What a perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! Nothing beats a 4-1 victory over the best team in the NHL, the Detroit Red Wings.
All the talk coming into tonights matchup was how this game was supposed to be a measuring stick for the Canucks. Someone commented in the elevator after the game, "Why is Vancouver never a measuring stick for Detroit?"
Good question.
I'm guessing the multiple Stanley Cups and Presidents' Trophies might be the reason. Speaking of Cups, I had to shield my eyes a few times tonight because I was sitting a few seats away from the Red Wings executive staff in the press box, Wow, those Stanley Cup rings are so bright they could steer a lost ship home in a foggy Vancouver harbour.
What a fantastic atmosphere in The Garage tonight. It all started with anthem singer Mark Donnelly belting out a wonderful solo effort of 'Danny Boy' before he and his daughter teamed up for brilliant renditions of the Canadian and American national anthems.
Donnelly is synonymous with playoff hockey in Vancouver. Can't wait!
To make tonight even more special, Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe was pressing the flesh all over GM Place tonight. Mr. Howe was in town for the Vancouver Giants team picture yesterday. I couldn't track him down all night - all I wanted was one picture, but he's still too quick on his feet.
On to the game. I've already rambled on enough, so I'm going to fast-forward to the best shift of the year for the Sedin Twins.
Henrik and Daniel dominated the high cycle at the right point, moved it down to the left corner, then just for kicks they worked the cycle at the left point before they generated a shot on goal and Lukas Krajicek finally banged in the rebound to make it 2-1. Unbelievable is the best way to describe it.
Overall I thought the flow of the game could have been a lot better for these two teams. Penalties just seemed to get in the way of what should have been a classic Hockey Night in Canada tilt. Back to the Detroit executives - they were more than a little peeved at some of the calls against the Wings tonight. Lots of muttering and head shaking.
For the second game in a row, the Minnesota Wild held a temporary lead in the tight Northwest Division. I betcha the Wild were banking on taking the lead and holding it knowing the powerhouse Wings were in Vancouver tonight. Not so fast, Minny. Cool your jets because this race is going right down to the wire.
Backbreaker of the night for Detroit?
Brendan Morrison taking a nice feed from Matt Cooke inside the blueline and burying a short-handed breakaway low blocker side on Dominik Hasek to make it 3-1 late in the second.
With the Canucks up by two late in the third, Detroit worked Vancouver with a two minute fire drill that made me squirm in my seat a few times. Strong work by the Canucks for holding onto the lead and not giving up one of the toughest leads to hold in hockey.
Bring on the Oilers on Monday night!
Enjoy St. Paddy's Day, everyone.
Bryan Smolinski and Jan Bulis being interviewed during the first intermission on HNIC and the radio.
Jeff Cowan and Mathieu Schneider during the second intermission.
Cowan makes Schneider wait until he's done.
Mattias Ohlund on the bike afterwards.
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