Nov. 30 Avs

[Yoata]

Really strong game by the Canucks, they wanted the puck tonight and it showed both when they had it and when they didn't. They were skating, forcing turnovers, battling, driving to the net, peppering Aebischer, drawing penalties, and generally working hard to a man.

Loved Bertuzzi's fire and his play tonight, looked much more aggressive and sharp for the whole game than I've seen him in a long time. I like Jovo to be aggressive, but he got away with one on Brisebois. Salo was excellent again, Morrison and Naslund benefitted from Bertuzzi's much missed support, Allen played very strong, as did Baumgartner, Ohlund and even Brookbank. I've been impressed with Green's ability, he looks more like an NHL pro than Goren so far. Ruutu played another good game, the Sedins and Carter looked very strong, their skating continues to improve, Auld was solid, all in all probably the Nucks best 60 minute effort this season.

[Iced Tea]

Really strong game by the Canucks, they wanted the puck tonight and it showed both when they had it and when they didn't. They were skating, forcing turnovers, battling, driving to the net, peppering Aebischer, drawing penalties, and generally working hard to a man.

Loved Bertuzzi's fire and his play tonight, looked much more aggressive and sharp for the whole game than I've seen him in a long time. I like Jovo to be aggressive, but he got away with one on Brisebois. Salo was excellent again, Morrison and Naslund benefitted from Bertuzzi's much missed support, Allen played very strong, as did Baumgartner, Ohlund and even Brookbank. I've been impressed with Green's ability, he looks more like an NHL pro than Goren so far. Ruutu played another good game, the Sedins and Carter looked very strong, their skating continues to improve, Auld was solid, all in all probably the Nucks best 60 minute effort this season.I agree with your assessment.

Tonight was a step in the right direction but the Canucks are far from where they need to be if they want to contend this year.

Another start with a quick goal by the opposition and I thought this was going to be another heart breaking defeat. But the Canucks surprised me by picking up the pace to a level they need to be in all the time. Still a number of brutal mistakes but they didn't overshadow the otherwise good play from the team.

Good points:
1. The top line had a good night after several terrible outings. Bertuzzi finally showed his surly aggressive side and it translated into better play from Naslund and Morrison. Both Naslund and Morrison got goals with Bertuzzi factoring in the Naslund goal. Morrison scored after a beauty pass from Naslund and the rotten Avs defense getting mixed up.
2. The A S S line never quits and has been the top line for a couple of weeks; good to see a Sedin (Henrik) get another goal.
3. The KRap line was a factor tonight. Ruutu played well and I'm happy he scored. Park got an assist with a great pass to Josh Green, who split the defense and scored.
4. Linden and Friends played well, Linden got an assist and was tremendous on the PK. Green got the goal and Brookbank beat Brad May senseless. Good work by this line.
5. Defense got 6 points; Salo 2, Baumgartner 2, Jovo and Ohlund 1 each. I expect the points from Salo, Ohlund and Jovo but 2 for Baumgartner is a pleasant surprise.
6. Upsetting Abby. Naslund was pushed into Abby and Abby freaked out. Blame the rotten Avs defenseman not Naslund. Abby loses his cool faster than Cloutier and it effects his game.
7. PK was good tonight.
8. Auld played better than the last few games.

Bad points:
1. Another quick goal at the start of the game for the opposition.
2. Sloppy play leading to the rotten Avs goals. McGuire was right (Iced Tea shudders at the thought of agreeing with Pierre.) Where was the forward when Rob Blake let go the shot from the point on the rotten Avs' second goal? Where were the forwards whenever Blake was on the ice?
3. PP was bad. 1 for 8 is not good enough especially considering the 5 on 3 the Canucks had.
4. Special teams are in the toilet for the Canucks. While the PK seems to be improving slowly, the PP bites. Let's hope this game is the spark the top line needs, they get going and the PP starts clicking at a higher rate.
5. Canucks faceoff succes was 65% in the offensive zone but 37% in the defensive zone and 41% in the neutral zone. Glad the Canucks won most of the faceoffs in the rotten Avs' end but they need to fix the problems in their own end, particularily faceoffs during penalty kills. Individually, Kesler (7 - 4, 63%) and Henrik Sedin (10 - 6, 62%) had good nights while Morrison (5 - 10, 33%), Linden (1 - 2, 33%), and Green (1 - 6, 14%) had lousy nights. The last three are playing well in other areas but need to work on their faceoffs because control off the draw is key.

Other points:
1. I enjoyed seeing and hearing Crawford miked up for the game.
2. The Canucks have a great record at home, the road record is a different story. Should playing at home make that much of a difference?

[TimmyTabasco]

I missed the game. Went out for dinner.

However, listened to some of it on CKNW, and caught the highlights.

Glad Green got the goal. This guy has been working really hard with the Canucks. Well deserved.

What happened to Goren? :D No complaints here

Overall, looked like a solid win all around. Hopefully they can take this win, and gain some momentum.

[Iced Tea]

I missed the game. Went out for dinner.

However, listened to some of it on CKNW, and caught the highlights.

Glad Green got the goal. This guy has been working really hard with the Canucks. Well deserved.

What happened to Goren? :D No complaints here

Overall, looked like a solid win all around. Hopefully they can take this win, and gain some momentum.You went out for dinner on game night? The woman have better been super hot because that's the only excuse you can use or you aren't a true Canucks fan. :talkhand:

Green was playing better on the farm so he got the call over Goren. The right move I say.

[TimmyTabasco]

You went out for dinner on game night? The woman have better been super hot because that's the only excuse you can use or you aren't a true Canucks fan. :talkhand:

Green was playing better on the farm so he got the call over Goren. The right move I say.

Normally, I wouldn't. But it was with my mother and sister :D

So, Goren was sent back down..or just benched?

Good move indeed. Goren hasn't played all that well, and Brookbank can do the fighting

[Iced Tea]

Normally, I wouldn't. But it was with my mother and sister :D

So, Goren was sent back down..or just benched?

Good move indeed. Goren hasn't played all that well, and Brookbank can do the fightingTaking your mom out for dinner is allowed alongs as she knows what a sacrifice it is for a Canucks fan to miss a game. :D

I expect Goren was sent down to the farm to save money.

[KB in Kelowna]

I have to agree with the game assessment from my learned friend from Salmon Arm. I missed the first 10 minutes as we went out to get groceries:shrug: .When I heard the score on the radio, I thought Oh no here we go again. I was impresses with the what I saw of the late first, then full second and third periods. They played with an intensity that had been missing. Auld played well, the Tanguay goal was because of a lack of coverage on Blake. I love the two line pass and how it sprung Morrison free on his goal. All 4 lines were skating tonight. They held a players only meeting on Tuesday, hopefully it has created some momentum.