Official: Vancouver Canucks W00T

[clickynext]

Aww. How was Ouellet? I couldn't watch the game because I had an exam that started when the game did, and went for the same length.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: clickynext
Aww. How was Ouellet? I couldn't watch the game because I had an exam that started when the game did, and went for the same length.

He was quite good. The 4th goal was kinda weak, but he made some great saves.

 

[Aquaman]

Oilers topple Canucks in OT

Canadian Press
12/18/2005 1:59:53 AM

VANCOUVER (CP) - Two goal-starved veterans and aggressive special teams left the Vancouver Canucks shaking their heads after 60 minutes.

Then Michael Peca scored Edmonton's only even-strength goal on a backhand at 4:08 of overtime Saturday to give the Oilers a 5-4 comeback victory.

It was only Peca's third goal of the season and first in seven games while Shawn Horcoff ended an 18-game drought with a short-handed goal to tie the game in the third period.

''We were really being aggressive all night,'' said Peca whose club scored three times on the power play to spoil the Vancouver debut of young goalie Maxime Ouellet.

Peca blocked a Daniel Sedin shot at the other end to start a two-on-one break for the winning goal.

''For me it was just a matter of getting the puck to (Ales) Hemsky because he had some speed already,'' Peca said. ''When the puck came to me I was thinking of going far side high but I didn't want to miss the net at that point on an odd-man rush so I took it to the backhand and fortunately it went in.''

Hemsky, Marty Reasoner and Ryan Smyth, with his team-leading 14th goal of the season, scored on the power play for the Oilers who had 11 man-advantage situations while the Canucks were 0-for-6 on the power play and outshot 37-22.

Todd Bertuzzi, with two goals, Matt Cooke and Anson Carter scored for Vancouver which lost at home for only the second time in 15 games.

The Oilers improved to 18-11-4 by beating Vancouver for the third straight time this season and moved to within three points of the Northwest Division leaders.

The Canucks (20-9-3) continued to struggle within their division, slipping to 5-7-3 against Northwest clubs.

Ouellet, 24, was playing in only his ninth NHL game to give Alex Auld the night off after 10 consecutive starts and the Oilers decided to test him early and often.

''We obviously knew he was a little bit inexperienced but that's been our strategy all year, especially on the road,'' said Horcoff who also scored on an outnumbered rush after the Oiler defence blocked a Markus Naslund shot.

''We want to go out there and get pucks to the net.''

Horcoff saw Ouellet was cheating to the far post, perhaps expecting a pass.

''I saw short side,'' Horcoff said after the Oilers erased a two-goal deficit for the second consecutive game. ''Things happened so quickly but I saw a little bit of space and shot as quick as I could.''

Ouellet, a victim of tap-in goals on Oiler power plays was trying to guard against the goalmouth pass on Peca's winner.

''There were two guys, so I was trying to play it both ways,'' said Ouellet who learned he would get his first start of the season on Tuesday.

''I still don't feel comfortable,'' he said. ''There's little stuff -- new equipment -- everything.

''I didn't really have a chance to get to play with it lately in the season, but I felt good.''

The Canucks had a 2-0 lead on their first four shots and chased Edmonton starter Mike Morrison who was replaced in goal by Jussi Markkanen who had beaten Vancouver twice earlier this season.

Bertuzzi's first goal ended Morrison's night when he stuffed the puck in from behind the net. The big winger then snapped a 2-2 tie 26 seconds after Hemsky had scored for the Oilers.

Carter, with his fifth goal in his last six games, provided a 4-2 cushion entering the third period.

''We worked hard to get to that point and then we let it all slip away,'' said Naslund. ''It was very disappointing.''

NOTES: Ouellet was obtained Dec. 2 from Washington for a 2006 fifth-round draft pick ... it was the first of a six-game homestand for the Canucks ... the two clubs have a return engagement here Wednesday ... Naslund missed his fifth consecutive practice Friday to rest his sore groin ... Wade Brookbank, who suffered a concussion Thursday in Philadelphia, was replaced by Lee Goren ... Radek Dvorak remained out of the Edmonton lineup with a groin strain.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Auld unfazed in his new role with Canucks

Canadian Press
12/18/2005 12:21:41 PM

VANCOUVER (CP) - Nothing seems to faze Alex Auld.

For proof, see how he calmly guzzles from the water bottle while the puck is fished out of the Vancouver Canucks' net. Or how he casually leans back with both arms draped over the top of his net while waiting for the next face-off.

"It's so important to forget about goals, whether they're good or bad, and to move on," the lanky netminder said. "You never want to put your team in too much of a hole."

Auld hasn't done much of that lately - and he talks like he's hardly given a second thought to becoming the Canucks' No. 1 goalie after knee surgery sidelined Dan Cloutier at least four months.

"There's obviously a little more (pressure) but I try not to look at it that way," Auld said.

While he doesn't lean placidly on his stick during a stop in play, his unflappable demeanour resembles that of Ken Dryden when the rookie backstopped the Montreal Canadiens to the 1971 Stanley Cup.

