[GDT] Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers, Oct 14 7PM PST, the Boeser 400

[Rocket-68]

A Random Hockey Story

Reposted from the old site. I am creating 10 or so of these regular season Game Day Threads so will sprinkle in a few of the stories from the old site here along with brand new material.

 

Personal Note: In this time of division and uncertainty, I do find it heartening that at least here in Canada, hockey brings us all together.

We are all Canadians

We are all Canucks

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The voice behind Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi says his love of the game is what moulded him into a patriotic Sikh Canadian while he was growing up in small-town Alberta.

 

Harnarayan Singh became a household name in the Canadian hockey world with his energetic, over-the-top commentary of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Nick Bonino's playoff goal against the Washington Capitals in 2016.

 

And his show has been groundbreaking. Singh was the first person to call the play-by-play of NHL games in Punjabi, and also became the first Sikh to take part in an English-language NHL broadcast.

 

He chronicles his journey from childhood hockey diehard to real-life NHL commentator in his new memoir, One Game at a Time: My Journey from Small-Town Alberta to Hockey's Biggest Stage.

 

Singh spoke with The Current's Matt Galloway about his new book and the challenges he's faced in his career. Here is part of their conversation.

 

These are things that one could not have possibly imagined growing up as a kid in the 1980s in Alberta. What was it like in Alberta in the '80s for you?

I was the centre of curiosity because, as a Sikh, I wear a steel bracelet, I have a turban.And, you know, we listened to different music, we spoke a different language at home. 

 

 

So when I was growing up there, for me to find commonality between my classmates and I, it would have taken something pretty drastic.

 

My passion and obsession for hockey, when I reflect back, that's what really helped me create a rapport and friendship with classmates and teachers. And I would actually say that my entire experience growing up as such a patriotic Canadian would have been totally and completely different had it not been for the game of hockey.

 

A lot of this book in some ways is a bit like kind of the history of the Sikh community in Canada. Why did you want to do that?

 

I have so much respect for my parents, their generation and past generations who went through so much for a person like me to be even sitting here today. They had to go through the rough time. They had to go through the major racism and try to fight for opportunities.

 

When I learned that my great grandfather came to Canada in 1907, for me that was revolutionary as a young Canadian, because … when I was hearing racist comments ... I had something that I could say back to them.

I could say that I'm just as Canadian as you, and that was literal proof ... just the fact that my parents came here and they were able to maintain their heritage and their faith, despite all the challenges.

 

What were the barriers that were placed in front of you in getting to the place that you're in right now?

 

 

Kids get asked all the time: What do you want to be when you grow up? And if you say a hockey commentator and you have a turban and it's the 80s, it's the '90s, you might get a laughing response instead of encouragement right away. And I did receive that from other professionals, from some teachers and even people within the CBC. 

 

It was a cautionary tale from their end, because they didn't want me to be disappointed, and they wanted me to go for something they felt that I would actually have a shot at. And that would be encouraging me to go behind the scenes for [the] production side or ... in news and not sports.

Watch Harnarayan Singh's famous 2016 goal call

 

 

I don't blame them, but I realize now, just even learning more about what being a person of colour and a visible minority does to your psyche in North America ... it does plant the seed of doubt in your mind.

 

A lot has changed and I'm excited to see the change that we're having.

 

If you don't see yourself, it can be difficult to believe that you're supposed to be there, to your point. But if others don't see people like you there, they don't think that that's a place for you to be in as well. So what changed to get you in a position where you could be not behind the scenes?

 

There are a number of reasons. But the one that's closest to my heart and very near and dear to me is Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi has a big role in changing the mindset of the sports world, especially in Canada.

 

You start off as almost a novelty and people are kind of curious. But then we start realizing that this is growing the game at the grassroots level, and instead of it being a want for the community, it's a need. 

 

And then you start seeing the impact in the community, where I go speak to students and they come and tell me that, "We never thought that there would be a role for us on TV. But seeing you on there, it's helping give us inspiration." 

 

That's exactly the message I want to provide. 

