He da man.

After a few months of stacking small piles of hockey cards all over my apartment, I finally had the chance to spend some time to properly organizing overthinking my card binder. Rather than coming up with a specific plan or actually putting any cards into the binder, I decided to look at Marty Turco cards on eBay because TurcoMania still runs wild in my heart.

It was then that I stumbled upon the “You Da Man” Marty Turco card pictured above. I had somehow forgotten about the 60 card Sidelines subset that made its appearance in the 2009-10 Upper Deck Be a Player Signature Series set. When the set was released, Sidelines cards weren’t anything new for hockey card fans or collectors with or without a sense of humour.

The 1992-93 Pinnacle Sidelines Subset (which I will get to at some point) was very informative. How would I have ever known that Luke Richardson was a rocket builder? And other cards popped up here and there with news about what players were doing off the ice, many of them related to the sport of golf.

Let’s relax, unwind and take some time to enjoy a few of the anecdotes and guffaw inducing moments brought to you by a handful of the 2009-10 UD BAP Sidelines cards.

» Continue reading “Hump Day Hockey Cards: You Da Man, Marty Turco”

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!

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

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.

'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!

Henrik Sedin (Photo: Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

The only prayer (s) I have for the Hockey Gods today is for the Canucks to catch up to the Detroit Red Wings, take top spot in the Conference and in the league and to stay there.

The other prayer is for founder of Aerys Sports, Julie DiCaro to have a wonderful birthday.

Now I don’t know why I’m praying to the Hockey Gods about this, but either way, I hope our wonderful, wonderful founder has a fantastic day!

Now, let’s get to the game.

Lining Up – Fun Facts

• The only difference to the lineup tonight was that Dale Weise played. He filled in for Byron Bitz, who is currently not feeling well.
• For the Oilers, Ryan Nugent Hopkins remained out with a shoulder injury. He has been taking practices with his team, which is good.

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

• Henrik Sedin would continue his point streak from last night, scoring on his first shift.
• Sami Salo would also continue his point streak from last night, scoring on a power play. His goal would be his 300^th career point. Congratulations Sami!
• Manny Malhotra would also score, but after review of the play, it would be declared a no goal.
• The First Period would end 2-0, in favor of the Canucks.
• The Second Period would begin the same way…
• However, goals were exchanged both ways, respectively.
• Shawn Horcoff and Magnus Paajarvi would score for the Oilers.
• Kevin Bieksa and Chris Higgins would score for the Canucks.
•  The Third Period was largely uneventful, but for the lone goal scored 33 seconds in by number 22 of the Vancouver Canucks.
• The 3 stars of the night were Magnus Paajarvi, Henrik and Daniel Sedin.

Up next: Some old friends in the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. We start at 5.

Until then Canuckleheads.

Until 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: 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.”