Viewpoint

Scratch Pahlsson, Penner, Nidermayer/Pronger and Beauchemin from the Ducks and have them play twice as many games as they have so far and lets see if this series is still 3-1 Ducks. On paper the series isnt even close. The Ducks should sweep with a 4-1 score every time. The Canucks have more heart and drive than any other team so far in the playoffs, plus the world's best goalie. The Canucks have achieved far far more than anyone would have predicted in October. It is the beginning of a big run and they will challenge for the Cup next year. Be proud, boys - you had a huge season - nothin to be ashamed of........

Scratch Pahlsson, Penner, Nidermayer/Pronger and Beauchemin from the Ducks and have them play twice as many games as they have so far and lets see if this series is still 3-1 Ducks. On paper the series isnt even close. The Ducks should sweep with a 4-1 score every time. The Canucks have more heart and drive than any other team so far in the playoffs, plus the world's best goalie. The Canucks have achieved far far more than anyone would have predicted in October. It is the beginning of a big run and they will challenge for the Cup next year. Be proud, boys - you had a huge season - nothin to be ashamed of........

Pretty quiet on the west coast this morning. The Ducks depth is too much for the Canucks. Having a two-line team doesn't win you the Cup. Soft players don't win you the cup.

The Sedins (Soft and Softer) are like accordions when the game gets physical. Great goalie, half descent defense, but a group of forwards that struggle to score goals (18 goals in 10 games). This is one Canadian team that will not hoist the cup this year.

Too bad for the canuckleheads this year, the cup will be south of the border in Buffalo or Anaheim.

ottawa is looking really good , i think if they get past New Jersey they will play in the final against Vancouver .

all true canuck fans hate Toronto, but blame the CBC for that. I actually lost interest in hockey during the regular season in the 80+'s because coast to coast every sat night was Toronto vrs whoever, and they were lousy, meanwhile we have Greztky and co lighting it up out west. I think that ever since Darryl Sittler retired, the Leafs have had the worst record of any Canadian team in the league, yet the team literally owns the CBC, and for a man who pays his taxes to support the CBC, that will never cut it. Canucks can beat Anaheim, but no one back east knows who the canucks are to realize how much potential this team has. Put Salo and Bieksa back on the ice and I will show you the cup.

I seem to read and hear all over the place that the Canucks are "lucky" to win games, and that it is only the goalie keeping them in the playoffs. Hmmm. Funny how that only becomes an issue with the non-Canucks fans. How many other teams have been carried part or all the way through the play offs by one player, or have "lucked" their way to the Cup? While it would be nice to get the "scorers" scoring again, it has been a pleasure watching the team play like a team.

The best thing in the world is to watch the rest of the team contribute to scoring. And if luck is what is going to keep the Canucks in to the end, then so be it. After all, what is more of a good luck charm than putting Trevor Linden on the ice in the final period of any game 7?

The Vancouver Canucks don't need the rest of Canada to jump on the "Canadian" band wagon in support. They have the support of their everyday fans. We fans may get mad at the team at times, but like any family, we are still loyal...

I as anyone agree that the key guys have to step up and gain back a little self-respect, not to mention confidence. Not just with themselves, but also with each other. In saying that, they ought to shed those lead weights that are around their ankles and "bust a move",because once they start skating with more passion,you'll see the true cup contenders they really are. There is alot of talent there,(other than the gate keeper), ready to be unleashed. Canucks, you got it, go get it!!

A Canucks fan here. My most hated teams are: (1) Toronto, followed so closely by Calgary that it must be considered a tie. (2) Edmonton, but that has lessened temporarily because they sucked so bad once Smyth left. But Edmonton has one enough Stanley Cups for my lifetime. Ottawa and Montreal are teams I don't mind cheering for. I am too young to remember Montreal as a dominant force and Ottawa is Toronto's whipping boy; gotta cheer for them. What the difference is a playoff series. If you lost to a team in the playoffs, you should hate them for a while.

So I agree that no self-respecting hockey fan would cheer for a team they hate after their favourite team should lose.

But, despite what is says below, I am from Vancouver and love the Jays not the Mariners (who are back to their traditional sucking). But I do cheer for the Seahawks. I would be torn over a Raps/Suns final.

