By Jim Chliboyko
Yeah, the double rainbow is an old meme, but for fans of the Winnipeg Jets this whole season has been like one big double rainbow (full-on, all the way), right from that May 2011 announcement at the Forks that let us know that Winnipeg was back in the hockey business, baby.
Continue reading This Year’s 7 Most Double Rainbow Jets Moments
On Saturday, I took advantage of a pretty rare opportunity: I got to see Vancouver play Montreal in two different sports on the same day. After an off-season that stretched seemingly forever, the Vancouver Whitecaps finally got to show off their revamped squad against the Montreal Impact at 3pm. Then, at 7pm, the Habs made their only visit of the year to Rogers Arena. I’ve been to my share of Canucks games in the past, and I was at all but one Whitecaps home game last season, but I’ve never been able to so directly compare the atmosphere in the two stadiums.
It couldn’t have worked out better, frankly. The Habs always inspire one of the liveliest affairs (off the ice) you’re likely to see at Rogers Arena, while the home opener in any sport is usually a noisy one. I even got to take in the games from a similar vantage point in each stadium. So how do the two events stack up? Read on to find out. Continue reading Rogers Arena, BC Place and the Canucks’ Culture Conundrum
The Montreal Canadiens haven’t had much luck against the Vancouver Canucks of late. Wait, let me rephrase that. The Habs haven’t had much luck of late. They sit dead last in the Eastern Conference – keeping the spot warm for the Ottawa Senators, whom everyone picked to be the Northeast bottom feeder this year, I guess – and they’ve been bitten by just about every bug you can think of: injury, illness, concussion, personal slumps, off years, a woeful power play, coaching controversies… When they do get a bounce their way this season, the skater in the right place at the right time fans on the puck or hits the post. If they don’t manage to catch the equally awful New York Islanders, this will be the first year the Habs finish last in the conference since 1939-40.
The Vancouver Canucks have in their hands one solid, blue chip player who may just be the key to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup win. It’s no surprise they’re in the hunt — they’ve got the last two Art Ross trophy winners in the lineup, for starters, as well as a perennial Selke finalist in Ryan Kesler and a legitimate Norris candidate in Alex Edler. Alex Burrows is no slouch, either, and Cody Hodgson is manufacturing a solid rookie campaign on a constantly rotating lineup of bangers and mashers.
With Roberto Luongo playing some of his best hockey in years – don’t let that annual slow start fool you, his numbers since December 1 are outstanding – it’s his protegé that holds the key to an extended Canuck playoff run. Continue reading Schneid he stay or Schneid he go now?
And neither should you. You probably won’t. After all, interest in this game from the over 8 demographic has been waning for years. Despite recent attempts to jazz things up with a fantasy draft, the NHL All-Star Game remains undoubtedly the least compelling event on the NHL’s calendar. Here are some issues I have with the game, in no particular order: Continue reading I’m not watching the NHL All-Star Game
As Boston Bruins resident spelling “champian” Brad Marchand prepares to return from his 5-game suspension for clipping Sami Salo, Chris Withers and Jason Kurylo gather a slew of four-letter words to dis #63. Chris probably sums it up best: “Hey Brad Marchand: Stop being such a f*cking douche.”
Continue reading Episode 43 – Brad Marchand is a douche
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I’ve been extremely busy over the holidays, so I have very little commentary on the Canucks on-ice performance just now. What to do? Well, obviously I should insert a potentially offensive pictorial.
Continue reading Hot/Not 001: Jannik Hansen’s stint in the penalty box
The Canucks lost 3-1 to the Calgary Flames tonight at Rogers Arena. Merry Christmas, if you bought a ticket. The Vancouver Canucks just Grinched a hundred-plus dollars worth of roast beast out of your wallet. Continue reading 23 Dec 2011 – Recap: Flames 3 – Vancouver 1
There are plenty of numbers being thrown around regarding the Vancouver Canucks these days. Alain Vigneault recently became the winningest coach in team history, Henrik Sedin took the all-time assists lead in Canucks lore, and Daniel passed Stan Smyl for fourth in franchise scoring. But there are more! Today I focus on numbers – at the NHL level, in Canucks history and a set of personal numbers for good measure. Here you go, Seven Things about the NHL for December 20, 2011.
Continue reading 20 Dec 2011 – JagrWatch, Sedinery and the numbers game
