Tips for The Vancouver Canucks

                        Los Angeles Kings lead the series 2-1

         

                         by Lisa Ovens

The Kings/ Canucks Quarter Final Game Three on Monday night was a toughie to watch. And losing two in a row during the Stanley Cup Playoffs tends to humble the positive thought train. But we Canucks fans have been here before. This should be "old hat" for us.

The Vancouver Canucks could try some of the following as they look ahead to Game Four on Wednesday, April 21st.....

Canucks can build on game three, starting with that much stronger third period. Plus, they need to let the fire in the belly from the disallowed goal fester, and I mean FESTER ( isn't that a great word?).

Re-tooling the special teams portion of the menu kind of goes without saying. The Kings have 7 power play goals in three games. Coach Alain Vignault says they've "got 48 hours to find a solution." He said that twice during his post game presser. Pretend you are solving a murder, Alain.

Jeff Vinnick's photo of the book "Hockey for Dummies" styled with LA King logos from what looks like a jacket: just take that off of Canucks.com immediately. This kind of "trash talk" can come back to bite us on the ass!

photo by Jeff Vinnick: maybe not the best choice

at this point in the round. I'm just sayin'...

Maybe Canucks GM, Mike Gillis ought to complain about the officiating in the media, just for something to do. Or craft a 2002 Salt Lake City Gretzky- like speech and take some of the heat off the team. This will also help difuse the Canuck`Fan-xiety that will most certainly flood the sports talk radio shows' phone lines and online "comment threads"  today and tomorrow.

And here's one, a good one from my buddy Andrew Lavigne..." Luongo's body language has to change. His wife is probably the only one who could talk to him about this one. When he lets in a goal, his whole body reacts, he hangs his head. He's acts out his disappointment. All I can say is "Luongo, you play poker...where's your poker face?"

Andrew hits the nail on the head: Roberto Luongo is the captain, the leader of his team. Time to be stoic, Lou. And the next best thing to actually being stoic, is acting stoic. I believe that's you there on the side of a hockey rink. Hey... Anybody have Gina's email address??

And finally, I'm on the hook to buy a Kings fan dinner when she comes on a hockey road trip next season if the Canucks don't get the job done, so come on Canucks...just get'er done!!

Eastern Conference Final: Game One Pens/ Canes

Magic Man – Heart

by Jan Snyder

After this game, we can dance to the dulcet tones of Ann Wilson, thanks to our own Magic Man, Marc-Andre Fleury.

As in Chicago where voters cast their ballots early and often, Fleury cast his spell in Pittsburgh, stopping the Canes early and often. He started the game with a big save, made a couple of huge ones at the end, and threw in a couple of extra special ones in between. Facing only 23 shots, at least a third of them were spectacular.

Right at the start, the magic began. Fleury flashed his glove and poof! – the puck disappeared in his glove. He stopped one by folding himself in half – shazam! The puck disappeared again. A couple of times he fell to the ice covering the puck –presto chango! – no more puck!

To be fair, Cam Ward was doing his best at the other end, making some great saves as well. In the end, the Pens solved him three times and the Canes only solved Fleury twice.

Again the Pens scored two really quick goals to set the pace. On the first one, Satan was in the penalty box and just as the penalty expired, he flew from the box, took the puck and immediately atoned for the penalty by scoring a pretty breakaway goal. Just 84 seconds later, Geno did what he does so well and made towel-waving Mama Malkin, and all the other fans, very happy in the process.

LaRose scored for the Canes in the second period and they almost had another but that one was called back when Gill was interfered with and sent Fleury sprawling. Phillipe Boucher scored a power play goal that juuusssttt trickled ever so slowly over the goal line. That one, assisted on by Sid and Geno, proved to be the difference maker.

That’s when things got a little interesting. Orpik took a penalty with only about 2:30 left in the game and Joe Corvo quickly made it 3-2. If it wasn’t for the Magic Man in goal, it might have been 3-3 before too much longer.

So this wasn’t a perfect game on either side, but Game One is in the books as a win for the Pens. With the next game not being played until Thursday, each time has some time to study the other a little more which means we can probably expect more of the same magic from both goalies next time.

Hopefully we can go to Carolina with a 2-0 lead because we will have to face the jutted- out chin of Bill Cowher when we get there! Apparently after only three years away from living in Pittsburgh has turned him into a Canes fan and he attends each game three where he is the self-proclaimed “Game Three Guy” who cranks up the crowd. Big Ben Roethlisberger was at Mellon Arena tonight taking in the game from Mario’s box. Wonder what he thinks of his former coach rooting against Pittsburgh? Wish Christine Simpson would have asked him.

The Staal Brothers were not really factors in this game. Eric watched Fleury make a great save on him as he poked away at the puck trying to score. Jordan participated in some nice cycling with his line mates, but no scoring came of it.

We can hope the Fleury magic continues at the Igloo on Thursday.

Let’s Go, Pens!!

Conference Finals SWAG OFF!!!

by Lisa Ovens

It’s the final four, and we have some interesting swag competing to make it to the finals. It’s one thing to be a hot team, but to be an even hotter piece of hockey swag takes the game to another level. In the West...

Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Wings lead the series 1-0

The Detroit Red Wings are quite at home in the Western Conference Finals, and don’t they look good there. We are used to seeing them with beards. It’s very normal, very natural. Chicago’s Nikolai Khabibulin will be busy. He’s already faced 43 shots in Game One. This must be shocking after the shot challenged Vancouver Canucks, huh?

It seems like the only team everyone wants to talk about is the Chicago Blackhawks. They’re the kids. In Brady Bunch terms, they are the Cindy/ Bobby team even though they finished Peter/Jan in the standings.

Don’t get me wrong, the rebirth of NHL hockey in the Chicago's large market is great news. But we can’t forget the staying power and pedigree of the Detroit Red Wings. If the Wings can take Game two at home, don’t be surprised if the pundits and analysts start giving the Wings their due.

After watching the Blackhawks take out the battered Flames, and the melt down prone Canucks, they now have the big test: will their comeback skills see them through a series with the team that makes everyone suffer from “Wing Envy”?

