So Cal split.

The Vannies made a trip down south and came away with a solid shootout win against the mighty Kings and an embarrassing loss to the all but forgotten Ducks. If I told you that they were finishing up the two games with a goal differential of -5, you'd probably think they would have lost both, but I say nay! The Canucks earned the split, which is pretty much what all of us figured they would do (although, we thought it would have gone the other way), and the head back home to host the somehow amazing Avs on All Saints' Day evening.

For being an injury riddled team, we looked pretty solid against the first place team from LA. Andrew Raycroft stepped it up, in his first game since taking over for the injured Bobby Lu, and even earned first star honors. The take away notes from the game was Mikael Samuelsson continuing to go under the radar as a solid offensive force for the Orca. His first period game tying goal was his sixth on the year, giving him 12 total points in the 14 regular season games. Always good to have another solid Swede on board. The other take away was the play of Raycroft, of course, but that excitement would be cancelled out just one night later. The downside, which would continue in the Anaheim game, was the play of Kevin Bieksa. He finished a -1 with just 1 shot in the game, and has just 1 goal and 6 assists thus far (and a -2 rating). We need you X-Man!!! So, in the end, Ray Ray was solid enough to get us 1-1 through 3 and an OT, and Mikael Samuelsson made good after getting the Canucks' golden goal by scoring the winner in the shootout. We walk away happy.

Then we prepare to get slaughtered. Damn, I hate the Ducks so much. With Steve Bernier and Mason Raymond (PP) starting us off with 2 goals in the first 4:39 of play, I was pumped up for a big win. Of course, when you are riddled with injuries, the fun that your remaining players are provided tends to be fleeting. And it was. The Ducks marched back with 7 unanswered goals after the 'Nucks strong opening, and completely broke the hearts of 7th Canucks around the Nation. 1 in the 1st and 3 in the second and third periods put us away, in a game where the refs seemed to put their whistles away (to the Ducks advantage, actually). Ray Ray was chased after giving up 4 goals on 22 shots, and recent call up Cory Schneider allowed 3 on just 12 shots in his season debut. Pitiful, pitiful play. Just a quick reminder that injuries to our offensive and defensive forces will be painful, but an injury to Luongo completely kills us. All that, and we still put 22 shots on goal in the third. Nothing to show though, except for sad faces after a 5 goal loss.

7-7-0 (14 points) is where we sit after 14 out of 82 games. The raging Avs are sitting on top with 22 points, Calgary trailing in second with 15 (tied with Edmonton), and Minnie bringing up the rear behind us at 10. We are still within striking range of getting into second place, obviously, and hopefully can do that with a statement game against the first place 'Lanche tonight. Then, it's a battle that breaks families apart on Tuesday, as the Vannies take on the Rangers. It turns brothers against brothers and cousins against cousins. Let's just hope we can kiss and make up when it is all said and done.

Go Canucks Go.