Canucks Playing a Risky Game

Dwight Wakabayashi
Oct 22, 2001

The Vancouver Canucks have started the 2001-2002 season by playing a risky game. In a trend that seems to have been magnified in the new season, the Canucks continue to play up or down to their scheduled opponent. While "playing down" to an opponent is something that the talent laden teams in the league such as the Detroit Red Wings, or the Colorado Avalanche can get away with, a lunch-bucket brigade such as the Vancouver Canucks cannot.

This season the Canucks sit with a record of 2 wins, 6 losses and 1 tie, good for 14th in the Western Conference. A dissection of that record shows that the Canucks are guilty of having a split personality in their mental approach to their opponents. The two in the win column was earned by two hard-fought, committed and focussed efforts against top dogs the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche. In both these wins, it was apparent from the opening face-off that Vancouver knew what was needed to come out victorious against these high-caliber squads. They did not rely on talent alone, they were mentally prepared and physically willing to take the step up. Continuing this trend, the Canucks played equally as committed against the powerful Detroit Red Wings, although falling to the Wings in the end due to a great game by Dominik Hasek. It is the performances against these teams that make one believe that the Canucks are ready to emerge as a second tier contender. When faced with the challenge of these teams, the Canucks display the cohesion and the commitment to measure up.

So, how can a team that goes tooth and nail with the higher echelon have losses against the Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Anaheim Mighty Ducks and a kiss your sister against the Florida Panthers? It's their split personality. Against the teams that the Canucks should beat "on paper", that is exactly where they leave their game. They do not come out with intensity, desperation, or commitment, they come out cutting corners, making circles and defying the things that they know make them successful. It is their mental approach at fault. The Canucks must mentally approach every game to be as sharp and committed as they can be on a consistent basis, regardless of the opponent. They must realize that they can be beat by any team, on any night if they are not mentally prepared to work. The Canucks have some talent, but they are not a talented team. They win on pure hard work, sacrifice and intensity, all attributes that allow their limited talent to flourish. Against the top teams, the Canucks bring it all, against the rest, they rest.

Relying on talent alone is a risky game to play in this league, a game that the Canucks do not and should not want any part of. It is work ethic that got them to the playoffs last season, it is the same that will get them there this season. It is tenacity that has made the city of Vancouver to grow to like and respect this team, it is tenacity that will maintain that respect. It is mental strength and commitment that will keep this team progressing. Right now, it is mental strength and commitment that is lacking.

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