Canucks Fall 4-3 To Penguins In A Shootout In Season Opener
by Sean Zandberg on Oct 6, 2011 10:02 PM PDT
in Game Review
Email
PrintDid you miss the pre game ceremony? Don't worry. I wish I did. Rather than raise the Western Conference Champions banner, the MC whisked through the accomplishments by the team and individuals and then focused most of his attention on the police, medical staff, etc etc that were helping out during / after the riot. While I get that appreciation should be shown, there could have been a different time and place for that. I wanted to see some Rah! Rah! raise the damned banner! Just my opinion. Because...
FIRST PERIOD
The Canucks came out slow where the Penguins did not. A completely questionable hooking call on Kevin Bieksa led to a James Neal power play goal...an awkward, bad-angle shot that went through Roberto Luongo's
legs at 5:04. The Canucks don't respond after the goal and continue sleepwalking. Jannik Hansen takes a foolish elbowing penalty, and Matt Cooke scores a power play goal to make it 2-0 at the 12:30 mark, as the PK wasn't being aggressive at all except for Marco Sturm.
A bit of a Canucks response after the 2-0 goal but not what you would expect. Maybe they put Marc-Andre Fleury to sleep, because at 16:20 Maximus Lapierre just put a shot at him from the corner and it trickled through the netminder's legs. A flukey one, but who cares? That was a goal / sweet shift from the 4th line! 2-1! The Canucks finally get their legs after that goal. Within minutes Daniel Sedin almost fools Fleury with a sneaky wraparound. Great glove save. I'm sure the puck in the glove went over the goal line but it was inconclusive to the war room in Toronto. Shots were 10-8 Penguins after 1. Which Canuck stood out? Chris Higgins actually.
SECOND PERIOD
The Canucks come out afire in the 2nd and even get a PP chance when Malkin takes a penalty. But all of a sudden Matt Cooke comes in one on one against Kevin Bieksa, uses him as a screen, and wrists one past Lou. Kinda weak. A shorthanded goal. 3-1 Pens.
It should be noted that the Canucks used Henrik Sedin on the point for their first power play. You know he can dish it, but he'll have to shoot it as well.
The shorty against deflated the Canucks and ignited the Penguins for quite some time, Van not coming alive again until about the 11:00 mark. Much more puck possession at that point. After the play had slowed again, from out of the blue Hank makes a pass to a streaking pinching Keith Ballard and wowza! Monster Ballard roofs it to make it 3-2. Beauty! Ballard from Hank and Dank at the 17:47 mark to salvage a drowsy period. Shots in the 2nd: Penguins 11 Canucks 10. Didn't seem like it. Standout Canuck? Chris Higgins. Still. Oh and I thought Alexander Edler was playing pretty bloody physical too.
THIRD PERIOD
The Canucks really looked like they got their wheels turning in Period 3. Not many quality scoring chances though until the Sedins-Burrows had a massive shift with about 12 minutes to go. Burrows had drawn a penalty but stuck with the puck on a sick individual effort. The Pens never touched the puck. Brother Daniel did though. He did a little pause and wristed a beauty top shelf. Very nice, Dank! Evgeni had miss a glorious scoring chance just before that goal happened. He missed the net. Haha. Dank from Hank and Sami Salo. The Sedins are each on pace for 164 points.
Maxim Lapierre had a golden chance to score the winner with 6:00 left but missed the net. Nobody in front of him either. Furious action in the last 6:00 of the 3rd period. Pucks almost going in at both ends. Lots more speed to the game. Cody Hodgson almost scored the winner with just under 2:00 left, but the puck rolled through Fleury's legs and just wide of the net. God that would have been a beauty. Shots in the 3rd: Canucks 15 Penguins 6. That's how long it took the Canucks to get going in this one. A solid 3rd period by them.
OVERTIME
Canucks were all over the Pitts in OT but couldn't generate many chances or hit the net. Dank had a perfect opportunity to win it after Bieksa pinched in and passed it to him. The puck rolled on him and he shot it wide. Shots in OT: Canucks 2 Penguins 1, but all Canucks puck possession there.
SHOOTOUT
Samuelsson: Shot low and toe save by Fleury.
Letang: makes 10 moves and roofs it backhand on Lou. Wow.
Burrows: does his trademark Burrows backhand but MAF had scouted that.
Malkin to win it: Pretty much mimics Letang, Lou falls forward and Malkin roofs it. Pens win.
I hate shootouts. I hate that Lou sometimes sucks at shootouts.
Ah well. Entertaining last part of the game. We'll take the point, considering the Canucks looked like slugs for most of the game.
MY 3 STARS
1. Daniel Sedin
2. Matt Cooke
3. Chris Higgins
HIGHLIGHTS:
57 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I have a feeling Chris Higgins will become the big, aggressive winger that we’ve always wanted beside Kesler. He was all over the ice tonight, probably should’ve had at least a goal from his efforts.
