GM Mike Gillis can talk about the way the referees have called the series; coach Alain Vigneault can continue to crack jokes in his shorts; Roberto Luongo can try to be funny when talking to reporters... the bottom line is, the Blackhawks have turned the tide completely, and Vancouverites, collectively, aren't sure if Vancouver can do anything about it.
Those who know me know that I am a HUGE Trevor Linden fan. In addition to the outstanding community work Linden does, in addition to his character and persona, ultimately, it's his playoff heroics that makes him different from everyone else. Linden has more points scored in game 7 than any other Canuck, was at a-point-a-game playoff performer, and, most importantly, raised his game to a whole new level when it matters the most. If you have been following the Canucks long enough, you will probably remember these: Linden scoring overtime winner vs. Dallas, Game 7, 2007
Linden: he will play, last minute of 1994 playoffs vs. New York Rangers
The Canucks, even in the final years of Linden's career, knew they had Linden to count on for a big goal... do they have such a player right now? It's not the Sedins, who will quietly do their thing but still haven't shown me that they can take over a game; it's certainly not Luongo, who, in spite of all the accolades, is, in my opinion, an inferior playoff goalie than Kirk McLean... If there is someone who can step up and be the game 7 hero tonight, I believe it would be Ryan Kesler. He has been shutting down Jonathan Toews and hasn't done much offensively himself, but if he really wants to take that next step to become a great player, tonight would be the night when he shows up both offensively and defensively.
It's all you, Kesler; all you.
Go Canucks go!
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