With a 2-1 shootout victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets in Columbus, the Canucks were able to avenge last week’s 2-1 overtime defeat to the same team in the same arena.
This time, highlights included the strong goaltending of Roberto Luongo and Mason Raymond’s spin-o-rama goal in the shootout.
In this video, I touch on Roberto Luongo’s strong game, David Booth’s aggressive play, Alex Burrows sliding into Luongo, boarding penalties, the goaltending situation, Cam Barker’s offensive prowess, and Tom Sestito’s decreasing playing time.
The Vancouver Canucks dropped their 4th straight loss – this one a 4-2 decision to the Minnesota Wild in Minnesota.
I didn’t get a chance to watch this game so instead I relied on some insight from one of my colleagues here at CHB: Caylie King (@cayking). Through the magic of WhatsApp, Caylie provided me insight on scoring, fighting, and injuries.
With the Minnesota win, they overtook the Canucks for first place in the Northwest Division for the first time since December 2011. At that time, I wrote a song called “Under the Minneso” – a spoof of Justin Bieber’s “Under the Mistletoe”. I’ve included it at the end of this CCC.
Clay Imoo (@canuckclay) will be recapping every Vancouver Canucks game with a quick post-game video commentary. As a start, Clay looks at the good, the bad, and the interesting from the Canucks’ 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings from March 2 at Rogers Arena.
In the video, Clay touches on the Canucks’ top 2 scoring lines, Cory Schneider’s suspect puck-handling, the benching of Keith Ballard, the debut of new enforcer Tom Sestito, and the LA Kings twitter account.
The Canucks look for a win against Dallas after a pedantic win over Minnesota.
And back after a spell with Chris Golden & Victoria Pattison behind the CHB TGATT desk tonight, you know Lizz will be bringing here A game. Just like Aaron Freaking Rome:
The Canucks celebrate their April 2011 playoff series win over the Blackhawks (Photo credit: Reuters)
I’m looking forward to tonight’s big match-up between the Vancouver Canucks and their nemesis the Chicago Blackhawks for a few reasons. I’m intrigued to see how Roberto Luongo plays against his arch-rivals as the fascinating goaltending saga goes on. I’m eager to see if guys like Zack Kassian and Keith Ballard can keep up their strong play. I’m looking forward to some quality time with my lovely wife Gail (who patiently puts up with my blogging shenanigans). And I wonder if there will be any retribution for Duncan Keith for his dirty hit on Daniel Sedin at the end of last season.
Just 21 months ago, I witnessed the same two teams clash in the best game that I’ve ever seen live. Of course, I’m talking about game 7 in the first-round of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. There had been so much drama and unrest leading up to game 7 as the Blackhawks had won three straight games to tie the series and bring the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Canucks to the brink of elimination. There were questions about the officiating and questions about the Canucks goaltending (apparently the more things change the more they stay the same). In fact, Roberto Luongo had been pulled in both games 4 and 5 before Cory Schneider was given the surprise start in game 6. Schneider then was pulled in game 6…but due to injury. Add in the fact that the Blackhawks had eliminated the Canucks in the second-round the two previous years and you can see why the game meant so much.
The atmosphere in Rogers Arena was incomparable that evening; there was a noticeable excitement, intensity and nervousness in the crowd the entire night. I’m sure you remember the game details very vividly: how Alex Burrows scored early in the first and even had a chance to put the Canucks up by two with a penalty shot early in the third period. How Jonathan Toews tied the game up with only two minutes left in the third period scoring from his knees with an amazing short-handed effort.
The 17-minute intermission between the third period and overtime was among the longest 17 minutes of my life. I remember very vividly that the crowd sat in stunned silence for the entire time. My buddy Mike and I, both of us never short for words when at a Canucks game, didn’t say a word to each other for the duration of the intermission. There wasn’t really anything to be said. We were about to witness history: either the Canucks were about to exorcise the Chicago Blackhawks demons or they would complete one of the greatest meltdowns in NHL playoff history.
We didn’t have to wait too long for a sign. And it wasn’t a good one.
Just 24 seconds into the extra frame, Alex Burrows took a holding penalty on Duncan Keith on what seemed like a harmless play behind the Chicago net. On the ensuing power-play, Roberto Luongo made an absolutely amazing save on Patrick Sharp’s one-timer from five feet away. In watching the save countless times, I will say that it wasn’t Luongo’s most difficult save of the season. But it certainly was his biggest.
You know the rest: just two shifts later, Burrows intercepted Chris Campoli’s clearing attempt, deftly dropped the puck to his feet, and slapped the winner over Crawford’s blocker. The goal set off a wild celebration both on the ice (remember Victor Oreskovich jumping around looking for someone to hug?) and in the stands. It’s certainly the loudest I’ve ever heard the crowd at Rogers Arena…rivaled only by the roar after Kevin Bieksa scored in game 5 vs. the Sharks to send the Canucks to the Stanley Cup Finals.
That’s why I look forward to Blackhawks-Canucks games. They always seem to be intense and exciting contests. We’ll see what drama unfolds tonight.
With a 2-1 shootout victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets in Columbus, the Canucks were able to avenge last week’s 2-1 overtime defeat to the same team in the same arena.