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Fantasy Friday has magically transformed to Male Monday for this edition and I am pleased to talk about the one and only (a personal favourite) Roberto Luongo!

1/12/2015

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Hello Hockey Fans! Last Thursday in Vancouver it was a special night to say the least, especially for Vancouver Canuck fans. Roberto Lunogo was back in town after being traded last year to the Florida Panthers. Like most trades in the NHL, it happened quickly, over night, Lou was no longer a Canuck. Fans didn't get the good bye they wanted so in true fan fashion when Lou returned you knew it was going to be his night. 

It started off like any other game; warm up skate, puck drop, cheering, but Louuuuuuuuus could be heard all over the rink. Every time Luongo touched the puck and made a save in his Florida Panthers jersey the crowd "Luuu'd" even louder. 
Que the TV time out seven minutes into the 1st period and the jumbo tron filled with images of Lunogo and his time here in Vancouver. The crowd rose to their feet and a 'thunderous' as some described it, cheer filled the arena. Luongo did what any true sportsman would do….. put his hand to his heart, looked up to the crowd and with tears in his eyes said thank you. Athlete to fan, it was a great moment. I know Luongo's time here in Vancouver was filled with ups and downs but at the end of the day he is one of, if not the best goaltender to man the pipes for Vancouver. I have always been Team Luo and will continue to be. Now lets look at the facts:
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Lunogo making one of a bizillion saves while goaltending in Vancouver.
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Celebrating his 1st of two Olympic Gold medals here in Vancouver in 2010
Luongo joined the the Canucks in 2006 after being traded by the Florida Panthers. 
Originally drafted by the New York Islanders in 1997, Luo went in the 1st round, 4th overall.
During his time in Vancouver, Luongo lead his team to victory 252 times, lost 137 (but who pays attention to that) and picked up points in 50 overtime loses. His save percentage was .919 meaning he stopped more then 91 out of 100 pucks that came his way.

While donning the blue, green and white, Lunogo helped his team win back to back President's Trophies in 2011 and 2012. The President's Trophy is handed out annually to the team that collects the most points. In 2011 the team finished with 117 points and in 2012 it was 111. Luongo also played a big part in the Canucks Stanley Cup run in 2011. It was the 3rd time in franchise history the team made it to the last round. It was sad to lose to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 and Lou says that is the only things he regrets about his time in Vancouver. Not being able to bring a cup to the fans. During his 8 years here, Lou also won not one but two Olympic Gold medals. Here in Vancouver in 2010 and Sochi Russia in 2014. Ironic upon his return to Van City Luongo would play against 2010 Team USA's goalie Ryan Miller. Miller was awarded MVP of the tournament but Lou skated away with the gold medal. Same building, same city, same goalies….awkward. The NHL can be a small world. 

Now for the juicy facts: Roberto stands 6'3", weights 217 pounds, shoots left, is 35 years old and was born in Montreal, Quebec. Il magnifique! Brown eyes, curly brown hair, a great great smile and a lover of poker, Lou would be fun at any party especially every charity event the Canucks have ever attended.
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With Anaheim Duck captain but Team Canada teammate Ryan Getzlaf.
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Winning Gold on Canadian soil I can only image is a pretty surreal moment. As a proud Canadian and big hockey fan it was a great moment for me!
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My favourite hockey mask of all time. Lou's vintage inspired mask he wore for a few seasons.
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Daddio Lou and his daughter at the Canucks Super Skills a few years back. #Cute
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After the lockout ended, as players returned to town they organized practice out at UBC. There is a daycare down the street from the rink and the children would walk over and watch practice in the morning. Luongo always stopped to talk to the young hockey fans.
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No words except: Model Lou
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The Lou/Schneider tandem that didn't last long enough will go down in history as one of the best moments in time for the franchise.
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Canada wins Gold, Russia takes home silver and Slovakia wins bronze for the 2nd time in amazing fashion! The World Juniors are over but man oh man it was a great tournament!

