fipril 7, 2004 Sports e the other press © CF Miley Op Columnist I was happy for many different rea- sons last Saturday night. Following a 5-2 win over a desperate Edmonton Oilers team, the Canucks clinched the Northwest Division title, and sewed up a third place seeding for the upcoming playoffs. The Canucks played like a swarm of real- ly big killer bees, buzzing the ears of Oiler players all night long. Vancouver dominated every facet of the game, and were full marks for the win. But that wasn't the only reason I was happy. I was overjoyed—practically bursting at the seams—at the prospect of not having to watch a gloating Pierre Lacroix’s fat jowls bounce up and down in front of reporters as he explained once again how the Avalanche were able to win a tenth straight division title. Up yours Avs, the Northwest belongs to the ’Nucks. I was ecstatic that my favorite team had somehow righted the ship, won six straight games, and looks to be on a roll going into the playoffs. Somewhere between the Canucks surrendering three third-period goals to Columbus on March 21, and the LA game on March 24, Vancouver has rediscovered its work ethic and commitment to team Canucks Corner defense. The Bertuzzi incident, fol- lowed by a string of lackluster games, forced every single Canuck to take a good long look in the mir- ror and work just a bit harder. Vancouver's key to success has always been outworking their oppo- nents. Stan Smyl did it in 1982. Trevor Linden did it in 1994. The Canucks as a group have done it over the last six games of the regular season. I was titillated at the thought that the ’Nucks had clinched home-ice advantage for at least the first round of the playoffs. Plus, I just like the word, “titillated.” It just kind of rolls off the tongue—titillated. I was overjoyed at the prospect of playing Calgary rather than Dallas in the first round. Dallas has all but owned the Canucks for the last three years, whereas Calgary is a hard- working, well-coached team with very little playoff experience. As most Vancouver hockey fans can attest to, playoff experience goes a long way in hockey. In most years, the teams that have had their mettle hardened in the pressure cooker that is the chase for Lord Stanley’s mug, stand the best chance of playoff suc- cess. The Calgary Flames are playoff newbies, while Dallas has a host of veterans that are battle tested. Mostly though, I was delighted for one Markus Naslund. Let’s face it, the Canucks’ captain has had a rough month and a half since Steve Moore knocked him silly in Colorado on February 16. First, he wakes up after a hit and gets to be concussed for two weeks. Next, he watches as one of his best friends almost kills-Moore in an attempt to exact a pound of flesh in retribution for the hit. Bertuzzi’s life turns into tabloid hell, he’s suspended for at least the rest of this season. The team, and the friendship, have both suffered greatly as a result. Next up, the Canucks begin to falter, ques- tions begin surfacing, and Naslund was left with a sore elbow pondering whether the team can do it without Todd or not. With last Saturday's win, I was thrilled to see Naslund put the ghosts of division races past behind him. Last year, Naslund showed some true heart and candor when he stat- ed simply that the team had “choked” after game 82. A 2-0 loss to the LA Kings cost Vancouver a division crown that they had worked hard to earn. A_heart-broken Naslund, addressing the GM Place faithful after the game, made a promise to the Vancouver fans—a promise to be better. A promise that he and his fellow Canucks began to fulfill with a playoff comeback over St. Louis, a promise that he kept over the final six games of this sea- son. The tables were turned this sea- son, and the hunted became the hunters as Vancouver won game after game to track down the stink- ing Avs for the division title. It’s not a question of whether or not the team choked last season or not. They did. It’s a question of whether they learned from the expe- rience and became better players after the setback. Last Saturday night, I saw a team with experience and grit outwork a team playing for their playoff lives. Good job, Markus. Good job, Canucks. Let’s give it up for the 2004 Northwest Division Champions, your Vancouver Canucks! As with every team, the Canucks will rely on goaltending to see them through the spring. Dan Cloutier shouldered much of the blame for last year’s Minnesota meltdown, and he has something to prove this