Nucks Misconduct

Well This Doesn't Happen Very Often: Canucks-Islanders Preview

2010-03-16T19:00:33Z

Islanders (28-32-9)		Canucks (43-23-3)
	AT

Time	7:00 PM PST	TV	Sportsnet Pacific
Season Series	0 - 0	Last Meeting	2-1 Islanders (SO) (11-17-08)
The Enemy	Lighthouse Hockey	Scoring Leaders	H. Sedin: 28-65-93 Okposo: 14-28-42

Islanders	Category	Canucks
12th	Conference Position	3rd
4-5-1	Last 10	7-2-1
2.51 (26th)	Goals Per Game	3.26 (2nd)
3.01 (24th)	Least Goals Against Per Game	2.51 (8th)
.83 (28th)	5 On 5 GF/GA	1.31 (2nd)
15.8 (26th)	Power Play %	21.3 (5th)
76.0 (28th)	Penalty Kill %	81.3 (18th)
30.7 (11th)	Shots Per Game	30.5 (12th)
31.6 (23rd)	Least Shots Against Per Game	29.0 (7th)
61.3 (22nd)	Winning % When Scoring First	81.3 (2nd)
56.0 (29th)	Winning % When Leading After 1	87.5 (3rd)
23.7 (25th)	Winning % When Trailing After 1	45.9 (4th)
79.3 (23rd)	Winning % When Leading After 2	96.4 (3rd)
3.2 (28th)	Winning % When Trailing After2	37.0 (1st)
48.2 (25th)	Faceoffs %	51.4 (6th)
10.7 (4th)	Least PIM's Per Game	15.4 (26th)
-16 (24th)	+ / - GF/GA (see here)	+42 (2nd)

Personally, I didn't even know that Kyle Okposo was leading the Islanders in scoring. That's how much I pay attention to them. I was shocked that John Tavares was 4th in team scoring and a team-worst -18. What I do know is that the Islanders are not the Eastern Conference basement team that I thought they would be. They are 8 points up on the lowly Leafs and 8 points away from the 8th place Bruins.

Some guy named Matt Moulson has 25 goals and leads the team in that category. Moulson..... drafted in the 9th round by the Penguins in 2003, 26 years old and claimed as a free agent by the Islanders 9 days after free agency opened last summer. Sometimes all a guy needs is to play on the top line for a shitty team to show the world what he is made of. Good on him.

The Islanders are finally rising from the depths of NHL basement hell yet remain an anomaly. Consider their last 7 games: 3-3-1. The wins came over Chicago (yea!), New Jersey (wha?) and Toronto (that makes sense). The losses were at the hands of Philly, Boston, Atlanta and St. Louis. You know these guys are playing their guts out, as nobody gives them a hope in hell. So then you know that teams take them for granted. Let's hope the Canucks don't do that tonight.

So who's rolling for the Isles in their last 5 games?

-Blake Comeau had 5 assists.

-Richard Park and Josh Bailey each had 1 goal and 3 assists

-Matt Moulson had 3 goals

-Franz Nielsen and Mark Streit each had 1 goal and 2 assists

-Kyle Okposo and Jon Sim each had 1 goal and 1 assist.

-John Tavares had 1 piddly goal in those 5 games.

-Dwayne Roloson played in 3 of those games, Martin Biron in 2. I wonder if Rolie plays against the Canucks because he is more familiar with them. Also, Biron is 5-12-3 for the Isles this season while Roloson is 21-15-6. Impressive stats by a 40-year-old who most people thought was done after his days in Edmonton.

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Roberto Luongo	58	3309	36	18		133	2.41	1603	1470	.917	4

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Dwayne Roloson	43	2493	21	15		121	2.91	1322	1201	.908	1

-Can Kesler keep his point streak alive? He has recorded points in 13 straight games and has scored 6 goals and 9 assists in that span.

-The Sedins like it at home. Combined they have 3 goals and 4 assists in the Canucks' first 2 games back at the Garage. They have come out flying in both games.

-Mikael Samuelsson has 10 goals and 4 assists in his last 10 games. What a killer!

The Canucks can pull within 3 points of 2nd place Chicago with a win, but the Hawks will have 2 games in hand.

Alright, some videos for you:

1. If you're old enough like me, you have a really big reason to hate the Islanders. Think 1982:

2. Sergei Shirokov scores his 2nd goal of the night in a 2-1 Canucks win over the Islanders in Terrace BC.

3. What happened the last time these 2 teams played a regular season game? Cover your eyes and ears!

Go Canucks go! Keep rollin'!

Tuesday Morning Coffee- Won't Someone Please Think About The Capitals?!?!?!

2010-03-16T16:37:10Z

[www.sportsnet.ca]

As a blogger, you sometimes struggle with the fact that not a lot of what you write will actually have an impact on this wonderful game we all love. Yet knowing that in conjunction with the Canadian hockey media we were able to get Alexander Ovechkin suspended, it finally feels like we have a voice. And that voice will continue to keep the Washington Capitals and their fans pinned to the ground.

If it weren't all laid out on the interwebs for all to see, you'd think it was a joke. Yet there are journalists suggesting that Ovechkin is being targeted for punishment. All the usual nonsense is there. Comparisons of hits that are night and day different. And of course, the old chestnut "If this were Sidney Crosby...". I don't know what's worse, the fact that people actually believe there's a conspiracy against the Capitals, or that they have the audacity to play the victim card.

They'd have you believe Alex is the victim, along with the team. Good lord, they may not actually win the President's Trophy by double digits now! Alexander Ovechkin could lose the Art Ross.

First of all, the President's Trophy is nice, but history is full of first overall teams that don't win the cup. It's a vanity thing more than anything else. A great accomplishment, but if the team were to tank, a 2 game suspension to one of the many star players in their lineup is hardly going to be the reason.

The Art Ross, well... the suspension may keep him from winning the scoring race indeed. Yet for anyone to cry foul is ludicrous. The rules of the game are there to keep players from getting injured by the reckless or dangerous actions of other players. If Ovechkin should lose that race, the only one to blame will be himself. The reluctance of Ovechkin and the Capitals organization to take any responsibility in this is shameful, and indicative of the problems facing this game. They're crying foul over a push. They're going all Zapruder-film on this, stating there's a movement of Campbell's skate that is to blame. That he knew Ovechkin was there, that he should have known Ovechkin was going to shove him. That he should have gone straight and none of this would have happened. It's hard to keep the bile down when I hear the 'blame the victim' rhetoric coming out of the Caps camp.

