NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
A proud Vancouverite with a lifelong passion for the home teams that some would classify as pointless and disturbing. Now realizes that The Linden Tree is not the play you think it would be.
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NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges brings us a situation that has risen in the Vancouver Canucks clubhouse. With AV gone to New York, Gillis must find a suitable replacement for the first time in his tenure in Vancouver. Will John Tortorella or John Stevens be the next coach of the Canucks or will it be a darkhorse candidate? If Mike Gillis can’t reverse course, this stink is on him.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges today brings us an open email to former Nucks head coach Alain Vigneault. He points out AV is the winningest coach in Canucks history, bringing home the division banners, Presidents’ Trophies, and of course 2011. He says AV set the bar high and the only way to clear it is with a Stanley Cup. He was fun to watch, not fun to watch and he’ll be missed. Happy Trails AV.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s loss to the San Jose Sharks in Game 3 of Round 1. He says that, on the positive side, that the series isn’t as bad as it looks, the weather is great, and the Canucks will move on. However, he does address the fact that the Canucks are once again failing to get anything going, lacking a dominant goalkeeper, and just struggling in the playoffs.
Richard Hodges previews the San Jose Sharks vs Vancouver Canucks May 3rd matchup. Richard says the goaltending saga continues as Roberto Luongo starts again and is preparing like he’ll start them all. There’s still no word on Cory Schneider’s condition in the most bizarre twist of this year-long soap opera. The Canucks meanwhile will load up Derek Roy and Ryan Kesler on the second line with Chris Higgins in an attempt to find some scoring punch.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s loss to the San Jose Sharks in Game 1 of Round 1. He asks Is it puck luck that demands the Canucks need be perfect to score but opponents can score with any half chance? Multiple times in this game Daniel Sedin had a perfect opportunity to shoot the puck and either hesitated or passed off. Roberto Luongo was not the problem.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges takes a look at the form of the Vancouver Canucks as they head into their first round matchup with the San Jose Sharks. The Canucks have just as good a chance as every other team says Richard, but they will need the lucky bounces to go in their favor. A Cup run is unlikely, Richard thinks, but playoff hockey brings the unexpected right to our living rooms.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s loss to the Dallas Stars. Richard points Derek Roy is good. He says he’s not being used exactly right, but so far he’s above Bryan Smolinski on the trade deadline bell curve. He also asks an interesting question. Is it hyperbole to say when Kevin Bieksa comes back the Canucks will never lose? (Probably.)
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s loss to the St. Louis Blues. Richard points out Cory Schneider got the start on the second half of back to back nights. Roberto Luongo was the surprise starter on Monday. This was a playoff game, and by rights it should have been settled in 5-on-5 overtime. Quick fact. The Canucks need Derek Roy to anchor a third line.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues April 16th matchup. Richard says the Canucks are only five points behind the Anaheim Ducks for second in the conference. He also points out Ryan Kesler and the powerplay both made triumphant returns last night against Nashville, putting the Canucks five points up in the Minnesota Wild
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s win over the Predators. Richard points out we’ve missed you Ryan Kesler. The pivot’s return has revitalized the team and the powerplay as the Canucks are really starting to look like the 2011 version. Need a negative? After a great start to the season, the inconsistency has been slipping back into Kevin Bieksa’s game.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators April 15th matchup. Richard says the Canucks will try to push forward after the gut punch loss to the Avs on Saturday, and will do so with Roberto Luongo between the pipes, leaving their starter for the much better St Louis Blues tomorrow night. Richard asks if the Ryan Kesler on wing experimental is successful, is a Jordan Schroeder call-up far behind?
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s win over the Calgary Flames. Richard points out Roberto Luongo was the surprise starter thanks to Cory Schneider’s flu, and his first game in a long while was pretty damn good. He also asks if Zack Kassian can flip the switch by the end of the month? The playoffs are right around the corner. He’ll be needed.
