By Josh Martin, Sports Editor he Vancouver Canucks are on [ie They’ve won their last four games and have scored 20 goals on their opposition while only allowing five goals against in that stretch of time including a huge shutout against the Chicago Blackhawks last Friday night where Roberto Luongo stood on his. head. It was a big game in the sense that the rivalry between both teams has dated back a few years now when that famous line brawl went down that seemed to go on forever. These two teams absolutely hate each other and you know whenever they square off its going to be an intense game full of passion and emotion. And it was just that on Friday night. The Blackhawks had so many grade-A scoring chances but couldn’t seem to put the puck past Luongo, who was sensational, recording his second shutout of the season while Back On the Horse setting the Canucks franchise record for shutouts at 26. The Blackhawks recently embarrassed the Canucks ina 7-1 shellacking at Rogers Arena on November 20, so the fact that the Canucks shut them out in a 3-0 blanking couldn’t be sweeter. Especially since the Blackhawks haven’t been shutout in 85 games. The Canucks finished the month of November with eight wins, four losses, and one overtime loss and are now 2-0 to start off December. They are currently first in the Northwest Division and second in the Western Conference with a 14-7-3 record and 31 points in 24 games. On a side note, a player that has been a nice surprise and addition to the Canucks line-up is Jeff Tambellini who had added some scoring depth on the second line, accommodating Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond. Tambellini has four goals and seven points in 10 games that he has played with the Canucks this season and has scored four points in the Canucks current four game winning streak. Not too bad for a guy who had only 14 points in 36 games on the New York Islanders last season. Alex Burrows has also seemed to find his game after being injured to start the season. He’s recently found the chemistry that he had last year with the twins and has the numbers to prove it with six points in his last five games. The Canucks have a heavy schedule coming up this month with a total of 14 games in December. Here are some games that you don’t want to miss. Canucks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, Saturday night December 11, Rogers Arena, 7:30 pm. Rising superstar Steven Stamkos and his crew are coming to town which will instantly be a thriller and must see game on Hockey Night in Canada. The last time these two teams met was last year when the Lightning won 3-1. Plus, it’s the night that Markus Naslund will see his number raised to the rafters. Canucks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, Saturday night December 18, Rogers Arena, 4:00 pm. The second game between both teams this season, the Canucks won the first game 5-3 in November. Whenever these teams meet up it’s a classic. Check it out! Canucks vs. Detroit Red Wings, Wednesday night December 22, Joe Louis Arena, 4:30 pm. A matchup between the top two teams in the Western Conference. The Canucks hold the season series at 1-0 when they beat the Red Wings 6-4 on November 6. Canucks vs. Philadelphia Flyers, Tuesday night December 28, Rogers Arena, 7:00pm. The only time these teams meet up this year. Whenever the Canucks play an Eastern Conference team you have got to check it out. Last year the Canucks blanked the Flyers 3-0. We break down the winter sports scene at Douglas College Roundup By Josh Martin, Sports Editor little bit of basketball and a little bit of volleyball... ell here it is your weekly college Royals update! The Royals men’s volleyball team had an eventful weekend on November 26 and 27 with a pair of back-to-back wins. They beat the UFA Cascades on the Friday, 3-0 and then edged the CBC Bearcats 3-1 on Saturday. Currently they’re sitting pretty well at second seed in the standings with five wins, one loss, and 10 points. The only team ahead of them is the UBC Okanagan Heat who have seven wins, one loss, and 14 points while also having the advantage of playing two more games than the Royals for a total of eight. Fair game for the Douglas College men’s team who have the Heat right in their sights with two games in hand. With the school semester coming to an end the Royals won’t be playing 16 until January 14 in the New Year so they'll have a bit of a break before they see some more action. The women’s volleyball team should perhaps take some lessons from the men’s team as they lost both of their games 3-0 apiece to the UFV Cascades on November 26 and then the CBC Bearcats on the 27. They are currently in seventh position in the league with zero wins, six losses, and zero points. Ouch. In the basketball world at Douglas College things couldn’t look any gloomier for the women’s team. They lost in yet another absolute blowout, 81-48 against the Quest University Kermodes on Friday night and then lost against them again in their second matchup on Saturday night to a score of 67-39. It seems like they can’t catch a break. The Royals are tied for dead last in the league with the CBC Bearcats with zero wins, seven losses, and zero points in seven games. 6 The men’s team on the other hand actually had some positive news, winning their first couple games of the season. After going winless in their first five games this year, the Royals had some much needed luck on their side against the Quest University Kermodes. They came out on top with an 85-82 win in their first game of the back-to-back series and then did it again the next night in an overtime win for a final score of 99-96. Even though the Royals beat a team that is ranked lower than them in the standings, they’ll take it. A win is still a win. With those pair of victories the Royals are now sitting at seventh spot in the standings with two wins, five losses, and four points in seven games. Hopefully they’ll be able to carry the momentum into their next game after the break on January 14 against the Langara College Falcons.