How about them Canucks!

[Mowich]

Oh ya. What did you think of the intercept in OT. I was waiting for the marching band to come on the field.

The Marauders have a chance here.......is what I thought, Kreskin. All they have to do is get close enough for the FG and cross their fingers that Tyler Crapigna could redeem himself. What a finish. What a game - even with the Grey Cup talk on TSN, the hosts can't help talking about what they are calling 'the greatest Vanier Cup in history'.

If the Grey Cup is half as exciting as the Vanier Cup, we'll have ourselves a great game, Kreskin.

LIVE ON CBC Radio: 1040 Canucks Sat 26/11/2011 7:00 PM Canucks Sharks

Preview West's elite battle as Canucks visit SharksDavis Harper - NHL.com Staff Writer Stats
CANUCKS (12-9-1) at SHARKS (13-5-1)

TV: CBC, CSN-California (HD)

Last 10: Vancouver 6-4-0; San Jose 7-2-1

Season Series: This is the first of four meetings between last season's Western Conference finalists. The Canucks won tht series in five games, but it took two overtimes and 54 saves from goalie Roberto Luongo in the decisive game to do so. Two regular-season meetings went to shootouts in 2010-11, with Vancouver and San Jose winning one each.

Big Story: Both teams are enter HP Pavilion on winning streaks -- Vancouver has won three straight, San Jose four -- that suggest they are rounding into form. Saturday's game should be a stern test for two of the West's hottest teams.

Team Scope:

Canucks: After a tepid start, the Canucks are reminding the League why they left the rest of the West in the dust last season. They've outscored opponents 10-1 while winning their last three games, including shutouts in Colorado (3-0 on Wednesday) and Phoenix (5-0 on Friday). Here's a stat that should worry future opponents: Vancouver still owns the best power-play conversion rate (24.5 percent) despite scoring all eight goals during the two shutouts at full strength.

While the offense is clicking, the real story of Vancouver's run has been the play of backup goalie Cory Schneider - spelling the injured Luongo. He has won three in a row and stopped 73 of 74 shots in that span.

"We were pretty sound defensively tonight. When we did have breakdowns, a couple there in the first period, Schneids was there," center Ryan Kesler said. "He's been there for the last three games for us. He's been our best player each and every night."

Sharks: A successful team is often defined by players who seem to singlehandedly pull their peers through games. Forwards who find an extra gear to put away the game-winner with seconds to play, say, or defensemen who sacrifice life and limb to preserve a tenuous lead. Wednesday night in San Jose, that player was goalie Antti Niemi. In a 1-0 win against Chicago in which San Jose were void of attack (21 shots) and often sloppy on defense (13 giveaways, 8 PIMs), Niemi made 34 stops against his former team for his fifth straight win and first shutout of the season.

"He made some tremendous saves," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said. "He exuded confidence. We were able to survive a night where we didn't play well."

Who's Hot: While he was poor against Chicago - along with every Shark save Niemi - Patrick Marleau tallied a hat trick at Colorado and two assists against Dallas.

Injury Report: Vancouver's injury list is as long as it is varied. Keith Ballard (back) and Andrew Ebbett (foot fracture) are out indefinitely. Nolan Baumgartner will miss at least a month with a broken foot. Steve Pinizzotto (shoulder surgery), Byron Bitz (groin surgery) and Mason Raymond (fractured vertebrae) are on injured reserve. … San Jose is healthy except for goalie Antero Niittymaki, who has been sidelined all year while he recovers from hip surgery. His return is approximately a month away.

Stat Pack: Niemi can't protect the Sharks from themselves forever, and Vancouver might be the team that finally exploits their weak penalty kill. San Jose is 28th on the PK (76.2 percent), putting it almost as close to the bottom as Vancouver is to the top of PP conversion (1st with 24.5 percent). If last season's conference finals are any indication, San Jose will have their hands full. Nine of Vancouver's 19 goals in that series came on the man advantage.

Puck Drop: When asked after the Phoenix game which goalie he would start Saturday, Canucks coach Alain Vigneault was coy.

"I know who's going to play," Vigneault said. "I'm going to tell my goaltender tonight on the plane, so I've got to tell them before I tell you."


