Recap: 11/24/2006 Oilers vs Canucks

Friday night brought the Hamilton Oilers over to Burlington for an epic clash between two rivals. The game was the second part of a two-game series, so the Oilers were struggling to regain a scrap of dignity after being completely in awe of the Canuck’s performance a week earlier. Said one anonymous Oiler to another: “I can’t believe how good the Canucks are. It’s like they had the opportunity to play in the NHL, but for the love of the CRHL they are here to grant us the amazing opportunity to play against such high level competition.” The Canucks were only too happy to grant the Oilers such an opportunity. With cat-like agility along with tremendous speed and talent, the Canucks rolled over the Oilers, and managed to score twice as many goals as them. How’s that for cockiness… :)

In actuality the game was pretty close. Both teams were not playing their best, but the Canucks did manage to edge out a 4-2 win. In the first two periods the game was extremely close. The teams traded goals (Arie and Jack for the Canucks, and Adam and Alko for the Oilers) to go to the third tied at two goals a piece. In the third period (after the Oilers lost one of their star players due to a poor call by the ref…) the Canucks finally got rolling and James and Matt each tossed a puck into the Oiler net to seal the deal.

There was great rejoicing in all the land, as the Canucks left the ice and headed out to celebrate. Apparently the Oilers were a little too embarrassed to show their faces at the Coachman, so the Canucks had to celebrate alone, although you wouldn’t know it to look at the bill.

That’s it for the Canucks-Oilers games until February. Next week we play the Vipers, 10:00 on Friday night back at Skyway arena. A rink in which many Canuckers have lost many games in as part of the old Viper squad. A combination of talented new teammates, and a winless Viper team should result something a little different this year.

This week’s video is up, and it shows a number of interesting game points. The penalty-shot awarded to James seems legit as the Oiler defenseman seems to purposely lift his leg to trip him up. A shot or two off the crossbar, a nice blast from the point by a talented number 33, a slow-mo 3 on 1, and Ken’s missed goal all make the highlight reel. Booted Oiler Jeff makes an appearance for a brief interview and states what everyone on both teams was thinking. Lots of pushing and shoving too, but hey - it’s hockey, not figure skating. Can’t wait till the rematch in February. Go Nucks!

Recap: 11/18/2006 Canucks vs Oilers

The Canucks took the first game of the doubleheader on Saturday by a score of 4-1. The two teams played two evenly matched periods before the Canucks took control of the game in the third. The game was touted as being a possible first round playoff match up this spring.

The first period started poorly for the Canucks who gave up the first goal for the third time this season. Gerb - the Oil’s best defenseman walked around the Canucks and neatly tucked the opening goal by Chris Vanderhorst, the Canuck goalie. (Vanderhorst must have still been thinking about the speeding ticket he got on the way to the game) The Canucks responded shortly after on the power play with Alco Degelder in the box for boarding. Mike Smouter put the puck past Rueb Vanderwoude to even the two teams at one goal a piece. On the same power play, the Canucks took the lead with a Vanderpol wrist shot making it 2-1 Canucks.

The second period started with the teams trading chances only to be denied by great goaltending at both ends of the rink. The Oil thought they had the equalizer but the ref blew the whistle before the puck entered the net and the goal was disallowed. At the other end of the ice James Poort thought he had put the Canucks up 3-1 only to have the ref say it hit the cross bar. Video replay shows the puck clearly hitting the back crossbar. The teams ended the second with the Canucks still ahead 2-1.

Having the lead, the Canucks played solid defense throughout the third period. Vanderhorst kept them in the game with some key saves including a superb glove save to keep the score at 2-1. James Poort, who was denied a goal (or two) earlier in the game finally put one by Vanderwoude to put the Canucks up 3-1. Shortly after the Poort goal the Canucks struck again with Jack Vanderhorst adding an insurance marker.

After the game the teams boarded a charter and headed to their bar the Coachman. The teams chatted about the game and definitely enjoyed playing against each other instead of 12 year olds. Next week looks to be another dandy game. Hopefully the Canucks pull out another big win against a decent team.

- This week's recap article written by Canucks goaltender Chris Vanderhorst. Thanks Chris.

Here's this week's video:

Recap: 11/10/2006 Predators vs Canucks

The Canucks improved their record to 4-1 with an 8-2 victory over the Predators on Friday night. For the first time in the season the entire team showed up. This resulted in balanced scoring throughout the lines as Jack, Matt, Dan, Mike (2), Arie, Joel, and Wade all scored to put the game away early. The two goals against were due to overconfidence and a lack of overall defensive responsibility after an eight goal cushion was built up. Hopefully we’ll learn from it and give Chris a chance to post a few more shut-outs.

After five games, the team scoring race is tightening up. Six players are within four points of taking over Wade for the lead. It will be interesting to see if we can continue to have such a balanced attack. Having a high number of players that can put the puck in the net is a big advantage. The eight goals we scored last night (along with 23 others this year) proved we have what it takes offensively to compete, but we need to get committed defensively if we want to take over first place.

We now head into a home-and-home against the Oilers. We are eagerly anticipating this mini-series against a decent hockey team. Hopefully it will give us a chance to really find out if we have what it takes to kick ass in this league. Next week’s game is 9:00 at Olympic Arena in Dundas. Go Nucks!

Here's this week's video:

Recap: 11/4/2006 Canucks vs Titans

The Canucks hit the road on Saturday night to visit the Toronto Titans. The boys were all fired up after a long road trip and a long hot sit in a dressing room that resembled a dutch oven. The game started out fine, with our guys getting scoring chance after scoring chance. However, nothing seemed to be going in, and after a bit of an unlucky blunder in our own end the Titans ended up with the first goal on a wide-open empty net. Being down by a goal already in the first period was not something that a Canuck is going to take lightly. As the second period began, the Canucks needed a break to get back into the game. An offensive zone face-off proved to be that break, as Jack fired the puck into the back of the net before the puck even hit the ground. With the game tied back up, the Canucks continued to attack the Titans end. With countless chances, the Canucks just could not finish. The third period started, and the Canucks were in complete control of everything except the scoreboard. All of a sudden after a bad face-off loss in our own end the Titans put one past us and we were down by one with just over half a period left. To make up for his face-off loss, and to get his team back, Jack won the draw at center ice and flew down the ice past their entire team with the puck and snuck a beauty by the awestruck Titans. (When you guys write these articles – feel free to embellish your own goals too ;) ) . Finally back in the game, the rest of the team decided to help Jack out. Mike and Mark scored two clutch goals past the Titans goalkeeper to put the game away for good. The final score of 4-2 was a little too close for comfort, but our boys did dominate the play for most of the game, it was just a matter of time before the pucks started going in. The team toasted the victory with a couple of lagers, and vowed never again to cut it that close again.

Next week the Canucks finally get to play in their new home rink at their regular time. Friday night, 9:30 at the Wave Twin Rink (the second pad) against the kindergarteners. Should be an easy win, but we only won 9-0 last time, so let’s beat that.

Anyways... here's this week's much anticipated video.
Thanks again Loretta - (and Mike)