Canucks Vs BJ's

[rustybadcock]

Blue Jackets-Canucks Preview
Feb 29, 2008, 7:00 PM PT
TV Information
Local Home:
SNET-P (HD)
Local Away:
FSN-O

Every loss at this point in the season is another missed opportunity for both the Vancouver Canucks and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Each club looks to bounce back from its most recent defeat when the teams meet for the final time in 2007-08 on Friday night in Vancouver.

The Canucks (32-22-9) lost 3-2 in a shootout at home to Colorado on Wednesday to snap their season-high four-game winning streak. Though the loss dropped Vancouver to 2-4 in shootouts this month, it earned at least one point in a seventh straight game to stay one ahead of Colorado and Nashville and in seventh place in the crowded Western Conference playoff race.

"It's definitely a tough one," Vancouver captain Markus Naslund said. "I guess we can try to learn form those last mistakes and keep moving ahead. I think the effort is there, and we're playing a pretty strong team game right now."

Columbus (29-27-9), meanwhile, fell short in an attempt for its third straight victory by losing 4-2 at home to San Jose on Wednesday. The Blue Jackets fell to 6-26-5 when scoring two or fewer goals.

While Vancouver is already position to make the playoffs, the Blue Jackets - five points back of the eighth and final spot - need a strong finishing stretch to reach the postseason for the first time ever. That means giving a better effort than Wednesday when they were outshot 32-19.

"As the game went on, we were devoid of emotion," said Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock, whose team has lost three of its last five contests. "We're not going to win games playing the way we did."

Columbus will be in for another challenge Friday. The Canucks are 10-2-1 against the Blue Jackets all-time at home, winning seven times by one or two goals.

Vancouver looks to regain its offensive punch as it tries for a third win in four tries against Columbus this season. Mason Raymond and Alex Burrows scored Wednesday for the Canucks, who were held to fewer than three goals for the first time in seven games.

The Canucks averaged 3.5 goals in its previous six contests prior to Wednesday's loss. Raymond, meanwhile, has two goals in his last three games.

"Our guys are competitors they want to win and they don't look for excuses," Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault said. "That's why we compete hard."

Roberto Luongo made 24 saves against Colorado and looks to bounce back Friday. Though Luongo is 5-3-2 with a 1.78 goals-against average versus the Blue Jackets, he's lost three of his last four starts against Columbus.

Columbus scored twice in the first period on Luongo in its 3-2 win home win over Vancouver on Jan. 15 in the teams' most recent meeting.

On Wednesday, David Vyborny had two goals to end his 24-game scoring drought for the Blue Jackets, who played their first game since trading captain Adam Foote and veteran Sergei Fedorov on Tuesday.

Columbus' Pascal Leclaire made 28 saves Wednesday but lost in his first start since recording his NHL-leading ninth shutout in a 3-0 win at Montreal on Saturday. Leclaire, who is 22-14-4 with a 2.17 GAA, won for the first time in six starts versus Vancouver last month.


After a 5 point maiden voyage with the Stars by Richards I think Luongo is actually so pissed off that Sanford goes tonight. :slant:

Oh well as they say....I sure would like to know the truth of just how big a reality was the possibility of Richards...I mean, people are saying Bourdon Schneider and picks....I don't know if I buy that. But if so....WTF was the problem? And even if it was Kesler....wouldn't you guys have done it? I mean I think I would. Regardless, just knowing the truth would make things easier to accept. you see, perhaps we weren't even in the running for long...would make it easier to know we had no chance.

RB

[AtLossForWords]

If Sanford is going tonight, you can count on this team to give up another two points. Who was that guy that made sure they "just got the two points"?

The Blue Jackets have sold and technically are playing shorthanded, but unlike most nights, this team will have to have someone other than the goaltender make an effort to just get the two points tonight. The goaltender just can't give them that kind of an effort night.

