If some one had said to me back in October after the slow start, mounting injuries and inconsistent play, "Pete I'll give you an 8-5-1 record for the 14 gamer you have on the road" I would have taken it, but I'd be holding my nose too. Back then 8-5-1 seemed to be a bit too little too late during a time when the Canucks had an 0-3 start and looked nothing like the pre-season warriors that we had seen.
The road trip was like a tricky par 3 golf hole. After you put it on the green 8 feet from the pin but then 2 putt for par feeling disappointed your partner says "You'd had taken the par on the tee box had I offered it to you right?". I would says "Yes" and that's how I feel about this record at the conclusion of this road trip. If on Jan 31st some one had offered me 8-5-1 as the record I would have scoffed but now I'm pretty happy. It is a .607 percentage on points and .571 by wins. The Canucks were 10-11-1 before this trip now they are 18-16-2 for a .527 percentage on points .529 by wins as opposed to below .500 before the trip for both.
The fact that they managed to play .600 hockey over that period in one fell swoop is a godsend when looking at the standings. With 6 of the 8 wins being games where they had to come back and win the team displayed remarkable resilience for an extended period. In fact as the trip wore on I found the team playing better hockey, last night's game being a great game from both teams- the difference perhaps being a #1 goalie vs a back up in the skills competition to end it.
The Canucks should be happy with their record but I would imagine they know it could be better. Games in Tampa and Chicago could and should have been much closer with perhaps a point or two added to the record, not to mention the horrible display in Minnesota to end the first half of the trip. We knew there were going to be let downs and losses but probably not in that fashion.
For almost any team on a long road trip the return home is usually a let down. Life away from hockey creeps in, WAGs take your attention as do kids. For the Canucks this is no time relax as the remaining schedule is tough. However, they have taken 3 of a possible 4 points from two of the most important games. We are now in the stretch drive and the first test is an important back to back against Ottawa and then Calgary who will no doubt be watching on TV or in the building.
I believe if the Canucks beat Ottawa they will probably assure themselves a playoff spot, if the take down Calgary (which will be no easy task!) then I'll be ecstatic. However, let's get them home first with a good night sleep in their beds and back to the comforts of that really nice locker room. Home has been a very good place for the Canucks this season let's hope some of that Olympic magic is still their for them.
I can't say enough about the incredible donation of the Sedin brothers to the Children's Hospital in Vancouver. It may not seem like much but it's actually 12% of their Canucks salary. Before anyone criticizes it (and there are some pretty piss poor folks out there doing so) cough up 12% of your gross salary and see how that feels.
Welcome home guys, I'd like you all to have a break but there's still plenty of work to be done.
Winnipeg Update:
Read Stephen Brunt's article in the Globe and Mail today- interesting perspective on some other factors happening behind the scene. As I said in the comments section of a past blog- Ice Edge is not going anywhere I think Brunt sees the same reality.
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