Vamanos Bruins!!!!

Today we finally got our revenge on Boston.  I'm sure many people were apprehensive going into this game but if my Canucks were, they didn't show it.  I was glad to see Schneids in net ... they had put BL in net for the Montreal game so it was only fair that Cory play in Boston.  He did a great job, too. 

Lots of fights, but we expected no less.  Cody got a great goal, a beauty of a slapshot that slammed right into the net.  BL even caught one, from over on the bench lol

Final score 4-3 ... Vamanos Vamanos!!!

So far, so good

Our season typically got off to a slow start in October ... I don't think anyone really knows why they suck so much in the first month.  It seems to happen every year.  BL wasn't doing very well at all so they put Cory in net for a while, he played great!  He knows he's still really the "backup" but he's the best, most reliable backup we've had in a very long time.  Once they got BL back in net from spending some time on the bench (to be fair, he was hurt for a little while, but even once he was better he stayed on the bench) he played a whole lot better and has been on a hot streak ever since.  

Cody has been played like a real NHL player, with confidence and integrity, he's changed a lot from last season to now.  

I've been to 4 games so far this year and I have 1 more game to go to ... Jan 31 against the Blackhawks.  They're evil but it's sure to be a good game.  Superskills are on Jan 22.  We got really good seats this year and I'm looking forward to it.

My first game of the 2011-2012 season

I'm a little late getting started making notes about my Canucks this fall, but there hasn't really been much to say until now.  I did go to a practice out at Thunderbird Arena, and there were enough of the regular guys there practicing that I was able to get 11 more signatures on my quilt.  This time around I got Cody Hodgson, Chris Tanev, Eddie Lack (stork), Chris Higgins, Dan Hamhuis, Owen Nolan, Andrew Alberts, Jannick Hansen, Marco Sturm, Max LaPierre and Aaron Rome.  A very productive day!  I also got those guys and a few I already had on my quilt (like the twins, salo, edler...) to sign a tshirt for my nephew for Christmas.

While I was there I wanted a bit of info from the coaches that were down on the team's bench ... I think they were actually equipment managers ... so I went downstairs and into the bench area to ask them a few questions.  Later on some teenagers who'd seen me in there, noticed all the Canucks gear I was wearing, plus the Canucks quilt I had with me, and asked me if I know the team's management.  I should have said "ya I do, and they want you to go watch from upstairs so you're not in our way".  what a bunch of n00bs.

This fall I have finally gotten far enough up the Canucks priority list for season tickets (#606) that I was able to get a 5-pak of game tickets!  Tonight we went to the first one, a pre-season game against the sharks. 

We got off to a funny start right from the Anthems.  While everyone was standing, hats off, singing and looking over to the far end of the arena, for some reason our Stork was the only guy facing the opposite direction the entire time.  I don't know if he just didn't realize he had his back to everyone else or if he did it on purpose, but it was kinda funny.

Then later on, Volpatti went to jump over the boards and take off running on the ice ... that didn't go quite as planned when he came out over the boards and landed on his butt.  He recovered pretty fast but I bet he got some ribbing about it when he got back in the dressing room later.

Almost our entire team was rookies ... Cody Hodgson played a ton, and he also did pp and pk so it looks like Vinny is really testing him and seeing what he can do.  Schroeder also played pretty good.  Jensen is turning out to be quite promising too.  We have a new song they're playing right after a goal ... I think it's called "The Whip" or something like that.  I'll have to see if I can find a version of it to post here.  I did get a big bucket of popcorn ... wiped out all the buttery inside so it now sits proudly on my shrine shelves.  It has pictures of BL, the twins, and kes on it. 

I got a little transistor radio to see if I could listen to the game on the radio while watching it live, so I wouldn't miss out on the commentary I've gotten so used to when watching on tv.  I didn't like it at first, the few seconds delay put me off and was confusing, but I did get used to it.  I just kept one earbud in so my other ear was free to hear the announcers.  It was actually pretty cool once I got the hang of ignoring their belated play-by-play and just listening to the post-whistle info on hits, penalties, etc.  I was hoping to get a pair of Canucks earrings that I had seen the last time I was at the team store, but they were out of stock.  I'll have to keep an eye out for them and snag them right away next time they have them.

Just a few more exhibition away games and then we're in the first part of the regular season.  My next game is on Oct 18 against the NY Rangers.  Bring it on!!!

no cup this year

Well, game 7 of the final series has come and gone and the cup is in Boston.  My Canucks did as well as they could, considering all the injuries and the amazing job Tim Thomas did in goal for the Bruins, but it just wasn't enough to bring home the Stanley cup.

I was downtown yesterday afternoon to watch the game in the crowd on the big screens and it was quite scary.  Mobs of people pushing and shoving and screaming ... morons climbing trees and awnings ... these people were out of control.  By the end of the 2nd period and we were down 2-0 I decided I'd had enough and this was the time to get out before things got too crazy.  I'm glad I left when I did, once the game actually ended there were fires and riots and a lot of violence.

I look around and see the beautiful city I live in and yet it's full of such violence and craziness it makes me ashamed.  I feel bad for my Canucks having to see how their city reacts when they've given their very best all year long. 

WE DID IT!!!

We did it!! My Canucks beat the Sharks in game 5 and won the Western Conference cup!  I'm so proud of them!  Here's Henrik accepting the cup, which of course he didn't touch!  I knew he wouldn't ... my 'nucks are slightly superstitious, as am I, and for good reason.  It works!

Kes got knocked around a tad in this game and seems hurt, not sure yet if it's a groin or what but he came right back and finished the game.  He said afterwards that he'd have played on one leg if he had to, nothing was keeping him out.  Manny and Ehrhoff were both on the bench to watch the cup presentation and join in the celebrations.  Hopefully Ehrhoff will be able to play in the next round, as they say he's "day to day".  Samuelsson wasn't there, he had hernia surgery just last week or so, so he's probably not really up and around a lot yet.  Neither was Rome, who got slammed pretty hard and I think has a concussion.  

They'll have a few days off now while Boston and Tampa Bay sort things out on their end, then we'll know who we play (we may know tonight if Boston wins and closes up that series).

GO CANUCKS GO!!!!!

On to round 3!!!!!!!

Tonight the Predators bit the dust and the Canucks move on to round 3!  Likely we'll be playing San Jose, though they aren't finished their series with the Red Wings yet but it isn't looking good for Detroit so far.  

Kesler has been a beast through the whole series!  Jim Hughson called it "Kesler night in Canada" and he's not exaggerating, Kes has been a force to be reckoned with every single game.

Looking forward to the next round ... GO CANUCKS GO!!!!!!!

On to Nashville we go ...

Games 1, 2 and 3 were great, we dominated and won them easily ... then games 4, 5, and 6 we didn't do that so much as they dominated us.  But in game 7 we took care of business and won the series against Chicago -- chew on THAT Chelsea Dagger!

Now we're on to the Predators ... let's see what this series will bring!