I had a dream that we make it to the cup finals again in 2012 only to lose to the Bruins again by 4 consecutive blowouts.
They have been coming less frequently recently but my latest dream had the Nucks up by one in the last minute of game 7 then the Bruins scored twice in a couple of seconds to win. The play on the final goal was started by Sedin getting punched in the face by Marchand.
It is painful think about the finals from game 3 onward but the rest of the playoffs were pure magic. I just wish it had a better ending. Oh well it has been 40 years already, what is another one?
I had a dream that we make it to the cup finals again in 2012 only to lose to the Bruins again by 4 consecutive blowouts.
All they needed to do was put everything behind them and have the game of their careers and this would have been the most amazing summer ever.
Still very proud of the team and hoping that we pull a Pittsburgh and use this experience to win it all next year
back in february i was having drams the canucks won the cup on home ice in a really tense game until the mid 3rd period when the broke it open. i woke up with holiday in my head and tears in my eyes.
A hockey play? His hit was textbook Rule 48. Also, in what way did the officiating have any major effect on this series? More like the Bruins PK v.s. the Canucks PP and the Bruins PK won that battle despite the Canucks having more PP time.
NO it wasnt. Mike Murphy, the guy who doled out the largest suspension in stanley cup finals history had this to say:
Quote:
"Two factors were considered in reaching this decision," said NHL senior vice president of hockey operations Mike Murphy in a statement. "The hit by Rome was clearly beyond what is acceptable in terms of how late it was delivered after Horton had released the puck and it caused a significant injury."
No where did rule 48 get mentioned, the biggest factor was Boston coming out saying Horton had a severe concussion prior to the hearing.
Wonder what Dr. Recchi would have thought about Horton flying to Vancouver for game 7 with such a severe head injury. Im not discounting the injury, but the hit was in mid ice, a touch late, while HOrton was admiring his pass. The injury was from the head hitting ice, not shoulder hitting head...
Quote:
"This has nothing to do with Rule 48 [the blindside rule hit]," Murphy said. "This is just an interference penalty, an interference hit. If it was immediate after he released the puck, it would be a legal hit. We have them all the time."
This set new precednet for the NHL in my opinion, never before has the injury sustained been a factor in determining suspension length. To be honest, it was a joke.
As has been stated ad nauseum, the lateness of Chara on Pac, and the injury sustained should have equated to a 20 game suspension. I just cant comprehend why the league would set a new precedent in the Stanley Cup finals.
The Bruins won the cup, as much as it hurts, they deserved it in the end. The won the battle of attrition for the most difficult trophy to win in pro sports.
I congratulate you guys, but cant you find a better way to spend your summer that trolling this board? I mean if we actually had some sun in BC this summer I wouldnt be replying to you...isnt it like 100 degrees where you live, go enjoy the weather....god knows I'd be celebrating my team winning the cup all summer, not gloating the finals oppositions fans on the internet.
This cup run just did not have the same magical aura about it that the '94 team had. I think that was for 2 reasons:
1) The way the team lost in the finals. They were pretty much totally blown to pieces in each of their 4 losses. The final game 7 was such a letdown, in that the team was not even in the game to begin with. Contrast that with the '94 team that fought tooth and nail to the end, narrowly missing tying the game in the dying minutes.
2) This team was expected to win. The '94 team was an underdog through the run. The fact that the '94 team kept winning was not expected. The fact that this team lost to Boston is an upset.
If I look back at '94, I was extremely proud of that team. They exemplified hard work, team work, passion.....this group......just did not have enough of what that '94 team had. This group was undoubtedly far superior in terms of talent, but they lacked passion in a lot of respects.
Anyway...I am sure many will disagree, but I look at '94 warmly with fond memories of the run. I look at this run with a tinge of disgust.....given the way the team blew it in the finals. Maybe it's just that one was 17 year ago and the other is only months old....I don't know......
This cup run just did not have the same magical aura about it that the '94 team had. I think that was for 2 reasons:
1) The way the team lost in the finals. They were pretty much totally blown to pieces in each of their 4 losses. The final game 7 was such a letdown, in that the team was not even in the game to begin with. Contrast that with the '94 team that fought tooth and nail to the end, narrowly missing tying the game in the dying minutes.
