“Must win” is a term that starts to lose its meaning when utilized too often, but for the Vancouver Canucks it takes on multiple connotations. Is the next game a must win for any playoff aspirations, a must win for coaching staff job security, or a must win so that the fan base doesn’t quit on the team in mid-November?
Cue the Buffalo Sabres, the team that will host the Canucks Tuesday night while trying to end a five-game losing streak. The momentum they built up during a very impressive October, a month that included a 5-1 victory over the Canucks at Rogers Arena on the 22nd, came to a screeching halt on Friday, November 4th in a 5-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Including that game, the Sabres have given up 24 goals over their last five matches.
They have one timely thing in common with the Canucks: both teams’ last game played was a loss to the Boston Bruins. The Sabres fell 3-1 on Saturday while Vancouver dropped their third straight game 5-2 on Sunday evening.
Oh, and both teams will be desperate. The one that channels that desperation and energy with focus and discipline will likely come out the winner. While we wait …
Let’s Skate !
Induction day has finally arrived for Roberto Luongo, Daniel Sedin, and Henrik Sedin. The four day celebration in Toronto ends with speeches at the formal ceremony in a theatre across the street from the Hockey Hall of Fame. Daniel Alredsson, Riikka Sallinen and the late Herb Carnegie will also be recognized as Honoured Members.
The new Hall-of-Famers have already received their rings and blazers, taken questions and shared stories at a fan forum, and played in the Legends Classic. Aside from that it’s been one long dinner/party.
Besides the obvious connection to the Vancouver Canucks, this year’s festivities will be closely watched in Sweden, a country that will almost double its total number of Honoured Members in one night.
The twins and “Alfie” will join fellow Swedes Borje Salming, Mats Sundin, Peter Forsberg, and Niklas Lidström as honourees.
Hockey Fights Cancer
Here’s the link to the latest HFC digest on NHL.com. The Canucks held their Hockey Fights Cancer night on November 1st. The digest looks at some of the upcoming events and shares stories of how cancer has impacted various NHL personnel and their families.
