Vancouver Canucks News

Demitra bolts before Bolts tilt
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February 9
Vancouver Province
 
"Pavol Demitra has left the Canucks. Demitra was a no-show at Canucks practice today in advance of Tuesday's tilt against the Lightning in Tampa.. The team said he had returned to Vancouver for personal reasons but declined to say what they were. It is also not known if Demitra will rejoin the Canucks prior to the Olympic break."
Mattias Ohlund happy with Lightning role reversal
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February 9
Vancouver Sun
 
"Mattias Ohlund scored 93 goals as a Canuck, which is 93 more than he has managed as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Fifty games into his new hockey life in Florida, Ohlund is still looking for his first goal. And yes, the player who is the all-time scoring leader among Canucks defencemen is feeling frustrated by his offensive struggles. "Offensively, it has been a pretty tough year," Ohlund acknowledged Monday. "You always want to produce. I would have loved to come here and had my best year. It hasn't happened so far. But do I think I've had a horrible year? No, I don't. I feel pretty good most games. I am very happy with the role I have here. Would I like to score and produce more ..."
Demitra out of the lineup, again
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February 9
Vancouver Sun
 
"Just when it looked like Pavol Demitra was finally back, he is gone again. Demitra left the Canucks Monday afternoon and returned to Vancouver to deal with what the team is calling a personal matter. "He has a personal matter that he had to take care of so he flew back to Vancouver this afternoon," coach Alain Vigneault said after his team's practice here. Vigneault said he does not know whether Demitra will be back for any of the four remaining games of the Canucks' eight-game road trip. The team would not make any further comment on Demitra, who is scheduled to play for Slovakia at the Winter Olympics. Demitra, who had missed most of the season with a serious shoulder injury, had his ..."
Sedin twins not sweating over their slump
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February 9
Vancouver Sun
 
"Henrik Sedin tried his best to put the "slump" into perspective. "It has been three games," he said. "It's not that long." He is right, of course, but the fact the Sedins' slump was the topic du jour after the Vancouver Canucks' practice here Monday afternoon says a lot about how the twins' exceptional play this season has raised expectations through the roof. Henrik has gone three games without a point, brother Daniel two. It's the first time this season the twins, when both are in the lineup, have gone two games in a row without a point. Both of them assured reporters that the sky is not falling, it's just part of the ebb and flow of a long season. But the fact remains that with ..."
Canucks recall Jannik Hansen from Manitoba
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February 8
Vancouver Sun
 
"The Vancouver Canucks recalled forward Jannik Hansen from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL Monday. Hansen, 23, completed a five-game conditioning assignment with the Manitoba Moose, recording two points (0-2-2) and five penalty minutes, according to a news release. Hansen rejoins the Canucks where he has appeared in 24 games and registered nine points (5-4-9) and six penalty minutes in 2009-10."
Canucks hope they've got their confidence restored
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February 8
Vancouver Sun
 
"If their eyes were open, the Vancouver Canucks travelled south Saturday with something almost as important as the two points they pilfered from the Boston Bruins. They could see a Bruin team bereft of confidence — desperate to win but seemingly destined to lose. That's how it is sometimes in hockey, a highly imperfect science where even talent, preparation and execution doesn't always overcome circumstance, luck or a hot goaltender. The Canucks should understand, if they are smart, that they were on their way to being that fragile and failing team. The Bruins had lost 10 straight before finally getting back on track Sunday with a 3-0 win in Montreal. A third straight loss for the Canucks ..."
Welcome back to planet Earth, Daniel and Henrik
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February 8
Vancouver Province
 
"Roberto Luongo realized he needed rest. Now the Canucks need to find out what the Sedins need. After torching the NHL for 10 weeks, the Sedins have landed back on planet Earth to the horror of their fantasy league owners. Bottled up for most of the past five games, the twins have put together just one productive period in their past 15 -- the third in Toronto. In the other 14, the Sedins have combined for just one assist. "They had a tough night and we'll leave it at that," Vancouver head coach Alain Vigneault said postgame Saturday. This isn't exactly what people thought was going to happen when the Sedins pushed off to conquer the East and win over Hart Trophy voters. How hard could it ..."
No rift between Canucks and Cody Hodgson: Gillis
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February 7
Vancouver Sun
 