"He's got great composure and I think he's got real solid, basic values that will allow him to stay grounded through this," coach Marc Crawford said of Auld, who is 12-6-1 after winning his last four starts.

"He's been thrust into the key position as opposed to winning it or earning it. With that in mind we recognize there's always going to be a few challenges."

Auld has been in the spotlight since Nov. 20 when Cloutier was injured.

When the club announced his surgery last week, general manager Dave Nonis said he had no immediate plans to deal for an experienced netminder even though Cloutier's $2.45-million US contract no longer counts against the salary cap.

That didn't stop local media from mentioning Roberto Luongo of Florida, Dwayne Roloson or Manny Fernandez of Minnesota or Martin Biron of Buffalo as replacements.

Instead, Auld, Florida's 40th overall choice in the 1999 draft who earns $513,000 a season, is gaining experience on the job.

Obtained by the Canucks for draft picks, he has played in 21 games this season after amassing just 14 regular-season and three playoff games in three previous NHL campaigns.

The Thunder Bay, Ont., native, who turns 25 on Jan. 7, is young for a No. 1 netminder and is replacing a goalie who set a club record with three straight 30-win seasons.

"Yeah, but he looks old," Crawford said of the prematurely bald Auld.

The six-foot-four, 200-pounder had a better save percentage and goals-against average than Cloutier when he took over, though he was inconsistent at first. Colorado lit him up for six goals Nov. 27, and he got the hook after allowing five goals on 28 shots in a loss to Edmonton four nights later.

But Auld bounced back in a hurry. He stopped 30 of 32 shots in the return match against the Avalanche and rebounded after his subpar effort against Edmonton with a 25-save performance in a 5-2 win over Boston.

"I don't want to say it's concerning for us but it's something that we recognize is pretty significant for him," Crawford said of Auld's new role. "Hopefully Alex will continue to be a guy that will prepare himself well and not make too much of it."

That was evident in his 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.

He surrendered two soft goals but stopped two break-ins in the first period and made 19 saves in the third with the game on the line.

That was preceded by beating veteran netminder Dominik Hasek and the high-scoring, NHL-leading Ottawa Senators in a shootout decision. Then, he made 34 saves in a 3-2 victory over the Atlantic Division-leading New York Rangers.

"I think it was really good timing for not only myself but for the team playing three of the top teams in the league," Auld said.

Since Cloutier was injured, the Canucks obtained goaltender Maxime Ouellet, also 24, from the Washington Capitals for a low 2006 draft pick.

Auld, who was 25-18-4 with two shutouts and a 2.56 goals-against average for the AHL Manitoba Moose last season, got the night off in Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

But he likes a heavy workload.

"I feel good when I'm playing a lot. You get in a real rhythm and it's pretty easy to stay sharp."

He'll want to stay that way in Vancouver which has not been kind to goaltenders. Kevin Weekes, dubbed by management as "the goalie of the future," and Felix Potvin, "the goalie of the present," are long gone.

Peter Skudra, Johan Hedberg and Arturs Irbe also played their way out of town.

"That's obviously not something I really think about too much," Auld said. "The real important thing is what I think about myself and that teammates believe in me."

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Canucks play host to Kings

Sports Ticker
12/19/2005 10:28:30 AM

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Ticker) - After suffering a rare home loss, the Vancouver Canucks will try to bounce back against the Los Angeles Kings in a matchup of 20-win teams.

The Canucks had won four straight overall and six in a row at home before dropping a 5-4 decision in overtime to Edmonton on Saturday.

Vancouver twice lost two-goal leads before seeing Oilers center Michael Peca convert the game-winner with 52 seconds to go in the extra session, sending the Canucks to just their second loss in 15 home games.

Todd Bertuzzi had a pair of goals in the losing effort.

Vancouver's league-best 13-1-1 mark at General Motors Place will be threatened by the Kings, who have won three of their last four, including Saturday's 4-1 triumph over Phoenix.

Defenseman Joe Corvo scored the go-ahead goal midway through the second period and Craig Conroy had a goal and two assists to back Mathieu Garon's 25-save effort.

Defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky scored twice in the first period as Los Angeles built a four-goal lead and held on for a 5-4 victory in the first meeting between the teams November 17.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[sandorski]

1st
wooo Naslund
booyah D Sedin
2nd
woohoo McCarthy
3rd
OT
woo Auld, kinda
woo Auld
aaaahh

Canucks lose shootout, but get point.

 

[silverpig]

 

[Aquaman]

Kings edge Canucks in shootout

Canadian Press
12/20/2005 2:45:49 AM

VANCOUVER (CP) - Persistence is beginning to pay dividends for the Los Angeles Kings.

Craig Conroy tied the game with a short-handed goal and Alexander Frolov scored the shootout winner as the Kings beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 on Monday.

''They kept taking that lead back but we said (goalie Mathieu Garon) is going to shut the door and we've just got to move forward,'' said Conroy.

It was the Kings' third consecutive victory after winning only two of their previous eight starts.