[gordphish]

All I expect to see from this team from here on in is more of the same. Carrying the play early, blowing PP opportunities to put the game away and coming out on top about half the time. Will the loser points they gather in be enough to get them the last playoff spot? I guess that depends on Nashville.

3-1 Canucks.

[TimmyTabasco]

Canucks win, 4-1

I'll be going to the game tonight. First one in two years

[gordphish]

Canucks win, 4-1

I'll be going to the game tonight. First one in two years

Please tell me you got free tickets and aren't actually shelling out for the most over-priced seats this side of Ontario.

[TimmyTabasco]

Please tell me you got free tickets and aren't actually shelling out for the most over-priced seats this side of Ontario.

My boss gave me the ticket :D

But yeah, haven't actually bought one in ages..

[gordphish]

Blue Jackets-Canucks Preview
Feb 29, 2008, 7:00 PM PT
TV Information
Local Home:
SNET-P (HD)
Local Away:
FSN-O



After a 5 point maiden voyage with the Stars by Richards I think Luongo is actually so pissed off that Sanford goes tonight. :slant:

Oh well as they say....I sure would like to know the truth of just how big a reality was the possibility of Richards...I mean, people are saying Bourdon Schneider and picks....I don't know if I buy that. But if so....WTF was the problem? And even if it was Kesler....wouldn't you guys have done it? I mean I think I would. Regardless, just knowing the truth would make things easier to accept. you see, perhaps we weren't even in the running for long...would make it easier to know we had no chance.

And that's the kicker, isn't it? I think if the Smith deal really was a slam dunk, it would have been done Monday as soon as Feaster secured Picard from the Flyers.

Me, I'm not buying the spin doctoring Nonis is trying to spoon feed us. I think if he had made an offer of Bieksa, Schneider the first pick and one of their better forward prospects like White or Gendur, Feaster would have taken it before making the Prosal deal and then turned to Dallas to see if he could get Smith for Prospal and Schneider.

I mean, would you have traded Richards for two players not even in the NHL right now?

"Nonis made the effort..."

Road apples, I say.

[gordphish]

My boss gave me the ticket :D

But yeah, haven't actually bought one in ages..

Well, enjoy Saucey. It might be the closest we see to playoff hockey from them this season. :toast:

[Vanfan]

Please tell me you got free tickets and aren't actually shelling out for the most over-priced seats this side of Ontario.

Wow, you gotta be the most negative fan this side of Ontario:wicked:

I take it you don't go to hockey games much but are more interested in ripping the Gm and players who don't meet your expectations.

As a former player I can tell you that the players (at least the Canadian ones) work their asses off to try to bring home a cup. The support of the fans is appreciated far more than you may know, especially when things are going poorly.

It is extremely easy to sit back and assume what is right or wrong. 90% of the time the so-called expert analysts are more out to lunch than the true fan,possibly because they want to come out with the "intelligent" 10 second explanation. Regardless it is a long season and hopefully a long playoff and as fans we owe it to our team to cheer them on through thick and thin.

If you are finding it difficult to do that and have been too dissappointed over the years, why are you torturing yourself?
There are other teams and other sports.Or dedicate yourself to your local Bantam team and take up coaching.

Coaching kids is a hoot and can be very rewarding.

I guess my point is that hockey is a game and lets keep things in perspective here.:thumb:

[Vanfan]

Oh man, from 2-0 to 2- 2 in 1 minute. What a bunch of overpaid bums!!

[KB in Kelowna]

A weakened confernce opponent, at home in a game where you have nearly all your top players. For those of you who think some of us are too pessimistic, or too harsh, this is the type of late seaon shenanigans that has cost this franchise in the past. Yes they got a point, but it should of been two!

[AtLossForWords]

A weakened confernce opponent, at home in a game where you have nearly all your top players. For those of you who think some of us are too pessimistic, or too harsh, this is the type of late seaon shenanigans that has cost this franchise in the past. Yes they got a point, but it should of been two!

Remember in '05-'06 when this team was swept by St. Louis and missed the playoffs by like two points?

