Had he not debuted in Vancouver with a 30-goal season, there’s a good chance that Mikael Samuelsson might have had the same relationship with Vancouver as, say, Jan Bulis. Like this blog’s namesake, Samuelsson was a pretty weird guy.
There were the stunningly blunt quotes, such as when he told the media where Sweden could go or that he was incapable of fighting; there were the bizarre on-ice decisions, such as his complete unpredictability when it came to holding, shooting, or passing the puck; there were the sudden bouts of on-ice rage, seemingly uncharacteristic for the guy insistent that his teammates play whistle to whistle. Mikael Samuelsson was a genuine enigma, and Canuck fans don’t generally have much time for guys like that.
Unless they outscore their weirdness. And, as I said, Mikael Samuelsson did that. The Swedish winger put up 48 goals and 103 points in his two seasons in Vancouver. He quarterbacked the powerplay (better than anyone else the Canucks employed, contrary to popular opinion — a point I never got to make), and he was a great backup winger for the twins.
The dude could play, and he scored some meaningful goals in a Canucks uniform. Here are his five best.
———————- 5 ———————-
This goal features two elements I can always, always get behind. The first is wizardous sedinerie, as Henrik Sedin threads this puck to Daniel at the side of the net, and Daniel pulls it around his check and goes cross-crease to Samuelsson. The second element is a ridiculous goal celebration. If you can’t get behind Samuelsson’s robo-dad fist pumps, you have no soul.
———————- 4 ———————-
Samuelsson went off in the first round of the 2010 playoffs, scoring seven huge goals in five games versus the Los Angeles Kings. This was one of his best, an off-balance one-timer on a Sedin rush to put the Canucks up 4-1 in a game 5 they would win 7-2. His post-goal roar is the shout of a happy man.
———————- 3 ———————-
Mikael Samuelsson never met a play that didn’t call for a head juke or seven. He was an owl on skates. Here, he completely undresses Henrik Tallinder, juking like a running back before freezing the Sabres defender, stepping around him, and going backhand on Ryan Miller.
———————- 2 ———————-
Samuelsson’s game-winner in an October 2009 tilt versus the Chicago Blackhawks came completely out of nowhere. With five minutes to go in the game, Samuelsson swept the puck away from Patrick Kane and Brian Campbell, then stepped up to the dot and whipped the go-ahead goal past Antti Niemi. Samuelsson became notorious in his debut season for goals that came against the flow of the play, and this was his best.
———————- 1 ———————-
Back to the 2010 playoffs, where Samuelsson scored his first and only overtime winner for the Canucks, giving Vancouver the opening game of their series versus Los Angeles. The goal was a beauty, as Samuelsson stepped into the slot and one-timed a Henrik Sedin feed past Johnny Quick.
You might also like:
14 comments
Search
Recent Comments
- kenahora
on Amazing Fan Comment: Chris the Curmudgeon closes the curtain - NarkusMaslund
on Amazing Fan Comment: Chris the Curmudgeon closes the curtain - BakerGeorgeT
on I Watched This Playoff Game: Canucks at San Jose Sharks, May 7, 2013 - Chris the Curmudgeon
on Will Alain Vigneault lose his job if the Canucks lose again? (Yeah, probably) - Cody
on I Watched This Playoff Game: Canucks at San Jose Sharks, May 7, 2013
About canada.com | Privacy Statement | Terms | Copyright & Permissions
© 2008 - 2011 Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.
TheOldFirm
October 24, 2011I’ll truly miss Samuelsson, just for the quirky guy that he is. The Canucks roster isn’t lacking in personality but Samuelsson was as to the Canucks as The Hulk is to the Avengers, save for the actual smashing of things.
Dawn Duck
October 24, 2011I’ll miss him as he was unique
It’s Samuelson of whom I speak
(And of some things in sports this week)
The All Blacks won the rugby Cup
The World Series is now tied up
Indy has lost seven straight
(The Capitals are looking great
And I like Ballard’s play of late)
NZ eight-seven over France
A side said not to have a chance
As both teams gave it all they had
That one should lose was somewhat sad
(And Dallas too’s not looking bad)
Sad too the Colts in New Orleans
With Manning still behind the scenes
They were outscored by fifty-five
Unlike them the Rangers are alive
(And there’s a trade that I’d contrive)
Pitcher Holland was the hero
As Texas won four to zero
(I’d trade Schneider for St Louis
And other than PITB
It’s Backhand Shelf the blog for me
And just to add one couplet more
This week the Lions didn’t roar)
Dawn Duck
Gibbles
October 24, 2011Seeing Demitra in that last clip (#1) really reminds me of what is important here…there’s a family without a father. RIP.
taokenji
October 24, 2011not a knock on you guys just a heads up, goals 2 and 4 don’t have the videos embedded. only the links are available.
Harrison Mooney
October 24, 2011Thanks man. Not sure what the problem was there, but I fixed it.
confused
October 24, 2011No game winner in game three vrs blackhawks? I know he didnt do a robot dance but it was a huge goal, not sure how it was missed.
Harrison Mooney
October 24, 2011IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT GO MAKE YOUR OWN LIST
Ha. Not missed, just sixth. It’s tough when you give yourself a limit of five.
confused
October 24, 2011I will make my own list, and ill also stop reading this blog bye bye
Harrison Mooney
October 24, 2011Hahaha noooooo…
For the record, I was kidding. That goal versus the Blackhawks really was my last cut when I was trimming to five.
The Olde Coot
October 24, 2011Ah! you abused poor “confused”
And he will read your blog no more.
He was so pissed when told to list,
He up and left and slammed the door!
Oh well what the hell,
Both he and Samuelson are gone.
Why’d you insist he make a list
For me to write a poem thereon?
I’m so sad you made him mad,
Thus causing him to say “bye bye,”
Just cuz you missed one on your list,
And had to make a smart reply.
You really should apologize
And make your list a compromise.
Chicken Chick
Eric Blacha
October 24, 2011I’ll miss him. I feel like he was a father figure for me, even though I never met him.
Do well in Florida, get pissed and go on a tear.
tom selleck's moustache
October 24, 2011“He was an owl on skates”
Too funny. I’ll miss him as well. He was a bit of an odd duck but that, and his ability to rise to the occasion at time, just added a little to his overall charm.
Sleepy Lewis
October 24, 2011We can always get him back as a cheap rental at the end of the regular season….cause when isn’t Florida game for a trade?
Nth of the 49th
October 25, 2011I could never figure out who was the nerdier looking guy, Samuelsson or Horcoff from Edmonton.
I finally settled on Horcoff because he’s from the same area as me and Sammy telling his countrys’ national team to go **** themselves lowered his nerd cred.