Celebration! (Photo: Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Dear Hockey Gods.

Hello.

I am here on behalf of my team the Vancouver Canucks and I am here to ask and ask politely for you to give us our game back (namely our offense and our defense and last but not least, dear Daniel Sedin.).

Thanks.

Now let’s get to the game.

Lining Up – Fun Facts

• With the loss of Byron Bitz, Coach Vigneault went ahead and made some more changes to the lineups last night. This time around, Jannik Hansen would play on the first line in place of Mason Raymond. Mason Raymond would in turn play on the third line alongside Samuel Pahlsson and Maxim Lapierre.
• Also, the Amex line was reunited (Ryan Kesler, David Booth, Chris Higgins), much to the delight of fans.
• And also to the delight of fans; the regular D-partners of Kevin Bieksa and Dan Hamhuis and Alex Edler and Sami Salo were re-united. The final D-pairing also saw Keith Ballard back to the line-up. He would play alongside Chris Tanev. Welcome back Keith Ballard!

The Fun Facts of the First, the Second and the Third Period

• In which Rogers Arena is filled with chants of ‘Go Canucks Go’ when the puck hasn’t even dropped yet.
• But anyways: the First Period consisted of 1 goal, 3 penalties, 21 shots on net, some LUUing and a Green Men sighting.
• LUUUUU- You get the point.
• Speaking of points, there was only 1(2) points in the first period of Game 2 and that was Kings Captain Dustin Brown’s shorthanded goal with assistance from teammate Mr. Kopitar.
• The Second Period on the other hand, consisted of 2 goals, 2 penalties, more LUUUing and 21 shots on net.
• Jannik Hansen and Dustin Brown would exchange another set of goals, that unfortunately put LA in the lead yet again with a score of 2-1.
• And the Third and Final Period consisted of more LUUUUUUs, 3 goals, 10 penalties (ugh) and 32 shots on net.
• The Nucks and the Kings also had a bit of a scrum with a good 7 minutes left in the period. Vancouver’s resident Dane nearly got himself into a fight and for that received a double minor and a 10 minute misconduct.
• LA would then score 2 more goals, in which Vancouver responded to with 1, courtesy of Samuel Pahlsson.

The LA Kings would go on to win the game and now lead the series 2-0.

Game 3 will take place in LA, tomorrow at 7:30 pm, Pacific Standard Time and I will see you all then!

 

Celebration! (Photo: Rich Lam/Getty Images)

Welcome to the Stanley Cup Playoffs 2012.

Welcome to the place where dreams are made, dreams are broken and where we the fans will see history go down.

Welcome to Finding Stanley Round 1; Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarter Finals; in which the Vancouver Canucks (1^st in the Conference) go up against the Los Angeles Kings (8^th in the Conference).

Let’s get started!

Lining Up – Fun Facts

• Today’s line ups saw Mason Raymond back to the lineup. He would play on the 1^st line alongside Captain Hank and Alex Dragon Slayer.  The second line would remain the same, as well as the third. The fourth line, however; consisted of Manny Malhotra, Zack Kassian and Byron Bitz. Marc Andre Gragnani, Daniel Sedin, Andrew Ebbett, Dale Weise and Andrew Alberts were all scratched, some due to injuries and others simply as healthy scratches.
• Our d pairings would remain the same as they did against the Edmonton Oilers and in goal last night was our regular starter Roberto Luongo!
• The Green Men were also seen in Rogers Arena tonight, seated in their usual place next to the opponent’s penalty box. Their sign tonight? ‘This run is for Rypper’ in honor of late Canuck Rick Rypien.

