Thunderbolts and Lightning...Very, Very Frightening

by Jan Snyder

I guess we can hope that the Pens got their really stinky game out of the way early after a 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay. The Lightning came out ready and quickly jumped ahead and stayed that way.

Too bad the Pens can’t pull some power out of the Consol Energy Arena’s namesake. So far in this series, the team is 0-13 in power play chances, wasting seven opportunities in game two. The team seems tentative and unsure on the power play and badly needs to get a couple of goals to change that thinking. We also had our share of pucks that almost found their way in, but then didn’t at the last moment, thanks to Roloson. Although Orpik kept the hits coming, the defense wasn’t nearly as strong in this game as they were in the first.

Tampa was able to convert two of six chances on their power play, with Vinny and St. Louis each scoring.

Yikes, St. Louis had to undergo two root canals after the last game and that wayward stick that caught him in the mouth. He sure didn’t let those circumstances keep him down as he played well, knowing he’ll still have to endure more dental procedures.

The Pens did outhit the Bolts, 36 – 27, and they never gave up, they just couldn’t make anything work tonight. Craig Adams scored the lone Pens’ tally.

Now tied at 1-1, the series shifts to Florida and we and the team have three full days to ponder what will happen there. Maybe the bright sunshine will instill some power into the boys. A little beach time might be just what they need.

Will Fleury bounce back? Will the Pens ever score a power play goal? Will St. Louis’ dental insurance cover all the procedures?

Stay tuned for Part Three next Monday night!

Fan Fined $500 for Firing Octopus into Red Wings' Ocean

by Lisa Ovens

The fan was also tossed from the game. This long standing tradition in Detroit is in peril and something has to be done about it. I can empathize with the National Hockey League: a wet octopus can stick to the cold, hard ice surface, making it a chore to remove and there is also the risk of damage to the ice. Like anyone wants that. However, hockey is a sport that is steeped in tradition, and these traditions mean so much to fans. Heck, in Vancouver (the copycatting city that we are) we toss salmon, occasionally.

This is a tough issue. Gotta love Mike Babcock's response...

“I don't know anything about it, I like calamari as much as they next guy, I don't like batter on it, but I like it spicy and cooked. It's part of the tradition here. I just hope the guys that come on to scrape it off aren't digging up the ice. I want it to be smooth.''


Link to Mlive article

Man...I love it when Babcock talks about food! Remember when he made a sandwich on Hockey Night in Canada earlier this season? Click here for a refresher
 
And the final word in the article and an equally good response? Yotes, netminder, Ilya Bryzgalov...


“It doesn't bother me. They're not throwing the whole octopus on me. Otherwise I would stink.''


Okay, let's get back on track...
 
How do we solve this issue? Use a plastic octopus and hold a some sort of a social media contest and the winning fan gets the opportunity to toss an octopus after the anthem? Perhaps we need to get Brendan Shanahan and his competition committee on the case. Something needs to be done because, well, hockey fans live for this kind of stuff. It's not like every team in the league copies the Red Wings at this time of year. Hopefully someone can step in and save the tradition.
 
Canucks Fans...stuff salmon down your pants at your own risk!

Don Cherry Suit Watch

Ron MacLean, left, Don Cherry, right, HNIC's Coach's Corner

Now thats a jacket!!! But wait, there's more...a pretty tie

I don't believe I've seen this bold, blue check number before. So this was a pleasant surprise for me. I know we'll see some of the same suit jackets that we've seen before over the course of the next two months. I can't keep up with Don Cherry's jacket rotation, but I can only hope to see a few of my favourite patterns...

Like this one....

Do not re-calibrate your flat screen ;o)

And who can forget this one...I call it the "Monet"...

Here's Don, a little more subdued, but very dapper, indeed...

He has a little friend there with him. I predict the Bruins will lose their round one series to Montreal. They will make it to seven games, though. Okay...I am hoping both Canadian teams will advance to round two, so I might be a tiny bit biased.

Stay tuned for another Don Cherry Suit Watch!

Game One: Canucks 2 Blackhawks 0 Goal Posts 6!

Canucks lead the series 1-0

By Lisa Ovens

I wish I could bottle the Vancouver Canucks first period of play in this Quarter Final opener: what a performance! They did everything needed to send the message that they are in control of their own destiny. Now, we know the Chicago Blackhawks will most likely re-tool, re-fit, or as in the case of the liquid metal man of Terminator 2, re-form themselves in to what they’ll need to be for game two in order to shake up the Canucks solid foundation.

Bravo to D-Man, Alex Edler for looking like he didn’t just return from being out for three months. It’s like he didn’t miss a beat from his pre- back surgery days. What a beast! And more kudos for the league’s lone Dane, forward Jannik Hansen, for his tenacious play and successful break away. Hey…I’m going to call him Tenacious D (d for Dane) from now on. Hansen won the Unsung Hero award (a Canuck team award) for his body of work during the regular season.

And from Hansen to Hodgson…centre, Cody Hodgson played his first NHL playoff game, and he looked pretty comfortable out there. Same for Keith Ballard…after 468 games, Ballard finally made his post season debut.

