So we got there early, and the seats covered in white towels at GM Place was just really breathtaking. It made me even more pumped up for the game.
Also, I was finally able to see the players up close during their warm up. I took some photos, but none of them turned out really well... I'm such a n00b at it, that by the time the player is coming at me, when I click on the camera, they already passed by. X(
But yes, it was cool watching them warm-up. I was so shocked to see Ryan Kesler warming up, and I thought it was just a case where he'll eventually be scratched for the game, but he's just there to... practice. It's good to see the fans there cheering him on when they saw him, "LET'S GO KES!", "WHOOOOO KESLER", etc.
Before coming to the game, I just read on TSN that Kesler is expected to make the trip to Dallas, so I thought he'd return in game 3 or 4 that's why it was pretty shocking. I was really surprised to see him in the actual lineup to replace Tommi Santala, and was actually pretty good throughout the game, considering he missed 3 months due to surgery.
Anyway, so before the game begun, they had a tribute to the 1982 Vancouver Canucks team who made it to the Stanley Cup finals. I personally had no idea about the 1982 team, nor the players other than their names and brief information on their achievements, I wasn't even born yet during that run, but I cheered loud for them nonetheless. They were showing videos of that team and King Richard Brodeur had the coolest celebration move where his back was facing the camera and he sorta just pumped his stick in the air or something.
I thought the intro video to the game was not very... good. It gets you excited, but to me, it didn't feel so ... epic. It was lacking something. Nevertheless, the crowd got into it, I got into it, the players were probably into, and everyone was just on their heels waiting for the game to begin.
There were a bunch of annoying kids in our section dissing the American National anthem. I wanted to tell those kids to "STFU" because it's embarrassing, except I couldn't cause they were a bit far from me, and I'd had to yell to get their attention. I hope they sung the Canadian National Anthem loud and proud to redeem themselves. I can barely hear Mark Donnelly during that anthem as the crowd's singing drowned him out and it was just a chilling scene, really. Right after the anthems, fans were ready and waving their towels like there's no tomorrow.
As for the game itself? Who would have thunk that the Canucks and the Stars would scores that many goals? Everyone was predicting a 2-1 hockey game throughout the series, and I bet they were just blown away by the fact that 9 goals were scored that night/morning.
I went absolutely NUTS when Markus Naslund scored Vancouver's 3rd goal. The crowd was chanting "NAZ-ZY! NAZ-ZY!" and I swear, I had tears in my eyes. He had a great game that night, totally came out flying and definitely looked more confident.
On the other hand, Kevin Bieksa was the opposite, as he didn't play that well. I'm guessing it's just jitters, seeing as how this is his first ever playoff game, and as the game progressed in the overtimes, he definitely improved. I just wanted to hit him in the head with those 4 penalties he took. Just way too many penalties to take in one game.
Daniel and Henrik Sedin both scored goals, Daniel scored the first one and Henrik scored the last one. The timing of those goals perfectly describes the kind of game they were having. Dallas was able to shut them down for most of the regulation after Daniel scored the first goal. They couldn't gain entry into the Dallas zone, and when they do, they can't get their cycle game set up, and had to make broken plays. Their worst period was the 3rd period when the Canucks were leading 4-2. Two brutal giveaways led to two goals for Dallas to tie the game. The good thing was that they stepped up in overtime and got the win for the Canucks.
Did I mention how the game went into quadruple overtime? Seven periods of hockey, and if Henrik didn't score that goal, it would have gone to a 5th overtime session. It was at this time that Luongo really shined as he made the biggest saves on shots that could have very well ended the game to Dallas' favor. Not to take anything away from Marty Turco, he played amazing, too, but Lui faced almost double the shots he faced.
As I said in the other post, I had to leave after the double overtime since my brother had a midterm exam the next day. My mom made us leave, even though me and my brother wanted to stay to finish the game. We really had no choice since she was the one driving, and even though I could have taken the skytrain home if I stayed, I would still need her to pick me up from the station, and I don't think she'd have done that if she's angry.
As for other fun stuff, I also mentioned that the crowd went nuts with razzing Turco. From the puck drop, you already hear "TUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUR-CO". It was great! In the 3rd period, someone was going "TUUUUUUUUUUR-CO" while another section started a "YOU SUCK" chant... and it just became perfectly synchronized to "TUUUUUUUUUUUUUR-CO YOU SUCK". Looking at the
Canucks forum, it looks like the TV audience heard it loud and clear. Definitely the loudest cheer I've ever heard come out of GM Place. We definitely need more of that.
Other than "TUUUUUUR-CO", there was also the customary "LUUUUUUUUUUUUU" everytime Luongo made a save, "GO CANUCKS GO", "CO-WAN". I wish Canucks fans cheered on Naslund more, and not just when he scores. Or at least more player chants. Maybe if someone started a "Sedin" chant last night in the 3rd period, they wouldn't have given up those goals. :(
Just overall, the experience was awesome. Even though I wasn't there for 100% of the time, it's still cool to know you're a part of NHL history as the 6th longest hockey game.
Hope to see another Canuck win tomorrow. After that goalfest, I'm sure the goalies would be shutting the door down much more effectively.
"DENIED! YOU STINK MORE THAN RYAN GETZLAF!"