Yeah, he was pretty awesome tonight.
On another note, the pre-game/warm-up video for the new season is up on Canucks.com, and it’s kind of hilarious. If you’ve ever seen the opening credits for a soap opera you know what I’m talking about.
This year.
Goaltender is a normal job. Sure. How would you like it if at your job, every time you made the slightest mistake a little red light went on over your head and 18,000 people stood up and screamed at you? - Jacques Plante
Let’s get these Luongo cheating angle goals out of the way early this year.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
"Pucks are awful little things" - Passive Voice.
They were awsome in the third, and OK in the second. I am not surprised about the slow first period. Got to shake that rust off, somehow.
Overall, I was impressed that they got the point, even though Luongo looked like he couldn’t stop a beach-ball tonight (sorry, I had to say it). Malkin made him look really silly, lying on his belly, while he roofed the puck.
Los Angeles, CA
Trying to take over my job huh
HUH
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
Cartoon wars!
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
"Pucks are awful little things" - Passive Voice.
by Yankee Canuck on Oct 7, 2011 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions
And Reimer for Vezina!
Frequent visitor to Nucks Misconduct.
by Vancouverguy on Oct 7, 2011 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Man
I come home and the PVR did not do its job!
I avoided the score all night…FFS.
So, the other way to enjoy a game? Read the game day thread and see the highlights…
Here’s my recap.
We sucked in the first and got lucky right? Lui is a horrible goalie?
The second, more even, but Lui made a save or two…still, PLAY CORY!!!!
On to the third where Daniel kicked some ass and scored a beauty. CoHo so close to the storybook finish.
Ease up on the goalie in the shootout. The pokecheck is a 50/50 move, and if he is a 1/2 second sooner, he makes Malkin look like a dummy. Once you go for that, and real goalscorer can hold a puck and get it over the goalie.
Oh well, three days to break it down before we play the dangerous Blue Jackets…in the snakepit known as Nationwide Arena. Did we not sweep them there or something?
Oh wait, Nash AND Carter.
Nuck’s Misconduct Bishop, 1st United Church of Luongod. "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Ghandi. I think he was a Canucks fan...
@Vancitydan Writer at Nucks Misconduct
any, not and...damn
Nuck’s Misconduct Bishop, 1st United Church of Luongod. "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Ghandi. I think he was a Canucks fan...
@Vancitydan Writer at Nucks Misconduct
what is it with the swim move?
I mean, if Luongo was going to poke check, I would buy it. But he is swimming by the time the shooter is at the dots! Stay in position, stay square and at most drop to your butterfly.
Ah well. At least the twins got me a few points. And it is only game 1.
by ChuckinNux on Oct 7, 2011 8:15 AM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
All things considered
It was a pretty great game by the Canucks. I mean, we all expected them to start slow right? Then they looked downright dominant in the third against a solid pens team. Maybe Canucks fans as a whole should just agree to lower the expectations on luongo. For a human goalie he played alright tonight. Let in a softie but also made some solid saves. Some games he might be superhuman but if we only expect mortal performances everyone’s blood pressure will stay a lot lower.
by Canuckelhead on Oct 7, 2011 12:55 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
The expectations are fine
its more the way every damn goal is a Zapruder film…“see here, when Lui goes down and to the left, he totally leaves the short side open. Fucker!”
Goals get scored. We know when he gets a look at them, he stops them, and even when he doesn’t. I liked the interview afterwards. “I should have had those”.
Thats it. Next game and all that.
But then the problem arrives, because people can not let it go. Shit, I thought Fluery’s softy was worse, and that the wrister through Bieksa is a tougher save. Him sayhing he should have had that too. I like that. We know he will work hard.
Its a shame that with a motivated guy that always wants to work hard to get better, he can’t get a benefit of the doubt sometimes…
Nuck’s Misconduct Bishop, 1st United Church of Luongod. "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Ghandi. I think he was a Canucks fan...
@Vancitydan Writer at Nucks Misconduct
I agree, Dan.
It’s a process and a long season. Better to work out the kinks early, and at least be consoled with not giving up points to a division rival. Melanson and Luongo will continue to work on technique (and not swimming so early – sorry, couldn’t resist). Hopefully, AV will allow the team to actually practice the Shootout more often; after all, two points early in the season are two points less you need to earn in the stretch run.
leaving the game last night, I reminded myself that the Canucks also lost last season’s opener against the Kings, in the shootout – and look how that season turned out.