We can talk about the NHL's inconsistency on suspensions until we're all blue in the face. None of it makes sense, and we know that. But suggestions that this was not a suspendable play is garbage. You want to play the what if game, Caps fans? Fine. What if Campbell's head hits the boards first? What if he fractures his neck, and suffers paralysis? What if the broken rib punctures his lung and ends his career? What if he suffers internal bleeding and dies?

Take the punishment, and shut the hell up about being punished. Bryan Campbell's injuries far outweigh any slight, real or perceived that your team has suffered. The histrionics coming out of DC on this are embarrassing. I fear however that my message will fall upon deaf ears, and sooner rather than later, we will be mourning the loss of a player on the ice because some player didn't have enough respect to not take out a player in a vulnerable position. All it takes is a push.

Red Mile Breakfast Special: Pancakes and tears...

Another huge game, another 1 goal performance from the Calgary ~~Maple Leafs~~ Flames. Sure, they got their asses handed to them by the Canucks in the first half of the game Sunday, but in front of their home crowd last night against the Red Wings they really had nothing. And that lack of energy could be read in the fans reactions to the game. The Pengrowth Saddledome is usually rocking for the home team, but it was utterly morgue-like at times last night.

The 2nd period save by Jimmy Howard on the Curtis Glencross penalty shot was not just a game changer, it may have been the save that keeps the Flames from making the playoffs this season. And it doesn't get easier for the Flames. They have the Avalanche twice, plus the Canucks, Blackhawks, Capitals and Coyotes down the stretch.

If there's a bright spot, it's that they only have 5 home games remaining out of 13. The Flames are a brutal one game over .500 at home, so the road may be the source of salvation for their season. The clock is ticking for Darryl Sutter, and you have to think missing the post season will mean major house cleaning in Calgary.

The Canucks are taking on the Islanders tonight. I will give you a moment to calm down. Sure, some of us are feeling that uncomfortable twinge that this is going to be one of those games where the Canucks play down to the level of their opposition. I don't see it happening tonight, this Canucks team is playing with huge confidence right now, and are going to roll against the hapless Islanders.

It would be nice to see the Canucks play Andrew Raycroft tonight, and make sure Roberto Luongo is well rested for a huge game with the Sharks Thursday night. Then again you could argue with two solid outings, your best bet is to keep Luongo rolling so he doesn't lose any momentum.

Don't forget to check out the pregame and game time threads...

All About Rome

2010-03-16T07:39:44Z

Rome's wife, Adrianne, delivered little Grayson — all six pounds, 14 ounces of him — on Friday, Feb. 26. That gave Rome the chance to at least cradle his son in his arms for a few hours before the team left the next day on the post-Olympic portion of its epic 14-game journey.

It's great when stories like that of Aaron Rome get some attention, especially behind the success of the Sedins, Kesler, Samuelsson, etc. Rome deserves some spotlight too.

Check out the full article by Brad Ziemer at The Vancouver Sun. Great stuff on Rome "Burning Up The Depth Chart".

Cha-Chaing: Charity Results for Canucks for Kids

2010-03-15T21:28:37Z

A big thanks to everyone who stopped by last night for the game threads in conjunction with the Canucks For Kids telethon. I'll admit we didn't plan it terribly well (my fault), but we still managed to get a combined 1,721 comments on the books. At $.05 a pop, that's $86.05. We rounded it up to a cool C-note that Zandberg, Smoboy and I each plunked down. If you want to count Temujin's generous donation of the same amount, then we managed $400 for ~~to quickly resign Ryan Kesler~~ Canucks For Kids.

For the record, the last update on Twitter I saw had their grand total at $1,032,001 (or roughly double what our back up goalie makes).

It's a testament to you all who stopped by and kept the nickel rainstorm churning, especially the East Coast folks from PPP, Broad Street Hockey and In Lou We Trust and the guys we are usually knocking skulls with in the West (Five For Howling, Hockey Wilderness, SLGT and the brave few from Matchsticks and Gasoline). Karma points all around everyone, great job.

Monday Morning Coffee- So... how was your weekend?

2010-03-15T17:59:39Z

Two big wins, two signs that Roberto Luongo is getting into his groove once again and some recognition from the NHL for an incredible week from Mikael Samuelsson. The boys are back in town, and they just can't seem to stop winning games. Daniel and Henrik continued their torrid play as the Canucks lit up the Flames in the first and hung on for a 3-1 victory. More after the jump...

Mikael Samuelsson's 6 game goal streak may have come to an end, but he still added an assist and for his efforts was rewarded today with the NHL's first star of the week. Daniel and Henrik each had a goal and an assist, and Ryan Kesler got the winner in a 3 goal domination of the Flames in the first. Vesa Toskala played out the remaining two periods, but apart from a nice stop on a Mason Raymond breakaway, wasn't tested much as the Canucks ran out of gas in the last half of the game.

That first period may have been the best opening frame the Canucks have played all season, as Mikka Kiprusoff stood on his head to keep it at 3-0, it could have been so much worse. The Canucks outshot the Flames 20-6 and no real solid chances for the Flames.

The physical toll of 8 games in 13 nights showed in the play of the Canucks last night, by the end they had nothing left. Fortunately Roberto Luongo was solid once again, stopping 32 of 33 Flames shots. Vancouver now sits 5 points up on the Colorado Avalanche for the Northwest Division lead, and a whopping 12 points ahead of the 9th place Flames. Calgary's in tough as they return home for a battle against a rested Detroit Red Wings team who currently sit in 8th, one point up on the Flames.

Your breakfast has been suspended...

The NHL is expected to announce if Alexander Ovechkin will be suspended for his hit from behind on Chicago's Bryan Campbell yesterday. Ovechkin was assessed a 5 minute major for boarding and a game misconduct. There has been huge amounts of debate on both sides, with some bizarre rhetoric coming out from all involved. Many are suggesting that Ovechkin shouldn't receive any further punishment, and it's been reported that the Capitals organization have requested the league rescind the game misconduct.