STANDINGS WESTERN CONFERENCE TEAM GP W L OT GF GA PTS
1 MIN 22 13 6 3 52 47 29
2 CHI 23 13 7 3 77 73 29
3 SJS 19 13 5 1 58 43 27
4 DET 21 13 7 1 61 48 27
5 DAL 22 13 8 1 59 61 27
6 STL 22 12 8 2 55 48 26
7 EDM 22 12 8 2 62 53 26
8 LAK 22 11 7 4 54 53 26
9 PHX 21 11 7 3 58 56 25
10 VAN 22 12 9 1 66 57 25
11 NSH 21 10 7 4 57 57 24
12 COL 22 9 12 1 56 68 19
13 CGY 21 8 12 1 45 58 17
14 ANA 22 6 12 4 48 71 16
15 CBJ 22 6 13 3 53 73 15
COMPLETE STANDINGS
STATS 2011-2012 REGULAR SEASON SKATERS:
D. Sedin 22 6 19 7 25
H. Sedin 22 7 16 8 23
A. Edler 22 3 13 0 16
S. Salo 19 5 7 6 12
C. Higgins 22 7 4 -2 11
C. Hodgson 22 4 7 1 11
R. Kesler 17 4 7 0 11
D. Hamhuis 22 2 9 3 11
A. Burrows 20 7 3 7 10
J. Hansen 22 5 4 -2 9

GOALIES: W L OT Sv% GAA
C. Schneider 5 4 0 .927 2.02
R. Luongo 7 5 1 .896 2.97
FULL TEAM STATS

Have watched several replays of the game highlights now, talloola............so glad to see the Canucks looking like the stars they are. Happy for Corey too.

 

[#juan]

I've got a feeling that Cory Schneider will be in goal for the Canucks. It is one of those
"damned if you do and damned if you don't" kinds of decisions. If Cory come out and
stands on his head and wins, you are a genius. If Luongo goes in and has another bad
night, we should have used Schneider. If Schneider blows a game, we should have
used Luo...
I think Schneider will be in and if he gets the support he did in the last three games,
They should do all right.

 

[JLM]

Another solid win for the Canucks against a tough team, albeit a nail biter for the last minute or so. Schneider is definitely a keeper. Sometime soon it might be time for a variation of the old song "So Luongo, it's been good to know you". :lol:

 

[#juan]

Well, they won the game. The score was 3 - 2 for the Canucks. Schneider was
super in goal and I think he just stole another game for the good guys.

 

[talloola]

yes he was great against a very very good team, that is what a goalie needs to do against these kinds
of teams.
canucks played very well, but the fire power on the san jose team was overwhelming at times, and he
made the difference.

these last few wins for canucks is very important for them, helps them move forward
and become a better team again.

 

[Kreskin]

I like that the goaltender position is no longer being treated as a Luongo entitlement. Who cares how much money he makes, if he's better off on the bench that's where he should be.

 

[#juan]

I like that the goaltender position is no longer being treated as a Luongo entitlement. Who cares how much money he makes, if he's better off on the bench that's where he should be.

It's not so much a Luongo entitlement as it is a Canuck's entitlement. For six million dollars the Canucks are entitled to a player
who does more than sit on the bench. On the other hand, if Luongo returned to his earlier form, the Canucks would have a pair of great goaltenders who would take them as far, if not farther than last year.

I like that the goaltender position is no longer being treated as a Luongo entitlement. Who cares how much money he makes, if he's better off on the bench that's where he should be.

It's not so much a Luongo entitlement as it is a Canuck's entitlement. For six million dollars the Canucks are entitled to a player
who does more than sit on the bench. On the other hand, if Luongo returned to his earlier form, the Canucks would have a pair of great goaltenders who would take them as far, if not farther than last year.

 

[Kreskin]

It's not so much a Luongo entitlement as it is a Canuck's entitlement. For six million dollars the Canucks are entitled to a player
who does more than sit on the bench. On the other hand, if Luongo returned to his earlier form, the Canucks would have a pair of great goaltenders who would take them as far, if not farther than last year.



It's not so much a Luongo entitlement as it is a Canuck's entitlement. For six million dollars the Canucks are entitled to a player
who does more than sit on the bench. On the other hand, if Luongo returned to his earlier form, the Canucks would have a pair of great goaltenders who would take them as far, if not farther than last year.

Earlier form, as in 5 years ago. He hasn't played like an NHL goaltender since they lost to Anaheim in what, '06?

I agree Wayne but he has to get paid whether or not he's on the bench watching the team win or losing games on the ice. Playing him just because he gets paid a lot is like two wrongs not making a right.

 

[#juan]

Earlier form, as in 5 years ago. He hasn't played like an NHL goaltender since they lost to Anaheim in what, '06?