It doesn't matter what DRW swag I show here: the Wings keep winning! I could take a picture of a red napkin, post it, and the Wings will win. But right now, I think this adorable little Red Wings Zamboni fits the bill rather nicely. Another score from my 2004 Detroit trip, this Zamboni was gifted to my good friend, Helen and it helps keep her desk nice and clean! This pic was shot at the bar of the Hockeytown Cafe, and the Zamboni sits on top of a real ice surface built right into the bar. Cool, in every way!

As I mentioned in the first round swag OFF, I took this Chicago Blackhawks beer cozy out for a night on the town. It was the first time I used it since the acquisition in 2004. Imagine how much B. Hawks swag is being used for the very first time right now in Chicago? It was just under two years ago I had a short layover at O’Hare International Airport and nary a B. Hawk logo could be found in the gift shops. (That’s my test for gauging an NHL team’s foothold in a city – by the amount of logo’d trinkets one discovers at the airport...try it out on your next trip!)

Up Next...The Eastern Conference SWAG OFF...

Canucks Post Season Epilogue: Fooled by Feelings of Destiny

By Lisa Ovens

After being pegged cellar dwellers by many a pundit at the beginning of the 2008/09 season, the Canucks managed to finish incredibly strong, and with a rookie general manager at the helm, to boot. Considering the melt down and failing to make the playoffs last year, how much more could fans have expected?

Let’s face it, if you are a Canuck fan, and someone said to you back in October, “Hey, you know what’s going to happen this year? The Canucks are going to start out great, but your prized goal tender will go down in a rare afternoon game in November and be out for a few months. They’ll hold on as best as they can, but eventually they’ll slide into the worst losing slump in the history of the team-oh man, they’ll lose at home over and over again and everyone will want the coach fired. It’ll be nuts. But, a winger, who in the previous season was challenged in the goals scored column, will score one short handed goal at home, igniting the team to turn it around and roll, clinch a playoff spot BEFORE the last regular season game, go on to win the division, and for the first time in Canuck history, sweep the other hottest team at the time, out of the first round, have a nine day break, and then lose the second round in six games to a team that finished higher in points from the regular season.”

Would you have believed them?

This is why we love hockey; often times, we just don’t know what’s going to happen, whether it be the events in one game, or a whole season. The other day, I heard Canucks Coach Alain Vigneault speak about destiny. He had a feeling the Canucks were destined to go deep into the playoffs, based on everything that had happened over the season. He wasn’t the only one fooled by that feeling of destiny. I was too, because darn it, it just felt different this year than other years we arrived at the post season. The team had its health relatively in tact. We had a “triplet”, in Alex Burrows that was working well with the Sedin twins. Mats Sundin was here. No one was taking the St. Louis Blues lightly, and in the end, they couldn’t beat us, because the Canucks found the ways they needed to win. It was looking very good.

What happened in Round Two versus the Chicago Blackhawks? Was nine days not long enough to prepare for battle against only a handful of potential opponents? Or was nine days just too long of a break between the action? As fans, we were sitting around, waiting. In hindsight, those nine days dragged on. It was fun though, watching the Canucks logo sprouting up all over the place like the blossoms of springtime in Vancouver. We were engaging in hockey talk with strangers in grocery store parking lots, while waiting in line, or on the phone with clients and contacts.

Perhaps destiny had other plans, and those plans involved the Chicago Blackhawks. The Vancouver Canucks faced a tightly knit team of young, talented dudes, who were often described by CBC's HNIC commentator, Craig Simpson, as the “they don’t know any better because they’ve never been here before” team. (And when you think of the Blackhawks long history it kind of makes sense for the original Six’er; only three Stanley Cups to their name, this franchise toiled away year after year in the shadows of the entire league, in the shadows of other sport franchises in Chicago, under an old school owner’s self imposed Harry Potter-like invisibility cloak... where else could they go but up?)

The Blackhawks beat the Canucks because they found ways to win when it mattered the most. Sure, there were questionable calls against the Canucks, putting them shorthanded against the highly skilled kids that “don’t know any better” and some of those calls really, really bothered me and everyone else on the ‘Nucks wagon. What are you gonna do?

As I said before, we don’t really know what events will unfold on the ice each night, and for most of the series, the round was anybody’s. But it would be game four that changed everything. Instead of going up in the series, 3-1, the Canucks lost in overtime (ouch), and the series became tied. Game six was a test for anyone’s heart condition. So much happened in that game: it was a blur of goals, answered goals, the big goal horn, THAT catchy Chicago goal song and red jerseys in the stands.

There I was alone in my living room, fooled by the feeling of destiny, as the clock wound down on the 7-5 score in favor of the Blackhawks. That was it. Just like it was it for the Blues, the Sharks, the Flames, the Blue Jackets, the Canadiens, the Devils, the Flyers and the Rangers. And, after this week; the Ducks, the Bruins and The Capitals. It’s the end, and it doesn’t really matter how the series went before the final game, when you’re out, you’re out.

Feeling like the Canucks could win the Stanley Cup is a feeling I ultimately want to feel every season because I refuse to try out the opposite in feelings. It just doesn’t work for me. Each year only one team can win it, and I already think the Canucks can do it next season. Call me crazy, but I won’t jump on the silly “blow up the team/ trade Luongo” bandwagon currently driving around the city. If a Canadian based team is going to win the Cup after what will be 17 years, it’s going to be the Vancouver Canucks.

I often use this quote at this time of year. I saw it written on a wall in a documentary about the 1998 Detroit Red Wings. The Wings won the Cup that year. I don’t know who said it but it makes sense to me...

“Faith is to believe in what you do not yet see. The reward for that faith is to see what you believe.”

(Either its that, or you play like “you don’t know any better” ;o)

Keep the faith, and enjoy the Conference Finals, everybody!

Tough Day at the Office: Round Two Game Five: Nucks/B.hawks

By Lisa Ovens


Blackhawks lead the series 3-2

Oh to be a hockey fan in Vancouver during the playoffs! The roller coaster ride continues after the 4-2 loss last night. It was very apparent to me Canucks fans were still harboring some anger after the overtime loss in game four, and many of them were present in the crowd at GM Place. I’ll get to that stuff in a moment.

