brucen | Transcend Design

Just Another Regular Game Or Not: Canucks vs Hawks

February 1, 2012February 1, 2012
by brucen

Just Another Regular Game .. Or Not (JARGON) is a new feature to this blog. These posts will feature the best (and worst) of the regular season performances by the Canucks, in anticipation of the playoffs.

Cory Schneider Arrested for Larceny, Canucks Defeat Hawks 3-2 at Rogers Arena.

Alright Schneider wasn’t arrested, but I’m certain there’s an outstanding warrant in the Blackhawks locker room. Both goaltenders tonight were quite good, but Schneider’s volume of work, and degree of difficulty was slightly higher throughout the game.

These two teams are among the Western Conference elite, and the rivalry is intense. The Canucks and the Hawks seem to get up for each other, motivation shouldn’t have been an issue. I expected there to be a chippy, physical game. Instead, the Canucks did not have a single power play, and the Hawks had just 2 of their own, at least one of which was a questionable call.

This game featured a few memorable hits from Alexander Edler (chosen as the game’s 3rd star), and one hip check from Keith Ballard, who played a solid game. That hip check cost him 2 minutes for clipping, which seemed like a blown call. Burrows received 2 minutes for boarding, although from my vantage point Kruger didn’t appear to hit the boards at all. That was all for penalties. The usual “make up call” didn’t happen in the 3rd period, so the Canucks vaunted power play was 0-for-0.

How the Canucks won, and How the Hawks lost

The answer to both of these questions is Cory Schneider. Odd-man rush, left to right, right to left, it didn’t matter. Schneider stopped almost everything fired his way, making 37 saves on 39 shots. The Blackhawks could have been up by at least 2 or 3 goals after the 2nd period. And then there was this save, which drew a standing ovation from the crowd at Rogers Arena.

“I botched it behind the net,” said Schneider, who had help from defenseman Alex Edler as he scrambled back to his crease where he flopped as Morrison shot. “I just remember reaching as far as I could and the puck hit me. I was more upset with myself than happy about the save.” – via Yahoo Sports

#Coho4Calder train keeps rolling

Remember you heard it here first. Cody Hodgson was named as one of the 3 stars in this game, and perhaps this wasn’t as memorable a game as his effort in Boston, but there was the goal he scored to tie the game in the 3rd period to eventually send the game to overtime.

It seems that Hodgson likes to score goals when they matter the most, which usually translates into massive fan support in Canucks Nation. Does this kid ever score a bad goal? This goal was another beauty, with the #HoneyBadger giving the puck to a lonely Hodgson at the Hawks blueline. Hodgson, walks right in, he dekes, he shoots, he scores! #SoundedWayBetterInMyHead

#WizardousSedinery finds a way in OT

With thanks to @PassittoBulis – the Sedin’s play in overtime is exactly the reason the hashtag was created. The twins appear to have the puck on a string. Henrik to Daniel.

Tonight’s game, the Blackhawks probably deserved a better fate – they seemed to carry the play and the scoring chances were there, but they couldn’t take advantage of enough of those opportunities to secure the win. I almost feel bad for the Hawks fans on my twitter timeline .. but we’ll take the 2 points.

General Randomness

Thomas has a seat in Washington DC – on…

January 25, 2012January 25, 2012
by brucen

Vancouver Canucks v Boston Bruins — Luongo appreciating the serenade in The Gahden - from the bench.

Flash back to January 7, 2012

The Canucks decide to start Cory Schneider in Boston, in the only Stanley Cup Final rematch during the regular season. Luongo sits on the bench and is serenaded by the Bruins faithful for much of the game. The drama before and after the game was something else. Bruins fans were calling out Luongo before the game began, even Canucks fans were chirping among themselves.

Many fans from both sides said that Luongo should have “demanded” to start in Boston.

At the end of the game, the Canucks won 4-3. The game was electric, and was as advertised – the best game of the year for Canucks fans. Neither team has looked very good for the rest of January, making this writer think that perhaps the game that was “just another 2 points” was much more than that for both squads.

