Tag Archives: Vancouver Canucks

Welcome to the Club

Posted on by
Reply

They said it was impossible. They said he didn’t have what it takes to make it long term in the NHL. They have spent years berating him and his brother for everything they do on and off the ice. They have no idea just how valuable these two players have been to the Vancouver Canucks organization, fans and the city of Vancouver.

Henrik Sedin deserves all kinds of respect in the hockey world despite arguments from those on the outside will say. They can keep telling us all the insults, there is not one negative thing that Canucks fans haven’t heard over the years. They will keep proving why they ARE deserving of being inducted into the hall of fame one day down the road.

From a rookie searching for his game to a now seasoned veteran leading the way on and off the ice. Friday night was all kinds of incredible for Canucks fans to witness as Henrik Sedin had another night for the record books.

All week you could feel the energy building up in Vancouver as Henrik edge ever closer to the milestone. Walking into Rogers Arena for the game against the Florida Panthers, you could feel the anticipation in the air. There was a buzz among fans as we were ready to witness Henrik Sedin reach yet another milestone. His very first NHL point came against the Florida Panthers, so it seems fitting that his 1000th should come against them as well. The feeling in the arena was electric from start to finish. It is a game that my sister and I will remember every second of the experience for years to come. img_0274

Sometimes hockey is pure magic and if you’re really lucky you will get to witness it just as an incredible crowd did Friday night when Henrik Sedin scored his 1000th NHL point. Heading into the game, every single person in attendance knew the possibility of what we might witness and was hoping it would be more than an assist or an empty net goal, and boy did Henrik ever choose the perfect moment to deliver his 1000th point in style with a goal versus former teammate Roberto Luongo.

Down 1-0 in the second period, cue the Sedinery play taking over and pulling 18,000 fans to their feet. Edler to Daniel to Henrik putting the puck past Luongo. Pandemonium ensued as cheers rained down as the arena made their appreciation heard loud and proud. You could not have scripted the moment ANY better (unless perhaps somehow Burrows had been on the ice). Even more heartwarming than seeing that goal right in front of our seats was seeing not just the entire team rush to the ice to take in the moment, but also the props given to Henrik from Roberto Luongo.

Welcome to 1000 points club, HANK!

In case you weren’t lucky enough to witness the moment live in all it’s glory, here it is:

Here’s a little snippet of what it felt like to be there (credit to fellow Canucks fan Clayton Imoo for capturing the following video):

Henrik wanted the point and to reach what once seemed like an impossible feat but more than that he wanted two points for his team. Isn’t that just like Henrik, that rather than be consumed by his own milestone, he put his team first? Sounds familiar doesn’t it? The Sedins while deserving of immense respect do not go out looking for recognition, they simply go out setting an example of what giving their best looks like every shift.

Once again Henrik reached this latest milestone with his brother not too far behind him in the hunt for the very same feat. Daniel Sedin with an assist is now just 32 points away from joining his brother in the 1000 points club. Will we see another Sedin milestone this season or maybe early next season? One thing is certain, whether it occurs this year or next season, Canucks fans are incredibly lucky to get to witness both milestones. img_0272

The day will come when the Sedins retire, but until that day comes, take in every moment of Sedinery that happens. Thank-you, Henrik and Daniel for 17 years and counting of incredible moments that will live long in the history of the Vancouver Canucks.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

(side note: here’s a snippet of another incredible moment captured during Henrik’s milestone night, courtesy of the Vancouver Canucks:

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Vancouver Canucks: Slaying Expectations

Posted on by
Reply

Don’t look now but the Vancouver Canucks have gone streaking! The team is currently on a 6-game winning streak. Yes, it’s not the recent crazy incredible 16-game win streak like the Columbus Blue Jackets just had, but it’s still been nice to see the team come together cohesively over this latest stretch that has seen them post a 8-2-1 record over the last 11 games.

During that 11-game stretch, it has been the surprising trio of Sven Baertschi, Bo Horvat and Alex Burrows leading the way offensively with a combined 25 points.

Ryan Miller has quietly been stepping up his game despite his critics. He’s posted 5 straight victories, stopping 150 of 157 shots and posting 1 shutout over those 5 games. Not be left out, Jacob Markstrom has also upped his game of late heading into tonight’s game vs. Calgary.

This is their first 6-game win streak since posting a 7-game win streak in December 2013 under John Tortorella. Oh the irony! And yes, tonight they will go for their 7th straight victory and a chance to get back into a wildcard position in the Western Conference.

