Please give a read. Truly a well written piece.

This is a blog post by Professor John Stackhouse

Here is the link: http://stackblog.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/law-and-order-some-vancouverite-reflections/

Law and Order: Some Vancouverite Reflections

June 17, 2011

By now many of you have seen clips or photos of the criminal nonsense that afflicted the streets and businesses of downtown Vancouver following the defeat of the Vancouver Canucks hockey team in the Stanley Cup final. Less than 24 hours after the store windows were smashed, the electronics and liquor looted, and the cars set ablaze, our family was attending our youngest son’s high school graduation ceremony on the very same streets.

We saw precisely one indication of the destruction of the night before: windows carefully boarded up and festooned with friendly graffiti, declaring that “Hooligans are not hockey fans” and “This is not the real Vancouver” and, most simply, “We love you, Vancouver!” Fifteen thousand people, it has been estimated, showed up yesterday, starting at 5 a.m., to assist emergency and clean-up crews in repairing the streets, the reputation, and the psyche of our city.

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Before we look to pick up the pieces to another disappointing exit in the post season for the Canucks. I must Congratulate the Chicago Black Hawks for a another 3rd round appearance. They showed the Canucks what it takes to win and do it with a bit of swagger. Although I have a great dislike for Kris Versteeg, Dustin Byfuglien and Patrick Kane they showed us that when it counts they were there to put it away. The star players for Chicago showed up when it counted. 

I also must congratulate Henrik Sedin for the Art Ross performance and his possible Hart trophy season. When it comes down to it I really believe that his team needed him most. Maybe it sounds so bias to come from a die hard like me. But I really feel that when Daniel went down and Hank started to pick up the slack the team rallied around him and found they all found their offensive touch.

Although I've read around the internet that AV should be fired and he was out coached and made some questionable comments to challenge his star players. I feel that AV did a great job adjusting from a more defensive minded team to a offensive style. Although the one thing I must say, we sacrificed Lui in the process and in the end we couldn't turn back into that shut down style team when it was needed. AV just needs to find the balance and MG needs to get Lui a better D core that is playoff ready. Iain MacIntyre writes a great article here:

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/hockey/vancouver-canucks/Ditch+Roberto+Luongo+Canucks+captain+rebuild+defence/3019530/story.html

More after the jump

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In the background I’m listening to TEAM 1040 streaming. It’s cold and snowy here in Calgary and the Flames players will have to wait for another shot at redeeming themselves next year and also waiting for the snow to dissipate so they can start their best impression of Tiger Woods.

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In some respect I wish the deadline was after the historic road trip of the Canucks. Just to see whos left, whos injured and who looks tired. The rest of this road trip is going to be killer. Det, Chi, Nas, Col, Phx. With Mitchell in question and the return of Juice, the D Men are hanging on to the skin of their teeth. I had faith in Rome and Baumer, but have misplaced it somewhere. Ehrhoff, Salo, Edler & O'Brien Will need to do the bulk of the work. Even with Juice's return, he will still need to get to speed and adjust quickly. 

Andrew Albert will help, but as I have seen from many tweet reports. His game is similar to Luko and why do we need to duplicate and give up a 3rd rounder unless it is simple for depth if Mitchell does not return. If Mitchell does not return and is done for the rest of the season I feel we will suffer a lot when it comes to shut down, get your hands dirty defense for the playoffs.

Sean Zimmerman redeems MG a little bit for the whole Matthew Schneider debacle. But most likely it was another warm body for the moose.

At the end of the day MG didn't address the need for a 3rd/4th line upgrade. With little to none cap space Backes was too high and more or less likely to come this way due to the fact that MG really didn't have much to give (unless he was willing to sell the farm, which I'm glad he didn't) Halpern, Horton and Torres were on my Radar but maybe not for the MG & CO. I personally feel, as much as I hate playing against him Torres would of been a great edition.

My hope is that Pudge, Hands of Stone Bernier, Tanner Glass, RYJO & Hords get the message from above. "You are still here because we believe you can contribute" DID YOU HEAR THAT PUDGE AND BERNIER!

So with all that being said, I am content because we added 1.5 D-Men. (Zimmerman, who knows? Cause I don't) The what ifs are always there. What if, Bernier contracts Johan Frazen syndrome and becomes super human in the playoffs? What if, Pudge can grind it out and dangle a bit and contribute? There are so many what ifs? And comments out there that we can make.

There are 20 something games left. I still feel the Nucks need to play their hearts out to make it in to the playoffs, regardless if we are sitting atop the division.