The point is we Canucks fans don't need or expect the support of other Canadians. Fair is fair.

I hope everyone got to see Game 2 - now you know the Canucks are FOR REAL. We may struggle to score goals at times but there is not a more succesful team in the league when it comes to playing close games. Go Canucks Go!

I agree with real hockey fans who contend that we have no obligation to cheer for other Cdn teams (after our own team, for instance Cowgary) has exited. I extend that to other TV cable networks that seem to think that all of us in B.C. should also be BluJay fans. Most baseball fans I know here follow the Seattle Mariners. The border has nothing to do with sports loyalties. Extend it to basketball. Were the Raptors (from Canada) to meet the Phoenix Suns in the NBA final, yes, I would be pulling for PHX.

Well to start this off. The greatest fans in the N.H.L. is and always will be (quote) Winnipeg has the greatest fans in the N.H.L. -Don Cherry

Born with, lived through, and will be buried in my Jets jersey.

Now the canucks may steal 1 game out of the series, Anaheim will win the cup. End of story.( they have the most canadian born players playing in the playoffs) The canucks however if they do upset the ducks, will be heavily favoured to win the West guarnteed. The mountain is high, and so are their fans, but realistically this will be a learning experience for their team. The reason why the Sedins are not producing, is plain and simple. (their not playing playoff hockey). The Sedins are constantly thrown off the puck, they don't finish off checks, and are playing reg. season style of hockey. They need to change up their style of play. Play with fury and emotion for the true prize, rather than being content with what they are. The canucks need Cooke back to ignite the cylinders and get em goin. Those two pieces of the puzzle, I.M.O. are what the Canucks need to do to roast the ducks.

As for the summer, Nonis get something for Naslund while you can. We NEED a Big C Man up front. Develop Luc Bourdon....pick up hometown proud Ryan Parent....

As an oilers fan, I am torn between cheering for the team that might demolish Vancouver, and the one that doesn't have Chris Pronger ;)

Scott - A nice column and a good reminder to never say die, but since you picked the Ducks in six, I'm forced to take your words with a grain of salt.

I personally fear that the "bring the cup to Canada" bandwagon better hitch itself to Ottawa's sled, and that right soon.

JUST IMAGINE...but it could also happen. The Ottawa Senators versus the Vancouver Canucks for the all Canadian team Stanley Cup finals. As far as I remembered, the last time we had something like that, was of course, the Calgary Flames versus the Montreal Canadiens. A Senators-Canucks finals would be an exciting series, Ray Emery and Roberto Luongo are one of the top young talented goaltenders out there. A series filled with so much skilled players, Alfredsson, Heatley, Spezza, Naslund, Morrison, and the Sedin twins. If it happens, it would be the Senators in SIX. Sorry TORONTO!!! feel like jumping to the other ship.

Canucks Fan, I wonder if it was Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs and not Canucks. I bet you would just be loving the Canadiens, huh. By the way, I think the Canucks will meet the Red Wings in the next round.....on the golf course. Sharks and Duck for western semi and Sabres and Senators for eastern semi. Believe IT!!!

We've got to keep the faith and support
the Canucks.
As far Selanne's success goes, I think the
Canucks should call for a stick measurement
on him. After all didn't he play with an
illegal stick last year and wasn't he caught
playing with one again this year? In fact, everytime he scores, it makes me wonder...did he do it legally?
If the Canucks try this when they have a power play and he gets caught they get a 5 on 3. The worse that can happen is the Canucks get a minor if he's not caught and it's a 4 on 4.
It won't do a lot for his moral if the Canuck fans call him a cheater every time he touches the puck? It might just throw him off his game! Go Canucks go!

I root for all of the Canadian teams. (I am not a die-hard Leaf fan, I'm a realist :-) ) The last two years I have been rooting for Edmonton and Calgary. This year I am hoping for an Ottawa and Vancouver matchup. They have both had excellent records since Christmas and I think they both have an excellent chance.

It will be tough for Vancouver in Anaheim. I am looking for a comeback in Vancouver. I think they have some adjustments to make and some injuries to wait for. Tonight is probably a write-off, I think they should work on their game and discipline and work on hitting the Ducks. They only need to win one in Anaheim, remember and I think the Canucks have the best fans in the business. They should be able to hold their home games.