A repeat offender with a dirty hit from behind that has ended the season of an opponent. The fact that we are even engaged in a discussion about this shows that not only does the league not get it on dirty hits, but neither do a large portion of the fans and media. I think he will get a suspension, but it will be nowhere near what he deserves. Ovechkin shows little respect for players, and it's sickening to hear people use his strength as an excuse for his actions. How bad does someone have to get hurt?

Speaking of dirty players, even more shocking was Steve Downie's disgusting attempt to injure on Sidney Crosby last night. It's a sign that a player whose past is littered with victims of his reckless disregard for the safety of his opponents has not learned a lesson and seems to not care about getting a second chance. All weekend people were gushing about how he had turned his career around in Tampa Bay, leaving his goon past behind him to be a quality player. All just an act, judging by the slew-foot on Crosby. I still don't know how Sid escaped serious injury there.

Finally I want to say thanks to everyone who came out to support our efforts yesterday to help the Canucks for Kids fund Telethon. We had an incredible number of posts, and it was awesome to see so many fans of other teams swing by to help out a great cause.

Samuelsson Grabs NHL First Star of the Week Honors

2010-03-15T16:39:22Z

More photos » Darryl Dyck - AP

Pew pew pew pew... (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)

Browse more photos »

Since we're in such a charitable mood these days, we should get together and buy Bengt Aake-Gustafsson some flowers or, if he's hungry, a Swiss Colony Beef Log. Meanwhile he should probably just stop reading anything to do with hockey until about, oh, say June.

From the NHL:

Mikael Samuelsson was disappointed at not being named to Sweden's Olympic team. He's taking out his frustration on the Vancouver Canucks' opponents.

At age 33, Samuelsson is having a career season, including a week that saw him get his first NHL hat trick and finish with 6 goals and 10 points in four games to help the Canucks go 3-0-1 while completing the longest road trip in NHL history and returning home with a pair of victories. That effort earned him NHL First Star of the Week honors.

We told you you wouldn't like him when he gets angry.

Canucks & Flames Third Period Thread

2010-03-15T03:39:17Z

	1	2	3	Total
Calgary Flames	0	0		0
Vancouver Canucks	3	0		3

Join the Game Thread

The good guys are winning, ToskaLOL is in net and the nickels are rolling.

One more period to enjoy the Flames imploding and make your comments count. Jump in and make us go poor for the kids.

Sunday Fundday : Canucks & Flames

2010-03-15T01:00:29Z

Next Game

Calgary Flames
@ Vancouver Canucks

Sunday, Mar 14, 2010, 7:00 PM PDT
General Motors Place
Opposition Blog: Matchsticks & Gasoline

Complete Coverage >

If Vancouver beats an un-Phaneuf'ed Calgary, it will of course be beautiful since: (a) it's Calgary; (b) it ends their four game winning streak; and (c) helps the possibility that they flat out miss the post season.

But check those standings: a Vancouver win helps Detroit. A quandary ensues. Wanting to steamroll Calgary - they lead the season series 3-1-0 by the by - is instinctual, but getting to watch Detroit sit out a post season for the first time since the advent of the cotton gin would be just as delicious.

What to do, what to do...

Keep an eye on Stajan and Hagman since we don't want to reward another former Leaf with a good game this week (Lee Stempniak anyone?). Speaking of which, both the back-up goalies tonight were the netminders for Toronto just three seasons ago. How the mighty have fallen.

The other big news is the Canucks for Kids Telethon (you knew that from the oh-so-witty title right?). We're going to borrow an idea from the SBN sites that ran Haiti fundraisers back in January. For every comment in our thread tonight, we'll donate $.05 to the Canucks for Kids at the end of the game. Don't know much about it, then read more here. Let's reward losing an hour of sleep for a good cause shall we?

Get involved. Gamethread on.

This Should Be Epic: Canucks-Flames Game Preview

2010-03-14T21:04:07Z

Flames (34-24-9)		Canucks (42-23-3)
	AT

Time	7:00 PM PST	TV	Sportsnet Pacific
Season Series	3-1 Flames	Last Meeting	3-2 Flames (01-09-10)
The Enemy	Matchsticks and Gasoline	Scoring Leaders	H. Sedin: 27-64-91 Iginla: 31-33-64

Flames	Category	Canucks
9th	Conference Position	3rd
6-3-1	Last 10	7-2-1
2.52 (26th)	Goals Per Game	3.26 (2nd)
2.40 (3rd)	Least Goals Against Per Game	2.53 (8th)
1.06 (11th)	5 On 5 GF/GA	1.30 (2nd)
16.7 (22nd)	Power Play %	21.4 (5th)
83.2 (10th)	Penalty Kill %	81.0 (18th)
28.4 (27th)	Shots Per Game	30.6 (12th)
29.0 (7th)	Least Shots Against Per Game	29.0 (7th)
64.3 (18th)	Winning % When Scoring First	80.6 (2nd)
69.6 (19th)	Winning % When Leading After 1	87.0 (3rd)
28.0 (20th)	Winning % When Trailing After 1	45.9 (4th)
87.1 (12th)	Winning % When Leading After 2	96.3 (3rd)
13.6 (17th)	Winning % When Trailing After2	37.0 (1st)
47.3 (29th)	Faceoffs %	51.3 (7th)
15.1 (25th)	Least PIM's Per Game	15.5 (26th)
+15 (8th)	+ / - GF/GA (see here)	+41 (2nd)

Look out! Here come the renewed, revamped and red hot Calgary Flames! They have won 4 in a row and 5 of their last 6. They are desperately trying to get into a playoff spot but keep getting bumped by Detroit. Interestingly enough, the Flames will play the Wings tomorrow.

The Canucks are coming off a one-sided victory over the Senators, who went home in tears. They have won 6 straight home games (yeah it's spread out) to improve their overall home record to 24-7-1. Calgary has an amazing road record: 17-9-6.

On Calgary's current 4 game winning streak:

-they have outscored their opponents 16-7.

-Jarome (Iguana) Iginla had 4 goals and 3 assists.

-Rene Bourque had 2 goals and 5 assists

-Matt Stajan had 1 goal and 3 assists.

-Chris Higgins has 2 goals and 1 assist

-Ian White (still one of my faves, even if he's wearing the red) had 3 assists

-Daymond Langkow had 2 goals

-Jamal Mayers, Curtis (Glengarry) Glencross, and Mark Giordano each scored a goal and an assist.

So, obviously, huge contributions from their top line but other guys are cashing in as well.

