I think I'll give in to the first paragraph from the Associated Press to start my post. "The Calgary Flames came to Vancouver determined to clinch the Northwest Division title Tuesday night. Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo had other ideas." I couldn't have said it any better myself, obviously, as I celebrated a thrilling divisional win against the Flames 4-1.
It was either beat the Flames or not win the division. The Orca decided they would like to continue their shot at the division crown. It seems like it was much more difficult than the score would suggest. However, thanks to some straight savage goaltending by Robbie Luongo, there was never a doubt. The Vancouver pipe cleaner had 46 saves on the night, including 21 in a tough first period, only letting one goal through on a Jarome Iginla garbage goal at 14:44 of the first period. Mattias Ohlund was the kind of surprise star of the game, getting two goals for the first time since January 23, 2008. He netted a marker at 15:06 of the middle frame with a giant slapper from the blue line, and then pretty much copied his first goal at 14:51 of the final period on the one man advantage to really put it away for good. Rick Rypien even got in on the action, scoring the opening goal at 17:21 of the first period. Ryp got just his third goal of this injury plagued season, although all three have come against Calgary, and got the puck passed Kiprusoff on a second shot after whiffing the first time through with the stick. H-Bomb rounded out the scoring at 17:28 of the third to prove that the first line is still where it's at, and 18,630 fans went home from GM Place damned happy.
Keys? The Canucks went 1 for 5 on their power play chances and stopped Calgary on all six chances going the other way. Obviously, Luongo stopping 46 of the 47 shots coming his way was just ridiculous. Kipper only faced 25 shots, and let 4 go by comparatively. The top three stars? That had kind of a surprise, in my opinion. 1) Roberto (duh), 2) Ohlund (again, duh), and 3) Kiprusoff (WHAT!?). How do you explain the Turku, Finland native even get close to smelling the top three with a night like that? 84% on the save stat? 4 goal allowed on 25 shots? I kind of think it was just a joke played to piss of Flamer fans. I just don't know. I'll swap out the #3 star for my underrated LSF three stars by taking out the Flames keeper and placing in Ostersund, Sweden native Alex Edler. The big AE had 2 assists with a +2 rating, which played hugely into the large win. Recognize.
The win has the 43-27-10 (96 points) Canucks wrapped up at the top of the Northwest Division with Calgary and their 45-29-6 (96 points) record. Both teams have two games remaining, and basically the Canucks need to win more games than the Flames to claim the top spot and earn the #3 Western spot. Currently, the Flames are #3 (96 points), Chicago is #4 (99 points), Vancouver are #5 (96 points), Columbus are #6 (90 points), Anaheim are #7 (88 points), St. Louis are #8 (88 points), and Nashville and Minnie still have hope outside the line (86 and 85 points respectively). If the Canucks come out on top they earn a first round matchup with Columbus, is they come out #2 in the division they match up against J's Blackhawks. We've talked at length about what we'd rather have. Columbus has given the 'Nucks a run for their money in the regular season, but few would pick against us in a 7 game series. Meanwhile, Chicago would probably be a little more difficult to run through, but it would be a damned fun series. J doesn't want to play us. He says it is because he wants to cheer the Canucks on in their first rounder. I think it's because he doesn't think the Hawks can win in 7 against the Blue & Green.
Two games remain for most teams, and for my Canucks it is a couple of battles against subpar teams. First up is a home game against the Kings, and that is followed up with a road game against the Avs. The Canucks should win both of the games, but we know what should means. Meanwhile, the Flames have back to back games against the Oilers (home-in-home), which most would agree is a difficult thing to sweep. Advantage 'Nucks? We'll find out starting tomorrow. Gotta beat those Kings.
What do we think about Buffalo's chances? With a game in hand, being back by 6 doesn't sound too bad. But, the Buffs need to win all of their games while having the Rangers and Panthers go bust on their remaining two each. What do you say Brandon? Will this be the ultimate fall of the Rangers that you have been waiting for?
Meanwhile, the Austin Celtics are finally back on the hardwood after a seemingly never ending break. Currently, the C's are tied with the Nets at 69 in the third quarter. Austin still holds a slim 1 game lead on #3 Orlando, but that 4 game deficit to the Cavs seems insurmountable. Is there a first round playoff fear if we face Chicago?
Obviously the Angels dropped their Moseley game against the A's 6-4, and that was tough. However, when I throw up my next full blog on the Halos, I think it will be about a Nick "Andrew's Boy" Adenhart busting a huge win against the A's in game 3. Come on Nickie, we know you're great!
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