Canucks were deadly early on, scoring the 1st goal. Good Lookin Chris Higgins is now in the double digits in goals with his 10th goal last night 1/2 way through the 1st period. 21 seconds later Cutie Cody Hodgson hit lucky number 7 in goals. It was a night of 2 goals in 21 seconds. Vancouver's Higgins and Hodgson were matched in Chicago earlier in the evening as Andrew Brunette and Patrick Sharp scored 21 seconds apart against Montreal to take a 2-1 lead in literally seconds. (Side Note: Patrick Sharp became a father 13 days ago to a lovely little girl named Madelyn, Happy Holidays!) Back in Vancouver, former Canuck Todd Bertuzzi scored to get Detroit on the board. It wasn't over yet for Vancouver as Alex Burrows scored 2 minutes later with assists to Daniel and Henrik. By the end of the 1st it was 3-1 Vancouver and not a single penalty was given.
Early in the 3rd period Niklas Kronwall absolutely destroyed Ryan Kesler against the boards. Kesler not being to happy about it went after Kronwall and gets the only penalty, for roughing. Some might argue Kronwall's hit was dirty? His feet left the ice for instance but then some would say he wasn't targeting the head so it was a clean hit. Either way you take it, what happened next was a thing of beauty. With Kesler in the penalty box, Detroit had 2 minutes to tie the game. Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg was poke checked by Alex Elder and Jannik Hansen scooped up the puck all while the Canucks were short handed (remember Kesler is still in the box)and flies down the ice as he tries to get the puck past Detroit's goalie Jimmy Howard. Hansen is knocked to the ice, Alex Edler grabs the rebound and puts the puck past a fallen Jimmy Howard! It was beautiful! Vancouver was up 4-2. Howard was not impressed with Hansen and went after him, and a scrap looked like it may very well happen between the 2 teams but the linesman broke it up. Check out Kronwall's hit on Kesler and Hansen/Elder's goal in "If You Need a Visual." It was Vancouver's 2nd short handed goal this season. The 16th time Detroit has given up the 1st goal in a game this season, and the 16th time that Vancouver has won the game going into the 3rd period with the lead.
I also want to point out how amazing Luongo was last night. He stopped 38 of 40 shots. The best save probably late in the 3rd. A quick glove save while sitting. Luongo looks different these days and on a bit of a streak himself. I love watching Luongo when he is playing this way. Watch him to see the true professional that he is. When you hear the buzzer go at the end of a period Luongo stays in the play for another second or 2. Check out Luongo's crazy glove save in "If You Need a Visual."
Watch Vancouver play Calgary here at home Friday!
It was a welcome back to Claude Giroux last night. Giroux missed 4 games with a concussion. Giroux managed to stay on top of the scoring race but tied with Phil Kessel and Henrik Sedin. While last night Giroux, in his 1st game back registered 4 points! Making his total 43! Wow. Henrik Sedin has 40 after last night's game and Phil Kessel, Evgeni Malkin and Danien Sedin are all tied for 3rd with 39 points. Keep it up Boys!
And finally a heart warming story out of Coal Harbour, Nova Scotia (Sidney Crosby's hometown). Fourteen year old Michael Rumsby had his wish granted by the Make A Wish Foundation. Rumsby was diagnosed with a tumour in his brain. He beat it the 1st time but the tumour returned 2 months into remission. Doctors told Michael he was not allowed to play hockey, which for the young player was harder news to absorb then the cancer itself. Michael's escape is TSN's highlight show hosted by Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole. What did Make A Wish Foundation do? They had Jay and Dan come to Michael's house chanting "Michael Rumsby" and after picking him up the 3 of them went to the local hockey rink where a surprise was in store for Michael. Friends, family, and teammates were waiting at the rink for Michael to make his return to the ice for the first time in over 8 months. Again everyone chanting "Michael Rumsby". Michael got the game winner in a shoot out!
Michael's story doesn't end there. When Michael was first diagnosed, his coach called his Mum and asked if Michael still wanted to be on the team? Michael was quoted as saying it was "like having 18 brothers on the ice." Are you crying yet? In Michael's second round of chemo his team showed up in his hospital room to tell him he had been voted Captain of the team. The team said a Captain is someone who is a fighter, leader and never gives up. Michael fit the bill perfectly. Then the head coach Paul booked a tournament coming up for his team. He contacted every coach from the opposing teams and asked if anyone would be willing to do 1 shift the whole tournament with no contact so Michael could play? Amazingly every coach said they wouldn't do 1 shift no contact, but instead they could play the whole GAME so Michael could play! His teammates saying Michael is the link on the team that keeps it all together. What a wonderful story of courage and sportsmanship. Get the full story on TSN.ca.
Women's Only Fantasy Hockey Draft Results!
1st place Juliet with 364 points
2nd place Bonnie with 350 points
3rd place Roz with 348 points!
Go Ladies!
Don't forget to buy you tickets for You CAN 2012, at Red Card Sports Bar. Come out watch the Cancuks vs Kings game and help raise funds for the Canucks Autism Network!