The Fifth Liners

This week, the long standing rumours of the Vancouver Canucks trading centre Ryan Kesler finally came true as he was traded along  to the Anaheim Ducks for Nick Bonino , Luca Sbisa and a first and third round draft pick at the 2014 NHL draft. Kesler has long been rumored to want out of British Columbia and now finally it appears he has his wish. But at what cost will this come to the Canucks? Positives of Trading Kesler Has suffered with injuries the last two seasons which has affected his game time and made him unable to make a full effect on ice and his scoring numbers have gone have reduced dramatically. Bonino last season bagged 49 points in the regular season alone, six more than Kesler and was one of the stand outs on the Ducks lower lines.  Draws media attention away from the team and could potentially create more harmony in the dressing room. All through last season we saw Kesler sulking his way through and he has never far from the trade rumour mill. New GM J...

Yesterday it was formally announced that Willie Desjardins has taken over the reigns as the Vancouver Canucks new Head Coach. After a disastrous year under John Tortorella, fans will be eager to see improvements made to our flagging offense, but it is wise to trust the future with a man who hasn't yet been proven at the highest level? Saskatchewan native Desjardins has a solid record in the minor leagues winning two WHL titles with the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2004 & 2007. Briefly he was the associate head coach of the Dallas Stars from 2010 to 2012, after that he was placed in charge of the teams AHL affiliate the Texas Stars where last season he led them to a Calder Cup win. Overall it is a pleasant surprise seeing the Canucks not going with a tried and tested coach and going with newer blood who can perhaps thinking outside the box of the Tortorella school of screaming. Desjardins could be important in motivating and nurturing younger talents that could become the lifebl...

Mike's question this week again focuses on my team the Vancouver Canucks and our currently shocking run of form, the question reads "The Vancouver Canucks have lost their last three games. Is this an Olympic hangover or are there deeper problems in BC?" This will be a tricky one for me to answer, particularly as I don't wish to incur the wrath of my fellow fans! But anyway, away we go! So far the Canucks are currently on a run that makes last season's 3rd place finish in the Western Conference seem like a beautiful dream, and currently our winning record stands at just one win from a possible 12 games! But the biggest question is what exactly causing this slump? In December we recorded an impressive 7 consecutive wins and after a slow start things appeared to be picking themselves up. The Olympic Hangover hasn't helped us, but I wouldn't point the blame squarely at this because there seems to have been a far worse problems  growing within the...

In the opening days of Ice Hockey in Sochi 2014 , we have seen a vast array of goals being scored (50 the count so far in case you were wondering) and we have seen some impressive team performances. It may be early doors so far, but we are beginning to get an idea of who might be in contention for medals soon! Here is a review of the action so far: Group A   The USA started strongly with a 7-1 win over an uninspired Slovakia team who lacked any real threat. Phil Kessel was the star man with a goal and two assists, Ryan Kesler and James Van Riemsdyk also impressed. Goalie wise, the Slovaks had a torrid time with St Louis' Jaroslav Halak being yanked on from net with the score at 5-1, only for backup Peter Budaj to be beaten on his very first shot faced! But with Jonathan Quick looking impressive in net and an offense that could do some damage, it appears my initial thoughts about the US could be proven wrong! Hosts Russia began strongly with a 5-2 win over Slovenia in a game...

The Vancouver Canucks bounced back from a loss by the New York Rangers last night to score a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena tonight! Ryan Kesler got Vancouver started with a goal from a rebound off a Jason Garrison shot on the power play after 3 minutes of the 1st period. Tom Sestito then doubled the advantage after 15.48 after he deflected in another Garrison shot! The Canucks were then hit twice by Carolina with goals less than 10 seconds apart at the beginning of the second period as Jordan Staal scored on 39 seconds past Eddie Lack then Nathan Gerbe tucked home a rebound on 49 seconds to tie the scores at 2-2! But this game was to be decided early when Kessler scored his second after only 01.16 played following an error from Cam Ward in net. But Vancouver had Eddie Lack to thank for this win as he single handedly kept the Hurricanes at busy for the remaining two periods and his 29 saves proved vital! The young Swede is becoming a solid backup goalie f...

The Vancouver Canucks won a closely fought battle against the Washington Capitals last night win a 3-2 win at the Rogers Arena to make it four wins straight under John Tortorella! The home side were given a lucky break after Alex Ovechkin was given a penalty shot for the Capitals after less an a minute played, but Roberto Luongo was on hand to save it and save Vancouver from going behind! Zack Kassian then put the home side in front after 11.31 played but the Canucks were quickly pegged back when Jason Chimera made things a tie game after 14.36. In the second period there were no more goals, but both Luongo and Capitals goalie, Michal Neuvrith were kept busy making several excellent stops- Ovechkins bad luck in front of goal in this game continued when he hit a post! After only 1.52 of the third period played, Mikhail Grabovski scored to edge Washington in front, but Vancouver had no desire to the fans going home disappointed and Ryan Kesler hit home a rebound to make things a ...

