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I’ve always appreciated a good haiku. Maybe it’s because I’m half-Japanese (Imoo – pronounced “E-mo” and not “I-moo” – is a Japanese name). Or perhaps it’s because it’s a relatively easy poem to write with its simple structure of 17 syllables broken into lines of 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables. Regardless, the haiku has always resonated with me.
Do you ever wonder what your favorite NHLers do while you’re waiting for them to get back to the rink? Sadly, I have no personal knowledge of the life of a professional hockey player in the off-season, but I decided to take a guess. Here’s what I think some of the NHL’s finest (and not so fine) did on their summer vacation.
In typical 2013/2014 Canucks fashion, the Canucks ended their train wreck of a season with a 5-1 plastering of the Calgary Flames. I mean, 5 of their 36 wins this season were against the Flames. Thanks for a [insert adjective here] season, @VanCanucks! It's . . . been . . . fun? #Canucks #TGATT — gladys | 曾昭慧 (@gloomybb) April 14, 2014
Step 1: Draft hulking forward with average skating ability but flashes of offensive upside. Step 2: Thrust player into spotlight using unfair comparisons and unrealistic expectations. Step 3: Criticize said player’s slow development despite young age and minimal professional experience. Step 4: After a few years of disappointment, give player chance on second line or better because of a cavalcade of injuries. Step 5: Take credit for supposed 3-year plan when player succeeds. And so goes the tale of the power forward – a much sought after, but rare commodity in the modern era of the NHL. These types of players often take...
The Canucks won their last game against the Winnipeg Jets last Wednesday. Alex Burrows not only scored his first goal of the season, but he scored twice. Chris Higgins and his washboard abs scored the winning goal in the shootout. (Yes, the Canucks won in the shootout.) Wait, aren’t we supposed to be tanking? The playoff race continues tonight for the Canucks as they face a similarly-desperate Washington Capitals team. Both the Canucks (30-28-10) and the Caps (30-27-10) have 70 points, good for 10th place in the Western Conference and 11th place in the Eastern Conference, respectively. The playoff door...
It looked for 40 minutes, didn’t it? They had a 3-0 lead entering the third period. I mean, how the hell do they blow a 3-goal lead in the first 3 minutes of the third period? Come on Torts. Don't leave so fast. You have to stay out, hear the boos and feel shame. #Canucks #TGATT — Bruce Ng (@transcendwebs) March 11, 2014
There are no reasons. HAHAHA! …………….. I’M KIDDING, of course. Chin up, kids. Sure, we’re all a bit shell-shocked at the events that have (or have not) transpired over the past two days but let’s take a deep breath and try to find a silver lining. I’m not going to talk about potential deals. I’m not going to talk about draft picks. I’m not going to talk about prospects, hearsay, speculation, fairy dust. I’m going to talk about what Ryan Kesler, personally, brings to a team with oh so many holes in it. Let me remind you that, without Kesler,...
This week could be the most important week for the Vancouver Canucks organization in a long, long time. First, let’s set the background. The Canucks can’t win. They’ve lost 9 of their last 10 games, and have only won 6 games (6-14-4) since Christmas. They can’t score. They’ve managed to score 3 goals in a game just 4 times since the calendar turned to 2014, and their 2.33 goals per game average this season is their lowest since 1999, when their roster included illustrious players like Peter Zezel, Harry York, Bill Muckalt and Darby Hendrickson. The Sedins are having their...
(Photo credit: nhl.com) Ottawa Senators (26-23-11) at Vancouver Canucks (28-24-10) The Vancouver Canucks will take on the Ottawa Senators at BC Place for the 2014 Heritage Classic. And wouldn’t you know it, it’s snowing as we speak in downtown Vancouver. Cold Snap Just as cold as the weather outside is the Canucks’ offence. They’ve scored a grand total of 6 goals in their last 6 games, and not surprisingly, they’ve lost all but 1 of them. The Sedins, though they’ve been playing a bit better since the Olympic break, haven’t scored in 2013. Alex Burrows hasn’t scored since the 2012/2013...
Sure, the game had its moments. Like Ryan Kesler scoring – shorthanded – in his first game back from injury, in his first game since word got out that he had requested a trade out of Vancouver. Like Eddie Lack standing on his head again, allowing just one goal for the 6th time in his last 8 starts. Like Keith Ballard returning to Rogers Arena (playing in the game and not sitting in the press box). But let’s be reality here. Canucks vs. Wild games aren’t the most exciting games at the best of times, and last night’s was no...