Here comes my assessment for the rest of the season and playoffs: 

We have two great lines. Triplets & Kesler, Demo, May Ray

I believe Samuelson can play on either 2nd or 3rd, but maybe he will be more valuable playing on the 3rd as a checker and score timely goals, while Bernier crashing and banging and while Pudge can use some of that skill set.

RyJo, Hords & Glass need to be way more reliable as a tough 4th line energy line. If they want to make the Canucks competitive in the playoffs. Add Ripper to that line as well, just not so much his fist but his speed and grit.

I believe this year the Sedins will show up during the playoff run, better than we have seen before. Kesler and his line will be successful.

It is the 3rd and 4th line which will give the Canucks the boost they need to get over and beyond the 1st & 2nd round. This is the key and it has been handed to those bottom 6-7 guys in that dressing room to use it.

I feel AV should be preparing these guys for certain roles (ex Bernier being a tough shut down guy & building some chem between Pudge and Samuelson as Defense 1st, Offense 2nd) for the last 20 games. Implementing it into their system and addressing the issues that will be needed to make a hard push into the playoffs. As for the D-men, Smart Smart D men have jobs in the NHL. Rome and Baumer just need to remember that. What I learned from Doughty was that he was on that team because he had great hockey Smarts to be on that Olympic team. If only Phaneuf had that he truly would be a monster.

Overall I love that MG didn't sell the farm and is waiting till the off season to see what kind of major moves and options there are. Cause teams are built in the off season and not at trade deadlines.

I've said a lot and you might make a mockery of my thoughts. Thats okay.... I just needed an escape from my crappy tax return.

GO CANUCKS GO!

Something I've noticed since I've joined the worldwideweb when looking up stats, history, blogs, philosophy, opinion on all maters concerning the Canucks. It all started with waiting on Stanley and the great job the guys did there and are continuing to do here on Nucks Misconduct. 

This is my rant:

Why do Canucks fans always want to compare our team with the Calgary Flames. Yes I know there is a rivalry, a bitter, and punch you in the face kind of mentality when it comes to the war on words of who has the bigger balls and better team. 

I recently saw a comment where a fan was okay with the Nucks losing cause the Flames has lost too. I know this helps when we are reaching for NW div Supremacy and let me tell you I wish the losing streak continued for the Flames, but the Oilers are hopeless.

But the Canucks I believe are a elite team and should be looking forward at teams like San Jose and Chicago. Instead of looking back at the Flames and continuing to just be better than them. A lot of Canucks fans are pretty content with just beating the Flames and being better than them. Yes we are rivals and it is always good be better than your rivals and put their face in the mud and remind them time and time again that Alberta Beef isn't the solution to all your hockey problems ie Dion Phaneuf, Jerome Iginla, etc.

Lets lose that garbage mentality and focus on elite teams and being better than those guys. Let quit comparing ourselves to the Flames cause when the NUCKS are on, they can beat anyone. (Remember the last meeting with the Hawks?)

Don't get me wrong. I live in Calgary and have to endure the praise and Flaming Lames Fans. So when a big win against the flames , a div title, a huge losing streak plus our winning streak brings me great joy to be rocking the blue and green here in cow town.

But I think the fans need to get off the comparsion charts about how good we are and start looking at what can make the Nucks better than the Hawks, Sharks, Caps, Pens etc.

Lets raise our level of fanship and forget those redneck lames fans alone and look towards possibly catching the a 2 spot or even a 1 spot in the west.

All in all I just want us all to focus on being a better team with the elite than comparing ourselves to a lowly Flames team. That are suffering a major rebuild from the crease out.

GO CANUCKS GO!

PS. Don't jump off the bandwagon, cause if you do, you shouldn't be allowed back on. The current road woes are part of the game.

This is my rant. Fully unedited and off the cuff.

Hey folks.. just wanted to share our story as we went to the saddle dome (lions den) last night.

In attendance: Myself (Calgary) My buddy and his wife (Calgary), My Girlfriend Brother (Nova Scotia)   and 8 friends who made the trip to cowtown from Vancouver.

We arrived at the dome with little hostility. As I walked down 17th ave (red mile) There were a few smirks and dissatisfying grins as people realized we were all wearing the blue and green. 8 of us were representing the green and blue and the other two were wearing the old black orca jersey. Gavin from Nova Scotia is a habs fan but decided it be best to wear a nucks jerseys amongst the group. This was his first NHL game.