''It was huge for this team,'' said Conroy. ''We had a bad stretch and now we're trying to turn this thing around. We just had to find ways to win. We're down two (goals) to one of the top teams in their building and we battled back. We're starting to roll again. It's a good feeling.''

The Kings, now tied with Dallas for the Pacific Division lead, overcame a two-goal deficit in the first period and Conroy pulled them even after Steve McCarthy counted his first goal as a Canuck five minutes into the second period.

It was the second time in as many games that the Canucks gave up the tying goal on a short-handed effort.

Frolov was the only player to score in the shootout. He planned his move from centre ice and head-faked Vancouver netminder Alex Auld.

''When I went to shoot, I was watching what he (Auld) was doing and I was waiting until he starts to go down and it went between his legs,'' Frolov said.

Jeremy Roenick and Derek Armstrong on the power play scored in the first period for the Kings while Markus Naslund, with his 18th goal of the season, Daniel Sedin and McCarthy staked the Canucks to 2-0 and 3-2 leads.

Sedin's goal on the power play was his fifth in seven games but the Canucks special teams let them down again.

Garon won his second straight shootout without allowing a goal. Todd Bertuzzi, Naslund and Daniel Sedin all failed to beat Garon in the shootout.

''I'm not a big fan of them but for the game it's a good thing,'' he said. ''But as a goalie you don't really enjoy it.

''I had no idea what Bertuzzi and Naslund were going to do. All three of them missed their shots but we'll take it.''

Bertuzzi said the game was similar to Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers, where the Canucks twice squandered two-goal leads and were 0-for-6 with the man advantage.

''The power play's not getting it done,'' Bertuzzi said after Vancouver was 1-for-8 on Monday.

''We need to be held more accountable. They were two for-sure wins and it's frustrating.

''It's still points in the building but it's disappointing we're not getting the two (points) and I think we're more than capable of putting ourselves in position to get them.''

Los Angeles (21-13-1) defeated Vancouver for the second time this season while the Canucks (20-9-4) lost their second extra-time game in a row at home.

The Canucks remained first in the Northwest Division, two points ahead of Edmonton and Calgary.

Daniel Sedin had the best Vancouver chance of the third period when he tipped brother Henrik's pass off the inside of the post behind Garon but the puck stayed out.

Pavol Demitra was later foiled by Auld when he took a pass through the neutral zone and broke in alone at the end of a Vancouver power play. Conroy hit the post during a goalmouth scramble with 1:10 remaining.

Notes: The Kings continue their three-game road trip Wednesday in Calgary and Friday in Edmonton ... Vancouver left-winger Tyler Bouck has resumed practising after being sidelined 11 weeks with a groin tear ... Forward Jeff Cowan's hamstring injury has placed him on the Kings' injured reserve list ... Canuck tough guy Wade Brookbank remained out with a concussion ... Call-up Kevin Bieksa from the AHL Manitoba Moose started on defence for Vancouver ... Winger Luc Robitaille, three goals shy of Marcel Dionne's club record of 550, was a Kings healthy scratch for the third straight game.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Bertuzzi on the Olympic bubble

Canadian Press
12/20/2005 4:37:48 PM

VANCOUVER (CP) - When Todd Bertuzzi was given his get-out-of-limbo card last summer and allowed to return to the NHL, he looked like a lock to be named to Canada's Olympic hockey team that would play in Turin.

Wayne Gretzky, the Olympic team's executive director, talked like the big Vancouver Canucks forward had a ticket in his pocket. Bertuzzi's teammates spoke about how the NHL's new rules on obstruction would make him almost unstoppable.

But now, with the Olympic team to be named Wednesday in Vancouver, Bertuzzi's spot on the team is not assured. He's one of several players on the bubble.

The Canucks didn't practise Tuesday. Pat Morris, Bertuzzi's agent, said like all the other Olympic hopefuls, his client was waiting for the team's announcement.

"Like all the things he's gone through in the last two years, he'll take it in stride," Morris said. "He'll be immensely gratified and excited if he's named. At the same time I don't think he's putting all his energy into it until it happens or doesn't happen. If it doesn't happen then you haven't built yourself up too much to be let down."

Bertuzzi has 11 goals and 18 assists after 33 games this season.

Heading into Tuesday's action players like Ottawa's Jason Spezza (12 goals, 34 assists), Detroit's Brendan Shanahan (19 goals, 17 assists), Colorado's Alex Tanguay (12 goals, 24 assists) and Pittsburgh rookie Sidney Crosby (14 goals, 19 assists) have just as good or better point totals.

After serving a 17-month suspension for his attack on Steve Moore, Bertuzzi struggled early in the season.

The one-time 46-goal scorer had just two goals in his first 15 games. He then scored five times in his next three games, including three goals against Detroit on Nov. 13. After that he had just one goal in his next 11 games.

He scored twice, and almost won the game in overtime, in the Canucks' loss to Edmonton on Saturday night but was held pointless in Monday's loss to Los Angeles.

