Stanley Finally In Canucks Hands

(RC Note - It's not often I get to write fiction, but I hit upon a fun notion. Seeing as I still owe Zandstorm at WFS one final Canucks related post from last weeks lost bet from the Habs game - I thought I'd go for broke! "What the heck", I thought, "Canucks fans will love this!" My biggest challenge may have been to keep to keep it real. Hope I succeeded and everyone enjoys it. Just in case anyone is wondering - no bets on Saturdays Maple Leafs game. I might dabble in fiction - imagining the surreal would necessitate hallucinogenic drugs!)

The Vancouver Province - June 14, 2007

The third time was the charm!

Unbelievably, the underdog Vancouver Canucks beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1, and on the goaltending heroics of Roberto Luongo have, at long last, gotten their mits on Lord Stanley's mug.

It is the Canucks first Cup in 37 seasons of existance, after two tries in 1982 and 1994 and the city of Vancouver's first Cup since the 1915 Millionaires took care of the Ottawa Senators 92 years ago.

Appropriately, Canucks captain Markus Naslund first hugged the Cup when handed it by Commissioner Bettman. He then called to longtime former captain Trevor Linden, as each grabbed an end and hoisted it high.

The crowd, many calling themselves Canuckleheads during these playoffs, erupted into frenzy at the gesture.

While the Canucks and their fans were overjoyed and suspended in the moment, a sullen and shocked New Jersey Devils, the heavy favorites, left the ice stunned and in disbelief. The Devils undertook the game in an offensive fury, confident of returning back to the swamp for game seven. Luongo turned out to be the roadblock at the Jersey Turnpike.

GAME TURNED ON A DIME

With all five previous games being decided by one game, this one was no different in that respect.

Unlike the others where late goals decided the outcome, this game's winner came early in the middle period.

The Devils pounded Luongo hard in the opening 20 minutes, as he stopped 18 of 19 shots fired his way. After John Madden put the Devils ahead, Bryan Smolinski, aquired at the trade deadline, battled a dribbling puck past a lunging Martin Brodeur.

In an odd play, that is likely to never be forgotten in Canucks lore, Rory Fitzpatrick put the Canucks up 2-1 on the heels of a penalty kill that saw Vancouver get the better chances.

After Henrik Sedin came within inches of sliding a rebound past Brodeur, Fitzpatrick was hooked at the blue line as the Devils defenseman Brian Rafalski cleared the puck out of the zone. Mattias Ohlund leaving the box intercepted the clearing shot and spotted Fitzpatrick who'd fallen in behind the play. Fitzpatrick dumped the puck in dutifully and turned to come off ice. In a gesture of serendipity, coach Alain Vigneault urged Fiztpatrick back into play. Seeing as he was the third Canucks defenseman in the Devils zone, Fitzpatrick smartly went to the net where he was hit in the leg by Kevin Bieksa's point shot. As Fitzpatrick scuffled with Rafaslki in front of Brodeur, he had no idea it had hit him.

"Like they always say, right place, right time", said the unlikely hero. "I've never played forward ever. I didn't know what else to do but go to the net."

Fitzptrick was caught completely off guard by Vigneault's gesture.

"I thought he must have thought I was someone else for a second. I hesitated a bit, but seeing as we had three D out there, I went with it and it paid off. It's just nuts!"

LUONGO HEROIC ON PENALTY SHOT

As big as the Fitzpatrick goal would turn out to be, it was Conn Smythe winner Roberto Luongo who saved the day.

Luongo was focused and practically unbeatable on the night, stopping 36 of 37 shots by the Devils, the most Vancouver had surrendered all series. His moment of glory, the silencing of his every detractor, came 6 minutes into the third when he foiled Patrik Elias on a penalty shot.

It was a call that Vigneault argued vehemently as Elias had a clear shot to score on the initial break. The coach, red under the collar, could not imagine such a call being made when the shooter clearly still had opportunity to score.

Elias had broken in behind Sami Salo, who hooked his stick sky high as he was about to shoot. Luongo dove to poke the puck when Elias, with one hand, deked it away to stuff it by the goalie's outstretched frame, only to have it hit his leg at the goal line.

As official Chris Lee pointed to center ice, Vigneault and the Canucks bench erupted. So caught up were they in call, little did they realize that the initial play was under review. Once it was ruled no goal, Elias skated to center ice for a second try.

Luongo stood firm and deep in the crease as the Devils sniper bore down. The fake shot and deke did not fool the goalie, who easily gloved the attempt.

