Canucks 1st Road Game vs Anaheim Ducks

Tonight was the Anaheim Ducks season home opener.  The Ducks organization had laid out Teemu Selanne jerseys on each seat for their "loyal" fans.  Mind you, even though they managed to sell out this game, it was only with the help of Canuck fans who also made the trip down.   The funny thing is that I didn't see anyone in the stands wearing this jersey during the game as it was intended.  The Canucks had done a similar thing at their home opener by laying Canucks scarves on the seats for their fans and all of the fans wore them.  Oh well.

The Canucks managed to win this game 5-0 with goals coming from Mason Raymond (2), Daniel Sedin, Aaron Volpatti and Zack Kassian.  There were also two fights vs Matt Beleskey.  The first one came two minutes into the first period with Aaron Volpatti.  It was a solid fight with punches being thrown and hits connecting each time.  Volpatti had that one though.  The second fight against Beleskey came in the third period with Kevin Bieksa.  This is what it looked like.

It was a good fight but it wasn't Bieksa's greatest by far.  Although, I do have to say I did like that UFC flying knee kick to Beleskey's face that Bieksa started off with.  He always makes his fights a little more interesting to watch.  Kind of reminicent of the Superman Punch he delivered to Mike Richards a few years back. Here's a still of Bieksa leaping 3 feet into the air introducing his knee to Beleskey's face.

Meanwhile.....Kesler has been keeping busy while his team has been playing games.  Mike Gillis mentioned he should be back in 10-12 days from now.  The sooner the better.  Although this team is getting it done without him, I'd feel much better if he was back playing with the team.  He's missed and it shows.  Anyways, here's Ryan Kesler out at his day jobs.

He also spent some time working at the Tim Hortons on Granville and Nelson.

Last but not least, they even had Kesler call up a lucky fan who had been selected to drop the ceremonial puck at the home opener of the season.

This was a great Canucks promotion to get the fans of Vancouver pumped up again to fill in Rogers Arena for their opening night.  Looks like he's having fun doing it too.  Get well soon, Kes!  Our team needs you.

Canucks Scrimmage - Day 1

I was so excited about going to the Canucks scrimmage tonight.  I met up with my friend, Lesiie-Anne, at the Stadium Skytrain station at 5:15pm and headed off across the street to get into the lineup that was already snaking its way around Gate 10.  We waited for 45 mins before the doors were opened and we were welcomed into the building by staff.  LA and I had already decided we were going to sit in the middle seats so we could see everything.  We sat in the area across from the players' bench.

The scrimmage game was to be a mock game with inter-squads.  Three ten-minute periods with twelve minute intermissions while the Zamboni cleaned the ice.  Followed by a shootout at the end.  So, while we waited for the players to come on the ice for their half hour warm up session before the game began, the screen showed the fans.  This is all part of their "Our Team, Our Way" #OTOW  campaign where they showcase the fans and the passion we have for our team.

They showed more of the Canucks videos that are now on Youtube and then the players came out for warm up.

Everyone cheered.  Including me.  Then they practiced.  Kevin Bieksa is one of the two that is not wearing his helmet.  In the pic below, he is on the left.

And headed back into the dressing rooms once warm up was over.  Then Joey Kenward showed up on screen to fill us all in on the program for tonight, the rules of the scrimmage and presented the teams.

And then I put my camera away and watched the game as the boys came back on.  Lu got luuuuuu'd as he came on and there were tons of signs for him as well to welcome him back.  I have to say that he looked sharp as ever tonight.  I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the start on Saturday.

The first two periods were for ten minutes like we were told they would be but then Joey Kenward came out at the start of the third and told us that the last period had been extended to 15 mins instead.  It didn't take long for ten minutes to pass anyways.  There were only three penalties all game.  One minute to Edler and two one-minute penalties to Ebbett.  Team Blue ended up winning 2-1, which was team Luongo.  They had a shootout at the end of the third period.