At six foot three and 245 pounds, Bertuzzi is like a middle linebacker on the ice. His size is complemented by speed and agility. He can turn a goaltender inside out with a deke or staple a defenceman to the boards with a thunderous hit.

Early in the season he seemed to fight the puck and often looked lost on the perimeter of the play. For the last six games he's returned to the Bertuzzi of old, skating straight at the net, using his strength to create room and scoring chances.

Bertuzzi would add touch around the net and toughness to the Olympic team.

He also brings baggage. He can be surly and moody to the media but seems to be liked by his teammates.

The fact that Moore still can't play hockey, and has filed a civil lawsuit against Bertuzzi, could bring some unwanted publicity to the team.

Still, if Gretzky had any reservations about Bertuzzi he would not have extended him an invitation to last summer's Olympic orientation camp in Kelowna, B.C., immediately after being reinstated by the NHL.

"Todd is going to be a big part of this team," Gretzky said at the time.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Canucks-Oilers top TSN doubleheader

The Sports Network
12/21/2005 11:50:26 AM

It's doubleheader night on TSN with the New Jersey Devils visiting the New York Islanders and Todd Bertuzzi and the Vancouver Canucks hosting Ryan Smyth and the Edmonton Oilers.

It all begins on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt following TSN's wall-to-wall coverage of the Team Canada announcement for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

New Jersey general manager Lou Lamiorello may want to hang on to that interim coach tag a little longer.

Lamoriello will try to lead the Devils to their second straight win since the sudden retirement of Larry Robinson when they visit the New York Islanders.

Robinson relinquished his position in a tearful news conference Monday in which he cited illness and the desire to spend more time with his family as the reasons for stepping down.

With Robinson gone, Lamoriello took command and watched as the Devils rallied for a 3-1 win Tuesday over the New York Rangers. U.S. Olympian Brian Gionta and Alexander Mogilny scored 16 seconds apart and John Madden added an empty-net tally.

Lamoriello, a former Providence coach whose only other NHL experience behind the bench came during the 1988 playoffs when he filled in one game for the suspended Jim Schoenfeld and suffered a 7-1 loss to Boston, took his first career NHL coaching win in stride.

"I really wasn't thinking about it, to tell you the truth," the 63-year-old Lamoriello said.

The Devils, though, continue to struggle on the power play, going scoreless in 11 opportunities Tuesday. New Jersey has scored just once in 34 power-play chances over the last four games and have converted just three of their last 81 opportunities.

The Islanders will try to recover from their worst defensive effort of the season after a 9-6 loss Monday to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Rick DiPietro - also chosen Monday as one of three goaltenders for the U.S. Olympic hockey team -- was replaced after allowing six goals on 17 shots. Backup Garth Snow didn't fare much better, allowing two of Toronto's four goals in the second period on just six shots.

"You don't want to get pulled in a game whether you make the Olympic team or not," DiPietro said.

DiPietro earned his first win in five tries against the Devils this season, stopping 25 shots in a 4-1 win on Nov. 8. He is 0-2 with a 3.36 goals against average and an .883 save percentage against New Jersey at the Nassau Coliseum.

Now is not the best time for the Vancouver Canucks to start losing games at home.

Vancouver begins a stretch of three straight contests against Northwest Division opponents when it continues its season-high six-game homestand with a matchup against the Edmonton Oilers.

After winning 13 of their first 14 at home, the Canucks have lost two straight at GM Place. In both games, Vancouver blew a two-goal lead and gave up a short-handed goal to tie the contest.

"We need to be held more accountable," forward Todd Bertuzzi said. "They were two for-sure wins and it's frustrating."

The division-leading Canucks face Edmonton Wednesday before back-to-back games with Calgary on Friday and Monday. The Oilers and Flames are both two points behind Vancouver in the Northwest, and are a combined 5-0 against the Canucks this season.

Vancouver led Edmonton 4-2 in the third period on Saturday before the Oilers rallied for a 5-4 victory in overtime. On Monday, the Canucks wasted a 2-0 first-period lead in a 4-3 shootout loss to Los Angeles.

The Oilers have overcome two-goal deficits in winning each of their last three games.

Shawn Horcoff had his first two-goal game since opening night and Fernando Pisani's goal with 45 seconds left in the third period gave Edmonton a 5-4 win over the Flames on Monday.

"We never give up," Horcoff said. "We wear a lot of teams down."

Igor Ulanov had the first two-goal game of his career and Ethan Moreau had two assists to extend his point streak to a career-high seven games.

"Goals are such great confident builders for players," Oilers coach Craig MacTavish said. "(Horcoff) was making a play every time he touched the puck."

Ales Hemsky has five assists in his last three games overall, and has three goals and five assists in his last five contests against Vancouver.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[sandorski]

1st
woohoo Berty
woot Rippen?
2nd
wooh Rutuu
booyah H Sedin
woot Morrison
3rd
woooh D Sedin


7-6 defeat

Crazy game. I only listened to it, thankfully, would be totally pissed to have seen it.