"I recognized the move from game three", said the lanky goalie. "It's hard to forget when you've been beaten by it once already."

It was the second year in a row that a penalty shot has been called in the finals.

Luongo played every second of the Canucks 27 game drive, the most games ever needed in NHL history to win the Cup. Allowing only 45 goals and earning 5 shutouts. He could be seen as the only Canuck in contention for Smythe.

SURPRISING ROAD TO VICTORY

After all was said and done, the Canucks had a much more difficult path to the finals than did the Devils.

The Canucks, ranked third, needed multiple overtimes and seven games to get rid of the pesky Dallas Stars before taking seven more to undo the Ducks. San Jose had obviously worn down Detroit in the 7 game loss to the Red Wings. The badly beat up Motown crew's offense spit and sputtered, as did the Canucks against the Stars.

The Canucks earned their way to the finals by limiting the Red Wings to ten goals in seven games.

New Jersey, meanwhile, plundered through 2 straight six game sets against Tampa Bay and Ottawa before squaring off for seven more with the hard luck Sabres.

Upon reaching the finals, the Devils had played in as many pressure cookers than did the Canucks, while only playing two less games.

MODELLED AFTER DEVILS

After splitting games in New Jersey, the Canucks lost the usually decisive game three only to storm back win three consecutive one goal wins.

"The key was game four", said Linden, who scored the lone marker in the 1-0 OT win, "And the key to game four was Roberto".

"After seeing how determined he played, and how he turned away the best the Devils had to give, we felt inbeatable!"

It must be frustrating for Brodeur and the Devils to be beaten by the team often referred to as "New Jersey West". It may have been Vigneault smartest move as coach, to turn the Canucks into a tight checking unit, in the model of the Devils.

"The players deserve the credit for buying into the system", said the elated coach.

"The scoring lines were simply not gelling by mid-December and we were left with little choice but to look inward for solutions. With Roberto playing as well as he was, the team team quickly understood it was the only vialble option."

By a January winning streak, it was a successful one also.

More successful than they'd ever believe.

WRAPPING UP

All was quiet at Robson and Thurlow Streets in regards to police incidents. The riot gear proved uneccessary amongst the well behaved crowd of delirious Canucks fans waving white towels until sunup. Vancouver police have suspended seven officers caught sharing beers with fans by the CBC camera's during the after game street party. Details of the Stanley Cup Parade will be made official by the Mayor's office at noon tomorrow.

STANLEY CUP NOTES

The five leading playoff scorers remained Sabres throughout the last round, even without their participation...Only 5 of the Devils 15 home playoff dates were sellouts...Peter Forsberg made his retirement official yesterday. After his trade to Nashville was a bust, he believes his injured slowed him down to ineffectiveness...Toronto Maple Leafs have widened their GM hunt to include Pat Quinn, Pat Burns and Mike Keenan...the the Blackhawks are eyeing Angelo Esposito after winning the draft lottery shuffle this past weekend...Expansion talk will be hot on the league agenda with prospective cities considered over the next 6 years including Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Quebec City, and yes, Winnipeg.

Bloggers Can Aim Higher Than Rory

The internet hockey community has recently proven itself to be quite a united and powerful group in regards to the Rory Fitzpatrick story.

The "Vote For Rory" story, an internet quest to send an NHL "everyman" to the league's All-Star game has gained a surprising amount of media coverage and momentum. While I have previously chosen to remove myself and my site from the moral equation of the campaign, I must admit to being impressed by the dedication of hockey fans, and bloggers alike.

Bandwagon jumpers, caught in the coolness of the ruse, likely never positioned themselves inside Fitzpatrick's skates or conscience.

My unstated point of view on the whole deal, has always concerned the player and person first and foremost.

To finally speak my mind on the matter, Rory, under any given circumstance, would never feel comfortable in heading to Dallas, in the midst of controversy. While the player initially seemed to momentarily relish the attention, he soon understood the consequences of jokingly endorsing such a lark.

He has since backed off, hoping that internet hockey fans do so also.

In truth, Fitzpatrick never represented the hyped "everyman", but merely a fringe NHL'er hanging onto his job. The "everyman" has a firmer, less teetering grasp on a longer term career.

Fitzpatrick honestly never needed the distraction.

Having said all that, and not wanting to seem as though I am a pisspot spoilsport, the power in numbers shown by fans of the game is what has impressed me most about the Rory infatuation. It is not a shaking of the foundations aspect that has grabbed my curiosity and attention, but the sheer will to do something positive with a clout we, as internet hockey fans and bloggers, could well earn if put to proper use.

