Canucks and Blackhawks, Round Two!

It's Round Two...

...and it's Round Two.

This won't quite be Ali-Frazier II, but this playoff series, the second Round Two matchup in as many years between the Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks, has the potential to be the most intense series of this year's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Canucks had the 'Hawks on the ropes last year, but lost three straight to fall ignominiously to the canvas of playoff elimination. Strange coincidence -- Ali lost his first meeting with Frazier, too.

This year's Canucks are more experienced, a bit more skilled, and a lot more highly motivated. The Alain Vigneault-coached Canucks have not advanced past Round Two in either of their last two tries, and to go down to the 'Hawks a second year in a row would be brutal. You know there's no way this team wants to have to live with that feeling.

That having been said, this series looks to be about as even as a series can be. Both teams have highly gifted offensive players, speed and aggression on the forecheck, effective power plays, and the ability to generate offense from the blue line. Both teams have players who can get under an opponent's skin, both verbally and physically, and both teams have players who can back up the talk. Both teams have Jack Adams award-winning coaches, with Chicago coach Joel Quenneville winning in 2000 while with the St. Louis Blues, and Vigneault winning with the Canucks in 2007. Both teams are pretty hungry for a Stanley Cup, too, as the Canucks have no Cups since they entered the NHL in 1970, and the 'Hawks last win came in 1961.

As much as the series will be about each team imposing its will on the other, it'll be about avoiding the deadly mistakes. Neither team can afford to have shaky goaltending, which has been a problem for both teams this year. Canuck netminder Roberto Luongo has looked at times brilliant, and at times unfocused. Chicago goalies Antti Niemi and Cristobal Huet have been identified by many hockey observers as the weak points of the team. Neither team can afford to take untimely penalties, which will be a temptation in what will likely be an emotional series. The team that can control its energy, keep an even keel, and play consistent hockey throughout their lineup will be the team to advance.

Let's be honest; we fans have been wanting this series. We've been wanting this rematch since last May 11, as we gaped disbelievingly at our televisions while the Canucks slowly skated off the ice at the United Center. We've been wanting another crack at Kane. At Byfuglien. At Bryan Campbell. You have to believe that the Canucks have wanted this chance at payback as well.

Well, they've got it -- and so do we.

Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier went the distance in their second fight, with both boxers having the upper hand at different times. Frazier landed harder blows, but Ali was able to land combinations and dictate the engagements during the bout. Ali won their second meeting in a unanimous decision.

Oh yeah.

This could be one of the most memorable playoff series you or I will ever see... and it all starts... tonight.

Puck drops at 5 PM!

Go Canucks Go!

The Very Model -- of a Bad Albertan Hockey Team

I don't know why I didn't think of this before; a team with players named Gilbert and O'Sullivan? Come on.

So, with the most profound of apologies to W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, their aficionados and families, I present the following. Right-click and launch this for a MIDI accompaniment.

---

The Bad Albertan Hockey Team's Song

(by abdemarco -- to the tune of The Major-General's Song, from The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan)


We are the very model of a bad Albertan hockey team
We will not make the playoffs now -- perhaps in the next century?
We haven't won a game of late, and haven't had a winning streak
In days, or weeks, or months, or years -- we can't recall how long it's been!

We're very well acquainted, too, with vet'rans running out of steam,
With injuries and lousy play -- in fact, there's a whole litany
Of reasons that we skaters give to say just why we lost again,
Perhaps the flu, the schedule, or maybe "we just have no brains."

Perhaps the flu, the schedule, or maybe "we just have no brains,"
Perhaps the flu, the schedule, or maybe "we just have no brains,"
Perhaps the flu, the schedule, or maybe "we just have no, have no brains!"

New coach Pat Quinn must really have some hypertension problems too,
"These guys aren't fit to wear the jerseys that are copper, white and blue!"
We will not make the playoffs now -- perhaps in the next century?
We are the very model of a bad Albertan hockey team.

We will not make the playoffs now -- perhaps in the next century?
We are the very model of a bad Albertan hockey team.


In signing agents that are "free", this team has had no sort of luck,
No Hossa, Vanek, Heatley, and we think, no Ilya Kovalchuk,
And why? It's not like Oiler fans aren't loads, and loads, and loads of fun;
It couldn't be that hockey players don't want to live in Edmonton!

When you sign here you think, "Alright! A team with a great history!"
But now we see those Cups are just a twenty year-old memory;
The fans aren't happy if we lose, of that we're absolutely sure,
And if you want a trade, then they'll incinerate your furniture.

And if you want a trade, then they'll incinerate your furniture.
And if you want a trade, then they'll incinerate your furniture.
And if you want a trade, then they'll incinerate your furni-furniture!

This team is near the bottom, but to last place we can't seem to fall,
And that is troubling for we'd really like to draft that Taylor Hall,
We will not make the playoffs now -- perhaps in the next century?
We are the very model of a bad Albertan hockey team.

We will not make the playoffs now -- perhaps in the next century?
We are the very model of a bad Albertan hockey team.


Some say the problem with this team, it might be psychological,
But if a team's as bad as this, it must be pathological,
Is it the fault of Tambellini, or MacT? Paul Lorieau?
Or Chrissy P? Or Daryl Katz? (Well, duh, you know it's Kevin Lowe!)

A full rebuild is what this team is needing, and it must be soon,
Get rid of every play'r and staffer in this Oiler dressing room,
We can't keep pace with Calgary, the Wild, the Avs or the Canucks.
I guess all that a guy can say is that this team just really sucks.

I guess all that a guy can say is that this team just really sucks.
I guess all that a guy can say is that this team just really sucks.
I guess all that a guy can say is that this team just really, really sucks!

Will this team ever win again? There really is no way to tell,
But I don't think that possible unless we try the AHL;
We will not make the playoffs now -- perhaps in the next century?
We are the very model of a bad Albertan hockey team.

We will not make the playoffs now -- perhaps in the next century?
We are the very model of a bad Albertan hockey team.