My parents can be cute sometimes. Cute hockey fans that is.

I caught them talking on the phone tonight about srz hockey business.

Like the GM situation in Vancouver.

Dave Nonis.

The contracts some players are receiving.

Like Dave Nonis...

The GM situation in other places.

I only heard that much since I had to use my mom's bathroom :PPPP and they were discussing this stuff srzly. XD!!!

(My dad works in San Francisco, that's why he and my mom talk for an hour or 2 on the phone everyday.)

Then again, my mom and I does the same when driving around places since she usually has the radio on Team 1040. She'll always be the first to let me know about hockey news and we'd be analyzing the details while we're driving or eating dinner.

My brother just rolls his eyes.

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It is so refreshing watching playoff hockey where you feel neutrally for both teams playing.

After finally getting a bit of breathing room before my last final on Wednesday, I watched the last 2 periods of the Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins game.

I like both teams so it was pretty fun to watch, but later on, I got more into cheering for Boston.

It was probably their hardwork that got me all rabid by the middle of the 2nd. HAHA They came back and tied the game 3 times. They freaking deserved to win that game for that alone.

I also have a soft spot for the underdogs. :P

Anyway, I like Montreal, and I honestly thought the Bruins just outworked them in the last 2 periods (can't say anything about the first since I didn't watch) to win the game.

That was just so fun to watch. I don't know if I can watch game 7 though... u_u I have finals 2 days after that, and was planning to stay in school to study. Bleh.

Uhmm.. Goooooooooooo Bostreal Brunadiens! :DDDDDDDD!!!

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First thought while listening to Francesco Aquilini's press conference: "Oh god it was a knee jerk reaction."

Second thought was: "Oh god, the Canucks are screwed."

Wow, I am just shocked. I was hoping for any sort of explanation as to why Dave Nonis was fired and he didn't come up with any except we didn't make the playoffs and he's accountable for the fans happiness, "'We felt a change in direction of this team and the leadership was necessary.'' Uhh, gee Aquilini, you sound like one of those CDC armchair GMs except you actually have the money to get what you want.

And seriously, I was just amazed (in disbelief, really) at his answers to the all the questions. For a guy who says they need a change in 'leadership', he can't even define what 'leadership' is to him. He fumbled with his answers and was just like "uhh.. someone with vision"... Exact quotes:

"Leadership is vision. You have to have a vision of where you want to go. You have to have the support group around you to get you there. You have to have the ability to execute. Leadership is a buzzword that a lot of people use, but at the end of the day, it’s about quality people who are committed to what they’re doing, people who serve the organization, people who care and people who can get the job. That’s what it comes down to – just getting the job done."

Hmm...

It seemed to me Nonis had a "vision" as to where he wants to go. He also had a great support group in Steve Tambellini who backs his decision. It also seems like Nonis has been able to execute on his vision. He has said all along that he will be building from the net out, and he has done that. The next step of his process was working with the offense. Nonis serves the organization, he obviously cares about our future by refusing to sacrifice a huge chunk of it for quick fixes...

Looks like Nonis pretty much fit your criteria, Aquilini? Maybe what you meant was a GM who has the same vision of where YOU want to go, not HIS vision on how he sees the team. Also maybe you should change that criteria of being able to execute to being able to execute ASAP.

Seriously I am just shaking my head throughout the whole press conference. My mother was also in shock.

Yesterday she thought the firing of Dave Nonis is good news because perhaps it might lead to some 'good changes', but both of us agreed that this turn of events is just horrible.

And that question about the ability of the team to hire a new GM when they might be hesitant to come to the team due to "job security" (after all 2 GMs fired in the span of 5 years)... His answer consisted of "we did this for the fans, we want to win" repeat x 10.

Wow, you sure gave the fans more confidence with your whole presscon Aquilini.

I just want to bitch about everything right now...

My thoughts are in a jumble since I was listening to this presscon on my way to a chem final at 12.

Ugh.

I'd be shock if there's a Canucks fan out there who felt more confident with the direction this ownership group is leading the team after that interview.

It didn't even seem like he had a plan. He hasn't even setup an advisory committee to look at potential candidates for the GM position. He didn't even know what "signed off" meant.

What. the. fuck.

The only time I had a boost of confidence was when Chris Zimmerman answered a couple questions in place of Francesco Aquilini. At least Chris was CONFIDENT with his answers and he actually gave us something more solid.

I am very scared.

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Nonis has been CANNED like TUNA!

I have 2 finals coming up in the next two days so I can't discuss such huge news.

I fucking hate you Canucks for doing this to me. I want to be able to spend my time reading forums about this. gah.

