Things Percolating after the Canucks vs. Calgary game

For some of the readers, this next comparison might be before your time, but if you get a chance to watch them on the Hockey Classics Channel, take a look at the Philadelphia Flyers, then known as the “Broad Street Bullies.”

The Calgary Flames reminded me of them on Saturday night, as they imposed their physical will on the Nucks and pushed them around. Likes of Dion Phaneuf, Robyn Regehr, Jarome Iginla, Eric Nystrom, Brandon Prust, Rene Bourque, and Brian McGrattan recognized that the Canucks were shorthanded on defense, without Sami Salo and Kevin Bieksa, and went after anyone and everyone that they wanted.

The Sedins were the No. 1 target and the Flames were constantly giving them extra shots, dished out by Iginla, Regehr, and Phaneuf. I don’t have a problem with the gamesmanship—it's part of the contest—but when Phaneuf challenges the Sedins to a fight, knowing full well they’re not fighters, that’s just totally ridiculous. If Phaneuf’s so tough, then let’s see him go with “The Ripper (Rick Rypien) WITHOUT his visor!

First of all, as I have mentioned many times over a number of articles, Phaneuf’s one of the biggest cowards playing hockey. These guys that run around playing the tough guy role with visors on and then either get into fights knowing full well they’re protected, or pass on the invitation...well, you know my feeling on that.

Iginla, who I don’t put into the same category as Phaneuf, also likes to play the tough guy role with the Canucks. He just happens to also wear a visor.

Would I like to have "Iggie" on the Canucks? Hey, in a heartbeat. I would trade most of the team for him, except, of course, the Sedins and Luongo.

By the way, the article that I wrote on the visor issue, where I mentioned Cody McCleod as one of those culprits, well, guess what? He removed it! Must have been after the infamous “Don Cherry” called him and others out on national television. You go, Don!

Speaking of hits, the Nucks had a couple of beauts themselves. Just towards the end of the second period, Kyle Wellwood, of all people, rocked a Flames player (didn’t catch who it was) for the best hit of his career!

The other Canuck who caught my eye was Brad Lukowich, who hit Rene Bourque as he was coming around behind the Canuck net, leveling him with the best check I have seen a Canucks D-man make this season. Not only that, it was a clean hit with his shoulder. Totally laid Bourque out.

Now you know why I call Steve Bernier “Hands of Stone.” This time he had a breakaway while killing a penalty and didn’t even get the shot away. Look at the number of chances he gets (71 SOG—seventh on the team), but cannot finish.

I believe there was history made in the shootout, as Luongo failed to stop one shot. That has to be a record for him, although I was unable to substantiate that.

Due to the shortage on defense, both Shane O’Brien and Alex Edler had to play extra minutes and it sure showed. O’Brien, who has been playing well since his seven game banishment, did not have a good game. Neither, though, did Edler. It could be that the pair had to move up into the top four, and those two are not top four defensemen on this team, when everyone is healthy.

Although Evan Oberg (he is the player that I raved about in training camp) played, he was not really noticeable, which is a good thing. Makes sense that his minutes were limited, as this was his first NHL game. With Salo expected back for the Nashville game, Oberg was sent down to Manitoba.  

So far on the home stand, three wins and one loss. Target is seven.