What a night.

The team, playing against a rested Ducks team, scored six goals plus a shootout winner to defeat (not de-feet) the Ducks 7-6.

For the Canucks to score seven goals is just great. What is even better is that this probably spooked the Ducks on Halloween night. It shows that the team can score if all the lines are skating and working hard.

The win gave the Canucks 6 wins and a record of 6-5-0 on the season. This ends the month of October with the team one game above 500. I am fine with that. With all the changes that have gone on with the lineup, they are starting to show signs of a team that they may be one or two pieces away from being a stronger team.

To keep things in perspective, out of the five losses, three of them did not hurt them as much as people think. The main objective of the regular season is to win games in your conference and more importantly your division. Well, even though these three might have been bonus points, the Canucks’ losses to Washington, Buffalo and Boston did not have the team lose any ground in their standings. The only two losses that did matter were the games they lost to Chicago and Columbus.

First Period >> Hanging in There
The Ducks came out and took it the Canucks and by the half way mark of the first period, they were up 2-0. At that point, it seemed like it was going to be one of those nights. The coolest thing happenned next. Steve Bernier came right back the other way and scored. It was now 2-1 and you just had the feeling that the goal boosted the team.

Second Period >> Balancing Act
Well, Steve Bernier’s goal did spark the team. The Canucks came out in the second period and scored four unanswered goals from Ryan Kesler, Alexander Burrows, Mattias Ohlund and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks were up 5-2 and Jean-Sebastien Giguere was pulled for the Ducks. Home and cooled out? Not exactly. The Ducks must have woken up or might have just been plain mad because they came back and tied the score with three unanswered goals of their own.

It was an old fashioned shootout. Awesome.

Third Period >> Not Giving Up
Steve Bernier struck again. The guy who started the Canucks scoring frenzy, scored another. The Canucks were up 6-5. The Canucks tried their best to hold onto the lead, but in the last minute Corey Perry snuck the puck past Luongo. It was 6-6 now.

Overtime and Shootout
The overtime had it chances but the teams seemed destined to go to the shootout. It turned out to be the longest shootout in Canucks history as it took the 13th shooter, Mattias Ohlund, to win the game for the Canucks. The expresions on the faces of the Canucks looked electric. Let’s hope the momentum keeps on rolling.

Next Game: Vancouver Canucks versus the Detroit Red Wings in Vancouver at 7:00pm PST

I remember not so long ago, in the pre-season, in a galaxy far, far away, the Canucks defeated the Flames 6-1. What did people say about that game? Hmm, oh yeah, I remember, it’s only the pre-season, it means nothing, Calgary did not bring their full lineup, Todd Bertuzzi and Mike Cammalleri were not playing.

OK, what happened tonight? I’ll tell you.

The Canucks kicked the crap out of Flames 6-0 to open the regular season by beating the Flames in a game that means something, beating the Flames with their full lineup and beating the Flames with Todd Bertuzzi and Mike Cammalleri. Actually, the Flames should have left Todd Bertuzzi and Mike Cammalleri home. They might have at least scored a goal

This game was simple awesome.

Remember the grit, toughness and attacking the net from the pre-season? It is continuing into the regular season.

First Period >> Captain Saves the Day
After a very touching ceremony to honour Luc Bourdon, the Canucks had a slow start to the game in the first period. They even ran into penalty trouble. They were down two men around the half way point of the first period when our leader, our captain, Roberto Luongo did what a captain does best, help his team out of a jam. The saves Luongo made were simply awesome. After the penalty kill, the Canucks seemed to settle down and then the twins struck. How? You guessed it, driving to the net and not giving up on the play. As a result, Hendrik Sedin scores his first goal. Todd Bertuzzi was being booed more than cheered during this period. Bertuzzi became Bootuzzi as the fans yelled at him.

Second Period >> Driving to the Net and Scoring
The Canucks simply exploded on the Flames. Two goals in this period from Steve Bernier on a setup from the twins and one from Alexander Burrows. Mattias Ohlund made a huge hit on Todd Bertuzzi at the Canucks blueline during the period which electrified the fans at the game.

