Thank heavens that atrocious road trip from hell is over. With the Canuck’s final stop in Pittsburgh today to take on Sidney Crosby and Evegin Malkin, no one expected the team to win. Not because the Canucks did not match up against the Penguins, but due to fatigue.

Well, the Canucks showed their fans that it takes more than the stupid NHL scheduling to break this team’s spirits as the Vancouver Canucks froze the Pittsburgh Penguins in their tracks 3-1 in Pittsburgh this afternoon.

The Sedin twins had a great afternoon where Daniel Sedin had a goal and two assists, Henrik Sedin had three assists and Pavol Demitra had two goals. That line combined for 8 points today. Absolutlely awsome.

What was more impressive is how they played their game when Captain Roberto Luongo was injured in the first period. When Curtis Sanford entered the game, the Canucks carried on with their game plan. They played a defensive style game where they shut down the high flying Penguins and had opportunities open up for them on which they capitalized. There was a 10 to 12 minute stretch in the second period where the Penguins did not register a shot on Sanford. This is the sign of a team that believes in one another and is not relying on one person to make a difference. They all contributed to make a difference. The team celebration at the end of the game showed this best.

They completed the road trip 3-0-1 where most were hoping they would achieve the 500 mark. This is truly aremarkable accomplishment by the team. All Canuck fans should be very proud of them. But in reality, no team should have gone through this type of road trip. Check out the map posted below and follow the order of the games keeping time zones in mind and the dates (map image from Google search).

The NHL really needs to help ALL 30 TEAMS have a fair travel schedule through the season. For example, if the New York Rangers had to travel to Calgary, then Edmonton, then perhaps to Toronto to play the next night and then travel back towards Vancouver before returning home, believe me, this would not happen again in the future or it would be corrected before the schedule comes out.

Honestly, my opinon is that Luongo’s injury is influenced by this road trip. Not only is this the last game on the trip, but it was an early game. Everyone has a morning routine they go through before they start their day. If anything disturbs your routine before you go work, to school or church it can throw your day off, or in this case Luongo’s timing.

Let’s just hope that the lower body injury they are reporting is not serious and that Luongo will back in the lineup soon.

This road trip was a success, but with all forms of success, there are usually some pitfalls, and in this case, our captain ended up injured. I hope the Canucks discuss this road trip with the NHL and try to ensure that a road trip like this does not happen again in the future.

Next Game: Vancouver Canucks versus the Detroit Red Wings on Monday November 24 2008

On a night where the Vancouver Canucks met their former Captain Markus Naslund as an opponent for the first time since his leaving Vancouver, not even Naslund would have guessed at the offensive onslaught his former team generated over the Rangers. The Canucks, simply put, were awesome tonight as they disposed of the New York Rangers by a score of 6-3.

Do not let that score fool you. The Canucks made mince meat out of the NHL’s # 1 prize franchise and embarrassed them throughout the first half of the game. The Rangers basically did not show up until it was way too late. I guess they might not have taken the Canucks seriously.

Big mistake.

First Period
The first period saw the Canucks jump out into a 2-0 lead with a breakaway goal by Kyle Wellwood and a shorthanded breakaway goal by Alexander Burrows. This was enough to silence the crowd. Not just because the Canucks were up 2-0, but the way the Canucks scored. The Rangers defense basically left Henrik Lundqvist at the mercy of his attackers where he could not be faulted. In fact, Lundqvist stopped Mason Raymond on a breakaway or else it would have been 3-0.

Second Period
The second period continued with the Canucks attacking the Rangers. Alexander Burrows scored on an excellent shot from in front of the Rangers net which was then followed up the first goal of the season by Ryan Johnsonoff a rush. It was at this point that Canucks were in full control of the game. The Rangers capitalized on a power play goal to make it 4-1 shortly after, but the Canucks were not done yet. Their aggresive play caused the Rangers to take penalty after penalty which gave the Canucks a long 5 on 3 power play. Well, the beginning of the power play, however, was really 5 on 4.

Why do you ask? I can tell you. The fourth defenseman for the Rangers was the video goal judge.

