I attended the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying orientation tonight at BC Place. The stadium looked so beautiful in the red light glowing from inside.
As I entered the East Airlock enterance, the security guard told me where the rest of the crew were awaiting orientation. I got there about 45 mins early which was fine as I had to stand in line to check in and get my shift information (turns out I'm a Team Leader again) and received my handout. I then proceeded to the corner of the room and let some guy take a mugshot of me for my accreditation which I will receive at a later date. Once the formalities were done, I then entered the conference area and found my fellow volunteers from Whitecaps and BC Lions scattered in seats facing a projection screen. So I found a seat between two friends and got caught up with each other until the orientation started.
There were three guest speakers. One was from BC Place, second was from Soccer Canada and the third was the Volunteer Manager. We watched videos, slides and were introduced to all the different volunteer team managers. Once the session was over, we broke into our groups and spoke with our Team Managers for the departments we were working in. My team manager was sick, so the Soccer Canada rep, Joe, took his time out and explained to my group, Hospitality, as to what to expect in our roles. I introduced myself to my team and let them know I'm a team lead and I got to meet the other team lead for our group. Basically, we will be meeting and greeting the teams as they arrive and hosting and directing VIP's at BC Place in the suites.
I will pick up my volunteer gear in a week but my shifts will start before that. Adidas and Umbro will be dressing us up in shirts and hoodies as our uniform. I've seen them and they look nice. I'm excited that I'll also be receiving four tickets to the games on the 19th and 23rd. I'll be working these days at the game so I'll have to find someone who wants to go instead. I'm also excited that I'll be able to see the players like Christine Sinclair and others again. The majority of the Canadian team are compromised of the Whitecaps Women's Team and so there is some familiarity there. At Swangard when I was the Usher, they would all come into my tunnel and sit in our sections at times and Christine was one of them. It will be nice to see them all again.
I'll update on this tournament as it goes on....stay tuned.
So, in my last post, the rat was supposed to receive a phone call from NHL's Head of the Department of Player Safety, Brendan Shanahan on Monday. Monday has now come and gone and so has the phone call. Shanahan has deemed that the hit on Salo was not a defensive move but one that was "Predatory" as he had punched Salo in the back of the head 15 sec earlier and then deliberatly went to flip Salo out from under his feet. Among other things, causing a concussion and taking into account that he is a repeat offender resulted in this decision. Just before the Canucks game vs Panthers started, Shanny handed down a 5 game suspensiAn resulting in the rat forfeiting $152,439.02 of his salary that will go towards the NHL Player's Emergency Assistance Fund.
ESPN has actually assigned the rat with keeping a diary on their blog and the rat actually had something to say about this. Nothing intelligent of course, but he did open his mouth. He stayed away from commenting on the actual suspension but he did talk about the hit. If your interested in reading it, follow this link.
He refers to the game against the Canucks played on Sunday. It boggles the mind that he actually doesn't understand what kind of player he is and the reputation that he has. He says that he knew people were talking about him on twitter but he didn't care about his reputation. Well, if he was smart, he would care. A player's reputation is all he has once he's done playing hockey. It will define him as a person and the kind of player he was for the rest of his life. He has now successfully taken over Matt Cooke's "Dirtiest Player in the NHL" title. He is one hated man. Especially in Vancouver. He better watch his back next time he's in Vancity from the looks of how many times this has been re-tweeted.
The Bruins have also managed to successfully take over the "Most Hated Team in the League" title from the Canucks. Never understood why we had it in the first place. But this hit has angered not only the fan bases involved but fans from other cities. Every NHL thread is rype with hostility towards the Bruins. However, one tweeter did have enough of the bickering and tweeted this.
In the blog, he refers to the hit on Salo but still maintains that it was a defensive move and he thought Salo was out for him. Well, maybe he shouldn't have punched Salo in the head repeatedly seconds earlier in a different play to be anticipating a retaliation hit. This to me shows his guilt of being a dirty player and his acknowledgement of it. For him to deny it now, is just plain stupidity on his part. Its important to note that although he acknowledges the hit, he still shows no remorse for it. In his warped little mind, it was a clean hit even though Shanahan explains and shows in great detail on video that he takes Salo out by the knees. The rat can argue all he wants, it was a DIRTY hit.
