The Incredible Roberto Luongo: Hockey's Hulk

I used to think Roberto Luongo was some sort of Messiah, savior of the Canucks.

But now it's clear that he's another type of creature altogether: He's the Incredible Hulk of hockey.

He took a lot of criticism for his sloppy (read: average) play in the week leading up to the showdown against Calgary Tuesday night.

After getting heaped with criticism during that three-game winless spell, Calgary Herald writer Bruce Dowbiggin basically said Luongo was an overpaid sack of uselessness.

On the day of the game, he suggested that "followers of the Canucks are coming to the uncomfortable conclusion that Vancouver may have to win in spite of their highly-paid goalie."

Whoops.

Don't...Make...Him...Angry...You won't like him when he's angry.

The result was a spectacular 4-1 win against Calgary, which Calgary coach Mike Keenan described as a goaltending "clinic" by Luongo. The Canucks captain stopped 46 of 47 shots, including a ridiculous 21 in the first period alone.

He was deservedly named first star for basically singlehandedly dragging a so-so Canucks team to the win, and drawing them even with Calgary in the race for the Northwest Division title. Grrr.

Lu flash glove.
Lu stop pucks.
Lu play awesome.
Lu ma-a-a-ad.

And for Canucks fans, that's exactly what we need heading into the last two games of the season: our best player (and goalie, and captain) performing with "Incredible" heroics.

It may have been monosyllabic, but statement made.

Loud and clear.

Lu wants win.