"There is no rift between the Vancouver Canucks and Cody Hodgson and the elite prospect remains committed to playing for the National Hockey League club, general manager Mike Gillis insisted Saturday. Gillis claimed there is a significant difference between perception and reality after newspaper reports Friday quoting Hodgson indicated the 19-year-old centre from Toronto was unhappy with the Canucks because he no longer planned to train under player-development guru Dave Gagner. During a conference call Friday to discuss his successful return to junior hockey in Brampton after a back injury suffered while training last July, Hodgson offered abrupt answers when asked about the Canucks. "I ..."
Luongo sharp in early start as Canucks get shootout win in Boston
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February 7
Vancouver Province
 
"Grinning both slightly and slyly, Roberto Luongo leaned over and, almost under his breath, asked a reporter the perfect rhetorical question. "Did I look recharged?" Redeemed, too. Torn up over his unprecedented decision this week to bow out of a game in Ottawa, Luongo proved in a focused, nearly flawless performance Saturday that, yes, rest helps. So much for playing 82 games. Luongo made 41 saves, and stopped several breakaways, including all three in the shootout to cap off a 3-2 Vancouver Canucks comeback win which ended a two-game losing slide. Exposing himself as human earlier in the week, allowed Luongo to be super Saturday against the Boston Bruins. He busted out of his mini-slump ..."
Luongo keeps Canucks afloat until Demitra sinks Bruins
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February 7
Vancouver Sun
 
"Roberto Luongo returned from a rest. Pavol Demitra came back from hibernation. The Vancouver Canucks dodged a three-game National Hockey League losing streak Saturday with a 41-save performance by Luongo that allowed his team to come back from a two-goal deficit and beat the Boston Bruins 3-2 in a shootout. Despite being badly outplayed and outshot 25-12 through two periods by a Boston team that has lost 10 straight, the Canucks rallied in the third period on Demitra's first goal in 10 games since returning from a shoulder injury and pilferred two points when the Slovak winger deked Tuukka Rask in the shootout. "It was huge relief," Demitra said. "After last couple of games when I missed a ..."
Top prospect Cody Hodgson happy to be back playing, but tight-lipped on Canucks
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February 6
Vancouver Sun
 
"Cody Hodgson is happy to be playing hockey again, but his happiness doesn't appear to extend to the Vancouver Canucks organization. In a conference call Friday from Brampton, Ont., the Canucks' 2008 first-round pick talked excitedly about his successful return Thursday night after a four-month absence due to back issues. Hodgson collected two assists, had five shots, went 25-for-34 in the faceoff circle, was plus-1 and played about 18 minutes as the Brampton Battalion defeated the Erie Otters 4-2 in an Ontario Hockey League game. Everything was positive until Hodgson was asked a Canuck-related question. Has he talked to Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault about the latter's remarks that ..."
Hodgson hot in first game, cool toward Canucks
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February 6
Vancouver Province
 
"Cody Hodgson is back to playing hockey again, but it appears his relationship with the Vancouver Canucks is still injured. In a conference call, Hodgson – who assisted on two goals in his Brampton Battalion junior club's 4-2 win over Erie on Thursday – said he felt great to be back after an emotional four months away from the game while he rehabbed an injured back. But Hodgson, in his first public statements since the highly touted Canucks prospect was returned to junior on Sept. 28, said the Vancouver organization has had no input into the treatment of his ailing back since he was sent down. He added that he won't be doing his usual summer training with Vancouver Canucks director of ..."
Canucks drop Bernier from practise lines ahead of Saturday's Boston tilt
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February 6
Vancouver Province
 
"Poor and, at times, indifferent play appear to be catching up with Steve Bernier. Ineffective and benched several times on this road trip, the struggling Vancouver Canucks winger was not included in the line rushes during the team's skate in Boston on Friday. They face the Bruins on Saturday."
Senators underwhelmed by Raycroft
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February 5
Ottawa Sun
 
