It’s a good thing this game started at 4:30 on the west coast, otherwise I would have fallen asleep. After the pulse-pounding action of Saturday’s victory in Boston, I had to keep my handy-dandy home defibrillator on hand throughout this game to make sure my heart didn’t stop out of sheer boredom.
Thanks to copious amounts of caffeine and and the early start, I watched this game.
Canucks 1 – 2 Panthers
- Things more exciting than this game: clipping toenails, drinking a glass of water, holding the button, and eating an unsalted soup cracker. Things less exciting than this game: writing about this game.
- Full credit to the Panthers, however. They shut down the Canucks powerplay, prevented quality scoring chances, and Scott Clemmensen was good when he had to be. It may not have been thrilling, but I’m guessing the supposed 16,712 fans in attendance didn’t mind too much. Victory is a great spice for a boring meal.
- In their limited ice time, the Canucks’ fourth line was very effective, particularly Dale Weise, who scored the first goal of the game on the Canucks’ first shot, but also Manny Malhotra, who assisted on the first goal with what seemed like the Canucks’ first completed pass. Malhotra was aggressive at the blueline, creating a turnover, and Weise did well to identify the situation and jump up, turning the situation into a 2-on-0, not counting Clemmensen. Poor goaltenders never get counted on rushes.
- The goal also included a familiar sight for Canucks fans older than 12: Ed Jovanovski being overly aggressive in the offensive zone and forgetting his defensive responsibilities. All it needed was Jovo jumping up and down in the penalty box like a mad man, but that would have required something exciting to happen on the ice.
- Weise had another opportunity near the end of the period as he burst past Dmitry Kulikov in the neutral zone to create a breakaway. Clemmensen made the save, but it was the breakaway speed of Weise that was truly unexpected and impressive. What Weise lacks in hand speed in fights he makes up for in foot speed.
- The second period was disastrous: the Panthers scored as many goals as the Canucks had shots. The only way it could have been worse is if the Canucks had more than 2 shots on goal.
- Kulikov tied up the game for the Panthers with a slapshot from the boards after a blocker save by Luongo. The shot wasn’t particularly hard, but it was perfectly placed over Luongo’s right shoulder with Kopecky and Hamhuis tangled up in front. Unfortunately, Cody Hodgson got his stick caught up with the two in front and wasn’t able to get to the puck, leaving Lapierre to try to check Kulikov. Unlike Inspector Spacetime, he couldn’t get back in time.
- It was really nice seeing Mikael Samuelsson back on the ice, even if it wasn’t in a Canucks uniform. He played with plenty of confidence and finished with 3 shots and 3 hits.
- The other Panther goal was scored on an odd sequence on the Florida powerplay. Luongo made a couple saves in a scramble in front of the net, but Marcel Goc was finally able to sweep it in. Biggest problem: all four penalty killers collapsed to the net, but not one of them tied up a Panther stick. Obviously, none of them were in Boy Scouts.
- One player that did have a decent game was Cody “Silent G” Hodgson, and Alain Vigneault noticed, promoting him to the second line with Kesler and Raymond in the third period. Up until that point, Kesler didn’t have a single shot; he had 4 in the third period, with his best opportunity coming on a nifty pass from Silent G, but Kesler couldn’t get his shot off the ice. Hodgson finished with 3 shots and was 5-for-7 on faceoffs
- If the NHL is looking to make a video instructing their referees on how to call interference, they should use Matt Bradley’s hit on Dan Hamhuis as an example. They should also get the director from Wendy’s 1989 training video “Grill Skills” to direct it.
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Anony
January 10, 2012Kesler has had one brutal season. On pace for lowest point totals since just after his rookie season Terrible penalties…. etc etc.
He needs to take responsibility and stop relying on the twins to do all the work.
Nee
January 10, 2012Hip surgery has an effect on that. His point total is going to be lower because of it.
I don’t think he’s leaning on the twins. This will likely be an off season for him though.
But he doesn’t seem to be scoring the goals he was able to score last season…streaking down the wing and lazering the puck from the faceoff circle. He may need to adjust his approach to up his goal production.
Waepstone
January 10, 2012I don’t think you’re entirely wrong. I like Kesler but he has had some stretches where he has been a non-factor. The thing is though, that ultimately his current regular season performance doesn’t matter so long as he is able to kick into high-gear by the time he’s in the playoffs.
I understand it’s not a switch you turn on or off. But really, is there anything else to expect but a gradual recovery of form when you’re a physical center?
Also, for all his problems, consider that no seriously considers swapping his ice-time and special teams load with Hodgson. At least not yet.
Winsy
January 10, 2012Yeah! Good thIng it was an early game so we still had the rest of the evening to do whatever! We could have spent the whole Prime Time block watching whatever that was that the Canucks brought to us tonight.