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Latest news out of CBC and TSN this Saturday was that Fabian Brunnstrom, the SEL player that got everyone and their dog talking this past season, is pretty close to being a Canuck or at least narrowed down his choices to either the Canucks or the Red Wings.

I honestly don't know anything about this guy so I am just hoping that he is a serviceable player that scores enough points and not turn out to be a plugger. If not, since all entry-level contracts has to be 2-way deals, he'd be seeing some time with the Moose.

So let's go FAB BRUNO! :D

In other news...

Ronja Sedin: The next Captain of the Swedish Women's Hockey Team

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Edmonton @ Vancouver aka Canucks got kicked out of the playoffs

This happened a week ago, so I don't remember the exact emotions I felt while watching the game at GM Place. I know I was depressed like heck (as you will see on my facebook status) afterwards and so on... I can't remember the efforts they gave during that gam, but I do know...

THEY HAD 923848235894758394 POWERPLAYS AND THEY FAILED TO CAPITALIZE ON EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE.

Yeah. Good work, guys. One of those powerplays was a 5-minute major.. the refs were practically GIVING the game to us, but it seems like Dwayne Roloson had other ideas.

Calgary @ Vancouver aka Canucks fans say goodbye to Trevor Linden, although he hasn't announced anything yet so he might feel even more pressured to retire now.

Another boring game. Seriously guys, it's FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT. The least you can do is score 3874829374 goals to show your appreciation to the fans, not get scored on 7 goals.

Although it's sort of like a win-win situation as a fan.. :P If they win.. yay they win.. if they lose, YAY HIGHER DRAFT PICK! But I was praying that they lost by like 10-9 or something.

So it was a very depressing game again, in more ways than one. The whole standing O Trevor Linden got was really sad and heartwarming. It was also very sweet of Iggy to take the rest of the Flames players and say their goodbyes to Linden.

But the most depressing for me is the fact that Markus Naslund may not be back as a Canuck or as a hockey player. :( I will really miss you Nazzy, if you don't sign with the Canucks. Don't worry, I'll jump on the bandwagon of whichever team you do sign with and cheer from you there... (Even if it's the Leafs or Flames... or someone I hate just as much.)

Very great of the Vancouver crowd to cheer for Iggy's 50th goal of the season. At first I thought it was only the Flames fans cheering, but they were so loud, and when they announced his 50th in the building, the cheering even got louder.

Anyway. Yeah. My friend and I ALMOST won a jersey. UGH. he guy who won Roberto Luongo's jersey is at Section 311, Row 12, Seat 9... WE WERE IN SEAT 111/112... SAME FREAKING ROW AND SECTION.

The Advantages of NOT Making the Playoffs:

1. I save the money that I would have spent on Playoff tickets and can use that money on girly things like clothes, shoes, purses and makeup.
2. Canucks get a bit higher draft pick than usual.
3. I can fully concentrate on studying for my final.
4. ... I'll think of a 4th reason.

The Disadvantages of NOT Making the Playoffs:

1. I'd have to read the Canucks forums that's full of bitching everyday.
2. It's hard to be rabid when I'm not cheering for the Canucks...
3. I'd have to listen to Vancouver sports radio bitching about the Canucks the whole day.
4. ... The Canucks are not in the playoffs.
5. ... I'll think of a 5th reason.

The rest of the photos can be found on my flickr.

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I was typing up a long post with regards to tonight loss, but I guess it's easier to sum it up into one sentence:

I liked what the team brought to the table tonight, in terms of offensive pressure and overall defense, but I thought goaltending made a huge difference tonight. This loss isn't the same as those against Calgary, or Colorado last week. In those 2 games, the team was just NOT there after the 2nd/3rd period. Tonight, they were. They had pressure for most of the 2nd period, and even after the Avs has scored, they still kept some semblance of offensive pressure, but Theodore made the key saves, no matter how many times a Canuck crashed into him or something.

That really was the difference.

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Some random notes about last night's very enjoyable to watch game:

• Markus Naslund's game tying goal came at 19:19. :D HEE! Goal scored by #19 on 19 minutes and 19 seconds. YEAH.
• Gah. Trevor Linden could have gotten a hat trick. Oh well, huge two goals from him, including the game winner. AV was double shifting him in the 3rd period powerplays just to get the 3rd goal.
• Taylor Pyatt played like a monster last night. Seriously, how many times did we see him bulldoze his way into the offensive zone? Then win puck battles by pushing guys around. I think Pyatt just hates Jim Vandermeer. And since Vandermeer is part of the Flames, he hates the Flames, too. HAHA And on that PK. XD Seriously awesome.
• All 4 lines scored tonight, I believe. Always a good thing.
• Mike-ro-Weave scored his first point as a Canuck!!! Apparently the guys were telling him that Canucks are 1-0 when he scores a point. Keep em coming!
• HAHA. I love when Jarome Iginla gets pissy at Burrows and Kesler.. and Mitchell and everyone. HAHA.
• I was watching the post game player interviews... XD! When they were interviewing Weaver on the bike, someone kept patting him on the back and Bieksa just had the huge smile on his face. XD

Uhm. That's all I can remember.