The Blackhawks hit four posts this evening. One has to wonder if they used up some twinkle from their lucky stars when the Dallas Stars failed to win their final game in regulation, thus granting the Hawks the eighth and final playoff seed. It just wasn’t their night. Aside from those posts, the man in blue occupying the space between made some stellar saves, securing a shut out, and then launching himself to first star status at the end of the game. That would be Canucks number one net minder, Roberto Luongo.


The subject of Luongo has been completely dissected leading up to this series, as he is the one Canuck that most everyone has the least amount of faith in. This is just one game, and he will have to continue with superstar performances as we move forward. I was very pleased to learn of his decision to not speak to the media on game days. Yo, Louie…I would make the same call.

Until Friday…Go ‘Nucks!



Around the Playoffs….

Mmm okay…five series starting on one night? Holy crazy schedule, Batman!  I was getting mixed up trying to catch most of the action. Sorry Caps and Rangers…somehow I missed you guys completely!

Pens Kovalev’s game winner tonight was memorable.

Preds take game one, and Corey Perry doesn’t act very “Hart Like” at the end of the 4-1 game. Here come the Katella Avenue Bullies.

I heart Joe Louis Arena! Did you know, the Detroit Red Wings are the current reigning kings for Playoff action, making their 20th consecutive post season appearance? And that’s king of the four major league sports combined. Hey, remember when the St. Louis Blues held that distinction? Must be something in the Central Division’s water.

And We’re Off!!

by Jan Snyder


The boys brought their lunch pails to the Consol tonight. Brooks Orpik started off by welcoming Steven Stamkos to the playoffs with a whale of a hit. Max and James Neal took their cues from Orpik and continued the hitting.

The Flower was in full bloom as he made big save after big save in the first period.

Despite having six, count ‘m six, power plays, including a 5 on 3, the Pens couldn’t poke one in. But just as they improved from one period to the next, so did the power play. Even though they couldn’t score, they had good chances. Always good to hear the theme music from “Jaws” back for the playoff power plays!

By the end of the second, there was still no score, but we did have a Mr. and Mrs. Malkin sighting! In their usual seats, the two cheered for the team, but without Geno. I love to see traditions continue. Expect to see them soon again on the Kiss Cam!

Finally, 13:55 into the third, James Neal and Alexei Kovalev got together. After being thrown to the ice, Kovy took a minute or two to get back on his feet. He stood in the same spot, Neal found him, and bang! The game winning goal for Kovy – welcome back, we’ve really missed you! Neal and Martin had the assists. But before we could settle down from that one, Aaron Asham, the birthday boy, danced all the way around the net and with help from Letang and Orpik, popped in goal number two on the evening.

Now that’s more like it! All that was left was to preserve Fleury’s shutout, which the Pens did, and to top it off, Kunitz scored the empty net goal with assists from Staal and Orpik. That put a nice big bow on the inaugural playoff game at the Consol.

CBC's Hockey Night in Canada showed a shot of Sidney Crosby in the press box wearing a headset, obviously in communication with coaches or someone. Good to see the Captain involved somehow. I’d much rather see him centering Neal and Kovalev, but we’ll have to wait for that.

So good to have the first home win under our belts, to see the Flower get a shutout, to watch the top line click like they did, and to see Brooks Orpik continue the hitting we got used to seeing the year we brought Stanley home.

The d-men did an awesome job of neutralizing the big three for Tampa Bay. They kept them from being factors in the game. The refs did miss an obvious call on St. Louis, but they countered it by missing the trip on Kovy – but that had a happy ending anyway.

So, great game, great fans, great fun. Let’s do it all again on Friday. One down, three to go.

LET’S GO PENS!

Vancouver Canuck Fans: Start Your Towels!!!!

by Lisa Ovens

Here we freakin' go, People....The 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here!! Managed to bump into the super cool Canucks Street Team earlier today and was gifted the above towel...sweet!

It is a special time for Canuck fans as we enjoy a first in Canuck history; our home team is a the favorite to win it all. And we are enjoying this...right up until about 7pm today, and then it'll all change. Because then we will be like 15 other teams embarking on a fresh start, a new season. After listening to a few hockey interviews today on the radio, the phrase of the day is indeed, fresh start.

Up Next, my Quarter Final Predictions for Wednesday's match ups....

Penquins vs. Lightning

I pick the Pens to win this series in 6 games and Marc Andre Fluery will be the hero!!!

Coyotes vs. Red Wings

My head says Coyotes in seven games and this confuses my heart somewhat.

Rangers vs. Capitals

I pick the Caps to win this in 6 games. We don't need no stinkin' Rangers in the Playoffs! (remember, Canuck fan here)

Predators vs. Ducks

I pick the Preds to win in seven games. This will be their time to reach the promised land (that would be the Semi Finals)

Blackhawks vs. Canucks

Canucks in six. One reason of many....There is no May 11th in the Month of April!!!


Good luck, everybody :o)

The Calm

Checking in on the Canucks home turf...

Workers hang up a new playoff banner at Rogers Arena....meanwhile at the one available outdoor space of significant proportion around the Canucks barn...

...all was quiet at the Canucks Party Plaza, where space is at a premium and... the hotdogs will be free at 5pm on Wednesday, April 13th, Opening Night of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs! 

The main reason for my field trip today? The new Roger Neilson Statue, just unveiled last week...

One playoff story from the past waiting to meet the new stories that are about to unfold.

Happy Playoffs, everybody!