Vancouver Canucks Sports Ticker

Canucks trying to find the groove

2009-03-09T06:16:00.000-07:00

Vancouver BC

In what has been a whirlwind offseason and short tenure of this GLHL season one thing is for certain the Canucks players are on short leashes. GM Barry Shepherd never afraid to make a move has made plenty this year. Some questionable deals that saw guys like Pavel Kubina and newly acquired Antoine Vermette along with Brendan Morrow all shipped out of town. It seems Shepherd is trying to find the right combinations to allow them to compete with the top teams in the upper echelon of the GLHL. The Canucks appear to handle the bottom half the league no problem on most nights but it is still the constant struggle against the Hawks, Flames, Wings, Ducks that leaves the GM frustrated and looking for answers. One big acquisition the Canucks hope to get going is Paul Kariya. A superstud in his days with Dallas has come to Vancouver and has dried up like a desert. Its like a mirage for the Canucks who hope eventually this mirage will finally live up to his true billing and pop some goals in.

Canucks lose heartbreaker in St. Paul fall 2-1 in OT to Wild

2008-07-09T07:38:00.001-07:00

St. Paul MN

Last nights game can either be determined as a heartbreaker or confidence booster. The Canucks seem to play their best against the best. After beating the Wild the other night the Canucks travel to the XCEL Energy Arena and lost 2-1 in OT. This game was there for the Canucks to take as the first period saw the Wild go to the sinbin 5 times. However, it was the Wild that managed to take advantage as Wes Walz scored SH to put the Wild up 1-0. Roberto Luongo would make a couple sweet glove saves to preserve the 1-0 SO.

The second period in which the Wild would hold the shots lead saw Mike Sillinger score a fluke goal off the faceoff just 12 seconds in. Sillinger tried to dump the puck in but a weird bounce off a stansion bounced the puck out front and into the empty cage. Luongo had gone behind the net to stop the clear around.

That would be it until OT as both goalies made save after save.

In OT with 21 seconds to go Wes Walz with his second of the night broke the hearts of the Canucks and sent the crowd home happy. A bad turnover by Shawn Horcoff at the Wilds blueline allowed a 3 on 2 the other way and the Wild capatalized.

Star # 1 Wes Walz

Star #2 Roberto Luongo

Star #3 Vesa Toskala

Canucks battle for a 2-2 draw with the Oilers

2008-07-09T05:49:00.000-07:00

Edmonton AB

The Canucks are on a little run gaining 4 points out of a potential 6 in their last 3games and now travel to St. Paul. The Canucks had some tired legs and the Oilers took full advantage of it in the first outshooting Vancouver 16-8. Mark Recchi scored twice including once on the PP to put the Oil up 2-0 after 1.

As has been the case over the last couple days the Canucks seemed to find a way to battle back as John Madden and Andrei Kostitsyn scored second period goals to tie the score at 2.

In the third the Oilers again had pressure outshooting the Canucks 12-4 but Manny Legace stood on his head making big save after big save. In OT the Canucks were able to get 2 shots on net but both were turned aside by Chris Osgood.

Final shots on the game were 37-22. This game could have easily been a blowout but Manny kept the Canucks in the game and stole a point for his team.

Star # 1 Manny Legace

Star #2 Mark Recchi

Star #3 John Madden

Canucks battle the Flames to Stalemate 1-1

2008-07-08T07:12:00.000-07:00

Calgary AB

Niklas Backstrom was the story in tonights affair between the Canucks and Flames. Vancouver clearly had the upper hand all night but great goaltending kept them in the game.

The Flames opened the scoring early in the first as Rem Murray potted his second of the year. Calgary would hold a 9-6 shot advantage.

In the second the game would get nasty as Darryl Sydor was assessed a 5 and a match penalty for a gutless spearing job. On the play Rem Murray also took a minor for roughing after the play. The league will be reviewing the spearing incident immediately. It took Vancouver just 25 seconds to score on the 5 on 3 as Vaclav Prospal was found at the side of the net for the pretty tic tac toe. From then on it was the Backstrom show. He turned away shot after shot. The period ended tied 1-1 after 2.

