Vancouver Blogger Sriseth

Rogers Arena

Vancouver Canucks entered the Stanley Cup Final series against Boston Bruins on Wednesday June 1st as the prohibitive favourite to win the Cup. All indicators were directing towards an easy series win for the Canucks, which would be their first Stanley Cup in 40 year franchise history. Bruins, while are deserved to make their appearance at the finals as the champion of the East, it has been the West that dominate the NHL these days. Canucks had a splendid regular season and won the President's Cup without a hitch. They have the most balanced team in the league with several fearsome forwards, a strong & deep defense and a star goalie. The team has been so impressive that hockey experts are wondering whether to call this team the best Canadian team in recent memory.

Yet, Wednesday's first game hanged in the balance 0-0 into the final 20 seconds of the regular time. Despite having many scoring opportunities Canucks could not get the puck past Bruins goalie Tim Thomas until uncanny play by Kesler, Hensen and Torres produced the game winner. It's true that Canucks found a way to win one way or another. But there are enough things to worry about against this Boston team. They are a good defensive team with a classy goaltender who plays according to a well contemplated game plan and can shutdown any good team. Most important is to be mentally prepared  and not get frustrated. It's good that Canucks came across Nashville Predators in 2nd round who plays a similar type of game. Game 2 will be important and will provide a clue on how this series will proceed. If Bruins find a way to win, then this will probably going to be a long series and will caution the fans to get ready for any outcome. I believe Canucks will find a way to win again and signal that they intend to make short work of Bruins and get their hand on the Stanley Cup. It could be as early as coming Wednesday.

It has been more than a year since I last wrote on this blog. That was moments before Vancouver Canucks stepped on ice for 2010 playoffs. That campaign ended up in bitter disappointment as they couldn't get past their old nemesis Chicago Blackhawks. Many things have happened since then. Canucks turned around their fortunes in strongest possible terms in their 2010/2011 season. Tiger Woods lost his top of the World ranking and dropped out of top 10. Roger Federer is no longer the best tennis player. Miami Heats changed the whole demography of NBA by acquiring three superstars. Football loving Spanish nation finally can call themselves champions of the World after their national team's sublime performance at the FIFA World Cup. Cricket crazy India won the World Cup after a long drought and sparked wildest of celebrations.
In the meantime, I lost access to my blog domain Sriseth.com. Had to move to Calgary, Alberta for a new employment. After a long period of waiting, finally got my domain back. And here I am, just in time before Canucks launch their Stanley Cup finals - ready to ink my pen in support of them. Have been living in Calgary for four months now. But still a die hard Canucks fan and wholeheartedly a Vancourite. I wonder whether I ever be able to think as a Calgarian, much less become a Flames fan. No Way!

Vancouver Canucks is the only Canadian NHL team not to win the ultimate prize of hockey, the Stanley Cup. Fans of all other Canadian cities currently having NHL teams have had the great opportunity of celebrating their team bringing the Stanley Cup home once or several times. On the other hand no Canadian team has been successful in bringing the cup home since Montreal Canadians did it in 1993. For 17 long years the cup has not returned to the land where it originated back in 1893. Canadian teams came close but each time beaten by an American team at the final series. Canucks in 1994, Flames in 2004, Oilers in 2006 and most recently Senetors in 2007. One would say that odds of a Canadian team winning the cup is only 20% since there are only 6 Canadian teams in NHL out of total 30 franshises. Still that doesn't justify the 17 year jinx.

The desperation of Canadian hockey fans in seeing the Stanley Cup returning to Canada was evident during Stanley Cup runs of Flames and Oilers in 2004 and 2006. All of Canada got together to cheer them. Many Canadian hockey fans may have their favourite Canadian players playing for Stanley Cup winning US based teams to cheer for, but it's nothing like having your own city winning the cup.

This year 3 out of 6 Canadian NHL teams made the playoffs and it is widely believed that Vancouver Canucks has the best chance out of these 3 teams to win the Stanley Cup. During the same year Canada broke the Olympic gold jinx and made it to the record books as the host of greatest Winter Games, can the same city hosted that Olympics be the place for another great sporting moment whole of Canada waiting for.

Ironically the responsibility of it falls on shoulders of the same man who carried Canada to Hockey gold, the crowning moment of the Olympic games. Vancouver captain Roberto Luongo achieved the defining moment of this career by winning the Olympic gold. But he knows until you have your name on the Stanley Cup, nothing else matters. This year he has the great opportunity of becoming the first goaltender to win both Stanley Cup and Olympic Gold in the same year at the same venue.

