NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Bryan McFarlane weighs in with his Nucks three stars post. Here are the few noteworthy performers from April 7th to April 14th during the Canucks’ 2013 campaign. Daniel Sedin, Dan Hamhuis, and Ryan Kessler make the list this week. Bryan points out the impressive play of Kessler in his return and how surprising Hamhuis’ efforts were.
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 Canucks writer Josh Hall says the panic button remains in a distant land…kind of like how the Vancouver Canucks remain atop the Northwest Division and 3rd place in the Western Conference. Cory Schneider didn’t have his best game but there were signs that the needed meshing is taking place at this vital time of the season. What do the next 14 days hold? This team can do better and has proven that so there should be no doubt a deep playoff run remains a possibility.
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.
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 Josh Hall tells us today the Nucks made a series of move to help with the playoff stretch. Derek Roy is a Vancouver Canuck and should provide some flexibility down the middle but I don’t buy the whole Ryan Kesler on the wing idea. Josh says if you’re asking and he’s betting, Roberto Luongo will be a Vancouver Canuck after Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline. Plus Chris Higgins has a new contract.
