Canucks & Beyond
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Canucks Retire All Their Fans; Oilers are Confused Into Submission
by Alanah McGinley on 10/26/08 at 06:07 AM ET
Comments (13)
More about the big win momentarily. First up, the fuss about the number 7 this past week was finally sorted out Saturday night:
The Vancouver Canucks are pleased to announce the launch of the “7th Canuck” initiative to celebrate the passion of Canucks fans and their role in supporting the team over the years. Prior to each home game, one individual will act as an ambassador of Canucks fans and unveil the “7th Canuck” banner to symbolize the home-ice advantage Canucks fans provide to the team.
A great idea and a nice gesture—but there was still a bit of confusion out there.
Upon seeing the end of the ceremony which dropped the banner above from the roof, a commenter on Lowetide’s game post remarked:*
Is it just me, or [did] Vancouver just retire their fans?
Made me laugh. And can you blame the guy for wondering?! It had that kind of atmosphere. 
Here’s the video for anyone who missed the pre-game events. And in all seriousness, I think it was a rather nice idea by the Canucks.
Anyway, a few stray thoughts post-game:
- Edmonton is the new Colorado. Where I once hated the Avalanche with a passion known only to kittens facing down hungry rottweilers, I’ve transferred much of that bile towards the Oilers. (Strange how those are always the best games to watch, too; the ones with the hate.)
- Scott Oake on CBC after the 1st period was speaking with Mason Raymond and kept calling him “Macy.” And he did that four times on the air, never once addressing him by his actual name. Wtf was that about? I can’t be the only person who found that weird.
- Stating the Obvious: Burrows/Kesler/Hansen/Krog all good stories.
- Stating the Worrisome: Not a great night for Steve Bernier.
- Stating the Most Unpopular Thing I’m Liable to Ever Say in My Life: I like Kyle Wellwood and hope the Canucks can keep him clicking.
- A Canucks fan was thrown out of the game in the 3rd period, causing a delay in play. Anyone know what that was about? No stink bombs were thrown and I’m curious what else could hold up a hockey game from the stands.
Scoring four on the powerplay proved that the hard work paid off. Well, that and the fact that home is where the Canuck heart is—both being in GM Place, as well as playing a more familiar team.
The Canucks may not be tearing up the NHL yet, but 3-for-3 against the NW division so far this season is a reassuring stat.
Not to mention, beating the Oilers is just plain fun.
___________________
*hat-tip to the Yankee Canuck
Filed in: vancouver canucks | Canucks and Beyond | Permalink
Tags: 7th+canuck, alex+burrows, jannik+hansen, jason+krog, kyle+wellwood, ryan+kesler,
Comments
The “Macy” thing was annoying, but so was Hughson called Nilsson “Robbie” all night, and Vishnovsky “Loobie”.
Once again, the third line was really the best line for the Canucks.
I was pretty disappointed with Daniel Sedin’s play. He had a couple chances, but he made quite a few weak passes/dump in attempts that led to turn overs. Henrik didn’t do much either (although at least he didn’t take any offensive zone hooking penalties for once).
Posted by Shabbadoo on 10/26/08 at 10:17 AM ET
How can anyone be against a guy who consistently puts up numbers? I hope Wellwood sticks around, too. A good game against Boston will go a long way.
Posted by Temujin on 10/26/08 at 12:09 PM ET
That sure was a fun game to watch, even with those two quick goals the Oilers scored to tie things up. I was in the middle of an explanation to my seven-year-old why a two-goal cushion didn’t mean the leading team was going to win the game. Sigh.
I can’t hate the Oilers. They’ve been too much fun to watch, and honestly, I think the quality of the Oiler blogs has turned me into a fan...or at least someone who pays more attention to them and doesn’t hate them.
Posted by Jeremy from Summerland on 10/26/08 at 12:23 PM ET
Good game, fun to watch.
Re: the fan who was tossed in the third period - on the radio they were saying that someone threw something (my impression was they were talking about beer) onto the Oilers bench. I don’t know what kind of a-hole throws something onto the opposition’s bench but good riddance for getting rid of him.
Posted by Canuckfan on 10/26/08 at 12:47 PM ET
GZ Expat -- I don’t feel like they were doing all that to get the fans roused up. To me, it seemed more like just embracing a gesture to include fans as part of the team a bit more. Every home game some random fan being part of the pre-game events seems kind of cool to me. Although I’ll admit, I’m not sure I understand the rationale behind dropping the “7” banner every single game… (assuming that’s what they’ll be doing).
