So this is a slight departure from my normal "Week In Review" post. I was a bit over-ambitious with the idea of compiling weekly stats, and grading the different positions. I still hope to revisit those types of posts in the not too distant future, but as for right now, I just don't have the time. My new plan is to review the week, without the stats spreadsheet, preview the upcoming week, and also include any notable stories from the Canucks, and around the league, so in the late words of the Joker: Here...we...go!
Looking Back
Four games in one week is tough enough, but four away games in one week, is a very tall order especially when you consider the opponents. All four teams are fighting for playoff spots, and are playing some of their best hockey. The week started off in Anaheim, where Cory Schneider shutout the Ducks, for his first career NHL shutout stopping 26 shots, and Manny Malhotra scored twice, both were within the first minute of the first and second periods respectively in the 3-0 win. The guy has been fantastic this season. Things were a little closer Tuesday in Phoenix, as the Jets...errrrr...Coyotes took them to overtime. The Canucks went down by two early (like that would happen again in the week, oh wait), but fought back with both teams trading goals, until Hamhuis had enough and netted his second of the game just about halfway through overtime, for the 4-3 win.
Next up was a trip back to California to play the Sharks of San Jose on Thursday. This turned out to be one of the best games all year, as both teams came out flying. It was back and forth all game, and not surprisingly a shootout was needed. Burrows was the lone goal scorer in the shootout, securing the 5-4 victory, and also netted one in the game, which was a redemption for missing a penalty shot in overtime in Phoenix. Cory Schneider was the real story in this game though, stopping 44 shots, including some amazing saves, short-handed in overtime and the shootout. They finished off the week in Calgary last night with another thrilling back and forth. Not surprisingly the game was not as thrilling as the one in San Jose, but it had its moments. Great redirections, odd-man rushes, and some amazing saves by both goalies. Not too many penalties in this one, which was a bit surprising, but I'll take the 4-3 victory.
Looking Ahead
Only three games this week, all at home. Rogers Arena will play host to a couple Northwest Division rivals, as Minnesota and Colorado start off on Monday and Wednesday, and then Phoenix is in on Friday. There could be some carry-over from the overtime game in Phoenix, so that could get interesting. Minnesota is still very much in the playoff hunt, only four points out of the final spot. Although they are 4-5-1 in their last 10, which is better than Colorado's dismal 1-8-1. Phoenix currently sits seventh, but that could all change by Friday since they are tied with Calgary. This week should be easier than last, just by the fact they have three homes games as opposed to four away games, but I don't want to jinx them, so it will be challenging.
Notes
Apparently the sports fans of Southern California are bigger pansies than I thought, really, singing "Hey, Hey Good-bye" is disrespectful, no wonder they took away the "Mighty" from your name...Kyle Wellwood, you remember him, the guy who went to the KHL, but they didn't like paying him to underachieve, so sent him packing, seems to think the Canucks are soft. He would know something about that, nice gut dude. Hey Kyle you might want to shut your mouth before karma gets you, oops too late. Try keeping your mouth shut, it might help with your fat gut too...Ryan Kesler continues to "Interview Bomb" people, which is pretty damn funny. His one from last night on Daniel might be the best, its under the "Post-Game Videos" tab...And although it has been discussed in every forum there is, here is Chara's hit on Pacoritty, I think Chara pushed him into it, and its a joke the league did nothing. These teams have had bad blood all year. I heard Bob McKenzie say Pacorietty should be aware of where the stanchions are, well so should Chara and he knew exactly what he was doing. Your thoughts?
Have you watched the video of Charas hit? They came together at the boards, with Chara pinching him out of the play which is exactly what he's expected to do as a defenseman. There was no intent to drive him into the stanchion. Pacoritty is a big guy himself and he needs to be a little more aware of where he's at on the ice. If Chara had grabbed him and threw him into the boards or came from the other side of the ice to level him then that would be one thing, but it was a routine check at an unfortunate spot on the ice. Heck, Pacoritty even said it appeared he didn't mean to do it. You can't penalize a 6'9" defenseman for playing a physical game, otherwise hockey becomes soccer and no one needs that. The NHL got it right for once, which is a rarity these days.
ReplyDeleteYes I saw Chara have half the bench to play the body but chose to do it at the stanchion. I am not saying Chara attempted to break his neck or give him a concussion. And I am also aware of the boards and stanchions at the Bell Centre, they are old, don't give, and have caused many injuries. Chara was going into the boards and said to himself "I am going to drill this guy." And it was near the stanchion, it was bad judgment, and he is not a goon, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be punished in some way. Did you ever think maybe Pacioretty knew he was near the stanchion but never thought that Chara would slam him into it? By your logic it was Kris Draper's fault he broke his jaw when Claude Lemieux boarded him because he should have anticipated it. All I am saying is this wasn't Phoenix at Carolina. These teams have gone at it for decades, including several times this year. I don't know what article you saw, but this is what I have heard from Pacioretty: http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/bob_mckenzie/?id=357332. Chara is not dirty and he wasn't trying to break his neck, but he was trying to drill him, and if he says he didn't even know the stanchion was there, then he was playing recklessly and it caused a player to be seriously injured.
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