Ottawa has just looked awesome and I hope it continues. I think Brodeur is tired. But Buffalo has looked awesome too.

i would love nthing more that to see the Canucks win the cup( i am a leafs fan BTW) but the fact of the matter is Anahiem has far to much depth, Vancouver will take 2 games at best if Bobby Lou dosent loose his confidence.
thats all i have to say about that

You can always tell who the Spring Fans are, they start saying "I just want a Canadian team to win." People who sit and watch their team play 82 games care more about the rivalries than borders. No self respecting Flames fan would roll over and say "We're out? Oh okay go Canucks then," after watching 8 intense battles against Vancouver through the season.

Ok, first of all lets get the correct numbers out in the air. A Vancouver team has won the Stanley Cup 1 time. A Montreal team has won the cup 40 times, 24 for Les Canadians. A Toronto team has won the cup 14 times, 11 as the Leafs and 13 for the Leafs franchise. A Ottawa team has won the cup 10 times, all the Senators older franchise, so Ed it wasn't a few, it was quite a few, in fact double the Oilers total output. A Winnipeg team has won the cup 3 times. A Kenora team has won the cup 1 time. A Quebec team has won the cup 2 times. An Edmonton team has won the cup 5 times. A Calgary team has won the cup 1 time. Hope i didn't miss any but my memory is usually pretty solid. And about all this team bashing stuff. We should all have the right to cheer for whoever we wish to cheer for and not be disrespected for it. Even though I am a Canucks/Canadians fan doesn't mean I am disrespectful to other teams fans. So Canucks fan, please don't put down other teams that are already eliminated.
Have a nice day.
Riley

This notion that we should just drop our alliances and cheer for a hated rival is bunk. Why would we spend all year hating divisional rivals, but then simply decide at the drop of a hat to start cheering for them. Most teams are led by Canadians anyway - so in effect, when you cheer against them you are cheering against Canadians. Think about it.

To me it seems inconsequential if a city had a previous hockey team that won a cup back when horses were used to pull a zamboni. What matters to me is wether the city has had teams that fought with every fiber of there being to be a champion. My father who taught me hockey was a leaf fan, I however became a Vancouver fan after there loss to NYI in the finals. To my total delight they went on to challenge for Lord Stanleys Cup yet again in 94 and to me that was the best hockey I had ever seen. Pat Quinn with his run and gun offense, players with heart Capt Trevor Linden, Cliff Ronning, Kirk McLean Sergio Momesso it goes on and on. Seeing game 7 downtown Vancouver was a dream come true, the riots weren't but being part of a dream by being a fan. I will always be a Vancouver fan, not beacuse I lived there but beacuse the teams that I watched in those Vancouver jerseys play for me they had me from hello!!!

Why can't we all cheer for the canadian teams that are still in the playoff race? Must canadian be so negative toward each other? How about bringing the CUP back to C.A.N.A.D.A! More cheering and less hating you canadians.

Ed, Ed, Ed... don't be bitter because your Leafs are on the links. And that comment about even Ottawa having a Stanley Cup banner in a previous incarnation--have you not heard of the Vancouver Millionaires, who won the cup before your grandpa was born? Go, 'Nucks Go!

listen guys we only lost game 1 because we only had 1 day rest. Anaheim had 6 days and we are missing salo,bieska. Wait till they ocme back fro game 2 and then it will be a closer game. Acuturaly they will win game 2 with them back. Anyways canucks will take the series in 6-7 but for sure they will win belive. Canucks are the best canucks will win the cup. GO CANUCKS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ALL THE WAY TO THE CUP

I have been a Canuck fan forever and know all the bad times but also recall some good times in 1981 and 1994. What I see this year is a strong young team with outstanding goaltending. The missing ingrediant is leadership from our captain and an expected few that should rise to the challenge. Anaheim is one powerhouse team and cannot be beat with just solid defence and goaltending, we need grit and goals. go lou go.