In the third the Canucks were unable to dent the twine despite outshooting the Flames 11-6.

Overtime was much the same as the Canucks outshot the Flames 5-0.

Star # 1 Niklas Backstrom

Star #2 Manny Legace

Star #3 Brad Stuart

Canucks tame the Wild

2008-07-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

Vancouver BC

The tension around the GM Place was electric. The GLHL leading and defending champs Minnesota Wild were in town. Given the current standings this should have been a romp for the Wild. However, early on the tone was set and the Canucks played like a team possessed. Being outshot 9-5 in the first the Canucks were the only ones to manage to get on the scoresheet as Stu Barnes scored his 6th of the year unassisted. He picked off a pass up the middle from Scott Hannan went in all alone on Luongo beat him with a wrister glove side.

The second again was dominated by the Wild outshooting the Canucks 11-3. This time however, it would be the Wild getting on the board as Oleg Tverdovsky blistered home a nice one-timer. The teams would held into the locker room tied at 1.

Coming off a loss the night before to Edmonton in which the Oilers scored 2 third period goals it was imperative that the Canucks play better. Things turned out better tonight as Vaclav Prospal and Pavel Kubina scored to make it 3-1 with just 4 minutes and change left. The Wild wouldnt quit as Daniel Sedin would make it 3-2 with just under 3 minutes left. The Wild appeared to had tied it late in the third with the tender on the bench but video review showed the puck never fully crossed the line.

Star # 1 Vaclav Prospal

Star #2 Shawn Horcoff

Star #3 Anton Volchenkov

Edmonton strikes Oil in Vancouver win 4-1

2008-07-06T04:54:00.000-07:00

Vancouver BC

The year of struggles continue for the Canucks. Last night was more of the same. Chris Osgood stole the show allowing 1 goal on 32 shots. Vancouver opened the scoring on a goal by Martin Erat. That goal would carry over the second frame.

However, in the second and on the game belonged to the Oilers. Eric Perron scored early to tie it up. Both Toskala and Osgood made big saves to go into the third stanza tied at 1.

The third was all Edmonton. Guillame Latendresse, Brent Seabrook and Mark Smith all scored for Edmonton to give them a commanding 4-1 final victory.

GM Shepherd was quoted after the game as saying this was one needed. We can't let the divisional games get away from us. With a tough Minnesota team coming in we can't be dropping these ones. Specifically if we want to make the playoffs.

Minnesota now travels to GM Place. Minnesota which leads the league in points brings with it explosive offense and dynamic defense along with one of the best goalies in the league in Roberto Luongo.

Star # 1 Mark Smith

Star #2 Chris Osgood

Star #3 Brent Seabrook

Canucks bury the Avalanche

2008-07-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

Vancouver BC

The sold out GM Place went home happy last night as the hometown Canucks skated past Colorado 4-2. This season has been like a rollercoaster for many of the players and fans. The team hasn't hit a plateau yet. Last night Scott Thornton got the action started with his 2nd of the year. Kimmo Timonen would tie it late in the first to send the teams to the rooms with a 1-1 draw.

In the second Canuck killer Mikael Samuelsson would score his 9th of the year and 3rd against the Canucks to put the Av's up 2-1. However, Stu Barnes and Stephane Yelle would score goals late in the 2nd to make it 3-2 Canucks.

The third saw Shawn Horcoff score with 1 second left on the clock to seal the deal.

The game was heavily dominated by Vancouver as they outshot the Av's 34-19.

Of note early in the first the tone was set as Jason Smith rocked Alexander Ovechkin in the corner sending him to the showers as he didn't return.

Star # 1 Stephane Yelle

Star #2 Mike Johnson

Star #3 Mikael Samuelsson

Canucks go up in Flames lose 5-3.

2008-07-04T07:00:00.001-07:00

Calgary AB

If the Canucks hope to have any chance in the GLHL this year they must win these pivotal divisional games. However, last night the Canucks failed to get the job done falling 5-3 to the Flames.

