Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Game Review: Headed in the Right Direction The Vancouver Canucks opened their season on a positive note with a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.

Good start, against pretty weak competition.

What was with McGratton? He came out of the tunnel like he won the WWE title.

Then the flinch move he did on Stanton at the end of the 2nd was pretty childish.

Good start, against pretty weak competition.

What was with McGratton? He came out of the tunnel like he won the WWE title.

Then the flinch move he did on Stanton at the end of the 2nd was pretty childish.
- moondawg

He is a bit of a goof, I remember him hamming it up to the crowd after a fight last year too. All he does is run around trying to hit people which usually puts him out of position.

I loved the transparency of the officiating last night. The Ref-cam is great. Really seems like the league is trying to improve the officiating. Definitely a step in the right direction

Vrbata looks like a great fit with the Sedins. They were dangerous just about every shift. Will have to see how they do against the bigger teams in the west, but still feeling a lot better about this team right now if they continue to develop on ice chemistry.

Johnny Gaudreau also looked impressive. Good pick up for Calgary. Pretty sure they won't waive him at the end of the season (ala Marty St.Louis). Even if he isn't "truculent."

It was against Calgary, but that's the kind of hockey I love to watch. Willie has definitely put his stamp on this team.

Hands down my favourite part of the game was when Engelland took a hack at Daniel. Not only did Daniel stick up for himself, but but Juice and Burr both came to his defense. I think Willie's influence has a lot to do with that kind of play.

I still thin a 7th-10th range finish is inevitable this season, but I'm excited about the direction of the team.

Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Game Review: Headed in the Right Direction
The Vancouver Canucks opened their season on a positive note with a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.

I thought the Rogers team did a pretty good job of marking their national broadcast debut
- Carol Schram

That was the worst play by play to start the game... I wasn't sure what was going on if someone was late arriving and they put a bingo caller on the mic... he was just saying numbers on jerseys and not describing the play.... thought the youngstars approach with both regional teams working together was a better approach. amateurish. Guys had no idea who the players were half the time.

The stuff in between periods was okay.

Vrbata looks like a great fit with the Sedins. They were dangerous just about every shift. Will have to see how they do against the bigger teams in the west, but still feeling a lot better about this team right now if they continue to develop on ice chemistry.

Johnny Gaudreau also looked impressive. Good pick up for Calgary. Pretty sure they won't waive him at the end of the season (ala Marty St.Louis). Even if he isn't "truculent."
- we_are_all_canucks

It seemed like the MO for the flames were to play the Sedin line hard and had some pretty big hits ony both Danny and Radim early. They continued with slashes and rough stuff throughout the game. This is what every team will try to do and the Sedins and Vrbata pushed through it, I'm not so sure the "bigger" teams will be any more physical with them. As long as they can avoid injuries I like their chances of being effective. Vrbata plays a lot grittier game than I expected he retrieves pucks along the boards and doesn't seem afraid of the front of the net.

Was a great sign that Danny was mixing it up with Engelland, instead of just skating away.

I loved the transparency of the officiating last night. The Ref-cam is great. Really seems like the league is trying to improve the officiating. Definitely a step in the right direction
- bezz44

True. The decision on Vrbata's goal probably came from Toronto, but overturning the too many men call was just the on ice officials realizing that they'd made a bad call. Very refreshing to see.

That was the worst play by play to start the game... I wasn't sure what was going on if someone was late arriving and they put a bingo caller on the mic... he was just saying numbers on jerseys and not describing the play.... thought the youngstars approach with both regional teams working together was a better approach. amateurish. Guys had no idea who the players were half the time.

The stuff in between periods was okay.
- hillbillydeluxe

Ya at first I thought it was just a Calgary crew who didn't know the names of the Canucks until he was referring to both teams players as numbers or generic titles. He also kept referencing it as the Canucks Home opener. Maybe I'm being picky but if you are going to be a play by play you should know where the game is being player and and 50 or so players on the ice.

True. The decision on Vrbata's goal probably came from Toronto, but overturning the too many men call was just the on ice officials realizing that they'd made a bad call. Very refreshing to see.
- CubanBuffet

It was nice to be able to see what the ref saw though on that goal so you could understand completely where he was coming from. And the too many men call was great, I don't think I've ever seen refs convene like that and really tease out what actually happened

He is a bit of a goof, I remember him hamming it up to the crowd after a fight last year too. All he does is run around trying to hit people which usually puts him out of position.
- Horseguts

I'll say. Probably a good guy, but that show last night was weak sauce.

That was the worst play by play to start the game... I wasn't sure what was going on if someone was late arriving and they put a bingo caller on the mic... he was just saying numbers on jerseys and not describing the play.... thought the youngstars approach with both regional teams working together was a better approach. amateurish. Guys had no idea who the players were half the time.

