The Canucks faced off against the Ducks tonight, this time it was Anaheim’s home opener. Last Saturday it was pretty silly, the Canucks were embarrassed at home losing 3-7.

This time it was our turn.

Cory Schneider gets another shutout tonight, with a game that likely humiliated the Ducks at home. Corey Perry showed he is really “the worst sore loser in the league” (as said in the SportsNet telecast). Yeah, that guy is an idiot.

Canucks were the NHL’s best team on the road last year, and this year they are one for one. Good start!

We were at tonight’s Canucks game.

I get that nine months away will have an effect, and all players will have to shake off the rust. But still. They played terrible, especially after the first period. While the Ducks got better as the game went on, the Canucks got worse. Cory Schneider certainly didn’t look like a strong number one goalie. Mike Gillis is going to look like a genius for not trading Roberto Luongo.

One game done, forty seven to go. Good thing there is another game tomorrow – they need the practice.

Eileen spotted a picture in the New York Times today that was odd, to say the least. Above the story about the Rangers run in 1994 was a picture of Rangers fans on a flight to New Jersey to see Game 3. The caption read “Rangers fans chartered a flight from La Guardia Airport in New York to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey for Game 3”.

Just last night we were talking about a trip to New York in the Fall and catch a Rangers game while we are there. I told her that we could go across the river to see a Devils game on the same trip, thus crossing off two more teams to see. Google Maps shows its 26 minutes from Madison Square Garden to Prudential Center when taking public transit. So I thought it was a joke that fans would fly from one city to another.

Turns out its a promotional thing and the full story (with picture) is available online here. Fun!

Can’t imagine visiting Toronto without a trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Its actually a neat place to visit, giving a great perspective on the breadth and depth of the sport, plus some history including the early development of the NHL.

There was a video about the history of the Stanley Cup that finished with a review of the Cancuks-Bruins final last spring, including video from the games. Looked for Eileen and I in the audience but didn’t see us. Of course the video put emphasis on on the winners. Made me sad all over again!

At game five. Must win. Will win. I believe!

Edit: well, better luck next year! Thanks for the great times, wish it was going longer, and already looking forward to the long debate about who to resign, who to trade, and who to ignore.