Embarrassing

I am very happy I waited until today to write this. It has given me time to calm down and look at this more rationally. Now I still believe this EMBARRASSMENT was caused by the same thing, lack of leadership, but I am hoping my self-imposed hiatus will allow me to present my case more thoughtfully. Also, my boss is from Chicago. He didn't even say anything, just patted me on the shoulder and shook his head, captured my feelings perfectly.

This was a clear case of a lack of leadership, or a leadership group that was apathetic. I came to this when I considered the other options: The Canucks were just over-achieving? Not a chance. They had the Presidents Trophy won in February. They were the most balanced team in the NHL all year, and still are. Top to bottom they are stacked.

Another issue I considered was Luongo was injured, not severely, but enough to throw his game off. If that was the case it goes back to leadership. In the words of Harry Truman: "The buck stops here." Alain is the general, he runs that team, he says jump, the players say how high. If thats not the case, then he hasn't done his job. The bleeding started in the second, and continued through to the third. Luongo didn't play his best, but he shouldn't have been in there.

I know, people are going to say: "You can't pull Luongo, you don't want to destroy his confidence." So allowing him to give up SEVEN goals to a team that has set up camp in his head already is better?! Goalies are a lot like pitchers in baseball, some nights they just don't have their stuff, and there is no shame in that. I am sure Luongo did not want to be pulled out of the game, and I love him for that. That is the mark of a guy who wants to play every single night, but coaches can't always listen to the player, Exhibit A.

Blame must also be laid on Henrik. You are the captain, your team is faltering, do something about it. You want that C, you have to prove you deserve it. Niklas Lidstrom wouldn't put up with that. Sidney Crosby and  Jerome Iginla (yeah I said it) sure as hell wouldn't put up with their teams giving up like that. Even younger guys like Dustin Brown and Ryan Getzlaf wouldn't put up with it either. I am surprised Henrik didn't say it was their best playoff game in the last 3 or 4 years.

This was one game. They are still up in the series three games to one. I have the same amount of faith in the Canucks that I have had all season. I will get comments and messages claiming I am not a "true" fan, and that I really "hate the Canucks." What I am is a true fan, because I demand greatness from my team, and there is nothing better than when that team produces that greatness. People need to realize the difference between fan, and someone who is brainwashed to the point of irrationality. Those people I call Boston red Sox fans.

My whole point is, if you have a chance to bounce the defending champs from the playoffs, you do it. Especially this team, above all others. You get rid of the tormentor and its all downhill from there.