 

[clickynext]

What a crazy game. Some abysmal goaltending for some of the shots. In the last few seconds, with Naslund coming down on the goal, so much disappointment to see him fumble it in his skates and not even get a shot off, though I wouldn't really expect them to be able to score on a few seconds.

 

[Hanpan]

Originally posted by: sandorski
1st
woohoo Berty
woot Rippen?
2nd
wooh Rutuu
booyah H Sedin
woot Morrison
3rd
woooh D Sedin


7-6 defeat

Crazy game. I only listened to it, thankfully, would be totally pissed to have seen it.

It was a bit tough to stomach.

 

[Aquaman]

Oilers get by Canucks in wild one

Canadian Press
12/22/2005 1:09:06 AM

VANCOUVER (CP) - The Edmonton Oilers trailed the Vancouver Canucks four times in the first two periods.

In other words, they had them right where they wanted them.

"The grit that we have, the depth that we have, the intensity that we have throughout the hockey game ... that's crucial," Ryan Smyth, who snapped a 5-5 tie and assisted on Marty Reasoner's winner, said after the 7-6 victory.

The win was the Oilers' fourth in a row and the fourth time they have come back to win. In their previous three outings, they came back from two-goal deficits.

"It's believing and knowing that we can fight through a little adversity and find ways to win," said Smyth who gave the Oilers their second lead with a hard sharp-angled shot that beat netminder Alex Auld.

"They capitalized on the power play (5-for-9) and that's what kept them in the hockey game."

The victory moved the Oilers into a first-place tie with Vancouver atop the tight Northwest Division. The Canucks, who have lost all four of their games against Edmonton, have played one fewer game.

Reasoner's winner made it 7-5 after the puck found its way behind Auld as the Edmonton forward deflected Marc-Andre Bergeron's shot from the right boards.

"Any time you seem to gain momentum they snatch it right back with a big shift right away or a couple of shifts later," said Auld. "They turn things around so quickly, it's frustrating."

Todd Harvey, Shawn Horcoff, Ales Hemsky, Michael Peca short-handed and Raffi Torres also scored for Edmonton who outworked the Canucks and outshot them 37-23.

Todd Bertuzzi, Rick Rypien in his first NHL game, Jarkko Ruutu, Henrik Sedin, Brendan Morrison and Daniel Sedin, with a late power-play goal, counted for the Canucks.

It was a tough game for goalies and Jussi Markkanen gave way to Ty Conklin after giving up four Canuck goals on nine shots.

It was the third successive game that Oilers coach Craig MacTavish replaced his goalie and won them all.

"I think that's got to be a record," MacTavish said. "I've never heard of that. It was a wild, wild game."

He said his team, which outshot Vancouver 12-5 in the final period, wasn't fazed by trailing a Canucks club clicking on the power play.

"It's a familiar position for us and we've got quite a bit of confidence in our ability to put the puck in the net but tonight it was last goal wins," MacTavish said.

"Those games start off intense but because of the route the game goes, it goes from the sublime to the ridiculous. But we came out in the third period and took it to them pretty well."

Edmonton improved to 20-11-4 while the Canucks dropped their third in a row at GM Place to slip to 20-10-4.

Vancouver, which had a 13-1 start at home, has also struggled with division rivals, compiling a 5-8-3 record against them. They face the Calgary Flames in their next two games.

Vancouver defenceman Ed Jovanovski said the Canucks couldn't handle the Oilers' forecheck.

"They create turnovers and they throw a lot of shots at the net," he said. " If you do that, it's going to work."

Oilers defenceman Chris Pronger said his club is confident when trailing, but playing with a lead would be nice.

"You don't want to (be behind) as many times in a row as we have," Pronger said. "At some point we have to play with a lead early in the game and see how we do with that."

NOTES: Vancouver defenceman Nolan Baumgartner suffered an injury stopping a shot on his first shift and did not return ... Steve McCarthy was a healthy scratch from the Vancouver blue line ... the Oilers return to Rexall Place for a four-game homestand beginning Friday with the Los Angeles Kings ... Rypien, called up from AHL Manitoba, replaced Wade Brookbank who is suffering from a concussion ... Brad Winchester, called up from AHL Hamilton, replaced Jani Rita on Edmonton's fourth line.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[silverpig]

They gotta make a move I think. The Sedin/Sedin/Carter line is the only part of the team that is consistently good from night to night. Morrison doesn't do anything, Nazzy looks frustrated with his mates' inconsistent play, Bert has been picking it up a lot but also looks frustrated, Auld looks overworked, Jovo looks off... Salo and Ohlund are pretty solid, and the Sedins/Carter are impressive, but beyond that... Even Cooke doesn't look like the Cooke of old.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: silverpig
They gotta make a move I think. The Sedin/Sedin/Carter line is the only part of the team that is consistently good from night to night. Morrison doesn't do anything, Nazzy looks frustrated with his mates' inconsistent play, Bert has been picking it up a lot but also looks frustrated, Auld looks overworked, Jovo looks off... Salo and Ohlund are pretty solid, and the Sedins/Carter are impressive, but beyond that... Even Cooke doesn't look like the Cooke of old.