The first “fifth goal” for the Canucks (I know that sounds weird) would have been awarded to Sami Salo, as his slap shot found its way through Lundqvist and trickled over the goal line before one of the Ranger’s defenseman swept the puck away.

The guys on TSN agreed that it was goal. I was watching the game in high definiton and I clearly saw the puck cross the goal line. The goal, however, was disallowed. I guess the officials in New York were desperate to help their “golden franchise” or they haven’t discovered high definition yet.

Honestly, this was a crap load of “pony pooh”. (I am trying to be nice.) I hope the Canucks question the league about that goal because it was a wrong call. Anyway, the hockey gods avenged the Canucks by allowing Pavol Demitra to score the second “fifth goal” right after the first “fifth goal” no goal ruling. Canucks were up 5-1.

The funny part was that Henrik Lundqvist clearly had enough at that point. He pulled himself out of the net, or so it seemed, and had Stephen Valiquette play the rest of the game.

Third Period
Things settled down and the teams exchanged a goal a piece to settle the game 6-3. The third goal did see Markus Naslund get an assist to at least have one point against his former team. The sixth goal for Vancouver was an empty netter from Daniel Sedin.

Next Game: Vancouver Canucks versus the Minnesota Wild on Thursday November 20 2008

Talk about feeding your opposition a taste of their own medicine.

Let’s see. What is Minnesota’s one and only way to play the game of hockey?

1. Get the first goal.
2. Check the hell out of the other team.
3. Trap like crazy by clogging up the neutral zone.
4. Have your goaltender stop everything.
5. Frustrate your opponent by getting a late goal to wrap up the night.

Well, the Canucks decided to stick it to Minnesota tonight using this formula and defeated them 2-0.

By winning tonight, they also are the leaders on top of the Northwest Divsion.

Sami Salo scored early in the first period on the power play and Daniel Sedin scored a late goal in the third period on a partial breakaway to seal the deal and have GM Place erupt with a standing ovation.

Although GM Place went nuts when Daniel Sedin scored, the best part was when the clock was winding down in the third and the fans performed a countdown for the team’s captain, Roberto Luongo, as he recorded his third shutout in a row this week.

After 15 games the team has played this season, Roberto Luongo has 5 shutouts with the games he has played.

This was no easy night for him though. The stops he made not only required razor sharp focus but absolute perfect anticipation of where the shots from the Wild were going to come from. Honestly, some of the stops looked painful to watch as he stretched and moved so fast and from one extreme to another.

After the game Luongo commented in an interview that he was going to rest tomorrow and watch some football before he returns to practice with the team on Monday.

Roberto, have a nice day off. You deserve it buddy.

Next Game: Colorado Avalanche versus Vancouver Canucks, Wednesday November 12 2008 at 7:00pm PST

On a night where most of the world was focused on the 44th Presidential Election in the United States of America where history was made with Barack Obama elected as the first African-American President in the country’s history, there were a small band of Canuck fans, say 18,000 or so, who went to GM Place in Vancouver to cheer on their Canucks team.

It was a night of many important events that made this game special, where the Vancouver Canucks shutout the Nashville Predators 4-0.

To summarize, there were five main triumphant cheers tonight at GM Place for these main events.

1. Congratulatory applause for the new President of the United States.
2. The Predator’s coach, Barry Trotz, applauded for his 750th game coached.
3. The excellent performance by the game’s first star, Kyle Wellwood.
4. Roberto Luongo achieving his third shoutout of this young season.
5. The Canucks winning the game 4-0.

First Period >> Getting Synchronized
The first period started with both teams playing very tentatively. The Predators were keeping things simple and the Canuckswere a little out of sync. Although both side had their chances, the goalies, Roberto Luongo and Dan Ellis, were sharp. The period ended tied 0-0.

Second Period >> Taking the Lead
The Canucks started to come on this period. I think they got mad, which can be a good thing.

Martin Erat gave his old teammate, Darcy Hordichuk, a cheap shot in front of the Predator’s bench and got a penalty for it putting the Canucks on the power play.

It was on this power play where a “garbage or bang away in the goal mouth crease” goal put the Canucks on the board. The Sedin twins managed to get the puck to Kyle Wellwood on this power play where he banged the puck home for his 5th goal of the season. Canucks were up 1-0.