He then goes on to acknowledge that Salo had a concussion but in no way shape or form takes responsibility for it. He instead tries to make it sound like its because the game is fast and the players are bigger and tougher that these types of injuries are unfortunate accidents. Not taking responsibility and making excuses for a concussion that was a direct result of your actions just makes you guilty and classless.
He then opens his mouth again and says "They can call it a clipping, but they obviously don’t know the rules of hockey." Now this is just plain stupid. Are you telling me that the head of the NHL Department of Player and Safety and former NHL player doesn't know the rules of hockey????? REALLY???? Shanny's been playing in this league long since before the rat was even born.....just proves that the rat still has a lot to learn about RESPECT. I hope Shanny reads that in his blog and sets the rat straight.
He also had a comment about our Coach, AV. He seems to be think that AV's comments were made to stir the pot and make sure he got a stiffer sentence before his phone call with Shanny. All AV did was warn the kid that if he continued on this dangerous path of his, that one day someone will say enough is enough and make sure he gets a dose of his own medicine that won't end kindly for him. AV has every right to say this and shouldn't receive any NHL disciplinary action for it, as one of his solid 1st line defencemen is out for god knows how many games with a concussion. The rat doesn't seem to get is that he's a repeat offender and that doesn't earn the respect from the NHL, its players or its fans. So, no amount of what AV said would really have any bearing on his upcoming suspension phone call. All the facts were in the video and the end result of it with Salo's concussion.
Last but not least, I just wanted to comment on his accusation of our team playing dirty when Thornton hurled himself at Burrows. He called out our team saying that only one player from our team was able to "answer the bell" after the big line brawl. Well, there's a reason for that. Canucks don't play THUG HOCKEY. Thats how the Bruins play. The Canucks knew when to stop and calm down and it was just chance that we ended up on the Power Play. Horton and Lucic were the ones who didn't know when to stop and got the extra 2 mins each for continuing to punch Burrows in the face after it was all done. So, blame your teammates for being stupid. The Canucks just played the right way and got the upper hand. See, Canucks don't play THUG HOCKEY. Thats how the BROONS do it and they got punished for it. They came to TD Garden to play hockey.....something the Bruins still don't know how to do without violence.
Have fun on your 5 game suspensiAn. Since you have the time now, why don't you go tattoo that on your body!! Loser.
An early Saturday morning game. Whoever thought this schedule would work for Vancouver should be shot. As hard as it was getting up bright and early to watch my beloved Vancouver Canucks take on the big bad Bruins, it had to be done. Was so nervous for them the whole night that I didn't fall asleep til 7am. Woke up an hour later to the alarm set for 8am, tea was made and my signed Bieksa shirt and jersey went on....although I did keep my comfy pyjama bottoms on. I went online to check Facebook and twitter so I could catch up on all the excitement this game was about to bring. My friends and I were all set to watch our Nucks beat the Bruins!! Who knew that this is what it is like to watch the Bruins and Canucks with Reffing!! And half decent at that too!!
Right off the bat, you could feel the electricity in the building even thru the TV screen. They obviously love having the Canucks in their building. The crowd booed Kesler and Schnieder when they skated onto the ice. Then as if confused as to who was actually in net, the entire arena starting chanting, "Luongoooooooooo" several times. The camera then panned over to Lu who was sitting on the bench with his ball-cap on, smiling in response. Obviously loving every minute of it. The funny thing is once they figured out he wasn't in net, as Schniedz was denying all shots at the net, they began to chant "We Want Luongo!". Unreal.
All week long the Canucks have been asked by reporters about the re-match today and in their answers have all maintained that this game was ONLY about going into their building and getting 2 points. Granted the two points would be great to have over Boston. But a huge win would be even better. If anyone thought this game would be a tame one and there would be no bad blood between them, they were wrong. About 4 mins into play, Burrows gets sticked by Shawn Thornton going to their benches, to which Burrows responded by getting his stick high on Thornton and then Thornton hurtling himself at Burrows with an innocent Sedin caught in the crossfire. This then attracts the entire Canucks team already on the ice to come over and pounce on Thornton which then attracts all of the Bruins who were on the ice to come over and jump all over them. Only one pair broke off to fight. Dale Weise and Nathan Horton. They fought for a minute or so and then got broken up by the Refs. One of the things I love about this all out line brawl was that the Refs thought Milan Lucic left his bench to come over and put my Bieksa in a headlock and therefore, getting an automatic game misconduct and an extra two for punching Burrows after it had all calmed down again. Bye bye, Lucic! If there ever was a Neanderthal.....Horton also picked up an extra 2 mins for punching Burrows after the play.
