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. Phoenix Coyotes March 21st matchup. Richard says before Shane Doan scored in the third period Thursday, the Phoenix Coyotes had gone 245 minutes and 32 seconds without a goal. They’ve also lost four straight in that span, dropping out of the playoffs for now. David Booth has a high ankle sprain. Zack Kassian has his back issues that make it tough to predict when he gets back in the line-up.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges got his laptop fixed and his back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s win over the St. Louis Blues Wednesday night. Richard points out a win is a win as a horse and horse and no one can look a gift horse in the mouth of course. He loves the play out of one Canucks in particular. Something has sparked Jannik Hansen this year as he’s playing for keeps almost every shift. Cory Schneider got the W.
Richard Hodges previews the St. Louis Blues vs. Vancouver Canucks March 19th matchup. Richard says the Blues will get a boost tonight when Andy McDonald returns after missing four games. Exactly what the Canucks didn’t want to hear. Yes, the Canucks are in a tailspin, having lost 11 of their last 16. Last time these two met you may remember Jake Allen’s beautiful save off Alex Burrows in overtime. Season turning point? Who knows.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s win over the Nashville Predators Thursday night. Richard points out it really is the year of the honey badger for the Vancouver Canucks, as Jannik Hansen has enjoyed a tenacious breakout year. What will Coach Alain Vigneault do with Andrew Ebbett moving forward?
Richard Hodges previews the Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks March 14th matchup. Richard says the Canucks are back in town, which means the traditional first game home trap is in play tonight. The Preds will miss Paul Gaustad, Colin Wilson and Patric Hornqvist while the Canucks are essentially healthy with Kevin Bieksa if you try not to think about Ryan Kesler. Thankfully, Bieksa will be back tonight.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in a shootout. Whatever Mason Raymond did in the shootout worked. But man was it ugly. Was it legal? Richard doesn’t even care. It went in he says. The game’s first highlight was David Booth laying out Matt Calvert. Nice way to start the game.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets March 12th matchup. Richard says Kevin Bieksa will miss yet another game with his groin troubles while Keith Ballard appears to be over his charley horse but still in the doghouse. Its tough times right now for Van City. Mike Gillis traded Cody Hodgson for Zack Kassian last trade deadline, so anything is on the table here. This team needs to start winning. NOW.
Waving the White Towel Yikes. After all these underwhelming games, the Canucks blew another chance to right the ship and take two points out a hockey game. Instead, the Minnesota debacle felt almost like the culmination of the creeping habits that had been plaguing the Canucks. Halfway through the year the Canucks are struggling to [...]
Richard Hodges previews the San Jose Sharks vs Vancouver Canucks March 10th matchup. Richard says the Wild are coming off Ryan Suter’s emotional return to Nashville, where they took two points in a shootout. Zach Parise had Minnesota’s only regulation marker. The Canucks are limping into this one he says. They’ll have to win today with a banged up line-up that will miss Ryan Kesler, Kevin Bieksa and Tom Sestito.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in overtime. The Canucks are once again atop the Northwest and the third seed in the West but the pitchforks are out for Coach Alain Vigneault. On a positive note Henrik Sedin has scored in back-to-back games. Zack Kassian and David Booth have to break out soon right?
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets March 7th matchup. Richard says the Jackets will miss Brandon Dubinsky, James Wisniewski and John Moore tonight. For the Canucks, as mentioned, Kevin Bieksa and Keith Ballard will join Kesler in popcorn duty tonight, testing the blueline depth the most this year.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s loss to the San Jose Sharks in shootouts. While there was impressive play from the Canucks–at times–they needed a greater effort on the ice if they were going to come away with anything from this game. Among things that frustrated Richard was the lack of impressive play when Vancouver had a power play advantage.