This made the Predator’s upset, so Nick Tarnasky decided to drop the gloves with Shane O’Brien and duke it out. It was a good fight with both players landing good punches to one another.

There was feeling coming into the game.

Third Period >> Finishing the Predators Off
The third period is where the  found their scoring touch again. Mason Raymond scored his fifth of the season on another one of Vancouver’s power plays when a point shot from Kevin Bieksa made it to the net with Steve Bernier banging at the puck on one side of the net and Mason Raymond on the other. The Canucks were now up 2-0.

But wait, there’s more.

There was a faceoff in the Predator’s zone around the six minute mark. The Canucks win the faceoff with the puck ending up on Taylor Pyatt’s stick. He manages to find Kyle Wellwood alone in front of the net, where he put three or so moves on the Predator’s netminder, Dan Ellis, and scored the Canuck’s third goal on the night.

For a guy that people were questioning in the past, he was now receiving cheers and applause. In fact, right after the goal, the whole stadium chanted “Wellwood”, “Wellwood”, “Wellwood” for about 10-15 seconds to congratulate him for his efforts and that he leads the team with 6 goals on the season. In certain cases, there are specialty players in the league. They may not be flashy, but they have good hockey sense and know where to be at the right time. Kyle Wellwood is one of these players.

Daniel Sedin wrapped up the night with his fourth goal of the season, in a similar fashion to Wellwood’s first goal of the game, banging away in the crease for the loose puck. This is a great sign. If the Sedins are willing to pay the price to try to score goals in the “dangerous” areas, they will have elevated their game to have more grit.

Next Game: Vancouver Canucks versus Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday November 6 2008 at 7:00pm PST

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

Another home game, another six goals. All in a day’s work.

The Vancouver Canucks defaeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-3 last night which was kicked off with the unveiling of the 7th Canuck tribute.

This was very nicely done with Cliff Ronning passing the number 7 he wore during his time in Vancouver to the fans so that we are part of the team during any Canucks game at GM Place. (Hope Brendon Morrison is OK with this as this was his number too.)

That tribute just made the arena even more louder than before.

The Canucks improved on their power play by scoring four power play goals. This was the difference in the game. The Canucks should be very pleased with Mason Raymond scoring two goals, Janik Hansen scoring two goals, Kyle Wellwood and Jason Krog scoring the other goals. This is great for the team, especially because there is not as much depending on the twins coupled with the fact that Pavol Demitra will be out for a while.

They still have a lot of areas to improve upon, but for now, they are winning the games within their division.

These are the games that really count.

Next Game: Vancouver Canucks versus the Boston Bruins on Tuesday October 28 2008 at 7:00pm

I can hear the fans for the Canucks changing to critics already.

The Canucks lost today in Chicago by a score of 4-2. This loss puts them at 3-3-0 in the standings and 2-3-0 on this six game road trip.

Now with that being said, let’s look at this in perspective.

Of the three games they lost, two of them were from the Eastern Conference. Although these games from Washington and Buffalo would have provided valuable points for the Canucks in the standings, they were technically mean nothing games in a sense as the team is not fighting Washington or Buffalo for a playoff spot.

They need to beat the teams in the Western Conference, especially within their division. So far this season, they have done just this.

The loss tonight, however, is the one I cannot justify. This was a game they needed to win simply due to the fact that Chicago is an improved team from last year and will probably be fighting the Canucks for a playoff spot.

As a team, they need to re-group and try to win in Columbus, another team that the Canucks will be fighting with for a playoff spot.

They seemed to start well with Pavol Demitra opening the scoring, but after that, it was all Chicago.

Next game: Canucks versus Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday October 21 2008

After opening the regular season with two highly emotional wins against the Calgary Flames, no one expected the effort that the Vancouver Canucks had against the Washington Capitals on Monday.

The loss to the Capitals not only worried and frightened Canucks fans, but had given rise to those annoying critics we all know and hear everyday that no matter what the Canucks do, they will fail in the end.

Athletes can have a bad game. People do have bad days. We are all human.

