Yet another impressive win for the Vancouver Canucks, who have all of a sudden evened their home record, but not one that comes without questions.
The most discussed: Are the Canucks tough enough? This query has been raised numerous times, as the local puckers have not deemed it necessary to dress a fighter most nights. I happen to agree with Canucks’ management and coaching staff that gone are the days of suiting up a goon that can only contribute with his gloves on the ice. That being said, if teams like Anaheim are going to resort to thuggery even after being victimized on the power play, somebody in a
Vancouver jersey has to step up to the plate. I’m all for “team toughness” as opposed to signing the local tough guy, but if teams continue to take liberties, one of the Canucks must answer the bell even if it means coming out on the short end of the bout.
• Roberto Luongo seems to have found “the zone” even earlier this year than last. Numero Uno takes a shutout streak of 135:34 into this evening’s battle with the Blue Jackets, and he’s allowed just 16 goals in his last 10 outings. Last season, Luongo really kicked his game into high gear from Boxing Day until the end of the season. Given how early he’s been able to find his elite form this season, the Canucks will be hanging another Northwest Division Champions banner on opening night in 2008 if Luongo continues to play the way he has recently.
• Dave Dickenson might be done with the B.C. Lions, but don’t close the book on his career quite yet. The campaigning for Double D’s services has already begun in Calgary, where the locals believe he’d be a perfect fit behind Henry Burris on the Stampeders’ depth chart. Dickenson lives in Calgary in the off-season, his in-laws are based there and his brother is currently the special teams’ coach with the Stamps. There are rumours that the Toronto Argonauts may try to woo him, and Wally Buono has said that there would be a role with the Lions if Dickenson wanted to accept it. But Calgary seems to make the most sense right now although Dickenson has said that he will take his time in deciding about his future in the sport.
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