Affecting positive change, is what I am getting at.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has often mentioned that he is aware of NHL fans online. We are also becoming more aware of our voice as fans within the league. While we online fans may never be querried on matters of league rules or divisional alignment, we can make make ourselves important in other progressive ways.

It all begins with doing something positive and right.

It requires our involvement in a "feel good" story that would have little to no controversy attached to it.















It requires our involvement in a "feel good" story that would have little to no controversy attached to it.

Through the hockey media itself, I've latched on to two stories in the past year that could well gain some support, amongst ourselves and the said print media, who would undoubtably become our ally.

In a sense it is not all that different than voting for an NHL "everyman".

The Hockey Hall Of Fame is an institution we are all familiar with. It has a due voting process only slightly less immediate than that of the NHL All-Star game.

There are two cases of omission into the Hockey Hall that have long irked me - one, if you have a reporters heart, could seem closer to you than you think.














As a writer of 44 years of age, I sincerely hope that the people who I will be suggesting for inclusion to the HHOF are not beyond your realm of game love and understanding. The greatness of who they are and were, should never escape those who share the opinion that how the game treats it's past, affects it's future.

I say, we all get together, to make these cases our feel good stories!

Trust me, both are more than worthy.

They involve NHL goaltending great Rogatien "Rogie" Vachon, and the longest standing hockey beat writer in North America, Montreal Gazette scribe, Red Fisher.

While both scenario's differ, I will tackle the Fisher case first.

Fisher has been covering the Montreal Canadiens for 49 years. He has been writing on hockey even longer.

His dignity and professionalism are second to none. He has long been revered by not only readers, but also by the players he has covered. Respected individuals in hockey such as Bob Gainey and Ken Dryden have given testament to his accomplishments.

You would tend to assume that he deserves induction into the Hockey Hall Of Fame as a writer, and hence as a promoter of this great game of hockey that we all are fortunate enough to be commenting on daily.

In regards to writting about the game and it's players, Fisher is our eldest of professional ancestors. A man of no small compromise, he is the purest of our breed.

The most cutting of slights, the most blatant, absent-minded of diminishments, has been committed against Fisher.

Red Fisher, you see, was inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame in 1985, as he rightly should have been.

He received the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for excellence in hockey journalism.

He didn't steal it.

He put in more hours than the average NHL'er on job and did it all in the good name of the game of hockey. He wrote about players, while understanding they were human beings. He wrote about teams, while understanding winning team concepts. He respected what was personal and priveledged information while never compromising his position, enabling us hockey fans to get great insight into the game we love.

If he's still on the beat 50 years later, what else do I need say?

Hockey owes Red Fisher more than it owes him.

In the late 1990's, the Hockey Hall decided for no positive reason that all media personnel inducted in the Hall be referred to as "Honourees" rather than members. Fisher proudly pulled his name from the Hall in protest, feeling the slight. In his profession, Fisher had built up the game and promoted it to the best of his ability. No "honour", as so termed, ought to diminish what the man accomlished. He ought to be re-inducted, as he initially was, as a full fledged "member" of the Hockey Hall Of Fame.

Need there be reminding that Red is like quite a lot of us. He remains and always has been a non-compromising seeker of truth, deliverer of news, and a hockey fanatic at heart.

You'll agree with me when I say he deserves a more honest fate in regards to the HHOF.

Before the NHL even begins to suggest one more time, how important media is to the game's interest spreading continent wide, it ought to correct the wrong committed, not only in Fisher's name, but in all former, present, and future media inducteed of the game.

Red Fisher, is you and I, writing of hockey everyday.

Rogatien Vachon is on the opposite side of the paper and pen.

A career hockey man, Rogie was one of the NHL's premier goaltenders of the 1970's. His stats from the era show he may have only been surpassed by the likes of Dryden, Tony Esposito, Bernie Parent, and Gerry Cheevers in terms of career acomplishments and career numbers.

Not only did Vachon ply his trade mainly on hockey's west coast, in that gold and purple Kings jersey, he thrived at it. Vachon, along with Marcel Dionne, very consistantly displayed excellence throughout their careers. Had it not been for them, Wayne Gretzky may not have had a franchise to bolster upon his trade to Los Angeles in 1988.

There are three current franchises in the state of California the NHL can be thankful for - the Kings, the Sharks and the Ducks. Vachon spent the better part of a decade there stopping pucks where the sun burns peel more skin than the red lights of goal judges do, yet he has never been given the game's supreme acknowledgement.