I had to laughter at myself, though. When they called Samuelsson for his penalty I started swearing then remembered he wasn’t one of us anymore. Whoops! I liked Murph’s interview with him after the game. He seems really happy!
I was not sure that Hodgson would fit with the team and that he was all hype (like a bad movie) but he has been doing fabulous! Way to go CoHo!
Hopefully the guys can do it tomorrow night!
p.s. Can you tell me the background of the Silent G nickname?
stathead
January 10, 2012I think it’s because his name is pronounced Hodson with a silent G, but could be making that up.
Daniel Wagner
January 10, 2012No, you’ve got it right. It’s an educational nickname.
obituary mambo
January 10, 2012Is that right? Most of the feeds I get here in the Czech Republic are from American stations, but I could swear the commentators always pronounce the G. Interesting — and thanks for bringing it to my attention.
obituary mambo
January 10, 2012Why were these comments voted down? If the information is incorrect, why not provide the correct info instead of just voting down inoffensive comments that are in no way confrontational?
sarah
January 10, 2012I have a feeling there are people who visit the site and just vote down every comment.
obituary mambo
January 10, 2012I guess some people have too much time on their hands. I’ve seriously never understood the concept of trolling. I love the Canucks, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to waste my time visiting the sites of teams I’m less fond of in hope of stirring the pot.
Harrison Mooney
January 10, 2012Agreed.
stathead
January 10, 2012Kindergarten crush!
CanucksGirl
January 10, 2012I think “silent G” is in reference to Cody GODson
obituary mambo
January 10, 2012The truly amazing thing is that I watched this game from Central Europe (1:30am start time) and managed to stay awake for the whole thing! There was a moment in the 2nd period that I thought I might not be able to make it, but somehow I prevailed. Pray to which ever deity you hold sacred that we get a better showing tonight.
peanutflower
January 10, 2012Had too much work to do, PVRd the game. Even at 60x it was still nothing. But I don’t care. I’m still riding on the euphoria from Saturday.
Zach Morris
January 10, 2012My friend and I were auditioning for a play yesterday, and it was going late, and we were like, “Oh no, we’re missing the game!!!”
Which is ironic in retrospect.
chicken hawk
January 10, 2012Canucks outhustled and outplayed
Has me feeling quite dismayed
The bottomline something’s not right
Readily seen on Monday night
Boston’s up for every game
But with the Nucks it’s not the same
And when they play with little zeal
I can’t believe that they’re for real
There was Weise and Lapierre
I think the twins were sometimes there
Saw Cody Hodgson once or twice
Was Burrows ever on the ice
I watched this game don’t know what for
It really was a total bore
Chicken Hawk
jenny wren
January 10, 2012I saw Burrows just at the end
Slew-footing so we can’t pretend
We’re somehow better than the rest
If there should be an acid test
As for the team I quite agree
There’s something there that bothers me
After Boston somehow I knew
They wouldn’t beat the Panthers too
As for the losing of the game
They only have themselves to blame
But what I fear is all they’ll say
Is “We just didn’t come to play”
As though somehow it’s no big deal
And disappointed’s how I feel
Jenny Wren
Shade of Blue
January 10, 2012Either Vigneault wanted the All-stthe real off or the Canucks were still emotionally and physically depleted after Saturday’s epic game. There was a shot of the Canuck bench late in the third and the guys all had their heads down and many were leaning heavily on the boards: they just looked gassed. Tonight is their 3rd game in 4 days, and if the Bolts open with some jump, the Canucks could be in trouble. Only Coho and the entire 4th line looked fresh; V should lean on them tonight.
cathylu
January 10, 2012I blame it on Samuelsson telling the Panthers all our secrets.
Brosef Stalin
January 10, 2012I swear the Boston trolls from the last GDT are just lurking and downvoting whilst giggling maniacally and reaching to their tissue box.
I know on the old system downvoting actually hid comments, does it do anything on this one? Seems like the equivalent of Xbox achievement points or banana stickers if it doesn’t…
sarah
January 10, 2012An Inspector Spacetime staring Lappy as the Inspector and CoHo as Constable Reggie? I’d watch that…it would probably be a lot more entertaining than that game…
shoes
January 10, 2012uh…..this game was earmarked for a loss….after the emotional and satisfying Saturday afternoon in Boston, and coming out of the Gardens watching Bruins fans rant and rave about how dirty the Canucks were….first 6 spears to the throat and then 12-1 on Thorton…..lucky Shawn won and then poor marchand had to defend himself as Salo ran all over the ice punching him and then attacked him.
Harrison Mooney
January 10, 2012Hahaha had I not looked at the name of the commenter, I would have believed this was actually from that Fig Newton guy.
alviator
January 10, 2012I like to think of this game as Canucks’ former-Florida players reminiscing their days as a Panther. And Florida players showcasing their skills for the eventual lopsided trade to Vancouver.