Pizza Shark Time

People eat pizza, but sharks eat people. Protect your pizza by shaping it like a shark.

Maybe if I shape a pizza like a whale, do you think that gives the Canucks better odds to win tonight? The photo is a screen cap of one of my favorite websites called F-ck Yeah Sharks, if you need some time to waste, do check them out. For your enemy blog needs, check out my friends over at Couchtarts for your Shark needs.

I don't think there is a team that I fear more than the Sharks. I keep up with the Sharks quite a bit since I know the biggest Sharks fan in Vancouver. They win with efficiency, and in a way that is entertaining to watch (not like Detroit). When they lose, then tend to do it in blow out fashion, see last game against Chicago, but then they bounce back and look like they didn't even miss a beat.

Of course, they haven't had success in the postseason, which if you need to make fun of a Sharks fan is your fall back conversation ender.

If I was a hockey player, I think San Jose would be my choice of the team I would play for. They have a great fanbase, great weather, great looking jerseys (love the black armour) and have teal, black and white as their colours. The only thing that they have going against them is that they play the Ducks 6 times a year.

What will happen tonight? Me and Nate were talking last night and could agree that the final score would end up being 4-2, well 3-2 with an open net goal. Nate thinks the Canucks will win and I disagree and think the Sharks will take it (I'm just being a realist here). Last year they took 3 out of the 4 games that we played. Currently the team is the best of a ton of categories: best team in the league, goals, in the top 3 of the PP, the PK and my current favorite fantasy player leads the league in points, Joe Thornton.

This is the first time that Christian Ehrhoff will face his old team. And though I don't think I've written about Ehrhoff yet, I love this guy on our team. Due to this years' weird schedule, after this game, we won't play them again until March, where we will face the Sharks 3 times in the last 24 days of the season.

On the San Jose team, the tandem of Thornton (set up guy) to Heatley (finish man) has been on fire, what a great trade for the Sharks for Heatley. Oh, and Cheechoo has how many goals these days? Yeah. Anyways, I can't wait to see those two play on Team Canada (maybe together?). Patrick Marleau, who was stripped of his C during the summer (it was given to Blake who is currently out on the IR) is having a great year with the lowered amount on pressure on him. The Sharks also have great goaltending, who if you ever get a chance to see, give great interviews on SharksTV. The only thing the Sharks are lacking, to me, is a really good checking line.

Tonight will be a great test for the Canucks, who with Daniel back, are now healthier. Up against a great team, it will show us how good the Canucks really are (or aren't).

Meet 2 Young Swedish Prospects..

...that will probably never crack the Canucks roster.


Meet Anton Rodin and Peter Andersson. They also don't have the best interview skills, even when being interviewed in Swedish. Some answers of "Nope" and lots of "Yeah, me too"s in there. Their answer about contact with the Canucks training staff elicited a peculiar answer (see below), it makes me want to know what kind of e-mails Dave Gagner send them, sounds...um a little weird. Elaboration clearly is not their strong point, for their sake, I hope they are better at hockey.

How much contact do you have with the Canucks training staff and do they provide you with tips or advice on how to improve your game?

AR – I usually talk to Inge Hammarstrom because he lives almost where I live and I have also talked to Dave Gagner a few times too.

PA – Dave Gagner has sent me some emails.

This and That: Another Stupid Break

What is with these stupid breaks? Did whoever design this schedule not look what December looks like? One more sleep until the game tomorrow night against the Kings, oh and it's PPV btw.

Since I don't want to write stuff about how Demitra is still not better (though apparently wants to be able to play) or how we haven't taken enough games to OT, so that if we lose we'll still get a pity OT point, which would thus make us look better in the standings, I've decided show you a video that I think you may enjoy:

Miles Fisher's (not Mike Fisher) music video for his cover of This Must Be The Place. If you have watched American Psycho, you'll love it. If you haven't, go watch the movie, it's priceless.

-The video is NSFW

Mason Raymond Autograph Session

Want Raymond's autograph on a Pharmasave Calender?

Sure you do. He'll be at the Canucks Team Store tomorrow between 4-5pm, click here for, well not much more than what I have already told you.

This and That: Stuff from last week

Yes yes, most of this is old news, but some of you have missed it, so that's why I'm posting this link dump.

• Down Goal Brown identifies the 10 types of Leaf fans, and how to deal with them
• Hockey Goal Celebration FAIL:

• Anaheim fans get in a brawl over Niedermayer's stick

• Two possible goal of the year possibilities:

Stamkos' Goal:


David Perron's Goal:

Burrows toughs out his injuries

Late story by Botchford on The Province website tonight about how Burrows has been playing through an injury. He was injured by Drew Doughty during the Kings game on October 29th, but since the Moose don't really have any players left to call up, he's been playing through a nagging groin and hip flexor injuries.