Kyle Wellwood opened the scoring for Calgary late in the first to go into the dressing room up 1-0. Vancouver would reply as Brendan Witt scored his first of the season to make it 1-1. Witt in his first game back from injury hammered a screen shot home. Calgary would go up 2-1 on a goal by Patrik Elias. Just 16 seconds later thou Vaclav Prospal would score to make it 2-2. Pavel Kubina would make it 3-2 for the Canucks. In typical see-saw action the Flames responded on Mike Keanes first of the year.

In the third the Flames came out hungry and got a goal from Nik Hagman to make it 4-3. From there the Flames would shut it down till Chris Tamer found the empty cage to seal the deal for the Flames.

Star # 1 Kyle Wellwood

Star #2 Stu Barnes

Star #3 Dion Phaneuf

Injuries and Penalties cost Canucks

2008-06-30T07:11:00.001-07:00

Denver, CO

In can only be described as ugly. Already shorthanded with three of the six starting dmen missing the Canucks decided to play even more shorthanded specifically 11 times.

Randy Robitaille scored both goals for the Avalanche while newly acquired Jere Lehtinen replied for the Canucks in a losing 2-1 effort.

Vesa Toskala was huge making many great saves while SH. He robbed Alex Ovechkin a couple times on rockets from the circle.

Chris Phillips and Scott Thornton lead the penalty parade each taking 3 minor penalties.

Star # 1 Randy Robitaille

Star #2 Vesa Toskala

Star #3 Mikael Samuelsson

Canucks deal for Lehtinen

2008-06-30T06:57:00.000-07:00

To Vancouver:

To Tampa Bay:

Vancouver BC

Well GM Shepherd sought out to get a final defensive piece and added a big fish in Jere Lehtinen. The cost was big however, sending Chris Kelly and Jozef Stumpel. The Canucks added a third tender in Brent Johnson in case of injury to either Toskala or Legace.

Lehtinen will play the wing on the shutdown line along with Todd Marchant and John Madden all previously acquired within the last week.

As well the hope is Lehtinen will help stabilize the PK which has been a sore spot for the Canucks all season.

Tie with Preds costly to Canucks Dmen

2008-06-28T07:07:00.001-07:00

Vancouver BC
With Brendan Witt already sitting out the game with a lower body injury the team was dealt another couple of blows when Anton Volchenkov and Pavel Kubina made their way to the Canucks dressing room. Both have been evaluated and are out up to a week. Witt is still expected to miss the next game.

Last nights action saw the Canucks and Preds skate to a 4-4 draw. Vancouver got up early scoring 2 goals in the first 8 minutes of action. Mike Johnson would get his first of the night and Mike Sillinger. Nashville would come back with one by Forsberg to make it 2-1 at the end of the first.

Early in the second Richard Park would tie it up. From there Mike Johnson would make it 3-2 for Vancouver. The Preds would score two late goals in the second to go up 4-3at the end of two.

Martin Erat would score midway through the third to tie it and thats how it would end.

Star # 1 Mike Johnson

Star #2 Todd Marchant

Star #3 Andrej Meszaros

Offensive display powers Canucks past the Red Wings

2008-06-27T21:45:00.001-07:00

Vancouver BC

One day after the trade that saw Brent Burns to SJ the PP unit goes 3/7 and gives the Canucks a huge win over the visiting Detroit Red Wings.

Early in the first Brendan Witt went down with a injury after blocking a shot. He is listed as day to day with a lower body injury.

The Wings outplayed Vancouver in the first holding a 8-3 advantage in shots however, Toskala was equal to the task.

The Wings got it started midway through the 2nd with a goal from Jason Arnott. Scott Thornton on the PP and Shawn Horcoff at even strength would get the Canucks into the dressing room with a 2-1 lead.

The third saw plenty of goals being scored early and often. Stu Barnes made it 3-1. Milan Hejduk would score 40 seconds later to close the gap. Then goals by Volchenkov and Phillips would open the lead a little but Arnott and Nilsson would score late to finish the game.