"There should be no debate as to which is currently Canada's No. 1 team, even though Ottawa and Vancouver are now tied for ninth in the overall standings and a better gauge would have been provided Thursday had Alain Vigneault started Bobby Luongo in the Canucks goal. Instead, for some reason, he went with Andrew Raycroft, who entered the game with underwhelming career numbers (8-8-3, 3.21 GAA, .896 save percentage) vs. the Senators. Now, it wasn't Raycroft's fault that the Senators cruised to their 11th straight victory just one night after beating the Sabres in Buffalo — and while the Canucks were looking on from the comforts of Ottawa's Westin Hotel. But there's no question Luongo would ..."
Sens skate to 11th straight win
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February 5
Ottawa Sun
 
"The unstoppable Senators have gone from snake-bitten to rolling snake eyes. The franchise record-setting streak continued as the Senators skated to their 11th straight victory with a 3-1 win over the Canucks on Thursday night at Scotiabank Place led by another strong outing from Brian Elliott, who made 29 saves — including 15 in the third period. Elliott broke a club record he set last season by picking up his ninth straight win, while Daniel Alfredsson had three assists. Milan Michalek, Chris Kelly and Jason Spezza scored as Ottawa moved to within a point of Buffalo for No. 1 in the Northeast. "We played extremely well coming out of the gate. We played (Wednesday) and we needed a good ..."
Cody Hodgson sharp in his OHL comeback game: Longshot to finish season with Canucks
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February 5
Vancouver Province
 
"Cody Hodgson had two assists and was named the first star in his comeback game in the OHL. It remains a long, long shot but he could still end up this season playing in Vancouver. In other news, Kyle Wellwood scored his sixth goal of the season. Hearing footsteps? Steve Bernier made an appearance, but you have to wonder if it's enough. He couldn't score on a breakaway to end the second, on a play that could have got Vancouver back into the game. Again, he ended up on the fourth line and only played 11:20. That is not encouraging."
Vigneault's dilemma: Can't win with him, can't win without
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February 5
Vancouver Province
 
"Just like his team on the road, head coach Alain Vigneault can't win. If he starts Roberto Luongo too much, he's driving his most important asset into the ground. Give him a night off, and he's not giving his team its best chance to win. After 26 straight starts, Vigneault picked his poison pill. "Whatever I say, we're going to second-guess," Vigneault said. "Louie had played [26] consecutive games, so we figured this was the game for [Andrew Raycroft] to play and goaltending wasn't an issue." Still, it was an interesting choice. Luongo has only played four periods in the past eight days. He's had a relatively easy travel schedule and had a relatively easy workload against Montreal on ..."
Demitra has to shoulder production load for third line
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February 5
Vancouver Province
 
"When it comes to Pavol Demitra, the Vancouver Canucks are preaching patience. They don't have a choice. Barring a trade or a minor Cody Hodgson miracle, Demitra represents the great third-line hope. By now, any fan or opponent can pinpoint the Canucks' Achilles heel. It's a six-pack of trouble masked as third and fourth lines. For the most part, what you see is what you get. Steve Bernier has regressed to the point where you hope he's injured. At least that would explain some things. Ryan Johnson has the worst even-strength shot differential in the NHL. Darcy Hordichuk is fourth worst. Kyle Wellwood had 18 goals last year, but might need 18 years to match it. Tanner Glass threatens to be ..."
Luongo's mini-slump not the end of the world. Really
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February 5
Vancouver Province
 columnist Jason Botchford
"The ongoing cross-country Olympic relay isn't the only torch being passed. Just look at the Canucks. They can win even when Roberto Luongo is not playing out of his mind. In the past 10 games, Luongo has been hooked twice, has a 2.86 GAA and a .901 save percentage. In the not-too-distant past, that spelled doomsday. But the Canucks are 7-3 in their past 10, and, if not for Jaroslav Halak, could be going into their game against the Ottawa Senators Thursday with eight straight wins. This is a good thing. Luongo has never been on a team that can score like this one. When he's been off during the past month, the forwards, especially the top line, has picked him up and bailed him out. It should ..."
Raycroft a surprise starter over a healthy, but slumping, Roberto Luongo
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February 5
Vancouver Province
 