2) This team was expected to win. The '94 team was an underdog through the run. The fact that the '94 team kept winning was not expected. The fact that this team lost to Boston is an upset.
If I look back at '94, I was extremely proud of that team. They exemplified hard work, team work, passion.....this group......just did not have enough of what that '94 team had. This group was undoubtedly far superior in terms of talent, but they lacked passion in a lot of respects.
Anyway...I am sure many will disagree, but I look at '94 warmly with fond memories of the run. I look at this run with a tinge of disgust.....given the way the team blew it in the finals. Maybe it's just that one was 17 year ago and the other is only months old....I don't know......
That sums up my views on this year and 94 pretty-well too.
This cup run just did not have the same magical aura about it that the '94 team had. I think that was for 2 reasons:
1) The way the team lost in the finals. They were pretty much totally blown to pieces in each of their 4 losses. The final game 7 was such a letdown, in that the team was not even in the game to begin with. Contrast that with the '94 team that fought tooth and nail to the end, narrowly missing tying the game in the dying minutes.
2) This team was expected to win. The '94 team was an underdog through the run. The fact that the '94 team kept winning was not expected. The fact that this team lost to Boston is an upset.
If I look back at '94, I was extremely proud of that team. They exemplified hard work, team work, passion.....this group......just did not have enough of what that '94 team had. This group was undoubtedly far superior in terms of talent, but they lacked passion in a lot of respects.
Anyway...I am sure many will disagree, but I look at '94 warmly with fond memories of the run. I look at this run with a tinge of disgust.....given the way the team blew it in the finals. Maybe it's just that one was 17 year ago and the other is only months old....I don't know......
Nobody can say the '94 team blew it. That isn't the case for the '11 team.
I don't disagree that the '94 series was certainly closer, with the team fighting to the bitter end.
But I don't think we should cheapen what this bunch managed to accomplish this year. They were completely decimated by injuries to their top defenders (Hamhuis, Edler, Ehrhoff, Bieksa) as well as their top offensive players (Daniel, Kesler). They also kept their game faces on in spite of rather severe character assassination from all corners of the hockey media. It really took on a "them vs. the world" mentality.
I am immensely proud of what these guys accomplished, and I think if we had a bit more luck with injuries, we were easily the better team heading into that Final. Hopefully we can get another crack at it next year.
I don't disagree that the '94 series was certainly closer, with the team fighting to the bitter end.
But I don't think we should cheapen what this bunch managed to accomplish this year. They were completely decimated by injuries to their top defenders (Hamhuis, Edler, Ehrhoff, Bieksa) as well as their top offensive players (Daniel, Kesler). They also kept their game faces on in spite of rather severe character assassination from all corners of the hockey media. It really took on a "them vs. the world" mentality.
I am immensely proud of what these guys accomplished, and I think if we had a bit more luck with injuries, we were easily the better team heading into that Final. Hopefully we can get another crack at it next year.
I agree.
In regards to the character assassination, I have never seen anything quite like it. Milbury referring to the twins as "Thelma & Louise"? Just despicable stuff, extremely disappointed the NHL allowed that sort of nonsense to go on. It was almost WWE-esque, where the Canucks were cast as the heel to the good guy Bruins. It still bothers and disgusts me.
Just watched CBC's intro to game 1 of the finals, now that was a hard video to watch. Not only does it bring back all the emotions of how pumped I was for the series when it first aired live, but given what happened, the lyrics "we could've had it all" really, really cut deep.
In regards to the character assassination, I have never seen anything quite like it. Milbury referring to the twins as "Thelma & Louise"? Just despicable stuff, extremely disappointed the NHL allowed that sort of nonsense to go on. It was almost WWE-esque, where the Canucks were cast as the heel to the good guy Bruins. It still bothers and disgusts me.
