Predators, The West, And Moving Forward

Ugliest jersey in the league, and perhaps all-time. They don't wear it anymore, for obvious reasons, but it should never be ignored that an NHL franchise had this jersey. The game was rather boring, Mike Underwood (Fisher) scored in the second period, and the Canucks responded with three in the third. Nashville attempted to protect their lead with two shots in the final period...two. Burrows scored the first two, with Aaron Rome scoring his first goal as a Canuck with an empty netter to seal it. Great play by Henrik to hover around the puck to assure it went in, but also to assure no defender would take away Rome's goal. Nice touch by the captain.

On to the Preds. Apparently on Rogers there was a video package on Shea Weber. A couple people that tweet during the game mentioned how great it was. Then that piece of crap went out and attempted to decapitate Alex Burrows. He did this the last time these two teams met, not on Burrows, but he was cheap-shoting everyone. He is also the same idiot who checked the net onto Luongo's head in the Olympics. Someone is going to way over-pay that goon this summer, and it will probably be Brian Burke.

Also a quick blurb about Mike Fisher, for those of you who don't know Fisher is married to country music "star" Carrie Underwood. I love how right after he got traded there were all these statements out there how he did not demand a trade to Nashville, and it was purely by coincidence, blah, blah, blah. So you're telling me out of all the teams in the running for the playoffs at the time Fisher was traded (10 Feb 2011), nobody wanted a center that can score, play the PP and PK, except the Predators? 

Tuesday night's game sewed up the Western Conference for the Canucks, their first ever. This was shocking, I thought in 40 years they would have, I mean I knew they had been close lately but didn't know they didn't even have one. This is great, but (kicking a dead horse) it doesn't mean much if they don't go deep in the playoffs. However, their recent play has been encouraging. I can't remember how many times in the last couple months they have been down one or two goals and came back to win the game. That is a great sign coming up on the playoffs. Got the LA Kings tonight.

Injury Updates

I purposely left this tidbit out of my Columbus post, because I wanted to give it its own. Then work got insane and I wasn't able to get it posted when I wanted. It wasn't all bad though, had some time for news to come out...not much as far as a return. However, the Sun reports he is in good spirits and is eager to return, which is pretty good news itself. Fourth concussion in his career, and second one in seven weeks, so there is some cause for long-term health. 

As I stated before I was at this game, and Rick Nash was skating towards the end where I was sitting. When Bieksa and Hamhuis collided it did not look that bad at all. If anything I thought he hurt his leg, or abdomen. Last thing I thought was concussion, but after seeing the replay, it was obvious. This just illustrates how concussions can come out of nowhere. 

Manny underwent his second eye surgery. It appears it will be 6 to 8 weeks before we will know anything about his future, as in if he will be able to have full sight, or any sight for that matter. Alexander Edler has been skating in Vancouver with Andrew Alberts (kind of made it sound like they are training for pairs), and both could join the team practices soon. It would be nice to have a full defense for the playoffs. Although Tanev has been pretty solid, especially considering the minutes he has played.

Canucks Win, I Know I Was There

It is always a treat when I can get to a Canucks game, and two in one season is about as good as it gets for someone not near the Mecca of Vancouver. So ever since February, when I decided to head down to Columbus for this game I have been excited. Then a few days ago, when I heard our little ginger, Cory Schneider, would be starting in net, I was even more pumped, and like always he did not disappoint. 

The guy stole this game. He had 39 saves, and made some insane ones, especially in the second. We were sitting in the upper deck, front row and there were a couple times he made two, three, even four saves in a row. Just standing on his head. Even held up amazingly in a five-on-three. Now he wasn't exactly playing the San Jose Sharks, but 40 shots are 40 shots. 

Chris Higgins and Mason Raymond played very well too, and it was about time. Well for Raymond it was, not Higgins, although it was great to see his first two goals as a Canuck in person. I was a little worried about this game until Henrik scored in the third. Ehrhoff's goal in the first was nice, but it was a pretty close game until Henrik and Higgins broke it open and the Canucks finished it off 4-1. Here are some observations from Nationwide Arena:

-It is a really nice arena. The concourse is huge and every time you turn around there is a place to buy food, drinks or apparel. There are also bathrooms everywhere, which is pretty nice. Also, they have about 15 Tim Horton's concession stands as well, which was the best part, well second best part to the Labatt's tall boys

-The place was dead silent when the game started. There were very few Canucks fans in the crowd, and I am not surprised, I mean it is the middle of Ohio. But the silence was terrible. If you want to be taken seriously as a fan base, being dead silent doesn't help.

-Overheard in the bathroom during the pre-game: 

Stupid Blue Jackets Fan #1: "Dude, you know that guy Manny Malhotra who used to play for us?"

Stupid Blue Jackets Fan #2: "Yeah."

Stupid Blue Jackets Fan #1: "He blocked a shot with his face and lost 100% of his sight in one eye."

Stupid Blue Jackets Fan #2: "Good thats what you get for selling out."

Reason #34852 Columbus fans are idiots.

-Saw a guy wearing a NY Rangers jersey with the number 94, with the name "Champs." Thats was weird enough, but He had a mean mullet. Have way down his back and completely shaved on the sides. Really wish I had a camera.

-Finally, I saw Phil Pritchard. For anyone who forgot, this is Phil Pritchard.I thought he looked familiar from the side, then he turned around and he had an NHL patch on his suit coat, and it was definitely him, again the lack of a camera was a bummer.

All in all though it was a good experience. Got to see Schneider play in person, a Canucks win, a mean mullet, and the guy from the Master Card Stanley Cup commercials. Not bad at all. Next up the Canucks head into hillbillyville for a match up with the Predators.