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

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

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 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.

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

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