Hockey
Canucks Drop Home Opener
While the Canucks and the NHL kick-off the shortened season, most players are in top condition and have been skating on a regular basis.
At this level of play, one must stay focused; have the drive along with the passion to achieve greatness.
Thus the Canucks are “revved” for the 2012-13 season and signing the first anthem is Sarah McLachlan.
Some thought it should be Mark Donnelly singing on this night, but (let’s face it) Sarah is far more high profile, which is what the team wants.
Last season the Canucks once again got the Presidents Trophy, but injuries played a significant role. Injuries to David Booth and Ryan Kesler put the team down two key player.
As Mike Gillis and Henrik Sedin welcomes everyone back to Rogers Arena for the 408 consecutive sell-outs at Rogers Arena, formerly GM Place.
Entering the season Henrik sits with 747 points, 10 away from Markus Naslund as the all-time scoring leader.
Team leader for Anaheim is 42 year-old Teemu Selanne, who was selected by Winnipeg in the first round (10th overall) in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft.
On this night Twitter was going “crazy” with “tweets” on a variety of subjects, including why the Canucks failed to score first.
The Canucks have three players that have not played in a game for Vancouver prior to tonight. Cam Barker, Jason Garrison and Jim Vandermeer are recent additions to the roster.
Barker signed as a free-agent January 13th, Garrison signed as a free-agent January 1st after playing last season with the panthers for 77 games.
Vandermeer appeared in 25 games with the Sharks and also signed as a free-agent January 14th.The “hype” around town and the hockey world is the discussion of “goaltending” and questions such as the following have everyone wondering.
Why is Luongo still here? Has he lost his edge? Why has he not been moved yet?
While the Canucks are dealing with the issue regarding Roberto Luongo, some have forgotten how we acquired him in 2006.
The Canucks acquired Roberto Luongo, Lukas Krajicek and a Sixth Round pick from Florida for Bryan Allen Alex Auld and Todd Bertuzzi June 23rd/06. Look where all the players are now? Stats for both tenders are as follows: Luongo 6’3” 217 lbs, Schneider 6’2” 195 lb.
The Ducks finished last season with the fifth best record in the Western Conference with 54 points which was measured from January 1st to the end of the season.
Bruce Boudreau was named the eighth Head Coach of the Ducks November 30th and his all-time record is 228-111-48 and recorded 387 career games as a Head Coach with both Anaheim and Washington.
Alain Vigneault is the 16th Head Coach in the history of the Canucks and was named to this position June 20/06. He has lead the Canucks to a Northwest Division title and post-season four times in five seasons.
He has won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL Coach of the Year in 2007 and has a combined season record of 236-133-41 entering this season.
The win November 23/11 marked him with 247 wins moving him into first place among Canuck Coaches with wins.
The Canucks signing of Alex Edler signed a 6 year-deal and the Canucks have the “D’ locked up for a few years to come. Edler (6’3”215lbs) has played Team Sweden at the World Junior’s and was selected 91st overall in the 04 entry draft.
He has played 386 games for the Canucks and has managed 200 PIM’s.
This night had a story-book start where Schneider was announced as the team’s starter, but midway through the second he was replaced by (former number one) Luongo.
Now the ‘fans” continue to ponder what is right; keeping Roberto as the number one or moving him out?
While the Canucks might struggle in this contest, they are still a fan favourite throughout the Province.
They are without the services of Ryan Kesler Following the game Luongo was asked about the ovation he received when he went in? He replied “I did not know what to expect and never knew how to react, but it was nice”.
He continued “the fans here are great and the situation regarding the goaltending is out of my hands.” While this game saw the Canucks struggle, it’s a long; albeit a shortened season for the entire league, so at this stage of the season, it’s anyone time to shine.
Canucks drop this by a score of 7-3 with the next game in less than 24 hours.
Let’s get off this Luongo ‘KICK”. This is a great duo.