There were a few things I liked about the game: the anthem singing was fantastic, and set a very positive tone for the first period. Rick Rypien delivered some heavy hits when he activated his “hit switch”. I felt Mats Sundin played a very good game, and to see him score such a beautiful goal in the second period was a very sweet moment. The fans erupted after that one, and I know Sundin critics must have smiled and high fived anyone available during the celebration. If there’s one moment Mats could use to up his game to another level for next time, that goal surely must be it. He could call it the “I still got it” goal. Seize it Mats, take it and run with it as best as you can.

Now, onto the not so good...Alex Burrows paid some attention to B.Hawks goal tender, Nikolai Khabibulin, but chirping at him is not the kind of attention I’d like to see. The Canucks can beat this guy, but they have to take the shots to do it. I believe it was Wayne Gretzky who said “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” The shots on goal were 31-21 in favor of the B.Hawks. Khabibulin isn’t the better goaltender in this series, and the Canucks should be throwing everything, including the kitchen sink at him.

Kevin Bieksa, our delightfully, hot headed, pineapple juice drinking defenseman, needs to tone it down sometimes and last night he had me on my feet yelling “BACK OFF BIEKSA!!!” during the after whistle scrums. We just don’t know where the whistles are going to be next time around so he needs to reel himself in and channel the heat elsewhere, like ooh I don’t know, scoring a few goals because he was the Canucks highest scoring defensemen during the regular season, and they need scoring to win this series.

The ice. I bring this up because I saw lots of slips and falls last night, and I think they ought to check the ice, especially the ice in the Canucks offensive zone, to the right of the B.Hawks bench. (In other words I am looking to see a game seven, folks ;o) I called Pittsburgh Penguins correspondent, Jan Snyder to get her take on ice issues and she said, “Yes, the ice at this time of year...they are saying the ice in Washington is slushy, the ice in Pittsburgh is sticky.” In which I responded with “Then I guess our ice in Vancouver is too slippery – hahaha!!”

The good old hockey game. Perhaps it was a mixture of referee confusion and the Canucks mistakes, but the crowd in GM Place did not hide their feelings during the second and third periods. Is this a case of “we’ve heard far too much good call, bad call, and no call critiques in the sports media that we’ll snap at anything the moment confusion sets in”?

What I mean by confusion is the where are the whistles confusion, and if whistles have been firmly placed in the zebras’ pockets, will they stay there, or will they suddenly re-appear in the last ten minutes of the game?

The collective behavior of 18,630 people in one of these types of games, is an experience, and to quote Seinfeld’s George Costanza's line “The Sea was Angry that day my friends.” But instead of “an old man trying to send back soup in a deli”, one guy chucked a cup of beer onto the ice. And then another guy throws one and another and so on and so on. This is what happens when the passion for the team and the game can truly get the better of people. To say this city is desparate for a championship is an understatement.

The Chicago Blackhawks have plenty to bring to the table every night under the watchful eyes of the legendary Scotty Bowman. But on Monday night for Game Six, the Canucks are going to bring a new attitude: they’re on the road, they are healthier than the Calgary Flames were, and they’ve got nothing to lose. And if they play their cards right, the Canucks will be another win closer to the Western Conference Final.

Round Two Game Five: Penguins/ Capitals

Monster Mash – Bobby “Boris” Pickett

Penguins lead the series 3-2

By Jan Snyder

“Monster Mash” has a good beat and is easy to dance to! Even though Halloween is far away, the song fits the show that unfolded before our eyes tonight because it’s about a monster.

If you watch the Penguin broadcasts, you know that the announcers, Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey, love to refer to Malkin and Crosby as the “two-headed monster” when they are on the ice together. Thanks to that monster, the Pens won another monster game in overtime!


Yes, the Red got Rocked – by the Black and Gold – in their own building. There is no denying this has been a monster series, filled with monster hits and monster individual efforts as well.

The game had such a frenetic pace that it was hard to believe that these same guys had played another intense game just the night before. From the drop of the puck, both teams gave their all, trying to get their team ahead. In the first period, the Caps and Pens traded power plays, but neither team was able to score. Both goalies, too, made some great stops. The first ended with a bit of a melee and the result took two Caps and two Pens to the box, including Malkin and Ovechkin.

So period two began without the two Russians, who had to wait for a whistle to get back into the action. That didn’t come until three minutes into the second. Before five minutes elapsed, Jordan Staal, who must be watching his big brother, Eric, handling the Bruins, decided he deserved some ESPN face time and scored his first goal of the season with a little help from Satan and Orpik.

But that lead was short-lived as Ovechkin evened things up just about a minute later. But when Gill jumped onto the ice too soon, the Caps got a power play and Backstrom took advantage and put the Caps ahead with just five minutes left in the second period.

The Pens played seven defensemen in this game – that’s right, it takes two others to take the place of Gonchar! Gogligoski and Bucher both acquitted themselves well.

As the hits kept coming and the pace stayed frantic, Ruslan Fedotenko scored another goal, on one of his 10 shots on goal in the game, less than a minute in. The third line of Staal, Kennedy and Cooke were monsters tonight too and after hard work by their line, Cooke deposited a puck in the net. Everything was status quo for the rest of the third – or so it would seem. Again, with just four minutes left, Ovechkin scored and tied things up.

Off to overtime again! Well, at least it was Saturday. Not too many people would have to get up for work tomorrow. Put on a pot of coffee and get ready to dig in for a long night of hockey! But that didn’t happen because the two-headed monster took matters into “its” own hands. After the Caps came close to scoring on Fleury, the ref called a penalty that gave the Pens a power play. No Gonchar? No matter tonight because Malkin and Crosby worked it and when Malkin swooped in on net, the puck bounced off the stick of the Caps d-man and trickled into the net! WOOHOO! Another exciting overtime win – and it only took four minutes! Malkin is a hero again!

Even though Crosby had no points, his play was outstanding and he handed out a few big hits. Geno added an assist as well as his great game winning goal and attempted six shots on goal. All told, the Caps handed out 39 hits and the Pens 30. Let’s get physical, indeed.

This was another team game, with everyone on the Pens chipping in and doing their thing. Each team had only two power plays and each converted on one.