After establishing as a NHL team in 1970 Vancouver Canucks had ups and downs along the way during the 4 decades of its existence. Canucks have won 7 division titles including this season and made it to the Stanley Cup finals twice. First it was in 1982 during the time New York Islanders won 4 back to back titles under Al Arbour. Then it was the famous 1994; strong Canucks team led by Trevor Linden and powered by great Pavel Bure the Stanley Cup final series went for 7 games ultimately crowning Mark Messier and the Rangers. Canucks' hopes of building upon 1994 success came to a swift end when Mike Keenen and Mark Messier moved to town. The very same men who brought glory for New York made a mess here. Beloved captain Trevor Linden was traded off and the 1994 team fell apart. Next phase came around the turn of the millennium when GM Brian Burke and coach Mark Crawford slowly built up another strong team. Powered by the league's most feared offensive line with wingers Markus Nusland and Todd Bertuzzi and centre Brendan Morrison, the team developed into a strong Stanley Cup contender by 2003/04 season. But indefinite suspension of Todd Bertuzzi ended the dreams and Canucks were defeated in the first round (game 7 OT) by eventual runner up Calgary Flames.

This year is the first time since then Canucks are regarded as a strong Stanley Cup contender. Since 2004, ownership, management and coaching staff have changed; Nusland, Bertuzzi and Morrison were traded away; Canucks acquired one of the leagues best goaltenders and built a young and strong team. Besides Sedin twins and Sami Salo, it's a different Canucks team altogether. But it's a team with lot of talent and belief. With league leading  six 25+ goal scorers, Canucks are not a team with too many superstars; it's a team with right balance both in offense and defense. And with a great goaltender in Roberto Luongo, they have every chance of success in the playoffs. I'd dream of Canucks overcoming LA Kings and go onto beat Chicago and Detroit before beating defending champs Penguins at game 7 in Vancouver. That would be quite a celebration for the Vancouver fans. But there is a long way to go before that. And the quest starts now.

Lengthiest road trip of NHL history came an end at Phoenix after the lengthiest regular season game we've seen recently. Although it ended up with a shootout loss to Coyotes, Canucks will be happy with their overall performance in the 14 game road trip with the 8-5-1 result. Given the poor results Canucks had on road this season (10-11-1 prior to this road trip), fans can have a relief that worst of the season is over. With only 5 of the remaining 15 games to be played outside the GM Place, Canucks has a good chance to hang onto the Northwest division lead.

It was another entertaining game on this post Olympics leg of the road trip for Canucks. Andrew Raycroft had a great time at the net until letting four consecutive shootout goals to hand the game to the home team. Raycroft had won two of the previous three games he replaced Luongo as starting goalie during this road trip. Most entertaining portion of the game came after the 60 minute regulation. Both teams had numerous scoring chances during the five minute overtime. Shootout went for 6 rounds with seven shooters successfully shooting the puck past goalies, which tied NHL record for most goals in a shootout. Mason Raymond couldn't match the skills of the five shooters before him, but Canucks will be happy to finally return home for a stretch of five home games at GM Place.

2010 Olympics in Vancouver set the stage for this historic road trip as Canucks had to hand over the keys of GM Place for the Olympic hockey tournament. First match was against Maple Leafs on January 30th and it was an easy win for Canucks who carried a 6 game winning streak into Toronto. Next two games ended up in losses against two tough teams, Montreal and Ottawa. But they returned to winning terms with 3 wins in next 4 games. Last game of the pre-Olympic leg of the road trip was one to forget with a 2-6 loss to Minnesota Wild. Canucks clearly showed signs of wear and were relieved to go into the 2 week Olympic break with 4-4 record from the 8 games.

There was no rest for 7 of the Canucks as they played intense Olympic championship. Six different nations featured Canucks. Sedin twins for Sweden, Demitra for Slovakia, Ehrhoff for Germany, Salo for Finland, Kesler for USA and Luongo for Canada. While Sedins were a disappointment, Pavol Demitra featured in headlines with his tournament leading 10 points. But it was Ryan Kesler and Roberto Luongo who stole the show playing at their familiar home and making Vancouver fans proud. Kesler's brilliant one handed empty netter in the preliminary round match against Canada sealed that match for USA and opened an easy path to the finals. Again it was Kesler who first managed to get the puck past team mate Luongo in the gold medal match. But Roberto Luongo successfully completed the most demanding assignment a hockey player has ever entrusted with by winning the gold medal for Canada.