Well this year we are 0-3 against LA and we may soon be 0-4. That's getting swept twice in three years by the worst team in the conference, if that doesn't indicate a team that won't go far in the playoffs, I don't know what will.

[gordphish]

Wow, you gotta be the most negative fan this side of Ontario:wicked:

I take it you don't go to hockey games much but are more interested in ripping the Gm and players who don't meet your expectations.

As a former player I can tell you that the players (at least the Canadian ones) work their asses off to try to bring home a cup. The support of the fans is appreciated far more than you may know, especially when things are going poorly.

It is extremely easy to sit back and assume what is right or wrong. 90% of the time the so-called expert analysts are more out to lunch than the true fan,possibly because they want to come out with the "intelligent" 10 second explanation. Regardless it is a long season and hopefully a long playoff and as fans we owe it to our team to cheer them on through thick and thin.

If you are finding it difficult to do that and have been too dissappointed over the years, why are you torturing yourself?
There are other teams and other sports.Or dedicate yourself to your local Bantam team and take up coaching.

Coaching kids is a hoot and can be very rewarding.

I guess my point is that hockey is a game and lets keep things in perspective here.:thumb:

You are aware that the Canucks have the second highest priced seat in the league, the second highest priced average seat and the most expensive concessions, right?

You make an awful lot of assumptions about me considering you've made about a dozen posts here. Guys like Timmy, KB, Lossy and RB have known me for a couple of years now at least, and know exactly where I'm coming from. Because of that, they know that I'm tired of the Pat Quinn / Brian Burke school of managment with this team, and so when Nonis was hired, I said he'd be on a very tight leash with me. I wanted to see a GM that was trying to win the Cup, not one that was just interested in getting them into the playoffs to make money for his owner. So far, Nonis is failing on BOTH fronts.

I have barely critisized the players at all this year. I see them working hard most nights, and I appreciate that. This team isn't .500 because of a lack of effort. It's .500 because of a lack of talent.

When tickets were reasonably priced, I went to about 10 games a year. For me to go ten games a year now, it would cost me what I'm putting towards my car payment over those same 6 months. Let's see, get to work so I can support my family or watch a team with one of the lowest overall winning percentages in league history. That's not perspective for you?

[gordphish]

Remember in '05-'06 when this team was swept by St. Louis and missed the playoffs by like two points?

Well this year we are 0-3 against LA and we may soon be 0-4. That's getting swept twice in three years by the worst team in the conference, if that doesn't indicate a team that won't go far in the playoffs, I don't know what will.

I think it goes a little deeper than that Lossy. Take a look at their record versus the rest of the west...

vs Det 1-2-1
vs Nash 2-1-0
vs Clbs 2-1-1
vs STL 2-1-0
vs CHI 3-0-0

vs Dall 1-1-1
vs Anh 3-0-0
vs SJ 0-4-0
vs Phoe 1-1-0
vs LA 0-3-0

vs Minn 3-2-1
vs Cal 4-1-0
vs Col 2-2-1
vs Edm 3-0-3

Overall 27-19-8, or 27-27 if you like.

Again, I guess it depends on what your standard is. If it's making the playoffs, then your assessment is correct, I suppose. But if your standard is winning the Cup, then what they do against the worst team in the conference means almost squat.

Sometimes, some teams just have your number. You could easily point to their record against San Jose and use those 4 games as the excuse for them missing the playoffs if you wanted to, or the injuries if that floats your boat.

If they miss the playoffs again this year, it will be because of their lack of offensive talent. Another scoring forward woud have gone a long way towards helping them win more games when the blueline was decimated with injuries.

[KB in Kelowna]

You are aware that the Canucks have the second highest priced seat in the league, the second highest priced average seat and the most expensive concessions, right?