In this monster series, filled with monster efforts, the two-headed monster proved more powerful as a tandem than Ovechkin by himself (although Backstrom sure had his back.)

Back to the ‘burg. Are you ready for yet another monster game? Be loud, Pens fans.



Let’s Go, Pens!!

Round Two Game Three: Penguins/ Capitals

Washington Capitals lead series 2-1

by Jan Snyder

I Need a Hero – Bonnie Tyler

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night

He’s gotta be strong

And he’s gotta be fast

And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light

He’s gotta be sure

And it’s gotta be soon

And he’s gotta be larger than life

This is not an easy song to dance to, but the lyrics sure fit exciting Game Three. Being back home agrees with the Pens as their white-out crowd urged them all on, but especially Geno, chanting his name, trying to get him fired up.

But the beginning of the game was not what any one of us was hoping for as Fleury got out of position when he went after his stick that had gotten away from him. The puck took a weird bounce off the old, old time-worn boards of Mellon Arena. Taking full advantage was the Great 8. Ovechkin plowed in, grabbed the puck, and put his team up 1-0, stunning the Pens and the crowd barely two minutes into the contest. The rest of the first period was pretty forgettable for the home team as they struggled to find their game.

In the second, the only highlight, and it was a big one, was Fedotenko scoring a goal to tie it up. Geno was starting to look like Geno again in the second and this goal proved to be an important one, considering what was yet to come.

As the third started, it was anyone’s game. Ovechkin laid a big hit on Sid, who hardly seemed to notice. But the “Awakening of 71” was in full flower as Geno pounced on a puck and put the home team ahead by one with a power play goal. Shortly after, Orpik and Ovechkin ran into each other like a couple of rams on a mountaintop and each went flying.

While Pens’ fans chewed on their rally towels, willing the team to hold on to the lead, the ref saw fit to call a penalty on the Pens and with only one minute and fifty seconds left, Backstrom threw the puck behind Fleury.
OVERTIME! How long would it last? How long could I last? Should I call in sick now? The pacing began and all I could wonder was who would be our Hero.

Rookie goalie Varlamov was incredible making 39 saves in the game, but he wasn’t quite prepared when Kris Letang (AKA, tonight’s Hero) boomed the puck behind him off the faceoff win by Crosby! There was our Hero! After the last game when Letang left with his shoulder hanging, we weren’t even sure he would play in this game. I called my daughter in Pittsburgh to see if she’d heard something I hadn’t about whether or not Letang would play. She hadn’t but I kept insisting to her and to anyone who would listen that we really needed Letang to play tonight. He sure proved my hunch to be right. Besides his game-winning goal, Letang added an assist.

Maybe all Geno needed was to be in front of the friendly fans again, including his mom and dad. He attempted nine shots and at times was very Mario-esque during this incredible performance. He seemed determined to do his part in this one. Crosby chipped in with two assists and in a nice change from the first two games, everyone was contributing. Sid didn’t have to do it all.

Now we are back in the series and looking ahead already to Game Four on Friday night. We’ll need another Hero. Who will it be in that one? I can’t wait to find out.

Let’s Go, Pens!!

Round Two Game Three: Canucks/ Blackhawks

photo by Lisa Ovens


"Just a Greasy Road Win"- Canucks defenseman, Kevin Bieksa

Canucks lead the series 2-1

By Lisa Ovens

The Chicago Blackhawks nation, including the multitude of bandwaggoners was out in full force Tuesday night for Game Three in the Western Conference Semi Final Canucks/ Blackhawks Series. With all of the Hawk love in the air, the majesty of the anthems and the presence of Bobby Hull in a ceremonial puck drop, the Canucks knew letting the air out of United Center would be key task in the always crucial Game Three of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Meanwhile, back in Vancouver, the talk around town was riddled with concern that the Canucks were in trouble without injured defenseman, Sami Salo, and goal tender Roberto Luongo suddenly looking human in net after Saturday night’s 6-3 loss. Rumors spread rapidly that Canuck car flags were sheepishly removed from cars, as local bandwaggoners jumped into panic mode on message boards, chat rooms and call in radio shows.

Yes, the best thing that could ever happen to the Canucks was getting on the road, away from the yoyo like, emotional madness permeating the moist Vancouver air. Not only were they free from the pockets of panic from Abbottsford to Whistler, they looked like they were having fun attending a Cubs game the night before. Good on them. Now on to the game...

Once the Canucks had the 2-0 lead, fans were thinking “yes by now, we know you can get a 2-0 lead, now let’s move past that with a few more goals and a convincing win. Because we know everybody refers to the fun loving Blackhawks as the come back kids.”

The boys did get a third goal, and kept the Blackhawks from scoring more than one by minding the little things like clearing rebounds, toiling in front of the net, and dispensing snippets of trash talk.

No one wants to know their team leads all others in the playoffs when it comes to penalties, so naturally Canucks nation sat on pins and needles throughout the six Pk’s, especially when we suffered through two delay of game penalties in the third period. Not one, but two of those accidental flips of the puck into the stands really made me cringe. However, Mats Sundin’s success at the faceoff dot and Ryan Kesler’s performance throughout the entire game balanced everything out for this girl. Plus, this was the second game the Canucks have won this post season without Sami Salo in the line up, so they CAN win without the veteran blue liner...relax everyone!!!

Thursday’s game four will be another test for the Canucks: can they activate their killer instinct and push the Chicago Blackhawks onto the ropes? Can they continue to get inside the heads over in the other room, casting more doubt that maybe being the “comeback kids” was only a short lived fad?


Game Four: Canucks/ Blackhawks, United Center, Chicago Il. 5pm PST....Go Canucks GO, GO CANUCKS GO!!!!

Special Note: Canuck fans everywhere continue to supply Taylor Pyatt with encouragement as he returns to play after time off, grieving the sudden death of his fiance, Carly. It takes courage to comeback, and to do it during the most intense time of the season shows a lot of character. Kudos to his teammates for looking out for him as he adjusts to the post season routine.

Round Two Game Two: Penguins/ Capitals

Hit Me with Your Best Shot – Pat Benetar


By Jan Snyder

This song works on two levels. On one, the hits were adding up; on the other the shots, at each other, were adding up. Another song that would apply is “Anything you can do, I can do better.”