Star # 1 Jason Arnott

Star #2 Anton Volchenkov

Star #3 Vaclav Prospal

Burns and Olesz dealt to SJ after teams latest struggles

2008-06-26T06:29:00.000-07:00

To Vancouver:

To San Jose:

Vancouver BC

Well after rampant speculation Brent Burns and Rostislav Olesz are on their way down the West Coast to SJ. In return the Canucks got defensive players in Todd Marchant and Mike Rathje.

GM Shepherd said "it is definately tough to lose a Brent Burns but this team was struggling on the PP and PK and we needed to fix that immediately."

In Marchant they get a shutdown player who can play with John Madden to shut down the PK and teams top lines when needed. In Rathje they get a big bruising dmen who don't mind toss his weight around.

Hopefully this will get the team moving in the right direction.

Canucks receive Capital punishment lose 4-0

2008-06-26T06:17:00.001-07:00

Washington MD

In what has been a recurring trend in the first handful of games rang out loud and true again. Once again a parade to the sin bin cost the Canucks any chance at winning this game. They also managed to give up a shorty as well.

The game got out of hand in the second when 3 straight special teams goals paved the way for the Caps to win. Second period goals by Morrison, Handzus and Hossa sealed the fate of the Canucks. In the third Morrison popped his second of the game and tenth of the young season.

After the game GM Shepherd was spotted on the phone possibly to make a move. We caught up with GM Shepherd and asked him about the phone call. On record he said "We are looking at all avenues to better this team. We want to win now. If these guys won't do it I will bring in guys who will."

Speculation around the league was that Brent Burns was on the verge of being dealt to San Jose.

Star # 1 Ed Belfour

Star #2 Brendan Morrison

Star #3 Marian Hossa

Canucks unable to overcome injuries lose to talented Wings team.

2008-06-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

Detroit MI

Sometimes the game is over before you even get out of the dressing room. Well if that isn't the case it definately was after the first. The Wings outplayed, outhustled and outscored the Canucks in the first and coasted to a easy 6-3 win.

The first saw the Wings outshoot Vancouver 15-1 and lead 3-0. Milan Hejduk lead the way with 2 goals in the first. The lead would become 4 in the second as Phil Kessel notched his first of the year.

In the third the game would become 5-0 as newly acquired Eric Lindros powered through the Canucks D and blasted home a shot. Vancouver would save some grace as they would score 3 straight to make it 5-3 on goals from Shawn Horcoff, Chris Phillips and Mike Sillinger. However, Detroit would get a goal from Sergei Fedorov to seal the deal.

Star # 1 Milan Hejduk

Star #2 Henrik Zetterberg

Star #3 Sergei Zubov

Canucks hammer Canes 5-2

2008-06-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

Raleigh NC

The Vancouver Canucks got into North Carolina a little late however the team showed no ill effects. Shawn Horcoff opened the scoring late in the first.

The second started out rough as penalty trouble allowed Carolina to pop two quick one and take a 2-1 lead just 3 minutes into period 2. A timeout was taken and a new plan of attack was taken. Andrei Kostitsyn and Mike Johnson scored goals in the second to give the Canucks a 3-2 lead.

Heading into the third the coach wanted to see a better effort and his club responded. Stu Barnes and Vaclav Prospal both scored to finish the Canes off 5-2.

Star # 1 Stu Barnes

Star #2 Vaclav Prospal

Star #3 Jason Smith

Canucks squander a lead in the final 10 minutes and settle for a draw.

2008-06-23T20:46:00.000-07:00

Columbus OH

The Vancouver Canucks fresh off the trade with Toronto squandered a late 3-2 lead and had to settle for a draw.

The game started off bad for the Canucks as Nathan Horton put the home team up 1-0 just :26 seconds into the first period. However, Brent Burns would put home a rocket to make it 1-1 after 1 with with a power play goal.

Columbus would again take the lead early in the second period as Eric Staal would score on the PP to make it 2-1. Mike Johnson would tie it up just near the 10 minute mark and the 2nd stanza would end in a draw at 2-2.