The media circus was pretty wild, and the blogging was all of that, amplified. Here’s one shining example:

Red Hot Luongo to watch Bs Game so Schneider can play in front of his Family… Fucking Lame Vancouver

Flash forward to January 23, 2012

The Bruins are honoured at the White House, as is customary for championship sports teams in the USA. Tim Thomas decides not to show, and releases this statement, via Facebook:

I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People.

This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.

Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.

This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT

He says it’s not about politics or party, but his opinion on government is all about politics. Even if we believe Tim Thomas and it’s not about party (which I don’t), it’s not a stretch to say Tim Thomas doesn’t like the current US administration. Don’t be surprised if Tim Thomas runs for office in 2016. Just like #Coho4Calder, you heard it here first.

In a Strange Twist of Fate:

It was not Luongo on the bench, in enemy territory. This time, it was Tim Thomas on the bench. In enemy territory. Think about it. He snubs the White House visit, basically calling out his own government, and then the next day is riding the pine? Come on, Thomas.

You should have “demanded” that start in Washington DC.

You don’t like the White House, you don’t like the government. Now your next game is in Washington DC, home of the White House – you’re in enemy territory and you sit on the bench while the backup gets the start. And your team loses to the Capitals, who are without Alex Ovechkin? Just another reason to hate Washington.

General Randomness

Just Another Regular Game Or Not: Canucks vs Bruins

January 9, 2012January 9, 2012
by brucen

Canucks Defeat Bruins 4-3 in Boston; Millions of Canucks Fans Lose their Minds.

If only Canucks fans saw this headline in June. Instead, we have to settle for this in January. This game began at 1PM Eastern, which meant a 10AM start for Canucks fans on the west coast; but for those that got up for this early match, they were in for a treat.

Before the game started, I bought into all of the “this is just another regular season game” talk that the Canucks themselves were saying. I also felt that I was over the Stanley Cup Final – I told myself I had made peace with it, and that the Bruins were the better team that day in June. Not 4 minutes after the start of the 1st period, all of that was out the window. The scrum at 3:54 was ridiculous. Burrows may have tapped Thornton on the skate heading to the bench, to which Thornton may have slashed Burrows. Which was followed by a Burrows spear to Thornton’s midsection. Which was followed by Thornton lunging at Burrows right in front of the Canucks bench. Which resulted in a good old fashioned melee, in the middle of a yard sale.

At that moment in time, all the pre-game talk of “Just Another Regular Game” was right out the window. It was obvious for the rest of the game that this was far more than just another 2 points for these teams.

How the Canucks won, and How the Bruins lost

After that 1st period scrum, the Canucks were somehow rewarded with a 2 man-advantage for a whole 2 minutes, and Milan Lucic was given a game misconduct for leaving the player’s bench. Lucic still had one foot on the ice, so it is doubtful that he will be suspended. Ryan Kesler opened the scoring at the end of this power play, Canucks Nation breathed a huge sigh of relief.

The game was won by the Canucks and lost by the Bruins on the strength of special teams. Before the game, there was a lot of talk on @Team1040 and the #Canucks hashtag about the concept of team toughness, and the Canucks formula for success – using their skill level, and making teams pay by scoring on the power play. This is the same formula that failed last year in the Stanley Cup Final against the Bruins as the Canucks absorbed a lot of punishment, but failed to score.

At the end of the game, there were 107 minutes in penalties. The Canucks were 4-for-11 on their power-play opportunities, and the Bruins were 0-for-7. The Canucks power-play was finally able to connect, and their penalty killing was top notch as well, even when Kesler, Burrows and Hamhuis took turns in the box. #NotAsDirtyAsItSounds

#Coho4Calder is in full effect

Remember you heard it here first. Cody Hodgson was named the first star of the game according to NHL.com, and for good reason. Hodgson had the first assist on Burrows 2-2 goal, taking a Bieksa pass on the left boards, walking in from the circle and snapping a shot. I didn’t see the Burrows deflection, but Hodgson showed his hands from that spot.

There was no doubt about the 4-2 goal (and eventual game winner) from Hodgson. A perfect slap shot on the run from the top of the right circle, top shelf right below the bar. Again, no secret that me (and my kids) love Coho, and this beauty only makes our love stronger. Again, #NotAsDirtyAsItSounds

I thought I was over it, but …

I found myself yelling a little more often at the TV for the game, and was definitely feeling the emotion of this one. It is obvious that the players for both teams felt the same way. Both sides were right into it, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the Canucks fight back a bit, and answer the bell when they had to.

salo_out — This is the only time you will see Marchand look down on a player.