Geez, 4 ex-Leafs on this squad, and Sutter's huge makeover at the deadline looks to be finally paying off.

No lineup changes for the Canucks. Shane O'Brien and Tanner Glass will sit again. Wondering why OB is out and the awkward Andrew Alberts is in?

"It's not so much Shane O'Brien as we've got Andrew Alberts and I don't know a whole lot about Andrew Alberts," Rick Bowness said today. "We better know what we have going into the playoffs, it's as simple as that." -The Province.

Alright, now for some clips:

1. Rypien vs Prust. Does this ass-kicking ever get old?

2. Mason Raymond's first career hat trick came against the Flames in December. Dog pile!

3. The best goal against the Flames ever has to be this one:

4. Still the best save I've ever seen: Kirk McLean stones Robert reichel in that same game, in overtime.

Are you ready? Are you ready? Alright! Let's get it on!

Remember, we will be donating 5 cents to the Canucks For Kids fundraiser for every comment posted in the game thread. Stretch those fingers out!

Canucks For Kids Fundraiser

2010-03-14T19:02:18Z

Canucks For Kids Fundraiser

Just a reminder that there's a telethon tonight for the Canucks for Kids tonight. To help out, we're going to donate $.05 cents for every comment we get in tonight's thread. So don't forget to stop by to watch the Flames lose and make a small difference in the process.

Sunday Morning Coffee- Mr. Anatomical strikes again

2010-03-14T14:52:50Z

More photos » Darryl Dyck - AP

2 days ago: Vancouver Canucks' Mikael Samuelsson, of Sweden, celebrates after scoring against the Ottawa Senators during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Saturday, March 13, 2010. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)

Browse more photos »

Is there anyone hotter than Mikael Samuelsson right now? 9 goals in his last 6 games as he became the 2nd Canucks player to break the 30 goal mark last night, leading a fired up Vancouver squad to a 5-1 romp over the Ottawa Senators. Alex Burrows continued his remarkable season with his 5th shorthanded goal of the season, and his 31st overall, that one proving to be the game winner. It came at a crucial time, not long after the Sens' Jason Spezza scored a beauty, blowing past Andrew Alberts and firing it past Roberto Luongo. More after the jump...

Daniel Sedin and Sami Salo also provided goals for the Canucks, who Ottawa 35-14, showing no sign of any letdown upon returning home. The team got standing ovations on their return to GM Place ice for the first time in 45 days, and got whipped into frenzy right from the start with the pregame ceremony honoring the Olympians from the two teams, including Canada's gold medal goalie.

Henrik Sedin added an assist to pull even with Trevor Linden for the team's all time assist mark, and also with Thomas Gradin for 4th on the team's all time scoring list. Kevin Bieksa looked surprisingly good in his return to the lineup. Bieksa had been out for 27 games after suffering severed tendons in December.

Overall a very solid game from the Canucks, all 4 lines were effective in their roles and if not for a damn fine performance from Pascal Leclaire, especially in the first period where the Canucks outshot the Sens 18-2, this game could have been a real blowout. Rick Rypien brought the crowd to it's feet in a spirited tilt with Sens tough guy Chris Neil, landing a number of quick blows and hanging on for the decision.

No time to rest on their laurels for the Canucks however, as they are right back at it tonight against the 9th place Calgary Flames. Mmmm I love the way that sounds. Say it with me, everyone. 9th place Calgary Flames. Awesome. This won't be an easy one however as the Flames are playing some good hockey right now, winners of 4 straight. They're sitting 1 point behind the Detroit Red Wings for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference, 10 points behind the division leading Canucks.

Make sure to swing by later for our pregame and game day threads.

Dry toast, no jam in the basement

I don't know what was worse last night, watching the (insert gentle sensitive non-offensive term that shows we can't make a joke about anything, ever here) that was the Toronto Maple Leafs battling the Oilers for basement bragging rights, or the limp-wristed effort of the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens. Edmonton is just bad, likely one of the worst teams in years, and the game made the Leafs almost look like world beaters. Almost. 'Cuz they're still the Leafs. Meanwhile at the Bell Center, a little controversy as Milan Lucic was claiming after the game that the hit thrown on him by Andrei Kostitsyn was a headshot. Kostitsyn was given an interference minor on the play.

You all probably know my feelings about the Philadelphia Flyers, but I have to say I did enjoy seeing Chris Pronger douche a goal with just over 2 seconds left to win the game. Nice work by PJ Stock on HNIC to point out Patrick Kane leaving the ice for a change with 6 seconds left on the rush for the game winning goal. That's some solid leadership right there. Maybe he had a cab waiting outside the United Center?

Chicago wasn't the only losing at home yesterday, as the San Jose Sharks blew a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 in OT to the Florida Panthers. Former Canucks Dman Bryan Allen got the winner in extra time for the Panthers. Tomas Vokoun had 37 saves for Florida, who shut the door after giving up 2 in the first period.

Just a reminder that tonight is the Canucks for Kids Fund Telethon to benefit Canuck Place. You can make donations starting at noon on the Team 1040, and 6:45 pm on Rogers Sportsnet.

In support of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, online donations are being accepted now by filling out the form below or clicking the link here .

Event day only from 12pm - midnight, donate on-line e or at 604.777.CARE or #2273 on your TELUS Mobility phone, or 1-866-480-KIDS

All those who donate before midnight on March 14th are eligible to win a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. Rules and regulations

If you can, please make a donation to this very worthwhile cause.

Numbers: From Grim to Glee

2010-03-14T01:20:52Z

[Ed note: Great fanpost for a first timer. Be sure to jump in on the poll.]

It's that time of year again!

The Vancouver Canucks are on the move towards the cup run we all desperately seek. So lets get into some numbers that will make everything that much more exciting.

Number One is 15

15 games remaining in the regular season.Vancouver Canucks schedule A number that will be gone before you know it. Of these 15 games remaining in the season it leads me to the next number on my list.

Number Two is 10

This is one of my favourite numbers when talking Nucks. Not only is this the original number of my personal favourite Nuck player, but it also happens to be the year we are in. The year we finally take that step into the upper echelon of hockey and maybe bring home Lord Stanley. These 10 games at home will go a long way to solidifying our division and also give us a chance at maybe a 2 seed or dare I say it the 1 seed. Before I get ahead of myself I will say I do realize we are 10 pts out of first but stranger things have happened.