Stu Barnes would make it 3-2 for the Canucks this time as they score early in the period at :52 a PP tally. Jordan would tie the score at 11:18 of the third to tie the score and from there on in it was a stalemate.

Star # 1 Nathan Horton

Star #2 Eric Staal

Star #3 Brent Burns

Canucks deal Malone and others for John Madden

2008-06-23T20:22:00.001-07:00

To Vancouver:

To Toronto:

Vancouver BC

After hours of intense phone calls and meandering back and forth Toronto and Vancouver came to an trade agreement which sees Ryan Malone, Daniel Winnik and Patrik Thorensen leave and John Madden and Jiri Dopita arrive. The deal was rumoured to have more involved but the final outcome was this.

The trade brings in a more defensive player in John Madden and sees a offensive grinder in Ryan Malone leave. GM Shepherd went on record as saying unfortunately with the way Ryan plays he takes a lot of minor penalties and that has hurt us this year with our team currently in dead last in penalty killing at under 70%. He finished by saying John Madden is a winner all he does is win and he will help on the PK which is dead last.

The Canucks are on the road with stops in Columbus and Carolina.

Kings give Canucks a royal beating

2008-06-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

Vancouver BC
The LA Kings who many believe are a top contender for the Western Conference came into GM Place last night and hammered the Canucks.

The game was virtually over in the first 10 minutes of the game. Stu Barnes said after the game "we just didn't match their intensity."

Miikka Kiprusoff stood tall making 35 saves including 19 in the second period alone.

The Kings got 2 goals from Teemu Selanne. Andrei Kostitsyn tallied his first on the PP for the Canucks.

Star # 1 Teemu Selanne

Star #2 Miikka Kiprusoff

Star #3 Mike Ribeiro

Canucks battle for a 2-2 draw with the Sharks

2008-06-21T05:52:00.000-07:00

Vancouver BC
In last nights action the San Jose Sharks came into GM Place and dominated the first 28 minutes of the game. It took a great second half to allow the Canucks to come back and tie the game. Jozef Stumpel was the hero for the Canucks as he led the way with 2 goals.

The Canucks will finish the home stand against the LA Kings game time is 7:30 PST

Star # 1 Jozef Stumpel

Star #2 Steve Sullivan

Star #3 Martin Erat

Salo sinks Canucks

2008-06-21T03:51:00.000-07:00

Vancouver BC
The Canucks were :59 seconds away from their third win of the year. However, Miko Koivu banked a shot in from behind the net with the tender pulled to draw even. Then in the OT Sami Salo provided the dagger with a rocket from the point on the PP to win the game.

Vancouver who dominated period 1 and led 2-0 on goals by Malone and Sillinger fell asleep in period 2 allowing the Oilers to tie the game heading into the third.

Jozef Stumpel scored his 1st of the season to give the Canucks a 3-2 lead however as previously mentioned above they were unable to seal the deal.

The Canucks play again Saturday night at home against the Sharks game time is 7:30 PST

Star # 1 Sami Salo

Star #2 Miko Koivu

Star #3 Jozef Stumpel

Malone provides spark as Canucks win 3-2

2008-06-20T02:57:00.000-07:00

Edmonton AB
The Canucks picked up their first win on the road this season with a 3-2 thriller. The first period ended scoreless as both teams were on the defensive rather then the offensive. Ryan Malone open the scoring just after the halfway point of the second his first of the season and two on the night. Chris Phillips would later make it 2-0 with a blast from the point that beat a screened Pascal Leclaire. Ivan Majesky would bring the Oilers close at 2-1 with a shot that managed to find its way home.

In the third Ryan Malone found a loose puck at the side of the net and hammered it home to bring the Canucks up 3-1. However, Sami Salo with an absolutely rocket from the point beat Vesa Toskala to bring it to 3-2. With the goalie pulled the Oilers were looking for the tie however Vesa would shut the door and the Canucks would squeek out the win.