"The Canucks saved their biggest surprise of this road trip for the country's capital. About an hour before their game with the Ottawa Senators, Vancouver revealed Andrew Raycroft was getting the start over a slumping Roberto Luongo. Canucks GM Mike Gillis confirmed Luongo is not injured and he is not sick. "Roberto is fine in the sense that he's healthy," Gillis said. "We were looking for an opportunity to get Andrew into a game and we thought this would be a good chance because (Ottawa) is playing back to back." Gillis said the fact Raycroft stepped in and played well in Toronto Saturday was a factor. He saved all 13 shots he faced, which also worked to get some of the rust which had ..."
Canucks rest Luongo, lose 3-1 to Ottawa Senators
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February 5
Vancouver Province
 
"Let the second guessing begin. Slumping and apparently fatigued, Roberto Luongo took a surprise night off. So did too many of his teammates. At least Luongo is now listed as officially rested. In the past eight days, he's played just four periods and has spent three days off the ice. That's more than he gets in some seasons. Take the positives where you can get them. There weren't a lot in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Both tentative and slow, the Canucks didn't skate or battle - or any other hockey cliche people wear out in attempts to describe competing. Instead, Vancouver made the Senators' 11th straight win both quick and easy. It left head coach Alain Vigneault ..."
Canucks' Roberto Luongo not injured, just needs a break: GM Mike Gillis
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February 5
Vancouver Sun
 
"Starting goalie Roberto Luongo is not injured and simply was due a rest, Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis insisted between periods Thursday after Andrew Raycroft was the surprising starter against the Ottawa Senators. The Canucks claim it was a "planned" start, although Gillis admitted the plan was formalized only Wednesday, the day after Luongo faced 28 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. In his previous start Saturday in Toronto, Luongo was hooked by coach Alain Vigneault after surrendering three goals on eight shots. His short work night meant that Luongo played only 20 minutes and practised twice in a span of five days — not exactly an exhausting schedule. But ..."
Sedin twins losing momentum
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February 5
Vancouver Sun
 
"The problem with trying to outrun a freight train, besides sprinting across creosote-soaked railway ties, is the train never gets tired so there is no time to rest. Vancouver Canuck centre Henrik Sedin went pointless Thursday for the second straight game and got run over by the Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin in the National Hockey League scoring race. Sedin, who never expected to lead the best hockey league in the world in scoring and would be the first Canuck to win the Art Ross Trophy, was blanked in a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators as Alex the Great was collecting two goals and an assist in a 6-5 victory over the New York Rangers. With one-third of the regular season remaining, ..."
Vancouver Canucks beaten by red hot Ottawa Senators
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February 5
Vancouver Sun
 
"Vancouver Canuck goalie Roberto Luongo was forced to take the night off Thursday. Half his teammates simply helped themselves. Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault did not play his best lineup against the Ottawa Senators, but it wouldn't have mattered if he had because the National Hockey League's hottest team rampaged through the Canucks early on in a 3-1 victory. Surprising starter Andrew Raycroft was the least of Vancouver's problems as the Canucks failed to compete in the first 10 minutes, trailed 2-0 at 20 minutes and were no match for the Senators, who won their 11th consecutive game. The Canucks, beaten 3-2 in Montreal on Tuesday, have lost consecutive games after winning seven straight. ..."
Demitra has to shoulder production load for third line
Comment
February 4
Vancouver Province
 
"When it comes to Pavol Demitra, the Vancouver Canucks are preaching patience. They don't have a choice. Barring a trade or a minor Cody Hodgson miracle, Demitra represents the great third-line hope. By now, any fan or opponent can pinpoint the Canucks' Achilles heel. It's a six-pack of trouble masked as third and fourth lines. For the most part, what you see is what you get. Steve Bernier has regressed to the point where you hope he's injured. At least that would explain some things. Ryan Johnson has the worst even-strength shot differential in the NHL. Darcy Hordichuk is fourth worst. Kyle Wellwood had 18 goals last year, but might need 18 years to match it. Tanner Glass threatens to be ..."
Luongo's mini-slump not the end of the world. Really
Comment
February 4
Vancouver Province
 
