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Canucks fans hopeful for Cup despite loss to Bruins

Parisa Azadi
Jun 14th, 2011

Photos by Parisa Azadi

"It's okay that they lost -- that means Vancouver will win at home at Game 7," a young female Canucks fan shrugged, forcing a smile after the team's resounding 5-2 defeat against the Bruins in Boston. Many fans were shaken to see the Canucks lose right after the massive Game 5 victory in Vancouver, but maintained a brave face ahead of the last game in the playoff series this Wednesday. 

"That's the Canucks for you," one fan laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "They make it as humanly difficult as they can for their fans." His sentiments seemed to echo a recent commentary by a VO writer about the Canucks long history of heartache.  

The series, which was initially predicted to be won by Vancouver, is now at a 3-3 tie. The winner of Game 7 at Rogers Arena Wednesday evening will take the Stanley Cup, and fans are counting on a historic victory for the Canucks on home ice.  

Inside TD Gardens Game 6 Stanley Cup finals: Bruins fans mock Vancouver

Howard Eaton
Jun 13th, 2011

Inside TD Gardens during Game 6 of Stanley Cup Finals.  All photographs by Howard Eaton

 Back at the hotel after walking through thousands of happy Bruin fans.  Reminded me of after Game 5 in Vancouver.  Fans were high fiving each other and cars honking their horns.  The yellow Stanley Cup towels were waving in the air.  Most fans were crowded around the Bobby Orr statue that sits just outside the Gardens.  The police were watching closely, though no intervention was needed as all was under control.
 
It is quite clear in this series that the home team has a serious crowd advantage.  It has been remarkable attending games 3, 4 and 6 in Boston.  The crowd is loud, passionate and in your face if you are the opposition.  This is the same I observed in Game 5 in Vancouver and need to repeat for Game 7.
 
Now to face the Air Canada strike!  I hope I make it back in time for Game 7.
End of Third Period: Bruins win 5-2. It really appears to be a series where the home team wins. Let's hope the pattern repeats in Vancouver. A frustrating loss for the Canucks.

What the Stanley Cup means to Vancouver

Tyler Wilde
Jun 12th, 2011

Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals. Crowd shot by Howard Eaton.

Witnessing upwards of 100,000 people stuffed like sardines on the streets of Vancouver, it’s easy to see that something big is happening here.  The Canucks are far more than a hockey team to British Columbia. They’re our identity, a common thread between complete strangers.  Even the most casual fan can’t help but hit the streets in anticipation of this city’s defining sporting moment. 

The Olympics were incredible, but we had to share that with the rest of Canada and while there are many who consider the lone remaining Canadian team in the NHL playoffs as “Canada’s team”, a Stanley Cup would truly be ours, to be viewed and celebrated by any who want to, but not to be shared.

Boston broadcasters trash talking the Canucks

Howard Eaton
Jun 12th, 2011

8:48 p.m. Sports Extra, Channel 7, stated that Sedin's don't have courage. Remarkable listening to these so called professional sports broadcasters continue to trash talk the Canucks.

8:36 p.m. At hotel in Boston watching local news.  Sports Extra news on TV discussing upcoming game.  Luongo called insecure and the team quitters by sports broadcasters. Lots of trash talking by local sports experts.

7:52 p.m.Arrived in Boston.  Flights were all delayed into Boston's Logan Airport due to poor weather.  This was the case along most of the Eastern seaboard. As a result, Canuck fans arriving today are coming in late. Though, it won't take much to get us ready for Game 6 tomorrow! It will be intense in TD Gardens. Will report tomorrow morning.3:35 PST:  Delayed in Montreal for a couple of hours. Flight for Boston leaves at 7:30pm EST. Some courageous Bruins fans walking around the Habs airport terminal.  If looks could kill.

The US Customs agent said to me, "I hope Vancouver wins. I hate the Bruins."

Canucks fan goes to TD Garden for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals

Linda Solomon
Jun 12th, 2011

Photo of Vancouver victorious by Howard Eaton

"How'd you like the taste of that Boston clam chowder, buddy?"

The Bruins had just defeated the Canucks and Eaton was wearing his Canucks shirt---proudly. It was Game 4 on Bruins' home turf. 