What a game – Sid scores, Ovie scores, Sid scores, Ovie scores – twice, Sid scores. How long could this go on? Only David Steckel broke up the hat tricks of the superstars. When was the last time we saw two hat tricks in one playoff game? “Hit me with your best shot, Sid.” “Hit me with YOUR best shot, Ovie.”

So for all the talk about this being a team game and the two rivals not being on the ice at that same time against each other, six of the seven goals were scored by Crosby and Ovechkin. Had the game gone another period or two, who knows how many more each of them would have added.

But this game begs the question: Is Sid the only one who doesn’t ever want to be in that photo again? You remember the ad after last year’s defeat to Detroit. Sid stepped out of the picture of the disconsolate Pens at the end of the game and said “I don’t ever want to be in that photo again.” From the looks of things tonight, he is the only one who feels that way. Where was the rest of the team? C’mon guys, Sid needs some scoring help out there.

There were plenty of hits dished out by each team. Letang, after being plastered into the glass, left the game clutching his shoulder and arm. Will he be back for the next game? That’s a big hit to the power play if he can’t go. Gonchar took quite a slam into the glass as well, but came back to the ice.

Going two for five on the power play worked to the Pens advantage tonight and although it sounds strange in a game where seven goals were scored, both goalies were excellent.

Geno looked better too, but still couldn’t score and took a penalty that led directly to Ovechkin’s third goal.

So, back to the burg. Down two, but with two now on Mellon Arena ice. This time the crowd will be on the Pens’ side. Passion is so obvious on both sides. Each team wants to take the upper hand – who will get it on Wednesday? The hits will keep on coming, the shots will keep on coming – but will the other Pens chip in and help Sid? Hit us with your best shots, guys!


Let’s Go, Pens!

The "I" Game

The "I" Game

By Lisa Ovens

Game Two: Vancouver Canucks (3) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (6)

Series tied 1-1

Well, I guess the Vancouver Canucks decided to let Blackhawks goal tender Nikolai Khabibulin win a game, something the net minder hasn’t done versus the Canucks since 1998. Now the question is will the Canucks refuse him another win until 2020?

And another question: The “A” game? Several Canucks spoke about bringing their “A” Game to game two. Does “A” stand for Adversity game? This is their Adversity game, a game that will inspire the boys to bring their “B” Game to the ice at United Center in Chicago on Tuesday for game three. “B” as in Best game.

I have to call Saturday’s 6-3 loss the work of the Canucks “I” Game. “I” as in Icky game. We saw some injury, idling in the corners, idling with the lead; iffy infractions meant irritated faces in the penalty box and ignition of the opposition’s offence. Identical twins, where for art thou identical twins? Ignorant fans leaving the game early (if the team has to stay for the whole thing...) because ideally one should stay until the very end considering the inflated ticket prices paid.

Weather Report

The best thing for the Canucks is to be on the road, which thankfully they now are. They’ve been stuck in Vancouver for a couple of weeks, and a beautiful couple of weeks they were. Back to Back, warm sunny days have a habit of putting the citizens of Vancouver into holiday mode, maintaining an outdoor patio kind of pace. Ironically the rain came Saturday, and by post game, a strong wind kicked up to blow the Canucks towards the Windy City, with fans hoping the team can do some serious damage on the ice and the score board for games three and four.

Pittsburgh Penguins/ Washington Capitals Game One, Round Two

You Dropped a Bomb on Me – Gap Band

by Jan Snyder

It’s Saturday night, time for a little dancing – this song fits after the game this afternoon. The Pens’ power play was the bomb – and not in a good way. In a bad, bad, way, in a no power on the power play way, in a too fancy and not enough shooting way.

In a nationally televised game showcasing the top three scorers in the league, these teams were the center of attention. Sidney Crosby, the center of attention for the Penguins, started things off nicely with a goal in the first period, but the Caps quickly answered that one when David Steckel beat Fleury.

With only seconds left in the second period, the Pens gave the home team a five-on-three advantage and Alex Ovechkin proved why he gets so much attention in Washington when he positioned himself well and scored.
In the second period, the Caps played tougher, but Mark Eaton was able to score to tie the game up going into the third.But early on, Fleishman scored to make it 3-2 and the Caps hung on to win the opening game of the series.

The Pens had never faced young goaltender, Varlamov, but he didn’t give them much and stopped Sid from scoring on a wide-open net. Unbelievably, Varlamov dropped a bomb of his own when he was able to reach his goalie stick out and stop what looked to be a sure goal for the Kid. Neither team played badly, but both looked like they were still feeling each other out and trying to see who would set the tone.

Watching the game was so much more enjoyable without having to hear Cap fans chanting, ala the Flyers fans, other more than a wonderful “Let’s Go, Caps”. They were a lively, loud crowd and made the game more fun. There were some Pens’ fans scattered in the crowd – but not as many as usual because owner Ted Leonsis is up to his old tricks again. Remember several years ago, he found a way to block anyone calling from the 412 area code (Pittsburgh’s area code) to buy tickets and kept his own building somewhat empty, even though Pittsburgh fans were perfectly willing to buy his tickets and plop their butts in his seats.

This year, he’s done it again. Even though people in Pittsburgh were on the Caps mailing list, if they called to buy a two-game package for games one and two, they were told by ticket agents that Mr. Leonsis didn’t “allow” them to sell tickets to Pens’ fans, according to an article by Dave Molinari in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. These days he has no trouble selling out the arena, but back when he started this, there were many, many empty seats, which he seemed to like better than having Pens’ fans in them.
Also security seemed to be under better control behind the benches after the Tortorella bottle-tossing incident.

If you happened to see the shot of Mario Lemieux during the game, you noticed that he was sporting quite a nice playoff beard - much more robust than the ones he tried to grow during his playing days. He’s not just supporting his team though; he’s also helping his Foundation.

The Mario Lemieux Foundation is running a program called “Beard-a-Thon” during the playoffs. Fans can grow beards and others sponsor them to raise money for the charity. If you are “follically challenged”, you can even build a beard! Visitors to the website can check out the beards and vote for the best. So far, more than $50,000 has been raised for Mario’s foundation. Visit http://www.mariolemieux.org/ for more information, to sponsor someone, or to add your own beard into the mix! Other teams still left in the playoffs are participating too.