Star # 1 Ryan Malone

Star #2 Jozef Stumpel

Star #3 Nils Ekman

Toskala steals show in 1-1 tie

2008-06-18T03:15:00.000-07:00

Vancouver BC
Hockey is a funny game isn't it. Last night Vesa Toskala stood tall in preserving a 1-1 tie. The night before he couldn't come up with the key save. One thing is for sure when GM Shepherd picked up Toskala he was hoping for many a night like last night.

Toskala made 33 saves including 4 in OT a couple of the spectacular variety. Jason Spezza was all alone on a breakaway when Toskala doublestacked the pads on an attempted deke.

The offense which has struggled in it last couple games only scoring 2 goals will have to work hard in practice to try and find that touch.

The Canucks got a goal from Stu Barnes his 1st tally of the season.

The Canucks will now face a divisional opponent in a home and home series with the Edmonton Oilers.

Star # 1 Vesa Toskala

Star #2 JS Giguere

Star #3 Stu Barnes

Canucks shelled on the road

2008-06-17T02:20:00.000-07:00

Calgary AB
Well any momentum the Canucks had going into last nights contest was immediately swept away just :37 seconds in to be exact when Erik Cole found the loose puck at the side of the net and pounded it home. Freddy Modin would get his first of two late in the first stanza.

The speech that seemed to work after the 1st period in the home opener didnt bring no such luck this time. Freddy Modin scored him second of the night as he was left alone in front of the net. Great boardwork by gritty forwards Andrew Brunette and Mark Bell who both drew assists on the goal. Pavel Kubina would dent the twine for the Canucks to bring the score to 3-1 but just :11 seconds later off the face Kyle Wellwood would do some dipsy doodling and beat Vesa Toskala with a deke to the short side. The second stanza ended 4-1.

The third period saw the Flames use the dump and chase with 4 players staying back to clog up the neutral zone. Vancouver was just never able to get anything going. Pascal Dupuis finished off the scoring late in the third to make this one a 5-1 final.

The Canucks now return back home to face the Broadstreet Bullies Philadelphia Flyers. You can catch that game on Rogers Sportsnet starting at 7:05 PST.

Star # 1 Fredrik Modin

Star #2 Erik Cole

Star #3 Kyle Wellwood

Canucks Open Season with a win

2008-06-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

Vancouver BC
In last nights action. Newly acquired Vesa Toskala looked shaky in the first period letting in two goals both on the PP. The Canucks were slow and were caught taking lazy penalties. However, during the first intermission the message musta been sent rather clearly as the Canucks managed to get two quick goals in a span of 2:13 to open the period and then take the lead for good just before the 10 minute mark of the second. Then in the third another quick strike in the final 6 minutes of the game sealed the deal.

Newly acquired players Mike Sillinger
and Vaclav Prospal lead the attack both popping 2 tallies along with Martin Erat. Vesa Toskala was solid after the shaky start making 22 saves for the win.

The Canucks now will charter out to the Saddledome to face the 1-0 Calgary Flames.

Corona Cup Three Stars as give out by Jim Hughson are as follows:

Star # 1 Mike Sillinger

Star #2 Vaclav Prospal

Star #3 Vesa Toskala

Canucks Season Preview

2008-06-16T15:39:00.000-07:00

Vancouver BC
Well after a long summer that saw a new GM in town, the new look Canucks hit to the ice in the season opener against the SJ Sharks last night. After a busy summer of trading and drafting GM Barry Shepherd had no idea what to expect. Originally he said the plan was to go with a kid team and take the bumps that came with it. However, the phones kept ringing off the hook day after day asking for these young kids. Mr. Shepherd felt obligated to listen to the offers and inturn even made some of those deals. Guys like Toews, Jeff Carter and Alexander Edler previously acquired over the summer were the soup de jour. In the end all 3 found new homes and the return was high. Mr. Shepherd went on record before last night saying this team is going to be fun to watch. The Canucks through trades have acquired lots of depth in the way of youth and skilled players. Once a top liner in Vancouver Matt Cullen is now designated to the pressbox waiting for a chance to get in there.