Goaltending. The Team has to worry too much about keeping the puck out of the net. There's no way the Canucks should be losing after scoring 6 goals!

 

[clickynext]

Yeah, Auld is a great up and coming goaltender, but I think most would agree that he's not expected to be spectacular, as he's got plenty of things to work on, most apparent of which are probably rebounds and puck handling. Cloutier has been around here for a few years now, and he's not bad or anything, but I don't think he has what it takes to bring a team to the Stanley Cup, not to mention his chronic injury problems. All the teams (at least in recent memory) who have won the cup, or even been to the finals, have had not just good goaltending but great goaltending. I think that the Canucks, if they want to have a real chance, need to sacrifice something on offense and get a real good goalie in here. It's not like their offense doesn't have anything to spare, with such a strong second line.

 

[Aquaman]

Moore, Bertuzzi locked in fight over fees

Associated Press
12/22/2005 3:26:26 PM

DENVER (AP) - After losing the first round in his legal battle against Vancouver Canucks star Todd Bertuzzi, former Avalanche forward Steve Moore is trying to slash the lawyer fees he will have to pay.

Moore hasn't played since a March 8, 2004, game when Bertuzzi attacked him from behind, punched him in the head and slammed his head into the ice. Moore suffered three fractured vertebrae in his neck, a concussion and other injuries.

Bertuzzi was charged with assault and pleaded guilty in a Vancouver court, where he was sentenced to probation and community service. Bertuzzi also served a 17-month suspension.

Bertuzzi, who was named to the Canadian Olympic team Wednesday, and other defendants wanted Moore pay almost $161,000 US in legal fees and costs after a judge dismissed Moore's civil suit in October. Moore's lawyer countered with an offer to pay about $80,000.

Moore's civil suit accused Bertuzzi, Canucks coach Marc Crawford and others of conspiring to hurt Moore after Moore hit Canucks captain Markus Naslund in a previous game. The suit sought unspecified damages.

The judge said Moore's lawsuit would be better handled in Canada, where Moore's injury occurred and where Moore, Bertuzzi and most of the witnesses live.

State law requires that plaintiffs pay the defendants fees and costs when cases are dismissed before trial.

Moore's lawyer, Lee Foreman, said in a court filing that the defendants' dollar request was ``overreaching and almost laughable'' and contained numerous duplicate charges.

Lawyers for Bertuzzi, Crawford and the Canucks and former Canucks general manager Brian Burke did not immediately return calls Thursday. Foreman was out of state and unavailable, his receptionist said.

Foreman has notified the Colorado Court of Appeals that he will appeal the dismissal of Moore's suit. The notice keeps the door open for Moore to appeal but does not obligate him to do so.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Naslund, Alfredsson named to Team Sweden

Canadian Press
12/22/2005 4:57:16 PM

VANCOUVER (CP) - The Swedish Olympic hockey team might consider including the Vancouver Canucks' whale logo along with the three crowns on their uniforms.

Four members of the NHL's Canucks were among the players named to the Swedish team heading to the Turin Games in February.

Twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin will play in their first Olympics. Canucks captain Markus Naslund and defenceman Mattias Ohlund are also on the roster.

''The Olympics are probably the biggest tournament,'' Daniel Sedin said after practice Thursday. ''It's going to be a lot of fun, watching the other events and being part of the team.''

The 25-year-old brothers from Ornskolosvik, Sweden, are enjoying their best season since the Canucks took them with the first two picks of the 1999 draft.

Daniel, a left winger and triggerman, has 11 goals and 16 assists in 34 games. Henrik, the centre who sets up his brother, has nine goals and 22 assists.

Naslund, the Canucks' leading scorer with 18 goals and 38 points, said the Sedins are fulfilling their potential.

''I think it was a good decision picking them,'' said Naslund, 32, who also played in the 2002 Games in Salt Lake.

''They were both deserving. I think you've seen them make some big steps and they are going to help the team lots.''

Ohlund, 29, averages over 25 minutes of ice time a game for the Canucks and is often called one of the most underrated defencemen in the league. The native of Pitea, Sweden, also played in the 1998 and 2002 Olympic Games.

The potent Swedish team will also feature Peter Forsberg of the Philadelphia Flyers, Daniel Alfredsson of the Ottawa Senators and Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Sundin has been named the team's captain.

Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers will be in goal along with Mikael Tellqvist of the Leafs and Stefan Liv of Sweden's HV 71.

Naslund applauded the addition of Lundqvist in goal.

''He is a quality goaltender,'' he said. ''He can win games on his own. I think that's what we need in a tournament.''

Forward Mika Hannula and defenceman Niklas Kronwall of the Detroit Red Wings were the biggest surprises from Swedish coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson. Kronwall was injured early October and underwent successful ACL surgery.

''He's been on ice and is back in training,'' Gustafsson said at a news conference in Stockholm. ''The question is if he'll be ready for the Olympics. We have done this to avoid eliminating another player from the squad if Kronwall can play. If he can't play we'll pick another player.''

