[GDT] Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames, Where: Scotiabank Saddledome (aka 2 Points for 'Nucks Arena), When: 7PM PST Dec 2 - The Twin Giraffes & Welcome to Vancouver Z Game

[Rocket-68]

A Random Hockey Story

I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.
~Rodney Dangerfield

I dreamed my whole life of making it in the NHL — a dream I know I shared with a million other kids. I grew up in Montreal, and to say my home was an extremely strict household is a supreme understatement. My father is from Haiti and he firmly believed that children had to be controlled with his belt. My mother tried to temper his behavior but she was not able to make much of a difference, which led to a divorce during my youth. It was a tough childhood, but I have to say, my dad’s domination and pressure did prepare me for my life. I learned how to work hard, and be prepared for my school and sports and ultimately, my career. Sports were vitally important to us and he pushed my brother and sister and me all incredibly hard.

I struggled as a young black athlete in a predominately white sport. When I was twelve the racism got so bad my dad pulled me out of hockey for a year. I loved hockey and decided to play again despite the fact that I was treated so badly by my opponents, their parents and even my own teammates who sometimes shouted racial slurs at me. I acted as if it were no big deal because there were way too many people to fight back. It deeply affected me but I never wanted to show people that I was hurt. Racist remarks were aplenty on the ice and off, and I had my heart broken many times when I would be the best player/top scorer in a hockey camp to make a rep team, yet when the final teams or the inner-city rosters were posted my name would not be on the list, for “some” reason. My parents wished that I would let hockey go and find another sport, but my dream wouldn’t die.

I told them that if I quit, it would only prove that those ignorant people were right. I had to persevere, to achieve my dream. I swore that I would prove all the people who verbally and otherwise abused me wrong when I made it in the NHL. My dad didn’t support me . . . even he didn’t believe that I could actually make it. But that just fired me up even more, and I excelled at hockey. Soon people could not ignore me anymore. I started making the school teams. Scouts from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League started watching me. On May 30, 1992, I was sitting in Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal waiting for the draft notices. And when the St. Jean Lynx team called my name, it was the most beautiful day of my life till then. I played Junior for two years and somewhere along the way I realized that as good as I was, in every level I moved up there were amazing players that were better than me; better skaters, better shooters, just better. I knew I was a great player, but also knew that I had limits.

Around that time a mentor of mine took me aside and told me that one of the things that I had going for me that set me apart from the crowd was my size, my muscle density, my balance and my ability to hit. It takes a very good player to make a good hit. It takes great coordination and balance and most of all timing. Of course, like any player, I loved scoring goals, but I recognized his advice as the truth. If I wanted to make it in the NHL, I would have to be a fighter, a tough guy, and an enforcer. When I accepted and decided to put all of my focus on that, things really happened quickly.

In July 1995 I was drafted in the second round to the Edmonton Oilers. I spent one more year in junior and then two more years in the American Hockey League, in the Oilers farm team, called the Hamilton Bulldogs. Then got “called up” to the big league and became the Oiler’s tough guy. It was such an amazing accomplishment; I had made it to the NHL! Tough guys are so important to hockey. They play a very important role and what a lot of people do not realize is that they serve to actually keep hockey safer. They protect the “skills players” on their teams — the Gretzkys and Messiers of the sport and they enforce the rules, so opponents do not take advantage and deliberately injure one of these star players and take them out of the game.

I became one of the most feared enforcers of the game of hockey, and pretty much the entire time, I was scared. I mean, really scared. On game days, most players take an afternoon nap, to conserve and build energy. In all the years I played hockey, I had a hard time sleeping — I was always filled with anxiety about the games and fights to come. It is a very stressful position to play, and I had to fight some of the toughest guys in the world. And I was at the top of the heap. I was unanimously awarded the “Best Fighter” award from The Hockey News in 2003 and five years later, I was still named the number one enforcer by Sports Illustrated. And  I did all this on my terms; I never bad-mouthed or trash-talked any of my opponents. I would always invite them to have a fight. Believe it or not, that is how it goes — one player extends the invitation, and if the opponent does not want to fight, they can turn down the offer. For instance, they might say, I just want to play my game tonight, and that is that. Pretty civilized, huh? Well, not when the fighting starts. I won most of my contests. I think out of around 100 fights in my career I only lost about five or six . . . but I never would say anything bad about the other player after the fact. When speaking to a reporter or the press, I would only say, “It went very well for me.” I respected those other players so much, and I knew the courage it took to do the job they did. I never wanted to make them feel worse than they already did. I didn’t even really want to fight, but it was my job.

