I was more impressed by the game than these guys seem to be... (Top to bottom, left to right: Cam Ward, Jordan Eberle, Duncan Keith and Ryan Murray. photo: screenshots/tsn.ca)

Canada’s trip through the preliminary round is off to a great start now that they’ve won their first game against Slovakia.

While neither team had many scoring chances in the first period, it was Canada who got the lead in the opening frame when Jamie Benn took captain Ryan Getzlaf’s backhand pass and put it past Peter Hamerlik. The goal came at 14:21 and the score remained 1-0 until early in the second when Ryan Murray, the newest d-man for Team Canada, gave the puck away and Slovakia took advantage. Juraj Mikus made his way to the corner before giving the puck to Tomas Tatar, who beat Cam Ward to tie the game.

After the game picked up, it was Jordan Eberle who gave Canada the lead once again.  » Continue reading “Canadians Beat Slovaks 3-2 In Opener”

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!

It really is a beautiful thing. (photo: German Wikipedia. Yeah, I don't know either.)

For the last week of the regular hockey season, the Aerys NHL writers have been revealing their picks for the NHL award categories. You can find the previous prognostics over on the side bar.

When I was given the chance to cover an NHL award this season, I won’t lie, my brain immediately screamed ‘Nugent-Hopkins for Calder!’, but upon finding out that was already covered, I thought maybe the Selke would be an interesting choice. For an official definition:

“The Frank J. Selke Trophy is an annual award given to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association at the end of the regular season.”

- NHL.com

The Selke Trophy has been around since 1978, when Bob Gainey of the Montréal Canadiens was the first winner; he won it the first four years it was around. Nobody has won it as many times as he has, but Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings comes pretty close with his three wins.

Last year, Ryan Kesler was Aerys’ predicted winner. Also last year: Ryan Kesler won the Selke Trophy.

No pressure for me, or anything.

In the game that is ice hockey, it’s necessary to be able to excel in all aspects of the game if you want to be rewarded for it. Sure, some NHL’ers are better than others, and while they’re all important on and off the ice (I really don’t want to offend anyone, here), some are more… noticeable than others.

When you’re a forward, you have to play a 200-foot-by-85-foot game. Also, if you’re a defenseman and you never leave your end you probably won’t be around for very long at all. In other words, unless you’re a goaltender (then please, stay in your crease. More often than not, that’s the best idea) or in the KHL (in which case, pick it up and use the rest of your ice, boys) or a goaltender in the KHL (then watch out for those 114-mph shots, bro) there’s no way you’re never needed in all aspects of the game. For example: Friday, March 30th, when the Edmonton Oilers played the Los Angeles Kings and lost two defensemen in two periods. Enter: call-up Chris VandeVelde, who may be a centre, but was willing to step in and help out on the blue line when the Oilers were running low on d-men due to injury. Whether or not that’s even a common occurrence in the NHL is beside the point; the actual reason I’m writing this is to talk about forwards who are good defensively as well.

Selke winners are an elite group of penalty killers, faceoff winners, goal scorers, shot blockers and all-around badasses. Or something. Each year, three nominees are chosen before the start of the playoffs. My job was to beat the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association to the punch and guess who would win this year’s Selke Trophy.

First things first, I picked three of my own nominees.

» Continue reading “NHL Awards Preview: Frank J. Selke Trophy”

Dowell scored one of the two goals (Photo: Bridget Samuels/Flickr)

The Dallas Stars had points at stake as they lead their division by one point and couldn’t take advantage tonight. Instead of a dominating and pesky game that the fans were used to seeing, they decided to do the opposite and drop to the Vancouver Canucks, 5-2. The game was lopsided in that Dallas got chances but couldn’t put the puck past Cory Schneider, who stifled the Stars as Vancouver capitalized on mistakes from the Stars. We thought at first that Roberto Luongo was going to get the start for the Canucks, but he was late scratch due to a sore neck. I really wanted Luongo to be in the net instead of Schneider, who the Stars had played against in previous games.

You would expect the Stars to play a better game like they did in their game against the Calgary Flames but they didn’t. The Stars were coming out fast and had the momentum until  the player I spotted in the game preview to watch, Chris Higgins, got the 1st goal for the Vancouver Canucks for a 1-0 lead. Dallas wanted to get the first goal because they were a dominating 30-8-3 after scoring the first goal. They even outshot the Canucks 13-7 but couldn’t get anything passed Cory Schneider. Stars did bring life back into the team as Steve Ott tied the game up at 1-1 with a beautiful shot that stunned Schneider.  The Stars had more opportunities as Ott, who had a breakaway, could not score on the opportunity to make the Dallas Stars go up 2-1 as Cory Schneider made an absolutely amazing save.

