Black Ice Vancouver

Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience in the New World.  In a land so inescapably and inhospitably cold, hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive.  –Stephen Leacock

Hart Trophy winning captain? Check. 

Feisty two-way centerman? Check.

Grinding mobile defense corp? Check.

Vezina calibre goal-tending? Check. 

Shootout efficiency? Fuck.

That about says it all. Saturday night was a great night for hockey. Two great Original 14 teams starting their season off with pomp and ceremony and less then the best expectations. And unrealistic expectations are like bad opinions, every Canucks fan has one.

It wasn’t terrible, and that may be the best indictment of the team at this point in the season – not terrible.

The Sedins looked great, both leaving the game with a single point while eating up key power-play minutes. The defense was gritty and solid, much as they were billed to be.  Luongo was almost flawless, especially during a 4-on-3 penalty kill during overtime.

The best thing about the game was — with both teams wearing retro jerseys — knowing who was who on the ice. I got the goaltenders down, after that it was a crapshoot.

The only thing this team is missing is a change to the NHL rulebook abolishing the shootout. At this point, that is all the Canucks could ask for. With the talent on this team, what else is there left to ask.