Number Three is 2.36

This is Andrew Raycroft's GAA. I am astonished that Luongo is not the the team leader in this category as most are.Vancouver Canucks stats However I also understand the loss of Kevin Bieksa and Willie Mitchell as well as other injuries including his own. Have contributed to an average by Roberto Luongo standards season. But has anyone else got the same read off Lou all year I have? That he is looking ahead to bigger and better things? I get the sense from his demeanor his comments and his rye sense of humour that we haven't seen the best of him. Take the Olympics for example he waited for his opportunity quietly and patiently amidst all the "he has never won anything" talk. And when the 2010 Olympic gold medal game. was all said and done? From the moment his skates touched the ice against Germany in the qualification game a calmness came over me as a Canadian. As Nuck fans you all probably got that same feeling, it continued right to the end. When Luongo is in net trust me the players get that SAME feeling. They all know what he has been thinking about all year (except for a two week stretch in February) So Chicago...if we meet again in the playoffs this year don't think you are scoring 4 on any given night let alone 7.

Number Four is 26

Possibly becoming the greatest pick up in a long time, Mikael Samuelsson is ON FIRE! There really no other way to say it. With a current 5 game goal streak and 18 goals in his last 28 games heading into tonight's match up with Ottawa Senators vs Canucks coverage, Samuelsson is showing why Vancouver jumped to get him in the off season and why Team Sweden was silly for snubbing him. Sweden goal challenged in the 2010 Winter Olympics could have used what has become a sudden sniper in Mikael. His experience in the playoffs with the Detroit Red Wings will show through this year and could be a real difference maker.

Number Five is 3

All things 3. The third Seeded Canucks are averaging over 3 goals per game 3.28 to be more precise up .28 a game from last years number. Goals are coming from everywhere this year too. Not just the usual suspects Career highs for many players in many offensive categories. Realistic chance for having 3 thirty goal scorers this year up from 1 last year and that one player Daniel Sedin would likely have 30 as well if not for the broken foot. We can extend this further with the number of 20 goal scorers this year adding the likes of Ryan Kesler, Mason Raymond into the mix. This leads me to the 3 lines deep of solid scoring Vancouver possesses. this scoring has lead to the 10 comebacks in the 3rd period they have accomplished this season. The ability to score three deep takes a load off everyone.

So what does all this mean??

Another Division title? For sure

Playoff success? TBD but all signs point to a deeper more experienced and far more hungry and confident team. This should equal more success.

What do you think?

Poll

How do you see the rest of this year playing out?

Mama I'm Coming Home: Canucks & Senators

2010-03-14T02:00:24Z

Next Game

Ottawa Senators
@ Vancouver Canucks

Saturday, Mar 13, 2010, 7:00 PM PST
General Motors Place
Opposition Blog: Silver Seven

Complete Coverage >

Times have changed and times are strange
Here I come but I ain't the same
Mama, I'm comin home

Nothing wrong with a few different "home" songs for tonight, eh?

After all this time away, the least they can do is reward the fans with a strong first period and - oh what the hell - scoring first. We all know the Captain needs to get back on track after some poor outings earlier in the week. It'll happen, be patient grasshoppers.

What more needs to be said? Something about the opponent? Others have said enough.

Cheer the 'Nucks loudly, celebrate the Olympic gold, drop the puck, get the points.

Everyone else drink.

Gamethread on.

Moose Calls?

2010-03-13T22:06:47Z

Two Canuck forward prospects are about to have their seasons end, and given the offensive difficulties the Moose are experiencing (only three AHL teams have fewer goals) it's certainly possible they'll make an appearance in the majors this year... Or should Manitoba keep the players they have now, riding the experience and physical maturity of the current team into the playoffs?

Prab Rai is a 40 goal scorer with an awful Seattle Thunderbirds team (really: they'll need to win their last two games of the season to reach twenty for the year). He's twenty years old and seems to have overcome his earlier immaturity - he quit the Prince George Cougars over an ice time dispute - as well as his nervousness facing opposing defensemen. Initially viewed as a perimeter player, he's been the target of the WHLs best defenders this season, marked as the Thunderbird's only threat and has managed to be the go-to guy through it all.

As for concern about his character, it's tough to believe that his father, a Pan-Am medalist and Olympic competitor in field hockey for Canada, is going to let him get away with much. I'd say bring him up and give him time with Secret Weapon (tm) Mike Keane. There's more than enough room on left wing for him, and after the year he's had for the team he's on, he's earned some time.

Jordan Schroeder's Golden Gopher squad is in tough tough in the playoffs against North Dakota, losing the first game in the best-of-three series 6-0, and may be available in a matter of days. His numbers have dropped between last year and this one (45 points to 27), but remember that this is University level hockey, and dramatic swings between seasons are commonplace as the teams change composition every year. Plus, even with the fall in scoring, he leads the Gophers in points despite missing two games this season; he has ten points in 34 games on the power play; he's over .500 in face offs and he was given an "A" this season.

The black mark against him is his size: but even at (a somewhat generous) 5'8", he's very strong on the puck and has a heavy wrist shot, even if he doesn't use it enough. He'll have to get his mindset away from passing and into scoring, but once he does he's going to be just deadly. Bring him up and let him try!

Outside of those two, there aren't many others that should be sitting next to the phone, for this season any way:

Is Dan Gendur ready for another shot? He hasn't been doing particularly well with Johnstown, but part of that could be attributed to injuries, managing only 17 games (and 8 points) so far. Really, the only reason to keep working with him is his blinding speed (he may be the only player in the Canuck organization faster than Rai) and the hope that he'll repeat his development in the WHL (it took four years before his hands caught up to his feet). The Chiefs missed the playoffs by a single point, so Gendur is available now, but at this stage he's not an improvement on what's already in Manitoba.

Brilliant as Kevin Connauton has been this year, there's no way the Vancouver Giants are letting him go before the playoffs; and he shouldn't be called. The Giants have a good shot at going deep (again) this year, and that experience will be good for "Cannon" (not his nickname - yet).

Cody Hodgson is a special case: he's not playing for Brampton yet, and even if he does make it back this season from the broken toe, the Battalion is in the playoffs this year. That's going to be his top priority, after making sure his toe has healed completely first - after losing in the finals last season, there's an air of 'Unfinished Business' I'm sure he wants exorcised, even with a worse team than last year's. Whether he makes it to Manitoba is going to depend on his health, Brampton's success in the playoffs, then how far the Moose get.

