Strange situation for me for this game. Was visiting family this weekend, ended up driving back to Victoria during the game and got to listen to the game on the radio. First time in a while this has happened and to be honest I really enjoyed it. Reminded me of being in elementary school listening to the last period because Mom had sent me to bed before the game was over.
As enjoyable as the game was the score wasn't what I wanted or expected. 3-2 Final favoring the visiting Phoenix Coyotes dropping the Canucks home record to 6-2-1, overall 10-7-3 giving them 23 points. Second in the Northwest and 8th in the West.
Positives: Canucks came out strong. All you were waiting for was for the puck to find the back of the net in the first. This is a step in the right direction. The team coming off the trouncing by the Hawks the night before needed to respond for their home fans and put fourth a good effort. This they did.
Negatives: Lots of bad things in this game. With all the pressure the Canucks had in the first they need to find a way to score. No excuses the effort was there the points weren't. A team like Phoenix is a team that you can put away early if you come out strong and put in a couple goals. This team has no "put your foot (skate) on the opponents throat and end them" mentality.
I know a lot of fans are harping on Luongo, to be honest I don't feel much confidence in him right now however I don't think these loses are his fault at all. The shots from the point need to be better contested. The wingers need to make it hard for them to get the shots through. When Luongo can get close to the player making the deflections he is usually able to control the puck. The tips Phoenix were getting were higher out, there needs to be a Canuck taking that players stick away or playing the body hard. Too much open ice and to much time to make decisions.
Finally play 60 minutes. The team has been down at least 2-0 in the last five games. Some games it comes early or like last night it doesn't come till the later. They can't put themselves in this kind of hole. Last night it seemed like they were frustrated for not lightly the lamp in the first and just came out flat in the 2nd.
Final thoughts: MG has put together a team on paper that should be at the top of the league. But this team is relying on what's on paper and not what is on the ice. Some kind of wake up call needs to happen and it has to come from the leaders of this team. No need to panic into a trade or coaching change. The Twins, Kesler, Luongo need to win a game and dominate. Confidence in their leaders will do a lot for the Canucks but right now that's lacking. The next game is a big division game against the Avs and the Canucks need to put their best performance of the season on the ice in front of their hometown crowd or there will be a lot more rumblings for a shake up.
After thought: Heard Brian Munz (voice of the Moose) on the team1040 this afternoon talking about Moose and the prospects. He said he doesn't think Hodgson will see the NHL this year. Canucks better start winning or the fans will be calling to see the young gun up with the Moose.
Another thanks to 22nucksbunny33 (@22TwinPower33), tweeting this blog and spreading the room is really awesome. Hope everyone else is passing around this blog. Any comments are appreciated and will most likely will be responded too. Follow me @bmah03 GO CANUCKS GO.
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