For a game that Vancouver managed to actually win, we expended a surprising amount of profanity around my house last night. Particularly for the first half of the game, and for a variety of reasons:
(1) Watching players repeatedly pass and not shoot is frustrating. It makes me want to break sh!t.
(2) When coach Alain Vigneault thinks changing the lineups yet again is a good idea, I get mildly annoyed. But when I see lines hit the ice like “Naslund Kesler Bulis” and (early on) “Green Morrison Linden”, I want to break more sh#t.
(3) When PPV/Team 1040 color commentator Tommy Larscheid says things like “Bingo! Bango! Bongo! Luongo!” I finally do start breaking shit. (I mean, what the hell, Tommy? I used to think you were one of the good guys.)
On the other hand, things did find a way to work out. Some high points:
(1) Vancouver beat Calgary in their own building, ending their home-game winning streak. Battle of Alberta had picked the Flames to win 4-0, which in the end gives me a warm feeling inside. (Have to enjoy a spiteful moment on occasion. Sorry.)
(2) Vancouver scored three goals. Whoo! As Canucks’ fans well-know by now, anything over 1 goal is a bonus; more than 2 goals, and I’m already on my way to church, making donations.
(3) Trevor Linden scored a goal. His parents were at the game and it was Linden’s 3rd goal in the last 5 games. It was a special moment for everyone, no?
(4) Whether or not you think Taylor Pyatt could be exchanged with a cardboard cutout and the Sedins would still score, I actually do like watching them play together. That D.Sedin goal in the 3rd featured a sweet passing play, and Pyatt deserves some credit there.
(5) Alexander Burrows may never score a goal again. I’m sure it’s frustrating for the guy (as he told me himself back on December 4th) but personally, I’m starting to find it amusing.
No matter what happens, no matter how unpredictable a game may be, you can always count on one thing to never, ever change: if Burrows scores a goal, it will ALWAYS be overturned on video review.