With a dozen games left, the Moose are in the last playoff spot in their division, with Lake Erie five points back; whether the team wants to go with the guys that brought them this far (with a bit of defencive help from the Canucks) or change up the team in the final push, it's going to be a close race.

Two more playoff wins than last year, guys! Go Moose!

Welcome Home (Sanitarium): Canucks-Senators Preview

2010-03-13T20:00:21Z

Senators (37-26-5)		Canucks (41-23-3)
	AT

Time	7:00 PM PST	TV	CBC
Season Series	1-0 Senators	Last Meeting	3-1 Sens (02-04-10)
The Enemy	Silver Seven	Scoring Leaders	H. Sedin: 27-63-90 Alfredsson: 17-37-54

Senators	Category	Canucks
5th	Conference Position	3rd
4-5-1	Last 10	6-3-1
2.66 (17th)	Goals Per Game	3.24 (2nd)
2.76 (17th)	Least Goals Against Per Game	2.55 (9th)
.89 (24th)	5 On 5 GF/GA	1.30 (3rd)
15.8 (26th)	Power Play %	21.1 (5th)
84.4 (5th)	Penalty Kill %	80.8 (18th)
29.8 (18th)	Shots Per Game	30.5 (12th)
28.3 (4th)	Least Shots Against Per Game	29.2 (10th)
73.5 (10th)	Winning % When Scoring First	80.0 (2nd)
78.9 (8th)	Winning % When Leading After 1	86.4 (3rd)
35.3 (12th)	Winning % When Trailing After 1	45.9 (5th)
95.8 (5th)	Winning % When Leading After 2	96.2 (4th)
7.4 (25th)	Winning % When Trailing After2	37.0 (1st)
49.3 (18th)	Faceoffs %	51.2 (7th)
13.4 (20th)	Least PIM's Per Game	15.5 (26th)
-4 (14th)	+ / - GF/GA	+39 (3rd)

Update (2:30): The struggling Pascal Leclaire will start for the Sens.

Update: Aha, AV said today: "Rome was one of our best defencemen throughout the trip," according to the Sun. That is why SOB is sitting. Take that, Rome haters!

Update: Did you know that Brad Lukowich never reported to the Moose after he was waived at the Olympic Break due to a shoulder injury? He's is done for the season as he requires major shoulder surgery. Not that he was getting called up again anyway, but hang in there, Luko!

Update: Bieksa in, Shane O'Brien out, according to Canucks.com. Huh. Hordichuk draws in and Glass sits as well.

**********************

The last time Vancouver played Ottawa, they were stymied by Brian Elliot, who stopped 29 of 30 shots in a 3-1 win. Milan Michalek had a goal and an assist and Alfie the Clown had 3 assists. Raycroft played well in the loss. That was the Sens' 11th straight victory. They would lose their next game 2 nights later to the....Leafs. Yeah.

Since that terrible day, the Sens are 4-5-1. The Canucks are 7-3-1. This game should hopefully be different, as the Canucks play their first game at home since January 27th. They should be pumped. The Sens know that.

The Sens are coming off a 2-0 loss to the Flames, where they outshot Calgary 33-25. The Canucks, eager to get home, barely lost to the Coyotes in a shootout 3 days ago.

Who's rolling for the Sens? Well, they are 1-3-1 in their last 5 games, losing to Calgary, Toronto, Carolina and the Rangers. They have only scored 7 goals in that span. Regardless:

-Daniel Alfredsson (god I hate him) had 5 assists

-Jason Spezza had 4 assists.

-Chris Kelly and Mike Fisher had a goal and an assist each.

-Milan Michalek and Matt Cullen each had 2 goals. Watch Matt Cullen and tell me you didn't wish he was a Canuck (on line 3).

Chris Phillips and a Swedish kid named Eric Karlsson chew up most of the icetime on the back end nowadays. Phillips has 7 goals and 19 points this season and Karlsson has 1 goal and 14 points. The Sens' most offensive defenceman, Filip Kuba Gooding Jr, has missed a bit of time with a lower body injury and has not yet returned.

I am curious as hell to see how Kevin Bieksa plays in his return. Prior to his injury he had only scored 1 goal in 40 games. That goal came on the opening night of the regular season. In the 5 games prior to the match where he was injured, his icetime was all over the place. He'll need to play smart in his return, because in all cruelty, the team has been fine in his absence. I'm hoping he excels down the stretch.

Alright, here are a couple videos as usual..and you won't like all of them!

1. Matt Carkner vs Tanner Glass. Ouch.

2. Chris Neil fights Rick Rypien. Strong finish by Neil.

3. One of Markus Naslund's best goals came against the Sens:

4. Nice goal by Edler against the Sens in low def (2008).

Enjoy the game! Go Canucks! And...welcome home!

Roberto Luongo will be the oh so special guest on Hockey Night in Canada's After Hours tonight. You can email a question to Scott Oake and Kevin Weekes to ask Lou here, like, if he's developed a drug problem since the Olympics...

Saturday Morning Coffee- Coming Home

2010-03-13T17:06:32Z

SCORPIONS- Coming Home

Every moring when I wake up yawning
I'm still far away
Trucks still rolling through the early morning
To the place we play
Boy you'r home, you're dreaming, don't you know
The tour's still far away
Boy you'r home, you're dreaming, don't you know
You're having just a break
Dream we're going out on stage, it feels like
Coming home again
Dream we're going out on stage, it feels like
Coming home again
Dream we're going out on stage, it feels like ...
Year after year out on the road
It's great to be here to see you all
I know, for me it is like
Coming home
Day after day out on the road
There's no place too far that we wouldn't go
We go wherever you like
To rock'n roll
Jump on the seats, put your hands in the air
Give me a shout, let me hear you're out there
The wilder you scream for some more rock'n roll
The higher we'll go
Year after year out on the road
It's great to be here to rock you all
I know, for me it is like
Coming home
Like coming home ...

Much like a band that's been on a world tour, the Canucks are now home to play in front of their fans. It seems like an eternity since they took to the ice in GM Place, and no doubt it will feel like a playoff game tonight, especially when they pay tribute to the Olympians before the game. I am getting goosebumps as I think about how loud that place is going to be when they salute Roberto Luongo as a member of Canada's gold medal winning squad.