Third Period >> Grit, Determination and Character
This period saw goals from Alexander Burrows, Mattias Ohlund and Rick Rypien (short-handed). The goals were beautifully executed but there were two events in the period that demonstrated to the fans what this team is about. Daymond Langkow was in Roberto Luongo’s face during a Flames scoring chance. He punches Luongo in the head. Who comes in to settle the score? Janik Hansen. A guy who is not designated as an enforcer on the team. Awesome.

Late in the period, there was an errand hit on Hendrik Sedin in the Flames zone. In the past there might have been some pushing and shoving afterwards, but nothing to make a statement to the other team on not to take liberties on the Canucks. This time, after the hit, Steve Bernier, again not an enforcer, flies in out of nowhere and takes on Dion Phaneuf and manages to stand his ground with the big defenseman. Outstanding.

Next Game: Canucks Against the Flames on October 11 2008 at 7:00pm in Calgary

The Canucks are 6-0 in the pre-season

I know people still say that it doesn’t count right now. 

Try telling that to the fans at GM Place last night who gave the Canucks a standing ovation when the final horn sounded at the end of the third.

If the Canucks success from this pre-season carries over into the regular season, look out. 

Having the chance to see the game live yesterday, I can tell you this year’s team has two levels of play that will make it tough for opponents to beat them.

On Wednesday, everyone watched the Flames getting slaughtered by toughness and speed along with stellar goaltending from Roberto Luongo. 

Although the Canucks had a slow start to last night’s game against the Sharks, the Canucks (without Pavol Demitra, Mattias Ohlund, Ryan Kesler and Roberto Luongo) displayed the ability to make the come back win with toughness, playing a puck possession game and stellar goaltending from Curtis Sanford against a stacked Sharks team.

Some points from the game… 

1. The Canucks speed exposed Rob Blake’s inability to keep up with the young Canucks as he took two penalties in the game. Keep in mind that other teams have “aged” defensemen that play well positionally, but can’t move that fast.

2. Believe it or not, the Canucks were actually checking and hitting Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo. Unlike previous seasons where the Canucks would watch these two in awe as they made plays around the Vancouver net. 

3. The twins and Steve Bernier were awesome. This line looks to be what it is being hyped up to be, just awesome. This line alone orchestrated the come back win.

4. Hordichuk and Brown on a two on one rush. Brown’s pass was amazing, but unfortunately Hordichuk ran into Nabokov. The fans were going nuts. 

5. Curtis Sanford was outstanding. He could not have been faulted on the two goals scored on him. One goal was because one of Canucks defenseman bobbled the puck and the other goal was a shot that ricocheted off the back glass behind Sanford and landed one of the Shark’s forward’s stick who was facing an open net.

6. At the end of the game, just like a captain should, Roberto Luongo came off the bench and congratulated Curtis Sanford for a game well played. 

This was awesome.

We actually have a team coming together. 

Next Game: Sunday October 5 2008 against Anahiem at 7:00pm

The Vancouver Canucks are 4-0 in the pre-season so far.

All I hear is negativity.

Ok.

Let’s switch the scenario.

What if the Canucks were 0-4 starting the pre-season?

What would we probably hear from the fans? Hmm, let’s see and compare.

Anyway you look at it, the fans will not cut the Canucks any slack.

People, if you want to build a winner, YOU NEED TO BUILD A TEAM.

Understanding that this franchise has been around for almost 40 years with no championship teams, quick fixes do not work in sports, especially in today’s NHL.

It is time for the team to draft better, develop these draft picks and support these new players that are younger, stronger, faster and hungrier to win like Janik Hansen, Steve Bernier, Cory Schneider, Michael Grabner, Mason Raymond, Cody Hodgson, etc, rather than fund expensive veterans that have either already won the Stanley Cup or are past their prime.

This is the direction that the team seems to moving in. Fans should support this.

How would the Canucks have played if they did not trade away Cam Neely, dumped RJ Umberger, had picked Mat Sundin when they had the chance in the draft, passed on Jaromir Jagr in the draft, etc?

I just hope history doesn’t keep repeating itself here.

The Vancouver C
anucks are 4-0 in the pre-season so far.