I also agree with this. The spin job on the Luongo comments was the lowlight and the US and Eastern Media's work on swaying public sentiment firmly against Vancouver was disgusting. It's like the Canucks were the only team in the NHL that dove, complained to the refs, embellished, etc. It was almost enough to turn me, an ardent fan for years, off the game entirely.
Just watched some of it, game 2 specifically. Then game 3. The teams casual play and lack of urgency really hurt them along with the injuries. The game did not turn on the Horton hit but in the teams casual play. You could see mentally they felt they had this in the bag.
But boy were they banged up. Bruins got way stronger as the series went on. And the loss of hamhuis and even Rome was killer just because it messed up the cohesiveness of the lines.
I agree entirely though with the above 2 posts. The hate on for this Francise it's players management and fans was at stupid proportions. It made it so that the Canucks just couldn't win.
Now having said all that... What a season. Period. Awards accolades. Next season let's hope they can stay healthy enough to finish the job!
I also agree with this. The spin job on the Luongo comments was the lowlight and the US and Eastern Media's work on swaying public sentiment firmly against Vancouver was disgusting. It's like the Canucks were the only team in the NHL that dove, complained to the refs, embellished, etc. It was almost enough to turn me, an ardent fan for years, off the game entirely.
I still get angry when I think about it.
What's even funnier is all the idiots that fell for it. they're the real morons.
Yeah, it was pretty preposterous. Don't get me wrong, the Canucks aren't exactly the most likeable bunch. But it got pretty sickening in the Finals; the Bruins weren't exactly sporting wings and halos either, not that you would have known that from what the media was spewing.
Regardless - I've been watching a lot of clips from the run on YT the last few days (massive props to CanucksHD...) And there were so many great character moments along the run. Game 7 vs. Chicago might be the greatest game ever played in Rogers Arena. Watching the game highlights from that got me right into the action, and it's right up there with Game 7 vs. Calgary in 1994 for me. Burrows and Kesler had tremendous games.
Kesler's one man domination of Nashville, Henrik turning a similar trick against San Jose, a series which also saw Kevin Bieksa emerge as a major player...man.
But the injuries definitely took their toll. Burrows and Daniel basically ended up being the only guys in our top six who were healthy, and our best, healthiest defensemen by the end was likely Aaron freaking Rome who got taken out by a suspension. (Bieksa was hurt, Ehrhoff was hurt, Edler was hurt, Hamhuis was out)
Samuelsson would have helped a great deal too, IMO. Going back and watching the whole season's highlights, he was such a big part of the PP. He really controlled the point and the puck well and he got pucks to the net. He also had pretty good jam and loved to mix things up; he would have been perfect for those after whistle scrums against Boston. Gloved punches, facewashes, all walking the line while not quite taking a penalty.
But anyway...a great year. The sad side to watching all those playoff run clips was, to me, the departure of Torres. I know that he's a bit of a lightning rod and given the changing dynamic of hits in the NHL, he could be a bit of a liability, but he was a key part of that run. Absolutely train-wrecked a lot of people, cleanly, and scored some big goals.
I had to say this now... I was really pissed off with the team 1040 and the way after game 5 they were acting like the Canucks had won the cup, doing a run montage and such.
I have to say that station jinxes the team more often than not, and are so quick to criticize.
I am glad I never listened to any of the post game, or post week talk.
This cup run just did not have the same magical aura about it that the '94 team had. I think that was for 2 reasons:
1) The way the team lost in the finals. They were pretty much totally blown to pieces in each of their 4 losses. The final game 7 was such a letdown, in that the team was not even in the game to begin with. Contrast that with the '94 team that fought tooth and nail to the end, narrowly missing tying the game in the dying minutes.
2) This team was expected to win. The '94 team was an underdog through the run. The fact that the '94 team kept winning was not expected. The fact that this team lost to Boston is an upset.
If I look back at '94, I was extremely proud of that team. They exemplified hard work, team work, passion.....this group......just did not have enough of what that '94 team had. This group was undoubtedly far superior in terms of talent, but they lacked passion in a lot of respects.
Anyway...I am sure many will disagree, but I look at '94 warmly with fond memories of the run. I look at this run with a tinge of disgust.....given the way the team blew it in the finals. Maybe it's just that one was 17 year ago and the other is only months old....I don't know......
