Along Comes Luongo

Remember this song?

Chicago - Along Comes A Woman
Uploaded by killeraf

I figured since the Canucks face the Chicago Blackhawks in Round 2 of this year's playoffs, it might be fitting to riff on a Chicago song. So, here you have:

Along Comes Luongo
(to the tune of Along Comes a Woman, by Chicago)

My name is Toews and I thought I'd go deep in the playoffs
Deep in the playoffs, with maybe a run to the Cup

Hey Dion, you didn't much matter
And Jarome, you weren't much better
Goin' so smooth, bein' in the playoffs
For the very first time

Then along comes Luongo
There's a change in the way that I'm feeling tonight
Then along comes Luongo
And I'm not feelin' right

My name is Nicky, though some call me "Khabi" or "Bulin"
And "Bulin Wall" is a name that I'm called by my fans

Kiprusoff, he didn't much matter
Didn't care, I played so much better
Stanley Cup, name's already on it
Would this be the next time?

Then along comes Luongo
There's a change in the way that I'm playing tonight
Then along comes Luongo
And I'm not feelin' right
I'm not feelin' right (repeat chorus)

(instrumental break)

Then along comes Luongo
There's a change in the way that we're feeling tonight
Then along comes Luongo
And we're not feelin' right
We're not feelin' right (repeat & fade)

Northwest Vertigo '08

Wow, the Canucks have swept their first round series with the St. Louis Blues, and as a result actually get the luxury of a break before Round Two!

Canucks fans don't know what to do with themselves.

This is certainly a different situation than at the end of last year. Remember? The clock was winding down on another season of futility, Trevor Linden's career was drawing to a close, and the Canucks were finding a way to lose game after game as they tumbled out of the playoff picture. Here are some lyrics I wrote towards the end of the season, as the Canucks struggled gamely to make the post-season. Enjoy.


Northwest Vertigo
(to the tune of Vertigo, by U2)

Unos dos tres... catorce

[Spoken vocal over footage of Naslund]

Turn it up loud, Captain!

Games tick down, it's tense
The Northwest is so tight
We need offense
The fans they want some goals
From Dan and Hank and Nazzy and the D must score
To play their roles
Can this team go there?

Hello, hello... (Hola)
I'm at a place called Vertigo (dónde estás?)
An injury will be a big, big blow
Then we'll have to call up
Scott Arniel, Arniel

The sked is filled with games
Where every one's a must
To win or blame
Will crash on Alain V
And heads will roll
They know they've got to win
At least they know

I can’t stand the heat
I’m asking for the cheque
The girl with crimson nails
Has Louie 'round her neck
Swinging to the music Whoooaaa
Swinging to the music Whoooaaa
Whoooaaa
Whoooaaa
Whoooaaa

Hello, hello... (Hola)
I'm at a place called Vertigo (dónde estás?)
I'd love it if they'd go sixteen and oh
Then all of the fans
They would squeal, squeal

[Edge solo + video of the Stanley Cup + great Canucks plays]

All of this... all of this can be yours
All of this... all of this can be yours
All of this... all of this can be yours

Overture, Curtain, Lights!

It's been a long time since my last entry, but...

It's the playoffs, baby!

There's a cliché often used in hockey circles, that the regular season is just prologue, and that the playoffs are the "real" season. I don't think that's necessarily so, but there's no disagreeing with the fact that the playoffs are a whole different animal from the regular season. Eighty-two games played, just to get to the point of starting with a clean sheet again.

The Canucks had a great ending to their season, going on a tremendous run through February and March, culminating in their edging out the Calgary Flames for first place in the Northwest Division and home ice advantage for at least the first round. The St. Louis Blues, their first round opponents, played an awesome last few weeks too, so this series will be a challenge.

There's all sorts of great storylines to follow -- Roberto Luongo's quest for playoff success, what could be Mats Sundin's last crack at the Cup, Alex Burrows' dedication of the season to the late Luc Bourdon... it'll definitely make for great drama.

Yes, even an old fan can get excited! I am!

Go Canucks Go!

Oh, what heights we'll hit! On with the show, this is it!