It's over. The Canucks brilliant run this season came to an abrupt end in the 2nd overtime of game 5 against the Anaheim Ducks (who are no longer mighty, but, oh, do they play like it).
Bob McKenzie over at TSN, says it best...
At the beginning of this season nobody expected the Canucks to even make the playoffs, never mind win their division and play 12 playoff games. Even the 12 playoff games (seven against Dallas, five against Anaheim) is a misnomer, because they played over 146 minutes of overtime.
For those of you at home...that is an extra 2+ games in overtime. Game 1 against Dallas was essentially 2 games, having gone 4 OT's.
Although I didn't see game 5, I listened to it. If it was anything like game 4, the Canucks simply ran out of gas...thats what it sounded like. There is only so much a great goalie can do for you...you have to score goals. Nine points between your two best players, is just not going to do it.
I had posted this comment about Markus Naslund on Canucks and Beyond during game three:
I get the feeling, though, that if it means laying out in front of Pronger’s slapshot with 5 seconds remaining in a one goal game and Naslund is the only thing between the puck and the goal...I believe Nazzy will lay out and take the shot. I don’t think I could have said that 3 years ago.
On my way to the office, when the game was winding down, I was furiously refreshing my mobile phone on the Canucks website to catch the play by play blog...and then I saw this entry:
Naslund blocks a Pronger shot in the final 15 seconds.
It wasn't enough. Naslund and Luongo both showed up tonight...the rest of the team seemed to have their tee-times already set for the weekend.
I predicted this team would tank...the coaching choice was terrible...and Vancouver fans would have a tough time adjusting to New Jersey West. Well, the coaching choice was pretty damn good...that's why I am not in HR in the NHL (but, I'd still take Linden in a heartbeat as my coach). The team didn't tank...it sure helps when you have the best goalie in the world on your team. And, the Canucks didn't really play a New Jersey style...they created their own...that was only boring, because they didn't have anyone to put the puck in the net.
Note to Dave Nonis: Pick up someone with a shot and can actually lift the puck off the ice.
I really hope this playoff exit leaves as bad a taste in the mouths of the players as it does the fans. I'm not angry or bitter, just disappointed. They had a shot this year. They had the tools to get it done, they just had to work harder than the other team. They didn't do that these last two games...and that is a shame.
Too bad about the Canucks!! I guess I'll go back to pulling for Detroit (Wendy's Home town) and whoever happens to be playing the Sabres. Those Buffalo fans were awful to the Canes last year! Go Rangers!
Posted by: Phil Smith | May 04, 2007 at 03:55 AM
Oh, good Lord, please, not the Wings. If your wife is from Detroit...cheer for the Senators...that is close by! Not the Wings...ANYTHING but that (well, next to the Devils, that is). Yzerman doesn't play for them anymore, so there is no need to be sentimental.
I picked the Sabres to win it all, but the are struggling against the Rangers. I like what I have seen in the Ducks...they have the hot goalie right now. Frankly, I think the Cup is wide open right now with a bevvy of good teams vying for the Cup.
Posted by: GZ Expat | May 04, 2007 at 04:32 AM
Should they really have run out of gas though? It was only half-way through the 2nd round.
The outcome would have been a lot different had the Sedins not been sic, or lazy, or whatever. We lacked scoring and they didn't help the matter.
Oh well...I'm over it now. I'm actually proud of that group anyway.
Posted by: Zanstorm | May 06, 2007 at 11:45 AM