I felt from both Nucks fans and fLAMES fans were hesitant to trash talk or say any friendly banter. Both teams had something to prove. End the losing streak(FLAMES) or continue to win(Prove to NUCKS nation that we can survive the injury bug).

We posted up in the Sportchek Zone. Where most Nucks fans are able to find tickets.

Puck Drop:

The Nucks looked slow and out of place. Body language showed to me that they lack any kind of confidence. Bieska looked like Shane O'Brien and SOB looked like Brent Sopel of the 90's. All ten of us were pretty steamed after the Flames went up 5-0.

To me it was uninspired hockey by the Canucks. I saw more 4th line shifts than I have ever seen before. Before the game they played a little video interview with Jerome before the game. He looked pumped to beat the Canucks. He talked about the hate they have for the guys in the canuck locker room. And with those words it translated all onto ice. Hordichuck got pummeled at the end. Our d men were being hit left and right and the forwards were dumped at the Flames Blue line.

With that all being said. We were getting hammered with heckles and boos, laughter and the loudest LUONGO jeers from the Flames fans. It was hard to stomach. Going to this game we put not just our hockey allegiance out there... but our Prides. 

So in light of the recent award we got from being the most annoying fans. We decided to cheer regardless of the score. Small pockets of GO CANUCKS GO started but were soon drowned by Go Flames Go.

After Rypien scored his goal we decided to chant TRY CANUCKS TRY (In lieu of GO CANUCKS GO!) and SKATE! SKATE! SKATE! Just to make light of the fact that we were still gonna cheer with the reality that this game was almost over.

Some NUCKS Fans started to cheer CHICAGO! CHICAGO! after the NUCKS score the 2nd and 3rd goal. The mood at that point made the Flames fans a little less boastful. We were hoping for some sort of miracle. But in all reality... we aren't the blackhawks.

Damm ref and his call on Burrs. That pretty much stop any momentum on the ice and in the stands. The Nucks fans stood there puzzled and wondering what is going on with our captain.

Game over. The walk of shame to our cars.

With a little more to boast about. Flames fans were all over us. I smiled back and kept on walking. Frustrated and cold. I was pissed with the teams effort. I love those guys but hey sometimes those you love piss you off the most.

Overall: D

They made it sort of a game at the end. But yet again the old saying proves to be the mission statement of the NUCKS "To little too late" Thanks for making your fans look like idiots in the stands.

Big game tonight. Our next door bottem feeder neighbors the Minnesota Wild. Lets go out and destroy them. I need a win this week. This has got to be it. GO CANUCKS GO!

Here's to you in COWTOWN raising hell for the blue and green machine!

From USA Today:

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The Vancouver Canucks have released NHL veteran forward Mark Parrish from a training camp tryout contract.

Parrish had two assists in four preseason games before being cut Friday. He was trying to re-ignite a career that saw him average 26 goals a season for the New York Islanders from 2001- 2006, then sign a five-year, $13.25 million contract in his home state of Minnesota in the summer of 2006.

The 32-year-old Parrish was bought out of that contract after scoring 35 goals over two seasons with the Wild, and scored only eight goals in 44 games with Dallas last year.

Parrish, originally drafted in the third round by Colorado in 1996, has 216 goals and 385 points in 704 career NHL games over 10 seasons.

Okay with the preseason in full swing and the Canucks are looking great with a perfect record. (mind you it is only preseason) And there is a lot to talk about coming out of camp, like"what the hell is wrong with Grabner Garbage?" It is also the time when people get together at the pub and try and figure out the secret to a successful hockey pool.

Out of 7 guys I am 5th in picking. I am in a GM HOCKEY Pool that is suppose to last a few years. So with that in mind I have made deals with the other GM's to take both the Sedins. Am I wrong? Should I not be such a homer and pick two Canucks?

Question: Who are you guys picking 1 to 5?

I know details and such. And this might be a stupid post. But I'm killing time before I have to hit the books again.

Peace

Raising Hell in COWTOWN for the BLUE AND GREEN MACHINE

So this is the story... I moved to Calgary from Vancouver about 5 years ago. Now before you ask the question, why the hell would you do that? Life does revolve around other things than just the Canucks but some would argue that. So with certain circumstances on the arise I dreaded the idea but finally moved out here.

I experienced my first game away from GM place, wearing my Nucks colors at the Saddledome. Curses followed, especially when the Nucks lost in Calgary. Each game that I've gone to at the dome when the Nucks play. We see more of the green and blue. It must annoy the hell out of Flames fans. Flames fans do a hell of a good job covering the dome with Red. So when the Nucks come into town you get the mass amount of Vancouverites who have made the brave move here to invade the saddledome.