Hannula has been one of the best forwards this season for HV 71 in the Swedish Elite League.

Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings, Kim Johnsson of the Flyers, Kenny Jonsson of Sweden's Rogle and Mattias Norstrom of the Los Angeles Kings complete a dominating blue-line.

Per-Johan Axelsson of the Boston Bruins and Fredrik Modin of the Tampa Bay Lightning were other forwards named to a team.

Sweden is expected to challenge Canada and the Czech Republic for gold. Sweden won the 1994 Olympic gold medal and was one of the favourites at the 2002 Games until Belarus scored a 4-3 upset win in the quarter-finals.

It's a loss Naslund, and most of his countrymen, still haven't forgotten.

''In a tournament like this, as I know a little too well, one game can change the whole outcome,'' he said.

In total eight Canucks will play at the Olympics.

Defenceman Sami Salo and forward Jarkko Ruutu were included on Finland's team.

Forward Todd Bertuzzi and defenceman Ed Jovanovski were named to Canada's team Wednesday.

Canucks coach Marc Crawford isn't worried that a third of his team will be playing at the Games.

''The overall experience is going to benefit you,'' said Crawford, who coached Canada at the 1998 Olympics.

''Playing at the absolute elite level of hockey world wide is an experience every guy dreams of having.''

Cheer,s
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Canucks aren't panicking - yet

Canadian Press
12/22/2005 7:49:14 PM

VANCOUVER (CP) - Losing three consecutive games at home hasn't caused panic in the Vancouver Canucks dressing room.

Yet.

The losses match the team's longest losing streak of the season. They also come after the Canucks beat the Ottawa Senators at GM Place, then defeated both the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers on a two-game road trip.

Coach Marc Crawford has seen his team make defensive blunders, be spotty on special teams and watched netminder Alex Auld give up some questionable goals.

Most worrisome, the Canucks have given up the lead seven times in the three losses.

"We are a little concerned about that," Crawford said after practice Thursday.

"I think our club is always at its best when we have an attention to detail and a singular focus on our opponents. We've got to be better at that."

The players know what they have to do to be better when they play the Calgary Flames Friday night, he said.

"There is no panic in our players right now," Crawford said.

"They know they are not playing at the top of their game. They recognize they can do a lot of things to make the subtle improvements."

Captain Markus Naslund said inconsistency has hurt the Canucks.

"The commitment and work ethic has been the biggest difference," said Naslund, who has been battling a groin injury.

"We've had let downs and mistakes. Some nights the power play hasn't been working, other nights the penalty killing hasn't. It's more trying to have a total effort where everything is working at the same time."

Todd Bertuzzi, who had a goal and an assist in Vancouver's 7-5 loss to Edmonton Wednesday night, said the Canucks don't necessarily have to play harder, just smarter.

"Our decision making is semi-poor right now," said Bertuzzi, who has four goals and six points in the last four games.

"Instead of making an easier play we tend to over-think a few things. Everyone is guilty of it. It's something we're going to have to shore up to get back in the win column."

Vancouver is tied with Edmonton for first place in the Northwest Division with a 20-10-4 record. The team is 13-2-2 at home.

The Canucks also take consultation that none of the losses have been blowouts. Vancouver lost 5-4 to Edmonton Saturday in overtime, then bowed 4-3 to Los Angeles in a shootout Monday.

"We're struggling a little bit but we can't beat ourselves down," said Naslund.

"We have to look at it in a positive way. We're still in the top of our division. We can still play better for sure, but we're off to a good start."

Auld, forced into the starting role because of a season-ending knee injury to Dan Cloutier, said this is a bump in the road.

"We have to know we can improve but not think the world is over," he said.

"We're not playing that badly."

Crawford likes to preach work ethic and determination to his players.

"They have to continue to battle and win battles," he said.

"Sometimes winning the battle isn't knocking the guy into the second row. It's just getting up and getting back into position and showing that hunger that keeps you in position. That's the work ethic we want to show on a consistent basis and its been missing at times."

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Canucks look to snap out of home ice funk

Sports Network
12/23/2005 11:42:47 AM

(Sports Network) - The Vancouver Canucks hope to cure their home-ice ills tonight, as they welcome the Calgary Flames to town for the opener of a two- game series at General Motors Place.

At 13-2-2, the Canucks still have one of the best home records in the NHL this season, but have lost the first three tests (0-1-2) of a six-game homestand.

After an overtime loss to Edmonton and a shootout loss to Los Angeles, the Canucks were again edged by the Oilers, 7-6, on Wednesday. Ryan Smyth and Marty Reasoner scored third-period goals to lift the Edmonton.

Todd Bertuzzi, Brendan Morrison, Daniel Sedin and Jarkko Ruutu had a goal and an assist each for the Canucks.

Ed Jovanovski had three helpers on the night, while Alex Auld allowed seven goals on 37 shots in defeat.

Before the game, Bertuzzi and Jovanovski were named to Canada's 2006 Olympic hockey team that will compete in Torino, Italy

The Flames, meanwhile, have dropped two in a row, including a 5-2 home loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. Michael Cammalleri scored a pair of goals to lift LA.