I agree Wayne but he has to get paid whether or not he's on the bench watching the team win or losing games on the ice. Playing him just because he gets paid a lot is like two wrongs not making a right.

You are absolutely right, but how long is it going to take for Schneider's agent to demand a huge salary for Cory now that he
is demonstrating what he can do? Another few days maybe......:roll::smile:?

 

[talloola]

I like that the goaltender position is no longer being treated as a Luongo entitlement. Who cares how much money he makes, if he's better off on the bench that's where he should be.

yeah, and the two goalies made that choice, the coaches just had to be patient and see how it all played
out.
luongo won't be on the bench for long, he has to play at some point, but if his play doesn't get better
in next game and games to follow, then the #1 and #2 will switch around, its all about winning, and
vineault also has a job to protect, (his own), and he they don't win that job comes into play, so he
doesn't care what goalie plays, just make it the one who will help the team win, not lose.

it has been touchy because of the status of luongo, as you say, and yes, that treatment of him is changing
now, BUT doesn't mean its forever, because its not really about them, its about 'winning'.

schneider's style is so solid, I love watching him in the nets, no flailing around with arms and legs
sticking out in every direction, and belly flopping in so many situations like luongo was doing.

what I like about the present situation, is that schneider won't be traded away now, it seems to me
he is cementing his ties with the team, and at the end of this year, (or sooner), he will be given
a new contract, (as his present one runs out at the end of the season). It would be nice to have
a 'home grown' goalie to stay with the team for a long time.

 

[TenPenny]

It's not so much a Luongo entitlement as it is a Canuck's entitlement. For six million dollars the Canucks are entitled to a player
who does more than sit on the bench. On the other hand, if Luongo returned to his earlier form, the Canucks would have a pair of great goaltenders who would take them as far, if not farther than last year.

If they can trade Luongo, they should do so, and maybe they can get a backup goaltender.

It will be hard to find someone willing to pay for Luongo, though.

I honestly don't think he'll do much of anything until he's traded, he needs a new start somewhere else.

 

[talloola]

It's not so much a Luongo entitlement as it is a Canuck's entitlement. For six million dollars the Canucks are entitled to a player
who does more than sit on the bench. On the other hand, if Luongo returned to his earlier form, the Canucks would have a pair of great goaltenders who would take them as far, if not farther than last year.


QUOTE]

sharing the nets as a pair, equally never seems to work, not sure why, but it doesn't. one has to be
the starter, one has to be the backup.

and as kreskinsays, doesn't matter (in reality) where luongo is, he has to be paid anyway, the team
has to win, that is key.

schneider will get a new contract, but what happened with the luongo signing will not happen again, that
I can guarantee, a big mistake.

schneider's agent won't be asking for the moon, just a fair contract for a job well done. schneider
hasn't got a big list of past accomplishments, he is just starting his NHL career, he will be paid
accordingly, but i'm sure if this trend continues, with him playing more than luongo, his agent will
want an explanation of 'just how' schneider will be handled after next contract, that is where gillis
will have to come up with a plan that is good for schneider, OR he will probably ask to be traded to
a team that will give him the 'starting' position, and it will be his job to keep or lose, and he
won't be considered a back up, as he isn't a back up, that is not his aim in life right now, it is
only what he is settling on because he needs the experience, and he needs his value to rise in the
eyes of the rest of the NHL gen. mgrs. so his name becomes familiar, and the respect for him as a
very good goalie travels around the league, and that word 'backup' is erased.

 

[Mowich]

Good win by the Canucks last night. Glad to see Ryan is getting back into form. Actually got to watch the game as it followed the Pens vs Habs game on CBC. Way to go, Corey...........keep up the good work.

 

[JLM]

Good win by the Canucks last night. Glad to see Ryan is getting back into form. Actually got to watch the game as it followed the Pens vs Habs game on CBC. Way to go, Corey...........keep up the good work.

I was sort of impressed with Andrew Albert, both play and attitude. I'd rename him "Moose". :lol:

 

[talloola]

I was sort of impressed with Andrew Albert, both play and attitude. I'd rename him "Moose". :lol:

I like that too. lol

 

[#juan]

It looks like Schneider will be in goal again for the Canucks tonight. I'm guessing Schneider will
be playing as long as he keeps on winning. It's pretty hard to go against success. Luongo's
"upper body injury" could keep him out for a good while yet.:smile:

 

[talloola]

LIVE ON SNET-P(HD) Radio: 1040 Flames Sun 04/12/2011 6:00 PM Canucks Flames 0

A rare poor effort by Cory Schneider opened the door for Roberto Luongo to see some action in the Vancouver Canucks' last game.