Last year I had my flag up during the playoff run. At first I would take my flag down when I was traveling around town. In fear that someone would rip, burn or even break my window in sheer stupidity. But I got ballsy and started leaving it up. My car was dusty one day and I left it in front of the bestbuy parking lot. When I came back, a big heart with the Flames logo was drawn on the back of my rear window.

Last month I purchased a Vancouver Canucks Decal for my car to show my pride for the team in the midst of rival territory.

Today I was driving over to my girlfriends house minding my own business when a packed car full of teenagers started hurling insults and flipping me the bird at a stop light. I wanted to retort back but decided "whats the use". I actually wanted to pull in front of them and grab my hockey stick and started swinging away Marty McSorely style but... I love my team and will always cheer for the Nucks. But there comes a line when people are entitled to cheer for the team they love regardless of what city you are in.

I guess my little rant is this: Stay Classy. Yah a bit of banter and trash talk is good between friends and even complete strangers. It brings a good sense of atmosphere to the game. But when you are throwing profanities off the wah zoo from your car in the middle of traffic with your punk friends it ain't classy. 

My uncle is from Calgary and went down to Van to see the beautiful sites. He was wearing his Flames hat. Some Nucks fan spat on him. Shameful.

All I ask at the end from all Nucks fans is to have some class when rival fans come to visit. Yes a little boo here or there never really hurt anyone. It is expected. As do I expect the same hostility here in Cowtown. But to be disrespected with derogatory slurs and comments is pure shameful regardless if its sports or anything for that matter.

My roomate(Flames fan) and I are hosting a Nucks/Flames party Oct 1st. We've got 6 TVs in the house. So we are doing a Nucks upper level seating and  a Flames main floor seating for our guest. Under one roof enjoying the sport we love. 

Yes it is fun when the other team loses and we get a little piece of glory. But it is fun to enjoy with friends who love the sport and can share a few laughs and a good rivalry throughout the season. 

So this season Nucks fans around the world. Stay Classy. Cause when it is our turn to hoist the Cup. It will be that much sweeter when we do with class.

GO CANUCKS GO! from Cowtown

Peace

If you haven't heard former Canuck Todd Bertuzzi is back with the Detroit Red Wings.

The free-agent forward has agreed to a one-year deal with the Red Wings, a team he briefly played for at the end of the 2006-'07 season.

His contract is worth $1.5 million, a source told sportsnet.ca.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/08/18/redwings_bertuzzi_todd/

Man I miss that guy playing on a line with Naslund back in the hay days.

Okay so the Canucks finally revealed the mystery to who would play behind Roberto Luongo. Andrew Raycroft isn't something to write home about and some fan comments here and on CDC have made him out to be Dan Cloutier reincarnate. But when it comes to backups in the NHL it all falls soley on the shoulders of the guys in front of him and the work ethic of the forwards playing some solid 2 way action.

More often than not, I see backups get lit up because the team seems to play uninspired hockey. If I'm (if im reaching, save the flaming for another day) not correct, most players realize that when you throw your backup in to play... it is a gimmie for the other team. (they might be playing a non div team, the 2 pts isn't worth it the effort if we have a our backup in, NO. 1 just needs a rest etc.)

I live in Calgary and have watched the Flames D put Curtis McElhinney put out to dry. They seem to think that it is his job to score goals, back check and put guys into the dasher while stopping 30+ shots on net. 

This goes for any backup. The D and Fowards need to play for the guy between the pipes when No. 2 gets thrown in there to be fed by the lions. I've played enough hockey and when the No.1 gets pulled in a huge shalacking... you know you probably pot a few more goals cause the backup has the mindset to try and stop a few shots to make the debacle less painful then it already is.

The Canucks D is something that Canucks fans need to be worried about. With Ohlunds departure, Long stick Mitchell, Sami "Glass" Salo, Juice, SOB 19 ptnly mins a gm, Edler need to work to give the 2 spot goalie a chance to play.

Raycroft will need to do his part (softies and all) but the team can win it for often than not if they play sound D.Barbs was great and wished he had stayed in Van. And the team sorta rallyed around him when Lui was going to be out for awhile. So they knew they needed to play a little harder till Lui was ready. But Canuck Coaches need to get a little more push when those 2 pts are up for grabs when Razor is in net.

QUESTION:

With this move, and hopefully a long extension for Lui. Does this mean CS is on his way out and a potential Superstar D man or forward is going to be traded this way?