When the team was losing, the media and fans critiqued them for not being able to finish games and suggested that they should commit to tanking. Now that they have put together a solid 11-game stretch and 6-game win streak, the media has been complaining that the team is still not doing enough.

And yes, you might tell me that a 6-game win streak is nothing to get too excited about or that perhaps over this stretch the team has not played their best hockey. You might tell me to get ready for the streak to end. Guess what? A win streak is a win streak and I intend to enjoy it in it’s entirety no matter how long it lasts. I’ll take the wins any way that they come and I will savour every single one. And yes the streak will inevitably end as they all eventually do but that won’t stop me from supporting my team all the way.

Heading into the season, I was told that I should have zero expectations for the Vancouver Canucks. I was also told that there was likely to be any reason to be excited about this team and I should try rooting for a different team. And you know if you’ve followed my blog or social media accounts that I do not rely on the odds or the so called “expectations”. The more someone tells me not to support my team, the stronger my support for them becomes.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

History Is Coming: Hank You.

Posted on by
Reply

Milestones begin to add up for NHL players over the course of their careers: their first game, first point, first goal, first penalty, first hat trick, number of games played and on goes the list.

Vancouver Canucks, captain Henrik Sedin is fast approaching yet another milestone: 1000 career NHL points. It’s an incredible feat and one that not every player reaches throughout their careers. One that takes commitment, discipline and perseverance.

January is quickly becoming a month to keep our eyes on as Henrik inches closer every game to this latest milestone. Heading into tonight’s game against Calgary, Henrik Sedin has amassed 996 points and counting. Let that sink in for a moment: Henrik Sedin is closing in on 1000 NHL points.

There was a time when many were unsure if Henrik and Daniel would have what it takes to make it long-term in the NHL. Neither Henrik or Daniel had it easy but they kept with it and now here we are over 1000 games later.

In those 996 points, there have been some standout moments: from his first goal to being named captain of the team to his 112 point Art Ross trophy season to his unbelievable chemistry with his brother, Daniel and to the moment he passed former teammate Markus Naslund as the Vancouver Canucks all-time leading scorer. Creating magic nearly every game with his play on the ice with his brother or as Canucks fans call it: sedinery.

And as it has been with their entire careers and reaching milestones…Daniel will also be reaching the 1000 points plateau later this season. That’s an incredible feat for one player on a team, let alone two players who happen to be brothers and have been line mates for their entire careers.  Their critics berate them nightly and yet every season, they have continued to defy the odds.

Henrik will once again cross the milestone line just before Daniel, just like he won the Art Ross the year before him or reached 1000 games played. It seems only fitting that they will be crossing this latest milestone together, one after another.

From surpassing 1000 games played to amassing nearly 1000 NHL points, Henrik has made a long lasting impression on the game. Just 4 points separate him from his latest moment in Vancouver Canucks history.

(*Sidenote: Daniel Sedin is 35 points from also reaching the 1000 points milestone while Bo Horvat is just 7 points away from 100 NHL points.)

History is coming very soon. Where will you be when the moment happens?

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

A Very Burrows Tale

Posted on by
Reply

Yes, I know I am a few days late with this post, but here it is.

Alex Burrows was never supposed to make it in the NHL, let alone last more than 800 games or spend time as a top line winger with the Sedins as one of their most productive line mates.

A player that many labeled lucky to be here and a pest to his opponents early on in his career and no one ever thought he’d be a top line winger. With his tenacity on the penalty kill, ability to drive his opponents crazy, an innate ability to break streaks and score timely goals, Burrows captured the hearts of the fans. Pure determination has driven him far in his career.

He’s heard it every year that perhaps he’s not good enough and perhaps he should be sent packing and every year he comes back proving his critics wrong. He’s faced adversity at nearly every turn and yet keeps pushing forward. He’s become synonymous with breaking streaks. That dragon slaying goal against Chicago will forever remain one of my all-time favourite moments. You could feel the emotion across the city when that puck crossed the line.

And yes, I know that that was in the past and that many believe his best days are behind him and the team should let him go. And yes, I know that this post will not change anyone’s mind, but I hope it opens them enough to see the immense value that Alex Burrows has had to this franchise.

He started from the bottom and worked his way all the way up from a rookie to a now seasoned veteran. A rookie that has now become a leader for the younger generation and a voice of experience to his teammates. Burrows is not just a leader on the ice but also off the ice. He has embraced the community off the ice with the myriad of Canucks charities and has become an advocate for mental health awareness. Alex Burrows has proven time and time again, that no matter what your critics say, if you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

To Whom It May Concern…(Part Two)

Posted on by
Reply

To whom it may concern,

I never thought I would write one post about this, let alone two posts in three months. (Part One). 