Enjoy it.

Well, well Wellwood! Canucks are 4-0 in the pre-season

It really feels good to say that.

Again, the new guys are shining bright.

Steve Bernier had points with the Sedins, Curtis Sanford is making key saves in both the game and the shootout, and then there’s Kyle Wellwood.

Yes, I know it is pre-season, but this is the guy that Mike Gillis was being hounded about all through the summer when other teams were picking up players like Marian Hossa.

Kyle Wellwood was the key in the victory today with a nice goal during regulation time and the shootout winner. If he can stay in shape and continue to play well, I think the Canucks stole one from the Leafs. Time will tell if the Leafs screwed up again.

Next game: Wednesday October 1 2008 Against Calgary 7:00pm on TSN

The Vancouver Canucks won their second pre-season game last night at GM Place with the second half of the team that did not play the night before in Edmonton. Although this is the pre-season and the Canucks were playing against a depleted and young Oilers team, there was plenty to be optimistic about.

The three major areas that were missing from last year’s team throughout the 82 game season has been: playing in the dangerous areas around the opposition’s net, speed, and grit.

I had the opportunity to go to the game last night and from being a long time fan, I can tell you, there is a reason to be optimistic about this new group. Mr. Gillis might have remedied these weak areas from what I saw last night, in one game.

Problem: Playing in the Dangerous Areas around the Opposition’s Net

Answer: Steve Bernier

This guy was great last night and if this is any indication of what’s to come, he will be a fan favorite. When the Canucks were in the Oilers zone, Bernier was in front of the net. When he wasn’t in front of the net, he was hitting and making plays to and from Pavol Demitra. HE WAS NOT CIRCLING THE PERIMETER. There were numerous times he tried to score from right in front of the Oilers net and paid for it all night, BUT HE DID NOT BACK DOWN. Even a punch in the head from the Oiler’s net minder, Dwayne Rolston, did not faze him.

If he can keep this kind of play up with the twins, we might be in for some fun this season.

Problem: Speed

Answer: Janik Hansen, Michael Grabner

The winning goal on the night was scored in a way that last year’s team did not or could not do.

Janik Hansen was skating over the blueline. He saw one of the Oiler’s players (won’t mention his name, might embarrass him), not moving his skates. Hansen kicked it into second gear, blasted around the Oiler and drove to the net. HE DID NOT TAKE IT TO THE CORNER OR PASS IT BEHIND HIM. He then passed the puck to a speeding Michael Grabner who was DRIVING TO THE NET buried the puck behind the Oiler’s net minder.

If the rest of the team play like this throughout the year, we might see the extra scoring we need.

Problem: Grit

Answer: Darcy Hordichuk

When it was announced that Darcy Hordichuk was brought to Vancouver, we knew that he was here for toughness and grit. Well, with the way he played last night, I think we are in for a nice surprise.

He played his role well, making checks, coordinating with Alexander Burrows and not was not caught out of position. But to score the very first goal of this young season at GM Place to tie the game at 1-1, this was just too cool.

Yes, I know it was one goal, he’s not a sniper and it’s a pre-season game.

Blah, blah, blah.

It’s not just him scoring the goal, it was the way he scored the goal. What did he do? Hmm, can anyone guess? HE DROVE TO THE NET AND SCORED A GOAL WITH THE PUCK IN THE GOALIE’S CREASE.

I know he is not here to score, but I hope some of the talented individuals on the team, young and older learn from this play. PRETTY PLAYS ONLY WORK IN THE MOVIES AND WHEN GRETZKY PLAYED IN THE 1980s.

Concluding Notes

Other new Canucks, like Pavol Demitra had a decent game. His puck possession and view of the ice as he passed the puck seemed to give his linemates, Steve Bernier and Cody Hodgson confidence to make plays with him.

Cody Hodgson seemed a little nervous in his first Canucks game, but he is 18 years old. Hopefully the butterflies are gone. He was not noticeable, but that also means that he was not out of position and that he kept up with his linemates.

Oh, and one last thing. Luongo was unbelievable.

Next game: Saturday September 27 2008 against San Jose at 7:30pm PST