"The ongoing cross-country Olympic relay isn't the only torch being passed. Just look at the Canucks. They can win even when Roberto Luongo is not playing out of his mind. In the past 10 games, Luongo has been hooked twice, has a 2.86 GAA and a .901 save percentage. In the not-too-distant past, that spelled doomsday. But the Canucks are 7-3 in their past 10, and, if not for Jaroslav Halak, could be going into their game against the Ottawa Senators Thursday with eight straight wins. This is a good thing. Luongo has never been on a team that can score like this one. When he's been off during the past month, the forwards, especially the top line, has picked him up and bailed him out. It should ..."
Coach Alain Vigneault's impressive season won't land him Jack
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February 4
Vancouver Sun
 
"Reunions are always better when they're happy. Who doesn't prefer a wedding to a funeral? Vancouver Canucks coach Alain Vigneault had 35 guests at Tuesday's game against the Montreal Canadiens. His sister and her family were there, along with friends Vigneault made while coaching the Canadiens a decade ago, some of the old crowd from Trois-Rivieres and his daughters, Andreane, 20, and Janie, 17. And all anyone wanted after the game was to pat Vigneault on the back, share a laugh and tell him "good game." Except the Canucks lost 3-2. Like nearly every good coach, Vigneault takes each loss as an affront. It makes him prickly. But you couldn't tell that at the Bell Centre as Vigneault amiably ..."
Hot Canucks await hotter Sens
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February 4
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Ottawa Senators aren't getting any time to rest on their laurels. After scoring their 10th straight victory over the Buffalo Sabres less than 24 hours ago, the team is right back on the ice tonight at Scotiabank against another of the NHL's hottest teams. Ottawa battles the Vancouver Canucks tonight (7:30 p.m. Sportsnet). The Canucks had a seven-game win streak of their own snapped in Montreal on Tuesday. While the Senators were on the road Wednesday, the Canucks were in Ottawa where they held a practice and rested up, waiting for the Senators. Ottawa coach Cory Clouston has opted not to make any changes to his lineup tonight. Goalie Brian Elliott, who will be going for a ..."
Senators start Elliott against Canucks
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February 4
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Brian Elliott will be in goal Thursday night as the Ottawa Senators go for their 11th straight win against the Vancouver Canucks. Elliott himself will be going for his ninth straight win. There will otherwise be no lineup changes, which means Shean Donovan and Alexandre Picard will sit."
Canucks Prospect Hodgson's junior club says his return still unconfirmed
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February 4
Vancouver Province
 
"It appears that Canucks' prospect Cody Hodgson isn't a certainty to make his return to playing hockey on Thursday after all. Following a report earlier this week that he would play his first game since a Sept. 27 preseason game with the Canucks, his Brampton Battalion OHL club said on Wednesday afternoon that Hodgson's participation in Thursday's contest with visiting Erie Otters was not comfirmed. The club said on its website: "Reports Monday suggested that centre Cody Hodgson had informed the Vancouver Canucks that he was ready to return to action against Erie. But Hodgson, who has yet to play an OHL game this season after being assigned to the Battalion by the National Hockey League ..."
Montreal Canadiens beat Canucks 3-2
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February 3
Vancouver Sun
 
"Canada, shmanada. Sweden? May as well stick to furniture, cars and supermodels. The hockey team to beat at this month's Winter Olympics is Slovakia. But only if Jaroslav Halak is in goal for the Slovaks and his opposition in Vancouver is the Canucks. The Montreal Canadiens' second-string goalie made 45 saves in a 3-2 victory Tuesday, rifling two points from the Canucks while outplaying hometown hero Roberto Luongo a second straight year. Halak, a 24-year-old from Bratislava selected to start instead of Carey Price of Williams Lake, nailed a 34-save 3-0 shutout to the Canucks here last February. Tuesday's performance was brilliant enough to end Vancouver's seven-game National Hockey League ..."
Were Roberto Luongo's comments fair to teammates?
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February 3
Vancouver Province
 