After that, it's down to business, as this team gears up for what it hopes to be a long playoff run. They get some good news as Kevin 'Kevlar Sox' Bieksa will make his return to the lineup tonight. Bieksa's been out since before Christmas, so it's a good thing to have his physical presence back on the blueline, especially with a huge match against Calgary tomorrow night.

Another thing to watch is how fans react to Ryan Kesler. I am stunned to hear that there are still people carrying a grudge against Kes over the comments he made during the Olympics. People, seriously... In the Olympics, he doesn't play for the Canucks. He plays for another team. He hates the team we were cheering for. I don't see the issue. If you're at the game tonight, and hear someone slagging Kes, give 'em a piece of your mind. He did this club proud, not only during the Olympics, but on the road trip too. People all over North America now know why we value him so much.

With the playoff threshold expected to be at 94 points this season in the Western Conference, the Canucks are 4 wins and an OT loss from reaching that point. They do have some tough games ahead of them though as they wind down the last 5 weeks of the season. 3 against San Jose, 2 against Calgary, plus the Red Wings, Coyotes, and Kings amongst their 15 remaining games means it's not gonna be easy by any stretch of the imagination.

But 10 of these 15 are at home, where they have dominated this season, and with a little luck they could be poised to clinch a spot as early as next week. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. This is a very good Ottawa squad here to face the Canucks tonight as we saw on the first part of the RTFH(tm). The Canucks will need to be strong defensively and use their speed to create chances. The come from behind victories are all great and stuff, but getting on the Sens early will help greatly.

I've had this breakfast before...

Watching the buildup to the Pittsburgh/Boston game next week, as a Canucks fan is kind of like watching two cars on a collision course. You know it's going to be ugly yet there's nothing you can do to stop it. The feeling gets worse when you realize this is an intersection known for terrible accidents, and the people in charge did nothing to prevent another accident from happening. If anything, they encouraged it through negligence.

The New York Rangers made Sean Avery a healthy scratch last night, then went on to cruise to a 5-2 win over Atlanta. Hmm. That's odd. You'd almost think that oh, I don't know, the Rangers played better because Avery wasn't there? Interesting...

Nashville gave themselves a little breathing space with a 1-0 win over Anaheim last night, and now sit 3 points up on the 8th place Flames. The Flames could find themselves on the outside looking in tonight as the Red Wings look to hurdle back into the 8th spot with a win over Buffalo. The Sabres lost a 3-2 squeaker to Minnesota last night.

Crazy one in New Jersey last night as the Devils beat the Penguins 3-1. Craig Adams got 5 and a game for Charging when he hit Martin Skoula after the whistle on an icing call. There's a lot of outrage coming from Pittsburgh about this call, but considering the attention given to these kinds of hits lately I like the message this sends, if they're not going to change to the no touch icing, then players who play the man instead of the puck on an icing call and make it into a dangerous situation should be penalized for it. Too many players have been injured in these situations.

Washington lost a rare regulation home game last night to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Matt Walker had a goal and an assist on Vincent Lecavalier's game winner as they defeated the Caps 3-2. The game marked the first time in 15 home games that the Capitals didn't earn at least a point.

Luongo-Raycroft: Size and Stats Comparison

2010-03-13T02:55:00Z

Perhaps the size (weight and height) difference between the 2 may not come as a surprise to most of you, but I didn't know that Luongo was that much heavier. It makes a big difference and it's quite visible when you watch both goalies in action. (Those weights probably vary depending on what site you check out.)

It's almost comical to watch. Both play that butterfly style, where they try to look big and play the percentages, but Raycroft's lack of size must have teams licking their chops because they can (or should if they aren't stupid) pick the top corners on him because there is so much space there. (See: the shoototut against Phoenix). Yet both excel at shots along the ice. They drag their legs and make those saves so often.

Having said all that..

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Roberto Luongo	56	3190	34	18		131	2.46	1556	1425	.916	4

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Andrew Raycroft	17	764	7	4		30	2.36	335	305	.910	1

I have been impressed with Rayzor's play this season. Sure, he's playing in less games than he's used to, but his GAA and save percentage are his best since the 2003-04 season with the Bruins when...

Yeah baby, he won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. I say, "good on him." After all the shit and abuse he has taken in recent years, not all of it deserving, he is silencing his critics.

Luongo's GAA and save percentage are (for now) his worst since the 2005-06 season, the final year he played for the Panthers. But he's not that far off. Regardless, where has that dominating Lou gone? I've seen a lot less of it this season. Sure, the Canucks are winning despite all of that, but Roberto has to be better.

It's almost too bad that Raycroft doesn't wear bigger gear despite his smaller stature. I know that Tim Thomas does. He's 5'11" and about 182 pounds, and check this out. What a difference.

Just sayin'.

Friday Morning Coffee- Stretch Drive and a look back at the RTFH(tm)

2010-03-12T17:32:36Z

I actually can't tell you who the Canucks played in their last home game without looking at the calendar, that's how long ago it was. But after 14 games, the Olympics and tens of thousands of miles, the Canucks are finally home, and in a situation many thought they wouldn't be at the end of this trip: In first place in the Northwest Division. A very successful roadtrip no matter how you look at it, but there's no time for back patting, as the Canucks have 15 games left to shore up their situation for the playoffs and prepare for the post season.

Most of us agreed that coming back from this trip 7-7 would be acceptable, and a pretty decent result. So for them to come back 8-5-1 was without a doubt a pleasant surprise, especially factoring in the time frame, injuries and competition of the last 6 games of the road trip. 5 of the 6 teams playoff bound, and apart from the hiccup in Chicago, the Canucks playing some gritty road hockey, comebacks and all. You can sit there and second guess all you want. Hockey games don't count style points, it's all about the win. This is a team that refuses to give up, and will find ways to come back and win games. How can that be a bad thing?

Yes Roberto Luongo's stats aren't that great on this trip, but they still managed to win games. Getting home in front of what should be some incredibly appreciative fans at GM Place starting tomorrow should help. The Canucks will get another shot at an Ottawa team that handed them a 3-1 defeat earlier in the trip. The Sens came up flat against the Flames last night, getting shutout 2-0 at the Pengrowth Saddledome. Those Flames will be at GM Place the following night, which will also feature the Canucks for Kids Telethon.