You make an awful lot of assumptions about me considering you've made about a dozen posts here. Guys like Timmy, KB, Lossy and RB have known me for a couple of years now at least, and know exactly where I'm coming from. Because of that, they know that I'm tired of the Pat Quinn / Brian Burke school of managment with this team, and so when Nonis was hired, I said he'd be on a very tight leash with me. I wanted to see a GM that was trying to win the Cup, not one that was just interested in getting them into the playoffs to make money for his owner. So far, Nonis is failing on BOTH fronts.

I have barely critisized the players at all this year. I see them working hard most nights, and I appreciate that. This team isn't .500 because of a lack of effort. It's .500 because of a lack of talent.

When tickets were reasonably priced, I went to about 10 games a year. For me to go ten games a year now, it would cost me what I'm putting towards my car payment over those same 6 months. Let's see, get to work so I can support my family or watch a team with one of the lowest overall winning percentages in league history. That's not perspective for you?

I remember the late 80's where finishing .500 was an accomplishment for this franchise. I recall how the moved to being a 100 point team in the early 90's under Quinn's leadership, but lost in the glow of 1994 was how they had barely made the playoffs that year. In 1995 under Rick Ley they hardly looked like a cup challenger and the vicious cycle stated all over again. Burke comes back after the Keenan/Messier debacle and builds an entertaining high flying team with some flaws that Burke could not or would not acknowledge and rectify. I just don't want to see Nonis fall into that trap of fill the building, make the playoffs with flawed teams and hope for a magical run. I am hoping Aqueillni (sic) won't let him!

[AtLossForWords]

I kind of like having VanFan around. He's one of the better contributors to have come around lately, things were looking "grim" around here before he showed up as far as newcomers go.

Plus saying his name five times fast builds up speaking skill!

This franchise has had some painful moments to watch, but throughout all the Smith's, the Druken's, and ex-Oiler captains, nothing compares to the moment of sinking that three game series lead to the Wild. Winning that series would've put them in the conference final which would've been the most progress this team had made since game seven of '94. Well actually game seven of '94 was pretty damn painful too.

[rustybadcock]

Well, I gotta see Gords point where "perspective" is concerned and "family" - there is a similar argument here in Winnipeg regarding the return of the Jets. People in Winnipeg (very small group) have been attempting to gain some momentum with regards to bringing attention to the Jets returning. They're trying to sell Winnipeggers on the idea that the "new NHL" will be affordable. :confused: :confused: :laughing: What a phucking joke. I tried to tell a friend that the lower bowl will likely be about a hundred bucks, give or take 20. He told me I didn't know shet from shinola....I said, "dude, lived in Vancity, bought the ticket, took the ride, was a hundred bucks 5 years ago"

He was stunned.

Now I don't want to say peggers are cheap but last fall mom and I hit up a few garage sales and she brought coupons....:eek: :eek: :laughing:

Seriously, I see your point gord, that's total bullshit that a family man cannot take his kids to a game. It's just not always possible. The "corporate" mandate of the NHL is what has essentially destroyed the game from every angle. I mean salaries alone are total bullshit. Dustin Penner for example. What a total nightmare. I mean, sure, I am happy a good Manitoba boy has done well for himself but honestly, who would you rather under the circumstances...Penner at 4 mil or Bertuzzi at 4....? I'd take Bertuzzi on skill alone. Penner is a north south skater and a bad one at that. While he was buried on the Ducks 3rd line no one noticed....now that he's expected to carry the load he looks like a talented beer league guy playing for the Oil. Money has destroyed the game; from ruining the perspectives of young players to making the true fan an outsider at an event they made popular in the first place. None of it makes sense and believe me, I am strongly considering canceling my Center Ice subscription. Until Gary Bettman will communicate with me, I am not sure his collective of people will earn another cent from me. I mean, from an ex-jets fans point of view, how many more ways of Sunday can you finger blast me? :eek: :slant: You guys talk of frustration....man, not only was I cheering for a bottom end organization in the first place, after the NHL slide their greasy uninvited member in me, I chose a team that is in a lot of ways, a close second. AND they made my town their farm team!!....

How's that for perspective Vancity?....

