That is a pretty pessimistic post title, I know, but Lu just didn't look ready to turn the entire damn thing around last night against the Pups from Phoenix. Before I get stated, however, I want to point out some of the straight up amazing matches between LSF squads in February. Here are this writer's highlights in February: 2/5) The Celts get their rematch against the Lake Show, 2/7) The Canucks get another swing at the Hawks, and the Irish come to play in Los Angeles against the Mighty Bruins, 2/15) Once again, the battle between good and evil gets underway as Celtic plays Rangers, 2/21) Simply an amazing day with the 'Nucks going at the Leafs, the Irish playing arch rivals Providence, and Newcastle taking on Everton, and finally 2/25) the greatest rivalry in all of sports gets underway as the Celts battle the Clippers. That is a pretty cool group of battles, and I didn't even include the Slugs and the Laffs going at it twice, Manchester and Everton getting it on, and another rematch between the Bruins and the Trojans. All of this, and it is the month of my birth? Clearly awesome.
Two in the first and two in the second. That was the summary of the play of Canucks in the triumphant return of their captain last night at GM Place. 7th Canucks around the Nation were under the assumption that Roberto getting back between the pipes would completely change out recent 9-12-3 skid without the mighty captain. Not so, I asserted, but I was still hopeful. 1:05 into the match, my pessimistic assumptions were unfortunately right on. Joakim Lindstrom scored the opening goal, as well as the second goal at 13:16 on the power play to set the 'Nucks at a disadvantage. The first goal should have been stopped, the second was clearly a screen that anyone could have missed. After going down 0-2 through 20 minutes, Keith Yandle would get #3 for the Pups at 2:22 into the middle frame after winning a face off and simply walking in on Roberto. He really didn't even look like he could put forth a good effort on the play, and it was easily 0-3. Peter Mueller nailed home a power play goal at 8:34 in the second period against Luongo, who gave up 4 goals on 22 shots, and I started to realize that "On The Fly" didn't show one single offensive pressure highlight with the Blue & Green holding onto the puck. They didn't put very much on former Mighty Duck Ilya Bryzgalov, only 20 shots through two periods, and he stood tall. 11:02 into the final frame, Ornskoldsvik native Daniel "Nintendo DS" Sedin got his and the 'Nucks lone goal without an assist. In the end, however, that would be it and Van-ca-tesh walked off their home ice with yet another flopper.
I once again find myself not up to giving any "Underrated 3 Stars" of the game after that horrible effort, which bring my puck bunnies to a lowly 6 losses in their last 7 games (and 6 straight home losses). Despite the return of El Roberto, Vancouver sits at 22-19-5 (49 points), and stares a huge 9 point deficit in the Northwest Division. Meanwhile, the rear enders are continuing to close the gap, with Minnie -2 of the 'Nucks, and Edmonton and Colorado both -4 of the 'Nucks. I'm getting nervous, and we aren't even to the All-Star break yet. If you want to look at the playoff picture way too early, and I do, my Orca babies are #7 in the conference (but, in reality, they are tied with the #5 Ducks and #6 'Yotes with their 49 puntos). A win in our next match could propel the Blue & Green to being the best in the West outside of the Hawks and the division leaders; wouldn't that be nice? It will be on tap the upcoming Lord's Day, as Vancouver will go skate to skate with the Columbus Blue Jackets at the good ol' Garage. The Ohio squad are 21-18-4 (46 points, -22 of their division leading Wings), and will present a pretty hefty challenge for the BC Boys, who have dropped to 11-10-2 in British Columbia this year. As Bobby Lu gets back to his usual act, one can only hope that Coachie V and company can pick up the pace and keep working toward a return to the top.
Two things on my way out:
1) The Rams made the right choice by telling Jim Haslett that he would not be returning as the coach for the 2009 campaign. Finally a good decision, their first one since beating the Cowboys way back when. Word on the street have these candidates hot on the STL trail: Vikes assistant Leslie Frazier, Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, and Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. LSF is reporting that Frazier and Spagnuolo are the most likely picks, but wouldn't we be stoked to steal Garrett away to add to the Cowboys/Rams saga.
2) We are only 27 days/23 hours/54 minutes away from pitchers and catchers having to report to training camp, and despite the bad decision to waste $5.775 million on a single year of Chone Figgins' bat, I am severely pumped up for the '09 MLB season. Spring Training is going to be so crucial!
By the way, the Maple Leafs made Sports Pickle this week, and their story is a little more than half way down the homepage.
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