'Nucks win second straight.

The Vannies started their season 0-3-0, leading to a panic wave surging through Orca Nation, this blog included. I watched as Vancouver played well below their potential, Roberto Luongo and the defense first and foremost. However, since the third loss of the season to Columbus back on October 5, the Canucks have reversed course. After a coming out party against Montreal, where the 'Nucks banged out a 7-1 win, my boys came back around last night with a 4-3 shootout victory against the Dallas Stars. Maybe the game should have been won a little easier, but a win is a win, and we're almost back to .500.

First, I'd like to thank DirecTV for continuing the NHL Center Ice free preview much longer than in the past. I'd also like to thank Jim Barton and Mike Ramsay for inventing the DVR, which allowed me to watch the game that I recorded. Nice work, everyone. The loyal BC crowd was on the verge of booing after Mike Ribeiro scored a power play goal just 6:09 into the game, and the opening parts of this match started to feel a lot like the first three losses. By the way, the goal was actually tipped in by Rick Rypien who was trying to deflect the rubber away, and instead deflected the puck past Luongo (own goal!). Frustrating. The Canucks got called for penalties at 0:32 (honestly, Bieksa?), 5:02, and 6:46 (way to fill in for DS, Desbiens), and the Stars didn't waste all of the opportunities (just most). However, a Ryan Kesler power play goal equaled the game at 1 just 8 minutes later, and saved hundreds of Canuck fans from jumping from the upper deck. Kesler got the puck near the top circle and fired a wicked wrister. The second period saw the whistles get put away, with a single penalty going to each team. This time around, the Canucks were the only squad to capitalize, as my main man AB nailed his third of the year (team leading!) to get the Canucks the slim lead heading into the final twenty. After Brad Richards scored to get the game back even, Willie Mitchell worked a little magic to give the Canucks the lead. Mitchell was near the far board when he blasted his go-ahead goal. Unfortunately, the Canucks couldn't hang out, allowing a NHL first time goal to Jamie Benn of the Stars to tie the game with 1:33 on the clock. Luongo didn't really have a chance on any of the goals, so the blame goes to blown coverage. After the obvious no scoring OT session, we headed to the shootout where the Canucks completely dominated. Kyle Wellwood opened it up with a mega deke that beat Turco on the glove. Luongo made an amazing save on Brad Richard with the mega long stick. Ryan Kesler just went with a straight you vs. me wrist shot, and blew it past Turco. Finally, Bobby Lu stopped Mike Ribeiro in stone cold fashion to secure the win and the two big points.

It's fun for a new season to start because it brings up a brand new crop of the LSF Underrated Stars of the game. This season, the "Underrated Stars" are not going to be just players, like the regular media, but rather "Star Style" keys to the game. Should be fun: 1) Henrik Sedin & Mikael Samuelsson both earned 2 assists a piece to go down as the two most underrated Vannies on the ice. 2) Guillaume Desbiens is the young gun getting called up from the AHL after Daniel Sedin went down with his broken foot (collective Canuck-sized gasp) and was able to hold firm with a 0 +/- rating, along with getting in the mix during his 9:25 of ice time. 3) Ryan Johnson is there again. RJ blocked a game high 3 shots in the game to help his boys hold firm, again showing why he was considered the most underrated Vannie pick up as called by this blogger last season.

As the Canucks move forward and win, remember to give props for doing it a) with Nintendo DS on the DL for the next 4-6 weeks and b) with Sami Salo possibly out just as long with leg injury. The next five games on the 'Nucks schedule are serious hockey. Calgary, Minnie, Edmonton, Chicago, and Toronto are the next five opponents, and they are all a huge test for my boys. First, revenge against the Flames for the season opener. Second, a chance to distance us from the bottom feeding Wild. Third, an all important chance to bust Khabibulin and his new team. Fourth, a chance to get revenge for the 2008 playoffs. And finally, a chance to make Andrew continue to self-loathe for being a Leafs fan. What a run we have ahead of us! At 2-3-0 (4 points), the Orca are 4 shy of division leading Calgary, and match up with the Flames this Friday.