Dear Vancouver Canucks

[Benevolance]

PLEASE show up tonight. And, you know, maybe win the game or something? Just sayin'.  

[ChadTower]

They shouldn't have woken the Bruins up by sending out another player with a severe head injury on a dirty hit.  If anything was going to piss Boston off enough to rattle off four straight blowouts it was another good player with a major concussion.  That's two for Boston, now, and three if you want to count Bergeron.  The Bruins are pissed off enough now that Vancouver might lose the next two games by 10 combined.

[hypernova]

Myself and a buddy at work were pulling for Vancouver at the beginning of the series.  However, he's changed his allegiance since the dirty play and apparent flopping.

I'm currently on the fence because of the recent games.

[Benevolance]

Two own-goals to start the scoring spree certainly didn't help, either. And I'd be more sympathetic to Boston's concussion plight if Vancouver hadn't also suffered several concussions this year, and if Chara hadn't snapped Pacioretty's neck three months ago.

That was a better game last night. Vancouver played it's speed game, instead of trying to match Boston's chippiness after the whistle. And aside from some lamentable antics from Lapierre (who redeemed himself marginally in the third by whining less, playing harder and scoring the goal) it was a fairly disciplined game.

[ChadTower]

Chara hadn't snapped Pacioretty's neck three months ago.

Did not happen.  Go back and review the stories.  He did not break his neck.

Did you see the hit?  There's a reason Chara was not suspended.  It wasn't anything like what the Montreal media said.

[hypernova]

After the game started, I realized I was still rooting for Vancouver.  I have pinpointed the problem, though.

It's Burrows.  He's a dick.  Amazing Game 2, even though he should have been suspended.  But three incidents yesterday:  The face-off trip, which he blatantly asked for (but they were both penalized, which was fine) and the embellishment of the stick in the midsection when he doubled-over for no reason.  Then there was a point early in the game where he acted like he was in pain, and fell to the ice face down, but as play continued, and he realized there wouldn't be a call, he got his pansy-ass up, and stopped faking.

So I like Vancouver.  I just absolutely loathe Burrows.

[Malenko]

Its not so much that I want Vancouver to win as much as I want Boston to lose.  Its all well and good when they play dirty but when it happens to them they act like bitches about it.  Nathan Horton is a ---Bad words, bad words, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when saint censors you?--- and Aaron Rome shouldn't have been suspended for that hit. Stop admiring your passes and keep your head vertical, or you'll end up horizontal (or in this case, upside down).

If it wasn't for Tim Thomas' amazing goal tending (the man is standing on his head) the Bruins wouldn't even be in the finals.

It is REALLY odd that when Vancouver wins at home, its a close game but when Boston wins at home, its a blow out.

[ChadTower]

Nathan Horton is a ---Bad words, bad words, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when saint censors you?--- and Aaron Rome shouldn't have been suspended for that hit. Stop admiring your passes and keep your head vertical, or you'll end up horizontal (or in this case, upside down).

The hit was way late.  It wasn't a shot to the head, no, but it was still late enough to get him thrown from the game.  The suspension was a little heavy.

If it wasn't for Tim Thomas' amazing goal tending (the man is standing on his head) the Bruins wouldn't even be in the finals.

I'm not sure what "If they didn't have a great player they wouldn't be playing for the world championship" even means.  Isn't that how you're supposed to win titles?  With great players?

The Burrows comments are pretty much on.  Nobody respects a diver in any sport.  There is too much of it in hockey now.  It's making hockey hard to watch.

[Benevolance]

Thomas has been nothing short of amazing all playoffs. He had some rough games in the Tampa series, but he's settled right down for the finals. I love the fact that he's always smiling. Obviously loves to play hockey. And his haphazard stop-the-puck-at-all-costs-style reminds me of the way Kirk McLean played.

embellishment of the stick in the midsection when he doubled-over for no reason.

Yeah, that was Lapierre. Seems to be a trait of the 'plucky' french-canadian wingers.

The team had Burrows tone it down during the season and he played hockey. It was good. But I guess old habits die hard in the playoffs? His reputation haunted him; he took some legitimate abuse last game, and the refs looked on and called nothing. And rightly so. Burrows was pretty contrite about it all during the post-game media scrums. Hopefully he picked up the message. Or he's a consumate actor. But love him or hate him, he's got great chemistry with the Sedin's.

[MaineEvent]

Oh, was there a hockey game on Friday?
Here is my friends and I after the game and 47 pints.
  here's to one more!

[Malenko]

The hit was way late.  It wasn't a shot to the head, no, but it was still late enough to get him thrown from the game.  The suspension was a little heavy.

If it wasn't for Tim Thomas' amazing goal tending (the man is standing on his head) the Bruins wouldn't even be in the finals.