Canucks and Bruins go to war. The penalty box quickly became standing room only.
So the Canucks ended up with a 5-3 PowerPlay . The first unit comes out and starts swinging around the puck from one Canuck player to another until Kesler gets a fortuitous bounce off Kelly's leg and was able to pop it in the net on a one-timer. Canucks went up 1-0. Unfortunatley, the one player I didn't to score on us, went and did exactly that shortly after the Canuck goal on a breakdown from our defence. As the game went on, Cody would shoot and Burrows would tip it in to get credit on the 2nd goal of the game. Making the score 2-2.
This is where the Canucks make the Bruins pay for playing stupid. Brad "the rat" Marchand upends Salo along the end board with a low-bridge hit resulting in Sami Salo falling over backwards and on his shoulder onto the ice. Salo headed straight to the dressing room and didn't come back Marchand receives a 5 mins major and a game misconduct. But by doing this, he just hurt his own team by putting the Canucks on the Power Play. If you haven't seen what he looks like, here he is.
Here is the video evidence of the rat's intent to injure move. DISGUSTING, CLASSLESS and DIRTIEST player in the game. Throw the book at him Shanny!!! Boston fans are just as classless. Who throws a tin of chewing tobacco onto the ice???? Really.....grow up people! Coach Claude Julien said afterwards about this hit "Marchand was just protecting himself." ok...ummmmm....from what???? Our fragile Fin??? Poor Sammy, he was having such an awesome injury free year so far and then this....taken out by a cheap shot!!!
So here are a couple goal highlights from the rat's power play. This is Edler with a shot-pass to Henrik who re-directs it to the back of the net. Thomas got fooled on that one. This makes it 3-2 Canucks.
On the Power Play again, the second unit comes out after the first wasn't able to get anything going. Cody receives a pass from Hamhuis and skates into the offensive zone, winds up and rips it into the back of the net. Thomas never saw it but everyone in the arena sure heard it!! PING! Love this kid!!! Score is now 4-2!
The Bruins would then settle down a bit and add one more to their pot and the game ended in a 4-3 victory for the Canucks. Not only did they manage to go back into a building where they were winless during the Stanley Cup Finals, but they came back and showed everyone that they are a talented, skilled and TOUGH team to beat and they can play with the Bruins and win against them anytime, any day. The hostile environment evident by the crowd was humbled a bit as they watched their "Broons" fall and be DEFEATED by the Canucks. The game displayed by the Canucks made every one of us in Canuck Nation proud to bleed blue and green. Good on ya boyz!
Cory Schneider whose a hometown Boston boy, got the start to this game. Its the first time he got to play in front of his family and friends. So glad he got the win today!! Luv you Schneidz!!
The league ruled after the game that Lucic would not get suspended as it was deemed he did not come off the bench to involve himself in the brawl and his mis-conduct will be rescinded. However, the rat should await a call from Shanahan for his cheap shot on Salo. Do the right thing Shanny and throw the book at him. If Romer gets 4 games for giving a clean hit a tad bit to late, then what does a cheap shot by a repeat offender with intent to injure get?
Talking about injuries....Andrew Ebbett who had just returned to our lineup after suffering a broken foot from a blocked shot in LA back in November, suffered another set-back today as his collision with Seidenberg resulted in a broken collar bone. Ebbett will be operated on in a hospital in Boston within 24 hrs and will be out indefinatley. Sami Salo has an upper body injury. I'm thinking shoulder injury as he had landed on it. They will re-evaluate him tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Canucks left Boston after the game fairly quickly and shuttled it back to the airport to catch their charter and fly off to their next destination. Florida to play the Panthers. As half our team is from there, it should be a nice break for all of them. The weather is a beautiful warm 26 degrees Celsius. They'll have tomorrow to recover from any injuries suffered today and then play on Monday. Here is a picture of them landing. Good luck boys!