And over the years I did my job for the Edmonton Oilers, the Phoenix Coyotes, The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens. I had a great career, but it had to come to an end. In August 2010 I retired and I guess you could say I went from tough guy to pacifist. Firstly, I was blessed to become a father to beautiful twins — a boy and girl, the loves of my life. The desire to take care of and provide a healthy world for them led me to my other passions.

In 2009, I had actually become a vegan after watching a documentary called Earthlings, all about the mistreatment of animals. Within ten minutes of watching that film, I was sobbing like a baby, and being the extremist that I am, in that moment I totally changed who I was and have never ingested another piece of meat or animal product. I took it even further and got rid of all the leather in my home, as well as becoming a part owner in two raw vegan restaurants in Montreal called Crudessence.

Veganism is a philosophy and a way of life for me and for my family and I am a very vocal and active advocate for the movement. I am a spokesperson for World Vision whom I am working with in association with the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) to rebuild the Grace Children’s Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which was destroyed by the devastating earthquake in January, 2010. And I also became a member of the Green Party, recently being named to their Deputy Leader position. My children and my charity work are my passions. Our world is in crisis — climate change and so many other environmental issues are a real threat and we all have to wake up and do something.

When I became a father, it was the happiest day of my life. I promised to protect my son and daughter and that means trying to do the best I can for the world so we have a thriving planet to leave to my children, to all the children. Even though I was an enforcer in the NHL for fifteen years, I am committed to living my life with compassion and consciousness and I am honored to be known as the “gentle tough guy.”

 

Author: Georges Laraque

---- Now for the Game Day Thread ----

 

Overview

Well, now the Canucks are slowly sinking down to earth after the blistering start until about 5 games ago. However, all is not lost and better to struggle a bit early and pick up the pace rather than later on into the 1st playoff (???) round. This of course assumes playoffs are in the cards for our beloved Canucks which I am putting money on they do plus make it out of the first round.

 

The BIG story is the Big Z, he of the lankiness to rival our resident Giraffe but with a mean streak that we wish Old Tyler possessed in spades. You just gotta know Zeke is going to want the upcoming game to be a statement game and as such I predict a blowout of the Flames candle with hits registering on the Richter plus the Canucks will win. 

 

Still, the Flames are playing better as of late but how long will that last when Mousier Conroy begins jettisoning the flotsam on a regular basis - Hey, Looking at you Tanev and Mascarpone. The Flames fans are incensed with the return Big Zeke provided, some were expecting a 1st plus a prospect. To summarize, here is the quote of the Flame fans day:

 

"They got a bulldozer and we got nothing, wake up Conroy"

 

All is well at the Saddledome it seems.

 

Canucks squandered a glorious opportunity last game to make a statement, which was made just by the wrong team. Tocchet and the coaching brain trust will sort it out thus I have great faith in a win with the Canucks scoring early, scoring often and pounding the stuffing out of the Flames.

 

Quote of the day:

“Nobody covered anybody. I might as well have not been there. Just standing there.” JT Miller on how the Vegas game went.

"They’ve got a really good team," said Quinn Hughes. "And we’re trying to be a good team."

 

TRY!?! There is no TRY there is only DO or DON'T, the mushy middle can go play in ECHL.

 

By the Numbers

Based on advanced computer power and data, Dimers.com has simulated the outcome of Saturday's Canucks-Flames NHL game 10,000 times.

Dimers' renowned predictive analytics model, DimersBOT, gives the Flames a 53% chance of beating the Canucks.

 

Calgary is 10-10-3 overall and 4-1-0 against the Pacific Division. The Flames have allowed 75 goals while scoring 68 for a -7 scoring differential.

Vancouver is 7-4-0 against the Pacific Division and 15-8-1 overall. The Canucks have a 10-4-0 record in games they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponents.

 

Canucks last 10 games

 

Flames last 10 games

Media

You know the drill, GO BUY A TICKET AND throw random objects at the opposing team - just kidding, no violence please, just your best one-liners hurled at the Flames bench, and the zebras as needed. Otherwise go to your local watering hole and support your team and swill some beer.

