How about them Canucks!

#juan

Hall of Fame Member
Aug 30, 2005
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If the Canucks can get to a shoot out, they probably have an advantage in Luongo. The team needs a couple good defencemen. They can score goals but they don't seem to be able to hang onto a lead.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
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Vancouver Island
they just acquired one good defencemen and one good centreman who are helping us, and making
definite improvements. We played a "very good" game last night, and the tieing of the game is not
about our lack of talent it's about the talent on the other team. The pass that Pavel Demitra gave
across the front of the net, was a "perfect" pass, no defencemen can stop that, it is the talent
of the player doing the passing, and Pavel Demitra is one of the best in the league, and then when
you join him with Marion Gaborik, you have a duo that matches any two players at the top of
their game, Gaborik didn't score that particular goal, but they do play together, and are dangerous
every time they step on the ice, just like the Sedin's are on our team, as other teams have to
figure out how to stop them, sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.

Minnesota had to battle last night as well as us. both teams are very close in standings, and there
isn't one game where any one team is going to "breeze" through a game and not have to worry
about what the other team is doing. The league "just" isn't like that.

I believe our success is about everything we have done "right" and not about our shortcomings.
All the teams have "areas" where they have to improve, no different with our team.

We are going to the playoffs this year, most didn't think that would happen, if we get through the
first round that would be great, who knows, nobody has a leg up on anyone when playoffs start.
Remember last year?

The one "weak" play last night, was Luongo's rebound he gave out, which resulted in an easy goal
for minnesota, and without that goal, we wouldn't have had to go into overtime at all.

GO CANUCKS GO
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
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Vancouver Island
I had the pleasure of going to the game last night. Canucks played great, and surprised the "hell" out
of Tampa Bay, as I think they thought they were going to come into our "barn" and blow us away.
Big surprise for them. They looked very ordinary, their big scoring line got slowed down to a crawl
and they ended up very frustrated, and just before the end of the game all they could think of to do
was pick a fight. Glad the referees prevented that, cause it would have only allowed Tampa Bay to
vent their frustrations.
Canucks are playing an allround solid team game, good for playoffs.
We're not perfect, but name me a team that is.
We're not the best in the NHL, but noone knows what team "is" ,either, and when playoffs arrive it is
a new start, and it's anyone's to win.


GO CANUCKS GO
 

Tonington

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 27, 2006
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How about Jeff Cowan, he's playing a good game right now. They should sign him now.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
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He fits perfectly on that line with Morrison and Cooke, he skates well and has lots of energy and a
good shot, it might have taken him a long time, but I think he has found his "linemates", and I
hope they sign him too, why wouldn't they.
Kind of a so so game against Phoenix tonight, not many people at the game, what a stupid place
to have an NHL team.
Tomorrow in San Jose, that will be a "jumpin" place, and a tough game.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
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Vancouver Island
Great game in San Jose tonight. 1-1 tie after regulation, then Canucks dominated overtime, had the
puck most of the time, then Henrik scored on a breakaway from Bieksa and Daniel to win.

We outshot them by quite a bit, played a very smart disciplined game, and I'm sure Vineault was very
proud of them tonight.

We play Anaheim Sunday.
We are 6th overall - 3rd in the conference - and 1st in our division

GO CANUCKS GO
 

Kreskin

Doctor of Thinkology
Feb 23, 2006
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When Vigneault signed someone mentioned to him that there was often an inconsistent team effort. He said he'd fix that pretty quick. He was right, the team seems relentless in effort. You don't hear that excuse much this year. Who knows if they go anywhere in the playoffs but whoever beats them will need to show up with their A game. There are a lot of good teams in the top half of the league - anyone could win the cup if their stars align correctly.
 

Tonington

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 27, 2006
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The nucks had a slow start, but they're hitting their stride at the right time. Going into the playoffs, I don't think theres a team playing consistantly well like the Canucks are. Should be fun to watch in the playoffs.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
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Vancouver Island
When Vigneault signed someone mentioned to him that there was often an inconsistent team effort. He said he'd fix that pretty quick.

They also got rid of that big "selfish,lazy,slug", and replaced him with better players, who understand
a "team" concept.

He was right, the team seems relentless in effort. You don't hear that excuse much this year. Who knows if they go anywhere in the playoffs but whoever beats them will need to show up with their A game.

That's right, we will be in the playoffs this year, first goal reached, now, to see how far they can
go, and that applies to "all" teams, as playoffs are a new season, and matchups and momentum are
such a key part of playoffs, and injuries play into it as well, "hence" last year, when Buffalo faded
as a result of many injuries, as they were the "team" to beat, and couldn't do it. And Edmonton
built momentum, as their goaltending and defensive effort paid off, and that can carry a team
far in the playoffs. When they beat Detroit in first round last year, I saw such a spark and work
effort and excitement on that Edmonton team.
It's possible that both teams who were in finals last year are not going to be in playoffs this year.
Carolina is fighting for last playoff spot now, and might not make it, and of course Edmonton is
allready out of it.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
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OK, it was bound to come sooner or later. A loss. First one in a while. The game started OK,
Canucks were playing fine, but then penalties and fights broke out, we lost Bieksa for 17 minutes at
one time, then 10 minutes another time. The flow of the game was all out of sinc. Anaheim played
a little better than we did, with exception for 2nd period, where we outplayed them by quite a bit.
We also had "no" puck luck at all, as there was 3 occasions where it looked like a "sure" goal and
just didn't happen, so, that's the way it goes sometimes, and both of Selanne's goals
were lucky bounces, not pretty at all.
Both goalies played well.