Vachon was on the smaller side of goalies, standing only 5' 7' and 170lbs. Despite his stature, he parlayed his stand up style successfully, playing over 200 games with the Montreal Canadiens between 1966 and 1972.

With them, he won 3 Stanley Cups in 4 seasons, including winning the Vezina Trophy.

In 16 NHL seasons, Vachon compiled 355 wins and a more than respectable for the era, 2.99 GAA. Rogie went on to play two seasons each with the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings before retiring in 1982.

In the 1976 Canada Cup tournament, Vachon's goaltending was key to the country's win. Rogie's excellent performances were again overshadowed by the games greats. With Bobby Orr's last hurrah earning him tournament MVP honours and Darryl Sittler's winning goal against Czechoslovachia, little spotlight was left over for Rogie the goalie.

In his post player career, he has served the L.A. Kings in many capacties, including General Manager.

If one was to compare the career stats of Rogatien Vachon against other HHOF inductees such as Bob Pulford, Dick Duff, or Bernie Federko, it would be plain and obvious to see that this goalie has a home in this temple of greats.

Are you ready to do something about it?

If we can come so close to flying Rory Fitzpatrick to an All-Star game, we could surely add our influence to the cases for Fisher and Vachon.

After that, who knows what we could accomplish together!

The Hockey New Years Wish List

Here's a list of New Years wishes for the players and personalities, teams and organization that make hockey the greatest game on Earth.

To the Canadian boys in Sweden at the WJC - another undefeated run to the Gold to launch their careers.

Former Flyers GM Bobby Clarke - a less stressful front office job while coming to grips with today's game.

For Wayne Gretzky - a healthy family and a ticket out of Phoenix before 20 years of hockey integrity is undone.

Pat Quinn - the opportunity to once again scream at NHL officials close up.

Brendan Shanahan - the 50 goal season this funnyman and astute hockey thinker's legend deserves.

Peter Forsberg - spare parts!

To Mario Lemieux and the Penguins fans - solid plans for a new arena that they will fill for decades.

Guy Carbonneau - A Jack Adams Trophy to place next to his Selke's.

To Gary Bettman and Colin Campbell - muzzles, disguises, and a goal scoring surge.

John Muckler, Harry Neale, and Don Cherry - a hastened and vile free ride off into the sunset.

Rory Fitzpatrick - peace of mind to concentrate on the task at hand and a playoff spot for the Canucks.

To the Blackhawks and Bruins - a return to the playoffs and a battle with another Original Six franchise.

Guillaume Latendresse - continued class, composure, and coolness under fire.

To Dave Lewis - a mirror and a razor.

For Sidney Crosby - an Art Ross and a hockey game in late April.

Charles Wang - perception and 25 good books on hockey.

To Sheldon Souray and Andrei Markov - lucrative multi year deals with the Habs that do not handcuff GM Gainey. (OK, that's for me also!)

Mats Sundin - hair, wingers, and a contract that keeps him in the blue and white.

To the Oilers and Flames - deep playoffs runs into the month of May.

For the Ottawa Senators - a head scout that can replenish their depleted talent base.

To Alexander Ovechkin - America wide recognition and a highlight reel goal that tops last seasons goal against Phoenix.
John Ferguson Jr. - A father in good health and free agent clarity.

To Pat Burns - A call come June from newly appointed Senators GM Bryan Murray.

To every hockey playing child, between the ages of 3 and 20 - government sponsored mandatory heart defribulators in every arena in Canada and the United States.

To Doug Gilmour - a first ballot induction to Hockey Hall immortality.

For Red Fisher - on a similar note, eliminating the "Honourees" distinction from the HHOF, and an invitation to return as a full fledged "Member."

To Jeremy Roenick - a killer second half, meals after games only, and a healthy family.

To Gordie Howe, Jean Beliveau, and Bobby Orr - the best health and all the adulation and love from the hockey world as it continues to not only recognize your player contributions, but also the special people you are.

David Aebischer - a starters job, anywhere!

Jose Theodore - a gossip free resurgeance to the netminding elite.

Ed Belfour - another contract well earned.

For Patrick Roy - another Memorial Cup run and a clue when to shut up when things are of no concern.

To the Capitals, Blues, Predators, and Panthers - fans in the seats.

Phil Kessel - a Lance Armstrong like recovery.

To the Zambonies rock group - a huge pop hit so good it replaces "The Hockey Song" in minds of fans for the next 30 years.

Lou Lamoriello and Claude Julien - hairpieces and cameos on "The Sopranos."

