Formerly published in The Other Press. Jan. 15 2013

Will the results be different?
By Elliot Chan, Contributor

For several years, the Vancouver Canucks have been a notoriously slow-starting team. But somehow by mid-season they pull a few winning streaks together and suddenly at the end they are on top of the league and Presidents’ Trophy winners. This year, with 48 games scheduled, every game becomes so much more important. Although the core of the team is still intact, several key areas of the Canucks’ lineup may require some tinkering. And if they are unable to find chemistry off the bat, then a short season will feel a lot shorter.

The most crucial problem is the absence of Ryan Kesler. After a shoulder and wrist surgery in the summer, the Canucks’ most valuable two-way forward is still recovering. With no schedule set for his return and Kesler refusing to risk any setbacks, the team will simply have to cope without him for the time being. Left winger Chris Higgins will be the most likely candidate to replace Kesler as the second-line centre. But concerning points, David Booth, Jannik Hansen, and Mason Raymond will be expected to pick up the slack.

Despite everything Roberto Luongo has done, Vancouver still remains a goalie graveyard. Amidst the skeletons of Dan Cloutier and Felix Potvin, Cory Schneider will now take the spotlight as the number one goalie in town. During his rise through the Canucks organization, fans have developed a bond with the 26-year-old Massachusetts native. But with Luongo’s departure imminent, how many chances will the fan base offer before the faith in Schneider, like that in his predecessor, runs dry?

While GM Mike Gillis was fairly idle with free agent signings this past summer, there was a notable newcomer: Jason Garrison from the Florida Panthers. With a six-year contract in place, Garrison is taking on big shoes replacing Sami Salo on the blue line. For some, the lockout was a blessing and that was just the case for the White Rock native. Garrison had been nursing a groin injury when he was signed, but now the 28-year-old player is ready to hit the ice with his new team.

The Canucks’ depth has been one of the team’s strengths for many years and this one will be no different. But since it is a tighter schedule don’t expect to see as many line changes and swaps with the farm team. Alain Vigneault needs to see the big picture and get the team to the playoffs; that means relying on the core. Daniel and Henrik Sedin must produce points, Alexander Edler and Dan Hamhuis will need to contribute on the power play, and Corey Schneider must elevate his game and become the new face of the franchise. No pressure, or anything.

Formerly published in The Other Press. Jan. 8 2013

The future of goaltending for Team Canada

By Elliot Chan, Contributor

Imagine a golfer trying to sink a par three putt on a football field with a game in progress. In a sense, that is what goalies are—individuals playing their own sport in a larger game with all the pressure that nobody notices until they make or break. It is a unique position that requires mental and physical stability and that is what makes it difficult to pinpoint a consistent future for these athletes.

Malcolm Subban was the first goalie to be touted as the bona fide number one starter for Team Canada in the World Junior Championship since Carey Price in 2007. Needless to say, quality goaltenders don’t emerge often. Even when one does well in the World Juniors it doesn’t necessarily mean success in the NHL. For example, in 2006 Justin Pogge won the MVP and helped Team Canada capture their twelfth gold medal in the tournament, only to end up being shipped around from Toronto to Phoenix in his professional career without ever achieving the same level of accomplishment. Few goaltenders are able to savor a lengthy career, but those who do become legends.

As Martin Brodeur’s career wanes, all eyes are seeking the new fixture in Canada’s crease for the upcoming Olympics and World Championship tournaments. With the memories of Roberto Luongo’s 2010 gold medal performance tarnished by his inability to win the Stanley Cup, hockey fans can turn their attention to others remaining on the top notch. Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes has a Stanley Cup ring, a Conn Smythe Trophy, and a gold medal from the 2007 World Championships. Marc-André Fleury also has a Stanley Cup ring and was the third string goalie in the 2010 Olympics. Many suspect that it will be his turn to take the helm and solidify his legacy as the starter in Sochi 2014. Finally, there is heavily ridiculed BC boy Carey Price, famous for mimicking Patrick Roy and telling hometown fans to relax. His stats aren’t as prestigious as the others, but I believe that team Canada would benefit from his fiery attitude.

Like any other profession, good consistent performance is what sets those who are great from those who are merely decent. Goaltending is no different. But when it comes down to a one game winner-takes-all, even the best rely on luck. On January 3, 2013, the USA defeated Canada in a 5-1 slaughter at the World Juniors. Subban was pulled after allowing four goals on 16 shots during the second period, far from top prospect caliber. For now, the Boston Bruins’ draft pick remains a prospect, but with mental and physical conditioning, I foresee Subban making a big impact with the Canadian squad for many years to come.

Other top goaltending prospects for Team Canada’s future include Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals, Mike Smith of the Phoenix Coyotes, Devan Dubnyk of the Edmonton Oilers, Corey Crawford of the Chicago Blackhawks, Jonathan Bernier of the LA Kings, and Brian Elliott of the St. Louis Blues. The competition for Canada’s crease has never been so openly contested and it’ll be interesting to see who will step up and face the privilege of ultimate pressure.

