NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
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 Mitch Dyck brings us up to speed on the storylines involving the Canucks and the upcoming NHL trade deadline. He says when you’re a nose hair away from the half way mark of the season and you’re having these issues it may be time to look inward and see what needs to be done in order to succeed and not just get by. When do you make a move he asks. Chris Higgins, Mason Raymond, Roberto Luongo, we wait…
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.
Richard Hodges previews the San Jose Sharks vs Vancouver Canucks March 5th matchup. Richard says the Sharks defeated the Canucks 4-1 in their only other game this year. Joe Pavelski had a pair while Patrick Marleau was going through his insane goal-scoring stretch. Meanwhile goaltenders around the league are getting injured in droves and the trade deadline is just a month away, If not a goaltender (Roberto Luongo / Cory Schneider, then Keith Ballard?
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Steve Lee peels up the court and steps out on to the ice for his latest piece. Steve points out that even if it would be a “bad move” in the eyes of most Canucks fans, trading Ryan Kesler actually makes more sense than one would think. Just take this season alone for example. The Canucks were playing great hockey without Kesler, then once he finally came back from yet another injury, the losses started piling up. Coincidence? Steve thinks not.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger tells us the Nucks announced Wednesday afternoon that forward Ryan Kesler will be out several weeks with a fracture in his foot. He asks is one month enough time for the Canucks to come together as a championship calibre team, or will Mike Gillis elect to acquire another forward to advance his team’s chances of Stanley Cup glory?
Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges Love Em Hate Em hockey blog. He recaps and rewinds the loss Sunday afternoon to the Detroit Red Wings. Richard points out Canucks fans didn’t take this game well, lamenting the defensive zone coverage, Roberto Luongo’s play and the general futility of even trying for the rest of the year. Nice to see after his reckless run at Chris Tanev, Zack Kassian decided to beat up Jordin Tootoo. Nice.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. Detroit Red Wings Feb 24 matchup. Richard says David Booth didn’t practice yesterday and might not play tonight due to illness, which might give Zack Kassian a chance to get back beside Ryan Kesler. Roberto Luongo will get the start as the Vezina buzz begins for the beleaguered backup. The Canucks will not have Kevin Bieksa. He’s out with a groin injury
Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges Love Em Hate Em hockey blog. He recaps and rewinds the win versus the Dallas Stars. Richard points out you had to love Jason Garrison’s goal where he took a quick shot that devastated Antoine Roussel and allowed him to tee up a blast from the point like he was at the driving range. Also It was plainly obvious on the Stars’ third goal that Ryan Kesler is not yet back to Selke calibre.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Bryan McFarlane weighs in with his Nucks three stars post. Here are the few noteworthy performers from Feb 11th – Feb 18th during the Canucks 2013 campaign. Daniel Sedin, Ryan Kesler, and Henrik Sedin make Bryan’s list. Kesler delighted fans this past week as he finally returned to the lineup and looks ready to help push Vancouver into the playoffs.
Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges Love Em Hate Em hockey blog. He recaps and rewinds the loss against the St. Louis Blues. Richard points out that since the return of Ryan Kessler, the Canucks have been looking great, but haven’t been able to turn the greatness into wins, having gained only 1 point in those games. Richard is also pushing for a trade of Roberto Luongo to the Blues for their rookie net-minder Jake Allen.
