And Another One Bites The Dust: Canucks Lose Alex Bolduc

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Last night saw the Canucks win 2-1 in a shootout over the Los Angeles Kings but lose another player, as Alex Bolduc left the game with a shoulder injury.

Is this just the weirdest string of injuries you have ever seen?  I mean if someone were to sneeze, he would probably bust a rib.

With the latest injury, another Manitoba Moose has been called up (is there anyone left), one that many Vancouver Giants of the WHL will know, in Mario Bliznak.  I followed him for most of his playing days while with the Giants.

He was not spectacular, but if it’s one thing that is constant with a Giants-coached Don Hay’s player is that they are schooled in the defensive side of the game.  Bliznak is no exception and has been in that role ever since he has been with the Moose, playing on the third and fourth lines.

Look for him to continue on in that role while with the Canucks.

If Kyle Wellwood can pull the skate on over that broken toe, he should be back in the lineup either tonight or the next game.  Ryan Johnson's status still remains “undisclosed”, and Daniel Sedin’s four weeks will be reached on November 7th, which was the earliest he might return.

With the Nucks players dropping like dominos, that can’t come quick enough.

The Canucks keep sliding in the NHL goals for and are presently at 18^th .  This team is starting to look like the offensively challenged group of 2006/07, which doesn’t make sense, because the talent is much greater.

Last night’s game against the Kings was a flashback to those tight defensive games that many fans called “a trapping style”.  Me, I like to view it has some intelligent coaching by Alain Vigneault.  You coach with the talent you are presented with.

Andrew Raycroft's play just continues on like it has been since training camp, preseason and the few games he has played in this year.  Consistent, as in consistently good.  If ever there was a time for that to continue, it’s now while Roberto Luongo is out.

Although Raycroft has only played in three games, he sports a 1.03 GAA and a .958 Sv%.

Canucks goalie coach, Ian Clark, has done some marvelous work with everyone he has worked with, never mind Louie.  Think back to last year and how he improved Jason LaBarbera’s game and now Raycroft.

Raycroft looks calm, wastes very little energy in his movements because he is positionally sound, controls his rebounds and covers the net well for a smaller man.

I see a much different goaltender than when he played with the Boston Bruins, Maple Leafs, and Colorado.  Focus on him next time you watch a game and see what I mean.

Clark is like a master auto body repairman, sculpting pieces out of twisted metal, into sleek looking works of art.  Raycroft looks like one of those re-creations.

Look for that continuation in Clark’s student to continue tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. 

Now if he can only get some scoring support.

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