VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Roberto Luongo will be the Canucks starting goalie tomorrow night at Rogers Arena against the Nashville Predators.  Luongo’s teammates came to his defense today after practise, a day after the Canucks number one goaltender was booed during a 4-0 loss to the New York Rangers.

“I think people love pointing the finger in this town when things aren’t going well but it’s part of the business. Everyone’s going to get blamed for losses but unfortunately Louie takes more heat than anyone,” said defensman Kevin Bieksa.  

Winger Alex Burrows says he would have rather been booed for not scoring goals last night and helping the team than Roberto getting that treatment.  The Canucks definitely ran into a hot New York Rangers goaltender as Henrik Lundqvist stopped 40 shots and held Vancouver to an 0 for 8 powerplay.

“The good thing, is it’s happened so many times that I’ve gotten used to it.” said Luongo when asked about last night’s chorus of boos. “It is what it is.  You know, a fan pays their ticket, they come to the game and they have the right to boo if they want to.”

Canucks’ Coach Alain Vigneault, while naming Luongo Thursday’s starting goaltender, would not reveal his plans for Saturday’s 1:00 p.m. start against Minnesota, though it is speculated that Cory Schneider could get his third starting assignment of the season.