lot of awareness to the fact the hockey needs to change its system to prevent its star players from suffering career altering injuries. I’m actually just angry because I’m reminded that I’m missing Crosby playing and doing things on the ice that no other player can.
I miss watching him make INSANE passes through four pairs of skates, for faking out goalies so badly their eyes go different directions, and for being a poster boy for how athletic and incredible hockey is.
Why would we sacrifice that?
Oh wait. Cause hockey is full of goons and stupid rules that allow players to cripple each other. In the interest of my blood pressure, lets move on.
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