 

You were on air, so you didn't see it at the time, when Don Cherry went on his rant about "these people." And this was around who was wearing poppies and who wasn't wearing poppies. 

 

He goes on this rant, which people said was racist, which people said targeted immigrants. What did it mean for you to see something like that?

 

It was a difficult situation, to be honest with you, because Don Cherry was such an icon in the hockey world. But when your own community feels offended, you have to kind of stand up and explain why.

 

When you do create that us versus them mentality, what happens is it creates divisions in society. And all of a sudden, instead of us being united as Canadians, we start looking at ourselves differently just based on how we look. 

 

We're seeing the ramifications of the divisiveness ... south of the border and this type of stuff creeping up here is really worrisome to me.

 

Well, the question ends up being whether hockey has changed as much as we want it to have changed. 

After the [shooting] of Jacob Blake, leagues [stopped] around the world. So the NBA stops its games and players go on strike against play. Happens in the WNBA, happens in Major League Soccer, and the NHL continues to play on. The NHL has a moment of reflection and then the games continue. Eventually, those games were put on hold, but it didn't happen immediately. Does hockey need to catch up in some ways?

 

Hockey's in a very unique situation in comparison to the NBA, WNBA, even Major League Baseball. The difference is that hockey at a professional level is much, much less diverse. 

 

Up until now, it's taken players like Evander Kane and Matt Dumba from the Hockey Diversity Alliance. It's been kind of their battle to fight. But I think what we're seeing change is that while this conversation is happening, more and more hockey players are understanding and realizing that this is not just a fight for people of colour. This is a human rights issue.

 

I think the NHL is taking this seriously and sometimes it's better late than never.

 

I know you do a lot of speaking. What do kids ask you when they meet you?

 

First of all, it's this curiosity of like, how is it to be at the arena? How is it to be with the players? Or a lot of times if they're Punjabi kids, they will ask me specifically about something I've said on the air.

 

But my message to them is always encouraging in this sense that if I can do it, you can do it. So make sure whatever your goal and dream is, you go for it. Because we're so lucky to be in a country that we have those opportunities in front of us. 

 

Written by Kirsten Fenn. Produced by Idella Sturnio.

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-sept-22-2020-1.5732605/how-harnarayan-singh-s-hockey-obsession-shaped-his-life-in-small-town-canada-1.5734081

 

************************** Now for the Game Day Thread ************************************

Overview

Woohoo, this next game is Boeser's 400th in the NHL! Will he keep up the pace for 320 goals on the season!?! Magic 8-ball says "NO, but he will pot 2 more while deking McDavid out of his jockstrap". Both the 'Nucks and Oil played down a forward, something to with salary cap and Bettman general hatred of the Canucks. So, by doing so up comes Stud-Muffin he with the zero cap hit until the team gets healthy again. Will Studs make the most of the opportunity and dethrone a presumptive starter? Probably not but Magic 8-ball predicts he will play out of his mind and make it hard on the coaches to send him down. 

 

For a better explanation of the emergency rule and Studnicka, click here -> DA LINK <--

 

Conventional wisdom and pundits who have nothing original to say predict that Oilers will come out flying after the shellacing that they received courtesy of the Orcas and that the Canucks will collapse like a $5 tent if they don't weather the storm early in the 1st. I personally think the Canucks will be up for this one and Tocchet the Rocket will have everyone rowing in the same direction from the drop of the puck. Predict the score to be 6-2 with Boeser potting 2 as the Canucks pull away in the 3rd. 

 

Early in the season so very little to "overview" on so let's say Oilers are madder than a wet cat stuffed into burlap sack over the pounding they took. McDavid even took exception at Demko leaving for DeSmith, I guess Demko should have puked all over McJesus' skates on his way off the ice. Oilers are a good team but got out-worked, out-hustled and out-finished so badly they couldn't use missing their #1 D-man as an excuse. 

Quote of the day, "“What kind of team are we? Are we going in there fat and happy or are we going to be uncomfortable?" - Rich Tocchet on challenging his team after the 8-1 win.