The stuff in between periods was okay.
- hillbillydeluxe

I believe the play by play guy (at least for the feed I had) was Paul Romanuk, he was a TSN guy that usually did the World Junior/World Championships games for them. He got a little overexcited when someone shot the puck towards the goal, otherwise I thought he did ok. His color analyst though... god did I want to punch him through the TV a few times.

That was the worst play by play to start the game... I wasn't sure what was going on if someone was late arriving and they put a bingo caller on the mic... he was just saying numbers on jerseys and not describing the play.... thought the youngstars approach with both regional teams working together was a better approach. amateurish. Guys had no idea who the players were half the time.

The stuff in between periods was okay.
- hillbillydeluxe

This.

I couldn't believe he actually said "Danrik" referring the both Henrik and Danny in on the forecheck.

Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Game Review: Headed in the Right Direction
The Vancouver Canucks opened their season on a positive note with a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.
- Carol Schram

I have a question about Horvat, i know that the team will wait until he come back healthy before taking a decision but do you guys feel he will stick with the big club? He looked like he belongs to the NHL during the pre season but i watched only one game so i might not be the best judge...

Ya at first I thought it was just a Calgary crew who didn't know the names of the Canucks until he was referring to both teams players as numbers or generic titles. He also kept referencing it as the Canucks Home opener. Maybe I'm being picky but if you are going to be a play by play you should know where the game is being player and and 50 or so players on the ice.
- belcherbd

I think you have a right to be picky.

Thought that was just terrible. It came across as though he was doing pbp for the first time I am not a Joey Kenward fan, but would have rather heard him doing the call because he at least knows who the players are...

Never had a problem with Romanuk before this.

It was nice to be able to see what the ref saw though on that goal so you could understand completely where he was coming from. And the too many men call was great, I don't think I've ever seen refs convene like that and really tease out what actually happened
- bezz44

I like the Ref Cam as well, it has to be hard for the Ref's knowing that they will have everyone second guess them on all the calls, the extra cameras, definitely add to the entertainment but I wont expect them to lead to better overturn of calls regardless of us getting two last night.

I like the Ref Cam as well, it has to be hard for the Ref's knowing that they will have everyone second guess them on all the calls, the extra cameras, definitely add to the entertainment but I wont expect them to lead to better overturn of calls regardless of us getting two last night.
- belcherbd

I didn't mind the sky or star cams either, it was nice to be able to see the play along the near boards where the hard broadcast camera can't show the puck or penalties that happen along the near boards in the neutral zone.

I have a question about Horvat, i know that the team will wait until he come back healthy before taking a decision but do you guys feel he will stick with the big club? He looked like he belongs to the NHL during the pre season but i watched only one game so i might not be the best judge...
- Habsody

We have no idea, preseason games are so much different from the real thing. He will get a chance on the 4th line I imagine, but unless a injury occurs, I can't see him stealing a spot at this point. WD seems to really like Matthias since he was moved back to C and the team needs Richardson's face off ability.

There might be a chance that Hansen gets moved, opening up a roster spot on the 4th. He is an excellent 3rd liner and playing on the "4th", if they can get some value for him, they do it but my guess is they hold on to him as well.

I believe the play by play guy (at least for the feed I had) was Paul Romanuk, he was a TSN guy that usually did the World Junior/World Championships games for them. He got a little overexcited when someone shot the puck towards the goal, otherwise I thought he did ok. His color analyst though... god did I want to punch him through the TV a few times.
- DariusKnight

The color analyst Mike Johnston got pretty excited by Henrik's OT goal.

How the hell was Panik passed up by us, or Calgary for that matter.

Richard Panik claimed on waivers by Toronto. #tvasports

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) October 9, 2014

I have a question about Horvat, i know that the team will wait until he come back healthy before taking a decision but do you guys feel he will stick with the big club? He looked like he belongs to the NHL during the pre season but i watched only one game so i might not be the best judge...
- Habsody

I don't think so. Richardson and Matthias seem to have cemented themselves as 3/4 centres.

Ya at first I thought it was just a Calgary crew who didn't know the names of the Canucks until he was referring to both teams players as numbers or generic titles. He also kept referencing it as the Canucks Home opener. Maybe I'm being picky but if you are going to be a play by play you should know where the game is being player and and 50 or so players on the ice.
- belcherbd

I thought the play by play was awful last night. Decent game, sh!tty announcing.

The color analyst Mike Johnston got pretty excited by Henrik's OT goal.
- we_are_all_canucks

I couldn't believe how hoard Mike Johnson was sucking *up to* J.Tortarella. "He's won a Stanley Cup, of course he's a great coach"...

Good start, against pretty weak competition.

What was with McGratton? He came out of the tunnel like he won the WWE title.

Then the flinch move he did on Stanton at the end of the 2nd was pretty childish.
- moondawg

Loved how Stanton wasn't even fazed by it