We're There And We're Not

Canucks staying afloat, March is truly mad at the NCAA Tournament. Let's roll...

We Win Some And We Lose Some

After the 3 game set with the Edmonton Oilers, the Vancouver Canucks managed to gain 4 of 6 points to stay at 7th in the Western Conference standings. All lines including the top line are playing with renewed vigor and confidence. Alex Auld is standing on his head for the most part, and the new additions are starting to fit in nicely. It's clearly not time to start the Stanley Cup parade but the team IS starting to play like one and the playoffs are starting to come into shape. A few huge games remain on the schedule including a huge matchup vs the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in a week or so. With the possible return of Sami Salo and Ed Jovanovski, the Canucks could be playing their best heading into the playoffs.

The Year of the CHOKE

I have never seen so many big time, traditional powerhouse teams, fold and choke all at the same time like they did this year. The Sweet 16 saw teams like Gonzaga, and Duke kak. Then yesterday we saw Texas blow it in OT, and Memphis come up empty vs UCLA. Today we saw UConn blow chunks in another OT vs #11 George Mason, and the much hyped Villanova guards get shown up by a Sophmore in Florida's Joakim Noah. Yes, the final four teams played well and deserve to be at the final four, but the big time schools really choked big time. They thought that they could simply show up, and that gave them the right to be in the Final Four, simply because they were suppose to be more talented. And what about the coaching factor?? Coach K, Calhoun, Calipari, they didn't prepare their teams to play hard. I watched their demeanor on the sidelines and they didn't look angry or pissed like they should've been. Their teams sucked and they looked completely dumbfounded and indifferent. Well, enough of the ranting, the Final Four will be great. All 4 teams are very evenly matched, each has a legitimate shot to win it all. I'll break down the matchups later in the week.

1 Down 2 To Go

Canucks battle Edmonton again, March Madness continues tomorrow. Let's roll...

Do or Die

Canucks coming off that huge win last night over the Edmonton Oilers face the same Oilers tomorrow at GM Place. For the first time since the OT win over Calgary in Feb, the Canucks out-hustled and out-played their opponent. When they're out there flying around chasing down pucks, banging bodies, getting in front of the net, the Canucks are at their best. The most frustrating thing is that the Canucks have so much upside when they play like they want it, but they've pissed away so many games just floating around the ice. We would be atop the Western Conference if they played half as hard as they played last night. As good as the win was last night, we still need at least 1 more in this 3 game set with the Oilers for it to mean anything. We should know the result in the first 5 minutes of the game.

Canucks Are Goners

Well, I'm back after a long hiatus. Canucks ship sinking, March Madness continues. Let's roll...

Let's Call it a Year

I've been away for a while but following the fall of the Canucks closely the last 2 weeks. From my last post, nothing has really changed. The Canucks have no life, no desire to play, and the golf clubs are already polished and ready to go. I like the trades made at the deadline, but unfortunately we'll be looking back in the summer thinking it was a mistake, we should've loaded up on prospects. Well, not much else to say, time to close the curtains and turn the lights out. This show is played out.

Sweet 16

Watched a lot of the games this past weekend. Most disappointing performances so far have been Michigan State, and Iowa. Most overrated teams going into the tournament, Ohio State and Tennessee. Most suprising have been George Mason and Bradley. Darkhorse so far is Georgetown, they looked awesome tonight vs Ohio State. Of course, my West Virginia Moutaineers are still in it, Texas will be a tough matchup though. My picks for the Elite Eight:

Duke/LSU - Take Duke, LSU doesn't have anyone that can contain JJ Redick and he's due for a big game.

W Virginia/Texas - Hate to go against my Mountaineers, but Texas looked dominant cleaning up NC State. Take Texas.

Memphis/Bradley - Bradley's run ends here, take Memphis. The guards of Memphis will be too quick and shoot the 3 too well.

Gonzaga/UCLA - Wow, this is gonna be one hell of a game. Gonzaga in a squeaker. Farmar could take this one over.

UConn/Washington - Could be close, but Roy will get shutdown, take UConn. Williams and Boone will be the difference.

G Mason/Wichita St - Cinderella matchup, go with Wichita St. I actually picked Seton Hall to go to the Final Four which lost to Wichita St. With a moniker of "Shockers" you almost have to go with them.

Villanova/BC - I picked BC to go to the Final Four, so BC wins here in a close one. Nova looked a little vulnerable in the close win over Arizona, plus Allen Ray still trying to see through the eye they re-attached.

Florida/Georgetown - I love Georgetown in a big upset here, their huge win over Ohio State was impressive.

Glad I Watched The Oscars

Busy, Busy, Busy. Canucks got handed last night vs the Blues. NCAAB heating up. Let's roll...

Is This a Playoff Team??

The Canucks got absolutely spanked last night 4-1 against the St. Louis Blues. Thank God, I watched mostly the Oscars, although that's 12 bucks down the drain. The team was brutal, they had no jump or energy whatsoever, they mind as well have suited up the Moose. The 64 thousand dollar question is what will Dave Nonis do. Every sports jockey has their opinion, "We need a backup goalie", "We need help on the backend", "We need a #1 goalie", "We need a topline center", "Trade Bertuzzi", "Trade Naslund", "Do nothing", everything and anything is up for grabs. Bottom line, I don't think the Canucks are going anywhere this year. They don't have the personnel, the coaching, the heart to win. With the exception of the Sedins and Carter, the whole team has pretty much underperformed the whole season, what the hell makes anyone think they will do anything when the playoffs come. Anyways, done with my rant. I say, start rebuilding for next year.

March Madness, It's Begun

Several mid-majors have their tickets to the big dance. With the Conference Tournaments coming up, the rest of the bracket will start filling in. The big ones to watch this week of course are the Big East, ACC, CUSA, PAC-10, among others. Hot topics of the day include whether or not 7 or 8 teams from the Big East should get in. My personal feeling is that Syracuse should not get in, they have a barely .500 record and from watching the game vs Villanova, they don't have enough big game talent. Other hot topic is Duke possibly getting bounced out of the top 4, especially following the loss to UNC. Villanova, Gonzaga, and UConn are for sure top 4 seeds. I still can't believe Selection Sunday is only 6 sleeps away. It only gets crazier from here on out.

Surprise Win

Canucks win!! Canucks win!!

Take The Win And Run


Finally, it was the Canucks turn this time "stealing" a win from the Division leading Calgary Flames 2-1 in Calgary. Alex Auld was simply fantastic. Markus Naslund netted another goal. The mostly rookie defense made up of mostly Moose players held up. And bottom line, the Canucks played smart and worked hard. Well, that's all I have to say for now. Let's hope we can continue the great play vs Nashville on Thu.
*Photo from Yahoo!Sports

What's on TV
NBA, Milwaukee vs Phoenix, 6:30pm PST on Sportsnet Pacific
NHL, Ottawa vs Pittsburgh, 4:30pm PST on TSN

Picks of the Day
Toronto Raptors -6 over Atlanta Hawks
Record YTD (44-47, -1193)