 

TV: HNIC, Sportsnet Pacific, CityTV

Radio: SportsNet 650

Streaming: lots on various Reddit threads 

 

Media

 

Da Roster

 

The Defense Pairings will change to accommodate Nikita Zadorov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Da Zebras

 

 

Player Spotlight

 

Now for some fun stuff

Great Overtime between Canucks and the Flames last season

 

Demko's best saves in the 2020 Playoffs - WE NEED MORE OF THIS DEMKO

 

Edited December 2, 2023 by Rocket-68
Added Refs and Linesmen

[bishopshodan]

I hope Zad has a Gordie Howe hat trick against his old team.

 

Show'em what we got.

 

Go Nucks!

 

 

[6of1_halfdozenofother]

Every single player should mutter this to Markström in their mother tongue:

 

edit - while skating through his crease, of course, because he loves that.

Edited December 1, 2023 by 6of1_halfdozenofother

[Vancan]

5 minutes ago, bishopshodan said:

I hope Zad has a Gordie Howe hat trick against his old team.

 

Show'em what we got.

 

Go Nucks!

 

 

 

I just hope for a win! Another loss in HNIC and to a team trending up towards you could be a huge downward slide. Thinking we have hit our ceiling. So its either stay put and be happy 3rd in the pacific, or move down.

[bishopshodan]

3 minutes ago, Vancan said:

 

I just hope for a win! Another loss in HNIC and to a team trending up towards you could be a huge downward slide. Thinking we have hit our ceiling. So its either stay put and be happy 3rd in the pacific, or move down.

 

I'm think we smoke them, blow the roof off this so called ceiling, never be happy, until we be movin on up like ....

 

[Singing Chef]

Thanks for putting together this GDT - it's appreciated.  One amendment - it's not being contested at "Da Garage" - it's being played in Calgary.  Otherwise, great job - thanks. 

[AlwaysACanuckFan]

With the way things are going with the win loss win loss combination this should be a win. This a big game against a team that's knocking on the wildcard door. 

[Vancan]

8 minutes ago, Singing Chef said:

Thanks for putting together this GDT - it's appreciated.  One amendment - it's not being contested at "Da Garage" - it's being played in Calgary.  Otherwise, great job - thanks. 

 

AKA "Da 2 points for van"

[Rocket-68]

4 hours ago, Singing Chef said:

Thanks for putting together this GDT - it's appreciated.  One amendment - it's not being contested at "Da Garage" - it's being played in Calgary.  Otherwise, great job - thanks. 

Yes of course, that is why Zack stayed in Clagary. Thank you for catching that, I am about 5 beers into what will be a long night as I was making this thread ...  steadying the nerves before piloting the Westjet flight to Maui this evening.

Edited December 2, 2023 by Rocket-68

[Rocket-68]

37 minutes ago, Vancan said:

 

AKA "Da 2 points for van"

I had to add this to the title, thank you.

 

GO CANUCKS GO! WIN YOU MAGNIFICENT BASTARDS!

Edited December 2, 2023 by Rocket-68

[Singing Chef]

7 minutes ago, Rocket-68 said:

Yes of course, that is why Zack stayed in Clagary. Thank you for caching that, I am about 5 beers into what will be a long night as I was making this thread ...  steadying the nerves before piloting the Westjet flught to Maui this evening.

 

Have fun in Maui - 5 beers or more always helps one to fly high !!!  Cheers.

[Jaimito]

Divisional matchup 

 

Need to get those 2 pts back after losing to flames last time. 

 

Big Z revenge game.  Let's hope he has a good one. 

 

JT and EP line need to play better. 

 

My guess Demko goes back in. 

[helmetparade]

this will be the best game of all time

[PeteyBoeser]

1 hour ago, AlwaysACanuckFan said:

With the way things are going with the win loss win loss combination this should be a win. This a big game against a team that's knocking on the wildcard door. 

Yes hope the pattern continues for this game!

[Dom]

Flames win. 

[John.Tallhouse]

[Satchmo]

6 minutes ago, Dom said:

Flames win. 

Are you the Dom from The Athletic?   He's always wrong about the Canucks too.  

[PhillipBlunt]

 

[Bob Long]

4 minutes ago, PhillipBlunt said:

 

 

He's like all of Burke's truculence dreams in one big dude.

[Bob Long]

15 minutes ago, Dom said:

Flames suck 

 

[Roger Neilsons Towel]

I hope Zadorov has a great game and the Flames fans cry even harder about the trade return. 
 

[Elias Pettersson]

‘I’m here to help, I’m an added piece to a great team’: A Q&A with Newest Canuck Nikita Zadorov | Vancouver Canucks (nhl.com)

 

‘I’m here to help, I’m an added piece to a great team’: A Q&A with Newest Canuck Nikita Zadorov

 

What's exciting to you about joining this group?