This is not an excuse for the lack of scoring or anything, just something interesting to note. With regards to the lack of scoring, well I think to evaluate that we'll have to wait for the return of Daniel Sedin before we start calling out Burr. And while we're on that topic, Daniel's return has been pushed to Sunday against the Blackhawks.

Naslund comes out of retirement, will play for Modo

So, the rumor that I wrote about yesterday was true, Naslund will come out of retirement to play with Forsberg. The two have previously played four seasons together for Modo.

Interesting tidbit out of the story on TSN: "According to reports, Naslund and Forsberg have both turned down salaries with the team will play for free"

Forsberg to remain with Modo

Mike Gillis today ended speculation on whether Peter Forsberg would return to the NHL (this season).

From The Province:
"My understanding is Peter is going to stay and play in MoDo and he won't return to the NHL this year," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said. "He made it [the decision] because it's more of a day-to-day thing with his foot as opposed to a situation where he's confident he can play.

"I think it's a tribute to him that he didn't want to put himself in a position where he's taking a roster spot and not being an everyday player on an NHL team."

Rumor has it that Naslund might come out of retirement to play with Forsberg as they have wanted to play together during the NHL...could this come to fruition? We'll have to wait on and see on this one as it's still a rumor, but they two did have dinner together on Thursday night at the NHLPA's Goals and Dreams program...writing this I suddenly feel more like US Weekly...

Off the Schneid

Last night during the CBC broadcast, Mark Lee said that the Canucks were "off the Schneid" after Schneider scored in the 2nd period. I didn't understand his reference, so I looked it up and am delighted to share the meaning with you.

The basic meaning of phrase means is to end a losing streak'.

In baseball (according to Wikepedia), to get off the schneid is:
To break a scoreless, hitless, or winless streak (i.e., a schneid). According to the Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term "schneid" comes to baseball via gin rummy, and in turn comes from German / Yiddish "schneider," one who cuts cloth, i.e., a tailor.

So with that 8-2 win over Colorado, I hope that Vancouver is now off the schneid.

Wellwood - No goals in 17 games

Now that we have a few days off, maybe like 6 whole days without a Canucks game, we have a few days to ponder different topics about the team. You may also call it over analyzing, but I don't like to apply labels to everything, so my first thought will be about Kyle Wellwood and his lack of production.

Kyle Wellwood (C) has had no goals in the 17 games he's played this season. He only has 1 assist.

Let's compare that to...

• Matt Pettinger LW - 1 goal and 1 assist in 6 games played this season
• Jannik Hansen RW - 1 goal and 1 assist in 2 games played this season
• Tanner Glass LW - 2 goals and 1 assist in 17 games played this season

Now, I'm not saying that they are all interchangeable for the same player position, but you gotta think that with 6 more days of rest, Daniel Sedin could come back, and if he does, who will be bumped?

Not just Canucks, NW Division Links

Hello readers,

As you know, in the past I have written a few things for Cycle Like the Sedins, and well, I'm back at it again.

Last week was the first week in a brand spankin new series on CLS. James has invited bloggers from around the league to write up weekly links from each Division. So far, there have been contributions from Sens at Land's End for the NE Division and Laura from Wazzupwitchu for the Central Division; the other divisions will be represented soon at this becomes more regular thing with each of the writers (understandably we all have busy lives so we're all trying our best).

I have been representing the NW Division each Thursday morning. Each week I look for posts by bloggers about the NW Division that I feel deserve some attention/love. I try to find something to represent a blogger from each of the 5 teams, it obviously won't always happen, but I try.

So:

• If you have a blog and have written something that you would like to get featured in my weekly links post, e-mail me at thevancitycanuck [at] gmail.com
  

• If you are not a blogger, but have read a story that you think is funny/interesting, also hit me up by e-mail or make a comment on my blog and I'll check it out.

I promise to check out the post, and see if it fits my weekly roundup, even if it doesn't at least I'll check out your blog and keep you in mind for the future. If you have a link for another division, feel free to let me know, and I'll pass your idea along to the blogger in charge of that division.

If you don't have a blog, but would like to try your hand at blogging and would like write something, hit me up by e-mail and I can feature you as a guest post on my blog and link to it through CLS. This would be a great way for people who think that they can write a blog, but haven't tried or are hesitant to get started. It's also very non committal, kinda like a one night stand*

So again, feel free to drop me a line by e-mail at thevancitycanuck [at] gmail.com

*Note: One night stands need not apply. But you can check out my 1st links roundup here, and this week's is here.

This and That: Daniel sent home and other links

Have you listened to the Team 1040 recently? There's a commercial for an event at the Kingston Tap House this Friday, where Rick Ball is supposed to eat Pratt's shorts because he lost a bet regarding a return of Printers to the BC Lions or something.