The Vancover Canucks came out smiling from the epic battle waged at the Nassau Coliseum last night as they claimed a 5-4 win over the New York Islanders - they provides the perfect bounce back after being beaten by Columbus on Saturday. From the very get go this game was action packed and in the first period the Islanders took an early advantage when rookie Brock Nelson scored his first NHL goal after less than 02.26 played and Matt Moulson then pushed them further in front as he scored a rebound off Roberto Luongo for a powerplay goal after 4.41. But Vancouver were not going down without a fight and only 16 seconds later, Ryan Kesler scored a rebound off Evgeni Narbarkov to put the Canucks back in contention. But incredibly after just 9 minutes played we were given a tie game when Daniel Sedin scored to bring things to 2-2! Second period started similar to the first when Matt Moulson scored his second again off the powerplay after 4.48 of the period. Zack Kassian had a goal waive...

The Vancouver Canucks helped end a two game losing streak with a late winner in a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center last night! Though the game was notable for the fact that coach John Tortorella chose to separate the ever present Sedin Brothers duo onto different offensive lines! But the Canucks win was anything but easy and after rookie Tye McGinn put the Flyers in front after 12.26 of the 1st period, but incredibly Vancouver levelled only 10 seconds later through a neat finish from Ryan Kesler! In the second period McGinn again got the home fans excited when he scored only 2.10 into the second period and despites Vancouver's best efforts they couldn't find a way past Flyers goalie Steve Mason! Tortorella's big game occured with six minutes to play in the third period when he chose to move Chris Higgins onto the top line in place of Daniel Sedin and it was this man who tied the scores at 2-2 after 7.31 minutes played off an assist from...

The Vancouver Canucks season is finally underway and John Tortorella's first home game at the Rogers Arena couldnt have gone any better as the Canucks brushed aside the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 with the Sedin Brothers proving the standout! After being torn apart by San Jose on friday night, this win sees their season getting back on the right tracks. But many Canucks fans must have thought they were in for another frustrating night when Jeff Petry gave the Oilers the lead after less than two minutes played! But there was to be a silver lining for the Canucks soon after as Brad Richardson seized on a breakaway chance to bury a shot underneath Oilers keeper Devan Dubnyk and then with only 90 seconds left in the first, Dan Hamhuis buried a spectular slap shot from distance before Jannik Hansen scored to push the Canucks into a 3-1 lead! The second period saw Vancouver truly take control as Daniel Sedin scored on a powerplay off an assist from his brother Henrik after only 7 minutes be...

Yesterday while deep in enjoyment watching robots fighting gigantic beasts in Pacific Rim, my phone buzzed and when opening it I was asked a question by Mike which struck close to home as the question read, "What's it gonna take for the Canucks to take home the Stanley Cup this season?" being a Vancouver fan this one that needs some serious analysis, so to work I go. The short answer to this question would be 'a hell of a lot!' and after reaching the 2011 Stanley Cup final, the last two season have been a massive disappointment under Alain Vigneault which lead to his dismissal this May. John Tortorella has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the Franchise and I'm certain that journalists up and down North America are thrilled about more imminent explosions! Previously I have expressed both my delight and upmost fear about this appointment because although JT brings with him a Stanley Cup win, he has also failed to raise his game when need while coach o...

San Jose Sharks took another giant step towards advancing to the Western Conference semi-final as they beat the Vancouver Canucks in overtime at the Rogers Arena! This win seems to give further evidence to the fact that they cannot be ruled out for a run to the final! Joe Thornton got San Jose started with a goal in the first period, but the Canucks swooped into the lead early in the third period thanks to an impressive double salvo by Ryan Kesler. But just as the home fans were beginning to celebrate a well deserved win, Patrick Marleau levelled the scores with 55.1 second left to push the game to overtime! Five minutes into overtime, the Sharks made a bold call to pull their goalie Antti Niemi in favour of the extra skater and it was a move that paid off as former Canuck Rafi Torres roofed a shot past Luongo to give San Jose the win! With the series now moving to the HP Pavilion for the next two games, it will be no easy task to get a result away from home for Van...

Last night during Vancouver's 5-2 win over Nashville (see Mike's article for the full story), Head Coach Alain Vigneault came up with an inspired solution of the teams second line and decided to pair Ryan Kesler at centre and surprisingly Derek Roy on the right wing! This choice proved to be inspired one as Kessler bagged a brace (impressively with his only two shots) and Roy grabbed a goal and an assist- together the two occupied the game's first and second stars! Kesler's return from injury after missing 31 games has come at a key time and his inclusion will aid the Canucks as we make our push for the playoff. Derek Roy however is proving to be an inspired piece of business and the former Dallas man is capable of playing in a variety of attacking positions. Seems a decent run in the playoffs may be not be impossible!