So since I had only one hour or sleep before I had to wake up for the game, I decided I would catch up on some sleep and take a nap. Love the sound of rain falling....and my warm blanket. The Canucks win made my slumber all the more peaceful!
Back in October when the Canucks were starting their pre-season, they would get together for lunches and such and use them as bonding sessions. Out of these bonding sessions came a consensus that they would all have code names. These code names would all be animal names that would relate to their personality. These names were given out by the "tribal council". And who sits on this council? None other that the witty Kevin Bieksa, Dan Hamhuis and Keith Ballard. Through Kevin Bieksa's tweets and radio interviews we've gotten him to reveal some of them. I will be revealing some of the names that I know of so far in random posts so keep an eye out for them. Today I will reveal the first name that Bieksa revealed to us on a Team 1040 interview with Scotty Rintoul.
Jannik Hansen = Honey Badger
Why the Honey Badger, you ask? Well, watch this and you'll find out why this names suits him to a "T".
Yes, don't let the name fool you, the Honey Badger is nothing close to being a sweet animal. He's pretty bad ass. I wouldn't want to mess with either of them. Would you??
One of the Canucks' favorite road trips is the West Coast Swing. This includes visiting the San Jose Sharks, Anahem Ducks and last but not least, the LA Kings. Not only is this a favorite road trip for the Canucks but for also their fans. See, its actually cheaper for fans in Vancouver to fly down south, get a hotel for the night and pay for their hockey ticket in the LOWER BOWL, than it is to pay for parking, get a few beers and get a ticket in the lower bowl behind the Canucks bench at Rogers Arena. Therefore, in the last few years there has been a massive influx of Canucks fans visiting the SoCal regions to cheer on their favorite team in blue and green. It doesn't hurt that the weather is warm and sunny while its quite miserable back in the North. So in a nutshell, here is the result of their road trip.
First up, the San Jose Sharks and a visit to the "Shark Tank". Now, San Jose has been a very good team in the last few years and have been developing a rivalry with the Canucks that is starting to look like the one we have with the Chicago Blackhawks. The bad blood seems to have gotten thicker since meeting the Sharks in the Western Conference Playoffs last season as Canucks beat the Sharks and went on to the Stanley Cup Final against Boston. Both teams play with great intensity and very physically and have some great offence skills up front. So this was a game to look forward to as the Canucks had already beaten them 3-2 in a game in the new season.
One of the most interesting things that came out of this game was Joe Thornton's immaturity level. As Captains Henrik and Joe were talking to the referee about how the penalties were being assessed after Kesler got punched in the face, Joe decided to be a little snot and shove his finger repeatedly into Henrik's face to which Henrik swatted away immediately several times. Being the gentle Swede he is, he didn't get angry but was irritated with Joe's behavior. I would have twisted and snapped his finger off had he done that to me, but thats just me.
Seriously, Joe, BOSTON BRUINS DON'T WANT U BACK, so you can stop auditioning!! If you can't play against the Sedins skill to skill, then maybe you should think about RETIRING as you have become a CLASSLESS and USELESS player anyways. Learn to RESPECT the SEDINS. ART ROSS TROPHY WINNERS BACK-TO-BACK Something you'll never be.
The game started out great. Canucks got on the board first with a goal banked off the skate of Andrew Ebbett. Ryan Kesler got the second goal but the game ended up getting tied and going to OT. The ending to this was eerily familiar to that of the game winning goal by Bieksa in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bieksa was like a man on a mission shooting from everywhere he could and finally let a shot go from the blueline and have it go in. Everyone from the Canucks bench jumped over and mobbed Bieksa for the game winning goal. Its unfortunate that nobody noticed that Ebbett was standing in front of the goalie and was the one that tipped in the Bieksa shot. So while everyone was partying with Bieksa, Ebbett was ignored. Here's video evidence of what happened. See for yourself.
Here's Ebbett after he scored and celebrating his goal alone while watching everyone celebrating with Bieksa!
Here is Bieksa stealing Ebbett's celebration away from him. Can't blame him though...everyone thought it was his goal. Even me!