 

"It's a great team," said Zadorov. "The boys are playing really well this year. Obviously, we're in the same division, so I've got to watch them before. I know a few guys that were on the enemy side but now they're my teammates. So I've played with Ian Cole in Colorado, played with Tyler Myers in Buffalo my first two years, Pius Suter one year in Chicago, so I know them and all the Russians of course. We all get together in Florida in the offseason and have the same strength coach so we're in the gym together.

 

My wife and Ilya Mikheyev's wife are good friends, so we hang out a lot in the summer, we're like neighbours and see each other like every day. Andrei [Kuzmenko] and I grew up playing for the same minor hockey teams, his dad was my coach but Andrei was one year younger than me. It's like five to eight guys that I know on the team so hopefully that will be an easy transition for me. And you can ask my teammates, I'm not a shy guy."

 

What sticks out about this Canucks team to you?

 

"Quinn Hughes is probably a top-two defenceman in the league right now. And Elias or Elias, he’s having a great year, we have a different way to say Elias in Calgary with Lindholm," said Zadorov with a laugh. "Brock Boeser is scoring a lot of goals. J.T. Miller is a leader on the ice and we have really good battles all the time, it was always a hard night to play against him, he's a pretty competitive guy. And then Thatcher Demko has been playing so well. And it's not just those guys, I'm super excited to join such a great team right now and the coaching staff is great too. I've only heard good things about Rick Tocchet, I've worked with Adam Foote in Colorado as he was a development coach when I was in my first couple of years in Colorado. I spoke with Sergei Gonchar on Thursday night and he was one of my idols when I was growing up.

 

Gonchar is a super smart, intelligent coach and I think they can all help me help the team. I'm here to help, I'm an added piece to a great team."

 

What about the size of this Canucks defence corps?

 

"Right now, it's such a quick game and all of us big guys have reach and we need to use our sticks properly so that we can break plays in the defensive zone so we can spend more time in [the] offensive zone. Tyler, Carson and Ian are all good skaters and have good hockey IQ and we can chip in some offence too that's always fun."

 

We’ve known you as a player who throws the body around often, what do you like about playing a physical brand of hockey?

 

"I have the size to do it, I probably have 50 pounds extra on most guys in the league so I'm going to use it," said Zadorov. "It's part of my game to play physical and break plays that way. I enjoy it and in the past couple of years I've really improved my offensive game as well, I scored 14 goals last year so I don't only bring hits, I can bring a two-way game for sure."

 

How have you worked on becoming a strong skater?

 

"My parents put me in figure skating classes when I was a kid for seven years before I came to Junior hockey in the OHL. I do power skating in my summer workouts and if you do the right stuff in the summer, that's going to increase your speed and keep your speed. I'm only 28 so I believe there's another four or five years of improvement because I haven't yet reached my goal and I think I'm not even close to finishing improving here. I think I can improve on a few particular [skating] things here."

 

We know how beautiful Vancouver is as a city, what are your thoughts on coming to the West Coast?

 

"My draft was 2013 and Vancouver made the Cory Schneider trade for 9th overall and they were my favourite team but they picked Bo [Horvat] and Bo was my [London Knights] teammate so I was a bit jealous," said Zadorov with a laugh. "But I still ended up in a good organization with [the] Buffalo Sabres. It's definitely a dream to play for your childhood favourite team. It's a great city. It's got great restaurants. If you ask me about my 11 years [in the NHL], I would say Vancouver is a top-three road city for me for sure. I'm always enjoying my time, every time, so I think it's perfect."

 

What made you a Canucks fan as a kid?

 

"Markus Naslund and the Sedin brothers," said Zadorov. "Naslund, I really like him a lot, I think he was definitely one of my favourite players."

 

What can fans expect from you on the ice?

 

"I'm going to leave everything on the ice for my teammates," said Zadorov. "There are no shortcuts for myself and I'm going to leave everything out on the ice and am going to hopefully help this team win something."

[6of1_halfdozenofother]

22 minutes ago, PhillipBlunt said:

 

 

Interesting how it is for him that he has all these great Russian players in the league who are contemporaries of his idols, and yet, his idols are Swedes in the form of Naslund and the Sedins.

[Goose]

This is the game I was really looking forward to.  It’s going to be a war.  

[Rip The Mesh]