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I am hoping for the Hawks. Not because I have any fear of the Flamers, just because the faster they go down the better the world we live in. As for Anahim and Detroit, they are the only two that give me any worries in the west, so hopefully the Ducks finish it off tomorrow and have a nice tough 7 gamer with the Wings.

Hodgson named OHL's outstanding player

April 28, 2009 at 11:58 AM EDT

Cody Hodgson of the Brampton Battalion was named the Ontario Hockey League's most outstanding player for 2008-09 on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old from Markham, Ont., had 43 goals and 49 assists in 53 games. Hodgson was a first-round pick, 10th overall, of the Vancouver Canucks last year.

He has nine goals and 18 assists in 16 playoff games to lead the Battalion into the Ontario Hockey League championship final versus the Windsor Spitfires.

The six-foot, 188-pound forward led Canada in points with five goals and 11 assists in a gold-medal effort at the world junior hockey championships in Ottawa and was named to the tournament all-star team.

This draft pick by the Canucks continues to look very good. He is a prolific scorer. By all accounts, including that of Pat Quinn, he is a "character" player and team leader. His size should not be an issue in the NHL as he is now 6' 188 lbs with possibly some room to grow. The NHL now seems to allow some "smaller" players to thrive. I'm looking forward to seeing Cody Hodgson play with the Canucks.

Two more big items in today's news:

Ryan Kesler nominated for Selke Trophy
Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler has been nominated for the Frank Selke trophy. The award is given to the NHL's top defensive forward.
Tune into News1130 for the very latest on this story, or visit News1130.com
News1130 mornings with George Gordon and Dianne Newman, weekdays 5:30 to 9am.

AHL franchise approved for Abbotsford
American Hockey League governors approve relocation of the Calgary Flames' farm club from Illinois to Abbotsford. Keep it locked on News1130 Sports for more details at :15 and :45 past the hour.
Tune into News1130 for the very latest on this story, or visit News1130.com
News1130 mornings with George Gordon and Dianne Newman, weekdays 5:30 to 9am.

Although I've stated before that I don't think of it this way, other Canadians may. Now that both the Flames and Canadiens have been eliminated from the playoffs, then the Canucks remain the only Canadian team. So will the rest of Canada all support the Canucks as they represent Team Canada now in the quest for the Cup?

We've talked about whether the Lions play better at home with the primary or third home uniforms. How about the Canucks? Should they wear the primary or alternate home uniforms?

Round 2 starts for the Canucks this Thursday at GM Place! All games in this series are 6:00pm PDT start.

Soundy wrote: All games in this series are 6:00pm PDT start.

That's a piss off. They should be 7:30 as usual...

Go Hawks

Time to shut up the bandwagoneers

Lionheart wrote:

Soundy wrote: All games in this series are 6:00pm PDT start.

That's a piss off. They should be 7:30 as usual...

Nevermind, seems my initial information was incorrect:

Thursday, April 30 at Vancouver, 9:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Saturday, May 2 at Vancouver, 9:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Tuesday, May 5 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Thursday, May 7 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
*Saturday, May 9 at Vancouver, 10:30 p.m CBC, VERSUS
*Monday, May 11 at Chicago, 9:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
*Thursday, May 14 at Vancouver, TBD CBC, VERSUS
(all times EDT)

On another note:

Nice pix, Soundy. Those Canucks jerseys have never looked so good.

On another NHL note:

At the time of the trade, and at times after that, I thought San Jose had fleeced Boston when they acquired Joe Thornton. At times in San Jose, Thornton seemed to be near MVP status in the league. I thought Calgary had done really well when they acquired Olli Jokinen at the trade deadline. It seemed he might be a difference maker, for the better. I'm not thinking that way anymore.

San Jose seems to lack heart as a team. And Jokinen did not show much with the Flames. Having the much-desired, big, talented centre has not done much for the Sharks or the Flames in the playoffs.

About the Canucks' big, talented centre: The Sundin situation seems a little different. I still like the move by Gillis in signing him. It could still pay dividends in these playoffs.

And hopefully, the swine flu will not infect all of 18,500+ in General Motors Place.

The last thing we need is a repeat of the 90 years ago when the Spanish flu pandemic cancelled the 1919 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Seattle Metropolitans were about to claim their second title.

Any predictions for game 3?

The Canucks need to hold their lead.

Wow... no comments on game 3? I'm surprised nelson95 isn't out there with his lug wrench, stealing the wheels off the bandwagon

Seeing as most have predicted this series to go to 6 games, that kind of requires two losses SOMEWHERE along the way. Granted, it was a bit of an ugly one, but I'd rather get it out of the way early.

Markus Naslund has just retired.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columb ... ement.html

Bittersweet?

He never passed the second round of the playoffs.

In 2003, he came close but didn't win the Hart or Art Ross trophies.

And he missed out on an Olympic medal.

Is his #19 worth retiring?

Long time Hawks fan

Loving a big, fast never-say-die team

Hawks in 5

decided to do a little BBQ for the game last night .... Blackhawk in a beer can is quite tasty

Go Canucks Go!!!