CrashingTheGoalie

by Ron Spence
Jason LaBarbera arrived in Vancouver, played well in four games and poorly in two.  And yesterday he played an excellent game against Dallas.
Vancouver fans have thus viewed a video precis of Jason’s NHL career – sometimes brilliant and always inconsistent. 

courtesy of sportsnet.ca
LaBarbera played for the Portland Winter Hawks – and briefly for the [...]

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by Ron Spence
Vancouver will be playing the Blues tomorrow night, but won’t be facing a familiar adversary.
Manny Legace has played against the Canucks 12 times throughout the years, compiling a 7-5 record. He played with the Red Wings for most of 6 seasons and the Blues for two and a half years.
In his most recent [...]

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by Ron Spence
When the Hockey News compiled their Top 100 NHL Players of All Time – Doug Gilmour didn’t made the cut.
If they were doing a Top 10 Two Way Players of All Time, however, Number 93 would top the list.
“Gilmour is the best player in the league at both ends,” Bob Berry said.
“Doug plays [...]

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by Ron Spence
I have always admired Keith Gretzky. He was a player with little talent, but had a great love of the game. He played throughout the minors and eventually went into coaching, was briefly a GM, and is now Phoenix’s Director of Amateur Scouting.
And, he has survived – throughout it all – living in [...]

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by Ron Spence
To understand losing –  listen to a player who has lost, overcome adversity, and gone on to become the best at his game.
Cal Ripken Jr. was a two time American League MVP (1983, 1991) and a two time MVP selection at the All-Star Games (1991, 2001).
Magic Johnson was a three time NBA MVP [...]

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by Ron Spence
I consider Jerome Iginla the best player in the NHL today – a complete player.
He can score, set up linemates, defend his teammates, lead, etc.
He follows in the tradition of Gordie Howe, Wendel Clarke, etc.
I think that one of the best ever – at playing this style of hockey – is New Jersey’s [...]

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by Ron Spence
You think that Alain Vigneault’s pulling out his hair with Vancouver’s recurring “too many men on the ice” penalties.
Imagine if he had both Shane O’Brien and David Backes on his roster.
They are the NHL’s penalty leaders.
O’Brien has 120 minutes, while Backes has 113 – but has played four fewer games.
The Canucks’ Dman has [...]

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by Ron Spence
I watched Eddie prowling the Canucks’ blue line for 6 1/2 seasons, and thought that he was Bobby Orr on one shift, and Rory Fitzpatrick on another. His play ranged from brilliant to terrible, and I just watched him – my stomach in a knot, and my mouth open.
He was the Rainman.
A half [...]

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by Ron Spence
Zdeno Chara clears the front of Boston’s net like a snowplow on steroids, scores as many as 16 or 17 goals a season, and battles any and all challengers.
He was drafted while still in Slovakia, and sent to Prince George to learn the North American game.
He smiles when he remembers his first fight [...]

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by Ron Spence
The perfect October 28th game? Canucks 6 – Bruins 2. Lucic  with a “Gordie Howe Hat Trick.”
Milan Lucic is that kind of guy.
On October 20th, he had only one goal for the young season and there were some concerns in Beantown.
Then, three days later, he boarded Mike Van Ryn and smashed a pane [...]

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