 Fun Facts of the First, Second and the Third Period

• The First Period saw 2 goals, 6 penalties, 19 shots on net and plenty of LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUing.
• The first goal of the night and of the series went to Alex Burrows, who turned 31 yesterday. What a way to spend your birthday! Congratulations Alex and Happy Birthday!!
• LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUuuu.
• There were plenty of those throughout the night, but not as much as there was during the first period. LUUUUUU would echo throughout Rogers Arena plenty of times over the course of the first 10 minutes.
• There were also plenty of good chances for us to score and lengthen our lead, but unfortunately the puck did not hit the back of the net. It was a very good try on the part of  Messers Booth, Kesler, Raymond and Burrows though.
• The second goal of the night went to Mike Richards and the LA Kings on the powerplay. The score would then be 1-1.
• The Second Period would see 2 more goals, 5 penalties, a post and 24 more shots on net.
• Former Canuck Willie Mitchell would score a power play goal for the LA Kings, making the score 2-1.
• However, their lead was short lived as Alex ‘Eagle’ Edler slipped one past Jonathan Quick, tying the game once more.
• And the post decided it was our friend tonight as a shot of an LA King somehow richoched off said post and out.
• The 3^rd and Final Period contained 2 goals, 2 penalties and 22 shots total.
• Dustin Penner would score for the Kings, as well as Kings Captain Dustin Brown, who would score an empty netter which would also serve as the game winning goal.
• The final score would be 4-2 in favour of the Kings.

And thus game 1 goes to the LA Kings.

Congratulations LA, we’ll see you in Rogers Arena on Friday for Game 2.

Welcome to the Stanley Cup Playoffs 2012.

Welcome to the place where dreams are made, dreams are broken and where we the fans will see history go down.

Good Luck everybody.

Have fun.

And may the odds be ever in your favour.

Congratulations! (Photo: Rich Lam/Getty Images)

Opponent: The Edmonton Oilers.

Total number of times we’ve faced the Oilers: 5

Number of wins against the Oilers: 4

Game Number: 82.

Number of Games left in the season: 0

So let’s get to it!

Lining Up: Fun Facts

• Last night’s changes to the lineup saw Andrew Ebbett to the first line alongside Henrik Sedin and Alex Burrows. Maxim Lapierre would play on the second line, alongside David Booth and Ryan Kesler. Chris Higgins, in turn would play on the third line with Samuel Pahlsson and Jannik Hansen. The 4^th and final line would consist of Manny Malhotra, Dale Weise and the newly recalled Byron Bitz.
• Our d-pairings consisted of Alex Edler and Kevin Bieksa, Dan Hamhuis and Chris Tanev and Aaron Rome and Sami Salo.
• And you may have noticed that Mason Raymond did not play last night. That was due the fact that his wife was expected to give birth last night. And give birth she did! And therefore I extend a congratulations to Mason and Megan Raymond on their baby boy: Max Raymond!

The Fun Facts of the First, Second and Third Period

• The First Period consisted of several really, REALLY nice saves, 5 penalties and 22 shots total.
• I have nothing else to report for said period.
• The Second Period, on the other hand saw 2 POSTs, 1 goal, 4 penalties, a LUUUUUUUUUUU and 15 shots total.
• Canucks Captain Henrik Sedin scored one for the Canucks though not before several shots rang of the post.
• The post could not seem to decide whose side it was on last night, as 3 shots went of the post, 2 would ring of the post next to netminder Roberto Luongo and the third (as shot by rookie defenceman Chris Tanev) would ring of the post next to Devan Dubnyk.
• LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
• The Third and Final Period saw 2 goals, 1 penalty and plenty of cheering.
• Samuel Pahlsson and the beautiful blonde locks of American Freedom David Booth would score for the Canucks.
• Roberto Luongo and Kevin Bieksa would get an assist on David Booth’s goal, which was also the GWG of the final game of the season.
• The Canucks would go on to win the game 3-0 and would leave Rogers Arena with their fans on their feet and their heads held high.

And thus the Vancouver Canucks will enter the 2012 playoffs with 111 points and number 1 in their division, their conference and in the League.

Congratulations on clinching the top spot in the NHL!

Next up: The Fight for Stanley begins April 11^th 2012. The Canucks face off against Jonathan Quick and the LA Kings in Round 1.

Good Luck everyone and may the odds be EVER in your favour!

Fiddler getting ready for the Canucks (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks–9:00 pm start

LIVE ON TSN,  BCSN(HD), FS-SW+(HD) RADIO: 1310 The Ticket

If you are looking for a game to watch late at night then you are in luck. The Dallas Stars, who are looking to keep hold of the Pacific Division, are going into a must-win game against the Vancouver Canucks, who have already clinched a playoff spot and have the Northwest Division title already sewed up. I hope over the next few games, the Stars will do the same thing. We have to trust that Dallas will win the Pacific Division. But right now the Stars need to focus on their game against the Vancouver Canucks in which Dallas has won two of their three meetings against them this season but of course Vancouver had to ruin that when they won 2-1 in March at American Airlines Center.

