Canucks back on the Shark-hunt tonight

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – We had to wait an extra day, thanks to the Kid Rock concert at Rogers Arena last night. But tonight, the Canucks resume their Shark-hunt and their quest for the Stanley Cup.

This is only Game Two, but it’s a critical one, says News1130 Sports Director Ann Schmaltz. “No doubt about it.”

“The Sharks are trailing in this series and will be battling for the split here in Vancouver. If they get the win tonight and head home to play two, the momentum will for sure be in their favour,” she explains. “The HP Pavilion — aka the Shark Tank — is a very tough place to play. The fans are non-stop loud, which is going to be a huge boost.”

“The Canucks will be in tough in that environment no matter what, but if they can grab the win and head to San Jose leading two games to none, I sense it will be too hard for the Sharks to come back and win four of the five remaining games,” she says. “A lot is on the line tonight.”

News1130 has you covered for tonight’s game: Once the puck drops at 6 p.m., we’ll bring you updates every 10 minutes on the fives and break in every time a goal is scored.

The line-up

News1130 sports reporter Ann Schmaltz says there’s one line-up change to watch for. “On the fourth line, Coach Alain Vigneault is going to slot Jeff Tambellini in, replacing Tanner Glass. I think he wants to add a speed element to that fourth line. Look for that change. Otherwise, the line-up is still the same.”

We also found out today that forward Mikael Samuelsson won’t be travelling with the team to San Jose for game three because of an injury.

Fan favourite Manny Malhotra is skating again and everyone wants to know when he’ll be back.

“I want to say based on the severity of his eye injury and everything the Canucks organization has been saying that he won’t be back until next season at the earliest,” says Schmaltz. “But then you see Malhotra skating last week in just a tracksuit. Yesterday, he joined the practice in full pad. He wasn’t taking any contact, though.”

“It just doesn’t really seem to add up,” she explains. “I’m not sure why the team can’t just say that we’re hopeful if our playoff run continues and if Manny progresses in his recovery he could play.”

“Instead, all we’ve been getting is that the guys in the coaching staff are just happy to have him around,” she adds. “I don’t doubt that, but Canucks fans just really want to know what’s going on with him. I guess in the end, time will tell.

Canucks or the beach?

Do you like your sharks and orcas on ice or at the beach?

With late-spring home-team hockey in Vancouver for the first time in years, some people are having a tough time deciding between sunshine and ice.

Granted, it was a pretty easy decision through the first two rounds; wet and cold is perfect playoff hockey weather. But with things finally heating up and days getting longer, that big-screen, HD mancave doesn’t feel quite so cosy.

Sun-loving hockey fans say there are options. You can pull the big screen out onto the patio, and hockey and the beach are certainly not mutually exclusive.

“Nothing like watching Canucks games in shorts and a t-shirt,” says Graham. “Or you can keep track on your phone. I have seen people with portable TVs watching games at Kits Beach on a small screen.”

It’s a great time to embrace the shorts and jersey look.

Game Two tickets

You can watch the Canucks take on the Sharks inside Rogers Arena tonight — that is, if you have the coin.

This morning, Ticketmaster had some Lower Bowl seats going for between $400 and $800 each. Craigslist has some slightly cheaper options.

 

 

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