Uh, Ed? When did the Senators win the Stanley Cup? And your suggestion that the Canucks deserve no respect because they haven't won the Cup is rather spurious logic. The Leafs haven't done it since '67. The Flames since 1989. The Oilers did it in 1990. And the Habs are the last Cup-winning Canadian team. In 1993. In other words, it's been a long, long time since any Canadian team's won anything. The Leafs haven't made the finals since they won in '67. The Sens have never made it. The Habs last did it in 1993, when they won. The Canucks lost in 1994. And, of course, the Flames lost in '04 and the Oilers last year. It seems to me that the Canadian teams are losers, really (and I am a Habs' fan, I might add). So your logic, dude, just ain't fit.

Ed:

Vancouver has a cup from previous incarnation - maybe do some research before spouting off factually incorrect info.

Again - sorry that the Alberta teams are an embarrassment this year - not the Canucks fault though. If you wanna talk about luck, maybe spend some time talking about how Calgary was lucky to even be in the playoffs - and how Edmonton was lucky people even followed them at all after x-mas.

Get over it - accept the fact that the Canucks are superior this year.

Bill from Vancouver,
Until your canucks actually win something, I don't see a point in giving them anything by way of what you call respect. The fact is they were lucky to get out of Dallas since your team can't find any consistant scoring and your team is no different from last year...just better goaltending. Canuck fans have a history of inferiority complex seeing as they are the only Canadian team without a Stanley Cup banner in their building. Even Ottawa has a few from a previous incarnation. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

As a Canucks fan, I am not worried. I was expecting them to lose game 1, given the fact that they had no rest after eliminating Dallas. Though I am not sure if they can beat Anaheim, I am quite confident that my team can give the Ducks all that they can handle. Go Canucks Go!

Weekend with Jim?...to answer Harry's trivia question from the Canucks game last night re Norris trophy defencemen on the same team in the playoffs? Chelios / Lidstrom...where we going Jim?

I am sick of all these bitter Alberta fans telling us that the Canucks were 'lucky' to have beat Dallas. They were not lucky. They won 4 games out of 7 - that is not luck. 1 game, sure I could see that, but 4 in a 7 game series, cmon. Stop being so bitter that the Canucks outclassed your lowly embarassing teams this year - and pay them their dues. Worry about your own team a little more and respect the superior teams.

As an Oiler fan, I have a general dislike for the Canucks and their fans. Having said that, I will give them kudos for beating Dallas, although as was mentioned earlier, they were lucky to win that series. Watching this one, however, is akin to watching an 8th grader beat up a pre-schooler. The canucks have no chance in this one and will lose 4 straight. Nucks fans better get used to more disappointments. They'll be joining 4 other Canadian teams on the links...yes...including my Oilers.

I am a huge fan of the Canucks and desperately want them to win! However, I am also a realist; without Bieks,Salo,Cooke etc. they will be hard pressed to beat a powerhouse like Anaheim. Go 'nucks Go!

In regards to Harry comments during the Vancouver & Anaheim game last night. Harry mention that both Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer were Norris trophies winners and he didn't think there was another team that had two Norris trophies winners. I can think of least three teams in recent history who had two Norris trophies winners on the same team. They are;

Detroit
Chris Chelios & Nicklas Lidstrom

Colorado
Rob Blake & Ray Bourque

St. Louis
Chris Pronger & Al MacInnis

Now how about that prize a free stay in Vancouver as Harry mention last night?

Mark Dubeau

It's not over until ut's over,eh!!Canucks in 6!!!Whoopee

I agree with Scott's assessment. However, I think the trough is much deeper to climb out of without the backbone players like Bieksa, Salo, Cooke etc. Essentially the Canucks are without depth on the backend and with the powerful offense of the ducks this could spell a short and much maligned series. This is oh so regrettable but inevitable

No disrespect to the Canucks, but they were lucky to beat Dallas. They were shut out three times in that series. The Ducks are a step above the Stars. Hats off to them for defeating the stars, actually hats off to Luongo.

The ducks are one of, if not, the deepest teams in the NHL. If they are not successful in defeating the ducks, they can still hang their heads high, nobody anticipated such a great year from them.

Vancouver sports 'scribes,radio commentators and T.V."experts" must have the most broken arms,legs and pencils from jumping on and off the Canuck Bandwagon than any other major city in North America.They are like the bird that flys in ever smaller circles and ends up you know where!!!