How do I feel? Crappy. How will I feel tomorrow? Crappy cause I'm at work. 7-5 who would of thought it would end like that? I honestly didn't think I was going to the amusement park to ride the roller coaster of all roller coasters. It was up and down from start to finish and the ride ended with throw up all over my shoes.

I thought some of the refs had some missed calls. Kesler getting hit by Ladd should of been an interference call, as should the Edler hit from Eager. Ladd left his feet and the puck was no where near Kesler. Now I'm not saying this would of won the game if the Canucks went on a PP but it sure would of stop momentum for the Hawks. Refs are human, but make sure to call the right calls.

Mats Sundin:

Mats answered the call tonight unfortunately not enough. Personally I think Mats is a bust this year. The 10 million dollar experiment is over and done with. Either Mats stays on for a significant pay cut or retires. Big name players is rare when it comes to the Canucks, so this year was made interesting when the big swede finally signed. It was nice to have yah sell a couple more jerseys to Maple Leaf fans living in Vancouver.

Verdict on the Sedins:

Sign'em. Other fans hate them, but if they were on your team you'd love them. Anybody saying they wouldn't want them on their team is a liar. Just make sure you don't over pay them. That's the key with any player. They produce points and are a threat in the offensive zone. Highly skilled and exciting to watch them play together. Playoff performance was a B- far better than 2 years ago.

Roberto Luongo:

He chose a bad night to be soft. I would say some of the goals were lucky. And in this case "you got to be good to be lucky". It is unfortunate that both d men missed the puck and allowed kane to tuck that wrap around in. It is unfortunate that Edlers skate was pointing the direction it was. In part the D and Forwards should of played harder to get the puck out of the zone. Too many blown opportunities and relying on Lui to stop them all isn't the best option. But twice Luongo was beat high glove side. I feel at Robertos caliber he should of had them. Maybe I'm asking to much, but around the league they call him the best goaltender in the world. Tonight's effort was sub par(C-). I'm not quitting on Lui. Cause he is a essential part of this team. He is one of the reasons why the Canucks are where they are at.But tonight was not the night for number 1.

The team really showed heart tonight. My biggest fear was not losing but that they would of lost in a blow out and didn't leave it all out on the ice. Being down 3-1 is a scary thing when you are a Canucks fan. They struggle from time to time to find offense and I thought that the game was done sort of (I'm a great optimist though). But they climbed out of the hole and even gained the lead twice. I felt all series they gave Kane too much room to work his game. I didn't see any tough physical play on either Toews or Kane. They never shadowed either guy. Keith and Seabrook were matching up with the Sedins and it seemed to work. The Canucks did out shoot the Hawks, which they didn't do all series. Awesome effort tonight but too little, too late. Hawks were the better team through out.

All in all...

I'm really proud of what the Canucks accomplished this year. Northwest Division Champs. Burrows and Kesler had great years. Career years in fact. Wellwood was a great surprise and his playoff push was great. I really respect pudge from where he started the year to the last shift he played on the ice. The D played well and stayed healthy for once. Salo eh... not so much. But I think there will be changes. I personally would like Ohlund to stay. But who knows Jay Bo rumors are in the mix. Bernier still needs to find the net. He is developing and we need to stick with that guy. Ryan Johnson is a character player we need to have. Mason Raymonds hockey sense is getting there. I was a hater, but he made me a believer I'm expecting big things if he stays with the club. Pyatt, to show up and play is courageous. This Canucks team has been the best Canucks team in awhile. Yes I'm disappointed that we couldn't get further or win the cup this year. But what fan wouldn't be. And the future is bright Cody Hodgson is on his way, Micheal Grabner will be an exciting call up, Yann Sauve and Corey Schneider are all waiting in the wings. It has been awhile since the Canucks can look forward to up and coming prospects.

The rest of the post season:

I hope the Caps keep going. If the Wings win, I think the Hawks are going to struggle. Patrick Kane's comment of a "magical run" is going to hit the wall soon. Cause the Wings are like the Hawks with speed, skill and depth. But the Wings have grit, great experience and tremendous killer instinct. I'm not saying this cause the Hawks beat the Canucks. Because if the Canucks made it through to the 3rd round, I think the Canucks would of had a tougher time than the Hawks. So good luck to you Kane and your magical run. I think the Canes can upset the Bruins.

And since I live in Flames territory: Take your shots, rejoice while you can. For we too will be on the greens soon enough, thanks for warming our seats. Oh October is so far away. I love my team: GO CANUCKS GO!