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I should have never turned on the TV.

I got home just after the 2nd period started, and just as I was settling in on the couch, making myself comfortable to watch the game, the Colorado Avalanche scored 4 goals.

I don't even know how I survived until the 15 minute mark of the 3rd period where I then switched the channel to America's Next Top Model...

It was just painful to watch. I don't want to think about it anymore because it just breaks my heart.

Not to mention that Brendan Morrison left the game with a leg injury. Just great.

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Wow. Maybe I should have continued live blogging the game, it might have kept the Canucks energetic throughout the last 2 periods. Or maybe I should stop watching Canucks PPV games, because honestly, all the games that I have actually watched a significant amount of, the Canucks has lost in terrible fashion.

My mom even pointed it out. I rebutted by saying "I WATCHED THE PHOENIX GAME LAST TIME!" and she reminded me that I only watched a portion of the 3rd period before it blacked out and .. it's true.

PPV Games I've seen this year:
vs Flyers (8-2 loss)
vs Wild (2-1 loss)
vs Rangers (3-0 win) [I was watching at a restaurant with friends, so it sorta doesn't count]
vs Ducks (4-1 loss)
vs Flames (3-2 loss)

Anyway, back to the game.

What the fuck.

Seriously. WTF happened there?

I know Canucks aren't the 'toughest' team in the league (despite their huge amount of penalty minutes), but usually when the game gets physical against a divisional rival, they can usually answer the bell and at least hit back a little. But 7 hits to Calgary's 29???! WTF!

Not to mention, the 1st period was all nice and peachy, they were skating well, passes were going tape to tape, they were taking away pucks from Flamers left, right and center, they were creating chances, and suddenly, it stopped.

A big factor was the sustained pressure Calgary placed, but it's like the moment they received the puck on their stick, they're lost and doesn't know what the heck to do with it. Then they get hit. A lot. And then they lose the puck and they're stuck in their own zone again.

And the penalties. God the penalties. Okay, to be honest I don't have a huge issue with a lot of the penalties, since it's the Canucks fault they got in that mess in the first place. BUT THE DUMB PENALTIES. MY GOD. Too many men on the ice??? Delay of game by knocking your own net off??? Burrows you have to be smarter than that, please. Don't do it when you know you're on the penalty kill and take your team 5 on 3.

And God, Bieksa on the winning goal by Phaneuf. You're the only man back, I know you broke your stick, but read the play properly and make sure someone will cover your ass if you decide to leave. But he totally misread it, and he opens up the zone for Phaneuf to receive the pass and well.. goal.

I think he needs to be treated to a healthy dose of a healthy scratch just to give him a wake up call. It's okay to make mistakes especially when you're not a veteran yet, but if you repeatedly make the same mistake over and over (and I'm not talking about just leaving, but his giveaways) without any sign of learning, you have to take desperate measures. Seriously bench his ass for just one game just so he knows that this is not acceptable.

God I wish Ohlund was back so we can afford to do this. Scratching Bieksa would mean putting Luc Bourdon in, but at this rate, at least Luc has the excuse of it being rookie mistakes if he give sup the same errors as Bieksa.

I don't hate the guy but gah.

Every Canuck had a good first period, and I thought Taylor Pyatt, Willie Mitchell, the Sedins, Markus Naslund and Matt Pettinger had a really good game.

Well, I thought Nazzy had a good game during the few moments we see him on the ice, which is sadly a few since we took 83748237423 penalties in the 2nd and the 3rd he hardly got any ice time.

Despite Pyatt taking 2 penalties, I also thought he played pretty well since he is one of those guys who actually created offensive chances whenever we got the opportunity to in the Flames zone. The Twins also set him up with a chances to score on Kipper, but no dice, still played well, powerforward style. (Seriously, we need to get someone to fight/hit/piss off Pyatt before every game. He plays that much better.)

Hmm yeah. penalties suck. Dumb penalties suck even more and the Canucks need to learn how to keep it down. Ugh. Though the penalties aren't even the issue, they won't be getting penalized if they can just clear the puck and just ugh. clear the puck.

For a bit of good news... The Baby Canucks feasted on the Baby Avalanche, winning the game 7-2. Let's hope the Parent!Canucks do the same to the Avalanche tomorrow.

Goal scorers include the Sniping Viking, Jannik Hansen and the ever Grabtastic, Michael Grabner. Good job Moose!

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