"If it was a joke, it probably wasn't funny. Asked about the game-winning goal Tomas Plekanec scored 9:14 into the third, Luongo was both flippant and inaccurate. "Unfortunately, on the last one, I stopped the first four (shots)," Luongo said. "I got a piece of the fifth one. But not enough." That's not, however, what happened and Luongo knows it. Granted his defence didn't have a good night, but it is still down two top-four starters. And on the play in question, Luongo took himself out of the play and was officially credited with one save, not four. With just more than 10 minutes left in a 2-1 game, Benoit Pouliot flung a puck at the net from the side boards. As it slid through the ..."
Canadiens snap Canucks' seven-game winning streak in 3-2 win
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February 3
Vancouver Province
 
"High-scoring with the hottest line in hockey, the Canucks got exactly what they wanted Tuesday. A free-for-all horse race. A track meet, which was as entertaining as anything you will see at the Olympics this month. And, rolling with seven straight wins, why wouldn't the Canucks want to trade chances with the Montreal Canadiens, whose top scorer is out and whose top centre is Tomas Plekanec? There was just one problem, Vancouver — no Carey Price. Jaroslav Halak stopped the Canucks and their seven-game winning streak by making 44 saves in a 3-2 Montreal win. It leaves the Canucks 1-1 on this road trip and on their way to Ottawa, which has been the only team hotter than Vancouver during the ..."
Clampdown on diving leaves Canucks in deep trouble
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February 3
Vancouver Sun
 
"The Vancouver Canucks were assessed two diving penalties Tuesday, and neither was to Alex Burrows. The Canucks actually seem to have benefitted from officiating since Burrows lit a powderkeg three weeks ago by accusing referee Stephane Auger. There was a dubious overtime penalty call against the Edmonton Oilers, a unique no-goal interpretation against the Buffalo Sabres, and the Canucks have had more power plays than penalty kills in seven of the last eight games. But if Tuesday's 3-2 Canuck loss to the Montreal Canadiens is any indication, the National Hockey League has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards diving. It's about time. Neither Canuck called for flopping — Darcy Hordichuk ..."
Steve Bernier restarts season gone wrong
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February 2
Vancouver Province
 
"The crush of reporters nearly knocked Steve Bernier over. Somehow, he managed to stay upright as the rush of media hit the Vancouver Canucks dressing room like a blast furnace to record Alex Burrows' latest musings. Bernier was one stall over. But no one was there to talk about his parents or jog his childhood memories or write poetically about his return to his home province. Instead, he was forced to lean awkwardly out of the way as he uncomfortably took off his skates and equipment. It wasn't supposed to be this way. This was supposed to be Bernier's moment. He was the one acquired two years ago to be the incendiary winger the Sedins had long lacked. He promised to combine a ..."
Montreal a good place to continue feast on the East
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February 2
Vancouver Province
 
"Maybe Roch Carrier is at this moment penning a sequel to The Hockey Sweater, a new book about a crest-fallen Quebec boy whose mom accidentally orders a Canadiens jersey from Craigslist instead of the Senators sweater he dreams of. The original title of Carrier's classic novella translates as "An abominable Maple Leaf on the ice," and at the rate his beloved Habs are going, that famous 'CH' is getting awfully close to abominable territory, too. Lots has been made of a recent string in January in which Alex Burrows, with 11 goals in seven games over one stretch, equalled the output of the entire Calgary Flames lineup over the same span. Well, Burrows and his blood brothers, Henrik and Daniel ..."
Top Canucks prospect Cody Hodgson to return to game action
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February 2
Vancouver Sun
 
"The four-month wait is over for elite Vancouver Canuck prospect Cody Hodgson, who is scheduled to resume his playing career Thursday with the Ontario Hockey League's Brampton Battalion. Hodgson has been out with back issues since he appeared in the Canucks' final pre-season game Sept. 27. Originally injured during a dryland training session in July, the 19-year-old centre tried to play through the problem during Vancouver's NHL exhibition schedule. He did not perform well, laboured with his skating and, finally, complained that he didn't have the necessary explosiveness in his right leg due to a bulging disc impinging on a nerve. Months of physiotherapy didn't resolve the problem until ..."
Canucks say Flames won Dion Phaneuf trade; coach Alain Vigneault raps Steve Bernier
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February 2
Vancouver Sun
 
