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

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

Wow.

Seems the Canucks went easy on the Flames during last night’s massacre at GM Place.

If Mattias Ohlund, Willie Mitchell, Kevin Bieksa and Sami Salo had played, they might not have scored their only goal of the game. If the twins and Steve Bernier have played, we might have seen double digit scoring. J Heh, heh, heh.

 A lot of notable points from last night’s game.

First, the Canucks are 5-0 in the pre-season Really feels good to say that.

Secondly, the fans were happy, both at the game and overall from listening to the comments on the Team 1040 radio station’s post game show. There seems to be a renewing optimism building with this team. Even from those fans who were claiming that “this is just the pre-season”. The message has changed to be, as I predicted, “this will provide them momentum for when the season starts”.

Goodness, there were even praises for Kyle Wellwood. Now people want him on the team. This is the guy who people gave general manager Mike Gillis such a hard time about when he was scooped from Toronto.

Secondly, the new Canucks showed good things happen when…

1. you shoot the puck

2. pass the puck to a player who will shoot the puck

3. have players who drive to the net hard to score.

Again, the new Canucks to perform these plays, Janik Hansen, Mason Raymond, Pavol Demitra, Kyle Wellwood, Alexander Edler and Lawrence Nycholat who is trying to make the lineup.

Lastly, some people were stating that the Canucks overpowered a depleted Calgary lineup, a team that played the night before, the team that was tired, Todd Bertuzzi would have made the difference, blah, blah, blah.

Jerome Iginla was there. Dion Phaneuf was there. Mikka Kiprusoff was there. Robyn Regehr was there. Rene Bourque was sort of there until Phaneuf knocked him out with a slapshot to the ankle.

Um, aren’t these the cornerstone players of the Calgary Flames lineup?

I guess excuses work for all 29 teams in the NHL except the Vancouver Canucks. It must be a rule like, oh I don’t know, like a goalie cannot wear the captain “C”.

While people were raving about the Flames being tougher and more experienced this coming season, the Canucks are showing signs of catering to the new NHL. That being tougher and faster can prove to be more effective, hence, USE THE TEAM’S YOUTH RATHER THAN EXPENSIVE VETERANS.

In conclusion, Toronto could have used Kyle Wellwood’s help last night

Next game: Thursday October 2 2008 against SanJose at 7:00pm

The Canucks are 3-0

Feels good to say that.

Although these are just pre-season games, fans cannot deny that this team looks promising.

The new and young Canucks are having an effect on the ice already.

1. Pavol Demitra scored his first goal as a Vancouver Canuck.
2. Jason Krog scores.
3. Janik Hansen scored a goal and from what I saw and heard from TSN’s highlights, this kid is going to be an awesome addition to team, especially for the power play.
4. Cory Schneider salvaging a win for the team.

Of course, Roberto Luongo was brillant stopping everything the San Jose Sharks sent his way for the first two periods. Cory Schneider played in the third period and surrendered 2 goals, but held his ground for the tight 3-2 win.

The Canucks are 3-0

Feels good to say that, even though it is pre-season.

Next game: Sunday September 28 2008 in Anahiem at 5:00pm