Led by the Patricks, Sharp and Kane, a speedy, promising, young Chicago Blackhawks came in waves against the Canucks, and were fully deserving of their 4-2 victory over the road weary Nucks. The victory gave new head coach Joel Quenville his first victory in second game behind the Hawks bench.
The Canucks lost more than just the game. Just as Kevin Bieksa was making his return after injuring his knee against Calgary a week ago, d-man Sami Salo went out with a strained groin and tough guy Darcy Hordichuk with a hurt knee, both early in the first.
Of course, nobody who paid for the Canucks pay-per-view, saw any of the action in the first 10minutes of the 1st period. According to Shaw, they were having trouble with the feed from Chicago. I urge everyone to phone Shaw Cable, tell them that you left to watch the game at a bar when the game did not come on as scheduled, and demand you receive a refund.
While we didn't miss any goals, we did miss Shane O'Brien take on Blackhawk Adam Burish. The whole pay-per-view cash grab by the Canucks irks me, missing the first 10 minutes after paying $16 for the HD feed, made me livid.
Let's see, where should we start?
Should we start with the dismal special teams? Off the top of my short haircut, I believe the Canucks are approximately 2- 28 on the power play this season, 1-20 on the road and haven't scored in 15 straight power play chances. Not to mention giving up at least 2 power play goals against in the each of the last five games.
Or maybe we should talk about the poor defensive zone coverage?
Or should we discuss the average goaltending?
Or the all too many odd man rushes against?
No, let's talk about the fully deserving Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago $7million man Brian Campbell looked like Paul Coffee, the way he was flying and ragging the puck.
How about the talented youth of the Hawks? Patrick Sharp had 2 goals and an assist, Patrick Kane had a goal and 2 assists. It seemed Jonathan Toews was dancing around Canuck defencemen (Mitchell, O'Brien) at every whim.
I thought Hawk sniper Martin Havlat looked uninspired, but d-man Duncan Keith was often a threat. Dustin Byfuglien is a horse, who knows how to stand in front of the net on the power play (please take note Taylor Pyatt) and did anybody notice Kris Versteeg?
The Lethbridge, Alberta native, and former Lethbridge Bronco, was acquired by the Hawks in a 2007 trade that sent Brandon Bochenski to the Bruins. Versteeg payed 13 games with the big club last year but this season is considered his rookie campaign, and he has started it off with a bang. He is a talented kid, and with the aid of playing with last year's rookie of the year Patrick Kane and the young talented Hawk captain Jonathan Toews, his 2 assists Sunday night versus the Nucks now gives him 6 pts (1-G, 5-A) in the first 6 games of the season.
Back to the Canucks......
The Team 1040 will be inundated with naysayer's tomorrow. Common complaints will be "we have a team of 3rd liners", "d-men are overrated", "Luongo is uninterested", "Coach V has to go", etc. etc. etc.
Patience people, patience.
This team is still finding it's way. The only forwards that played together with any type for regularity last year were Great Grandma's favorite players, the Sedin twins, and Kesler/Burrows. Therefore there is not one line that is in tact from last year. While the KBH (Kesler, Burrows, Hansen) line is showing cohesion, and the Hank/Danny/Bernier line has shown flashes of brilliance, the line combinations are still a work in progress.
Let's talk about a positive. You've heard me mention Mike Brown's name before, and he finally was able to draw into the line up with Rick Rypien falling ill. With 4th line teammate Darcy Hordichuk getting injured early in the first, Brown hardly saw the ice (3:16 ice time) after that. Despite this, the 2004 5th round Canuck draft pick made his presence felt in the second period. After Hawk Ben Eager shot the puck at Luongo, albeit wide, well after an offside whistle, the Northbrook, Illinois native Brown immediately challenged Eager on the ensuing face off. Brown delivered 3 lightning quick rights, on his way to a unanimous decision in the short, but spirited bout. It was nice to see Brown draw into the line up in Chicago, in fornt of family and friends, after Coach V decided to sit him when the Canucks played their last season.
It's only 6 games into the season, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Coach V is feeling the heat. Despite getting a year extension on his contract, Coach V is not Canuck GM Mice Gillis' guy. Don't be fooled, Coach V knows he is under the gun. I very much doubt Gillis will have patience for the group that he has assembled to gel. If the Canucks struggle, look for Coach V to be sent packing, and a Gillis confidante to be given a short track to a head coaching job in the NHL.
6 comments:
when i see the hawks it reminds me of playing road hockey and having to choose which jersey to wear....the choices...Habs, Leafs, Hawks or Bruins.... which now begs the age old question....who has the best Jersey in the league??
i like the original 6...originals... and how can you go wrong with a solid red Flames jersey circa 1989.... Gilmour, Loob, Roberts, Mcdonald...and you canucks fan all time favorite..Joeal Otto..no, he didn't kick it in
Very good Scoop.
Nice piece.
I especially like it when you strongly urge the frontal assault on Shaw. What you have 6 followers and at least 2 don't live in the Canucks PPV area! Your fault for paying for the Canucks PPV in the first place. On the other hand, if you don't subscribe how will we pay Matts the $10 million per?
I can't help but notice the tone of your posts has gone the way of most of the Canuck fans, south for the winter. Although you try to remain somewhat positive i believe we are going to have to get used to the daggers you will be tossing
A very crafty move, starting to integrate discussion on the opposition. You will need this in order to maintain interest in the blog!
Please confirm that this is Robert Toombs asking for patience?!?!? i was unaware you has any idea how to spell this word let alone the meaning...
regards from the Fart
What's the Sioux word for "not able to keep up in the new NHL", because that is what the Canucks have been faced with for the last two seasons. Their only line with any speed is the third line, or terd line, as they would say in Quebec, but I digress. Keep up the good work Bulldog and buy a round with your rebate cheque from Shaw!
Grandma is happy you didn't call "Her" twins the "Sisters"
I print your blog for her to read....It's the highlight of her day..
Sarge - I agree, the original 6 are nice, no doubt, but if we're going with the circa 1989 solid reds, we might as well make mention of the circa 1984,85,87,88 and 90 home whites of the only legitimate team in our oil rich province; but I digress.
As for the Nucks, patience will be key for this team.
They made some good moves in the off season: 1. they finally got rid of their capitan that could only lead by putting the puck in the net, which he stopped doing consistently a few years back; 2. they added some toughness so key players don't have to worry about filling that role; and 3. they brought in some decent youth with speed.
Coach V. is going to need some time to work with these guys but I think you're right Scoop, he won't get long. Coach V. has made a career of winning 2-1 hockey games and to keep up the new nhl, you'll need to score more than two goals to win hockey games.
Good luck Coach V. - he better spend more time lookng a game film that shopping for a new tie with the pretty young ladies (I saw him in a men's store recently doing exactly that).
As for this fan, if we don't see a decent record at christmas, you can find me standing on top of the Georgia viaduct calling for a noose around Coach V. - circa Peter Pocklinton, August 9, 1988.
Well your worse nightmare is happening, Canucks are calling up Kyle Wellwood for Tuesday's game. You should have lots to write about tomorrow. Vincent says he's happy to have helped with your education!!!
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