Before I get into the Canucks 4-2 win over the Sens last night, and the horrible looking injury to yet another defensive player, I'd like to go after the NHL Network a little bit.
On October 1, 2007, I was introduced to the NHL Network, and their flagship show "On the Fly." On The Fly has always been the stand alone best show to see hockey highlights on TV, period. It was also a pleasant surprise to hockey fans to see highlights that not only showed goals, but also amazing saves, intense fights, important non-scoring plays, and often missed post-game interviews. ESPN would never show that kind of stuff, and all of us fans were grateful to the NHL Network.
This year, however, if you have been paying attention, On the Fly has been slowly sinking to the ESPN model. Previously, the show would simply let the tape from the actual game footage play (along with the actual play by play and color guys). This season, however, On the Fly has changed to having their anchors talking over highlights, rather than letting them play. That was a blow to my love of On the Fly, but it was a small blow.
Today, though, when I watched my DVR of last night's 10 PM On the Fly, I was shocked, and my shock and anger cannot be ignored. When the highlights of the Canucks/Sens started, the Canucks were already winning 1-0. That's right, they skipped the first goal! They never even showed it. I might as well have been watching Sports Center for my highlights.
What happened to my beloved NHL highlights show? Why are you doing this, NHL Network? Why?! Let's all hope for a return to what made On the Fly great. Let's go back to the good ol' days of 2007.
So, via my "just the jist of it" highlights from NHL Network, I saw the Canucks beat Ottawa 4-2. It's six wins in a row for the Vannies, and it's the contributions of the non-typical scorers who helped to make it happen. Mikael Samuelsson scored two goals and added an assist in the game, showing that he is returning to the skills and power we've all been waiting for. When the Swede scored at 2:12 of the second period, we were up 3-0, but Ottawa wasn't feeling out of it just yet.
The Sens came back, thanks in part to a ridiculous three on none breakaway allowed by the Canucks. But, the Orca held strong, and Samuelsson iced the game with an empty netter as the Senators pushed hard for the equalizer. Luongo was great, stopping 31 of 33, and Kesler continued his hot season with his 31st goal. For Ottawa, they have now won just once in seventeen games. I wonder what that feels like.
Of course, the win is not the big story to come out of this game. Sadly, the injury to Keith Ballard is what we're all talking about. That's right. Just when you started to tell me that the 'Nucks aren't suffering at the hands of a curse on the blue line, this happens. The injury to Ballard looked horrible, as he collapsed on his leg while it was bent backward. The early word is that Ballard has a MCL sprain or possibly a tear, and that he'll be out about 4 weeks. So yeah, you guessed it, the Canucks played with four defensive players for some of the game against the Sens. Can you believe that? It puts the whole allowing the 3-on-none breakaway into perspective, right? How many more injuries can we suffer, and still keep winning? As it sits right now, this is who the Canucks have on the blue line:
Bieksa - Hamhuis
Ehrhoff - Alberts
Rome - Tanev
Are you kidding me? How much longer can we keep this up? Well, I don't know if this is being rushed because of our other injuries or not, but the word is coming out that Sami Salo may be able to play this Saturday for the Blue & Green. That could help, if he is really ready, but one has to woner what we're going to do if another blue liner drops.
Despite all that, we're 35-10-9, 18 points up on Calgary in the division, 9 points up on Detroit in the conference, and 4 points up on Philadelphia in the league. All together now, "Canucks for President (Trophy, that is)!" Next up for the Orca is a huge, huge game...especially for me. The Canucks are welcoming the formerly Mighty Ducks to British Columbia tomorrow night for a knock down drag out battle. Our ginger haired backup goalie Cory Schneider will step into the crease, and look to lead our squad to a shutout win over Emilio Estevez and company (did anyone else know that Estevez was married to Paul Abdul?).
The Canucks have outscored the bad guys 27-8 over their last six games, gone 11-0-4 over the last 15 at home, and are looking to rock the Ducks world on Wednesday evening. If only I didn't have to suffer through the Ducks announcers...
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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