The Canadian Hockey Thread

[Sir Goulum]

Indeed. How soon until a trade?

[Mack_Attack]

soon as road trip is done?

[Sir Goulum]

Originally posted by Mack_Attack: soon as road trip is done?

God, 3 games including tonight? We need something before that.

[Zebodog]

Oilers just squeezed that one out.

And they started the season so well. [img]smile.gif[/img]

EDIT: Anybody happen to catch the score in the Canucks game?

[ 10-25-2005, 11:48 PM: Message edited by: Zebodog ]

[Sir Goulum]

My hopes were so high after the 2nd...

[Aerich]

Go Canucks Go!

Good start, but still giving up too many goals. Auld looks stronger than Cloutier. Still, Danny can't be blamed for some of the team breakdowns - thinking of the 3 goals given up in the last five or so minutes of the third against Colorado.

[Zebodog]

Originally posted by Aerich: Go Canucks Go! Good start, but still giving up too many goals. Auld looks stronger than Cloutier. Still, Danny can't be blamed for some of the team breakdowns - thinking of the 3 goals given up in the last five or so minutes of the third against Colorado.

Cloutier's biggest problem has always been his lack of focus when the pressure is on. Time and time again, I've watched him come unglued from what seemed like a minor problem, but he just can't recover.

I think the fans can be real hard on him too, which doesn't help much.

Still, the Canucks have a respectable standing in the league unlike some other teams that I won't mention...cough...Oilers...cough.

[Aerich]

Yes, he still hasn't demonstrated the ability to consistently make the big save at the critical time. To be fair, he got injured last season (they played) in the first round and didn't get the opportunity to show his ability under the only pressure that counts (series-deciding playoff games). Much as I hate to say it, the Canucks were overmatched in previous years in the playoffs - aside from the huge playoff experience and payrolls of the Wings and Avs, they couldn't deal with Minnesota's speed and skill down low, even in the hook-n-hold days. You cannot blame those losses on the goalie. Yes, he was only average, but others on the team didn't come up with the big plays either.

And really, what goalie outside of Brodeur has that big-game ability? A lot of decent goalies have had that one-season wonder (Kiprusoff, Giguere, Khabibulin), but it's difficult to raise it permanently to the next level and be the elite goaltender.

[Sir Goulum]

Originally posted by Zebodog: Still, the Canucks have a respectable standing in the league unlike some other teams that I won't mention...cough...Oilers...cough.

Oh, stop it already.

Aerich- Brodeur hasn't looked so hot this season either.

[ 10-28-2005, 02:02 AM: Message edited by: Sir Goulum ]

[Zebodog]

Agreed Aerich, although I believe that Vancouver didn't take the Wild seriosuly and ended up paying for it. Take the greats, Brodeur, Roy, Smith, Dryden, Hasek et. al. and without a D they don't stand a chance.

A lot of goals get blamed on the goalie, when in fact it is the defense that shouldn't have allowed the shooter in that position in the first place.

And Sir, G., granted Brodeur isn't up to his usual high standards, but he made some incredible saves during that game with Tampa. His defense kept turning the puck over in their own zone which should never have happened.

I'm not sure who I'd pick for the Vezina this year.