Shabbadoo -- I figure the way to look at the Sedins is that they’re pretty consistent over the season. If they take a game or two off, it’s no big deal. But when your checking lines are playing this well, you can’t count on that lasting forever so you sure better enjoy it while it’s happening.
Temujin -- Glad to know there’s some Wellwood support around!
Jeremy -- They’ve turned you into a fan of the Oilers? Good God, man—don’t say that out loud! Seriously, my statement of hockey hatred is a compliment, in its own way. Those games are definitely fun to watch.
The two-goal-cushion-that-isn’t-a-cushion is always worrisome. Although it’s a bit less stressful than it was back in the old days, I think.
Canuckfan -- Thanks for the explanation. And I agree: any fan stupid enough to waste a beer by dumping it on an opponent’s head deserves to get tossed for a multitude of reasons.
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 10/26/08 at 01:31 PM ET
Alanah, at least you are against the right province now. Calgary is the ultimate enemy however. Coilers come a close second, but flamers must be doused.
Besides, everyone knows that Alberta is full of people who couldn’t make it in BC.
Posted by Laker from Loops on 10/26/08 at 02:18 PM ET
Well, perhaps fan is a strong word, but if you read the blogs enough you get sucked into the scene, I think. Obviously the real problem is that I spend too much time online. Here’s a better illustration: it used to be that in a Battle of Alberta , I’d only care about the outcome depending on how it affected the Canucks in the standings, but now I just prefer seeing the Flames lose no matter how it affects the standings.
And good point about the Sedins—I think they’ll be fine. They still look a bit off, but they’ll hit their stride(s) together and each put up 60-80 points. If the second line can pitch in some more and the third line keeps their momentum, we might not be complaining about offense as much as last year.
Posted by Jeremy from Summerland on 10/26/08 at 04:20 PM ET
any fan stupid enough to waste a beer by dumping it on an opponent’s head deserves to get tossed for a multitude of reasons.
I dunno, I quite enjoyed watching an Oilers fan dump a beer on a Flames coach’s head a few years back. (Was it Pierre Page? It was at least ten years ago.)
Oh, for the days when there weren’t so many suits in the lower bowl.
Posted by Doogie2K from Calgary on 10/26/08 at 05:51 PM ET
Cliff ronning’s # was retired??
yah
Posted by zeke from hell on 10/26/08 at 09:45 PM ET
The whole 7th man thing was/is a nice gesture but I think the delivery missed the mark a wee bit. I had to explain it to three different people who sit around me.
I’m beginning to hate when the Oilers come to town. The a$$hats in the orange jumpsuits in the stands just annoy the crap out of me. But doubling up on the oil and watching their sad little painted faces made my night!
I don’t give a rats a$$ who the canucks put on the freakin’ ice every night as long as they score and get the win. That being said, the twins are only “mildly dangerous” these days. They seem to be gripping those sticks a little tight and overthinking the plays. Maybe a good chat with Ryan Walter would do them some good:).
Posted by Trini from VanC on 10/27/08 at 11:18 AM ET
Are you guys sure it was a beer? Maybe he was blogging. 
Posted by HockeyinHD on 10/27/08 at 01:00 PM ET
Re:Besides, everyone knows that Alberta is full of people who couldn’t make it in BC.
Shouldn’t that read Alberta is full of people who know how it feels to WIN A STANLEY CUP, or what it’s like to be in the Stanley Cup final in the new millenium.
Just an observation
Posted by Martin from Victoria, BC on 10/27/08 at 05:53 PM ET
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About Canucks & Beyond
Alanah McGinley has been blogging hockey since 2003, sharing opinions, rants and not-so-deep thoughts with anyone who will listen. In addition to writing Canucks & Beyond and helping manage Kukla’s Korner, Alanah is one of the founders and co-hosts of The Crazy Canucks Podcast, as featured at Canucks.com.
She has contributed pieces to FoxSports.com and the New York Times Slapshot blog, as well as other stray destinations in cyberspace.
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The silence in the arena told the story...WTF was that all about? Call me a pessimist...call me out of touch cuz I live half a world away...but it was insulting. Insulting in the fact that they shouldn’t have to spend time and money to get the fans roused up. Vancouver isn’t Nashville, Tampa or Atlanta, where they have to beg fans to come to the games and beg them to understand whats going on.
Posted by GZ Expat on 10/26/08 at 07:09 AM ET