It is still true that I am a female hockey fan. The fact that I am female and a hockey fan should not influence how I am treated about the game but lately that has been happening far too often. In all honesty, I had plans to write/share a different post until yet again while attending a Vancouver Canucks game with my sister, I was left frustrated and rattled as a female hockey fan.

This time, we were berated all game for our choice of jerseys, when and how we cheered and for simply being females at a hockey game. Yep, by wearing our Bo Horvat and Daniel Sedin jerseys, it meant we were delusional and should burn our jerseys. Burn my jersey? Sorry, but that is never going to happen. And didn’t we know that the Sedins are “sisters” and far too old for this game? What I do know, is that the Sedins are two of the classiest players in the NHL and both closing in on the 1000 NHL points milestone. And by being females at a hockey game meant that we deserved to be berated both to our faces and behind our backs throughout the entire game. Truthfully most of what was said is far too inappropriate for me to repeat.

If you want to teach people more about the game, do not talk down or belittle them. I love learning new facets of the game, and debating the ins and outs of the game. If you want to share what you love about the game, share it, everyone has a different story. I love hearing what others love about the game and why.

Once again it was as though we were being judged for the entire game regardless of whether we cheered or were silently engaged in the game taking place. And once again rather than being debated with or talk to, we were belittled. We tried to not let it rattle us during the game but underneath, of course it did. It made it us feel as though we are not allowed to be a part of the hockey community, as though perhaps we did not belong. And then I remembered once again that these individuals who act this way do not represent the entirety of hockey fans.

Let me make this as simple as possible: whether you are a female or male hockey fan, you are allowed to enjoy the game and in no way deserving of judgement for being a fan. Every hockey fan is allowed to cheer for their team, their favourite player and certainly allowed their own opinion of the game. And even if hockey fans have differing opinions, that does not make them any less of a fan than any another fan. Hockey is a community that most days feels like family, and one day I hope that we stop judging and attacking one another. Hockey is more than just a game.

Hopefully one day, we will not have to write posts like this, and all hockey fans regardless of gender will be allowed to simply love this game.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Dear Vancouver Canucks

Posted on by
Reply

Dear Vancouver Canucks,

I know the odds of you reading this blog among all the media available to you is slim to none but I felt it important to get these words out and that maybe you get a chance to see them.

You may not know this yet as the media is constantly stating all of the negatives and questioning whether or not the fans still support you, but yes it is true that you do in fact still have fan support. Win or lose, some fans will even stand by you all season long, no what matter the outcome.

This season, the majority of headlines that I have seen from local media have been of the negative variety and been attempting to tell me that there is nothing to be excited about as a fan of this team. Maybe to them it is not exciting to get glimpses of the future as prospects get the opportunity to shine or seeing veteran players reach franchise and individual milestones.To this fan, those moments along the journey of a season are almost more magical than the wins or losses.

Are there questions that need to be addressed? Yes, but that can be said about every single team in the league. Will there be critics of every trade, signing, draft pick and decision made? Probably. Will any of those questions, decisions or critics influence or when I will support you? No, not even one little bit.

Has this season been perfect? No, but truthfully, I never expected it to be. Do I wish that you had more wins overall up to this point of the season? Yes, but even if you had only won a single game on the season, my support would not waver. Every season is made up of different ebbs and flows. Some years will be better than others, but no matter the outcome, playoffs or no playoffs, this fan will stand by you.

Do I dream that one day you will win that elusive 16th playoff game? Absolutely more than anything and one day when you DO, I will be able to say I was along for the entire ride, for all the triumphs and struggles that lead to the eventual victory. Yes, I know that day may be in the distant future, but that won’t stop me from enjoying the journey to that eventual win.

Perhaps even more meaningful than any on ice statistic is the work that you do as a team within the community and on the behalf of kids across BC. No matter what every season brings on the ice, as a team you always give your all off the ice to the kids and this province. It is an incredible privilege to see the difference that you have made over the years in the lives of so many, and often you may not even know it.

Some might think it odd that through it Maybe you will see this post, and maybe you won’t but I hope that you know that despite what a lot of the media will tell, you DO have fans that support you 24/7/365.

All the best the rest of the way, this season!