I'm not sure what "If they didn't have a great player they wouldn't be playing for the world championship" even means.  Isn't that how you're supposed to win titles?  With great players?

1.5 seconds after a pass is not WAY LATE, maybe in slow mo it is, but hits come 3-5 seconds after the pass regularly. If he would have stood up after he got hit, they probably would not have called a penalty.

As for your"great player" comment, you cant be that stupid, and to address it would be just as dumb.

[ChadTower]

1.5 seconds after a pass is not WAY LATE, maybe in slow mo it is, but hits come 3-5 seconds after the pass regularly. If he would have stood up after he got hit, they probably would not have called a penalty.

I played hockey a long time.  Contact 1.5 seconds later is normal.  Running through them like a truck is way late and got him ejected from the game.  It makes no sense to even argue that a hit for which someone was ejected was reasonable.  I don't agree with the length of that suspension but the hit was inappropriate, the refs acted properly, and not even people in Vancouver argued it.

[Malenko]

I knew you played hockey, you've done everything, twice. 1.5 seconds is not way late and impact has no bearing on the amount of time between passing and getting hit. 5 min major, maybe (if only to calm the crowd down),but a 5 min major AND game misconduct AND 4 game suspension, no dice. I know you gotta root for boston cause you live in mass but give me a break. The people in Vancouver didnt argue it? Something tells me you didnt research much about that statement. Just look up the hit on youtube and read some comments.

[BobA]

First period in Boston.   Boston 4 Vancouver 0.   Wake up Vancouver!!!

[opt2not]

First period in Boston.   Boston 4 Vancouver 0.   Wake up Vancouver!!!

It's all a ploy so the Aquilini's make millions off a game 7 series.

I really wished they put 'em away this game...this is really bringing me back to '94. Looks like I'll be avoiding watching the game downtown. 150,000+ people, crammed in the downtown streets, game 7??  Yeah, a very high riot potential right there.

[SNAAKE]

america owning canada in hockey?

AAHAHAHAHAHAHA

(dont know anything about hockey tho lol)

[CCM]

america owning canada in hockey?

AAHAHAHAHAHAHA

(dont know anything about hockey tho lol)

Obviously you don't follow hockey.   The last Canadian team to win the cup was Montreal in 1993, and Vancouver has never won the cup.

[opt2not]

...and technically it wouldn't be "America owning" since every hockey team in the NHL is comprised of mostly Canadian players.

[MaineEvent]

Opt2Not beat me to it.....
I don't really follow Hockey either...
But it looks like either way Canada wins cause the Bruins have 22 Canadian players on their roster! 

[CCM]

...and technically it wouldn't be "America owning" since every hockey team in the NHL is comprised of mostly Canadian players.

very true

[Benevolance]

I can't believe Boychuk's hit on Raymond didn't receive any penalty. Raymond didn't have the puck, was in a vulnerable position, and Boychuk made sure he was kept double-over while he boarded him. Brutal non-call. Early word is that Raymond is out 4-6 months.

[opt2not]

Yeah that looked completely awkward. By the way he was bending I wouldn't be surprised if his hamstrings tore.

I'm not sure what I'd call that I'd I were a ref. Roughing maybe? All Boychuk did was push him down to take him out of the play. I doubt he knew Raymond's legs were in position.

*edit.  oh crap, just read that its a cracked vertebrae. yikes.

[Benevolance]

Boarding or interference would apply. The hit was later than Rome's hit on Horton and Raymond didn't have the puck; Kesler had enough time to make a play with the puck before Boychuk was able to deliver the hit, and at an awkward place on the boards. If Boychuk just pushed him down, it wouldn't have been an issue. But he pushed him down and road him into the boards hard. The league decided the hit didn't warrant review.

I've read in a few places that he cracked some vertebrae, but injury reports during the playoffs are speculative. Regardless, Raymond is gone for the next game and this is probably the most violent NHL playoffs on record. Bettman should be happy with the Rollerball-esque atmosphere, since he's been anxious to capture the excitement that UFC generates.

[opt2not]

I've read in a few places that he cracked some vertebrae, but injury reports during the playoffs are speculative. Regardless, Raymond is gone for the next game and this is probably the most violent NHL playoffs on record. Bettman should be happy with the Rollerball-esque atmosphere, since he's been anxious to capture the excitement that UFC generates.

I really hate what this series has regressed to. You're right, it is the most brutal playoff I've seen in my time, and I hate how its made the Canucks play.

This is not a hockey playoff, it's a wrestling match.

[Malenko]

I can't believe Boychuk's hit on Raymond didn't receive any penalty. Raymond didn't have the puck, was in a vulnerable position, and Boychuk made sure he was kept double-over while he boarded him. Brutal non-call. Early word is that Raymond is out 4-6 months.