Boston.  Where Eaton went to university.  Boston.  Where he'd returned to cheer the Canucks.

The Bruins' fan pushed his face right up into Eaton's and it could have gotten nasty.  But the guy backed off.  Still,  hostility mounted as Eaton rooted for his team.  It didn't stop him and he got out alive.

Now, he's back on a flight to Boston for Game Six and he will be live blogging with pictures and updates tonight from Bruins-land. 

Hopefully, the Canucks are psychologically more prepared today to deal with the Bruins' fans desire to see them destroyed than than they were in Game 4.

Howard Eaton, circa 1974, ready to hit the ice. 

This was a view from Eaton's perspective during Game 5.

Four reasons the Canucks will bounce back to win Game 4

Tyler Wilde
Jun 7th, 2011

After an 8-1 thumping Monday night, the party around Vancouver feels like it has been crashed.  Here are four reasons why the Canucks are still in good shape heading into Game 4:

1. Roberto Luongo has proven he can bounce back after bad losses.  Luongo was lit up in two straight games against the Chicago Blackhawks in round one and many questioned his ability to provide the Canucks with the big game they needed to pull the series out of the fire.  Luongo responded by coming a minute and fifty six seconds from a shutout in game seven against the Hawks, before making a crucial save on Patrick Sharp in overtime.  History was written shortly after when Alex Burrows put the Hawks down for good, and started the Canucks on their way to where they are now.  Luongo should be focused and ready to steal game four from Boston and send the Canucks home looking to win the Stanley Cup on home ice.

Canucks Week in Review

Tyler Wilde
Dec 28th, 2010

The Canucks won three of four games in a busy week that included a three game road trip.  Monday in St. Louis the Canucks bested the Blues 3-1.  Wednesday saw the Canucks play Detroit in a battle for first place in the Western conference.  Despite holding a late lead, the Canucks lost 5-4 in overtime in a very entertaining game.  One night later Vancouver avenged the loss to Detroit, beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-1 before heading home for the final game of the week Sunday, a game which saw the Canucks come back from two goals down to beat the Oilers.

Canucks Week in Review

Tyler Wilde
Dec 20th, 2010

Winning the only two games they played in a light week, the Canucks will look for one final good week to head into the holidays atop the Western Conference.  A tight checking affair Wednesday against Columbus saw the Canucks escape with a 3-2 overtime victory on the back of a Ryan Kesler hat trick.  Saturday the Maple Leafs paid a visit to Rogers arena, a game the Canucks would win 4-1 to preserve the long winning streak Vancouver holds over Toronto.

Canucks week in review

Tyler Wilde
Dec 15th, 2010

Markus Naslund’s jersey retirement headlined a week that saw the Canucks win two of three games.  Although picking up five out of a possible six points on the week, the Canucks could not earn the victory for their former captain, losing 5-4 in overtime to the Tampa Bay Lightning the same night Naslund’s jersey was raised to the rafters of Rogers Arena alongside Stan Smyl and Trevor Linden.

Canucks week in review

Tyler Wilde
Dec 8th, 2010

Despite ending the week on a sour note losing to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, the Canucks managed a good week, routing division rival Calgary 7-2 before extracting a measure of revenge on the Blackhawks, winning 3-0.

The Canucks entered the week playing well and riding a two game winning streak.  Going into Calgary on Wednesday they faced a struggling Flames team and took full advantage.  The game remained close through two periods with the Canucks taking a 3-2 lead into the third before putting up four goals on the Flames in the final frame, cruising to a 7-2 victory.  The attack was led by Mason Raymond, who netted a hat trick.  The Canucks also got goals from Jeff Tambellini, Daniel Sedin, Alex Burrows and Dan Hamhuis while Tim Jackman and Alex Tanguay scored for the Flames.  Special teams again played a huge factor for the Canucks, as they went 3 for 8 on the power play and killed all 3 Calgary power plays, along with scoring a shorthanded goal.  The win was the third in a row, and the Canucks would roll into Chicago feeling confident in their attempt to avenge a 7-1 drubbing by the Hawks two weeks earlier.

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