The Canucks have 4 games total next week, the Islanders Tuesday, Sharks Thursday and a rematch with Detroit next Saturday. Things are certainly looking for the Canucks to wrap up their 3rd division title in 4 years, as 10 of their last 15 are at home, and while it's unlikely that they move up any further in the standings, they are looking at the possibility of their first 50 win season in team history.

The Canucks also received some good news for their embattled D core; Kevin Bieksa will be ready to return to the lineup as early as Saturday. That means you will likely see Aaron Rome sitting out once Juice has returned. It's interesting, as Rome actually seemed to be improving at the tail end of this trip, jumping into the rush and getting some offensive chances.

It's Mason Raymond's World and We Just Live In It

2010-03-12T16:29:54Z

More photos » Jeff McIntosh - AP

An American, Canadian and a Swede walk into a bar... (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)

Browse more photos »

No one in the WHL would touch him.

He almost gave up his hockey dreams for - of all things - archery.

He didn't even watch the 2005 draft he was selected in, opting to go wakeboarding instead.

They said he needed to get bigger. They said he needed a more well-rounded game. They said he couldn't be just a speedster with soft hands, like so many failed prospect before him.

No team was willing to waste a 2nd round pick on a lanky 19 year old, but Vancouver's Chief Scout Ron Delorme said roll the dice. Why? Maybe because of what his coach in juniors said:

What the Canucks will see when he does eventually play for them, is a highly skilled player with amazing speed. He's got high end pro speed, even this year in junior. If you look at a guy who has played in a Canuck uniform, I'd say he's got that Pavel Bure high end type of speed.

Yup, all of this is true about Mason Raymond who is enjoying a resurgent year and has solidified himself as one of the best wingers on Vancouver not named Burrows or of Swedish descent.

Think about just the last two seasons: Raymond was bounced from line to line and suffered a horrendous goal scoring drought that lasted from late December until late March (a stretch where he added only two assists and fell to the fourth line). He was a relative non-factor in the playoffs (2G, 1A, -2) and entered training camp as one of the many bubble players who (at best) could crack the bottom six or (at worst) be cut loose on waivers or dangled as trade bait.

Raymond admitted he needed a big season in 2010 and wanted to develop into a player who - night in and night out - could be counted on by his team. At the risk of sounding like I'm standing on an aircraft carrier with a big banner behind my head, can I say "Mission Accomplished"?

Here's a broad look at Raymond's stats from last year and now (g/t to Frozen Pool and Behind The Net for the numbers):

	2008-2009	2009-2010
Salary	$685,000	$760,000
Cap Hit	$883,333	$883,333
Games	72	67
Goals	11	22
Assists	12	24
Points	23	46
P/PG	.32	.69
Multi Point Games	2	10
Zero Point Games	70.8%	52.2%
Salary per point	$57,083	$9,514
Cap hit per point	$73,611	$12,269
PP Goals	4	8
PP Points	10	14
PP TOI/G	1:52	2:21
% Team's PP Time/GP	25.6%	37.6%
TOI/G	13.42	17:23
Giveaways	22	13
Takeaways	24	32
PIMs	24	40
Hits	42	58
Shots	145	177
Shooting %	7.59	12.43
Hitting Net %	73.2	75.3
Rel. Corsi	3.0	13.8
PDO	1010	991
Qualcomp	-0.023	0.040

If you want to go the comparison route, Raymond was originally drafted in the second round (51st) of the 2005 draft. He's currently being outproduced by Anze Kopitar, Paul Stastny and Bobby Ryan from his draft class, but has more points than Gilbert Brule (6th), Devin Setoguchi (8th), Niclas Bergfors (23rd), T.J. Oshie (24th), Andrew Cogliano (25th) and Guillaume Latendresse (45th). Any wonder why the 2nd round pick was the currency of choice this past deadline?

Or how about this: his 22 goals to date has him one behind the likes of Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, Corey Perry and Danny Briere and ahead of Patrick Sharp, Eric Staal, Jonathan Toews and Pavel Datsyuk.

Some of this boost is situational. Raymond played the majority of ES last season alongside Kyle Wellwood and Steve Bernier and flanked Ryan Kesler and Bernier on the PP. This year he's spent the vast majority of both ES & PP with Kesler and Mikael Samuelsson. These same three also rank in the top 11 players who exceed their Corsi expectations at 5v5. His zone starts, in both the offensive and defensive zones, are eerily similar (basically six or seventh on the team depending on the circumstances).

Check out his Qualcomp, or the quality of the competition. He's currently second, right behind Willie Mitchell (remember him?) and - if you consider his Qualcomp Corsi - he's still second [note: you can read more about the distinction at Behind the Net; I know enough to explain generally but not enough to teach a class]. The bottom line is he's producing while out there against some of the NHL's best.

Raymond has rounded into a great PK'er as well. Even in the 2009 post season you could see his PK skills developing. He logged 0:47 seconds a game on the PK last year, or about 10.6% of Vancouver's total time shorthanded. This season he's up to 1:19 a game, or about 20.9% of short handed time.

Raymond still has room to develop obviously, but his maturation as a player - while certainly not unique - feels very understated. He's still prone to rookie-esque mistakes if not outright terrible plays (see goal #4 against Colorado on Tuesday), but he's a cut above where he was. Last season we were used to seeing him burn down the ice and head straight for the net; he was essentially nothing but speed. This year it's more common to see him make the tight pass, cut and turn at the top of the circle, use the options he has. Reading the ice and plays around him have made him a better, more dangerous player. Don't forget, this is the same kid that Demitra likened to Gaborik when he showed up in training camp two years ago.

So credit Raymond's training, credit AV's patience, credit hanging around the KesLORD and FU Sweden or credit the alignment of the stars or the TV references, whatever works. The subtle fact is he did what fans of any team wish their young guys would do: learn from the inevitable mistakes and come back stronger. By doing so, he gave the Canucks a top six player literally out of the blue.

The archery world's loss is our gain. You can't say that too often.

Roberto Luongo, torchbearer for the Paralympics. Hat tip to Susan Gittins on Twitter More on the...

2010-03-12T03:16:01Z

Roberto Luongo, torchbearer for the Paralympics. Hat tip to Susan Gittins on Twitter
More on the Paralympics here.

CTV News interview with Lou here. Did he say "fresh as a daisy?"