Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Blues 3 Canucks 1: Where is the intensity?

"It's tough," Weight said. "Two of my great friends and a big part of our success we had are those guys. (Guerin and Tkachuk) It was important to get back on the winning record, especially against this team which had been playing so well."
Tonight, the Blues played with desire. The Canucks once again did not skate hard and match the opposing team's intensity, losing 3-1 to the Blues. You could say that this game should have been an easy one, but that isn't the case, as the Blues are 17-8-2 in their last 26 games. They played a pretty good game despite the fact that they had just lost Tkachuk and Guerin.
Once again the Canucks got into penalty trouble at the end of this game, as Burrows and Dan Sedin took tripping penalties nearing the end of the 3rd period. Doug Weight scored his second goal of the game on the PP, (the Blues' 3rd goal) with only 2:14 left in the 3rd period. But the problem with the Canucks originated with them not skating hard enough. Sure, they outshot the Blues 18-9 after 2 periods with the game tied at one. But they did not get enough quality scoring chances on Curtis Sanford, who is now 5-0 against the Canucks. Most of Vancouver's shots were from the perimeter, trying for a tap-in.
How did Smolinski and Sopel play? Smolinski looked lost out there, but he needs some time. Sopel needs time as well. It seemed to me that he was playing that old Canucks style from previous years. Yeah, that 'out of position' style. He will adjust in time.
How did Tommi Santala play? Like shite. He looks nervous out there sometimes, and cannot capitalize when the Sedins set him up. Why is Santala any better than Brad Moran or Brandon Reid? Hopefully Pyatt comes back soon.
There is no need to panic at this point. The Canucks' lack of intensity is a concern, but will only be temporary I'm sure. They have only lost 3 times since December 22, and were on a 6-0-1 streak. I say it's time for a little adversity. In fact, it would be good for them to slump a little, and then get their shit together in the last 5-10 games before the playoffs. Right now it seems like they are playing like spoiled brats..like they are almost 'tired' of winning and taking things for granted.
I bet Montreal, Edmonton and Toronto wish they had the same problem!

My 3 Stars:

1. Doug Weight. 2 goals and a spirited effort.
2. Curtis Sanford. 28 saves on 29 shots. He didn't have to be great though.
3. Dan Sedin. 1 goal and 5 shots.

BOX SCORE

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9 Comments:

At February 28, 2007 at 5:05 a.m. , Blogger jimbuff said...

Zanstorm - One bright spot about T.O. and Vancouver not doing enough at the trade deadline is you will not have to rename your blog next year:)

 
At February 28, 2007 at 7:46 a.m. , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think that we could've gotten another goal if the net moved like five feet to either the left or right. Cause that's where Santala was throwing the pucks.

 
At February 28, 2007 at 9:43 a.m. , Blogger Sean Zandberg said...

Jimbuff- the Canucks did enough! Oh yes! The Bruins, however brainfarted! Boyes for Wideman??!!!

Isabella- LOL! True! I'm not sold on him at all!

 
At February 28, 2007 at 9:52 a.m. , Blogger jimbuff said...

Zanstorm - you say, "The Bruins, however brainfarted!" - your words were alot nicer than mine about what the B's did.

- Canucks would have been wise to have gotten Ryan Smyth - pulled the trigger to soon on the Smolinski deal.

 
At February 28, 2007 at 10:10 a.m. , Blogger Sean Zandberg said...

We can't afford Smyth, the Oilers would not have traded him to a division rival, etc.

 
At February 28, 2007 at 11:23 a.m. , Blogger Mike said...

I had to do a triple take to make sure it was actually Santala I was seeing out there with the twins. I thought Bulis and Naslund "looked" good enough at times. See how far I have to stretch to get something out of value out of that game??

 
At February 28, 2007 at 11:29 a.m. , Blogger Sean Zandberg said...

No kidding! Yeah, Bulis showed the most hustle I think. So did Josh Green.

 
At February 28, 2007 at 12:19 p.m. , Blogger Unknown said...

After listening to Team1040 during draft day, I have this awful feeling that the 'Nux are victims of their own record. Wins are money in the bank, but the number of 1 goal games and OT wins indicates that those games could have gone either way. Sure, it build character, and proves they can win the close ones, but maybe the record is going to their heads.

Great site!

 
At February 28, 2007 at 5:26 p.m. , Blogger Sean Zandberg said...

I think they take lousy teams for granted. Teams like Chicago, Los Angeles, 'St. Louis', even though they've been hot lately, and even Columbus.

I don't read much into 1-goal games. Calgary made a living out of doing that a couple years ago and came within 1 goal in game 7 of winning the Cup!

 

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Waiting For Stanley was created in June 2006.