That will be one way to pass the time until Monday night, Game Two. Same place, different time, and hopefully, a different result. Next time I say the Pens’ power play was “da bomb”, hopefully it will be in a good way!

Canucks...Round Two Game One

Nik-o-laiiiii...NIK-O-LAIIIIII

by Lisa Ovens

I don't know if it was sitting back on the lead, or if the Canucks were running out of gas after the first two periods after the much talked about nine day lay off that allowed the Chicago Blackhawks back into the game. But it was glaringly evident when the Canucks blew the 3-0 lead, that if you give the Blackhawks an inch, they'll take a mile without anything so much as a thank you.

The Goal Tender's world can seem like a lonely one at times

The fact the Canucks were able to recover, late in the third period capitize on rebound for the game winning Sami Salo goal, and then make the most of a loose puck to add one to the ENG (empty net goal) column brought the fans to their feet.

Game one of this series was indeed an emotional roller coaster ride for fans: nervous about the lay off and wary of the Blackhawks speed, skill and talent. I did what I could to ease the pre-game emotions in GM Place: a donned my blue feather playoff boa and hit the concourse, spreading whimsy, administering light-hearted tickles, and leaving the odd errant feather floating in my wake.

During the first period action, noticing the Canucks taking way too many pretty passes and ultimately not converting their chances, I was a vision of contradiction yelling "Garbage...give us a garbage goal guys!!!" while simultaneously flitting the classy playoff boa in the air.

My game buddy might have been the one in our section who travelled the furthest for game one of the Canucks/Hawks series. Chelsea, a Pittsburgh native, Penguins intern, and a charter member of the hockeyandhighheels.com club (this means you've read the book and visit the website for more of my shtick) club flew into town on business and we connected for a little site seeing, serious hockey talk and the game.

Lisa BB (before boa) and Chelsea after she loses the Pens Tee

I took her to see the 2010 Olympic Speed Skating Oval in the afternoon. Following the Team 1040's sports talk radio host, Blake Price's suggestion of starting a random "Go Canucks Go" chant, I tried one out in the lobby of the Oval. Sadly no one chimed in; instead they just turned and stared, me in my blue Canucks Tee, and Chelsea in her black Penguins Tee. I quickly followed up with "Hey, we are a walking billboard for a potential Stanley Cup Final, yeah?" pointing at our chests. There were giggles...mostly from us.

I also tested out another Blake Price suggestion: Chanting Blackhawks goal tender’s first name Nikolai at the game, but imitating the Ricola cough drop “shout out” commercial http://www.ricola.com/, because as Price pointed out, the two names sound very similar. While the rest of the crowd started chanting “Bulin, Bulin” I was singing “Nik-o-laiiiii, Nik-o- laiiiii” No one seemed to catch on to that one, Blake. But I agree with you that it is by far the better goalie name taunt cheer.

Next up: Game Two...

Still Kickin'

2009 Hockeyandhighheels.com Swag Off!!!

The Quarter Finals: The following teams are still duking it out in round one, leaving semi final bound fans guessing, speculating, calculating, imagining, and salivating over which team their boys will do battle with next.

What better way to celebrate the "Days of Do or Die" with a little Hockeyandhighheels.com Stanley Cup Playoffs Swag Off? Readers who were around last year might remember such famous swag offs like the Save the Predators T-Shirt versus the SteveYzerman Commenorative Sports Illustrated magazine. Or the Colorado Avalanche Mini Stein shot glass vs the Minnesota Wild game program. Which swag items will make it to the Finals this season???

In the West...

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames

Blackhawks lead the series 3-2

Try something new on your next evening out: bring along a functional accessory sporting one of the NHL's hottest logos. Surprise your friends at dinner, or in the lounge. (that's my cousin's lobster in the background. I had a big steak.) I've had this beer cozy stored away in the Hockey Swag box for four years, and finally it comes out to play, just like the Chicago Blackhawks have after a seven year absence from the post season. They are heading back to Calgary one more time to face the Sea of Red, and if the Flames have their way, a refreshed Mikka Kipprosoff and an angry Jerome Iginla. And they won't like it when Jerome's angry.

This stylin' Calgary Flames jersey hand bag screams "I'm a winner!" However, the Flames were definitely looking like losers in game five. The Blackhawks displayed the "win at all costs atittude", making it difficult for the Flames to get shots through to the net. On the downside, Phaneuff left the game. On the upside Jerome said "We will be ready for the next game." The jersey bag hopes so...it'll look smashing in the semi's...

**********

San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks

Ducks lead the series 3-2

Since we hear so much about Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, I thought it would be nice to showcase the league's other Evgeni. Evgeni Nabokov would like to play in the semi's too, and he hopes Joe and Patrick want to so bad, they continue to shake the damn choking, floating, long faced looks on the bench style of whatever it is that seems to plague them around this time of year. No time like the present...

The Anaheim Ducks are the team no one wants to play. Period. Who's fault is that anyways? Ah, let's blame Brian Burke...or George Parros' mustache. Or Chris Pronger's elbows. Or the Neidermayers' mom. Or the combination of orange towels and Snoop Dog. Or the fact they are really close to Disneyland, and boy could I use a visit to the happiest place on earth. But this isn't about me, it's about the Ducks, those super confident Ducks, trying to play mind games with the Sharks but the Sharks have been too busy playing mind games with themselves. Lucky Ducks...

*********

In the East...

Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers

New York leads the series 3-2

I am sure there are hockey fans out there that think the Rangers Sean Avery and coach John Tortorella both deserve a good spanking. Well look no further than the above classic wooden Rangers mini stick as the spanking accessory of choice! Just under 2 ft. tall, the mini stick is sure to draw a chuckle from even the surliest Washington Capitals fan sitting behind the bench! Coach Torts has been suspended for one game due to bad behavior, but Ranger fans must be hoping the scratched Sean Avery returns to play in game six: one of these water bottle shooters needs to be present at MSG for game six to make up with everybody and continue the co-dependent thing into the second round.