1/7/2015

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Hello Hockey Fans! Happy New Year! In classic World Junior fashion, this year's tournament can be summed up in one word: AMAZING! I have been watching this tournament for 4 years now and every year I find myself more and more excited as Boxing Day here in Canada approaches. For the month of December on radio stations and news channels, talk of camp, which countries are in, and the pools is a hot topic at any breakfast diner, sports bar or even at the library.

I personally enjoy the games for the sheer talent and passion these young players have. It's a very exciting time in their budding hockey careers. Some players have been drafted to the NHL, while others are still waiting to hit 18 years old(or 17 if born at certain times of the year). Teams like Canada, Russia and the USA are stacked knee deep with young NHL talent, while other countries such as Slovakia and Denmark who aren't as deep with NHL prospects are still able to give the top teams a run for their money.

This years tournament saw 10 countries competing. Group A consisted of Canada, USA, Slovakia, Finland and Germany. Group B saw Sweden, Czech Republic, Russia, Denmark and Switzerland battle it out. After five days of the preliminary round (or round robin) it was down to the quarter finals, followed by the semifinals which led to a bronze medal game between Sweden and Slovakia and the nail biting gold medal game between longtime arch rivals Russia and Canada.

The puck dropped late in the afternoon for Sweden and Slovakia. Sweden was favored to win, but following traditional World Junior fashion this fairytale had a bit of a twist. It was tied 2-2 at the end of the 1st period, followed by a scoreless 2nd period which led the way for a dramatic finish! The Slovaks were able to find their glass slipper to complete the Cinderella upset and take the bronze! This was the 2nd time Slovakia has taken a medal at the tournament after they won their 1st bronze in 1999 also against Sweden! I am sure it was a very exciting time for the country. For the 1st time ever the game was broadcast on national TV in Slovakia.

The world juniors officially began in 1977 with Slovakia joining the rush in 1998-1999. That year the tournament was held in Winnipeg, Canada. The Slovaks arrived in the great white north with mismatching gear and literally the only common thread joining the team was their excitement for being part of the World Juniors. It didn't take long for the people of Winnipeg to fall in love with the them and they actually went out and bought the team matching gear! It seems only fitting the Slovaks win bronze again on Canadian soil.
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Team Canada Family Photo! Players, coaches and staff celebrate their WIN!
Shortly after the Slovak skated off the ice, bronze medals around their necks, the Air Canada Centre in Toronto filled with 19,014 fans for puck drop between Canada and Russia. Little fun fact about this game: to keep it even, no referee or linesmen was Russian or Canadian. There were Swedish and Swiss refs and Swedish and Czech linesmen.

It only took 23 seconds for Canada's Anthony Duclair to score in the first period and make it 1-0. Just over two minutes later Nick Paul scored to make it 2-0. Half way through the period, Russia's Dmitir Yudin scored to get Russia within one. The 2nd period saw 6 goals scored while each team scored a natural hat trick shall we say. Canada scored 3 goals in a row: Connor McDavid scored at 5:08, Max Domi scored at 7:22 and Sam Reinhart scored at 12:20. Three goals in 7 minutes and Canada up 5-1. Leave to the Russians to blow up on the power play…….Ivan Barbashev scored for Russia at 14:21, Sergei Tolchinski scored 33 seconds later to make it 5-3, followed by Nikolai Goldobin's goal at 17:37. Three goals in 3 minutes meant Russia was only down by one goal to end the 2nd period.

It was a nailbiter of a 3rd for any Russian or Canadian hockey fan. You could say Russian netminders Igor Shestyorkin and Ilya Sorokin along with Canadian netminder Zach Fucale kept their teams in the game. In short there was no tying goal, no insurance goal, only the game winning goal scored by none other than North Vancouver's Sam Reinhart ! . I can't think of a better way to win the game. Congrats Team Canada! Once again you have done your country proud!
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