More off-ice shenangians, injuries and some games to recap all going on this past week with the Canucks. I don’t know about you, but my week was a busy one. But you’re not here to read about my dreary life, you’re here for the Canucks Week That Was!

Games

Things were very good for the Canucks this past week, although they got off to a bit of an auspicious start. The Oilers game, which saw the Canucks winning in OT, was bit of a tarnished victory as the Canucks were the beneficiary of some dodgy calls late in the game, including OT, which saw the Canucks score on the resulting powerplay. The fallout from that led to Dan Tencer losing his mind on the air during his post-game show. Naturally, this comes just over a week removed from the whole Auger/Burrows fiasco.

Not letting off-ice antics distract them, the Canucks followed up their game in Edmonton with another victory, this time against Dallas. Although they didn’t play a perfect game, the Canucks managed to wake up and take over the game, a late (3 seconds remaining) goal being the only major blemish against them.

Despite seeing a depleted blueline (more on that in a minute), the Canucks played host to the Chicago Blackhawks and managed to trounce the team that eliminated from the playoffs last season 5-1. I didn’t manage to do a postscript for this game, so I’ll elaborate here.

A lot of people are stating that the game was mostly even and that the Canucks only won because of Luongo standing on his head. While Luongo did have a great game (including an absolute stunner of a save), I’d say that’s doing the Canucks a disservice. When Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa are limited to a combined 3 shots on net and are a combined -3 on the night, you know that your defense has stepped up and answered the call. That the Hawks couldn’t pierce the Canucks defense for most of the game despite having half of their top six defensemen out of the lineup indicates a team effort.

Yes, I know that the Hawks threw everything but the kitchen sink at Luongo, as he faced 44 shots on net. But the fact that the Canucks did a good job of limiting the chances of the Hawks top players (Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith are about the only ‘top’ players who were getting the puck on net, as they accounted for 14 shots) means that the saves Luongo did have to make weren’t difficult ones for the most part.

Injuries

Willie Mitchell sat out this week due to hits he took against Boogaard and Malkin last week. It appears to be a combined back and concussion combination. At least the Canucks are multitasking with injuries now.

Kyle Wellwood was supposed to sit on Monday, but Rick Rypien coming down with a sudden bout of the flu. Although he apparently was healthy Saturday, Rypien sat.

Sami Salo hurt his groin, which necessitated Nolan Baumgartner being called up for Saturday’s game against the Hawks.

Both Ryan Johnson and Steve Bernier came back into the lineup. Johnson was out due to an injured foot, while Bernier was out due to groin issues.

Off Ice

Where to begin? As mentioned earlier, Dan Tencer had a post-game cry due to the horrible, evil Canucks. Whatever.

The biggest story coming out this week, though, had to be that GM Mike Gillis journeyed out to catch a game between the Blues and Canadiens. Rumours began circulating as a result of this with Jason Botchford speculated that Gillis was scouting the Habs, who dressed 8 defensemen. However, the big story going around was that Gillis was interested in the Blues and, thanks to a story from Matt Sekeres at the Globe & Mail, were specifically interested in David Backes. However, Blues GM John Davidson was quick to dismiss the rumor and the trade was further debunked by Botchford.

Although not technically ‘off ice’ the Canucks did have their Super Skills competition this past Sunday. Raymond won fastest skater and the accuracy competition while Edler won the hardest shot competition with a 98.3 MPH shot. Tanner Glass was this year’s pie victim.

Down On The Farm

Oooooh, boy.

The Hershey Bears invited the Manitoba Moose into their den this weekend and promptly ripped them to shreds in 8-3 and 8-2 affairs. Schneider saw action only in the first game, but he really hasn’t had a great January (remember Milwaukee last weekend and the Bears back to backs the weekend prior.)

I unfortunately missed both games so I can’t comment on what happened. Nice to see that Mat Schneider is putting up points, at least.

Baby Canucks

Anton Rodin, coming off a great World Juniors performance, is currently riding the pine back in Sweden.

No real news on Hodgson.

Peter Andersson was hurt in practice last Monday and underwent an MRI on his orbital bone.