Date Posted: April 13, 2011
Print Edition: April 8, 2011
By Joel Smart (Sports Editor) – Email
Rogers Arena loomed large. “Don’t worry,” he told me as we walked towards it. “We’ll have no problem finding seats.” I’m not worried. If you can say nothing else about the guy, he knows how to get into a game. The man has attended some of the largest games in the last couple years, including several at the Olympics in Vancouver; this year he’d seen both outdoor NHL games. The atmosphere leading into this game was surprisingly tense, given the Canucks had pulled away so far in points from every major contender. Tonight was about something. Tonight was going to make Canucks history.
Just two nights previous, a Canucks 3-1 victory against the Nashville Predators was all it took to clinch the Western Conference, their first time ever locking up of the title. Afterward, hockey mathematicians were quick to discover that just four more points were necessary to clinch the number one spot in the entire National Hockey League. However, that was assuming the number one team in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Flyers, won all of their remaining games.
We spent the drive to this March 31 game against the Los Angeles Kings without the radio, so we were blissfully unaware of the drama that was unfolding in the Flyers game – a game that would set the stage for an intense battle in Vancouver.
Sure enough, we found seats. We quickly got in line and were rushed through the arena doors, handed complimentary Johnny Canuck toques as we bustled towards our gate: 122. “Lower bowl! I can’t believe it,” I thought. “Agh, right behind the net, less ideal.” But, being just 21 rows up, it ended up being about the best view for the two prettiest goals of the game.
After we watched the team practice, we glimpsed at the “Out of Town Scoreboard” and there it was – Philadelphia had lost. Vancouver would only need two more points, a single win.
There we sat, about to watch a game that could see the Canucks clinch their first ever Presidents’ trophy. Thankfully, we had brought some good luck charms: I wore a classic 1994-era Skate Jersey with Linden’s name plastered on the back. Justin had a 2003 Retro Rink Jersey, also a number 16. Global TV had asked to film them for a segment before we’d even made it into the building.
Considering the lack of competition in the standings, the game on the ice was fierce. They were playing for keeps. Huge checks were the name of the game. Sitting this low to the ice, the sound of a completed pass was louder than ever. The thud of a crushing hit into the boards was only topped by the corresponding roar from the crowd.
Then a goal went in. It went in against the Canucks. The sight of it, just a few feet away, was nauseating. I’d already been to a losing affair this year. But with over two periods left to play, there was hope! A power play to end the period saw the Canucks tally back. It was the perfect finish to a period – except that the ref immediately waved it off. Time had already expired. Blast!
A renewed vigour after the intermission saw the Canucks begin to dominate play. Nevertheless, the quality scoring chances seemed limited. Then, all of a sudden, Daniel Sedin was on a dangerous looking 2-on-1. Would he shoot or pass? At the last second he cut right into the middle of the ice and let the shot off. Drew Doughty belted him to the ice in a blindside hit that caught everyone off guard, but it was too late. The puck was in the net. Tie game! The place went into a frenzy. Beers were spilled and high fives were had. Then, with seconds counting off the clock at the tail end of the period, another dangerous rush by the Canucks had fans fearful of another disallowed goal to close the period. Sure enough, right at the buzzer the puck crossed the line. This time it stood! The Canucks would head into the third period with a lead!
Well, that third period came and went without a single shot on net by the Kings. What a performance by the Canucks, who scored a late power play goal after Los Angeles took a major boarding penalty on Chris Tanev. His upper body injury just adds to the list of injuries that have plagued the Canucks all season long, but it didn’t stop the Canucks from hitting the highest possible regular season plateau – a Presidents’ trophy. Daniel Sedin, with two points on the night, hit 100 points even. He is clearly a large part of the team’s success this year, with his brother only a few points behind. The Canucks came out and raised their sticks to the crowd and a standing ovation was in order.
