Crashing the Goalie

For those that follow me in the Canucks Fan Zone Live Blog, you know that I’m not a big fan of Louie leaving the blue paint to play the puck. I understand the purpose of him doing so is to break up a dump in or to ensure immediate control by dishing it off to a defenceman, but I find that in recent times some trouble has come from this strategy and think he may be better off staying in the net. This is his comfort zone and unlike other netminders, he doesn’t have the same puck handling skill set available to him.

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Marty Turco – courtesy of phoch_98

For instance, Marty Turco seems to have the knack at handling the puck outside of his crease and has a number of assists this season to show for it. He’s like a third blueliner when the need exists and has caught teams (Canucks included) numerous times on bad line changes, sending a forward in for an odd man rush by throwing the puck up the ice as quickly. This forces teams to provide an honest effort any time they dump the puck as if it’s short and no forecheck is present, Marty simply fires the puck back to where it came.

That being said, he may now think twice about doing that.

During the second period of last night’s game against Dallas, some nastiness ensued after Hordichuk leveled a wandering Turco (who was on the side boards about 10 feet up from the goal line). In the opinion of this arm chair referee, the hit itself was clean. Turco had just played the puck and shortly after doing so, he received the Hordi-smash. Within seconds of the hit, Hordichuk was hit from behind by Daley and a scrum quick developed. Hordi got two minutes for charging due to his efforts and fortunately for the Canucks, the referees were kind enough to even it up by sending Daley to the sin bin for roughing. According to the “code,” this was the fair way to go (but even better had Daley not followed to the box) to ensure that Louie was kept safe.

But therein lies the problem.

I’ll concede that I don’t know for sure and would encourage someone who does know to correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m not aware of anything in the rulebook that says the goaltender is sacrosanct outside of the crease. As far as I can see, it should not matter what position a player occupies should an opposing player decide to leverage a legal hit to generate a forecheck when the defending player is in possession of the puck. If it did, then why is it that no scrum occurs when a defenceman is rubbed out? Exactly.

Before you go and say that I’m asking that players begin to take a run at the goalie as soon as they step outside the blue, I’m totally against any action that is deemed illegal within the rules of play. Charging, interference, roughing and the like should still be enforced as they would be if they were to be committed against any other player. Furthermore, I also believe that the area to which a goaltender is protected should extend behind the goal line – something I believe makes sense as the amount of ice the keeper can play the puck in is quite small with the introduction of the “no go zone.” Not only do I think that by officiating a game this way will keep the goalie honest, it may open up the game.

And I’m sure many of you would agree, opening up the game isn’t a bad idea at all.

The Winding Down of Silly Season

With the NHL trade deadline only 30 hours away, it has been quiet on the player transaction front – I would say unusually quiet, but I don’t have any stats to back that statement up. Aside from a few minor trades, the silly season has yet to begin.

Retooling - February 27, 08

Retooling – courtesy of ThrasherDave

I have found in recent years that the NHL Trade Deadline has the same effect Christmas Day has on me. I get all excited for the festivities and the many possibilities that exist during that time of year, but when it’s all said and done, I’m left thinking that somehow it wasn’t all like I imagined. Some years are good (1991 if you were a Canucks fan) while others, not so much. And on a larger scale, just like Christmas, some people/teams overspend for the sake of having a good time, while others give more than they receive.

So how about this year? I’m thinking with the uncertainty of the future, many teams have been holding off on getting that big ticket purchase for fear they have buyers regret after a few weeks. Furthermore, I’m also thinking that those who are in the market as sellers are likely looking for the moon for the same reason – not wanting to regret giving away that sentimental item. So as fans, we sit and wait. And think of what we want and what we would be willing to give away.

When it comes to the Canucks, I’m actually of the opinion that less is better. Having watched the future be mortgaged in the pass with very little return, I’m reticent to see more draft picks or prospects lost for rental players, or those where after kicking the tires, we sell off as scrap. I’m also not like others who think we should trade Ohlie, Danny, Hank, or Burr for fear we lose them without anything in return. If the Canucks are to be true playoff contenders, how do you lose Ohlie’s clutch playoff play and Burr’s grit? True the Sedins have yet to prove they can handle the pressure of the post-season, but then how do you replace their regular season output? EX-actly.

