MVP!!! MVP!!! MVP!!!

I usually start out with the Canucks and or local coverage but today we witnessed possibly the Greatest Game and Individual Performance in the history of College Football. Canucks post-mortem and preview plus Canada preview at World Juniors also included. Let's roll...

Rose Bowl Treat

The only way to top off the best year in College Football Bowl Season was a dream feature matchup between the 2 best teams in the Country at the Rose Bowl, Texas vs USC. We've been hearing about this game for months, maybe even a year. And tonight we as fans were treated to one of the Greatest Football games in history, certainly in College Football history. Reggie Bush and Matt Leinhart of USC ran and passed their way to several TDs, Vince Young of Texas had an answer back every single time. The game came down to the final few minutes with both teams trading TDs with Vince Young scoring the final TD to put the Longhorns up for good, 41-38. I knew Vinny would come up with a huge game. He feels that he was dissed by the Media and Sportswriters who voted 99% for Reggie Bush as the Heisman Trophy winner. All of this sets up for one of the most interesting off-seasons and pre-NFL draft dramas that will unfold in the coming months as the lottery teams jockey for players in April. Remember, both Reggie Bush and Vince Young are Juniors and have not officially declared for the NFL draft.

Canucks Left Seeing Stars

Distracted by the Rose Bowl, I watched a couple of series in the Canucks/Stars game tonight. The Canucks lost 3-1 with all 3 Dallas goals scored in the latter part of the 3rd. The effort was there tonight for the first 50 min of the game, but the Canucks couldn't solve Marty Turco and eventually fell apart in the 3rd. Ed Jovanovski sat this one out again. Alex Auld was solid in net and held the shutout for 50 min but he simply ran out of gas in the 3rd. The way the team played tonight, I feel much more confident that the Canucks will get out of this funk, no changes needed. I'm hoping that the patience shown here in early January will pay off in the long term although I do admit it's tough to look at the losing streak and think that there isn't anything we can change to right the ship. The Canucks went straight to the airport and flew to Chicago tonight where they will face the Blackhawks. If you thought the Canucks were struggling, the Hawks are downright awful. Losers of 8 straight, they've basically hit skid row. If Nikolai Khabibulin sits another one out, mind as well count the win right now. Canucks in a rout, 3+.

Go For Gold


Our beloved Team Canada plays for Gold tomorrow against the Russians at GM Place. With tickets well sold out almost a year in advance, this is the biggest ticket in town since the Canucks went deep into the playoffs a couple of years ago. On paper, the Russians should win this game easily. Their talent is undeniable. Evgeni Malkin is the best player in the World Junior Tournament. Khudobin has proven to be a big game Goalie for the Russians. Having said all that, and as I've mentioned before, Team Canada works harder than anyone and that effort will be the difference tomorrow night. Canada will win with Heart, and pure desire to win.

What's on TV
World Junior Hockey, Canada vs Russia, 4:00pm PST on TSN
NHL, Vancouver vs Chicago, 5:30pm PST on Sportsnet

Picks of the Day
Arizona Wildcats -8.5 over UCLA Bruins
Detroit Red Wings -1.5(-160) over St. Louis Blues
Record YTD (7-11, -553)