It was tough to watch Brad Marchand’s low bridge hit on Sami Salo. It will likely be a suspendable hit, my guess is 4 games for that. It was dirty. Maybe it was a hip check attempt from a shorter player, but it was far too low. It was a rare 5 minute major for clipping, and a game misconduct for Marchand, which is the correct call. Salo lay motionless on the ice, while most of Vancouver was screaming at their TV sets.

Certainly Canucks Nation had to wonder what could have been – if Raymond, Hamhuis and Kesler were healthy, or if Weise was on the team, or if there were a few more penalties called in the final. You know .. if Marchand was called for roughing for punching Daniel in the face, or if Seidenberg was called for cross-checking Henrik in the back 5 or 6 times in a row.

These are (arguably) the two best teams in their respective conferences. If they should meet again in the final, it would be another amazing series.

Alright, so I’m not over it. You’re not either.

General Randomness

Canucks Wagonwatch: Game 40 vs Sharks

January 3, 2012
by brucen

Throughout the season, the Canucks Wagonwatch series will track how much room is on the team’s bandwagon. In addition, it will also track the completely separate Luongo wagon.

The Sharks were well rested, as the last time they played was December 28 in a 3-2 OT loss to Vancouver. Meanwhile, the Canucks have played twice since then, winning in Anaheim, and losing in Los Angeles. After the playoff-like atmosphere that last time these clubs met a few days ago, tonight’s game was a little disappointing in that regard.

Canucks Bandwagon: 80% full

After the last game versus the Sharks in San Jose, I expected a similar energy level from both clubs, but there were very few stretches of good play from either team. Even though the shot totals were good, it felt like there weren’t that many solid scoring chances for the Canucks. The had good secondary scoring from Hansen and Hodgson, but the top 2 lines couldn’t beat Niemi tonight.

Luongo Bandwagon: 70% full

Sometimes I am guilty of listening to the Team 1040 post game, which brings all kinds of crazy callers. The first caller after the Kings game immediately called out Luongo, calling him a flopper and a incapable of standing up to make a save. Haters gonna hate, but for better or worse, Luongo is held to a higher standard than the rest of the team. He was pretty good tonight against the Sharks, and made some nice saves – including one lunging from right to left to stop Joe Thornton from 6 feet. He even made two saves in the dreaded shootout, but couldn’t stop Handzus with the game on the line. Canucks shooters were 0-for-3 in the shootout tonight, but in Vancouver, people don’t blame the shooters for a shootout loss.

#Coho4Calder is Back, and The Honey Badger Keeps Eating

Jannik Hansen maybe shouldn’t have scored on that mad scramble, but he was rewarded for his hard work tonight. The first assist on Hansen’s goal was from Cody Hodgson. It’s no secret that I have a soft spot for Coho, so it was extra sweet to see Hodgson get rewarded tonight with 1G 1A, and even played out the final seconds in OT. We’re not so deluded to think that Hodgson has a shot at the Nuge Trophy .. er .. Calder Trophy as the rookie of the year, because he’s not that kind of a flashy player, and the Canucks are loaded at Center with Henrik and Kesler eating up the top minutes. If you consider that – then 12-13 minutes isn’t bad for a 3rd line center on this team, which could roll all 4 lines successfully on most nights.

I honestly believe that Hodgson will be one of the key pieces of this hockey club in the future – he’s lucky to be an understudy to two of the great centers in the game today – Captain Henrik is the soft spoken pure passer, and Kesler is the shutdown guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. Just because we are massive Cody Hodgson fans, this video should give you something to drool over.

Canucks

Canucks Wagonwatch: Game 33 vs Wild

December 20, 2011December 20, 2011
by brucen

110611_luongo — Luongo tells the fickle fans how he really feels.

Throughout the season, the Canucks Wagonwatch series will track how much room is on the team’s bandwagon. In addition, it will also track the completely separate Luongo wagon.