sea- son. Cloutier’s play will likely decide more than just Vancouver's fate in the post season, though. I'll also have a direct bearing on how many zeroes are on Dan's new contract for next year. Cloutier is playing for more than pride and the thrill of vic- tory; he’s playing for millions of extra dollars. I stated last week that I was going to give some tips on winning an NHL Playoff hockey pool this week, but due to the fact that nobody will read this until after the playoffs have begun, I have decided to hold off on the pool wisdom. If anyone feels like they need some guidance or answers to burning, pool-related questions, email me at: snazzymortuzzi@yahoo.ca, and I'll do my best to get back to you with- in 48 hours. I've got the white towels ironed and ready, my bobbleheads are all nodding in post season approval, and I’ve hired a voodoo priest to whip me up a concoction of splen- did repute, guaranteed to bring good fortune to both the Canucks and my great uncle’s farm. As Michael Buffer says before a prize- fight, “Let’s get ready to rumble....” GO FREAKING ’NUCKS. s e Classifieds ‘Scodenes salicillatiatione! 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Announcements Swimming with the Sharks The Second Annual Business Administration End of Semester Party Crush Champagne Lounge 1180 Granville St. Thursday, April 8th Olympic First Aid Services First Aid/CPR Courses * Courses tailored for Nursing and Medical students ¢ Residential Care Courses ¢ Emergency First Aid Course ¢ Standard First Aid Course Automatic External Defibrillator Course ¢ AED Endorsements. All courses are offered at the New Westminster Douglas College campus www.olympicfirstaid.com Phone: 604.420.1748 Call now to book! Automobiles Looking for 2001-2003 used car, in good condition. Contact me at speak2denny@yahoo.ca 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee. V-8, 5.2 Litre. Automatic transmission. Red body, grey interior. Air cared. Bridgestone tires (2001). Trailer package. Ski rack. One owner. No accidents. $5,200. 604.525.1707 1989 Isuzu Trooper II. Manul transmission. Gray 4x4 with roof rack. Great off -road, the Box that Upgrade ($270) includes blue rocks. Asking $4,200 Call - 604.472.0091 Computers Celeron 1.8G system ($395) with stylish silver case, 256MB ram, 52x CD-ROM, 40GB hard drive, and floppy drive. P4 Celeron case, asus motherboard, 256MB RAM and Celeron 1.8GHz CPU. Please contact Andre @ 778.883.6805 mals. $380/month. 604.525.9881 ROOM FOR RENT One private, unfurnished room in a two bedroom basement suite in Coquitlam (close to Brunette and Schoolhouse). It’s one block from the 153/156 and up the street from 159/169. Asking $340/month rent (flat rate, all- inclusive). Close to stores, restau- rants, etc. Call 604.529.1531 For Sale Home and Study Furniture Black study desk with seven draw- ers, $25 Black dresser with gold trim and drawers, $30 Two Computer chair mats (protect carpet), $5 each Sectional Sofa with Hide-a-Bed and lots of cushions, $225 Sofa, $65 All furniture is used but in great shape Business/cell call 604.562.6452 Bed/Futon: Twin (single) bed, clean, includes box spring, $50. Metal Frame, add $25. Clean double futon and wood frame, converts to sofa, $75. Call 604.939.1914 ___, Sa Gee ee Female student seeks same as roommate. Lovely room for rent in apt. bldg. Room is furn. or unfurn. Near SkyTrain/bus/shops. Friendly neighbourhood. Must like ani- | Saw You Services PRIVATE PIANO LESSONS I teach from Beginner to Intermediate. Reasonable rate, and right here at the College. Ask for Lian at 604.526.2649 or leave a message with your name and number. It’s that time again. Tax returns only $25. Drop-off and pick-up at NW campus. Self-employed income may require additional charges. Call Millie at 604.255.0255 Wanted The Other Press positions currently available: Sports Editor News Editor Send resume to: editor@otherpress.ca or drop off in RM 1020 New West Campus 20th annual World Partnership Walk seeks Green Team Volunteers, for organizing committee or Walk day, to reduce environmental impact of hosting the Walk on Sunday May 30, 2004. Contact Rahim: rahimvalli@shaw.ca or 604.939.3622 Canadian Red Cross Authorized Provider Delivering quality First Aid training for over 12 years Courses offered: - Standard First Aid/CPR C - CPR C - C Recert ;- ChildSafe - First Aid Instructor School Courses at Douglas College New Westminster Campus Best competitive rates Call: 604-644-4709 Check: www.vital-link.ca http://www.otherpress.ca Page 23