Another home game, another home win. Oh, how things have changed since that lowly month of January. Is it ever better than beating one of the bitch teams from the division? A 4-2 beat down of the Avs on a Sunday evening has Canuckleheads everywhere excited about the chase for the 5 spot. Watch out Jon.
It was a really nice first period that got the Orca off on the right foot in this one. 2:50 into the opening frame, Ryan Kesler blasted a slapper from the point (why was Kes at the point on the power play?) that was tipped in by Kyle "Dub Dub" Wellwood. Wells is finally back on the board with #16! Less than 5 minutes later it was a crazy situation on the penalty kill that led to a goal. Of course, Alex Burrows tipped a pass at the blue line and was on the breakaway shorthanded. AB fired a shot passed Raycroft, but the puck ringed off the post and came to Kesler. Again, Kesler fired a pass across to AB, who nailed a goal (#22 on the year). It was a mad house for that one. At 15:18 of the first frame, a 3 on two led to a goal for the Canucks, with Ryan "Blocker" Johnson passing right from center to Alex Burrows who passed the puck all the way back across to Taylor Pyatt, who buried his 9th of the year. A three/nil lead after 20 minutes? I'll take it. Colorado's Ryan Smyth (um, I believe it's "Smith") scored against Luongo on the power play at 4:36 to make it a 3-1 game. In the final frame, Darcy Tucker scored a lucky goal just 14 seconds in with one of those "throw it toward the net from a bad angle" goals that made it in. With some pressure on, Vancouver was able to capitalize after a penalty to Colorado with 17:39 to go. Alex Edler nailed a power play goal to put Vancouver well enough ahead at home, and earn the 4-2 victory.
Keys to winning? How about 2 for 4 on the power play, and 6 for 7 on the penalty kill with 1 shorthanded goal? I think that just about does it. However, we may have had one of our largest travesties as it pertains to the three stars (and by the B.C. media, nonetheless). The media pumped up 1) Alex Burrows (1 goal and 1 assist), 2) Ryan Symth (1 goal...are you kidding me?), and 3) Taylor Pyatt (respect his goal, I guess). I think the underrated LSF three stars will show you what I'm talking about: 1) Ryan Kesler (3 fecking assists!), 2) Obviously, my boy AB, and 3) Kyle Wellwood (1 goal and a team leading 80% in the face off circle). The NHL should just let me pick the 3 stars all the time.
This was kind of a big win, and hopefully a start to a fun streak. Van-Ca-Tesh sit now at 36-23-9 (81 points), just - 5 of Calgary, and then +8 on Edmonton, +9 on Minnie, and a really fun +18 on Colorado. Bigger picture, things are getting fun in the West: Vancouver are just -2 on 5th place Chicago (just 2 points back!!!!), +3 on #6 Columbus, +7 on #7 Dallas, and as I said +8 on #8 Edmonton/#9 Nashville. St. Louis and Minnie are 10/11 at 72 points (-9 of the 'Nucks). Is there any way that Chicago and Vancouver won't be meeting in the playoffs? Next up for my boys is a crucial battle against #7 Dallas (33-28-8) on Tuesday. While Vancouver holds a +17 goal differential, the Stars are rolling at -12. Plus, there is the fact that the Vannies just don't lose at home these days. 14 games to go, baby.
Maybe Ilenia is right. I mean, they pay this guy and then he goes on the DL to start the season? What a jerk!
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