The Wild played the first half of a back-to-back set tonight, playing in Calgary tomorrow night. The Wild started off with a strong first period, but were down 1-0 after one period after they gave up late goal to the Canucks power play. It wasn’t a typical Canucks power play goal, as it came off a rush and was scored by Henrik Sedin. The 2nd period saw the Canucks score 2 more. The Canucks 3rd goal was particularly nice – Sedin to Sedin to Burrows.
Canucks Bandwagon: 85% full

After Saturday’s big win in Toronto, I expected the Canucks to come out a little flat – the road trip hangover effect – but was pleasantly surprised to see them put in a good effort. The Sedins were particularly effective – beautiful passing tonight – for 6 points between the twins. John Shorthouse and John Garrett indicated that it would be tough to pick the 3 Stars for the game – Luongo, and the Sedins seemed about right from a statistics point of view, but many other Canucks looked pretty good tonight.

Luongo Bandwagon: 70% full

Luongo was full credit for the win and the shutout tonight – holding his team in the game early in the 1st period, as the Canucks were outshot in the opening frame. After the Canucks scored at the end of the first, the Wild were not able to generate much pressure, or many scoring chances. No such thing as an easy shutout, and Luongo did well to maintain his focus. Maybe the haters will say he looked awkward in the 1st. Or that he shouldn’t have looked over his shoulder in the 3rd. Not much to complain about in this one, as Luongo made it look easy. Very good positionally, and very economical movement. Another 3 shutouts in a row, and who knows, maybe the wagon will be at capacity. Or maybe not.

What the Honey Badger wants, the Honey Badger gets

It is more than a mere rumour that the Canucks have animal nicknames for each of their players (reference: Pass It To Bulis). Jannik Hansen is known as the Honey Badger. Tonight the Honey Badger scored his 11th goal of the season; his previous season high was 9 – done twice. Hansen is looking more like a player that can provide some serious secondary scoring, along with speed and good physical play. At this pace he will have between 20 and 30 goals.

Hansen is given the Honey Badger moniker because he plays with a tenacious and fearless style. If you watch this video, and if you’ve seen Hansen play, you will understand it.

Gingerbread Creations

Gingerbread 2011: Urban Brownstone Complete

December 16, 2011January 17, 2021
by brucen

A few years ago I received this as a gift. The Gingerbread Architect is a great book, and it comes with recipes and ingredients for 12 different gingerbread masterpieces.

This year, I opted to make the Urban Brownstone, which is rated as one of the more difficult houses to make in the book. Despite the written difficulty level, I found the baking of the walls to be pretty easy, and the decorating wasn’t too difficult either. It was definitely easier going than last year’s Second Empire house.

Next year, I am strongly considering making my own house out of gingerbread.

Without further ado – here are the photos from my process this year. Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed making this year’s house. Happy Holidays everyone!

Plans - enlarged, copied and cut from The Gingerbread Architect.	Rolling and cutting 8 pounds of gingerbread dough. This was the front wall piece, which needed the windows cut out.
Everything is baked at this point. Here I've melted hard butterscotch candies into the windows, and piped icing for mullions.	The base for the house. I cut a hole in the base to string the LED lights through, and ran the AC cord out the back.
Pre-construction tools. Icing, piping bag, various tips for the bag, and that's what she said.	First wall is up on the board, held up with a complex system of coffee mugs.
Four outside walls are up. Held together with pins while the icing "glue" dries.	View of the inside. Lights in a bunch at the bottom. I used more pins to secure the lights higher on the vertical gingerbread struts.
Details - front stairs, door below the stoop, Rice Krispies hedge, mini Chiclets patio.	Details - sanding sugar roof, Candy Bloks chimney.
Details - front door, flower baskets, windows boxes with flowers and leaves.	Money shot! With the windows lit, you can almost see people having holiday parties inside.
Another shot of the finished house. Party on Wayne! Party on Garth!

Canucks

Canucks Wagonwatch: Game 26 vs Flames

December 5, 2011December 20, 2011
by brucen

raymond — Mason Raymond didn't hit the scoresheet tonight, but ladies in Vancouver didn't notice. #Dreamy #WaitWhat?