Daymond Langkow and Jarome Iginla each had a goal for the Flames.

Rookie Dion Phaneuf assisted on both tallies, and Miikka Kiprusoff made 13 stops in net.

The Flames are 7-8-2 on the road this season and will resume this two-game set Monday after the holiday break. Calgary will then begin a five-game homestand against Minnesota on Tuesday.

Calgary has won both meetings with the Canucks this season, but both of those matchups were at the Saddledome. The Flames have won three straight in the series and two in a row at Vancouver.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[sandorski]

1st
2nd
wooo Ruutu
booyah Naslund
3rd
woohhooo Carter
booyyah Allen
bazowie Naslund
OT
SO
woohoo Auld
blarg

6-5 SO loss

Despite the score, Auld made some awesome saves tonight.

 

[silverpig]

argh.

 

[clickynext]

Wow, what a game! They played amazing for a lot of the game, and really had an edge that seems like its been missing for a while, but also some bad plays and lots of turnovers!

 

[Aquaman]

Flames down Canucks in shootout

Canadian Press
12/24/2005 2:13:12 AM

VANCOUVER (CP) - Steven Reinprecht is making up for lost time after missing nearly half the last NHL season with a serious shoulder injury.

He scored the shootout winner Friday after counting twice in a wild third period to lift the Calgary Flames to a 6-5 NHL victory over the slumping Vancouver Canucks.

''It was great,'' Reinprecht said after his efforts gave him seven goals this season - the same number as 2003-04 when he played only 44 games.

''I was happy to help our team get the two points. These division battles are so tight, every game's important.''

Reinprecht beat Auld with a backhand to send the Flames to the win.

''I tried to fake (between Auld's legs) but I was able to move over and go up over his padding,'' Reinprecht said. ''I was able to get some speed and get it up.''

Auld said he tried to poke-check Reinprecht.

''He was probably expecting it. I probably would have liked to have been a bit more patient. You try not to bite too early and sometimes you do.''

Tony Amonte also scored in the shootout after Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi shot wide to clinch the victory for the Flames.

Reinprecht, who played the lockout year in France after surgery for a torn ligament and shoulder fracture, also set up Jarome Iginla for a 5-4 lead.

That lasted until Markus Naslund, with his second goal of the game and 20th of the season, gave the Canucks a tie with 2:11 remaining.

Both clubs had good scoring chances in the overtime period but were foiled by goalies Alex Auld of the Canucks and Miikka Kiprusoff of the Flames, who is nursing a hip inflammation that will keep him off Finland's Olympic team.

''It was a good character win for us,'' said Reinprecht who scored one of his regulation goals by hustling to block an Auld clearing attempt. ''We tried to play a low-scoring game but we were able to stick with it.

''Sometimes you have to win the high (scoring) ones. Tonight we were able to do that.''

The win ended a Flames two-game losing skid in which they squandered two-goal leads. Calgary improved to 20-11-4 to trail the second-place Canucks by one point in the tight Northwest Division race.

The Canucks (20-10-5), one point behind Edmonton, have found being home for the holidays is no advantage after a 13-1 start to the season at GM Place.

They have since lost the first four of a six-game homestand after coughing up two-goal leads against Edmonton and Los Angeles and four one-goal leads Wednesday against the Oilers.

Vancouver, now 5-9-3 in its division, faces the Flames again here Monday.

Chuck Kobasew and Chris Simon, who also took advantage of a Canuck turnover, also scored for Calgary.

Jarkko Ruutu, Anson Carter and Bryan Allen also scored for the Canucks who counted three times on the power play.<

Brendan Morrison, who had four assists for the Canucks, gave the puck away to Simon as he was stickhandling alone in the Vancouver zone after a power play ended.

''The best part of the game is winning and the next thing is scoring but you have to do all those other things right before you can score,'' said Simon, who had been a healthy scratch in two of the previous three games.

''All our lines played well and we stuck with it. But we can learn from this game and be ready for the next game.''

Bertuzzi, the last Canuck shooter, said he can't wait for his next shootout opportunity.

''Whether it's greedy or not, I hope I'm in every one because I think I'm capable of scoring in every one. It's like taking a free throw in basketball. It's just the atmosphere ... but it's something you've got to get used to and expect.''

The Flames were down to five defencemen after losing Rhett Warriner to a right leg injury in a neutral zone collision with Canuck Ryan Kesler, then pinballed into his own player.

NOTES: Canada's national junior team received a standing ovation prior to the singing of O Canada. ... The Flames begin a five-game homestand Tuesday against Minnesota ... Vancouver defenceman Nolan Baumgartner is out at least a week with a lacerated finger suffered on his first shift Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers. ... The Flames had a pair of one-goal victories in the clubs' first two meetings this season in Calgary. ... Flames centre Stephane Yelle missed his third straight game with an ankle injury. ... Steve McCarthy, a healthy scratch Wednesday night, took Baumgartner's place on the blue line.

Cheers,
Aquaman