Canucks reach Stanley Cup Finals

Sports Commentary

Dan Balmer

for the Ferndale Record

Vancouver Canuck fans chanted, “WE WANT THE CUP,” as confetti fell in Rogers Arena in Vancouver after Kevin Bieska scored the winning goal in double overtime to knock off the San Jose Sharks Tuesday night to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Tuesday night’s game could not have been more exciting. Vancouver trailed 2-1 with 30 seconds left when Kesler won a crucial faceoff and scored off a rebound to tie the game with only 14 seconds remaining.

The Canucks are now four wins away from the greatest trophy in all of professional sports. The road to Lord Stanley’s Cup for Canuck fans has been adventurous to say the least. A different player has stepped up in each playoff round for Vancouver.

Vancouver came into the playoffs with the best regular season record and favored by analysts to win the Stanley Cup. All the pressure of Canada is behind the Canucks as they are the first Canadian team to reach the finals since the Calgary Flames in 2004. The last Canadian team to win the cup, the Montreal Canadians in 1993, did so one year before Vancouver last played in the finals.

            Vancouver was tested early in the playoffs when they faced the defending 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks in the first round, a team that has eliminated Vancouver the last two seasons. The Canucks won the first three games with ease, like a top seed should. Then the fun began. Chicago outscored Vancouver 16-5 in the next three games to tie the series and force a game seven. Goalie Roberto Luongo’s mental block against the Blackhawks continued as he was pulled in games four and five, and benched to start game six before being called to action to add to the drama.

            Vancouver prevailed in game seven with a pressure-packed 2-1 overtime win. The final play is already iconic in team history. Forward Alex Burrows jumps up and intercepts the puck in the offensive zone, skates into the center ahead of defenders and blasts a quick slap shot over the shoulder of Chicago goalie Corey Crawford for the series wining goal, lifting a tremendous weight off the team and city in finally eliminating their playoff rivals. It was the kind of moment every championship season needs. If Vancouver is to win the Stanley Cup, they had to go through Chicago to deserve it.

            In the next round, Vancouver met their match against a team sound in defense and goaltending, the Nashville Predators. In the end, Kesler carried the Canucks on his back, scoring five goals and dishing six assists in the series. One spectacular goal by Kesler demonstrated his speed, strength and desire when he took a breakaway in with the league’s best defender Predator Shea Weber on his back, scored and crashed into the net in a game five win. Vancouver scored early in game six with two goals and held on to reach the conference finals.

San Jose had just came off a grueling seven game series against the Detroit Red Wings, one the Sharks nearly let slip away as Vancouver did with the Chicago series. The Canucks outperformed the tired Sharks in the first two games to go up 2-0.

After San Jose won a physical game three, the turning point came in the second period of game four. Vancouver killed off five first period penalties before scoring three goals on three consecutive 5-on-3 power-play opportunities in a two-minute span in the second period. How demoralizing must it have been for Sharks fans to watch the Canucks score three power-play goals with ease in less than two minutes, when San Jose squandered 10 minutes on the man-advantage?

Henrik Sedin was at the top of his game with four assists in game four. He set up each power-play goal in the second period, one to Kesler and two to Sami Salo all in a playoff record 1 minute 55 seconds. The Sedins combined for seven points in the game and 15 points in the series. Vancouver won game four 4-2 and eliminated the Sharks in game five in front of their home fans who celebrated their entry into the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Canucks offense looks as good as any point this season. Henrik Sedin now leads the playoffs with 21 points, while Daniel Sedin is tied for the lead in goals with eight. Kesler has been stellar with seven goals and 12 assists in the playoffs, and Bieksa has elevated his play in the playoffs with five goals, big hits and pressure defense for the Canucks. In game two against the Sharks, he got a Gordie Howe hat-trick by scoring a goal, getting an assist and winning a fight.

As Vancouver prepares to battle either the Boston Bruins or Tampa Bay Lighting of the cup, Vancouver’s depth will once again be put to the test. Will it they a Bruins team with stout defense and elite goal-tending, or the high scoring Lighting offensive attack? The great thing about Vancouver’s team is they can match up with any team and have success in controlling the game.

