NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames April 10th matchup. Richard says Monday was the triumphant return of Ryan Kesler. Tuesday, unfortunately, was the departure of Chris Tanev and Chris Higgins from the line-up for the foreseeable future. This is an important time building for the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The stretch run continues for the Vancouver Canucks with a five game road trip opening in Calgary tonight.
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 Phoenix Coyotes. Richard points out where once a tag team of Alex Burrows and Mason Raymond centred the second line and Jordan Schroeder tried to tread water on the third, the Canucks now boast perhaps their most impressive centre depth in the Mike Gillis era. Enter Derek Roy.
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 Edmonton Oilers. Richard points out that the power play is still a struggle for the Canucks. On the bright side, Cory Schneider is shutting teams out, making the battle for starting netminder an interesting one. Oh yeah, Zach Kassian finally scored – his first since January!
Richard Hodges previews the Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks April 4th matchup. Richard says the Canucks addressed their biggest need and there’s no reason to believe this team isn’t better than last week. Derek Roy gives this line-up some scary flexibility. You can bitch about the lack of depth moves until you’re blue in the face, but the Roy acquisition is significant. Yes Roberto Luongo hates his contract, its his birthday today, Cory Schneider is in net. Deal with it.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s tough loss to the San Jose Sharks on Monday night. Richard points out Henrik Sedin & Daniel Sedin collectively this season, are slumping. When’s the last time they’ve scored a goal that grabbed you from your seat? The only thing worse than the league’s worst powerplay is not having any chances at all for the second time in three games.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks April 1st matchup. Richard says injuries are mounting for Van City. Add Mason Raymond to a list that includes Dale Weise and Keith Ballard. Kevin Bieksa didn’t take the morning skate either but there’s no word yet on him not playing. The Sharks open a four game homestand at HP Pavilion tonight where they’re 11-1-4. Also for the Sharks, Jason Demers didn’t play Saturday and will be a game-day decision.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s horrible loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. Richard points out being a Canucks fan means expecting the gut punch. The only franchise to lose two Stanley Cup final Game 7s has made a reputation among fans for letting them down so hard when they want to. The Canucks had won six straight. Cory Schneider was playing amazing…
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers March 30th matchup. Richard says seems as though both Zack Kassian and Keith Ballard will miss yet another game recovering from their nagging injuries while the Oilers will miss Eric Belanger, who’s out with a groin injury. It’s been a while since these two teams hooked up this year, they last saw each other in early February when the Canucks won 3-2. Cory Schneider will be in net again.
Richard Hodges previews the Colorado Avalanche vs. Vancouver Canucks March 28th matchup. Richard says It’s looking like another couple of weeks for Dale Weise now, but Steve Pinizzotto should draw back into the line-up tonight, which could end the Keith Ballard experiment at forward. He goes onto say the Canucks and Cory Schneider are going streaking. Both have been red-hot over the past five games.
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 Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night. Richard points out despite the close score, the Canucks significantly out-chanced the Jackets. Yet, their lack of conversion almost came back to haunt them. Not only was Maxim Lapierre’s shootout winner a beautiful move, it was the only goal in the game.
Richard Hodges previews the Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Vancouver Canucks March 26th matchup. Richard asks Is a four game winning streak enough to erase the doom and gloom that persisted in early March? Most of the credit is due to Cory Schneider, who has been brilliant during those four games. Van City won’t have David Booth, Ryan Kesler, Steve Pinizzoto, Dale Weise and Zack Kassian tonight…
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. LA Kings March 23rd matchup. Richard says the Nucks lineup could be in trouble today versus the Champs. Take the depleted line-up that scraped out a road win over Phoenix and subtract Alex Edler and you have the hand the Canucks have been dealt this afternoon. Cory Schneider stars in net for Van City today. Good Luck here boys.