The sick goal. The sick sick goal. Alexander Ovechkin’s game four highlight reel goal was almost overshadowed by Rangers Coach John Tortorella’s bench boss antics on Friday night. Like their team, The Washington Capital’s Sea of Scarlet (a tribute to Club Scarlet, girls!) is on the brink of elimination, and will have to helplessly watch from home as the Caps try to tie up this series and force a game seven. At least some of the fans will look lovely in Versace dresses.

******

New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Devils lead the series 3-2

The most talked about game in this series was game four; with the Hurricanes winning the game thanks to a buzzer beater shot delivered by Jussi Jokinen (can it get more buzzer beater than 0.2 seconds left on the clock?). Cue the stick throwing .Yes, the Devils prefer to make a bigger statement with tossing a stick, rather than water bottles (that’s what the Manhattan hockey players do). All I remember is walking by the TV, highlight package on, and Devils net minder, Martin Brodeur heaving his stick at the boards. Perhaps, long after the game was over, Brodeur had his feet up and enjoyed a different kind of shot from this attractive Devils Shot glass. Coming in at just under five bucks, this little glass can perk up even the most frustrating of days. Use the Devils shot glass responsibly!!

Yes, I will admit...this is an old bag of chips. But, it was the last bag I found after the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup in 2006, and it was a keeper. Look at Rod Brind’amour - That’s a happy guy. And these Caniac chips are a tasty side kick for the Devils shot glass- talk about a perfect match. And the series has proven to be a good match, too: four out of five games were one goal games. Devils win, Canes win, Devils win, Canes win, Devils win,....the big question today is do the Chips win another day on the shelf??? The Hurricanes have been an elusive team for me, so if it seems like I am focusing on the chips too much, it’s because game six will be the first game of this series I will actually see. And I have a hankering for some chips...Go Canes! It’s your turn to win. The sequence says so ;o)

Hells Bells

Hell’s Bells – AC/DC

By Jan Snyder

My Dad was known to use some salty language during hockey games. Most I can’t repeat here but one of his favorites was “Hell’s bells, we can’t get it out of our own end.” Or “Hell’s bells, he couldn’t put one in with a two by four.” They were many variations on the theme, but ‘hell’s bells’ was the common denominator.

Unfortunately, Dad’s expressions fit this game to a tee. In the first scoreless period, things were looking good for the Pens, a couple of times pucks almost went in, but didn’t. In the second period, Philly took over and soon Asham scored their first goal.

Geno made some nice moves, got to the net, put it in – but replays showed he kicked the puck in. Hell’s bells, the goal was called back. Geno played well, as did Sid, but nothing wanted to happen. The Pens’ third line played a feisty game, got some chances, and was tenacious, all for naught. The white-out crowd did their part to help, but they couldn’t produce any particular magic either.

In the third, we hoped for a better fate, but hell’s bells, no breaks for us and we just had to watch Giroux and Knuble knock in two more.

Maybe the absence of Kris Letang and Petr Sykora made a difference. Letang was replaced by Philippe Boucher and Sykora by – Satan! Hell’s bells, did those replacements change the team chemistry? Did the team expect Fleury to continue his Superman routine from the previous game? Did they really want to go back to the “fans” of Philadelphia and their incredible lack of hospitality?

Marty Biron did a reasonable impression of Fleury from the last game in this game, making some quality saves especially when he was peppered in the first. The Flyers played a good game, didn’t fight much, and it all worked for them. On the other hand, the Pens didn’t seem quite as desperate as those guys in black and orange. Hopefully that will change in the next contest.

Now we play on Saturday afternoon, in Philly, on NBC. Back we go to the home of a thousand Taco Bells and the Liberty Bell. Hell’s bells, I really didn’t want that to happen!

Let’s hold on to good thoughts until Saturday and hope we can wrap it up in Flyer country. Wish you were here to enjoy it all with us, Dad!

Canucks Sweep Blues....

Canucks Sweep the Blues...

by Lisa Ovens

...and it doesn't feel normal. I am still in shock. Super happy, but I'm in shock. This isn't normal for the Vancouver Canucks. It's the first time the hockey club has swept a team in its 38 year existence. This isn't how it's normally done for us.

In past round ones (at least the ones the Canucks won), we were diving right into round two with only a day, maybe two to spare because the series went the full seven games. Not a lot of time to get up to speed on the new opponent, reload the fridge, sort out the schedule, and make new Stanley Cup shaped tin foil hats, because the first Cup hats were destroyed during round one celebrations on Robson Street.

I was nervous for the Canucks as this was a shot at a playoff sweep, and I didn’t want to see them choke. However, I believed they could do it. I was nervous because if they didn't win game four, it would be raining doubt in the local sports media today. Not only did they win it, but they did it in dramatic fashion in the dying seconds of the first overtime period. The game winning goal scorer, Alex Burrows never ceases to amaze Canucks nation. His play has reached a higher level this season; you know he has a hockey angel named Luc Bourdon by his side at all times.

The St. Louis Blues were more than worthy opponents. What other team had to take on the hottest team during the last half of the regular season besides the Canucks? Although the Canucks has a two nothing lead (yeah, the worst lead in hockey), as soon as the Blues Brad Boyes scored that first one, I knew the kitchen sink was coming. They were going to throw it all at the Canucks, and it would be up to the Canucks to keep pace and capitalize on any mistakes. But the Blues tied it up and made it to overtime.

I watched game four on one of those little nine inch hospital TV's, sharing the headphones with my mom. I had to be reserved with my reactions and cheering in the hospital room. And I couldn't do my usual pacing and yelling at the TV that I would normally do during overtime when my team is killing a penalty. And this particular overtime I had to restrain myself like crazy during the 6 minutes the Canucks were shorthanded. Do you have any idea of how hard that is?

I can confidently say the spectacle of the playoffs is a wonderful distraction for people with illness. I've been in the hospital for each round one game, and it's brings the staff and the patients together. I know hockey gives my mom a heck of a lot of joy, and she's really enjoying the Canucks this season. If something tough comes along we just say it's "like the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and we gotta take it one game at a time."

The Canucks will have a break that could last up to ten days. This is uncharted territory for them, so they’ll figure out things to do. The local sports media will continue to fret over the effects of a lengthy break on goal tender,Roberto Luongo and his teammates, and after a while everyone will just tune it out...I hope.