While all of Seattle sports teams’ track record in the playoffs is less than desirable, the Vancouver Canucks have the golden opportunity to rewrite team history. I have never been more excited for my team then I am right now. For me, this is bigger then the Supersonics against the Bulls in the NBA Finals or the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. A Canucks championship would be the single greatest feeling a fan like me will ever experience. Go Canucks Go!

*This column can also be found in the May 25 issue of the Ferndale Record. www.ferndalerecord.com

NHL Playoffs 2011 Western Semi-finals Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks

Vancouver beats San Jose in five games to advance to Stanley Cup Finals

ESPN NHL Western Confernce coverage here 

Game 1: Canucks 3 Sharks 2

VANCOUVER – Facing a San Jose Sharks team fresh off a grueling seven game series against the Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver fell behind early in the first period when Shark captain Joe Thornton capitalized on a failed Roberto Luongo clearing to score the first goal of the series.

            Trailing 2-1 in the final period, the Canucks did what they have done well all season, score in the third period. Kevin Bieksa shot the puck past Shark goalie Antti Neimi’s blocker pad to tie the game. Just 30 seconds later the Sharks Dany Heatley was called for an elbowing penalty. Canuck captain Henrik Sedin, who had been quiet to this point in the playoffs took a pass from Christian Erhoff and skated right up near the goal, deked the goalie and scored on a backhand shot past Niemi. The power-play goal stood up as the game winner as Vancouver held on in the final 10 minutes to win game one.

            Maxim Lapierre scored early in the second period for Vancouver and Patrick Marleau scored a power-play goal later in the second to take the lead before Vancouver came back with the two goals in the third.

Game 2: Canucks 7 Sharks 3

VANCOUVER – The Canucks not only dominated game two, they demoralized the Sharks by scoring five straight goals in a 7-3 rout to win the first two games of the series at home.

            The game was up for grabs after Patrick Marleau scored a power-play goal to tie the game 2-2. But the tides turned in the second period started by Kevin Bieksa. Christopher Higgins founds a streaking Bieksa and passed the puck up the ice as he skated by two defenders on a breakaway and fired a quick low shot past Neimi to give Vancouver the lead. Bieksa also dropped the gloves and won a fight against an over-matched Marleau. Vancouver Sun

            In the third period with the game in reach, Sharks enforcer Ben Eager took two unnecessary penalties which Vancouver capitalized on to blow the game wide open. Higgins and Daniel Sedin scored power-play goals and Aaron Rome and Mason Raymond also scored in the final period. A frustrated Eager scored late in the third to stop the Canucks five goal run and roughed up Luongo after his goal.

The Sharks once again got off to a fast start with a Logan Couture power-play goal in the first period, but undisciplined play led to Vancouver blowout victory.

Game 3: Sharks 4 Canucks 3

SAN JOSE – The Sharks jumped out to a three goal lead, two on power-play goals to start the series 5-5 on the power-play. Marleau scored twice and Clowe added a goal in the first period as the Sharks took control early. Vancouver chipped away at the lead in the third period as Alex Burrows scored unassisted.

After a Dan Boyle power-play goal, the physical hits and raw emotion escalated the drama. Vancouver lost two defensemen to big hits from Sharks enforcer Ted McGinn. Christian Erhoff and Aaron Rome left the game after bruising hits from McGinn which later earned him a game misconduct penalty for his boarding hit on Rome.

            Dan Hamhuis and Kevin Bieska scored power-play goals to bring Vancouver within one goal, but they could not find the equalizer as San Jose won a game they desperately needed.

Game 4: Canucks 4 Sharks 2

SAN JOSE – Vancouver scored three goals in a one minute 55 second span during three consecutive 5-on-3 power-plays in the second period in turning point in the series. Kesler opened the scoring with a one-timer on the left side past Neimi. Sami Salo added two slap shot goals shortly after on precise passing by Henrik Sedin.

            In the third period, Henrik Sedin skated the puck in deked the goalie and passed through Nemi’s legs to Burrows who tapped the puck into the net on a beautiful play. Henrik Sedin finished the game with four assists, a team playoff record. Vancouver’s three goals within a two-minute span was a NHL playoff record.

            San Jose squandered golden opportunities to take control of the game in the first period. Vancouver was penalized five times in the opening period, with four-line winger Tanner Glass called for roughing 30 seconds into the game. Raffi Torres also picked up a penalty to end the first period, which gave the Sharks the intermission to plan for a full power-play. Vancouver killed 10 minutes of penalties and wasted no time in scoring the Sharks miscues. San Jose was assessed sloppy interference, too many men on the ice, and delay of game penalties, which continued to give Vancouver a two-man advantage in a critical part of the game. Marleau and Clowe scored for the Sharks to narrow the lead, but the damage had already been done.

