NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
Canucks insider Kevin Vanstone breaks down the Game 53 matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators. Mike Fisher added to his scoring spree against the Canucks. Byron Bitz had a nice game. Roberto Luongo’s acrobatic left pad save in the second period kept the game tied at three. Alexander Edler won the game with a round 6 shootout goal.
Canucks insider Kevin Vanstone breaks down the Game 52 matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and the Colorado Avalanche. The Canucks continue to get away with wins despite consistently poor performances in the middle of the regular season. Byron Bitz made a big impact in his Canucks debut Saturday afternoon. Kevin Bieksa had a great last minute of the game.
Canucks insider Kevin Vanstone breaks down the Game 51 matchup between the Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks brought a bland performance versus top Western Conference competition again on Thursday. We did learn however that Ryan Kesler and the Canucks can play with the best in the Western Conference especially with Roberto Luongo on form.
Canucks insider Kevin Vanstone breaks down the Game 50 matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks. After practically waving a white flag in the second period, the Canucks learned their lesson late. The sublime goaltending of Cory Schneider and the clutch passing of Daniel Sedin & Henrik Sedin won it for Van-City in overtime.
Canucks insider Kevin Vanstone breaks down the Game 49 matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. Cody Hodgson has one of his most forgettable games of the season Tuesday against Edmonton but should have his confidence back to professional levels after a week of All-Star festivities. Henrik Sedin & Daniel Sedin had the puck on a string all night.
Canucks insider Kevin Vanstone breaks down the Game 48 matchup between the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks. Cody Hodgson and Ryan Kesler showed the fans their ready to take Vancouver to another playoff Cup run. As seen on Saturday Vancouver’s depth and defensive ability will be the keys to clinching another playoff berth down the stretch. Roberto Luongo got the win. A Canucks record 212 wins.
Canucks insider Kevin Vanstone breaks down the Game 47 matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings. The Canucks came up just short in a shootout where Luongo was just outdueled. Ryan Kesler seemed frustrated while the Canucks played like they felt the same way. Robert Luongo kept this game from being an 8 goal blowout with a 1st star performance.
Canucks insider Kevin Vanstone breaks down the Game 46 matchup between the Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks. Jason Blake continued to make up for lost time with two goals and an assist. Bobby Ryan added a goal and an assist and Jonas Hiller made 21 saves for the Ducks win. Cody Hodgson, and Mason Raymond scored for Vancouver. Roberto Luongo took the loss.
Canucks insider Kevin Vanstone breaks down the Game 44 matchup between the Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues. Daniel Sedin scored a power-play goal 46 seconds into OT and added an assist as the Canucks posted a 3-2 victory over the host Blues. The goal was his 700th point of his career. Daniel ripped a shot past Brian Elliott after a feed from Henrik Sedin. Alexandre Burrows had 2 goals.
Canucks insider Kevin Vanstone breaks down the Game 44 matchup between the Vancouver Canucks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning. Cory Schneider sealed the win by denying Steven Stamkos on the Lightning’s final shot. Ryan Kesler jammed the puck past Roloson with two seconds to play in the 2nd period. Alex Edler, Jannik Hansen, and Manny Malhotra also scored, Mike Duco got his first NHL point.
Canucks insider Kevin Vanstone breaks down the Game 43 matchup between the Vancouver Canucks vs. Florida Panthers. Dale Weise gave Vancouver a 1-0 lead. Marcel Goc scored a power-play goal to snap a tie midway through the second period and Scott Clemmensen turned aside 25 shots. Roberto Luongo finished with 20 saves. Alain Vigneault is off the hook for the All-Star Game coaching duties.
Canucks insider Kevin Vanstone breaks down the Game 42 matchup between the Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins. Vancouver scored four times in 11 tries with the man advantage, including a Cody Hodgson game-winner just 1:09 into the third period, in support of a Cory Schneider solid goaltending performance in a 4-3 win at TD Garden.