After that breakaway opportunity, Sami Salo hit a long shot that put the Canucks up 2-1 on the power play. It seemed  like the puck was deflected in as Kari Lehtonen could not see the shot as he was screened by Alex Burrows, who was in front of the net. After that goal was let in by the Stars, it seemed like the Stars were lifeless and the Canucks had energy. Andrew Alberts got his 2nd goal of the season as Stephane Robidas deflected the goal past Kari Lehtonen due to a mental error by a couple of rookies, Ryan Garbutt and Reilly Smith, who were trapped in the offensive zone. Then, Alex Burrows makes the game unbearable for the Stars as he got his 25th goal of the season as Alex Goligoski lost track of Burrows making the lead 4-1 in the 3rd period.

Maxim Lapierre makes it a bigger lead, making the game 5-1. But with a hard effort by Dowell, the Stars answered right back with a rare goal by their fourth line as Jake Dowell worked hard and cashed in for his 2nd goal of the year, but as we all know the Canucks won the game 5-2.

Kari Lehtonen, who started the game and tried his hardest, got pulled in the 3rd period after letting 4 goals in as backup Richard Bachman gives Kari the rest. It’s a good decision by Glen Gulutzan to give Kari a rest since they are going to be a facing a bigger challenge when they face the San Jose Sharks in a Pacific Division battle.

Dallas Stars will have a chance to redeem themselves tomorrow when they face the Sharks. We will either see the Stars in 1st place or see them out of the playoffs. Hopefully Dallas will work on their mistake and get a  much needed win.

GAME NOTES:

-Stars are on back to back game in which the Stars are not good at.

-The Stars were playing without two of their forwards as Eric Nystrom and Radek Dvorak missed games due to injuries and will miss the Sharks game as well. The Stars are hoping these two will be healthy for their home game on the 3rd.

-Michael Ryder’s & Mike Ribeiro’s point streaks ended today as both of them were held off the scoresheet.

THREE STARS

1-Henrik Sedin

2-Maxim Lapierre

3-Chris Higgins

'All We do is win, win, win no matter what' (Photo: Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

Dear Hockey Gods: It would’ve been nice to win in regulation time against the Number One team in the NHL, but it was a very close game and both teams played to the best of their abilities.

And so I extend a ‘Congratulations’ to the Detroit Red Wings for playing an excellent game, getting the extra point and for remaining on top of the league.

Now, on to the game:

Lining Up – Fun Facts

• This is David Booth’s first game in Detroit, his home town. He had a couple family members come in to visit, and though he did not register any points, I’m sure his family was proud!
• Chris Tanev has been all but invisible, but that is not due to his poor playing. In fact, he has been playing very well as of late. He may not be producing points, but he has been handing out hits. So expect more from him in the future.
• Byron Bitz did not play tonight, though I do believe he is feeling better. I’ll keep you updated.
• Kyle Quincey was re-acquired by Detroit through a 3 way trade that involved the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Colorado Avalanche.

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

• It was a very close game tonight. And there were some VERY exceptional saves made by both goalies. The save of the night, however went to Jimmy Howard, who made some exceptional saves on Henrik Sedin and various others during the First Period.
• However, it was not long until someone scored. The first goal of the game went to Darren Helm and the Detroit Red Wings.
• Maxim Lapierre was very close to tying up the game shorthanded, but unfortunately his shot was blocked.
• And thus the first would end and the Second would begin with Detroit leading, 1-0.
• I’d say the Second Period was uneventful but that would be a lie.
• There was a little scuffle in front of the Red Wings net that didn’t last long.
• Both goalies were fantastic in this period, particularly Roberto Luongo, whose save was so fantastic that I don’t even remember who he made the save against.
• Daniel Sedin would also score, tying up the game.
• Period 3 was VERY exciting. The re-acquired Kyle Quincey would score tonight, making it 2-1.
• The cross bar was not our friend tonight. But then again, the crossbar and the posts have not been our friend of late.
• Cody Hodgson would then score shorthanded.
• However, our little victory was short lived. Detroit would score 20 seconds later, giving them the lead of 3 over our 2.
• Daniel Sedin would be the hero of the Canucks tonight. He would score with a good 15 seconds left, forcing an overtime and eventually, a shootout.

The Fun Facts of the Shootout

The Canucks would win this game over Detroit, snapping their 23 game home winning streak.

Up next: The New Jersey Devils, tomorrow at 4. See you all then!

Daniel Sedin: Second Star (Photo: Rich Lam/Getty Images)

Welcome to the game where Fishes celebrated birthdays (and were thrown out onto the ice), Salo bombs where let loose and Sedinery was at its best.

Welcome to game number….I don’t even know. I’ve lost count.

But no matter; here are the fun facts for tonight.