That's funny about the zapruder film
And suddenly everyone is a goaltending expert. “you see the way he goes to his knees? If he would put one knee down, get the blocker up and pull his pants down 3 inches he makes that save”.
by Canuckelhead on Oct 7, 2011 9:03 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Btw
That quote in my comment should all br read with the voice of Jim brockmire
by Canuckelhead on Oct 7, 2011 9:29 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Observations
It is good to see that the sniper that used to shoot out MayRay’s skates every game still has a job and has picked out Hansen as his new target. But to be fair, Malkin was shot multiple times as well.
FUSweden would have been faster in a motorized scooter. How many shorthanded goals will be due to the fact he is on the point during the PP.
Higgins was like the Tasmanian Devil. He was speedy blur out there who was the best player every shift.
The Canucks should avoid the shootout at all costs or trade for Letang. His eight move deke almost made my eyes fall out.
The penalty kills felt like we were two men down. Dear Mr Kesler, hurry the fuck up and heal.
A point after sucking for half the game is not a bad start. Yeah!
Let it begin
Looked really good
Almost scored the GWG, looks like a good fit on the 2nd PP
The sexiest Canucks Fan in Mississauga, Ontario. Or something like that.
I wouldn't say really good.
That second line didn’t get anything going until the 3rd period. Not all of that is Hodgson’s fault but that line needs more time together.
Let it begin
Two old guys and a whipper snapper. The old guys need to get their groins in game shape. And that line just seems like a bad idea to me. Sammy and Sturm? Needs more grit
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
Higgins should get a chance on the 2nd line
And I’m sure he will at some point, he looked really good last night. I think people don’t realize he played the majority of the playoffs with a broken foot
by free_raffi on Oct 7, 2011 9:25 AM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
One thing I noticed about Hodgson? He doesn’t always move his feet. He practically stops. Where? In the offensive zone after the puck is turned over and goes the other way. If Hodgson had Hansen’s feet he would be deadly
Writer at Nucks Misconduct
by Sean Zandberg on Oct 7, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
But having said that, I love that he’s getting his chance on line 2. It’s just a matter of time before he bags one. That line starting gelling as the night went on
Writer at Nucks Misconduct
by Sean Zandberg on Oct 7, 2011 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions
But
he can have flashes of speed, as I saw one yesterday. When i saw that play, I was surprised to realize that the speedy guy I am looking at is Hodgson.
Los Angeles, CA
it might have something to do with his stride
he looks to be moving so slowly all the time, but i do notice every once in a while he is somehow going fast…well not fast but faster than usual
The thing that stood out
for me about Cody, was his speed, strength on the puck, and his patience.
There was a near break-away on the right wing, when he got the puck at our blue line, and, with a Penguin on his back, he took off like a rocket. He actually gained speed as he approached the other end, instead of slowing down. He looked awsome.
I really believe that he will take a huge step during Kesler’s absence. It may bother us that Kesler is gone for now, but it may be a blessing in disguise. AV should give this kid a shitload of ice time, and have confidence in him. He could develop into a second Kesler before we realize it.
Los Angeles, CA
Intro on TSN this morning
Death, Taxes and Roberto Luongo having a poor October – three things in life you can’t avoid.
Not like Fleury has had piss poor starts (including going 1-6-1 last season) or anything like that.
The sexiest Canucks Fan in Mississauga, Ontario. Or something like that.
If we didn't have Scheider
then I would agree that there is nothing we can do about it.
But we do have the guy, and not using him is just perplexing.
Los Angeles, CA
I've stopped caring
about what people say about Luongo. I got texts from Chicago fans last night poking fun at him. Guess what, he made some good stops, kept the Canucks in it until the team found its legs, and we salvaged a point. People will focus on the goals he gave up, never give him credit for his saves, whatever. Good to get the point on opening night, and against one of the East’s best teams too. I’ll take it.
The think
that made it hard to give him credit for anything, is that there was Fleury on the other end. And Fleury looked so good out there, that Luongo paled, in comparison.
Los Angeles, CA
Lou didn’t have much of a workload after it was 3-1. The Canucks went on the attack and kept attacking. He did not make one tremendous save did he? OK, maybe that fluttery glove save. He didn’t have a good night. Let’s just call a spade a spade. I think there needs to be some realism here. I am a Lou fan. I get when hate is unjustified. Last night the “hate” was justified. He didn’t need to let his team get down 3-1. He wasn’t there for them early. A lot of the blame goes on him. Pure and simple. Having said that, he’ll kick some ass on Monday. That’s what he does as a pro. He rebounds from a bad outing and blows your mind.
Writer at Nucks Misconduct
by Sean Zandberg on Oct 7, 2011 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions
I agree, that's what I saw last night.
He did nothing to win this game. Absolutely nothing. We got the point in spite of him.
I tried to restrain myself from too much criticism, I thought that may be I missed a few good plays that he may have made. But I saw nothing. Now that you seem to feel the same way, I am less uncertain of my assessment of him.