In situations such as this, leaders within the dressing room must take control and steer the ship onto its rightful course. Most of the time, it is the veterans sharing their past experiences, coaches reminding the players of their duties on the ice and the captain of the team leading by example.

But sometimes this is not enough.

A lot of times hard work, determination and grit are the best things that can win hockey games.

Well, Luc Bourdon must be smiling on his good friend Alexander Burrows as Burrows was the key to yesterday’s victory.

First Period >> A New Hope

When the game started, I am quite sure that the Canucks and their fans were holding their breath as this was the first meeting against the Stanley Cup champions this season. Roberto Luongo was performing well, Willie Mitchell, Mattias Ohlund and Ryan Kesler were playing their roles as the period progressed, but we all knew that they needed a positive result to really gain momentum.

The hardest working forward on the team, Alexander Burrows provided this. With a great rush up the ice, his attempt to score allowed Janik Hansen to score his first goal of the season on the rebound.

Now, just think about what this goal meant to the team. The first goal scored in the game, in Detroit. The pressure of amending for what happened in Washington is starting to wear off. Janik Hansen, another young prospect we need, scores his first goal. Awesome.

Pavel Datsyuk scored next on an unbelievable shot that no one saw and had to be reviewed to ensure it was a goal.

Burrows helped again with the second goal of the game. Ryan Kesler scored on a deflection in front of the net from a point shot. That point shot was made due to Burrows winning the battle against the boards.

The Canucks took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission. So cool.

Second Period >> Home Team Strikes Back

Detroit is too good a team to just roll over in their own building. They scored the next two goals in the second period and taking the lead 3-2 into the second intermission. Normally this could spell the end for any team playing Detroit, in Detroit, but the best was yet to come.

Third Period >> Return of the Canucks

Personally, the third period the Canucks played against Detroit was one of the most intense I have seen in a long time. It had a playoff atmosphere.

The Canucks tied the game early when Pavel Demitra, Willie Mitchell attempted to score on a rush only to have Mason Raymond bury the loose puck. For all those critics that were blasting Raymond and Demitra, there you go, Raymond scored a crucial goal, game tied.

The two teams were at each other’s throats, up and down the ice for the remainder of the third. Just terrific hockey.

Regulation time ended with the two teams tied at 3-3.

Overtime >> Reward for Hard Work

Getting a point in Detroit would have been enough for Canuck fans and would have been a moral victory for the Canucks.

It seems this was not enough for Alexander Burrows.

He essentially scored the game winning goal in the same way Janik Hansen scored, but this time he scored on his own rebound when the puck came back to him.

The silence in Joe Louis arena was enough to feel the shock Detroit felt that the Vancouver Canucks beat them 4-3.

Like I said, all teams can have a bad game. The true test of character is what the team does in next game. Alexander Burrows and the team showed everyone that they can play and win against the big teams in the league.

Oh, one more thing for the critics out there. Henrik Zetterberg did not play last night and I know that “it would have been different if he had been in the lineup”. Point is, Canucks win.

Next Game: Friday October 17 2008 against the Buffalo Sabres

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

With all the excitement that the Vancouver Canucks are generating by starting their 2008-2009 regular season, the team began its first game of the season at home with an opening ceremony to honour Luc Bourdon.

This promising young defenseman was going to be one of the corner stones of the Canucks future but that will never come to be as he died in a tragic motorcycle accident in June of this year.

The Canucks had a video tribute with Tom Cochrane performing live with a touching song that complimented the video. The video showed Luc as he grew up, learning the game of hockey and his moments during the World Junior Championship team in Vancouver along with his brief moments with the Canucks.

The Canucks also honoured his memory by unveiling the “Wall of Dreams”. This wall is located at Gate 3 inside General Motors Place to honour Luc’s memory and demonstrate to young athletes that dreams can come true with hard work, determination and heart.

The Canucks and thier fans lost a family member this year but he will forever be in our memories.

As the Canucks say, Luc is “Forever a Canuck”.

The image of the pin shown on this post can be purchased at General Motors Place starting October 10 2008. The proceeds from the pin sales will be forwarded to the Luc Bourdon Foundation.