By the way, Happy Birthday Ebbett! He turned 29 today.
This kid kills me...lmao
In the locker room after the game, Kesler, grinning, after scrum breaks - "Doesn't anyone want to talk about the 2-minute penalty I took for getting punched in the face?" - haha!
The Nucks dressed quickly after the game and headed out on an even quicker plane ride to Anaheim.
The Honda Centre is the home to the Anaheim Ducks but you wouldn't have known it on Dec 29th. The huge contingent of Canucks fans were all there ready to cheer on the Canucks. It looked more like a home game on TV than it did a road game. I'm talking thousands of Canucks fans...not hundreds. Don't believe me? Check this out! All that was missing was our goal scoring song!
Dan Murphy from Sportsnet had tweeted earlier that the team had put up $300 if Kevin Bieksa could fit in the words "milk hotdog" in his interview with him pre-game. Watch this to see if he got his $300.
I love this smirk from Bieksa as he looks over at his teammates behind the camera and tries to hold it together.
Milk hotdogs indeed.
After that interview, "#milkhotdogs" was trending in Canada for hours after on Twitter. If anyone was able to catch the post-game interview with Alex Burrows and Murphy, you would have noticed the words "cookies and milk" being mentioned. "We got 2 cookies after pouring on the milk." - referring to the win. Obviously another bet from the boys in blue and green.
The Vancouver Canucks were able to easily beat the Anaheim Ducks as they didn't put up too much of a fight. Hiller got chased out of the Ducks goal and sat on his bench looking like someone shot his dog while Ellis replaced him. Goals came from Henrik Sedin, Cody Hodgson, Mason Raymond and Daniel put in 2! It was a great night to watch our boys climb up to the top spot in the league.
Here's a highlight of one of the Sedin line goals! Tic-tac-toe baby! So Pretty!
So, the game ended 5-2 for our Nucks. Again, they didn't dilly dally in Anaheim either as they were all happy about the win and were ready to bus it out to Manhatten Beach in LA to party it up! Kevin Bieksa loves long bus rides. Chatting it up with Eagle (Edler) and Wolf Ninja (Ballard).
One of my friends was with the fans and also hit the beach strip that night and ended up partying with the Vancouver Canucks. The boys had a day off and went out to have some fun. Kevin Bieksa tweeted as such on Twitter. Here you see Kesler, Edler, Hammer and Weise? on bikes riding thru Manhatten Beach. Looks like they had fun.
The game against the LA Kings was played on New Years Eve. They were expected to win this game and come home on a good note. This was not to be. The first five minutes started off great with the Sedin twins passing into the offensive zone and Daniel making a sic backhand pass to Kevin Bieksa in the slot to drive it home 1-0! Thats his 4th goal of the year. Bieksa was continuing his hot steak of 5 points earlier...after that goal, he had 6!
Watch this beauty and his goal too! ;) Sorry..couldn't resist. But he is pretty to look at, don't ya think?
Here is another look at that in picture form as it was the only goal highlight from that night. Look how happy he is. Its a Burrows and Sedins sandwich. :))
After that goal, the game seem to get away from them. The Kings were able to take over the rest of the game and had our boys chasing after them and taking bad penalties and were never able to get any momentum their way. They couldnt even capitalize on a 5 on 3. If they had, maybe they could have gotten back in the game. But as it was, the game ended in a 4-1 loss to the Kings.
The Canucks made a quick exit after the game and celebrated their New Years Eve 38,000 feet up in the air as they flew home that same night.
AV was not pleased and informed the boyz before they boarded the plane that they had a practice scheduled for New Years Day and it was mandatory. They had a game coming up against the Sharks on Monday and wanted his boyz to be in good form after that dismal showing.
So that folks was the sum of the West Coast Swing. Happy New Year Canucks. Lets do this right and win that Cup in 2012!