Well said. I've been a bit of a recluse the last month partly because thinking about hockey gets me swearing under my breath (then having to explain why to whomever is nearby).
Looking back on it, I'm not sure how, but it's at least as bitter as it was a month ago.
The way this team folded like a cheap tent in all those losses, was just too disgusting. And you'd think that for a SCF Game 7, players would have crashed the net, run hard and through the defense. Just laying it all out there. I know all about the injuries, but that doesn't excuse the effort.
The 1994 team would have crushed this one. Just a lack of heart from the goalie on out. And a coach who'd given up and had no answer, seemingly no gameplan.
I feel sorry for guys like Kesler, Hansen, Manny, Lapierre, Burrows, and Bieksa - guys who showed up and played their heart out.
And it pains me to say it, but with the lack of toughness (and "playoff worthy" grit) added, I'm not expecting a whole lot next year's playoffs.
Yeah, it was pretty preposterous. Don't get me wrong, the Canucks aren't exactly the most likeable bunch. But it got pretty sickening in the Finals; the Bruins weren't exactly sporting wings and halos either, not that you would have known that from what the media was spewing.
Regardless - I've been watching a lot of clips from the run on YT the last few days (massive props to CanucksHD...) And there were so many great character moments along the run. Game 7 vs. Chicago might be the greatest game ever played in Rogers Arena. Watching the game highlights from that got me right into the action, and it's right up there with Game 7 vs. Calgary in 1994 for me. Burrows and Kesler had tremendous games.
Kesler's one man domination of Nashville, Henrik turning a similar trick against San Jose, a series which also saw Kevin Bieksa emerge as a major player...man.
But the injuries definitely took their toll. Burrows and Daniel basically ended up being the only guys in our top six who were healthy, and our best, healthiest defensemen by the end was likely Aaron freaking Rome who got taken out by a suspension. (Bieksa was hurt, Ehrhoff was hurt, Edler was hurt, Hamhuis was out)
Samuelsson would have helped a great deal too, IMO. Going back and watching the whole season's highlights, he was such a big part of the PP. He really controlled the point and the puck well and he got pucks to the net. He also had pretty good jam and loved to mix things up; he would have been perfect for those after whistle scrums against Boston. Gloved punches, facewashes, all walking the line while not quite taking a penalty.
But anyway...a great year. The sad side to watching all those playoff run clips was, to me, the departure of Torres. I know that he's a bit of a lightning rod and given the changing dynamic of hits in the NHL, he could be a bit of a liability, but he was a key part of that run. Absolutely train-wrecked a lot of people, cleanly, and scored some big goals.
Yeah, all good point.
I was really disappointed in losing Torres as well. You can't measure (in G, A, Pts) the kind of fear a guy like that puts in opposing defensemen.
Sucks because we're so light in that department.
It makes me worry more about Kesler having to take the brunt of it again.
My ideal Game 7 has roots in the real Game 7, on that PP late in the second, we score a goal on a rebound. Game gets tied up on an ugly crease crashing goal early in the 3rd, and a beautiful Sedin passing play with a few minutes left delivers us the Cup.
Finally able to watch the highlights of all the games tonight. Boy the way luongo imploded consistently is extremely concerning.
Yet when he was on he was as good as any!
A few things really stuck out for me. Kesler was on another level and barring injury he is almost impossible to stop. I remember saying to my son after he got hurt in game 5 vs the sharks, "there goes the cup".
The team really missed samuellsson in the final. He would've made a massive differnce cause he was still very solid playing injured.
Where the hell did all the defensive scoring go in the final?!? 8 goals vs the sharks and none in the SCF!?!?! That was a massive blow.
After watching ballard in the sj series AV really blew it by not playing him. He was very good in that series, especially in the physical game. He played such a strong game 5 and to be left out of the finals... And Rome really was that bad. I think if AV let's Ballard play this season the Canucks will be fine without Ehrhoff. They are going to miss him, but if players can step up, it should be fine.
