Great game Canucks, that's exactly how they need to play. Yet another cheap shot against one of our young guys and nothing clobber that son of a gun if the franking refs and league don't do anything, the damn refs will call a tap on the gloves or over the glass but not cheap shots. Even my ten year old is wondering WTF.
- Bettmanhatesus

I forgot to add maybe there scared of a 40 game suspension and a carreer ruined, but everyone else can do it and get 5 minutes I don't know but it's BS.

Would be nice to have a decent alternative for live hockey in the Pacific Coliseum. Maybe one with a slightly less up-tight vibe to it. An AHL team would be nice but I don't see it happening. Can't bring myself to go to Tbirds games.
- RonPielep

Would never fly in Van. Giants are in Langley now as they couldn't even get 5000 asses in the seats downtown. Lions can't fill the lower bowl at BC Place. Unless it's a minor league affiliate for the Whitecaps...won't work.

Would never fly in Van. Giants are in Langley now as they couldn't even get 5000 asses in the seats downtown. Lions can't fill the lower bowl at BC Place. Unless it's a minor league affiliate for the Whitecaps...won't work.
- LordHumungous

The spot I've always thought they should have an affiliate is Vancouver, Washington.
It's just outside Portland, so the population is there, they have a decent sized arena, and a junior team currently.
Might need to expand the arena somewhat, but logistically it makes sense. Even for the ECHL team, rather than having them in Anchorage. Michael Garteig could have been flown in for the game last night.

It would be good to market the Canuck brand down in the Portland area and southern Washington.

The spot I've always thought they should have an affiliate is Vancouver, Washington.
It's just outside Portland, so the population is there, they have a decent sized arena, and a junior team currently.
Might need to expand the arena somewhat, but logistically it makes sense. Even for the ECHL team, rather than having them in Anchorage. Michael Garteig could have been flown in for the game last night.

It would be good to market the Canuck brand down in the Portland area and southern Washington.
- Vanoxy

Even if they could of brought Garteig down in time, I think they would of had to send a player down or place Miller on IR. I could be wrong but I think this is just the reality with Goalie injures when they are not serious.

Is it my imagination or has Markstrom been run three times already this year?

Would never fly in Van. Giants are in Langley now as they couldn't even get 5000 asses in the seats downtown. Lions can't fill the lower bowl at BC Place. Unless it's a minor league affiliate for the Whitecaps...won't work.
- LordHumungous

Vancouver is not a poor sports market. I think two things are working against the Lions and Canucks and that is 1. Cost of Living vs staying home and watching on High Def and 2. For Years the Canucks overcharged us and gouged their fans. We are trained for this as the new reality and do not even look into the games as we do not want to be disappointed.

Is it my imagination or has Markstrom been run three times already this year?
- Beatle_john

Everybody in the league is working to try and only let our point total get to the 65 mark

Is it my imagination or has Markstrom been run three times already this year?
- Beatle_john

It may be true, but that happens. I think your imagination is making it intentional.

Vancouver is not a poor sports market. I think two things are working against the Lions and Canucks and that is 1. Cost of Living vs staying home and watching on High Def and 2. For Years the Canucks overcharged us and gouged their fans. We are trained for this as the new reality and do not even look into the games as we do not want to be disappointed.
- Beatle_john

It's not a very good sports market. When the Canucks are good they trend as a hot ticket because they become the "in" thing.

Vancouver is not a poor sports market. I think two things are working against the Lions and Canucks and that is 1. Cost of Living vs staying home and watching on High Def and 2. For Years the Canucks overcharged us and gouged their fans. We are trained for this as the new reality and do not even look into the games as we do not want to be disappointed.
- Beatle_john

Vancouver is not a poor sports market... we're a fair-weather sports market. Big Difference, its called winning.

Would never fly in Van. Giants are in Langley now as they couldn't even get 5000 asses in the seats downtown. Lions can't fill the lower bowl at BC Place. Unless it's a minor league affiliate for the Whitecaps...won't work.
- LordHumungous

Totally agree. Vancouver just has other priorities over sports, which isnt necessarily a bad thing, just that the city has a lot to offer and that takes money away from spending to attend these games. When the team is entertaining and successful, thats when they will turn up because the excitement surrounding the team grows

It's a problem but they made a commitment to Utica contract wise etc. plus they seem to like the less travel days and more development by practice being out there.... I don't know ... it's not like they are a junior club needing lots of practice time they need game type situations to learn so they can apply that if called up to NHL... everyone talks about getting minutes why reason to go down for a player. So you think Seattle or a lower mainland location will work...?
- Nuck4U

I live in Victoria and have been begging/dreaming for the Nucks to move their farm team here. The Royals are fine and everything, but I feel like we missed the boat when we got them and the AHL team went to Utica.