 

Player movement to watch -> Cody Soucy closer to returning that originally expected but probably not for this next game. 

Soucy skated in a red non-contact jersey with his Canucks teammates today and will join them on the upcoming road trip.

“Yeah, that’s a big step [in the right direction,]” Tocchet told reporters. “He’s progressing.”

 

Blueger is definitely a week-to-week according to Tocchet the Rocket, same for Brisebois. 

 

By the Numbers

The Vancouver Canucks have a record of 112-129-19-15 in the regular-season and playoffs versus the Oilers all-time with 868 goals for and 979 goals against

J.T. Miller sits at GP 719 G 202 A 338 Pts 540 with a +/- 38 career ... so far GP 1 G 1 A 3 Pts 4 +/- 3

Quinn Hughes sits at GP 284 G 26 A 218 Pts 244 with a +/- -6 career ... so far GP 1 G 0 A 3 Pts 3 +/- 3

Brock Boeser sits at GP 399 G 143 A 172 Pts 315 with a +/- -28 career ... so far GP 1 G 4 A 0 Pts 4 =/- 3

Elias "Alien" Petterson sits at GP 326 G 137 A 190 Pts 327 with a +/- 37 career ... so far GP 1 G 1 A 3 Pts 4 +/- 1

 

Now for the Oilers

Connor McDavid sits at GP 570 G 303 A 548 Pts 851 with a +/- 111 career ... so far Bhwuahahahahaaa ... all kidding aside, a hell of a player

Leon Draisaitl sits at GP 639 G 307 A 438 Pts 745 wiht a +/- 29 ... so far GP 1 G 1 A 0 Pts 1 +/- 0 ... playing with McDavid probably one of the best 1-2 in the league. Remember watching him play with the Kelowna Rockets for one season

Evander Kane sits at GP 854 G 302 A 271 Pts 573 with a +/- -50 career ... so far GP 1 G 0 A 0 Pts 0 +/- 04

Mattias Ekholm sits at GP 740 G 66 A 216 Pts 282 with a +/- 132 career ... hasn't played yet this year, fingers crossed he is in for game 2

 

Now for some levity - THE JOKE SECTION

I once left a pair of Oilers tickets on my dash by accident while at the Edmonton Mall. Came back with the window broken and someone had added two more to the collection.

 

Q: What do you call 5 Edmonton Oilers players standing ear to ear?
A: A wind tunnel.

 

Q: What do the Edmonton Oilers and the Titanic have in common?
A: They both look good until they hit the ice!

 

Q: How many Edmonton Oilers does it take to change a tire?
A: One, unless it's a blowout, in which case they all show up

 

*** BWUAHAHAHAA *** .... I'll see myself out. 

 

Media

 

Best thing to do is go buy a ticket and cheer on the boys to come out flying and put a 6-2 beatdown on the Coilers. 

Second best, go to your local watering hole, grab some wings (Wings has excellent variety to choose form) and swill down some beer while screaming at the TV.

Third options:

TV: CBC, SN, City

Radio: Sportsnet 650

Streaming: Reddit has some decent streaming sites ... try -> HERE1 <- and -> HERE2 (NHL Stream) <- or a bit of a Reddit search. Reddit was how I watched some of the Canucks games live while I was down under in the land of the kangaroos. 

 

Matchup Info

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the Numbers

 

Now for Some Fun Stuff

 

The Canucks pounded the Oilers so badly that Dom's Model for the team's playoff odds up-ticked SIX whole percentage points from 52% to 58%.

 

 

RECAP of the previous game (Condensed)

 

Canucks Oilers Brawl 2007 / 2008

 

 

Canucks vs Oilers Pre-season ... Fights Galore

 

 

McDavid Not Happy with Canucks - bit of a whinge

 

 

Canucks Honor Ryan Smyth on his last game - class all around

 

Edited October 14, 2023 by Rocket-68

[-dlc-]

Let's go....Edmonton needs another whoppin'. They talk a big game.