Sincerely,

Sarah

A Different Approach to Watching Hockey

Posted on by
Reply

Let’s be honest, with the way the Vancouver Canucks season has been going in different ebbs and flows, it could be really easy to get stuck in an endless spin of negativity. I see that negativity coming across social media platforms from fans and media alike. It’s no secret if you follow my blog or my social media accounts that I take a slightly different approach when it comes to watching hockey and my team.

I know that it probably sounds odd to many Canucks fans and hockey fans in general but I will always try to take a positive approach to watching the team or any hockey game regardless of how a game or season ends. My love of the game goes beyond the wins and losses record. Every season has ups and downs, some years have more struggles than others, but that doesn’t mean I will stop supporting my team or enjoying the game. There’s enough negativity out there and I will not allow it to change my enjoyment of the game or affect my support of the team.

Am I aware of the ever constant rumours surrounding the Canucks? Yes. Do I know that a lot of people are calling for Willie Desjardins to be let go and the need for a replacement to step in? Yes. Am I aware that the Sedins are getting older? Yes. Am I aware that the team has to allow younger players like Bo Horvat and Ben Hutton to play more? Yes. In fact, I have heard it all and there is not one rumour, negative statistic or insult about MY team that I haven’t heard and none that will make me waver my support for them or my love of the game.

Am I aware of the slew of the injuries that have hit the team already? Yes. Do I know that the odds of the Vancouver Canucks being the playoffs this season according to the “experts” are incredibly low? Yes, and you know what? I accept that but the odds don’t really matter to me, the odds don’t change when I will watch the team. I will watch every single win, loss, disaster, and triumph of the season in it’s entirety whether it ends in mid-April or late June every single year.

Would I love to see my team go all the way and win that elusive 16th post-season game? Absolutely, more than anything, that would be a dream come true. When that day does finally come, I will be celebrating along with all of my fellow Canucks fans. And until that day comes, I will be supporting the team every step of the way that will eventually lead to that path even if we cannot see the outcome just yet. And yes, I know that there may be a number of years before that day comes but no matter how long it takes to get there, I will be on the sidelines supporting my Vancouver Canucks for the entirety of the journey and long after.

Lastly, am I aware that this approach to watching the game and this team is not for everyone? Yes and that’s okay, everyone is allowed their own approach to watching their team and sport that is best for them. Personally, I used to get bogged down by the negativity and for a while it took away why I loved the game and it became a burden to carry. I had to make the decision for my mental health to find a way that saw past the negativity, let it go, and saw the magic that is simply hockey at its core. My approach is allowing myself to see that despite what the odds or statistics say, there are still positives to this team and this game will always be magic. So, yes while it may seem odd to many, I will always look beyond the numbers that make up the team, the game and the season for what defines my love of hockey.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

To Whom It May Concern…

Posted on by
1

To whom it may concern,

Recently when I was attending a Vancouver Canucks game I had an experience that both frustrated and slightly rattled me as a hockey fan that happens to be a female.

Apparently I needed to be informed that I was at a hockey game and be told when and how to cheer for MY team by an opposing team’s fan. Yep, because apparently being at the game with my sister geared out in our Canucks gear meant we had no clue where we were or how to cheer for OUR team. Apparently being a female fan to this particular individual meant that we had no idea about the ins and outs of the game. The presumption being that we were only there to look at the players on the ice. Instead of being allowed to enjoy the game, it felt like I was being judged the entire time for everything I said or did for the duration of the game.

1617game2Yes it is true that I am a woman and I was at a hockey game. Yes, it is true that I am a woman and enjoy sports, especially hockey. Yes, it is true that I actually do know a little about the game and do not need the game explained to me. And while I do love learning new things about the game that does not mean I need a person to “dumb it down” or talk to me in condescending tones about the game. The truth is I have been a fan of this game since I was 17 and have spent a long time learning as much about it as possible about not just my team but the other 29 teams in the NHL, and minor leagues too. Truthfully, I love talking about the game at every level with other fans, truly I do. What I do not enjoy is being talked down to and belittled.

And yes, it is true that sometimes when I admit how much I love this game that I get given looks of derision that I cannot possibly comprehend what it is I am talking about. When it is confirmed that I do know the sport, these individuals then treat me as though they still don’t trust me even if what I am saying is true and attack my loyalty to my team or why I love this game. Truthfully these experiences leave me feeling as though perhaps I do not deserve to enjoy this incredible sport and then I remember that these individuals who make female fans feel this unwelcome DO NOT represent the entirety of the hockey community.