Even if they could of brought Garteig down in time, I think they would of had to send a player down or place Miller on IR. I could be wrong but I think this is just the reality with Goalie injures when they are not serious.
- belcherbd

True, but Virtanen was sitting anyways. They could have sent him down "on paper" with no effect on the lineup.

Totally agree. Vancouver just has other priorities over sports, which isnt necessarily a bad thing, just that the city has a lot to offer and that takes money away from spending to attend these games. When the team is entertaining and successful, thats when they will turn up because the excitement surrounding the team grows
- WhiteLie

I endorse this post.

Vancouver is not a poor sports market. I think two things are working against the Lions and Canucks and that is 1. Cost of Living vs staying home and watching on High Def and 2. For Years the Canucks overcharged us and gouged their fans. We are trained for this as the new reality and do not even look into the games as we do not want to be disappointed.
- Beatle_john

If you charge fans premium prices, you need a premium product on the ice. Today or in the foreseeable future that's not the case.

Oaky so a 4 goal come back takes JV out of line up but a 1 goal keeps Skille in... isn't the Sabres a better game for JV and Skille can take time with heavier Kings and Ducks...? Seems odd for JV development... plus he adds more scoring potential in the line up and still has the speed and physical play that Skille brings

Oaky so a 4 goal come back takes JV out of line up but a 1 goal keeps Skille in... isn't the Sabres a better game for JV and Skille can take time with heavier Kings and Ducks...? Seems odd for JV development... plus he adds more scoring potential in the line up and still has the speed and physical play that Skille brings
- Nuck4U

Skille has brought more to the table than Burrows has IMO. Dorsett and Gaunce have both been more productive than Burrows on the 4th line.

Oaky so a 4 goal come back takes JV out of line up but a 1 goal keeps Skille in... isn't the Sabres a better game for JV and Skille can take time with heavier Kings and Ducks...? Seems odd for JV development... plus he adds more scoring potential in the line up and still has the speed and physical play that Skille brings
- Nuck4U

We have the worst coach in the league, what do you expect?

The spot I've always thought they should have an affiliate is Vancouver, Washington.
It's just outside Portland, so the population is there, they have a decent sized arena, and a junior team currently.
Might need to expand the arena somewhat, but logistically it makes sense. Even for the ECHL team, rather than having them in Anchorage. Michael Garteig could have been flown in for the game last night.

It would be good to market the Canuck brand down in the Portland area and southern Washington.
- Vanoxy

Yeah like the sound of that.... had same thoughts and from a marketing perspective as long as they own the team then Vancouver Orca lol or Keep as Canucks lol that would be quite the mirror trick

Thanks Carol.....awesome article.

The fans finishing the Americain, and performing the Canadian anthem was great (and classy)

With all the political talk, little things like that make me proud to be Canadian.

Edit : seeing Matthew Hewitt sing along too........awesome
- WelfareWerewolf

It's not a very good sports market. When the Canucks are good they trend as a hot ticket because they become the "in" thing.
- golfingsince

Vancouver is not a poor sports market... we're a fair-weather sports market. Big Difference, its called winning.
- Max.Betts

I don't think that's true. 46+ years in the NHL, been to the dance three times, and nothing to show for it. Fans have been there the whole time. Our city's biggest heroes are sports figures. CFL does well. Soccer does well. NBA was not our fault. WHL relocation was a business move to reduce overhead.

There are a lot of fans who go all in when they are winning and start to lose interest when the canucks do poorly. But that's typical and not exclusive to the vancouver market.

You guys aren't giving the home crowd enough credit.

Edit: You all get a flag.

We have the worst coach in the league, what do you expect?
- Retinalz

For all his faults, we are 3-0 with the highest corsi for in the league. In the end, winning all 3 games and still not leading for any of them is not that stat that matters. Until we blunder and lose 10 in a row, Willie isn't going anywhere.