One Down... 83... Err...81, More to Go.

Wha?! It didn't go in?
Originally uploaded by d.yaro

Yup. The NHL season is now really started. Those four overseas games were a nice gesture towards the European fans but tonight the real show got going. In my neck of the woods the Vancouver Canucks started off on the right footing and I was there to witness it.

Prior to the game they had a memorial tribute to the late Luc Bourdon, a player who died in a motorcycle accident during the off-season. I'll admit I shed a few tears as the team captain Roberto Luongo presented the last game jersey Luc wore to the members of Luc's family, plus his girfriend, who were present at the game. The players had given away their jerseys to fans after the last game of the 2007-2008 season (Bourdon had played in that game) but the club managed to obtain Bourdon's jersey from the fan who had received it. I shed a few more tears as Tom Cochrane and Ken Greer from the band Red Rider sang and played a touching rendition of their song "Big League" as part of the tribute.

As for the game: At least the Canucks showed up to play. The Flames outshot the 'Nucks in the first frame but it was the locals who were up 1-0 at the end of the first period. Two goals in the first two minutes of the second period essentially flattened the Flames. By the time the third period rolled around the 'Nucks were on a roll. They added another 3 goals to their total in that frame to round out the score at 6-0. A good win. Hopefully the Canucks will play this way every night.

Postscript: Best laugh out loud comment I found on cbc.ca about the Saturday rematch game (Flames defenceman Robyn Regehr missed the Thursday game to be by his wife's side as she gave birth to their son):

thealbertananalyst wrote:
Posted 2008/10/11
at 2:31 PM ET - Wow...congratulations, Regehr! Chances are that parenting your new son will be a much better experience than playing with Calgary and losing to the Canucks AND the Oilers all through the year.

Go Oilers! :P