Formerly published in The Other Press. Nov. 27 2012

By Elliot Chan, Contributor

Canadian UFC fans all across the country were holding their breath as Georges St-Pierre returned to the octagon after a 19-month absence. After tearing his ACL while training for a welterweight title defense against Nick Diaz in UFC 143, GSP began his long road to recovery that involved surgery.

On November 17, St-Pierre and interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit headlined UFC 154. Condit replaced GSP in the fight against Diaz and took the unanimous decision. Condit had been waiting patiently for months for GSP to recover and at the Bell Centre in front of a packed house in Montreal, he finally had a chance to take home the undisputed title.

“Somebody asked me in the locker-room, ‘How’s Georges looking?’” said St-Pierre’s striking coach Phil Nurse prior to the event, “you know what? The last time I saw him like this is when he flattened Matt Serra at the same arena.”

Without missing a beat and appearing in full athletic form, St-Pierre took the valiant contender to five rounds, dictating the fight with a formidable ground game and regaining the title in unanimous fashion. Condit was only able to defend against St-Pierre’s take downs one in eight attempts.

“Obviously that’s not where I wanted to be, I didn’t want to be under Georges taking elbows,” said the challenger after the fight. An early strike to the temple caused Condit to bleed profusely late in the first round, when St-Pierre effortlessly got through his guard. However, despite looking like a horror movie victim, Condit did not back down. In the third round, he snuck in a high kick after a series of jabs. The left leg struck St-Pierre in the head and knocked the welterweight champion down to the mats. He would have lost the title then and there, had it not been for his flexibility and strength. “I thought I had him there,” said Condit.

But St-Pierre had spent many hours honing his ju-jitsu just for that situation. Eventually, the champion’s wrestling over matched Condit’s and he managed to get back to his feet with only visible damage to his face. But it was St-Pierre who landed the majority of significant strikes 71–36.

“I’m sure he feels like he got hit by a bus right now. I’m not even going to talk to him about it for a couple of weeks,” commented Dana White, President of UFC, when asked about the potential super fight with GSP against middle weight champion Anderson Silva. But he adds, “I think we can get it done.”

For years now, the debate has been raging on about who is in fact the best pound for pound fighter. Most loyal GSP fans will not change their mind, but Silva has yet to be challenged in his own weight class the way St-Pierre had with Condit. Although I am certain White could make the event happen, I don’t believe the match should. As skilled as St-Pierre is at the moment, a challenger like Silva may be too overwhelming, especially after an injury. I suggest that instead Silva should raise his weight to 186 lb and face light heavy weight champion Jon “Bones” Jones.

Formerly published in The Other Press. Oct. 30 2012

Whitecaps make Major League history in sophomore year
By Elliot Chan, Contributor

The Vancouver Whitecaps will have a chance to do what their sibling professional athletic club could not. Yes, it was only seven months ago that the Vancouver Canucks, Presidents’ trophy-winning team got knocked out in the playoff’s in the first round by the LA Kings. LA went on to win the Stanley Cup, leaving a bitter taste to linger in sport fans’ palates. Well, redemption has resurrected in the form of the Whitecaps, because once again a Vancouver-based team will face a Los Angeles titan in the first round.

With that being said, I wouldn’t plan any parades yet. For many, the real championship was being the first Canadian team to ever reach MLS post-season. Everything now is bonus. After starting the 2012 season in terrific form and being touted as the most solid defensive team in the league, the Whitecaps stumbled down the stretch going 3-9-3 in their last 15 games. Vancouver’s far from stellar finish was highlighted by their potential playoff clinching game against Cascadian rival Portland Timbers on October 21. In front of the home crowd at BC Place, the Whitecaps didn’t simply choke, but required the Heimlich Maneuver to get them through the game. Losing 0–1 to a team more than 10 points beneath them was not a good sign. Fortunately, on the same night, the Seattle Sounders defeated FC Dallas in a 3–1 finish. That game mathematically knocked Dallas out of playoff contention and allowed the Whitecaps to be stretchered in.

It is the Caps’ first foray into MLS post-season and the LA Galaxy—last year’s championship team—are as experienced as it gets. In the three regular season games between both teams this year, the Galaxy won the series 2–0–1 and outscored the Whitecaps 7–2. With one game remaining in the season, LA could finish anywhere from six to 12 points ahead of Vancouver. There is no denying that the Whitecaps have a huge mountain to climb on November 1 at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.

Moreover, playing away from home has not been a strength Vancouver can lean on. July 4 in Colorado marked their last win away from BC Place. Their eight game losing streak on the road can be a distant memory if they are able to defeat Real Salt Lake in the last regular season game on October 27. Doing so would go a long way in rebuilding confidence for an underdog team facing the bright lights. After all, stars don’t come any brighter than those of the LA Galaxy, such names as David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Robbie Keane are as internationally recognized as it gets.

November 1 at 7:30 p.m. PST, Vancouver Whitecaps will face LA Galaxy in the Western Conference Knockout Round. If Vancouver manages to pull off an upset, they will remain in sunny California and face the San Jose Earthquakes on November 4.