get the puck out

Columbus Blue Jackets were in town last night fresh off a 6 game win streak. We were coming straight from a whoopin’ in Edmonton against whom our stats are less than impressive. There was talk coming into this that our “big line” has not been producing – basically that all the call ups, rookies, 2nd and 3rd lines have really stepped up since Christmas to carry this team. We won 7-4 and all 7 of those goals were by different players on different lines.

The brother line is just totally solid – it wasn’t until this year and the introduction of Anson Carter to the lineup that the twins really got the catalyst they needed. They were always good with puck handling and passing but there wasn’t much spark, they were just ‘good’. Now you toss in Anson Carter who just completely compliments their style and skills and BAM we have a wicked 2nd line and one of them being named offensive player of the week.

Now about the “big” line (consisting of Naslun, Morisson, Bertuzzi)… it showed up last night, Naslund being solid (nothing too fancy or spectacular) but Bertuzzi worked his butt off as did Mo. We’re starting to see real depth with this team – even from players such as Josh Green, Alex Burrows and now Mojzis who are battling every game for a chance to stay up in the NHL. Bieksa making his impression after being with the Moose last year as well. Ryan Kesler has got some heart – going up against the likes of Iginla and Foote. John asked me if he was a rookie and I believe he was a call up last year and has been a pretty darn impressive addition to the roster ever since – he’s got wheels, fists and a lot of determination.

It seems like in Edmonton we crumbled when it came to offense and Auld was left to carry the team. With shots on goal being so lop-sided it really was no fault of his. He’s been solid and from the begining I have supported the Canucks’ decision to have him as our #1 (and I’m also openly anti Cloutier and Jovo so that may not be a surprise) :p

I’m still missing Cooke and Park who are currently out, day to day with injuries. Can’t wait to have their skills back on the ice and hopefully Cooke will stop getting hurt during practices sheesh!

That’s my hockey talk for this morning, I wish we could get out and attend more games – we had so much fun at the one we caught earlier this season, it would be a blast to experience that again. Although sitting on the couch holiding hands and talkin’ hockey with my husband-to-be ain’t too shabby at all :p

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