The Canucks waited patiently while the Lightning and Bruins took their series the full seven. By sheer coincidence I watched that game at a Boston-friendly bar and enjoyed the banter with most of the folks...until a little after the Horton GWG. The chat took a predictable trash-talking turn, but all in good fun and, in hindsight, utterly G-rated in comparison with the sideshows that accompanied this year's Cup Final.

Putting the media machine noise aside, the series from a goals perspective was similar to the opening round: when the Canucks wanted to, their puck management was solid, leading to good transitions and quality chances down around the goal. On the flip side, when they were off their game their weaknesses were (easily) exposed and the goals against came in droves. Immensely frustrating to watch.

Naturally it wouldn't be a season swan song if we didn't bring up defensive injuries which isn't pointing a finger of blame, but rather a sober reminder that some things actually do stay the same year to year.

After the jump the goal charts and some final notes.

Continue reading this post »

Continuing our look at where and how the playoff goals were scored we have our friends from the WCF San Jose Sharks. Heading into the third round the best guess was the series would be a coin flip between SJ's forwards and Vancouver's defense (which was a similar vibe we'd hear in the SCF). This was by and large true, however Vancouver also received far more production from the backend which helped them tremendously over the course of five games.

Thanks to a strong third period to take game one, a pure thrashing two nights later in game two, some special teams success in game four and a hard-fought game five with a fortuitous bounce that will haunt Sharks fans for awhile, the Canucks outlasted their Pacific coast opponent.

After the jump, the dirty details.

Continue reading this post »

The disappointment of the loss to the Bruins is quickly subsiding for me (if you call 3 days of dejection and misery "quick") and so what I'd like to present to you are videos of every Canucks game-winning goal scored from this year's playoffs. Honestly, this loss will never sit well with me, nor will the 1994 and 1982 losses. I hate 2nd place. But what I can do is mope over it, OR I can congratulate and celebrate the Canucks team that gave us a lot of terrific memories this past season and focus on the positives. I can live with the fact that several of our guys were playing hurt and couldn't get the job done in the end. I can live with being thankful to the team for giving us so many terrific memories this season. I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing these experiences with you all and with the fans up here in Smithers. So raise your glass to these guys and toast the wonderful season that it was while enjoying the visual candy that I am about to present...

Continue reading this post »

Henry Rollins used to say "Does my ass look big in this state of the union address?" when he'd discuss his cringing, powerless embarrassment whenever President Bush would speak publicly on behalf of Americans. As if to suggest when the President can't pronounce "nuclear" the mistake makes all the innocent people he represents look like morons.

This morning I kept returning to a similar phrase: "Does my ass look big in this NHL team?"

It was one of several things I thought about on the walk to work. I often chat with myself during the trek to the train because it passes the time and, hey, why talk to other people? When the conversation is confined in my skull, I sound brilliant and my answers are always profoundly insightful.

Since I'm struggling to enjoy life today I'll share the conversation with you.

Full disclosure: it probably makes no sense.

Continue reading this post »

Back in the whaling era, after a crew successfully harpooned a whale they'd let the creature swim violently in a circle before finally dying, its last movement being a beat of the tail and a single "fin out", the final act before the whale expired. 

You may as well learn a thing or two on an obituary post. Think of it as help for your next bar trivia outing. You're welcome.

So about game seven...

Continue reading this post »

via i40.tinypic.com

It is a painful anniversary: 17 years to the day that the Canucks lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final to the New York Rangers. It is sore topic for me to discuss, and I have never revisited details or highlights of that game beyond what is mentioned in conversation or shown in NHL commercials. My memory of the game is foggy, given that I was 10 at the time and that so many years have passed since then, but I remember the emotion of that game all too well. It was crushing and devastating for so many fans who invested so much - emotionally, socially, and financially - into the Canucks.

Tomorrow's Game 7 I will remember for the rest of my life. I am hoping against hope that these 2011 Canucks can do what the underdog 1994 squad could not do. And in the process, take some of the sting off of that painful loss 17 years ago. I already have one painful Cup Final memory. Fans older than me may have two, given the 1982 squad's sweep by the New York Islanders. I don't know how much more our collective psyche can take. But all that can be put aside with one more win to cap this amazing season.

15/16. We are almost there.

GO CANUCKS GO.

A diehard Canucks fan living in Toronto since 2001, I have long vowed to return to Vancouver for a visit should the Canucks make the Stanley Cup Final - even if it meant quitting my job! Fortunately it didn't come to that, and I will be in Vancouver from June 6 until some time after the series ends. Unfortunately I do not have a spare $1000 or so to see a game live. But I will enjoy the atmosphere in the city, and will be sharing daily or almost-daily updates of the sights and sounds that I experience in Vancouver, as a city waits on pins and needles for a 41 year dream to come to fruition. This feature is aimed mostly at those fans that don't live in the city, but want to experience a slice of Canucks-crazy life in Vancouver. Hope you enjoy!

June 9-10 - Days 4 & 5 of my Vancouver trip

Well yesterday was definitely the best day of my trip. Something to do with the local ice hockey team, I believe. People seem quite excited about this group of sportsmen for some reason.  Coming up, many more pictures and some video from the post-Game 5 celebrations in downtown Vancouver.

Screw Peter Puck, this was way cooler! Yeah, I met Steve Nash. And it was pretty freakin' cool. I didn't even notice him at first, and I just noticed a group of people in Canucks gear coming up the street. I actually high-fived his kid and a few other people in his group, and then half a block later my sister said "that was Steve Nash!" I ran back and he kindly took a quick picture with me (I felt badly bugging him when he was out with family... but I did so anyway). Best of all, he was keeping it in the family and rocking the Manny Malhotra shirt!

Continue reading this post »

A diehard Canucks fan living in Toronto since 2001, I have long vowed to return to Vancouver for a visit should the Canucks make the Stanley Cup Final - even if it meant quitting my job! Fortunately it didn't come to that, and I will be in Vancouver from June 6 until some time after the series ends. Unfortunately I do not have a spare $1000 or so to see a game live. But I will enjoy the atmosphere in the city, and will be sharing daily or almost-daily updates of the sights and sounds that I experience in Vancouver, as a city waits on pins and needles for a 41 year dream to come to fruition. This feature is aimed mostly at those fans that don't live in the city, but want to experience a slice of Canucks-crazy life in Vancouver. Hope you enjoy!

June 7-8 - Days 2 & 3 of my Vancouver trip

Not surprisingly, the city felt quite subdued the day after Game 3. A grey, rainy morning did nothing to help my mood, and I laid low in East Van for most of the day. Yesterday I went wandering downtown before Game 4 started. This picture was taken in front of the CBC building. My six year-old self is extremely jealous that I met Peter Puck. 

After the jump: more from the CBC street party, some pics from Granville street, and a local strip-club gets creative in its marketing.

Continue reading this post »