Linden night - Canucks-Oilers preview
This is a big day in Canucks' history. Canucks legend Trevor Linden will have his #16 retired and there will be all sorts of festivities surrounding the Canucks-Oilers game.
At 6:00 pm the celebration ceremonies begin on Rogers Sportsnet Pacific, or you can watch it at Canucks.com. It's going to be a tear-jerking and suiting tribute to Mr. Canuck.
At 8:00 pm there will be a roundtable hosted by Barry MacDonald with special guests Dean Linden, Kirk McLean and Norm Jewison.
Linden's jersey is going to look great next to Stan Smyl's #12.
The Canucks will most likely feel the emotion of this tribute and hopefully play an ultra-inspired game against an Oilers squad that had their butts handed to them 9-2 by the Blackhawks on Tuesday night. Once again, you can expect fireworks in this game with all the emotions and the rivalry alone. Keep in mind that the Vancouver lost 3-0 to the Oilers last Saturday in an un-inspired effort. I don't see them sleeping in this one.
I'll update this post all day with any player interviews or lineup changes.
11:53 AM
Sami Salo is doubtful for tonight. Where once he had a groin issue, he is now apparently suffering from the flu...again. Sometimes I really thing we need to either trade this guy or waive him. Then he scores an OT goal against Detroit and I like him all over again.
On Sunday against the Panthers, the Canucks set a new team record for the three fastest consecutive special teams goals in a single period when Pavol Demitra and Kyle Wellwood tallied power play markers followed by Ryan Kesler’s shorthanded goal in a span of 2:08 during the second period.That was pretty impressive wasn't it? Adiose Panthers!
From Sanford today:
"It’s up to one of us to take the ball. We can’t be winning one, losing one. One of us has to get on a roll. Until the coaching staff sees that, it might be back and forth."No kidding! One of you guys get on a roll already! Yeesh!
Linden said that he was "hocked and overwhelmed" by the honor that he is about to receive. I think sometimes you just have to know when you're good, Trevor! Don't be so bashful!
In case you have lived under a rock for the past 16 days, Canucks.com has had a special on their site called "16 days of Trevor Linden. The complete archive of that can be found here. Lots of great Linden history there.
CDC has a video clip up on Wellwood too. The players love him. No, he's not the fastest skater, nor does he have a huge physical game, but he's in the right place at the right time frequently. I don't think many people thought he'd be a sniper, because he's known for his playmaking abilities. But this year he's changed that. Worth a look.
3:00 PM
A new Gate 16 at GM Place has been intrduced in honor of Linden. The big 16 unveiled in the snowy weather today. I wonder how many city slickers won't make the game because of reckless snowy driving. Everyone take the Sky Train!
Said Linden today:
“I’m hoping to keep it together, that should be a challenge,” Linden told reporters this morning at GM Place. “I’m hoping to have funand obviously speaking to 18,000 people is not my forte. But I think it is going to be a fun night. I know how hard (the Canuck staff) have worked on putting this night together, so I think it is going to be a great night.”
T Tags: Trevor+Linden+jersey+retirement December+17+2008 Canucks Oilers Game+preview
Labels: Canucks, Game Preview, Oilers, retired jersey, Trevor Linden
13 Comments:
Lets listen to the the pre-game ceremony on Team1040 and drink everytime Tom Larscheid's voice starts to crack :-) This morning I was listening on my way out the door and they replayed the final minute of Game 6 against the Rangers. Jim Robson's call was epic: "Linden is hurt and struggling to the bench, We'll find out what condition he'll be in for game 7, but he'll play. You know he'll play! He'll play on crutches...!"
And suddenly you know things aren't all that bad and life is pretty good, and I think it's going to be a good day.
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Awww man, that call by Robson sends goosebumps and also envokes pain over the eventual result. I always liked Linden, although his lack of physical intimidation was always a beef with me.
Oilers got smoked last night, so tonight should be a war. That said, there exists the possibility of the Oilers quittin on MacT and layin another egg.
I'm hopin for an egg-layin performance from that trashy AHL stocked sack of crap team.
I'm not even gonna acknowledge Sundins existence anymore, at least til he scores and I decide whether to cheer or not.
Yeah, I will acknowledge Sundin today if anything comes up, because I've been doing that since July (why quit now?) But it is Linden day most importantly.
Jin, you love that "He'll play" Larschied moment huh? Pretty cool.
I still like Jim Robson's call with Greg Adams' OT goal in game 1 of the finals. Classic!
4-1 Canucks
Courtnall, Linden (GWG), Babych, Ronning
Buchberger
Temujin cries buckets of tears and MacTavish gets fired at 10:30pm pacific time.
Haha! Nice! I got a 4-3 score Canucks in OT.
Wellwood, Demitra (2), Burrows.
In fifteen years, will we eloquently shed a tear for how great the noble Finebark of the Windorshire was? Will we wait with baited breath and count the days until his jersey retirement?
I for one certainly hope so.
Good old Sami. Not playin again, I would love to trade him when he is playin well. I love his shot and when he's on, he's great. Unfortunately he is good for a few games, misses 2 or 3 and then comes back and it takes 3-4 games to get back to where he was originally. Not worth it to keep him for 65 games a year when he is effective for 40 of em'.
That Salo/Schaefer trade worked out well for us, but Sami's time is up methinks.
I predict 5-3 Nucks tonight with the twins tearin it up...
Jin: As much as I love Finebark, I really don't see that happening.
I already shed a tear for him every time he loses a pound or scores a goal. :)
Billy: Yes, the deal for Sami with Ottawa was a great deal in the end. Either that, or Ottawa knew he was made of glass.
To be honest, for the amount of times he's injured, I say dump him and give a steady guy like Lawrence Nycholat his spot. Or Rob Davison if a physical game is at hand.
David Pratt just said on Team1040: "Linden's greatness is not about
numbers, it's about Moments...
...when Trevor Linden speaks tonight, you may see him ball like Halle Berry at the Oscars..."
I think I'm gonna ball like Halle Barry at the Oscars, bwa ha ha!
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Gino Odjick is wearing a suit tonight. I can't wait to see this ceremony.
Life is good and truly things aren't all that bad.
I just noticed: 5 games played tonight, 4 NW teams playing. Who does the scheduling?
Man, it's like they make all the NW teams play the night, just to screw with me.
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