This supposed to be a big deal, but like I said to Kevin, you can't trust the Team 1040 with these advertisements, Rick Ball will probably just back out of this one like Don Taylor backed out of getting a gentle vasectomy.

And on to your Canuck news:

• Daniel Sedin was sent home to Vancouver today, this pushes his next possible return date to the Nov 20th home game.
• Jannik Hansen is expected to be back in the lineup tomorrow
• Good read on WHL scholarships for players who go through the Dub instead of the NCAA
• According the Forbes, the Leafs are at the top of something, they are the NHL's most valuable team coming in at $470 million

And if you haven't read Down Goes Brown's post on the NHL's top secret flow chart for handing out suspensions...well you haven't lived this week.

Raycroft led the lead in GAA, but not anymore

This was before the St. Louis game tonight:


















And this was after the St. Louis game.



















Well it was nice while is lasted, at least it looks like Luongo is back for Thursday night. Too bad when Raycroft gave the quote "Don't get hurt" to The Province today, he should have told himself and the team, "please don't suck tonight", maybe that would have helped.

On a sidenote, fans in Scottrade Center got free big macs from the Blues scoring over 5 goals on the Canucks tonight...Insert Kyle Wellwood joke here.

Luongo has the flu? Daniel & Jannik skating again

News from Ben Kuzma is that Luongo missed practice today because he didn't feel well. Here is what Vigneault said:
"He's a little under the weather and stayed back at the hotel," said Vancouver Canucks coach Alain Vigneault. "He started not feeling well yesterday (Saturday) and we'll see how he's doing tomorrow. If he's not better, we'll fly him later into St. Louis."

It was possible that Luongo could have started as early as Tuesday in St. Louis, but perhaps it will be the Detroit game on Thursday instead.

In other news, Daniel is back skating again with his brother and Burrows. Daniel made a joke about Henrik missing him saying he called "Every night," chuckled Daniel. "He cried himself to sleep."

Jannik Hansen was also out on the ice, but isn't ready to go quite yet. He will need contact practices before being ready to play a game.

Shane O'Brien pokes Avery with stick, gets suspended

You knew it was coming. You knew that Shane was gonna get just for getting involved. You knew that Shane couldn't hold back from getting involved.

But is was great to watch non?

So Shane will miss the 1st game in Minnesota of the 5 game roadtrip that the Canucks have left on.

Sometimes when I see him getting involved I just have to shake my head. I don't want him to end up in AV's doghouse again, but he just can't help himself. He was already sequestered to glue his ass to the bench after taking a double-minor penalty late in the second period. Then, he thought it would be a good idea to poke Avery with his hockey stick from his bench! Aaaaah! And on the video, you see AV having to restrain him from jumping off the bench.

"You never want to be suspended and I don't think it deserves one, but I'll take my punishment," said O'Brien, who won't be eligible to play Thursday night against the Minnesota Wild.

"I got sucked in a little bit. Avery was chirping and he cross-checked me in the first period for no reason.

"He was saying stuff to [Darcy] Hordichuk on the bench before it happened and I just felt that was over the line. I just let my emotions take over. It was a heated point of the game and it was getting a little physical." -The Province

He crossed the line because Avery was saying something about Hordichuck??? Seriously?!?!?!

Oh, it really doesn't stop there. O'Brien was like a quote machine today.

"I know there was part of me that wanted to hop the boards and get in it," said O'Brien. "And I know Hordi did too and Ryp [Rick Rypien] was licking his chops. But you've got to be controlled."-The Province

I just keep picturing Rypien licking his chops, can you?

Anyways, the Rangers have been fined $10 000 and Dane Byers (who picked a fight with Tanner Glass in the last 5 minutes of the game) has been suspended 1 game as well.

Video of Canucks v. Rangers scrum

I was gleeing with excitement over Bieksa being a forward, he makes a feisty one...but this video has angry Bieksa also...and I love angry Bieksa.

Canucks sign Pettinger

The Canucks have realized that Aaron Rome, who is still fights for a defensive spot on the roster, is even less of a winger. So the Canucks have gone out and signed Matt Pettinger to a 1 year, two way contract for the league minimum of $500 000.

Now, let's remember that Pettinger is really not a good winger, in fact during his time in Vancouver, he was a pretty unspectacular, we eventually lost him to Tampa Bay last year through waivers. The Kuz says it best: "He is best known for accomplishing little when acquired in a trade for Matt Cooke on Feb. 26, 2008" Pettinger is just an average winger who is getting to be old by NHL standards (he's 29), thus there weren't any offers for contracts this year, not even from Tampa Bay.

Instead of heading to Europe, he elected to play for the Manitoba Moose and since the Canucks are forwards and being decimated by injuries or needs some time playing in the AHL (Shirokov), Pettinger is expected to play on the 4th line with Hordichuck and Mario Bliznak.