SPORTS Canucks Corner Stephanie Smith, OP Sports Editor People say you can judge a hockey team by how they start the pre-season, but I do not agree. The Vancouver Canucks of late have looked sloppy and unorganised. They have trouble with line chemistry and their goaltending has not looked as good as people anticipated it to be. But this early on it is Sloppy play, poor penalty kills and poor power plays will be alleviated once the special teams have more time to prac- tice together. The players will eventually get used to their line mates and new coach; a task that some say could take up to 15 games. And while this is almost a fifth of the season gone, the Canucks should be able to mesh by then. Don’t count them out based on poor pre-sea think of it this way; the Toronto Maple Leafs ar well in the pre-season, and when in the last 40 yi finished on top? impossible to say what will happen. This wasn’t lost on the morning team at the Team 1040, as they asked listeners to discuss their concerns regarding the Canucks’ struggles. Two out of every three respondents admitted they were troubled by their play through five games. With the regular season starting on October 5, these troubles still must be taken into consideration. Many people stated that the reasons the Canucks might not be playing to their ability is simply lack of time. A new goaltender that isn’t familiar with the Western Conference style of play is another reason for their failings. Roberto Luongo, recently acquired from the Florida Panthers has to get used to the West, and also has to get used to a brand new team, new style of defence, and new surroundings. On top of that, there is the line chemistry. It is hard to develop chemistry if the players you are on a line with change from game to game. One day in practice and then one game is too little time for any players to develop playing strategies. In time, the chemistry will develop and the scoring power will come, ‘Sunday Oct. 15. Away game vs. Langara Falcons. Game takes place in Coquitlam Sunday Oct. 1 -3 _ Home game vs. Langara Falcons. Geme takes place in Coquitlam Sunday Oct. 1 - 3:( Home game vs. Malaspina Mariners. Game takes place in Coquitlam Saturday Oct. 7 | Women’s Soccer: _Avway game vs. Langara Falcons, Game takes place in Burnaby Sunday Oct. 1 - 1:00pn Home game vs. Malaspina Mariners. Game takes place in Coquitlam Saturday Oct. 7 Men’s Volleyball: Jt. Boys Toumament. Home games take place in New Westminster Friday Oct. 6 — Si 7. . Haley Jensen - Athiete of the Week. Douglas College Athletics — www.douglas.bc.ca - Women’s Volleyball: MacEwan Tournament. Away games take place in Edmonton Friday Oct. 6 — Sunday C Haley is in her 2nd year at Douglas. She is a 5’9” central defender that graduated from the Burnaby Central Soccer Academy two years ago. Last season at Douglas, she was named the team’s Rookie of the Year. Haley’s transition from midfield to central defender is one of the main reasons for an improved Douglas defense. She had an outstanding weekend of play. On Saturday vs. a much stronger Okanagan squad, Haley continued to repel every attack from the Lakers. Her domi- nance in the air while defending also helped Haley at the attacking end of the field. In Sunday’s thrilling 5-4 victory over Thompson Rivers, Haley connected for 2 outstanding goals. Both came off perfect corners. Haley rose above the defenders to score powerful headers. Next up for the Royals are a home and away series vs. the 2005-06 reigning National Champions. ‘Tournament - Tachoma CC. Tournament takes place Sunday Oct 22 and Monday Ox 4 © THE OTHER PRESS OCTOBER 5 20066