The Canucks beat the Ducks last night at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Last time these 2 teams met up in Anaheim, it was a scoreless game after the 1st period, 4-0 Ducks after the 2nd and the final was 4-3. Cory Schneider got the start. Schneider often gets at least one start in back to back games for Vancouver. It probably surprised nobody. Luongo has been on fire lately but Luongo will be in net in Los Angeles on New Years Eve.
Henrik Sedin, assisted by Alex Burrows start of the 1st, Canucks are in the lead 1-0. Keep in mind Vancouver is about 17-1 or so when scoring the 1st goal (17 wins-1 lose). Cutie Cody Hodgson scored his 8th goal of the year to make the score 2-0 end of the 1st. Lightning fast Mason Raymond scored the 3rd goal for Vancouver, and a few minutes later Daniel Sedin scored the 4th goal and the 16th goal of the season for him. The Sedins collected 5 points total during this game. In the 3rd Cutie Duck Bobby Ryan snuck one past Cory Schneider 4-1 Canucks. Anaheim got one more by Nick Bonino, but Daniel Sedin sealed the deal with his 2nd goal of the night, his 17th this season and 5th that night for the Canucks. Final score 5-2.
On to the World Juniors. Canada beat Denmark. Canada remains undefeated at the the WJC. Canada has played 3 games so far. Russia also has 3 wins. Russia won the WJC last year, defeating Canada 5-3. Russia may be a force again this year, they beat Latvia yesterday 14-0! Back to Canada, again Mark Stone scored, twice actually. Canada's Brandon Gormley also scored twice. Mark Visentin was back in net for Canada. He stopped 24 of 26 shots. This was his 2nd win. Watch Canada play the USA New Years Eve, a game not to be missed!
For the 1st time since hiring Darryl Sutter as head coach the Kings lost. 1-0 to Winnipeg in overtime. The game was scorless the entire regulation then shortly into the OT Evender Kane (former Vancouver Giant) scored. The game was played in Winnipeg which currently holds the title of LOUDEST arena in the NHL. Winnipeg has possibly the best fans right now. Minnesota snapped a 9 games losing streak, as they beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3. As for the points race Vancouver and rival Chicago are tied for 1st each with 50 points, Boston has 49.
Head down to Red Card Sports Bar New Years Eve for You CAN 2012. A fundraiser for the Canucks Autism Network! $30 a ticket all proceeds go to CAN. Midnight Pizza Buffet, Bubbly and party favors at Midnight! Watch the game, win prizes and have a ton of FUN! Happy New Year 2012!