Maybe Vernon Fiddler will even do that famous Kevin Bieska impression that had head coach Alain Vigneault  giggling hard on the bench. Of course the past two games Fiddler did not do it but maybe he might. Who knows? We will just have to wait and see.

PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR: Chris Higgins for the Vancouver Canucks, who has three goals, including two-game winners, in the Canucks’ last three games. But if you are looking for a player who has been on a hot streak of his own since the all star break look no further to the Stars’ leading scorer Michael Ryder, who has 5 goals and 3 assists in the last 5 games. You can only wonder if the Canucks can keep Ryder off the score sheet.

INJURY REPORT: Radek Dvorak (ankle), Eric Nystrom (lacerated leg), and Mark Fistric (abdominal strain) for the Stars will be out due to injuries, while Aaron Rome (sprained knee) for the Canucks will be out, but of course the large concern for the Canucks is Daniel’s twin brother, Henrik Sedin, who is suffering concussion like symptoms.

This game tomorrow will sure be a battle between the Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars. Just check this record out. The last 10 games, Dallas has a record of 6-4-0, while Vancouver has a record of 6-3-1. Look for both teams to come out and be quick with the puck. I am betting whoever scores the first goal, will win the game because when Dallas scores first they have an awesome record of 36-9-4, while Vancouver has a good record of 28-7-3. Dallas wants to be able to score first because if they do not their record is not very good. They are not good if they let the 1st goal in or even trailing after 1st or 2nd periods.

Expect a big battle among both the Stars and Canucks with Dallas being the more desperate team. Hopefully the outcome will come in Dallas’ favor and not the Canucks. Stars fans can only hope to keep a hold of the Pacific Division.

Eye on the Prize (Photo: Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

And thus the countdown begins. There are now 6 games between us and the playoffs. 6 games before the battle for the Stanley Cup begins.

But before we can even BEGIN battling for the Stanley Cup, let’s focus on tonight’s game against the LA Kings.

Lining Up: Fun Facts

• Defence man Aaron Rome was out of the lineup tonight due to a lower body injury. Marc Andre Gragnani would play tonight, alongside Sami Salo.
• Other than that, no further changes were made.

The Fun Facts of the First, Second and Third Period

• Tonight’s game against the LA Kings saw 1 goal, 7 penalties, 63 shots on net and plenty of LUUUUUUUing.
• The only goal tonight was scored 3 minutes into the First Period by Manny Malhotra of the Vancouver Canucks. It is his 7^th goal this year.
• I’d also like to make a shout out to our good friend the post. Thank you post. You have been our friend as of late and I really appreciate you helping our netminders out. So thank you Post.
• I’ve got nothing else for you for the Second and Third Period except:
• LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
• There were also 2 very nice opportunities to score by Chris Higgins and Ryan Kesler (I believe). Do correct me if I’m wrong.
• This is the Canucks’ third straight win and Roberto Luongo’s 4^th shutout this season. Congratulations Roberto!

Injuries Report:

• Canucks forward Daniel Sedin does indeed have a concussion. No set timeline for him.
• Keith Ballard, who has also been out for a while with a concussion attended practice today.
• Both players are following protocol and have no set timeline for their return. I wish both of them good health and hope to see them back in the lineup soon.

And since I’ve nothing else for you; have some quality tweets from Canucks Journalist Derek Jory, who provides play by play commentary throughout the whole entire game:

What's that I see you muttering? (Photo: Adrienne C. / Screenshot)

What we need here... (Photo: Adrienne C./ screenshot)

Crazy Nicknames (Photo: Adrienne C. /screenshot)

Pronunciation Please (Photo: Adrienne C. /screenshot)

Next Up: We meet the Colorado Avalanche again, this time; in Rogers Arena. Puck drops at 7 pm PST. See you all then!

'Luuuu' king on. (Photo: Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

There are now 7 games left in the regular season. The Canucks have clinched the Northwest Division Championship and are now hoping that this last stretch of games will bring us wins and the President’s Trophy.  And standing in their way are the St. Louis Blues, the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

But let’s take a step backwards. Here are the Fun Facts of Saturday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche.