Lining up

• Chris Tanev was called up for tonight’s game. I wasn’t sure as to whose place he took tonight, but I am going to assume that Keith Ballard did not play and Kid Tanev was paired up with either Andrew Alberts or Aaron Rome. Do correct me if I’m wrong.
• Today is Cody Hodgson and Yann Sauve’s birthday! Happy 22^nd birthday to both of you!
• Alex Burrows scored his first NHL goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 10^th 2006. Alex would score two goals tonight against the Leafs.
• This game was on CBC tonight, rather than the usual Sportsnet Pacific and let me tell you, that was some intro video. Click here to take a look.

Da Fun Facts of da First, da Second and da Turd period – where Naki attempts to write in a French accent and fails miserably.

Again, this is not for a lack of sprinkles. And so I give to you: the fun facts of da First, Second and Turd periods.

• Alex Burrows opened the scoring nearly 8 minutes in, assisted by regular line mate Daniel Sedin.
• A good minute and a half later, Manny Malhotra scored a really pretty looking goal, which involved him doing a little jump/dive thing and knocking the puck out of the air and into the net.
• There were plenty of chants going on throughout the game, ranging from ‘Go Leafs Go’ to ‘Go Canucks Go.’
• Did I mention LUUUUUUUUUUUUU?
• There was plenty of LUUUUUUUUUUUUUing too, especially in the Second Period from what I heard.
• Roberto Luongo made a VERY, VERY pretty save against Phil Kessel.
• Alex Burrows would score AGAIN, this time 3 minutes in. The score is now 3-0, favor of the Canucks.
• 3 minutes (less actually) later, Dion Phaneuf would score, giving the Leafs fans in the stadium hope.
• The Canucks would score twice again, this period. Daniel Sedin would score, assisted by brother Henrik and Sami Salo let loose a Salo Bomb against Toronto’s Jonas Gustavsson, who would replace James Reimer for the second half of the second and all of the third.
• Da Turd would begin 5-1 in favour of the Canucks.
• Kevin Bieksa would score, giving the Canucks a 6-1 lead.
• …There’s a fish on the ice.
• I’m serious too! Someone threw a fish on the ice. Happy Birthday CoHo?
• With 10 minutes left, Nikolai Kulemin scored, hoping to give his team enough energy to try and tie the game.
• But all to no avail. The Canucks would win 6-2 over the Leafs, the Twins would combine to get 8 points and we won in regulation time. Again.

This game was good.

No need to send prayers up to the Hockey Gods tonight.

The Canucks will face the Edmonton Oilers tomorrow, this time on Sportsnet Pacific at 6 pm.

Until then Canuckleheads.

Until then.

(Photo: jets-canucks/tumblr)

His name was Luc Bourdon.

He would have been 25 today.

He was born on February 16 1987, in Shippagan, New Brunswick, Canada. When he was 9, he was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. He would eventually overcome it.

Time would go on and he would spend his summers working on his uncle’s crab fishing boat and split hockey season between school and well…hockey!

He was a straight A student and would eventually be chosen 3^rd overall by the Val-d’Or Foreurs in the QMJHL in 2003 and 10^th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 2005.

He was a defenceman.

He would win 3 medals at the World Junior Championships; One silver at the Under-18 WJC (2005) and 2 Gold back to back gold medals in the Under 20 series in 2006 and 2007.

In 2006, he signed a 3 year contract with the Vancouver Canucks and would be called up several times over that period of time.

3 years and 25 days later, he would die in a motorcycle accident near his hometown of Shippagan, New Brunswick.

He would’ve been 25 today.

Dear Luc:

It would please you to know that your good friends Kris Letang and Alex Burrows are doing well in the NHL.

Kris Letang won the Stanley Cup in 2009.

Alex Burrows is a dragon slayer.

You should be proud.

I know we are.

Happy Birthday buddy. We miss you and we wish you could be here.

R.I.P Luc Bourdon.

  

(Photo: mattiasohlund/tumblr)

Whatever our Captain decides to do; whether or not he decides to play in what would be his 553^rd in his iron man streak, please give our team back the game I know they can play.

Dear Hockey Gods. Our Captain is very brave. Thank you for that. I would also like to thank you for giving us our first win in regulation time in 5 games.

Yes, that was our first win in regulation time in 5 games.

If you take a look here, you would’ve noticed that for the last 5 games that we’ve played, the Vancouver Canucks have won in either overtime or in a shootout.

For 5 games, the Vancouver Canucks lost a little of their touch.

For 5 games, the Vancouver Canucks did not play the way we knew them to, but somehow managed to scrape through 60 minutes of regulation time, 5 (or less) over time minutes and several rounds of a shootout and come out with a win.

Dear Hockey Gods: Thank you for this win in regulation, we shall take it and we shall take it.

But enough about that, let’s talk about the game tonight!

» Continue reading “Let’s get Wild.”