And to those of you who have had similar experiences, I want you to know that you are not alone. Perhaps it has also happened more then once to you but let’s not allow these moments to take away the game we love from us. We should all be allowed to enjoy the game we love without having to feel as though we are being judged or to feel bad when we do. Hockey is more than just a game, it is a community that most of the time is very welcoming and hopefully one day some will no longer judge others.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Vancouver Canucks: 7 down, 75 to go…

Posted on by
Reply

7 games down, 75 games to go for the Vancouver Canucks. Following back to back regulation losses has some in the fan base and media already pressing the panic button. Yes, it’s true the last two games have been far from their best. Yes, it’s true that the Canucks have struggled in their last three games in particular BUT it is hardly time to panic just yet. It’s hardly possible to predict exactly how this season will finish with so much time left in the regular season.

Many of the local media are continuing to tell myself and other Canucks fans that we have nothing to be excited about this season and that the team is nothing to shout about. Headlines like those are what made me unsubscribe from all of the local newspapers. Sure, the team may have a far from perfect season but that does not mean I will stop supporting them throughout the journey no matter how long or short it may be this season, if anything it means I will support them more.

Here’s a list of what I know to be fact so far from observing the 2016-17 regular season:

  • The Canucks opened the season with 4 straight wins and picked up points in 5 straight.
  • Through their first 7 games they had 2 back to back scenarios and picked up points in 3/4 of those games.
  • The Canucks have lost back to back games in regulation with two games remaining in October this upcoming weekend.
  • Bo Horvat and Henrik Sedin are leading the offensive pack with 3 goals apiece through 7 games.
  • Brandon Sutter has been a game changer and if he stays healthy, that will go a long way in helping the Canucks to find success.
  • The Hansen-Sutter-Granlund line has been an exciting line for the fans to see develop chemistry over the first 7 games. Every time they cycle the puck with their combined speed, good things happen.
  • Yes the Sedins are getting older, but they still make plays on the ice that still dazzle. One day they will retire and they give everything they have to this team so for now I will enjoy every game that they have left in them.
  • Ben Hutton has one heck of a laser when he utilizes it.
  • Troy Stecher made his NHL debut in front of the home crowd, and despite the outcome of the game, he had a strong performance.
  • 4-2-1 through 7 games is a respectable record to start the year with two more games left in October.

Yes, there have been glimpses of both great and terrible trends with the team so far, but again as it has only been 7 games, it is near impossible to say right now that this season is going to be a complete disaster. True the will be downs throughout the season but there will also be ups that we should be allowed to enjoy as they happen.

I know the season is a long haul and that on paper this team is not what many would call a contender but regardless of how the season goes, I will take in every moment as it comes. There will be ups, downs, heartbreak, unbelievable moments and learning curves along the way as the season progresses.

7 games down, 75 more to go.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

 

 

 

Vancouver Canucks: 3 down, 79 to go…

Posted on by
Reply

The season is officially in full swing league wide! Three games are officially in the books for the Vancouver Canucks. Be honest, when the Canucks scored on themselves on a delayed penalty to open the season it gave you pause? And when they fell down 3-0 in the second game it possibly made you cringe? And when it looked possible that they would be shut out by the Blues again, you were not surprised, right?

Perhaps, even more more surprising was the fact that in EACH of those scenarios, despite the odds, the Canucks found a way to tie the game AND win all three games. Yep, you read that right, they won ALL three games despite falling behind and never leading until the game winning goals.

And yes, I am more than aware that getting behind is not a trend that they should carry along with them the whole season. I know they will have to start playing with a lead but you know what this team has shown in these first three games? Resiliency. A resiliency that was absent far too many times the last few years, a belief that even when they are down, as a team they can come back in any situation. That resiliency leads to confidence in each other and can go a long way down the road. And so far, that resiliency has led to three wins.

And yes before you accuse me of saying this team is a contender or not, I know that three games do not define the season. I am not saying that they will win the Stanley Cup or even be playoff bound come April, but I am also not saying that they will not be. No matter how many predictions that the experts and fans make, how and when the season ends will be determined by how the Canucks play on the ice.

Regardless of how well or bad this season ends, I will be supporting the team every step of the way. There will be triumphs. There will be heartbreaks. There will be milestones. There may even be more incredible comebacks and probably a few losses that will drive us all crazy. There may perhaps even be a few surprises along the way.

Three games down, 79 games to go before all is said and done. Playoffs or no playoffs, I will be along for every step that will be the Vancouver Canucks 2016-17 season journey. It may not be perfect and it may even be messy but it will also be pure magic.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E. L.