It will be interesting to see whether Schneider or Luongo gets the start Sunday night when the Canucks try to continue their recent dominance of the visiting Calgary Flames.

Schneider has started every game since Nov. 16, including a five-start winning streak during which he posted a 0.79 goals-against average with two shutouts Nov. 20-29. However, he gave up three goals on five shots in the first period of Thursday's 6-5 home loss to Nashville and was pulled in favor of Luongo.

"I'm just frustrated that I put the team in that position, you put your goaltending partner in that position," Schneider said. "It's never easy to come into a game cold like that."

Luongo stopped 12 of 15 shots in his first appearance since Nov. 13.

"I felt pretty good, obviously it was my first action in awhile," Luongo said. "I'm just going to be looking to build off of that, and we have plenty of games left."

Vancouver (14-10-1) is 9-0-2 against Calgary (11-12-2) since its last regulation loss in the series, 5-3 on Oct. 16, 2009. Luongo has started all but one of those contests, going 8-0-2 with a 1.87 GAA. He was in net for this season's lone previous matchup, a 5-1 road victory Nov. 1.

Schneider, meanwhile, is 1-1-0 with a 2.45 GAA in two career starts versus the Flames.

The Canucks are hoping their penalty kill fares better than Thursday, when it allowed Nashville to score on all three power-play chances.

"It was an entertaining game without a doubt, not the way we had drawn it up," coach Alain Vigneault said. "I liked everything about our game except for our penalty-killing, and obviously both our goaltenders would probably like to have a couple of those back."

The Flames should pose a threat with the man advantage. Calgary's 26.3 power-play percentage on the road is the league's third-best.

Olli Jokinen and Mikael Backlund scored with the man advantage Saturday to help the Flames win 5-3 at Edmonton.

Jokinen added an empty-net goal and Jarome Iginla had three assists as Calgary rallied after giving up the game's first two goals within the first three minutes.

"It wasn't the start we wanted to have," Jokinen said. "We needed to get back to our game and play good defense against this team."

Miikka Kiprusoff, who made 26 saves to earn the win for Calgary, is 2-8-0 with a 4.90 GAA in his last 10 starts against the Canucks. Backup Henrik Karlsson played the third period of the Nov. 1 loss, not allowing a goal but only facing three shots.

Vancouver left wing Mason Raymond is finally set to make his season debut. Raymond missed the first 24 games of the season with a back injury, but a paperwork issue kept him out Thursday.

"He was real disappointed, he was ready to play, he wanted to come in and help his teammates, it's unfortunate for him, but things happen sometimes," Vigneault told the Canucks' official website.


STANDINGS WESTERN CONFERENCE TEAM GP W L OT GF GA PTS
1 MIN 26 16 7 3 64 57 35
2 CHI 27 16 8 3 90 84 35
3 DAL 26 15 10 1 69 72 31
4 DET 24 16 7 1 73 52 33
5 STL 26 14 9 3 63 58 31
6 LAK 26 13 9 4 60 58 30
7 SJS 23 14 8 1 67 56 29
8 VAN 25 14 10 1 78 66 29
9 PHX 25 13 9 3 67 62 29
10 EDM 27 13 11 3 76 71 29
11 NSH 26 12 10 4 68 71 28
12 COL 26 12 13 1 71 76 25
13 CGY 25 11 12 2 59 67 24
14 ANA 25 7 13 5 57 81 19
15 CBJ 26 7 16 3 62 88 17
COMPLETE STANDINGS
STATS 2011-2012 REGULAR SEASON SKATERS: GP G A +/- Pts
D. Sedin 25 8 21 7 29
H. Sedin 25 8 18 8 26
A. Edler 25 3 15 0 18
C. Higgins 25 7 7 0 14
R. Kesler 20 5 9 2 14
D. Hamhuis 25 2 12 4 14
A. Burrows 23 9 4 10 13
S. Salo 21 5 8 7 13
C. Hodgson 25 5 7 2 12
J. Hansen 25 6 5 -3 11

GOALIES: W L OT Sv% GAA
C. Schneider 7 4 0 .930 2.12
R. Luongo 7 6 1 .892 3.05

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

luongo will be in goal tonight

 

[JLM]

I didn't see the game but C.B.C. radio reports that Luongo is back to his former self as they gave Calgary a 5-1 trouncing! :lol:

 

[Cannuck]

East

Atlantic

PHI
WSH
NYR
NYI
FLA
TBY
NJD
CAR

N.E.

