Vancouver Canucks Hockey Stuff

Vancouver Canucks try to go 11 and 2

Another big home game tonight for the Vancouver Canucks, against the Minnesota Wild.  The Wild will try to come in and break their curren losing streak, and gain 2 points to make it into the 8th and final playoff spot in the western conference. Meanwhile, the Canucks will look to gain the 2 points to stay in 5th spot, and ahead of the Wild who would then be on the outside, looking in, on the playoff standings.  If the Canucks pull out another win tonight, they will be 11 and 2 in their last 13 games, after getting points in 16 of their last 20 games.

Hopefully the Canucks can get more offensive production from their defensive corps tonight against the Wild, as Kevin Bieksa has gone 4 games without a point, yet still leads the Canucks defenseman in points.  Mats Sundin had two assists against Columbus, so look for him to produce again tonight as well.  Ryan Kesler has been on fire, and hopefully can start a consistent string of points during the next few games.  The Wild have lost 3 of their last 4 meetings against the Canucks, and have lost their last 3 consecutive starts.

The Wild have a much more defensive oriented game than the Canucks, so look for Vancouver to hit hard and hit early, to try to get on the scoreboard, and make the Wild pay for their defensive play. 

The big question with this game, is the fact that this could be the last game with the current roster, heading into tomorrow trade deadline.  Several Canucks have rumours swirling around them, the biggest being around Alex Burrows, who may be shipped if he can’t sign a contract extension.  Hopefully this rumour, is just that, a RUMOUR, as Burrows leaving the Canucks would throw a large wrench into this teams on ice chemistry.  One big development heading into tonights game is the fact that Brendan Morrison has been placed on waivers by the Anaheim Ducks.  Will the Canucks pick him up?  He would be a great third line center, pushing Wellwood down to the fourth line, as Wellwood sure hasn’t been producing.  We will know by tomorrow morning if the Canucks pick him up, I think it would be a SMART move for the Canucks, bringing back local BC talent that has a proven ability to play and put up big numbers.

Make sure to see the Canucks game live on Sportsnet Pacific at 7pm.  You can also listen to the game on live streaming online radio at The Team, team1040.ca.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Bieksa out for 2 – 3 weeks.

Kevin Bieksa will be out of the line up because of an injury, it appears he suffered in the November 4th game against the Nashville Predators, in which he blocked a shot that hit him in the skate.  He has bone chips it is being reported, so he will be out of the line up for the next two to three weeks.  Also today the Canucks reported that Sami Salo will be out day to day because of a sore elbow, in which he injured during the last game against the Colorado Avalanche, while diving to try and block a shot that turned out to be Roberto Luongo’s shut-put ending goal against.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Columbus Blue Jackets 4 – Vancouver Canucks 2

The Canucks could not pull out a win in Columbus tonight, after falling behind 3-1 after the first two periods, and down 2-0 only 7 minutes into the contest.  They came out very solid in the thrid, throwing twelve shots at Columbus’ Pascal Leclaire, though leclaire stopped 11 of thoe to seal the victory, with Columbus netting an empty-net goal late in the third to make it 4-2.

Kyle Wellwood looked impressive in his first game back after being recalled from Manitoba, scoring a goal and assising on Kevin Bieksa’s marker.  Things to note during tonight’s game was the impressive third period play of Steve Bernier and the Sedin twins, however they could not put one in the Columbus net, and therefore Daniel Sedin is now pointles through his last five games.  On the other hand, Ryan Kesler’s point streak has gone onto four games with 2 goals and 2 assists within that time.

Both teams finished with identical power plays, going 1 for 4.  The Canucks came close on the power play late in the third period but couldn’t pull the trigger.

Tonight’s goals were scored by Kyle Wellwood power-play goal (Ryan Kesler, Mason Raymond), and Kevin Bieksa (Kyle Wellwood).

Also today, after attempting to recall Matt pettinger from the Manitoba Moose via re-entry waivers, and having him picked up by the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Canucks recalled Jason Krog, and he is now playing with the big club.

The Canucks next game is on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers at GM Place starting at 7pm.  They play two home games before hitting the road for another road trip.  Saturday nights game will be televised on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada in HD High Definition, and you can also listen to it live online streaming on Team1040.ca

Popularity: 8% [?]

Canucks Arrive in Detroit to Play at 4:30PM.

After a lopsided 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Monday that saw the Canucks be outshot 35-10,  the Canucks are in Detroit to face the defending Stanley Cup Champs tonight, with the game being broadcast on TSN at 4:30pm PST from Joe Louis Arena.  The canucks season series from last year has detroit winning three of the four games the two teams played, and so this could be a heated battle, especially after the stinger of a game the canucks played and the fact the Red Wings are looking for consecutive win number three.  Tonight Kevin Bieksa will be out of te line-up because of the injury to his knee,  and it also appears that Taylor Pyatt will be out o the line-up as well.  The Canucks are looking for it’s third win in four games to open the season.  Make sure to tune into TSN at 4:30pm tonight!

[edit: i stand corrected, Kevin Bieksa is IN the line-up for tonight!]

Popularity: 9% [?]

Canucks Beat Sharks, Make it Six Straight Preseason Wins

A 5 point night for the Sedin twins capped off a good night for the Canucks as they managed to keep the San Jose Sharks down and out to complete their 6th straight win and keep their preseason record perfect.  It was a see-saw game on the scoreboard again, with both teams trading goalsback and forth after the Sharks got on the board 17:25 into the first period.

Shots in tonight’s game were much more even as well as penalties.  The Sharks outshot the Canucks, with a margin of 33-20.  In the penalty department, the Canucks were able to keep the Sharks off the board while killing their penalties, making them go 0 for 7.  The Canucks, on the other hand, made good use of their power play time, going 2 for 6 on the power play.

Curtis Saford played in goal, receing the third star for his efforts, especially blanking the Sharks on the thirteen shots they put his way in the third period.

Goals were scored by these Canucks tonight: Steve Bernier PP Goal (Sami Salo, Daniel Sedin), Daniel Sedin PP Goal (Kevin Bieksa, Henrik Sedin), and Henrik Sedin (Kevin Bieksa, Daniel Sedin).

The Canucks next and last preseason game is on Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks at GM Place at 7PM.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Vancouver Canucks defeat the Anaheim Ducks 5 – 4 in Shoot-out

The Canucks have made it a perfect start to the pre-season.  They have played 4 games and have won all 4, with tonight’s win coming courtesy of a shoot-out victory. 

The game was a see-saw battle througout, with Anaheim scoring first 1 minute into the second period, with Vancouver replying back eight minutes later.   The teams traded goals right until the end, when Anaheim scored with just over two minutes left in the third period to tie up the game.

The Canucks spent alot of time in the sin bin, amassing 13 penalties totalling 32 minutes, and gave up two goals on 10 Anaheim power play opportunities, totalling 16:38 of power-play time.  On the other hand, the Canucks were two for four on the power-play, with only fine and a half minutes of power play time. 

Tonight’s goals were scored by Kyle Wellwood (Cody Hodgson, Sami Salo),  Sami Salo (Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin), Steve Bernier (Sami Salo, Kevin Bieksa), Daniel Sedin (Henrik Sedin, Steve Bernier),  with th shoot-out winner scored by Kyle Wellwood.

The Canucks were outshot by the Ducks by a margin of 38 – 23, with Curtis Sanford in net backed up by Cory Schneider.

The Canucks play again on October 1st against the Calgary Flames at GM Place at 7pm.  The game will be televised on TSN.

Popularity: 10% [?]