[Rekker]

Let's go Canucks. Pound the overrated Coilers. But don't pound them too much, McBaby and Crysiatel will have another hissy fit.

[Cromeslab]

Cmon boys!Lets hit the ground runnin!
 

     
 

    GO CANUCKS!!!!
 

They sure did,let’s keep it goin!

 

GO CANUCKS!!!!

[DrJockitch]

Keep feet moving, finish checks, watch sticks-the refs aren’t our friends. 
They are going to come out hard at us, be ready. 

[gwarrior]

Man, if Demko played like that while sick as a dog, he probably would have shut them out in the last one.

[Outsiders]

Huge momentum boost heading into our road trip if we can beat the Oilers in back to back games. Won't be easy, Coils will goon it up and be awarded lots of PP's in their home opener. Thought reffing was really fair in the first game hope for it again tomorrow night. Saturday night game nothing gets better than that. 

 

Lets go boys

[gwarrior]

I'll be stuck at work till 6:30 tomorrow. I'm gonna try to leave at 6:15, that way I've got time to grab a quick shower beer and be seated for puck drop.

[PeteyBoeser]

They need to weather the storm that will for sure to come. If they keep it 0-0 or even 1-0 after first period I feel we have good chance to win! 
but I still think we lose but play hard and keep the score close is all that I ask for. 
if we lose badly like 8-1  the first win seems pointless. 

[Alflives]

Do the Smelly Soilers wash their jerseys? 

[Chickenspear]

I hope we can make them at least -14 in goal differential through 2 games.

[snowman955]

All Canucks need is to continue chemistry. RT has done a remarkable of assembling the correct line combo's. 

 

Don't understand the underdog system. Yet the soilers seemed to be all too confident. 

Karma is here

Edited October 14, 2023 by snowman955

[Goose]

A Canucks W and a Studnicka goal let’s go

[The Aquaman]

If the Canucks beat the Pilers again, tomorrow in Edmonton. We just might have something.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 14, 2023 by The Aquaman

[gwarrior]

I wonder if Boeser will pot 4 goals again. I really hope he does, that would REALLY stick it up the Oilers asses.

[AAA]

49 minutes ago, Rekker said:

Let's go Canucks. Pound the overrated Coilers. But don't pound them too much, McBaby and Crysiatel will have another hissy fit.

Who cares, let them whine and cry!

Hoping for another blowout by the boys tmrw

Go Canucks Go!!

[6of1_halfdozenofother]

1 hour ago, Rocket-68 said:

Quinn Hughes sits at GP 24 G 26 A 218 Pts 244 with a +/- -6 career ... so far GP 1 G 0 A 3 Pts 3 +/- 3

 

Methinks Sir Quinn has play a few more games than 24... no?  

[Rocket-68]

Just now, 6of1_halfdozenofother said:

 

Methinks Sir Quinn has play a few more games than 24... no?  

 

Hell of a "on track for" if that was all he played, will correct.

[Sharpshooter]

Hit ‘em again! 

[Rip The Mesh]

Lets destroy them / One more time, shall we..................

 

                 

[Rip The Mesh]

47 minutes ago, Alflives said:

Do the Smelly Soilers wash their jerseys? 

Don't know, however sometimes when the wind blows from the east, ick! You may be on to something..

[spook007]

Oilers will want revenge for the embarrashment...

They'll come out hard. Boys better be prepared, but if they can resist them in the 1 period, there's a great chance McWhine and Co will fold like a knife...

Regardless, we will always have oilers 1 Canucks 8....

 

Lets beat them again. Mon the Nucks....

Edited October 14, 2023 by spook007

[Rocket-68]

54 minutes ago, PeteyBoeser said:

They need to weather the storm that will for sure to come. If they keep it 0-0 or even 1-0 after first period I feel we have good chance to win! 
but I still think we lose but play hard and keep the score close is all that I ask for. 
if we lose badly like 8-1  the first win seems pointless. 

[Rounoush]

Well I think we can expect this one will be closer.

[Roger Neilsons Towel]