What are we fans going to do with our selves? Keep an eye on the rest of the battles, enjoy the current sunshine, and perfect the tin foil Stanley Cup hat design.

Two Nothing

Two Nothing
(originally published April. 18th, 2009)

By Lisa Ovens

Well it’s Day Five of Round One and we are swimming in a sea of Two Nothing. It’s like a thick soup of twos and zeros. If your series has ones in it, sorry but you do not count in this particular column...

Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues

Series: Canucks 2 Blues 0

Vancouver now leads the series, 2-0. It might have been tied, if the Blues, Andy McDonald’s potted the four shots that rang off the posts during the extra chippy Game Two. This can mean only one thing: Eventually they are going to start going in for MacDonald. Be aware Canucks...

New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

Series: Rangers 2 Capitals 0

I don’t know, but if I were the Washington Capitals coach, I would have kept Jose Theodore in net for game two. If memory serves me correctly, When the Avalanche stuck it out with Theodore between the pipes last playoffs, he held his own in round one. I’m just sayin...

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

Series: Bruins 2 Canadiens 0

Well, who here got a kick out of the male Bruins fan trying to steal Kovalev’s stick through the camera lens hole in the glass in Game one? What really surprises me is they let the idiot back for game two. I’m sorry, but a woman would never do that...teehee :o)

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames

Series: Blackhawks 2 Flames 0

Ooh my, the Flames need to resolve the fact they are missing Robyn Regehr and Rhett Warrener. Perhaps the return home to Calgary, and reuniting with the Sea of Red, and the Red Mile will help the Flames take a game or two.
BTW, I couldn’t help but notice all of the Blackhawks bandwagonners in Chi Town...could you? I kid, I kid.

Detroit Red Wings vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets

Series: Wings 2 Blue Jackets 0

Heck, any team would have trouble trying to solve the mighty Red Wings in Round One. Let me put it this way: The problems the Red Wings have would be considered blessings anywhere else. The Blue Jackets are stuck with them, but for now, let’s be happy for Columbus hockey fans: the Stanley Cup Playoff Show is rolling into town and everyone is invited!

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Series: Penguins 2 Flyers 0

The Penguins are hot and fun to watch. I still have a problem with teams wearing lots of orange, as the Flyers do. Therefore, the Penguins must win this series. If they don’t they won’t be able to meet the Vancouver Canucks in the Finals. Oh what? You haven’t heard of this possible match up for Round Four?

Think about it: back in November, the Canucks are in the Igloo, and Roberto Luongo hurts his groin. Then it’s like a roller coaster ride begins for both the Pens and the Canucks. It gets bad enough in Pittsburgh, that the coach is fired. It gets bad enough in Vancouver the majority of the city wants the coach fired. But he stays. Both teams are like, in tenth and eleventh place in their conferences. And then, both teams claw their way back up the standings, often in the same spot, with the same number of wins. At regular season’s end the Canucks finish in 3rd place, 45 wins and 100 points, and the Penguins finish in 4th place, with 45 wins and 99 points.

But wait...there's more

Hockeyandhighheels.com columnist Jan Snyder covers all things Pittsburgh Penguins, and Hockeyandhighheels.com publisher/ columnist, Lisa Ovens covers all things Vancouver Canucks.

Jan Snyder has visited Vancouver and attended a Canucks game with Lisa Ovens.

Lisa Ovens visited Pittsburgh and attended a Penguins game with Jan Snyder.

Lisa Ovens likes to take pictures of bobbleheads. Jan Snyder’s daughter, Jen also likes to take pictures of bobbleheads. Jan Snyder and Lisa Ovens are friends, and were chatting on the telephone as they watched the game when Luongo was injured....uncanny isn’t it? I’ll leave out the part that has Jan living in Houston, Texas. But she is a born and raised Pittsburgher...

Stayed tuned for Game Three and Game Four Canucks report...

How Things can Change

How Things Can Change
originally published Apr.16, 2009

By Lisa Ovens

Series: Vancouver Canucks 1 St. Louis Blues 0


My day started with digging up my 2008/09 Hockey News Yearbook from the pre-season. I had to double check the Vancouver Canucks ranking from way back when. The hockey minds in Toronto placed the Canucks at 11th in the West. And the St. Louis Blues were ranked at finishing 15th in the west.

Now here we are, Game One of the Canucks/ St. Louis Blues series is officially under our belts, and before I gush about my home team Canucks and the city, I have to congratulate both teams for proving at least a few people wrong, and winding up in third and sixth place respectively.

My day began, listening to the talking heads on the radio, updating fans on how the team looked on the ice during the morning skate. We also heard the St. Louis Blues took off to the rink at University of British Columbia instead of skating at GM Place. Once I was on the road, I was impressed by how many car flags were dancing in the wind on every street. The weather was exceptional today: Sunny, warm with the smell of blossoms in the air. There’s nothing like the playoffs in the city. Thank you Canucks: for turning it around after the “January to forget”, and making it an April to remember.

I know, we are only at Game One of a possible Seven, but it’s oh so sweet to be involved in the Stanley Cup Playoffs party again! I distinctly remember crying last season when the Canucks officially knocked themselves out of contention. (And out of respect to the fourteen teams that are not caught up in post season bliss, I actually made sure I watched the draft lottery on Tuesday as it was an important event for you guys!)

How things can change. The last round one game one the Canucks played, before last night’s, was in April 2007 against the Dallas Stars. I went to the game with my mom, Stella. That game turned into the sixth longest game in NHL history, finally ending with a Henrik Sedin goal in quadruple overtime. We had an amazing time together at that game, and mom waved her towel practically the whole time.

Last night, I watched the game with my mom, but this time we watched it together in the hospital. She hasn’t been feeling well for some time, but hockey still gives her plenty of joy, and I was so happy to be by her side for the first game of the Canucks playoff run this year. The Canucks winning 2-1 gets us off to a good start. But we know the Blues are going to bring it on during Friday night’s game.

I wish everyone glued to hockey right now, the best of times. Be sure to include your loved ones in your passion, and make it a post season to remember!

Happy Playoffs!!