Game 5: Canucks 3 Sharks 2

                                         

VANCOUVER – Kevin Bieska scored the winning goal in double overtime to knock off the San Jose Sharks Tuesday night to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Vancouver trailed 2-1 with 30 seconds left when Kesler won a crucial faceoff and scored off a rebound to tie the game with only 14 seconds remaining.

Burrows scored to open the game in the first period with both Sedins picking up assists on the play. Marleau scored his eighth goal of the playoffs to tie the game in the second period. The Sharks took the lead thirty seconds into the third period thanks to Devin Setoguchi, who scored when Luongo strayed too far from his net.

Kesler left the second period with a leg injury, but their was no way a team leader was going to stay out of a game of this magnitude with the Stanley Cup  Finals on the line. Kesler returned to start the third period and was the difference maker, tipping in the equalizer with just seconds remaining.

Higgins had a shot to win the game in overtime on a breakaway, but Neimi made a spectacular save. Luongo, who made 53 saves, compared to Neimi’s 31, was brilliant an clutch, keeping the game within reach in regulation and shutting down the Sharks in overtime.

 The game winning goal was a surprise to everyone except Bieksa who scored. The puck caromed awkwardly off the glass on the sideboards and out to Bieksa just inside the blue line. His quick shot beat Neimi inside the right post before the goalie -- or mostly everyone else on the ice -- could find the puck.

Now the Canucks advance to their first Stanley Cup Finals since 1993. What an exciting time to be a Canucks fan. Go Canucks Go!

Sounders score in added time, beat KC

SEATTLE - After 90 minutes, the Sounders and Sporting Kansas City were scoreless in Seattle. With the rain falling and time slipping away, the game appeared to end in a draw. That's when Jeff Parke stepped up. Yes defender Jeff Parke.
The Sounders were awarded a corner kick two minutes into the four minutes added to the end of the game. Defender Tyson Wahl delivered a perfect ball from the right corner to Parke who was unmarked and nailed a header in for a goal.
I was sitting with friends in Brougham End singing Sounders chants when the goal was scored. As soon as the ball hit the back of the net fans burst into celebration throwing their hands in the air and jumping for joy.
The Sounders currently sit in third place in the Western Conference with a record of 4-3-5.
Sounders goalie Kasey Keller made a heart-pounding save diving to his right to stop a KC attack early in the game. In all Kellar made four saves.
Next up for the Sounders is Dallas FC on Wednesday. The winner of that game will move to second place behind the L.A. Galaxy for first place in the west.

Sounders draw with Timbers in reunited NW Cascadia Cup

Portland scores on free kick to tie Sounders in first MLS meeting

SEATTLE -  Pouring rain brought a classic Northwest soccer rivalry all back together.
The newly added Portland Timbers visited Qwest Field Saturday, May 14 in front of the largest crowd for an MLS game in Sounders history. The atmosphere was electric as always with more than 36,500 frenzied fans chanting in unison while jumping in support of the rave green team. A triangular section in the corner of the stadium was reserved for Timber Nation, but no chainsaw  from their team mascot was allowed into the stadium.
After a scoreless first half with some close calls, both teams picked it up early in the second half. In the 52nd minute, a Seattle throw-in from right sideline led to the first goal of the game. Montero passed the ball over to Alvaro Fernandez open on the left side of the field. He corralled the ball in, let it take a bounce and nailed a left-footed shot past the Timbers goalie as the fans erupted in celebration.
The Timbers got on the board 13 minutes later off a free kick. A Seattle foul about 30 yards away from their goal set the Timbers up in position to score. Timbers midfielder Jack Jewsbury fired a hard shot towards Kasey Keller that was headed in by Danso to tie the game. As the game went on in the second half, the rain fell relentlessly, slowing the game down for both teams. The first MLS Cascadia Cup match-up ended in a draw. Here is video of the game on SoundersFC.com
It was an exciting game to watch with both teams capitalizing on scoring chances. The Sounders played like the experienced, better team they are, but have found difficulty scoring with a slew of injuries to key players.
Midfielder Steve Zakuani is out for the season after a horrific collision on a dirty foul from the Colorado game where he broke his leg. The Sounders are also without forward O'Brien White, midfielder Mauro Rosalez and midfielder Brad Evans, who have combined for nine goals and six assists this season between the four players.
The next game for Seattle is Saturday, May 21 at Qwest Field as the Sounders take on Sporting Kansas City. I will be attending this game, so stay tuned for a recap of what will sure to be an exciting match.