I’ve expressed my previous opinion that the Canucks should do what they can to sign Burrows, while I’m resigned to the fact that Ohlund is gone. I’m hoping the Canucks can sign the Sedins, but with the possibility of them leaving, the only thing I ask for is a prudent silly season where the Canucks exhibit responsibility – especially considering the team needs to not only stay competitive, but keep the cash available for Louie’s contract extension next year.

Cncks, Thnks Fr Th Mmrs

One of the things I find rough about Mondays, is that there’s always the feeling that you’re missing something – like vowels. However, it would be tough to remember how to spell without them, so I gave up after the title and decided to talk straight.

After watching the storybook ending Sundin provided to us Canucks fans on Saturday, it became clear to me that had I been at the game, I would have likely filed it off as one to remember. Heck, having not been at the game I probably would have to file it off as one to remember so long as I don’t recall anything prior to the shootout. Anywho, having been a fan for many years, there are only a handful of games that I truly remember.

The first game I remember, albeit vaguely, is one my Mom took me to at the Pacific Coliseum where the Canucks beat the Washington Capitals four buzz. She had purchased the tickets through Shoppers, or Woodwards, or something like for my birthday and as my Dad was working, she escorted me to the game. Although it may have been the win that introduced me to the bandwagon, I was an instant fan.

The second most memorable game is Game 7 against the Flames in 1994. I watched the game at a buddies house (being his birthday and all it seemed like the right thing) and after thinking that Calgary was going to pull it out, saw Kirk make the save. Then in overtime, Brown to Bure and pandemonium. I nearly lost my eye in the celebration – took a finger/hand/fist in the right one and couldn’t see straight for days. That win set forth my most memorable post-season play for the Canucks – and anyone near the corner of Robson and Burrard after they lost to the Rangers.

Next on the list would be the penultimate game of the 2001 regular season where the Canucks beat the Kings in overtime to clinch a playoff birth. Earlier that season, my Dad had purchased tickets for the game at a steep discount (wasn’t hard coming off the Keenan years) and didn’t think much of it. Well, when game day finally rolled around and it was pointed out that the Canucks would clinch if they were to win, GM Place was a rocking. And by this, I mean ear drum shattering pain rocking. I literally had chills at the noise level – something I never thought I would see replicated.

Problem is, I spoke too soon.

I had the fortune of going to Game 1 against Dallas back in 2007. Having been to a number of Canucks games over the years, this was the first game where I and nearly every other fan was seated almost an hour before the game – remember, in Vancouver it almost seems like good etiquette for fans to arrive halfway through the first period. Not only did everyone seem to be there, but the Go Canucks Go chant began before John Ashbridge had introduced the starting lineups. And it didn’t stop. The noise level when the Canucks came on to the ice was unbelievable. Anyone and everyone was screaming – if you weren’t, you were simply catching your breath to scream some more.

And then there was the game itself.

The Canucks came out as if Dallas was a can opener and left some whoop ass on the ice. They went up quick to a two buzz lead. Unfortunately, the Stars had Turco between the pipes and soon the Canucks became Turco’d. In fact, it seemed that with every “Turco, You Suck!” chant the Stars would score after Turco made a stellar save. Fortunately, the ‘nucks were able to hold things together and got the game to OT. The first couple of OT periods were reason enough to take up illicit drugs to maintain your anxiety levels. Both teams had opportunities on the power play, but neither could capitalize. Then the third overtime period came and went and it seemed as if this was the game that would never end. So when Danny scored the winner in seventh period, there was a delayed reaction before the excitement returned. Even only three quarters full, GM Place was rocking – and at half passed one too boot. And Chris had himself his most memorable experience with the Canucks.

So what about you? What are your most memorable experiences, so far?

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