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

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

There was so much discouragement from Canucks fans after the lost to Boston. In some sense, it was panic city when they lost 1-0 on Tuesday. The Sedins were criticized, Kyle Wellwood was ragged on again, Taylor Pyatt is not producing, etc. Yes, there are still areas that the team needs to improve upon, but the sign of a good team is when they rebound from a disappointing loss, especially from the fans point of view.

Well, these Canucks who were criticized came through for the team in a big way tonight.

The Vancouver Canucks won in Los Angeles tonight by shutting out the Kings 4-0.

First Period >> Getting the Lead and Protecting It
The Canucks came ready to play. So, Who scores the first goal of the game? Daniel Sedin with his third of the season on the power play. This was the one thing they needed to shake off the loss from Tusday night. During the play, Alexander Frolov from the Kings was awarded a penalty shot that our captain, Roberto Luongo, stopped. This is what a captain does for his team, he comes through when they need him. This boosted the Canucks which would allow one of our top assets, Mason Raymond to score his fourth goal of the season with helpers from the other two Canuck futures, Alex Edler and Janik Hansen. This allowed the Canucks to end the first period up 2-0 on the road.

Second Period >> Building on the Lead and Not Sitting Back
This period had end to end action. But as all Canuck fans know, a 2-0 lead is still not safe. Who adds the cushion the team needed? Kyle Wellwood does by scoring his third goal of the season which was set up by the Sedin twins on the power play. Canucks had their extra insurance marker now up 3-0. Steve Bernier had almost increased the score to 4-0, but unfortunately scored right after the period ended. Upon review, the officials disallowed the goal. (We Canuck fans can pretend it counts.)

Third Period >> Capping the Win
The last period was played to get Roberto Luongo the shutout and not make any mistakes. Well, the Canucks did it and they managed to add an extra insurance goal from Taylor Pyatt. The Canucks were up 4-0 at this point.

The Kings did have their chances during the game as there were many times where they hit the post or crossbar, but with all the poor luck the team had on Tuesday, some puck luck came to the Canucks in this game.

Positives from the Game

1. Taylor Pyatt scores is first goal. Hopefully this will take the pressure off of him and allow him to play the game better for the team.

2. Kyle Wellwood connecting with the twins. Wellwood could be a good power play companion for the twins. He has good hockey sense.

3. The twins having two points each. The produce against a Kings team where last year they could not.

4. The power play was 2 for 4 and the penalty killing was 100%. Special teams looking come through.

5. Roberto Luongo was perfect. Records his 2nd shutout of the season and his 40th shutout of his career.

Next Game : Vancouver Canucks versus the Anahiem Ducks on Friday October 31 2008 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.

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

Found a link this morning from Canucks and Beyond to a media gallery of Roberto Luongo’s new mask.  It’s a pretty cool looking mask, if maybe just a little too busy.  I kinda like the bone coloured one that he wore last year with the original jerseys.

The only thing I really don’t like about it is the big RBK logo painted right above the eyes.  Obviously that wasn’t on the mask before it was painted, and I’m wondering if it’s a requirement of all goalies to advertise for RBK this year.  Especially seeing as how its rather unlikely that every NHL goaltender is wearing an RBK mask.