Slumdog Millionaire & Canucks Finally Win

On Monday night I went and checked out Slumdog Millionaire with a friend. Obviously the hype around this movie was massive as it basically swept the Golden Globes and will probably do the same at the Oscars. I was pretty skeptical going into the movie, but that was quickly changed. There is one scene in the beginning of the movie that really captured me. The kids are playing Cricket on an air strip and get chased by the cops through their town, or "slum". The combination of the cinematography and music totally grabbed me and for the next 2 hours I was enthralled. I don't want to give anything from the movie away so all I will say is I recommend this movie to everyone, will probably watch it again soon, and now firmly believe it has warranted all hype given to it.
Last night the Canucks finally pulled out a win. It had been a long stretch of 8 straight losses, 9 straight at home, but they pulled one out. It took a shorthanded goal with less than 2 minutes left to do it, but they did what they had to do to win. A few things I noticed from last night:

1. They battled through adversity. The true sign of a team is when the going gets tough, they find a way to battle through it. Over this stretch they did not play well, got no bounces, and could not win to save their lives. Last night it was different. When they went up 2-0 there was a feeling of relief, they had a lead and with Luongo in net it was going to stay that way. Then in a matter of less than 40 seconds it had vanished and the game was tied 2-2. The mere fact that they continued to play their game and get some chances was a true sign of the character this team has been lacking. Then we finally got a bounce. Mats Sundin on a wraparound banks it in off Cam Ward. Once again they lose the lead but continue to battle and it pays off with Burrows netting the winner.
2. They got a couple of bounces. In hockey it seems like one bounce can change the landscape of an entire game. When you have puck luck, you get the bounces, when you don't, you don't. Simple enough. I am a firm believer in making your own luck, especially on the ice, but there are times when things just go your way. This happened last night and I remember three specific points that in my opinion turned the tide of the game.

• No Goal. Carolina thought they had taken the lead when the goal was disallowed AND the Canucks were given the power play on a goalie interference call to Ryan Bayda. This is a call that can truly go either way as some can say he tripped Luongo, while you could also argue he was pushed in. Either way the call went in the Canucks favour and turned the tide of the game.
• Sundins' Goal. Once again a key time. Carolina had tied the game at 2 and due to the current losing streak and the way the team had been playing it felt like another one was thrown away. Then Sundin, who had his strongest game of the season thus far, took the puck around the net and threw it in front. It was a very lucky bounce as it hit Cam Wards left pad, which was his back pad at the time, and bounced in. Three or four games ago that puck slides right through the crease and out the other side.
• Pitkanens Pinch. Joni Pitkanen had been playing an unreal game. He is the type of defensemen the Canucks need. A true offensive player with amazing speed, a great first pass, and really good vision. He was all over the ice last night and at some points looked like he was playing left wing. Pitkanen, along with Joe Corvo, are shaky in their own zone but provide so much offense it is a trade off many teams would gladly take, except the Oilers. With the Canucks shorthanded and less than 2 minutes left Carolina was controlling. They were set up in the offensive zone when Pitkanen fed a cross ice pass to Anton Babchuk who was at the top of the left circle. The one timer missed the net and rang around the boards. It is easy to look at a play and asses, I understand, but I believe Pitkanen made a terrible read on the play. His defensive partner had taken the shot at the left face off circle, meaning he was already out of position should the play go the other way. Pitkanen should have also read looked at the situation. Tie game, power play, less than 2 minutes left. At that juncture of the game he should step back, make the safe play, and wait to attack again. He didn't. He was flat footed and tried to jump into the play when Kesler easily pushed it by him and the rest, as they say, is history. I know Kesler is fast and any other player would not have beat Pitkanen to the puck, but that is another reason he should have backed off and made the smart play. Either way the Canucks got a bounce and went on to win the game.

Big victory, catapulted the team from 11th to 7th in the West as Edmonton, Clumbus and Phoenix all lost. With teams 5 through 11 only seperated by 4 points we all know it will be a dog fight for the final 4 spots in the playoffs. Big win, much needed, and now looking at the positive, the Canucks have points in 4 of their last 5.

Thanks for reading.