BUF
PIT
TOR
OTT
BOS
MON
QUE
DET


West

Central

WIN
CHI
MIN
STL
NSH
CBJ
DAL

Pacific

LAK
SJS
COL
ANA
EDM
CAL
LAK

Conference A
Anaheim
Calgary
Colorado
Edmonton
Los Angeles
Phoenix
San Jose
Vancouver

Conference B
Chicago
Columbus
Dallas
Detroit
Minnesota
Nashville
St. Louis
Winnipeg

Conference C
Boston
Buffalo
Florida
Montreal
Ottawa
Tampa Bay
Toronto

Conference D
Carolina
New Jersey
NY Islanders
NY Rangers
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Washington

Looks like I was pretty close. Of course, mine has Phx moved to Kweebeck. When that happens, I can see FLA and TBY switching to the D conference. It make sense for them to play in the same division as Carolina.

 

[talloola]

(HD) Radio: 1040 Avalanche Tue 06/12/2011 7:00 PM Canucks Avalanche

Preview Surging Canucks set to host AvsDeborah Francisco - NHL.com Staff Writer Stats

Last 10: Colorado 5-5-0, Vancouver 7-3-0.

Season Series: This is the second time this season that these two Northwest Division rivals will face each other out of a season total of six meetings. The Canucks shut out the Avalanche, 3-0, in the first contest on Nov. 23.

Big Story: Colorado and Vancouver are neck and neck in the Northwest Division standings as Colorado trails Vancouver by a margin of four points; however, the two points up for grabs in this tilt are vital to catch up to the division-leading Minnesota Wild. Minnesota has a six-point advantage in the division standings and doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

Team Scope:

Avalanche: Colorado has won three-straight games for the first time since it opened the season with a 5-0, five-game road trip. This is Colorado's first road game since the 17th of November. The Avalanche went 5-3-0 in that eight-game homestand. The recent success at home ended a funk that kept Colorado from winning at home. Prior to this homestand, Colorado was 2-6-0 at the Pepsi Center.

Part of Colorado's recent success can be credited to second-line center, Ryan O'Reilly, who has seven points in his last three games (four goals) after having only two assists in his previous seven contests combined.

"I don't think I've had this many points in a row," O'Reilly said. "My linemates make me look good."

Rookie defenseman Stefan Elliot also contributed with his first career goal and an additional two points since being called up from Colorado's AHL affiliate on November 26.

Colorado is coming off of a big 4-2 win over the Red Wings

Canucks: Vancouver is looking to win for the seventh time in eight games as it takes on the Avalanche at Rogers Arena. Roberto Luongo made his first start suffering an upper-body injury on Nov. 13. He also filled in for Cory Schneider in the previous game when Schneider was pulled in the first period.

"It was nice to get back in there with a win," Luongo said. "That was the goal, and the boys did a great job."

Luongo stopped 21 shots to lead the Canucks to 5-1 victory over division rival Calgary.

Chris Higgins and David Booth each had a goal and two assists in that contest to assist Luongo in his homecoming. This win came on the heels of a tight 6-5 loss to the Nashville Predators on Thursday night.

While Schneider performed admirably in net in Luongo's absence, the Canucks are happy to have their No. 1 starting goalie back between the pipes.

"Bobby showed once again why he's one of the top goalies in the League," Higgins said. "I'm really happy I don't have to shoot on him."

Who's Hot: O'Reilly was named the NHL's Second Star of the Week for his seven points in four games including three games straight with at least two points. … Daniel Sedin leads the Canucks in both goals (9) and assists (21).

Injury Report: Colorado forwards Peter Mueller (concussion) and Mark Olver (head) remain on IR … Canucks winger Andrew Ebbett (foot) is out at least another two weeks, while Aaron Volpatti (shoulder) is done for the season. Byron Bitz (hip) is also out.

Stat Pack: Vancouver forward Alex Burrows has scored in two straight games against Colorado.

Puck Drop: "Hopefully, we're turning the tide a bit here and it's nice to get some wins at home," Avalanche winger T.J. Galiardi said. "We talked about it before the New Jersey game (Nov. 30), we needed somewhere to start, something to build off of and since then we've been playing some pretty good hockey."