When they went ahead by 2 goals, then Anaheim went into defensive mode and it was difficult to
get the puck, then keep it for any length of time. Teamo Sallane is a great player, perhaps the
best pure goal scorer in the NHL, scored his 40th tonight.

We didn't have our good skating legs tonight, seemed a little tired in the last period, but all in all
it wasn't a bad game, lots of punching and jawing, setting the tone for the playoffs I guess.

We play Minnesota on Tuesday, they are only 2 points behind us, so it is a "huge" game for the
division.

GO CANUCKS GO
 
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talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
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Vancouver Island
Strange game tonight. We scored two goals early in game, looked pretty good, but then Canucks
lost some intensity, didn't play as well as they can. Minnesota did the opposite, got better as the
game progressed. Tied it up, then won in overtime.
Luongo played marvelous most of the game, kept the team in it, but then he let in an easy one, and
the game was tied.
Gaborik played awsome, got better and better throughout game, and was the star of the overtime,
eventhough he didn't score.
We play St. Louis on Thursday, and don't think this will be a shoe in, cause they are playing great
right now, lots of wins, the team has been almost as good as Vancouver since Xmas, so it will
be a "tough" game, and we better play better than we did tonight, or we'll be toast.
We play Detroit on Saturday, and there is no need to say how good they are.
We better pull up our socks and get going. This Northwest Division is somethin else, Minnesota
play Calgary quite a bit, so we'll have to cheer for Calgary. Yuk Anyway it doesn't matter as long
as we win our games, huh, easier said than done.
We have only 12 games left now.


GO CANUCKS GO
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
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Vancouver Island
Canucks played great tonight, I like Cowan with the twins, and Linden with Cooke/Morrison. We
outshot/outplayed/outfaceoffed/ them most of the night, had so many chances, the puck "just'
wouldn't go in. Finally Henrik put one past the goalie.

We got another one in third. Great Goal by Linden, nice, pretty passing play all the way.

St. Louis pressed near the end, tied it, but we dominated the overtime, and Daniel scored from
Henrik, one of the "signature" plays across front of goal, and tip in.

We are still in first place, one point ahead of Minnesota, as they defeated Edmonton tonight.
Calgary lost to Dallas, (awe) , looks good on them.

We play Detroit on Saturday, we better come ready to play, wonder how Burrows and Chelios will
get along, as Burrows gave him a nice face wash early in the season.

GO CANUCKS GO
 

RomSpaceKnight

Council Member
Oct 30, 2006
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London, Ont. Canada
That means Minnesota has won 5 in a row. They can't keep that pace up, or at least I hope not. Got some breathing space ahead of Calgary. Need the Wild to slack of a tad and not make the race for the division so tight. be nice to beat the Redwings. I would like to see Nashville get the President's Trophy.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
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Vancouver Island
Yeah, and I checked Minnesota's remainder of the schedule, and they have it a little easier than some.
I know there are no easy games, but I also checked Calgarys, and they have a tough schedule, with
quite a few road games, and they are the worst road team in the NHL. I am wondering if Colorado
is going to catch them, and make the 8th spot.
Yeah, this Red Wing game is crucial, if we can get by them, it would be great.
I will be surprised if we finish first in division, as I knew when Gaborik came back, Minnesota would
start to climb back up again. I think they would be far ahead if he hadn't of been injured for so long.
Everythings getting real exciting about now, and in the east, there are a few teams fighting for
last playoff spots. Toronto, Carolina,Montreal, Islanders, and the rangers too, t's a dog fight back there.
Yeah, I like Nashville too, they've got to get Forsberg back, he is injured again, but he is skating and
practicing, so it will be soon.
 
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talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
63
Vancouver Island
For me, all the games went just the way I wanted them to. Canucks won, Minnesota won, Colorado won, and Calgary lost. Colorado are only 6 points behind them now, and have a legitimate chance
to catch them for the last play-off spot.
Canucks played an awsome game tonight. Detroit will be going home "muttering" to themselves, as
they were given a lesson in hockey.
Canucks played every aspect of the game at their best, Luongo was super, and we should be very
pleased and excited to see them play this way.
It tells us, that they are now among the top teams in the NHL, and even though they don't always play
as good as they did tonight, 'THEY CAN', and I'm sure most teams can say that their own teams,
don't always play as good as they should.

We go to Edmonton on Monday,then Nashville comes to our rink on Wednesday.

GO CANUCKS GO
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
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Vancouver Island
OK, that's good, kind of a scary game, we were missing two top defencemen, and there were some
scary moments in our end.
Luongo played super, we sure needed him tonight, but that is part of the game, he is a player, and
a very good one, and an important part of the team.

2-1 over Edmonton. We are now 3 pts. up on Minnesota, with even games.
We play Nashville on Wednesday, hope at least one of our Defencemen is back, as they are a very
fast and talented team.

GO CANUCKS GO
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
63
Vancouver Island
What a treat tonight. We played Nashville similar to the Detroit game, textbook hockey.
Everyone played well. Nashville looked lame in first period, picked up their game in the second,
and tried hard in the third, but could not deal with Canucks relentless puck control. We could have
had 2 or 3 more, but Luongo got his shut-out, and played well.

Matt Cooke had a great game, so did Linden, and others as well. We have 3 days off now, and
Colorado comes in on Sunday. They beat Edmonton tonight, so they are still 4 back of Calgary.

Did anyone see Fedoruk get knocked out tonight, very scary looking, (was a fight). But they say
he is in hospital, and no neurological problems at all.
Buffalo won tonight, so they are first place "overall" again, and Nashville couldn't gain their number
one spot, becAuse of their loss tonight.

GO CANUCKS GO