To all NHL goalies - less groin pulls unless self administered.

To the Blues and Predators - a game that's settled by a shootout lasting an additional hour featuring a ton of highlight reel goals and a complete turnover of the shooters order to make the sports story of the week.

For women playing hockey everywhere - the recognition they deserve and more TV time.

To Canada itself, a nation united around a puck - more squirts and tykes highfiving bewildered teammates after scoring on their own net, more parents of kids smiling in freezing arenas, more frozen ponds and lakes and outdoor rinks, volunteers unlimited, and a million boys and girls aspiring to be the next Sidney Crosby.

To Bob Gainey and family - good health and spiritual guidance from angels above for generations and beyond.

BUTT ENDS # 4

Things are now looking quite grim these days in the Battle of Ontario. Injuries on the Maple Leafs and Senators front could well shape the course and final outcome of already bleak campaigns.

News that Michael Peca is out for 3 to 4 months doesn't better the Leafs slim playoff hopes. Jason Spezza, a notoriously slow healer, will also be lost for a month. While the Sens looked good beating the hapless Flyers 6-3 tonight, don't expect that trend to continue. Spezza is the hub of all things offensive in the nations capital, and the injury is a devastating blow to post season goals.

It remains to be seen, how ownership of both teams will deal with the off season misteps of GM's Ferguson and Muckler, in regards to how these injuries have straightjacketed their chances in mid season. Both overspent, and spent stupidly, while overrating their respective clubs. Neither have the benefit of calling up players from the minors who could make one iota of a difference.

While Ottawa panicked and traded for little return, Toronto paid lucridous dollars to strengthen a position they felt needed reinforcement - defense - and the Leafs D still sits with the rats in the cellar. The Senators overpaid and gambled at a position they already found steadiness in - goaltending. Turns out it was close to 12 million for bad backup goaltending.Both left themselves little manoeverability come injuries.

In each city, worst case scenarios were foolishly never planned out. The NHL's newer realities are making them well aware of today's blindspots.

Maybe a coach and GM's salary ought to count against the cap!

With the trade market dryer than ever, there is little help in sight for either, but to turn inward to team character. A snowball's chance in hell never looked so bad!

SIDELINE SCRIBBLES

NHL prefect of discipline Colin Campbell got it all wrong again in the Scott Nichol suspension. He completely overlooked the deed committed by Jaroslav Spacek on the play. Nichol received a whopping 9 game banishment after Spacek clearly used his stick to trip his opponant into a welcoming crossbar as he followed the play to the net. They each deserved five games....Campbell will never achieve the integrity of the position until he learns it takes two on occasion...Ken Hitchcock (Columbus) and Denis Savard (Chicago) are looking like hockey guru's compared to John Stevens (Philadelphia) and Andy Murray (St. Louis).Bad news for all, they will play no more than 82 games this season....You got to feel for Peter Forsberg. No one plays harder, and no one falls harder than the injury prone Swede. He has backbone to spare, just no spleen to speak of....Mario Lemieux has sadly run out of time and answers in Pittsburgh. My question is why doesn't he just commit to owning this team with such a bright future. Sell them, if he chooses, during a great playoff run...The NHL is back to talking about those bigger egg shaped nets that were a disaster in a Ricco Cup tryout in pre-season. Why not smaller pucks? Why not strap a Le Goalie to the posts? The NHL, I'm beginning to understand, is run by gamblers.... speaking of which, why Las Vegas as an NHL destination? What other sport made a boom there recently? Would Rick Tocchet be allowed to coach there?...Is December 23rd an NHL twilight zone date or what. The Montreal Canadiens haven't won on the day since 1945. Tonight the Ducks were shutout by Phoenix and Michael Tellqvist and the Sabres were beaten by the Blues. Ban this date from the schedule forever....Rory Fitpatrick, without a single point in 19 games, is second in All-Star balotting. Doubt the power of the internet still? Next year Sergei Zholtok could be a starter!

PARTING SHOT

One has to wonder if the depleted Ontario teams managed any envy towards the Montreal Canadiens this past week. The Habs became pressed for roster and cap room, and sent impressive rookie Maxim Lapierre back to the minors. In four wins, the homegrown talent had 3 goals and an assist while being a plus five on the 4th line no less. The center is merely fourth in team scoring in Hamilton. Within a week, a province and media was behind him, before the cap concious Habs sent him back. Depth is jealousy in the new NHL. There is no cap in the playoffs. Lapierre is surely circling calandar dates.