Throughout the season, the Canucks Wagonwatch series will track how much room is on the team’s bandwagon. In addition, it will also track the completely separate Luongo wagon.

The Flames were on the second game of a back-to-back set, defeating Edmonton last night. The Flames lit the lamp for a 1-0 lead after one period, but their effort dimmed in the 2nd period, and the Canucks extinguished them from there. The Canucks roared back with five unanswered goals to win 5-1.

Canucks Bandwagon: 80% full

After Friday’s disappointing defensive game against the Predators, it was nice to see the Canucks put together a good effort. They gave up only a few good scoring chances. On the offensive side they had a good cycling game and solid forecheck that took advantage of the Flames tired legs. On David Booth’s goal, Chris Higgins stole the puck on the corner boards, and Booth took over on a wraparound from there – a testament to both the Canucks work ethic, and the Flames fatigue.

Luongo Bandwagon: 50% full

Let’s get it out of the way – the one goal that Luongo let in was a softie – it looked to sneak in between his pad and the post, or deflect off his left pad and in. From there, he was lights out, shutting the door the rest of the way. Luongo stopped 21 of 22 shots and looked pretty solid in his first start since his mysterious “Upper Body Injury But Not a Concussion”. The fickle fans of Vancouver might have a problem with the one goal, but can’t argue with the win.

Mason Raymond comeback complete

Mason Raymond made his return to the Canucks lineup tonight, playing his first game since Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. He looked to be fast out there, contributing an assist on Jannik Hansen’s goal, and diving for a Cody Hodgson pass in the slot. I enjoyed watching that line skate – Hodgson’s skills with Hansen and Raymond’s speed. Hope Raymond can keep it up and get his scoring touch back.

Canucks

These Are Not The Droid Goaltenders You Are Looking…

November 29, 2011November 29, 2011
by brucen

goaltending_tandem — Luongo and Schneider sharing a tender moment in front of thousands of fans.

Tonight Cory Schneider makes his sixth consecutive start in the pipes for the Vancouver Canucks, despite Roberto Luongo being pronounced healthy for the last few games.

Is there a goalie controversy here? The Canucks coaches and management would have us believe that there is no controversy, but as Canucks fans tend to do, we make our own drama and decide what is controversial or not.

Here are a few thoughts on Canucks goaltending and where this is all going.

There is a goalie controversy.

Despite what the coaches and goaltenders themselves will tell you, this is a controversy. Luongo should be the number one goaltender, and should have started as soon as he was healthy. This is what starting goalies are supposed to do. All the coaches and goalies talk about being supportive of each other is just covering up what’s really going on. Schneider is staking a claim to Luongo’s spot in the crease.

There is no goalie controversy.

How can you not continue to play a guy that had two shutouts in a row? He’s winning games – the Canucks maybe shouldn’t have beaten Ottawa, if not for Schneider that night. So let him keep playing. Coach Vigneault is just rolling with the hot hand, which happens to be Schneider. Once Schneider loses, Luongo will likely resume his work as number one and regain his spot in the crease. Schneider will then go back to being the NHL’s best backup, to one of the NHL’s best starting goalies.

Luongo’s Upper Body Injury is more serious than originally thought.

Is it possible that Luongo is sitting because he’s not 100%? Maybe. In Luongo’s last start (a 4-1 win versus the New York Islanders), he took a shot off the helmet. Schneider started stretching in the tunnel, but Luongo managed to finish the game. Luongo hasn’t seen action since. He didn’t dress for a couple games, and has been practicing, but sitting as backup since.

The Canucks are showcasing Schneider for trade bait.

Schneider has been playing very well since a 5-1 loss to Chicago. The whole team has been playing better, but there’s no such thing as an easy shutout anymore, and Schneider posted two in a row. First he shut out the Avalanche. Two days later, he shut out the Coyotes. The very next night, he stopped 43-of-45 shots on the second half of a back to back, willing the Canucks to a win in San Jose. There are a number of teams in the NHL that could use a starting goalie of Schneider’s calibre (two of which Schneider shut out on the last road trip). No better way to increase trade value of a young goaltender than to play him more.

Is any of this real?