Both Luongo and Kesler carrier the confidence of their Olympic form to beat the Red Wings when Canucks resumed their road trip at Detroit. They were a team full of energy after the break and out performed Red Wings in every aspect beating them 6-3. Although Canucks were given a wakeup call by red hot Chicago Blackhawks, they managed to finish off the latter half of the road trip with a respectable 4-1-1 record. With hardest part of the season behind them, Vancouver is now sitting at the top of Northwest division (and 4th in NHL) with 85 points. Sure we haven't forgotten, how Canucks finished off 2007-08 season with 7 losses in last 8 games missing playoffs by a whisker. But fans should not be concerned given the confidence with which Canucks are playing now. There will be no shortage of spectators when the team returns home after 42 long days to play in front of their beloved fans. Vancouver will be bracing for yet another sporting festival cheering Canucks all the way to the Stanley Cup. How lucky I am to be living in this vibrant city.

"There were days when you woke up in another hotel and wondered ‘Where are we now?' before you get it together a little bit"- Ryan Kesler

"I wouldn't make a huge deal out of this. It was a little bit tough, but we knew the whole year it was coming. We still play 41 at home and 41 on the road... Fatigue is only an excuse if you think about it. You feel it if you want to feel it." - Mikael Samuelsson

Critics didn't have good things to say about Canucks' lack of interest to strengthen their defense before Wednesday's trade deadline. But it didn't seem to bother players as they came hard on full strength Detroit Red Wings to win 6-3. It was an exciting game of hockey, worthy of watching start to finish.

I try not to miss watching the hockey game every time Vancouver Canucks play at the Joe Louis Arena. Energetic & noisy Detroit fans love to engage with the game throughout. High tempo and upbeat style play of highly skilled Detroit Red Wings always make sure an exciting hockey match. Now that Red Wings are back in full strength and are desperately trying to secure a playoff spot in the tough Western Conference, they were a team to beat. Two more reasons made this hockey game special; Roberto Luongo was back for the first time after his Olympic gold medal performance and US Olympic star Ryan Kesler was playing in front of his family and neighbours in Detroit. Both players were at the centre of attention as they put on stellar performance. Kesler continued with his Olympic form to score 2 goals becoming the first star of the match. Luongo stopped 28 shots to help beat Red Wings quite convincingly. Watching Red Wings pulling out their starting goalie half way into the game was a treat to the eyes of Canucks fans. A rare occurrence at Joe Louis. Canucks were ahead of Wings in every aspect of the game; and most importantly Wings were out shot 33-31. The loss put Red Wings barely hanging into the last payoff spot with 20 games remaining, while Canucks firmed the grip on Northwest division lead with 80 points. With back to back wins within two days, Canucks are heading to last four road games of this lengthiest streak on road.

Canucks fans may be disappointed of not strengthening the blueline before the trade deadline, but the they should be happy that Canucks didn't trade any valuable players. Let's have our fingers crossed Willie Mitchell and Kevin Bieksa will return from their injuries for all important payoffs. At TSN Tradecentre this morning, Craig MacTavish named Canucks as one of his five favourite teams to win the Stanley Cup this year. If Olympics heroes Luongo, Kesler and Demitra continue with their sublime form, Stanley Cup dream could well be a reality for Canucks fans.

"It was fun being up 5-2, then being up 6-2, it's something we don't get to do often. It was definitely a fun game to play in tonight." - Ryan Kesler

Canadian hockey superstar Sydney Crosby scored in overtime to hand Canada the victory of the Olympic hockey gold medal game against USA. The whole nation is elated and people poured in the streets to mark the greatest sporting moment of the history of Canada. The hockey gold medal put Canada clearly ahead of other countries with total 14 gold medals. No other nation has ever won this many gold medals in the history of Winter Olympics.

"I dreamed of this moment. To win a gold medal and to score the winner in overtime, it doesn't get much better than that." - Sydney Crosby

"You lose the silver you don't win it" - Jack Johnson (Team USA)

When we approach the final day of the 2010 winter Olympics, history will be written for both the host country Canada and it's neighbour USA. Canada will secure (or match) the highest number of gold medals ever won by a country, while USA will win the highest number of total medals ever in a Winter Olympics. These are great achievements for both countries who were not considered significant powers in winter sports until last 10 years. Sports fans of both countries are already happy that their athletes overcame European superpowers in these Olympics. But they are much less satisfied until the ultimate prize of the Olympics - the men's hockey GOLD - is added to their medal hauls.