Lining Up: Fun Facts

• The lineup for Saturday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche would undergo very few changes. Sami Salo and Aaron Rome would play as a pairing tonight, in place of Marc Andre Gragnani and Andrew Alberts.
• No further changes were made.

First Period

• The First Period consisted of 1 goal, a ‘GREAT SAVE LUONGO’, a shot that went high, 25 shots on net and 8 penalties.
• Dale Weise’s penalty 36 seconds in would eventually lead to a goal made by Colorado Avalanche rookie: Gabriel Landeskog.
• GREAT SAVE LUONGO.
• Also, Ryan Kesler had a REALLY nice shot on net. Unfortunately, it went high.

Second Period

• The Second Period saw 3 goals, 3 penalties and 25 shots on net.
• Aaron Rome did not return to the game due to a lower body injury late in the first period.
• Colorado would get one past Canucks net minder Roberto Luongo thanks to Jamie McGinn.
• However, the Canucks would answer with 2 goals of their own, thus tying up the game. Mason Raymond and Chris Higgins would be credited with the goals.

Third Period

• The Third Period saw 3 lovely saves, 0 goals, 21 shots on net and 1 penalty.
• LUUUU
• LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
• LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
• I think I over did the Luuu’s.
• Yes, yes I over did the Luuu’s.
• But you get the point. Roberto Luongo made some key saves during the third and not without help either. The goal post was also willing to give us a hand.
• Word is also going around that Kevin Bieksa’s theme song (SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS, SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS) was heard sometime during the third period.

Overtime

• With no goals scored during the Third Period, the game was to go to overtime.
• But it would end and end quickly and with a win for the Vancouver Canucks, thanks to Chris Higgins.

Next Up: The Vancouver Canucks take on the LA Kings tonight at Rogers Arena at 7 pm. See you all then!

(Photo: Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Tonight was a very important game.

For us, the win would mean the extra 2 points that would get us to the top of the Conference and the League.

For the New Jersey Devils, the win would be an excellent way to honor Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick’s 21 seasons with them.

Unfortunately for the Devils, this game would end in a loss. But they played well and I am sure that Doc Emrick is proud of the way they played tonight.

Now on to the game:

Lining Up – Fun Facts

• Sami Salo took the night off and Andrew Alberts took his place, beside fellow D-man Alex Edler.
• Dale Weise was nowhere to be seen tonight. Byron Bitz (it is now safe to assume he is feeling better) would play on the 4^th line tonight.
• Also in attendance tonight, Miss USA herself! Our lucky charm Alyssa Campanella was in town for the win. She hung out in the press box with Canucks journalist Derek Jory.
• Meanwhile, down in Allstate Arena, Rockford, Illinois, the Chicago Wolves faced off against the Rockford Icehogs. It would be Nolan Baumgartner’s 1000^th professional game.

The Fun Facts of the First, Second and Third period:

• The game did not start on time tonight, but that was due to the New Jersey Devils wishing to honor Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick and his 21 seasons with them, as well as his becoming the first member of the media to be inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame. Congratulations Doc!
• The First Period saw the comeback of Aaron Rome, who I believe has not registered a point in 29 games. He would score tonight, assisted by Chris Tanev and Alex Burrows.
• This is Chris Tanev’s second point as a Canuck, his first being an assist as well.
• Canucks D-man Dan Hamhuis, resident Angel hockey player got into a little scuffle with former Canuck Steve Bernier. However, the scuffle was quickly broken up.
• Cory Schneider was the man of the night, saving all but 1 of the shots made on net tonight.
• The Second Period saw two goals be scored.
• Mason Raymond and David Clarkson scored for the Canucks and the Devils respectively.
• Chris Tanev had a little run in with Cory Schneider, and apologized for it afterwards.
• SCHNEIDS.
• Also Alberts and Lapierre got into a little scuffle.
• And all I have for the Third Period is:
• SCHNEIDS.
• That is all.

And with this win, the Vancouver Canucks overtake the Detroit Red Wings in the standings and are now first in the League and in the Western Conference. They are also the second team to record 40 wins this season. May they keep said spot for the rest of the season.

Up next: the Dallas Stars at 12 am PST on Sunday!

Until then Canuckleheads!

Until then!