Vancouver advance to Western Finals

Canucks edge Predators to win series, will face Sharks next 

NASHVILLE - Next up for the Vancouver Canucks, the San Jose Sharks. It wasn't easy, but the Canucks dispatched the Nashville Predators in six games of their second round series and will move on to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1994.
Vancouver scored early and held on late to win the clinching game over the Predators. Ryan Kesler was the star of the game once again with two assists to Mason Raymond and Daniel Sedin on the powerplay to jump out to a two-goal lead in the first period.
Vancouver relied on their defense to shut the door in the final two periods to hold on to a 2-1 win to advance to West Finals for the first time since they advaced to the Stanley Cup Finals and lost to the New York Rangers 13 years ago.
Kesler has carried the Canucks in the playoffs, scoring five goals and six assists in the series while leading the playoffs in points. If it wasn't for Kesler, Vancouver would not be in the position they are in now. Kesler's drive and determination to win the Stanley Cup has raised the Canucks level of play. Vancouver will go as far as he will take them.



nucksmisconduct.com

Rinne shines as Canucks fail to eliminate Predators

Canucks lose game five to Predators in Vancouver, look to close out series in Nashville

VANCOUVER-- Leading 3-1 in the second round series the Vancouver Canucks were presented with the advantageous position of closing out the series at home against the Nashville Predators and wait for their next opponent to come to them. Unfortunately for Vancouver, the Predators were not in the mood to roll over and die.
Despite the inspiring efforts of Ryan Kesler who scored two goals and only missed one shift after taking a puck to the face, it appeared the Canucks failed to show a killer instinct to put a team away in the elimination game.The Predators scored two third period goals to break a tie and held on to win 4-3 Saturday night.
The Canucks dropped to 1-4 in elimination games. All the talk in the Vancouver media was how the Canucks learned their lesson against Chicago and would put a team away when they had the chance. Now the team must head back Nashville with the Predators gaining momentum on offense with the best goaltender in the playoffs in Pekke Rinne. Vancouver Sun
Joel Ward and David Legwand scored two goals each for Nashville, their highest scoring game in the playoffs this season. Both of Ward's goals came back to back in the third period. Ward now leads the playoffs in goals with seven.
Vancouver got off to a rough start despite drawing an early penalty. Sloppy puck handling by Mikeal Samuelson led to a breakaway shorthanded goal by Legwand, giving Nashville an early lead. The Canucks responded when Janick Hansen intercepted the puck and passed to Raffi Torres who scored his first goal of the playoffs to even the score in the first period. Kesler added a goal in first as Vancouver took the lead into the first intermission.
Mason Raymond led a two-on-one with Kesler skating up the left side with Nashville defenceman Shea Weber on his back. Raymond passed it to Kesler who one-timed it in for a goal as Weber crashed into the net.
The second period started off bad for Vancouver when Legwand scored again with a fluke goal. From behind the net he shot the puck over the net and deflected off Canuck defensemen Alex Edler for a goal to tie the game at two.
Ward scored both his goals in the first five minutes into the third period, quieting the capacity crowd.
Kesler would not quit however, despite losing a tooth when a deflected puck hit him in the lower jaw. Kesler scored with under five minutes to play to bring Vancouver within one but could not find the equalizer.
Rinne made 31 saves to Luongo's 19 saves. Vancouver also outhit and won twice as many faceoffs. Both teams did a great job of staying out of the penalty box with only three penalty's called all game.
Now the series moves to Nashville, where Vancouver won both games. What must be troubling for the Canucks is the lack of scoring from the top line. The Sedin twins have combined for only five points and only Henrik Sedin has scored an empty net goal in the series.
For Vancouver to succeed going forward, the Sedin twins need to be more aggressive making plays and shooting the puck to continue. The best players make plays in the biggest moments and Ryan Kesler cannot do it all for Vancouver.