Los Angeles, CA
Positive outlook: Despite not showing up, we got a point
Negative outlook: 7ONGO SUCK0RZZ. HAD HE NOT PLAYED WE WOULD’VE GOTTEN 2 POINTS
by Chocolate on Oct 7, 2011 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yep
My thoughts exactly.
Although Lu has tended to have bad games in 2 game packages….
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
not going to say he had a very good game
but he had a good game…….just kidding
he was definitely not on the ball, looked a little rusty, but the team in front of him didnt give him alot of support to start the game. everyone looked rusty including lou, its just that when lou isnt good it shows alot more on the scoreboard
I like Lu alot and hope he helps bring his team the Cup, but, having seen him in many shootout situations, including last night, I would urge the Canucks to avoid shootouts at all cost.
"Why are we so quick to blame? What is the attraction in that?" - Carmela Soprano
by Bobby Canuck on Oct 7, 2011 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions
The fact that we, Canucks fans, hate shootouts, doesn’t exactly show our confidence in Luongo.
Shootouts, as a rule, should be a 50/50 affair. This means that we should not hate it, but rather be neutral about it, because we are going to have just as much chance as the other team, to win it.
So, why do we hate it? Because we KNOW that is not 50/50, if Lu is in the net.
Los Angeles, CA
That’s not why we all hate it. I hate it because it’s not representative of who the better team is. It’s who the better individuals are in a mini-game that isn’t hockey.
Nucks Misconduct's Prophet of the KesLORD, Knight-Errant and Slayer of Trolls
"Because you are the most arrogant poster I have ever encountered. And I knew yoata pretty well. I hate arrogance."
Basically, we should avoid them because none of our players are particularly good at non-hockey.
Nucks Misconduct's Prophet of the KesLORD, Knight-Errant and Slayer of Trolls
"Because you are the most arrogant poster I have ever encountered. And I knew yoata pretty well. I hate arrogance."
I was afraid
that somebody would say that. But it is a possibility.
But how can it be, that on such a good team, all the players, and the goalie included, suck at shootout? It sounds like a conspiracy to me, and that’s why it is hard to believe. We have one of the most talented corps, and they ALL stink when it comes to this. It seems unreal to me.’
That’s why it is more plausible to blame Luongo (one player), instead of blaming the rest of the team (25 players).
Los Angeles, CA
It’s not that hard to believe. We don’t have too many players who are pure “danglers”, I guess you could call them. We have guys with tons of skill, but most of them feed of others. How often do you see Daniel or Henrik deke out a guy? Not very often, but you do see them turn guys inside and out with the cycle game and passing.
A guy like Wellwood was great at the shootout because he could dangle and deke like a madman. We don’t have too many guys who do that.
And they also probably don’t practice it all that much either
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
This. I feel like it’s a pretty simple answer as to why we’re not a good shootout teams. We just don’t employ many of that type of player.
Nucks Misconduct's Prophet of the KesLORD, Knight-Errant and Slayer of Trolls
"Because you are the most arrogant poster I have ever encountered. And I knew yoata pretty well. I hate arrogance."
of = off
before the often in there
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
It is too early in the season,
to even mention Luongo’s name yet. If we already get on him in October, what the heck are we going to talk about in March? By that time, the bashing will be so old, that we all are going to get food poisoning from it.
But I really believe that playing Schneider tonight, would have gotten two points for us. And that would have been sweet.
If we all know that October is not a good month for Lu, why not play Schneider more? The line that we’ve been saying in the last 4 years “Luongo is the man, and we swim or die with him” is not valid anymore. AV has to go with the one who gives us the best chance to win at any given time, period. With Luongo, there is a well-established pattern in the opening month of the season, and AV should accept that fact and deal with it. Getting a few extra points will go a long way, and will give us a chance to relax towards the end of the season. And that can make a difference in the playoffs. A good example is game seven, with Chicago. They had to scramble to get into the playoffs, and I am sure that it took a toll on them. The Canucks had an easy month, and coasting. That may have been the reason why we didn’t got knocked out in the first round.
Los Angeles, CA
What are the chances that 40% of the fans in Columbus are actually wearing Vancouver colors? Will the Canuck Army start travelling so soon?
Frequent visitor to Nucks Misconduct.
i already have a plan for that gamethread…..
"Oh yeah, I forgot you can tempt me with things I want.." (Bender)
Nucks Misconduct writer.
@NM_missy
THE CANUCKS LOST IN A SHOOTOUT?
LUONGO HAD AN AVERAGE GAME AND A CRAP SHOOTOUT?
THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS A FALLING!
<3 Boobies!
notafullcolon CS: Well obviously I meant we were snorting blow off hookers at the time of the goal
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Nucks Misconduct
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Nucks Misconduct Store
Your clothing sucks. Go fix it.
