Welcome to the NHL Free Agency 2012.

As you saw earlier, the Vancouver Canucks lost an amazing defence man in free agent Sami Salo to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Unfortunately, we also lost another defence man, in Aaron Rome.

Aaron Rome (Photo: flawlessswedes/tumblr)

Aaron Rome played 43 games this past season with the Vancouver Canucks and ended his 3rd and final season as a Canuck with a total of 10 points and +/- of -4.

Aaron Rome is to start the 2012-2013 season with the Dallas Stars, having signed a 3 year $4.5 million deal with them.

Congratulations Aaron Rome and good luck in Dallas!

Fortunately for the Vancouver Canucks, we have ourselves a new addition to our defensive ranks.

His name is Jason Garrison.

Jason Garrison (Photo: violentdeke/tumblr)

His name is Jason Garrison. He’s 27 years old, he’s a defenceman and he comes to us from the Florida Panthers.

He played 77 games with the Florida Panthers this past season and coined a total of 33 points and a +/- of 6.

During the Panthers ‘ short playoff run, Garrison had a total of 3 points and a +/- of -2.

Fun Facts:

• Jason Garrison is from White Rock, British Columbia.
• He signed a 6 year multi-million dollar deal with the Vancouver Canucks.
• He knows David Booth.

And on behalf of the fans of the Vancouver Canucks, I hereby welcome you, Jason Garrison to the Vancouver Canucks.

Best of luck! And we’ll see you next year!

Sami Salo (Photo: theyslayedthedragon/tumblr)

Pardon me.

I am in a bit of a shock.

No. I am in shock.

Welcome to the NHL Free Agency 2012.

And I have just learned that 38 year old defenceman and free agent Sami Salo has decided to not sign with the Canucks, but rather, sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sami Salo has signed a 2 year, $3.75 million/year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

He ended the 2011-2012 season with the Vancouver Canucks with 25 points and a +/- of 7 and ended the playoffs with 0 points and a +/- of  -3.

Congratulations Sami Salo.

Wish you could’ve stayed with us a little longer (and maybe even have won a Cup) and we wish you all of the best in Tampa Bay.

The Canucks thank the fans. (Photo: Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via 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 5 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).

Now let’s get started!

Lining Up – Fun Facts

• Tonight’s lineup saw Alex Dragon Slayer split up from his usual linemates, the twins. The Sedins would instead play with David Booth, thus meaning the very famous AMEX line was split up for tonight’s game as well. The second line, which would usually consist of Chris Higgins, Ryan Kesler and David Booth, instead saw Ryan Kesler centering Maxim Lapierre and Alex Burrows. The third and fourth lines would consist of Chris Higgins, Samuel Pahlsson and Jannik Hansen and Mason Raymond – Manny Malhotra and Dale Weise respectively.
• Our D-pairings tonight would remain the same, except for between the pipes. Cory Schneider would be the goalie out on the ice tonight.
• Tonight’s game also saw the return of the Green Men; who were seated in their usual spot next to the opponent’s penalty box!!
• Please note that this is also Sami Salo’s 100th playoff game! Congratulations Sami and may you come back to play with us next year!

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

• Tonight’s First Period saw 1 goal, 4 penalties, 14 shots on net, a Green Men sighting,  some De-Schneids, a fantastic singing of the Anthems and the Power of Towels.
• Let me just say, it is ALWAYS nice to hear Mark Donnolly sing Canada’s National Anthem for us during the playoffs and to see those white towels waving in the air at Rogers Arena. yes.
• And thus the first goal of the game goes to Canucks Captain Henrik Sedin! This is his second goal and 5^th point of the series!
• The Second Period on the other hand, did not see much, but for 2 penalties, 20 shots on net, several good scoring chances and plenty of players being De-Schneided.
• Said scoring chances were provided by both twins and Vancouver’s resident Danish Ninja: Jannik Hansen!
• The Third Period once again saw shouts of #WINDATURD from Canucks Journalist Derek Jory and Canucks fans. It also saw 1 goal, 1 penalty, a post, and more De-Schneiding.
• Said goal was scored by Brad Richardson of the LA Kings, thus making the score 1-1.
• I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the Posts on either side of Cory Schneider for helping us tonight. I appreciate it and I salute you!
• And then came Overtime. In which Playoff Overtimes consist of 20 minutes and not the 5 minutes in regular season and this one ended and ended too quickly.
• And thus the Game Winning Goal went to Jarret Stoll and the LA Kings.
• Congratulations LA.

And thus the LA Kings take game 5 and win the series against the Vancouver Canucks 4 to 1. Congratulations on your advancement to the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs!!! You played well and I commend you for that!

To the Vancouver Canucks: Thank you. Thank you for everything. You played well, we’ll see you next year and we hope that next year’s run for Lord Stanley is long and successful!!

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 ever be in your favour.

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!

'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: taylorpyatt/tumblr)

Dear Hockey Gods.

May there come a point in my life where I don’t start every game recap with ‘Dear Hockey Gods.’

But it seems to have stuck with me and now I can’t get rid of it.

But never mind that; Dear Hockey Gods.

You still have not given us our game back but we shall take these two points and we shall keep them, thank you very much.

Now on to tonight’s game:

» Continue reading “On the Hunt.”