On the eve of the Canada vs USA preliminary round hockey game, I wrote the article "It's not just a hockey game as Canada's pride is on the line" to highlight the hype built up to that game. The general consensus was that the loser will be crushed by the great Russian hockey machine and the two teams will not meet again. But that didn't materialize. So the significance of that preliminary game is now blemished. But the lost to Americans awakened Team Canada to make critical changes in their lineups and most importantly to replace the starting goalie - the changes that proved to be the formula for success in next two matches. So the loss happened to be a blessing in disguise. Now that the Team Canada is stronger in both defense and offense, they go into the gold medal match against USA as clear favourites despite the loss a week ago.

The match has become a showpiece not only because it's for the ultimate prize of the Olympics, but also because of the history that leads up to it. In 2002 when USA hosted the winter Olympics at Salt Lake City, Americans were flying high with a historic medal haul before Canada spoiled the party by comprehensively beating them in men's hockey final. It was unbearable for Americans, but a redemption for Canada who had never won an Olympic gold before. Eight years later Americans have the opportunity to vindicate their pride by beating Canada on it's home soil. On the other hand, Team Canada knows the pride of the nation depends on them and they have the opportunity on their hands to make Canada most decorated nation in the history of winter Olympics. As for most Canadian fans, being at the top of the medal table wouldn't matter unless the precious men's hockey gold is won. For a country where hockey is not a pastime but an obsession, this is the ultimate moment that arrives only once in four years. For it to happen on home soil, this is the greatest sporting moment of Canada. The whole World will be watching how Luongo and his team answer the call.

Martin Brodeur may arguably be the best goaltender on the planet, but for some reason GM Place (Now named Canada Hockey Place for the Olympics) has not been one of his lucky rinks during his 17 NHL seasons. It proved pivotal in the vital game against USA when Ryan Miller clearly outperformed Brodeur to win the game for Team USA. But on the other hand, backup goalie Roberto Luongo has made the GM Place one of his luckiest places. And it's the home rink for the Vancouver Canucks captain. The place where he had enormous success so far this NHL season. But Luongo was not thought to be getting a chance after that first game against Norway, since Brodeur's wealth of experience at previous Olympics made him the no.1 choice for critical games.
Canada may not be happy that they have to go with no.2 goalie in the knockout phase, but Vancouver fans won't mind. They always wanted their star goalie Luongo to be the start up goalie for their home Olympics. And it's the destiny of Luongo and Vancouver, that Canucks goalie and only Canuck in Team Canada is going get a chance at leading Team Canada to Gold medal. Now it's up to Luongo to get the job done and make Vancouver and Canada proud.

"You've got a gold standard goaltender in Marty Brodeur, a gold standard goaltender in Fleury, but I think the best goalie in the NHL over the last two years has been Roberto Luongo." - Team USA GM Brian Burke

After a disappointing Day 9 at the Olympics, the whole Canada is now looking forward to one match up on Sunday afternoon. A match that won't bring any medals, it's for pride. Hockey is Canada's game. Canada invented it and Canada has always been the best at it. And as the national pastime, hockey is not just a sport for Canadians, it's the nations pride. But previous Olympics brought forgettable memories for Team Canada (except at Salt Lake- the only Canadian hockey gold in Olympic history). Canada may not be at the top of medal table and 'Own the Podium' campaign may end up in failure, but most Canadians wouldn't mind if Canada can win the ultimate price of the Winter Olympics - the last gold medal on offer - the Mens' Hockey GOLD.

After becoming the the most decorated US winter Olympian, Apolo Ohno made fun of Canada's Own the Podium campaign; “They can own the podium, we just want to borrow it. Just for the month of February, and we’ll give it back.”. He may have joked, but it was hurtful for Canadian fans since they have now realized that their neighbours South of border are making the most of this Olympics. It is in this context, Sunday's hockey match between Canada and USA has become the centre of attention. After two heart breaking events at short track 1,000m and ski cross where final races brought worst possible outcomes for Canada, fans are looking for a last chance of redemption in this super weekend of the Olympics.

Sunday's match between USA and Canada is only a first round match and not a knockout. But the winner will get a bye to quarterfinals improving the chances of advancing into the medal round. On paper, Team Canada is clear favourites over USA. But Canada with such superstars like Sydney Crosby and Jarome Iginla was struggling against Switzerland who had only 2 NHL players in their team. Team Canada knows their biggest challenge is to get the puck past goaltender Ryan Miller, one of the best goalies and may be the most inform at the moment. Although host city fans may have liked Canucks captain Roberto Luongo to guard the Canadian net, the veteran Martin Brodeur is favoured to get the opportunity. Brodeur's wealth of experience at the biggest stage makes him the best net-minder for Canada for rest of the tournament. With whole Canada watching can Team Canada cheer up the host nation in this anxious moment of the Olympics. We will soon find out.