"The Toronto Maple Leafs got the better player, but the Vancouver Canucks think the Calgary Flames got the better trade in Sunday's National Hockey League blockbuster deal that sent defenceman Dion Phaneuf to the east. The Flames, near the bottom of the Western Conference in scoring, acquired Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and Ian White from the Maple Leafs for Phaneuf, a former Calder and Norris Trophy finalist. The Leafs also received fourth-liner Fredrik Sjostrom and prospect Keith Aulie. Calgary reportedly has another trade pending that would send Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust to the New York Rangers for Ales Kotalik and Chris Higgins. "I think it's a great change for ..."
Roberto Luongo looks for improvement vs. hometown Canadiens
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February 2
Vancouver Sun
 
"Short of winning a Stanley Cup here — and, really, what chance have the Canadiens making the playoffs anytime soon? — there isn't anything Roberto Luongo can do to top his performance in Montreal three years ago. As for improving on his performance Saturday in Toronto, making it to the second period would help when the Vancouver Canucks play the Canadiens on Tuesday in the goaltender's hometown (4:30 p.m., PPV, Team 1040). Luongo faces the Canadiens after getting hooked by Canuck coach Alain Vigneault for allowing three goals on eight shots in the first period Saturday. On national television. In the centre of the universe. "Certain cities, it's not hard to get the juices flowing, know ..."
Canucks' Henrik Sedin NHL second star for month of January
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February 1
Vancouver Sun
 
"He may be leading Alex Ovechkin by two points in the NHL scoring race, but Vancouver Canucks star Henrik Sedin couldn't knock the Washington Capitals winger off the top rung when it came to being the league's star of the month. The National Hockey League announced today that Ovechkin is the first star of the month for January, with Sedin garnering second-star honours and Florida Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun taking the third-star slot. Ovechkin led all scorers in January with 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) and posted a -plus 16 rating in 15 games, helping the Capitals go 13-2-0 and finish the month with a franchise record-tying 10-game winning streak. Named team captain Jan. 5, Ovechkin ..."
Canucks cut off contract talks with Kesler until after the season
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February 1
Vancouver Province
 
"The Canucks have cut off contract negotiations with Ryan Kesler and don't plan to resume them until after the season. It's a decision made, in part, because the sides have reached an impasse and Vancouver is trying to avoid any distractions which can accompany in-season bargaining. But it has created some frustration in the Kesler camp. He is a pending restricted free agent who will now have to wait until after the season to see if he can get the multi-year deal he's seeking with the Canucks. "It's frustrating and it's disappointing," Kesler's agent Kurt Overhardt said. "He is a core player for the Canucks who brings his heart and soul every night. He puts it all on the ice. He's a great ..."
Mats factor helps Sedins' evolution, as wondertwins crumple the Maple Leafs
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February 1
Vancouver Sun
 
"Ever the scamp, Mikael Samuelsson amused himself Saturday morning by switching the dressing-room name plates of Daniel and Henrik Sedin. And since he didn't switch the actual Sedins, the Toronto media generally misidentified the twins and attributed Henrik's quotes to Daniel and vice-versa in reports leading up to that night's game. On the ice there was no mistaking the Vancouver Canucks' brilliance, as the brothers toyed with the Toronto Maple Leafs like Samuelsson had toyed with reporters, emphatically demonstrating how dominant they've become. The Sedins and their triplet, Alex Burrows, drove a third-period comeback by scoring all the Canuck goals in a 5-3 victory against the Maple ..."
Raycroft grilled by media in Toronto — minus noose
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February 1
Vancouver Sun
 columnist Iain MacIntyre
"It was just like old times at the Air Canada Centre as the Toronto media rushed post-game to interrogate goalie Andrew Raycroft. Except this time nobody brought a noose. The Vancouver Canuck backup, whose miserable time in Toronto ended with a buyout by the Maple Leafs two summers ago, picked up an improbable win Saturday by stopping all 13 shots he faced after replacing starter Roberto Luongo for the final 40 minutes of a 5-3 victory. Raycroft, whose previous win was Nov. 5, inherited a 3-0 deficit. "I was very excited," Raycroft admitted. "It's very satisfying. It's great, a good story [beating the Leafs]. But I haven't played a lot; that's the biggest satisfaction. I've been working ..."
Canucks storm back to defeat Maple Leafs 5-3
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January 31
Vancouver Sun
 