After it was all said and done, the Canucks gathered in the middle of the ice and saluted the crowd of 10-12,000 there tonight to watch their team play.  Its a larger number than they've been able to attract for morning practices in the last few days and according to the Canucks, it will be 15,000 plus tomorrow night.  I also intend to be there with another friend.  Since I don't want to pay for a ticket or buy merchandise this year from the Canucks, I will be attending only the free games and practices - unless they make it into the playoffs....then its a whole new ballgame. What can I say?  I love my Canucks. :)

Canucks Training Camp 2013 - Day 3

David Booth showed up to camp in great shape only to injure himself during the fitness testing early morning.  His MRI today confirmed he has a strained groin which will keep him out of the lineup for 4-6 weeks, according to the Canucks medical staff.  This means two thirds of our second line is gone.  The new line-up will most likely be Mason Raymond, Zack Kassian and Andrew Ebbett!  Lets hope these boys can fill the void that Kessler and Booth left behind.  Get well really soon, Booth!

Canucks Training Camp 2013 - Day 2

Second day of Camp and Bieksa collides with Roberto Luongo and another team mate!  Guess he really doesn't want Luongo to go anywhere.  Can't trade a broken goalie!  How sweeeet!

Oops!

Oh-no!

Ouch!

So, uh, Juice....what the hell just happened there???  Hope your all alright!

Canucks Training Camp 2013 - Day 1

Finally!  Canucks training camp opened today with an open practice to the fans.  The Canucks are committed in making it up to the fans and they have started by keeping all of the practices and two evening scrimmages open to the public.  Today, I got there at 2:15pm and didn't have to wait long in line as they started to let people in quickly.  Training was to begin at 3pm.

So, I hurried along and got to my seat - close to the ice and in the aisle.  There must have been a few hundred fans that showed up.  Not as much as last year.  First one out was the new Canuck, Jason Garrison.  They had him skating around in a Canucks jersey while a photographer took pictures.

Then the others followed out.  As the rest of the team slowly trickled onto the ice, cheers went up for them.  When Roberto Luongo came out, the crowed cheered "Luuuuuuuuuuu" and someone screamed "Don't go!".  It was pretty nice to be in the presence of fans who weren't being mean to him.  He doesn't deserve the mean comments and digs from "fans" that he gets.  Super nice guy and has acted with so much class since the end of last year.  Even he didn't expect to be back at training camp in Vancouver.

It was nice to see most of the team there, minus Booth (groin),  Hamhuis (groin) and Kassian (back spasms).  Volpatti was back and the newly aquired Cam Barker wearing #18 was on the ice.  Alain Vigneault was there and pushed the guys for speed in a lot of the drills.

 
The Sedins and Burrows were being teased by some fans up front and they were responding to them in fun ways.  Its nice to see the guys all back together again and having fun.

After a few stretches on the ice, the team were ready for more drills.  The 3 on 2 was fun to watch.

When half the team left the ice, the other half stayed on to work on some more drills.  Some worked on their shots on net, others worked on their face-off skills.

The final stretch.

And that was it.  It was an hour long practice from 3-4pm.  Camp will continue every morning for the rest of the week except Wed and Thurs when they have evening scrimmages from 6-8pm.  Tickets will be required to get into the building for those two days which you can get on canucks.nhl.com sometime this week.  It was a fun practice and everyone seemed in good form, which is good to see.

I'll be going to the scrimmage on either both or one of those scrimmage days again just to see how they are coming along.  So I'll have more to report then. 

For more information on the ever changing schedule of the training camps, please go to the Canucks website.

Canucks Schedule for 2013

Canucks 48 Game Schedule 2013:

Luongo is back in Vancouver! Let the Circus Begin!

by: Stanchion

Sadly, this is what it has come to....now that we have our NHL back and our guys are showing up in droves for practices at UBC, the one thing that seems to be on everyone's mind is, where is Luongo being traded?  Mike Gillis has not given any indication that Lu is going anywhere this season and so, Lu flew into YVR this afternoon and answered a few questions for some enquiring minds.