He's been on three NHL teams in his career, traded twice this year before he finally found a home as a late pickup for Vancouver. His reputation as a party boy and his work ethic on the ice was questionable in his last two teams, Montreal and Anaheim. He played for Montreal for 5 and a half seasons before being traded to the Ducks in 2010 and then again two months later to Vancouver at the trading deadline on February 28, 2011. Lappy is known for his agitating, provoking and distracting type of play but has since added fighting to his repertoire this season. Taking advice from Bieksa on how to improve his play this season, he's learned to keep his trash talking to a minimum and let his scoring and fighting talk for him instead. We've already seen both from him this year, scoring goals when needed and standing up for his teammates. I personally love him. Love his smile when he scores and he's always so happy. He's loving Vancouver and I'm glad he's been able to turn his game around as he is looking at having a great season. He's also off the market! Congrats on your engagement, Lappy! Here is your Hump Day Hottie! Enjoy!!
Bonus Pics:
Team Plays For: Vancouver Canucks
Position: Centre
Number: 40
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 207
Shoots: Right
Born: 29 Mar 1985 (Age 26)
Birthplace: Saint-léonard, QC, Canada
Acquired: Acquired by Vancouver from Anaheim with MacGregor Sharp in exchange for centre Joel Perrault and a third round pick in 2012.
First of all, I hope everyone is having a great Christmas with their families tonight. It looks like some people (on facebook) have already opened a gift or two today and are loving what they received. And at least one friend didn't receive her Christmas Eve jammies and has decided that Christmas is cancelled in her household. I hope yours is going better. :)
Now back to our topic of the Canucks Bromance on this team. The unique thing about these guys is the closeness of the team. Its apparent in the after win celebration videos and the behind the scenes pics on the road that there are no cliques. Everyone is made to feel welcome here. Every new person that has come to this team this new season have all said the same thing. It feels like they've been on this team for years, not weeks or months. A large part of that is due to the "core" group. They are the young nucleus of the team. Ryan Kesler, Kevin Bieksa, Roberto Luongo, Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Alex Burrows. These are the guys who make up the dynamic of this team. The outgoing and welcoming attitude of all of them towards their teammates whether it be a morning defensive team brunch with Bieksa or guys helping other guys get situated in the city by recommending and taking them out to dinners at restaurants.
Bieksa on twitter having brunch with his fellow defencemen.
This was Kesler's response.
Even the goalies, Roberto Luongo and Cory Schnieder are friends, genuine friends, even though they are somewhat rivals. Both trying to get the number one playing position. The core group are made up of mainly Kesler, Bieksa and Burrows who all played together in the Manitoba Moose in the earlier 2000's. They all made their way up to the Canucks team and made their chances pan out here.
The team chemistry is unreal. When the chemistry is this good, bromances sometimes result from it. According to the Urban Dictionary, the term Bromance "Describes the complicated love and affection shared by two straight males." This is obviously clear when it comes to Kesler and Bieksa. Their familiarities go back to the college days when Bieksa's team would play Keslers and lose to them all the time. Then playing together in Manitoba and now for the Canucks. They are also roommates on the road. Sometimes.
It was also apparent when Ryan Kesler posed nude for the ESPN magazine and the core all had their opinions to give on TSN. The most opinionated being Bieksa. I think we all saw this coming.
The latest show of the Bromance between Bieksa and Kesler came out a few days ago when the Canucks played the Detroit Red Wings and Kesler got hit along the boards by Kronwall. Kesler took offence and wanted a piece of Kronwall who didn't want to fight. Kesler took a roughing penalty and this is what happened.
Bieksa was not on the ice when the hit took place on Kesler but you can see that he was livid. Once Kesler gets out of the sin bin, Bieksa hits Filppula and then again with Kesler as payback. Cause thats what bros do for each other.
Not to be outdone, Bieksa and Burrows also have their own Bromance happening. Bieksa is famous for making fun of his best friend and teammate's french accent. This has been going on for years. Here's a great example of that.
Ryan Kesler has also welcomed his former USA Junior Olympic teammate, David Booth to the team. He took it upon himself to show him around and set him up with a hairdresser. You can tell that Boothie likes his new city and his new team already. The tweets are already flying between him, Kes and Bieksa. Get well Booth...we need you back!
When you have guys that like each other and want to play for each other every night on the ice, it makes it easier to win games. Thats why the Canucks are so called "The Most Hated Hockey Team in the League". Its just pure jealousy from everyone else in the league. So I'd like to leave off with these two videos of the Vancouver Canucks team bonding and just having fun. This is how bromances start and hockey games are won. Enjoy!