"Even Hockey Night in Canada couldn't say anything bad about Alex Burrows tonight. Two weeks after being cast as a conniving agitator by CBC broadcaster Ron MacLean, Burrows had four points in Toronto as the Vancouver Canucks rallied from a horrible start to beat the Maple Leafs 5-3 and extend their National Hockey League winning streak to seven games. Burrows, whose spectacular shorthanded goal halfway through the game set the stage for the Canucks four-goal third period, was even interviewed by CBC in the second intermission. "I never had any hard feelings against them, even though they had that segment," Burrows said. "I just play as well as I can and couldn't care less what people in ..."
Canucks make huge comeback in 5-3 win over Toronto Maple Leafs
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January 31
Vancouver Province
 
"The last word went to Alex Burrows Saturday and there's nothing better than a four-point night to make your closing argument. In the centre of controversy, Burrows was often misunderstood and marginalized. In the centre of the universe, he showed what he means to the Canucks — everything. Of course, it's the Sedins who are the engine driving this team. But it's Burrows who holds the keys to the car. In a trance to start their epic 14-game road trip, the Canucks were down three goals Saturday before Burrows turned the ignition and went on a joyride with the Sedins. Together they combined for four goals and five assists in a 5-3 win, running through the Toronto Maple Leafs, who looked in the ..."
Canucks look like road warriors in Game 1
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January 31
Toronto Sun
 
"It could be the trip to ruin but the Vancouver Canucks are just a "This Car Travelled Down Alligator Alley" sticker short of treating it with the enthusiasm of a bunch of snowbirds. They kicked off a 14-game run Saturday night against the Maple Leafs; a stretch that could set them up with home ice advantage for the playoffs - but only if all goes well. "It's important. We've set ourselves up for a good trip. We beat Pittsburgh, Chicago, Washington so we see ourselves as contenders," Daniel Sedin said. "If we play well on this trip, we'll be up there (in the race for home advantage)." This is an Air Miles collectors dream - 20,577 kilometres until the next home game, March 13. But if ..."
Hockey Ray in Canada
Comment
January 31
Toronto Sun
 
"Overcome with jubilation at the final horn on Saturday, Andrew Raycroft took a couple of strides before thrusting his fist in the air. Given the ugly treatment he received during his Maple Leaf days, perhaps flipping a finger to the crowd -- and the Leafs, for that matter -- might have been more appropriate. Raycroft is too classy a guy for that. But after making a triumphant return to the rink that once served as his own personal House of Boos, he had reason to be emotional. "I was excited," Raycroft said after backstopping his Vancouver Canucks to a come-from-behind 5-3 win over the hapless Leafs. "I didn't really think what I was doing. "I just went to the corner ... a little pump. ..."
Canuck deflects MacLean's criticism into the past
Comment
January 30
Toronto Sun
 
"The CBC building might be just a slap shot away from the Air Canada Centre but, as of Friday, Alex Burrows had not yet been invited to see the joint. "I hadn't really planned to go there (anyway)," Burrows said when asked if he was going to go for a free tour. "That stuff's in the past. We just want to put on a good show against the Leafs (Saturday)." The Canucks had been upset with the CBC concerning host Ron MacLean's on-air criticism of Burrows. After a game in Nashville, Burrows, having taken a couple of questionable penalties, said referee Stephane Auger's calls against him were "personal." MacLean ripped Burrows for those allegations, causing the Canucks to meet with CBC ..."
Sedins: Burke wanted us?
Comment
January 30
Toronto Sun
 
"His chin buried deep in his hand, Brian Burke sits alone at the west end of the Air Canada Centre, intently watching the prized Sedin twins being put through their paces. It is early Friday afternoon and the Vancouver Canucks, kicking off an NHL-record 14-game road trip, are practising in the very arena that Burke had hoped might be the new hockey home for Henrik and Daniel. So much for the best laid plans ... Indeed, when the Canucks step on the ice for a rare stop in Toronto on Saturday night, the Sedins will be lining up for the Canucks, as usual. Too bad for the hapless Leafs, who could use any kind of help they can get. Burke tried. He really did. He was in Sweden when free agency ..."