as = Canucks corner

} Is this the Year?

By Josh Martin, Sports Editor

es, I know. It seems to be the

reoccurring question year

after year for the Canucks
in various Vancouver newspaper
sport sections. But when you look at
the team this year, it’s a lot different
than any other year. They have great
goaltending, a top of the line centre,
strong defence and numerous goal-
scorers who can get the job done—all
in the same line-up. In past years,
Canuck squads have seen bits and
pieces of a successful team, but
never have been gifted with such a
well-rounded team until now. If the
Canucks can somehow avoid injuries,
which seemed to be impossible last
year (especially for defensemen
Sami Salo), they will have a strong
chance to make a deep run into the
post-season. The Sedins, Samuelsson,
Raymond, Burrows and Kesler are
each expected to get at least 25-30
goals this season, which provides
primary and secondary scoring; also,

other guys like Tambellini, Torres and
Malhotra will likely step up, providing
important minutes on the penalty kill.
If the Canucks are due to win the Cup
then it’s going to be with this line-up,
this year.

Last year, when the Canucks got
knocked out in the second round of
the playoffs against the fast-paced
Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago
Blackhawks, it was evident that
Vancouver didn’t have the finish or
strength to contend. The Blackhawks
dominated in nearly every aspect, with
Dustin Byfuglien comfortably creating
havoc in front of Roberto Luongo
and with Patrick Kane and Jonathon
Toews dangling around scoring goals
while the Canucks got wrapped up
merely watching what was happening.
This year the team has new additions
and stronger players, who bring better
experience and skill to the game. If the
Canucks were to meet the Blackhawks
in the playoffs once again for the
third straight year, the series would be
more evenly matched, if all pans out

correctly.

The Canucks have made it all
the way to the Stanley Cup Playoffs
only twice in their franchise dating
back to 1982 against the New York
Islanders— where Vancouver was
swept in four games—and again in
1994 against the New York Rangers
where they lost in game seven to a
score of 3-2. The loss in the 94 game

~ was tough to say the least. Down

3-2 with five minutes remaining in
the third period, Canuck Nathan

 

 

LaFayette rang the puck off the
Ranger goal post in an effort to tie it
up, and that was that. The Rangers
went on to take the series and the
Cup which caused a massive riot
back in Vancouver. The Canucks
were that close in ’94, and still are
yet to bring home the Cup. Still, in
my perspective, this will make it that
much more of an accomplishment
when they do get the chance to

have that parade in the streets of
Downtown Vancouver.

 

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