buffalo sabres

Jarkko POLO: Lack Is Back, Losing Sucks and BOOM!

Remember last year when Luongo was traded and Eddie Lack was given the keys? A year later it’s the same thing but now he has some backup. It’s amazing how the story has kind of been the same but the results are different this time. After watching all the NHL.com recaps, it’s a shame Eddie Lack can’t just face warmup shots; he does really well against those. Maybe just have the players yell “WARM UP” when they are in the Canucks zone.

It was interesting week to say the least. Vancouver continues to lead the Stanley Cup Final of 2011, 7 games to 5. The Bruins put up a fight but Lack shut the door at the end. On to Buffalo where lead changes were as regular as costume changes for the host of the Oscars and then finally a last shot wins game against the Blues.

Bruno Mars said uptown fun gonna give it to ya’, so here’s the uptown funk:

 

The Games We Watched:

@ Boston Bruins  – WIN 2-1

RECAP:  Two early goals and a tight fought game, the new hero Zack Kassian nets the winner and of course we all loved that. We beat Boston AGAIN and Zack is back! Eddie came up big on a big test. NUCKS WHAAAAT?

@ Buffalo Sabres – Loss 6-3 (Price is right losing sound)

RECAP: Down 2, tie game, Up 1, tie game, 3 goals against and everyone sits in amazement as the worst team in the league beat a team they had no business losing to. Did I mention Buffalo was without Ennis, the guy that starts with Z AND Dominik Hasek? Still lost, not good.

Vs. St. Louis Blues – WIN 6-5 in a SHOOTOUT

RECAP: Early on this one seemed like last shot wins, it basically was. Ronny Kenins quietly got 2 helpers, LOVE THAT GUY, Zack Kassian carried on maybe one of the longest conversations in the penalty box with Ryan Reaves and despite giving up a 3 goal lead, yep, the Nucks pulled ahead in the shootout and man they made it fun.

 

This last week had trade deadline implications as well. Would they trade Kassian, how bout the goalies, is Shawn Matthias going? We all asked this and wondered out loud I’m sure “Does Jim Benning Trade Like A Boss?” We would all find out on Monday.

I do believe we need to start questioning the readiness of Eddie for the true starter’s role. He has let in more stinkers than Ryan Miller this year and hasn’t quite been lights out. However, he still has managed wins and really, that’s all it’s about.

There was also a moment during the Blues game that should never be forgotten, but don’t you worry, Twitter was all up in that bizniss.

3 Things From Twitter:  1) When Shawn Matthias scored, something happened that was the new cool, too bad there wasn’t a Vine.

2) This Matthew Henderson guy is wicked awesome. Every game with these amazing recaps! I hope to one day work with this chap.

3) I mean we like Kassian right? He just is easy to root for. And when he scores, he screams.

 

The Canucks are still in the thick of it but seriously, they gots ta win the easy ones. The reverse California Road Trip is coming to Vancouver so the test is coming. I hear the troops are getting healthy too! We might be ok. Until next time….

Jarkko…..POLO!!!!

 

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Jarkko POLO: Post All Star BLAH

When you come back from your holidays, usually you’re refreshed and ready to tackle that 9 to 5. The Vancouver Canucks do not subscribe to that theory and proved it this past week. The Canucks welcomed Ryan Kesler back to the librar….er Rogers Arena, Cody Hodgson had his normal seat in the press box while Ryan Miller played his former team and to cap it all off, the ever exciting Minnesota Wild came to the wet coast for Super Sunday. All in all, it was sure a post all star blah kinda week and didn’t really put the Canucks in a better position. Jarkko…..Polo time!

I really wish the Canucks were a better team. If they were a better team, the Ducks wouldn’t seem so scary and by scary, I mean that the Canucks could play 60 minutes without wondering why teams skate by them effortlessly. Ryan Kesler was welcomed back to Vancouver last tuesday and wouldn’t ya know it, the fans don’t like him anymore. SHOCKER!! Kesler got the last laugh on this one as his Ducks waxed the Canucks 4 – buzz. Ryan Miller was quite weak and I saw a small child crying outside because the Canucks hurt his feelings. This team looks like it’s sinking, but how far will they sink?

The Buffalo Sabres made their way to Vancouver for their one stop this year and Ryan Miller was jacked! This was a game the Canucks simply could not lose. If you don’t beat a team that potentially will draft Connor McDavid, you need to really look in the mirror. Thankfully, the start of a big sports weekend started with a big Canucks win. Bo Horvat continued his successful first season with a goal in the first period after Buffalo’s Chris Stewart put the first one behind Miller.

Chris Tanev, Chris Higgins and yes, Zack Kassian were all factors in the win, albeit Kassian wasn’t exactly a world beater. On the positive side, he didn’t cross check anyone into the boards this time. Even though Kassian wasn’t his normal snoozer self, he is part of a team that seems to be snoozing on the ice, so much in fact that they aren’t awake enough to see that 6 guys on the ice is too many…..for the 10th game in a row.

Ok, let’s not drag the Canucks through the mud too much, there are some “moral” victories here. Yep, those moral victories are back. Radim Vrbata is still making his name known on the score sheet and even though Ryan Miller is letting in some of THE SOFTEST goals I’ve ever seen, he is doing enough to get the wins, well, when his team scores. BTW, Cody Hodgson was healthy scratched, if anyone cared.

If you in fact caught the Canucks game on Sunday and you love boring hockey, then boy oh boy did the Canucks have a game for you! It was a noon o clock start time so personally, I forgot. There was a semi-important football game later in the afternoon and I’m not gonna lie, that was my priority, let’s be serious.

I was pleasantly surprised that the Canucks actually looked good in this game, from what I saw. It’s a shame they couldn’t capitalize on their early chances in the first, it could have totally changed that game. Quick note, Willie D kept 5 guys on the ice at all times and didn’t take a meaningless too many men penalty. Ryan Miller again let in some pretty weak goals and his overall talent is once again being questioned. After going down 3-0, Vancouver put it’s first in the net. Wearing Andrew Alberts old 41, Ronalds Kenins put home his first ever goal, from who, BRO HORVAT!! New nickname, check it out.

Just so we’re all clear, Ronalds Kenins is one guy; I checked, don’t worry. Shortly after, Daniel Sedin scored a quick one from Vrby and brother Henrik. Could the Canucks actually come back? No, they didn’t. But they gave us hope. The jury is still out on what this team will achieve this year, but there are little things that give me hope that the long haul next year and the year after will have good results.

The Canucks are currently 8th in the West, 3 behind the Winnipeg Jets who coincidentally play the Canucks next. The Jets went from red hot to deathly cold; maybe the Canucks can kick them while their down.

Jarkko…..POLO!!!!

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