@transcendwebs: My opinion that #Canucks ride the hot hand (Schneider) til he loses. Also my opinion that Luongo is still the man. #LonelyTweet

I believe the Canucks will do whatever it takes to win. Right now Schneider is winning, Coach Vigneault doesn’t want to mess with a winning formula, so Schneider keeps playing. Call it a goaltending controversy or not, tandem or not, it doesn’t matter.

This isn’t the controversy you’re looking for, so long as the Canucks keep winning.

Gingerbread Creations

Gingerbread 2011: Urban Brownstone

November 26, 2011January 17, 2021
by brucen

A few years ago I received this as a gift. The Gingerbread Architect is a great book, and it comes with recipes and ingredients for 12 different gingerbread masterpieces.

It’s a good coffee table book, as it has plenty of photographs of the houses, blueprint plans for each house, and excellent step-by-step instruction. The only downside is that some of the candies are not that easy to come by in Canada, as the book was written and published in the States.

Unlike my wife, who is an excellent baker and makes amazing cakes, I have very little baking and decorating experience, so some of the plans are intimidating. In 2009, I worked up enough courage to give one of these houses a try.

2009_house — Gingerbread 2009: Victorian Farmhouse. My first attempt at a nice looking house.

I opted for the “Victorian Farmhouse” which is also featured on the cover of the book. Making the gingerbread dough and baking the pieces was quite easy, while the decorating (piping the icing, rolling fondant, cutting shingles and bricks) was quite time consuming. I had to do everything after dinner and after the kids were put to bed for the evening as well, as there isn’t a lot of time to spare around our house. The entire work is definitely a labour of love, as it took me a few weeks to get it all done. I was happy with the result though!

Last year I attempted the “Second Empire House”. I took more time to take pictures along the way, and documented some of the steps in the pictures below.

Plans laid out with the gingerbread dough.	Most of the large pieces baked, twice to melt windows.
Putting up walls with large mugs. Icing and pins to hold things together.	Walls and roof and front entrance put together. With live tweeting of course!
The roof took forever.	The house is finished! Yes, the inside is lit! =)

This year, I’m planning on making an Urban Brownstone – if you’ve been in large cities like New York, it will look familiar to you: tall building, front stoop offset from center. In fact, if you’ve seen Sesame Street, it might look familiar to you. I probably won’t add Oscar the Grouch out front!

General Randomness

“Meet Me” – The Life Behind The Blogger

November 20, 2011November 20, 2011
by brucen

As I was thinking of a way to connect on a more personal level with my readers, I thought it might be an interesting idea to start a new blog trend. The trend I’m hoping for should help to open up the communication and connect with the bloggers whose sites I enjoy reading. The “About me” section is alright, but what better way to get an idea of who I really am (other then bat-shit crazy), then to go through the pictures from my cell phone.

– Candice from Baked In Vancouver (Twitter: @loveyourcake)

I have been ~~poked and prodded~~ ~~forced~~ inspired to write this blog post by Candice. I’ve never had the opportunity to meet Candice (in fact, it’s rare for me to meet people from Twitter), but always enjoy the opportunity to ~~creep~~ find out more about my awesome Twitter friends.

As with Candice’s Meet Me post, I will post a number of ~~x-rated~~ ~~PG-13~~ regular old photos from my phone, along with the play-by-play via captions.

I had to think long and hard about this post.	me and my two boys having a laugh.
My wife with my kids. They love hockey just like I do.	we play hockey on the street.
If we can't play on the street, we'll play on the grass in our back yard. in flip flops.	i've carved a few epic #Canucks pumpkins.
occasionally, i will indulge in a girly drink. #DrinkingWithTwitter of course.	what the eff? how did this get on my phone? is that a Bieber pinata?!
i try to bike to work in the summer.	i play drums in a cover band. we're not too serious. need more cowbell?
the boys love music too. it is their azn birthright to piano lessons.	Saturdays are for soccer and swimming!
Matthew has a penchant for falling asleep at the top of the stairs after a tough weekend.	in the summer i will tweet from my barbeque grill.

Well, that’s that! I ~~have no friends~~ ~~skipped over the millions and millions of photos of all my friends~~ really focus on my family. and hockey. and food. Chances are if you have kids, or like hockey, or if you eat, we can be friends!