By nature I try my best to see the positive in most things, including the Canucks. After the life I've lived it's the only way to go. A sort of "never lose your smile" attitude. But I too confess, I am losing my grip in my own patients with this band of try hards and after this last complete 3rd period auto-pilot job I've never felt more inclined to tell each and everyone who's officially involved with this hockey club to phuck right off. :pimp:

nuff said,

RB

[TimmyTabasco]

Well..brutal game..

I've never attended a Canucks loss..all have been wins..

Two goal lead..blown..due to defensive mishaps

Mitchell made quite a few mistakes, not to mention screening Luongo. Also, Bieksa had a poor outing. But hey, he's coming back from a season ending injury. During the tv timeout..at the bench..Luongo was chatting with Mitchell and Bowness(wonder what was said)

Shannon had a nice goal. Man, he's small..but has great speed..same with Raymond. Funny thing was, I was trashing Father Time(Linden) before the goal he set up. But then again, it was thru lots of hard work by Pyatt. Pettinger looked good, few solid hits..nice speed. I think he will find his groove

I had decent seats, lower bowl..about 20 rows back from the players benches. Hey, I didn't buy the tickets.
Anyway..whats with the crowd? Man..I guess it was the seats..but hardly any "Go Canucks Go"..no waves..nothing..seemed pretty dull. Another note, don't get the soft pretzels..nasty..last time they weren't that bad at all

[AtLossForWords]

When I see the Canucks in Colorado like i will Tuesday I pay 25 bucks for the nose bleed seats, I don't mind them. I can see the entire ice surface without moving my head!

It's really a shame lower bowl seats are so expensive, I'm not saying that if they were just a little cheaper I'd shell out that much over the course season to see a bunch a games, but treating myself to the lower level and a more intimate view of the game would be nice if I could afford it everyonce in awhile, say twice a year.

[gordphish]

When I see the Canucks in Colorado like i will Tuesday I pay 25 bucks for the nose bleed seats, I don't mind them. I can see the entire ice surface without moving my head!

It's really a shame lower bowl seats are so expensive, I'm not saying that if they were just a little cheaper I'd shell out that much over the course season to see a bunch a games, but treating myself to the lower level and a more intimate view of the game would be nice if I could afford it everyonce in awhile, say twice a year.

If you can get them at what the Canucks are selling them for, nosebleeds here are 33 bucks. And there aren't a lot of seats deemed 'nosebleeds' in GM Place. For a team that has won squat. For certain games, you can only get them through scalpers, and they cost you 4 or 5 times as much.

It's 10 bucks for a can of beer, 15 bucks for parking, and 7 or 8 bucks for a slice of pizza and a can of pop...the same slice and can costs you less than a buck and a half 2 blocks away from GM Place.

If I wanted to treat my daughter to a Canucks game, it's almost a 200 dollar night, from the cheap seats. I think anyone who is paying to see the Canucks these days has sh1t for brains.

Oh, and Rusty? Tell that buddy of yours that lower bowl seats in GM Place now start at about 125 bucks.

In the Pacific Collosseum I used to get 'lower bowl' (we called them reds back then) seats for 18 dollars. Parking was 2 bucks, my dad could get two beer tickets for 5 dollars, and we could eat, snack and walk away with a program and a souvenir (I collected pennants) for under 20 bucks. I'm not talking about the 70s here, I'm talking about the early 90s.

You could even get red seats back then from Safeway for $9.50 a pop, if you spent something like 30 dollars or more on groceries.

How would you feel if you shelled out 200 bucks for a game and got that garbage we saw in the 6-2 loss to Colorado? If I'm going to pay that kind of money, I better be getting the best entertainment the city has to offer. With the NHL and the Canucks, you don't. Both the Giants and the Lions offer way more for your money, and you can see them for a fraction of the price.

Hell, I saw the Cirque de Soleil's 'Love' in Vegas for the same price as a Canucks game would cost me, and THAT's something I'll never forget.