Here is the biggest thing I'll remember about this run... Everything that could go wrong at the most critical time and juncture did go wrong. It is truly remarkable that the Canucks were even within a game with so many injuries, the suspension, the pp and defense going virtually scoreless...
I am damn proud if this team. They certainly can make it back. I truly believe they will.
I would not make any predictions anywhere else. This is the only place I will.
Vancouver will win the west again, and meet Pittsburgh in the finals. I'll save the prediction of who wins for June 2012!
Hell of a run! I'll miss raffi but he will be replaced just fine.
Last edited by Biggest Canuck Fan: 07-25-2011 at 03:35 AM.
Finally able to watch the highlights of all the games tonight. Boy the way luongo imploded consistently is extremely concerning.
Yet when he was on he was as good as any!
A few things really stuck out for me. Kesler was on another level and barring injury he is almost impossible to stop. I remember saying to my son after he got hurt in game 5 vs the sharks, "there goes the cup".
The team really missed samuellsson in the final. He would've made a massive differnce cause he was still very solid playing injured.
Where the hell did all the defensive scoring go in the final?!? 8 goals vs the sharks and none in the SCF!?!?! That was a massive blow.
After watching ballard in the sj series AV really blew it by not playing him. He was very good in that series, especially in the physical game. He played such a strong game 5 and to be left out of the finals... And Rome really was that bad. I think if AV let's Ballard play this season the Canucks will be fine without Ehrhoff. They are going to miss him, but if players can step up, it should be fine.
Here is the biggest thing I'll remember about this run... Everything that could go wrong at the most critical time and juncture did go wrong. It is truly remarkable that the Canucks were even within a game with so many injuries, the suspension, the pp and defense going virtually scoreless...
I am damn proud if this team. They certainly can make it back. I truly believe they will.
I would not make any predictions anywhere else. This is the only place I will.
Vancouver will win the west again, and meet Pittsburgh in the finals. I'll save the prediction of who wins for June 2012!
Hell of a run! I'll miss raffi but he will be replaced just fine.
Great post. Tough to argue with any of that.
I dont know if my heart could take them making the finals and losing again. Wait. i said that this year.
A lot of well-said things there, BCF. I too was struck by the dichotomy of the two Roberto Luongos we saw. On the one hand, he is the guy who was excellent in Game 7 vs. Chicago, Game 5 vs. San Jose, and three victories in the Stanley Cup Final. (there were other good games, but these were the standouts IMO). But on the other hand, he's the guy that got lit up like a Christmas tree in several games by Chicago and Boston.
When he's good, he's excellent. When he's bad, he's the opposite.
It really is remarkable, however, how well the team did in spite of everything going wrong for it. Just about every member of our vaunted top power play unit was sporting an injury--Kesler(leg), Henrik(back), Ehrhoff(shoulder), and an off-timed Edler who seemed to be recovering from his back issues.
Going back over the entire season and watching game video and highlights, I am also struck by how much--IMO--the Canucks missed the presence of Mikael Samuelsson. I really do think his game was perfectly suited for that Boston series; he mixes it up and gets his nose dirty, and is exactly the kind of guy who would have given Brad Marchand more than a few gloved punches back. It's a bit of "out of sight, out of mind" for some Canuck fans at the moment, but Samuelsson was both a consistent offensive contributor and a key part of the Canucks' power play. He ran the point effectively and also shot the puck frequently. I think he'll be an important player next season.
In watching the highlights of the San Jose series, I completely agree on Keith Ballard. I didn't think Aaron Rome was bad, per se, in the first two-and-a-bit games of the Final. Quite the contrary, he was pretty good. But Ballard was very strong, in my opinion, to close out the SJ series yet there was no good will earned for that strong play. It was straight back to Rome when he was healthy, and one has to wonder if Ballard were in the lineup and not Rome, does the hit on Horton that allegedly shifted the momentum of the series to the Bruins occur?
Anyway. There was a littany of things that added up to work against the Canuck and I don't think a finger can be pointed at any one thing. But to see that the Canucks got where they did and pushed it as far as they did in spite of all these factors is impressive.