Im sure ChadTower thinks that was a totally clean hit.

I'm not sure what I'd call that I'd I were a ref.

Benevolance has it right, these are right from the NHL website:

Boarding - A boarding penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who checks an opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to be thrown violently in the boards. The severity of the penalty, based upon the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, shall be at the discretion of the Referee.

*boarding can also be called for "riding a player into the boards"

Roughing in hockey isnt what people think it is, roughing is basically throwing a punch:
Roughing – Roughing is a punching motion with the hand or fist, with or without the glove on the hand, normally directed at the head or face of an opponent.


I did get a chuckle out of this:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=26331

42.6 Fines and Suspensions – When a major penalty and a game misconduct is assessed for a foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, an automatic fine of one hundred dollars ($100) shall be imposed.

[opt2not]

omg omg omg omg....

It's 9am here in Vancouver right now and I'm already starting to freak out. It's that feeling you get before an important interview, or when you're about to give a presentation to a large crowd.

It's going to be a long day, and I'm not sure I can concentrate on work!

Please please please Luongo, be solid tonight.

[opt2not]

What's a canuck?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=what+is+a+canuck

[SNAAKE]

What's a canuck?

[Malenko]

snaaaaaaake, that's Chantel Elloway. I'd canuk that!

[opt2not]

[amendonz]

vancouver gracious in defeat

[ChadTower]

Im sure ChadTower thinks that was a totally clean hit.

Didn't see that game so I'm going to have to go back and find highlights.  I was out of the loop for a couple days there.

[Benevolance]

Canucks simply couldn't solve Tim Thomas.

The riots were likely to happen regardless of outcome. My brother lives across from the downtown area and stopped over to have a look at the crowds before the game. There were already some groups of kids wandering around with placards trying to coordinate a riot before the puck dropped. Many hockey fans left the area in the third period. Still a disappointing result.

Fortuantely, the celebrations out here in Surrey went smoothly, and the Surrey RCMP were dispatched to Vancouver to help with crowd control.  

[opt2not]

Canucks simply couldn't solve Tim Thomas.

The riots were likely to happen regardless of outcome. My brother lives across from the downtown area and stopped over to have a look at the crowds before the game. There were already some groups of kids wandering around with placards trying to coordinate a riot before the puck dropped. Many hockey fans left the area in the third period. Still a disappointing result.

Fortuantely, the celebrations out here in Surrey went smoothly, and the Surrey RCMP were dispatched to Vancouver to help with crowd control. 

Yeah, Thomas is an awesome goalie, he definitely deserves the MVP.
The Canucks really didn't have an way to solve him. I only wish they could have made a game of it, instead of being shut-out.

It's really embarrassing to be from Vancouver right now. I saw the smoke from my home (just outside the downtown core), I knew better not to go downtown for the game.

I've been in Vancouver for as long as most of the Administration here, and I knew that a riot would break out if they lost. You don't invite 150,000 people into a crammed downtown area to "throw a party", have them drink from noon, and not expect *something* to break out from the pent-up aggression and frustration of the game. Especially with the history of this city.
I would have had the riot cops on the ready, reserves in from the surrounding cities, well before-hand. The VPD wasn't ready for this at all. Half of the force trying to settle down the crowd didn't show up till well after cars were being flipped/burned, windows broken and shops looted.

I just hope the Bruins fans that were at the game got out of there unscathed. There are rumors that some Boston fans got beat up, and one of them was critically injured after being throw off an overpass.


I'm really embarrassed to be a Vancouverite.

[ChadTower]

There are rumors that some Boston fans got beat up, and one of them was critically injured after being throw off an overpass.

If that were true it would be all over the Boston media right now.  Probably all over Facebook too.  I don't see any of either.

[bleargh]

Especially with the history of this city.

Agreed.... hockey riot of '94, Guns'N'Roses riot of '02, and now the hockey riot of '11.

About every 8 or 9 years, a handful of Vancouverites just gotta get out there and ruin it for everyone else.

On the bright side... that means that there won't be another riot until ~2020. 

[yotsuya]

Do you think they would have rioted if they would have won? We've seen it happen in places like LA after a victory.

[ChadTower]

Do you think they would have rioted if they would have won? We've seen it happen in places like LA after a victory.

People like that don't care about the results.  They riot no matter what.

[DNA Dan]

I agree, I think the majority of the people just wanted to go home and "closet drink" some booze. It's only the select few crazies that get all the attention. I did however notice a lot of "booing" during the ending of the game. I don't think it was for Boston but more for the dissappointment in Vancouver's performance. I watched the whole thing, it was a boring game. It I paid big dollars for a seat, I'd feel ripped off too.

[shilmover]

vancouver gracious in defeat

Right...  'Cause that's NEVER happened in any US cities before...