This concept of winning ugly introduced lately by the Vancouver Canucks takes some getting used to.
They won Monday night but got nothing from the Sedins, and by nothing we mean not even a shot on goal. They won and got one shot in the first half of both the first and third periods. They enjoy a one-goal-against game despite using the terrifying pairing of Andrew Alberts and Aaron Rome, Vancouver's show of patience a match for the Coyotes' ability to check a game into wishing you could change the channel when you're in the building. A ticket to this past weekend's Davis Cup tie on the weekend would have looked attractive in comparison to the entertainment value offered in this one. http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Gallagher+Winning+ugly+will+Canucks/6147635/story.html#ixzz1mNJbo25r
Shacks' Take: While Vancouver's struggles make for great writing material, there is absolutely nothing to worry about yet. The Canucks opponent last Phoenix had won 5 straight playing their trap-style of hockey, thus beating them required the Canucks to play the exact style they played against Nashville in the playoffs last year. Playing tight defensive hockey is the only way to beat trapping teams consistently. Boring? Absolutely. Effective? Unfortunately yes.
Had Luongo stopped a floater from the point Vancouver wins 1 – 0 and the topic is how the Canucks improved defense is leading the way. With Vancouver virtually locked into a top three seed and a full month and a half left in the season my guess is Canuck fans can expect some listless performances down the stretch as they play teams much more desperate to win than the local side. Unfortunately, last nights performance was more a case of playing the game to counteract Phoenix's numbing style of hockey than it is an indictment on Vancouver's playoff chances.
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