Its got to hard to come back to a city where the fans want you gone and there's nothing happening except rumours of teams who are interested in acquiring Luongo. I really feel for the guy.  I for one, am happy that he's back and I say, for the next 48 games, lets keep him and then think of trading him during the off season.  Schneidz is gonna need the help and it might help keeping Lu's sanity!

Hang in there Lu!  Welcome back to Vancity and to training camp!!

NHL and NHLPA - Lockout is Over!!!

Yes people, it actually happened!!  As of 5am EST Sunday morning, Jan 6th, the lockout ended with a new tentative collective bargaining agreement!  Here are the details of the agreement:

1. CBA Term - Agreed on a 10 year CBA deal with an 8th year opt out.  This means that as fans, we won't have to deal with another lockout situation for another 8-10 yrs.  Lets hope we never have to deal with another lockout again!
2. Player Contract Term Limits - They agreed to have contract term limits at 7 years.  However, it will be 8 yrs for re-signing players from their own team. (Note: NHL initially wanted 5 yrs but later gave in.)
3. Revenue Sharing - Revenue sharing will be at $200 million. A $60 million Players Association growth fund was also included in addition to the $200 million. (Note: NHLPA initially wanted $250 million but comprimised.)
4. Salary Variance, Salary Cap and Buyouts - Agreed to a 2 year cap at $64.3 million. Also, every team will have two amnesty buyouts after this year ends.  The buyouts must also occur before the 2013-2014 season ends to help with the 64.3 million cap which goes into effect next season.  The Pension issue was agreed to be based on what the MLB players have.  Salary Variance clause was put in and looks like this. 35% r to yr, max 50% of highest year) means a $10mil deal goes $10, 6.5, 5, 5, 5...and done.  
5. Player Discipline - Shanahan 1st, appeal with Bettman 2nd. For 6 or more games neutral third party will decide if necessary.  This should make it a bit for fairer for the players and it will be a better chance for them to win an appeal.
6. NHL Draft - Draft lottery will change. All 14 teams fully eligible for 1st pick overall. Weighting system may remain, but 4-move restriction out.
7. Voting on the Agreement - The NHL's new CBA will ultimately need to be ratified by both a majority of the 30 league owners and approximately 740 players.

I'm glad that they stuck it out for 16 hrs in a room  with a mediator to get a deal done.  But why couldn't they have done it earlier....like in September?  All this time, we could have been watching our boys play.  Anyhow....our team is starting to come together and for the first time this year, I went to the Canucks.nhl.com website.   Twitter also came alive with players tweets of returning home and Mike Gillis welcoming us all back and promising to make the rest of the year special for the fans to thank us for our patience.

Canucks thank and welcome the fans back:

 Max Lapiere realizes he should have come back to Vancouver sooner:

 Kevin Bieksa welcoming Lappy back:

 Ryan Kesler letting Alex Burrows know he's getting items ready for his return.  How kind of him.:

Poor Roberto Luongo is in Florida and is so excited hockey is back on that he doesn't know what to do with himself.:

Now, because of this tweet, Kesler has now confirmed that Burrows has a twitter account.  It must be one of the ones that Bieksa mentioned once before.  Some of the guys have accounts but don't tweet.  They just "tweep". 

And just like that, we await the starting of training camp which will most likely start later this week on Thursday with game start date of January 19th being bandied about.  This will give us a 48 game schedule unless the vote for the CBA goes quicker than expected.  Then the start date will be Jan 15th with a 50 game schedule.  But there's an awful lot of hockey to be played this year.  Every second day in fact.

Even though this lockout was frustrating and annoying and I promised myself I wouldn't buy anything NHL related, I will be watching my boys faithfully on tv from either at home, restaurant or bar.  We as fans, can't totally abandon our boys....this is our hockey.  This is our game.  We are like moths to a flame.  We can't help it....we need to watch.  I need to see my Bieksa play and make those crazy-assed goals he makes all the time and I need to believe our team can win the Stanley Cup or at least the President's Trophy for a three-peat.  I love my team and I love this game.  Welcome back NHL hockey!  I've missed you!  

#GameOn