On a night that paid tribute to one of the all-time Vancouver Canuck greats, the current squad laid another egg and squandered an opportunity to create some distance between themselves and those looking in from outside of the playoff picture.
Be honest, when did you ever think you’d hear the words “highly anticipated” when describing a game against the Panthers?
— Canucks Misconduct (@nucksmisconduct) January 9, 2015
With Roberto Luongo making his return to Roger’s Arena on Thursday, it was one of the most anticipated games of the season and while the first period definitely didn’t disappoint, the rest of the game was pretty depressing if you are a fan of the Canucks as they dropped a 3-1 decision to the Florida Panthers.
Even more depressing? Probably Ryan Miller who undoubtedly is feeling a little forgotten these days:
Ryan Miller scrolls through his Canucks twitter feed:
"I'm still HERE guys."
— Bryan (@kesrows) January 8, 2015
So if your throat is still sore from all of the Luuing you did today, why not grab a Vancity Buzz #Sixpack and moisten those vocal chords back up!
Final score: Panthers 3 – Canucks 1
Canucks goals:
- Daniel Sedin (9th goal) – Assisted by Henrik Sedin and Yannick Weber
Panther goals:
- Jonathan Huberdeau (5th goal) – Assisted by NONE
- Aleksander Barkov (3rd goal) – Assisted by Jonathan Huberdeau and Aaron Ekblad
- Jonathan Huberdeau (6th goal) – Assisted by Dimitry Kulikov and Willie Mitchell
1. I Think There’s Something in My Eye. Excuse Me…
As expected, the Canucks honoured Luongo’s time in British Columbia with a video tribute during the first commercial break in the game action. Not surprisingly, it brought the feels in a big way:
Roberto Luongo salutes the crowd following his video tribute from the #Canucks. pic.twitter.com/P0OWQLU13p
— Shnarped Hockey (@shnarpedhockey) January 9, 2015
Luongo’s reaction was pretty special as well, although that’s odd to say considering he didn’t even watch the video. Bobby Lu has always been an emotional guy and as a goalie, he needs to maintain his focus as much as possible during the course of a game. Which explains why he couldn’t watch the tribute or he would have gone full Mats Sundin.
QUICKLY NOW SCORE ON HIM WHILE HE'S CRYING
— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) January 9, 2015
Yeah that’s the idea!
It was a fantastic moment for Roberto Luongo, the Canucks, and the fans for a few different reasons. Obviously, it was great for Luongo who received the recognition he so badly deserved during his time in Vancouver. It was great for the Canucks organization as they took full advantage of the opportunity to honour a gigantic part of their history and hopefully buried the hatchet in the process. And finally, it was a great moment for the fans who hopefully have some degree of closure for one of the most polarizing player-fan relationships in Vancouver Canuck history.
We’ll miss you, Bobby Lu.
Stirring, chilling, standing ovation for Lu. As loud as the place has been all season. And as it should be.
— Jason Botchford (@botchford) January 9, 2015
2. I Think There’s Something in my Eye. Excuse Me – Part Two
Based purely on the feedback received on Twitter, that was the worst game of the season for the Canucks. or at the least most disappointing
— Blake Price (@BlakePriceTSN) January 9, 2015
There were three things that almost made me cry watching this game:
1. Roberto Luongo owned the Canucks and finally completed his victory lap over the entire league as Vancouver was the only team he had never defeated.
IT'S A FINAL:#FlaPanthers 3 #Canucks 1 … Luongo w/ 32 saves, has now beaten all 30 NHL teams.
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) January 9, 2015
I wonder if any cap geeks out there can figure out how much the #Canucks are paying Luongo to beat us tonight…. #vcbcanucks
— Mike Stefanuk (@Mike_Stefanuk) January 9, 2015
2. The power play was a complete embarrassment tonight. The Canucks were down 3-1 early in the third period and received 5-on-3 man advantage for 40 seconds after Alex Edler took a Dave Bolland high-stick to the face. The Canucks did not even register a shot.
3. Tonight was a wasted opportunity because as I mentioned in the Game Day Report, the Canucks need to be taking advantage of their games in hand. San Jose, Dallas, Minnesota, Winnipeg and Los Angeles all lost tonight meaning this was the perfect opportunity to pick up some much needed leverage in the Western Conference. This was truly a squandered opportunity.
3. The Kids Are Alright
Image: www.nhl.com
It appears that after years of high draft picks and barely a sniff at the playoffs over the past 15 years, the Florida Panthers may have finally found a way to properly develop their young players.
Led by Jonathan Huberdeau with two goals and an assist, the kids carried the offensive load for the Panthers against the Canucks with their speed and causing all sorts of problems for the good guys.
Aaron Ekblad continued his (Florida Panthers) record breaking season by adding another assist to his already impressive point total. He has already passed Ed Jovanovski for most points recorded by a rookie defenceman. And this is only in half of a season.
4. Rich Sutter Drops a King-Sized Bomb
While the intermission Sportsnet panel inevitably debated which goalie should be considered the best in Vancouver Canuck history (hint: It’s Roberto Luongo), Rich Sutter dropped a bomb by going all in on former Canuck goalie Richard Brodeur:
sutter on broduer"there was issues in our locker room with him he gave up on us a lot of nights"
— sleep doctor (@sleepdoctor92) January 9, 2015
Sutter was debating with John Shannon who vehemently believes that “King” Brodeur should be considered the best goaltender in Canucks history due to the fact he carried a below .500 team through three rounds of playoff hockey during the early 1980s when defence hadn’t been invented yet (Damn you, Jaques Lemaire…). Although he does have a point, Rich Sutter took exception by attacking Brodeur instead of simply arguing the merits of the other two candidates.
It was an odd segment but very interesting nonetheless. I don’t think many people have heard anything negative about Richard Brodeur until now. Only about his stellar playoff performance before being ventilated (and rightfully so) by the powerhouse New York Islanders of the 1980s. It’s always interesting to hear how tension can arise in any team environment. Unfortunately, those stories are few and far between because of the team first mentally that’s ingrained in most hockey players. If you have a problem, it stays in the locker room.
Well until at least 32 years have passed and you’re on regional television…
5. The Luuing
My wife just said "The Canucks are going to Luuuuuse" she thinks she's pretty funny
— Tron Funkinblow (@tron_funkinblow) January 9, 2015
I have to admit, the Luuing was a really nice touch to start the game. It was great to know that Roberto Luongo won’t be soon forgotten at Rogers Arena and for one last time, the majority of the fan base was behind him and hoping for a god performance.
Except it got a little bit old once Luongo started to school the Canucks.
https://twitter.com/Pagnificent/status/553411668735037440
There was still a game to be played and I’m sure the current Canucks were probably a little confused as to why the fans were still encouraging the goaltender that their team was trying to score on.
Just to reiterate what I said earlier, Luongo will always be a huge part of the history of this franchise. But the first period tribute and courtesy Luu’s should have provided enough closure for everyone to move on and start supporting the Canucks that actually want to be here.
6. Here’s a Depressing Fact for Everyone
The last time the Florida #Panthers won in regulation in Vancouver was, March 7th, 1994. Horvat, Ekblad and Barkov weren't born yet.
— Irfaan Gaffar (@sportsnetirf) January 8, 2015
If there is one thing I truly hate, it’s long-term streaks being snapped. This is pretty much the same feeling I had when the Canucks finally lost to the Leafs last season.
Good Night everyone. I need a beverage…
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