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Canucks Post Game: Grind Line makes big impact, coronavirus testing everybody's mettle – The Province

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Adam Gaudette celebrates his 12th goal of the season Tuesday.

Anne-Marie Sorvin / USA TODAY Sports

Points to ponder on and off the ice as the Canucks found a way to get it done in a 5-4 shootout victory Tuesday over the Islanders in which Thatcher Demko made 45 saves and J.T. Miller netted the skills show winner to help get the club back above the playoff bar:

GRIND LINE MAKES IMPACT: ‘I would have liked to have played them more tonight because they were going and really good’

There were plenty of good news stories.

Brock Boeser was back after missing a dozen games with a rib cartilage fracture and had three good scoring looks. The power play scored what looked to be the winning goal and will be key to an upcoming two-game road trip. And Tyler Toffoli once again showed why he’s got a wicked quick release that’s hard for goalies to track.

However, one of the best developments was the play of Zack MacEwen and Adam Gaudette on a Grind Line with Antoine Roussel. There’s enough grease in that alignment to keep any machine running smooth and the trio played the type of game that could help propel the Canucks to the playoffs for the first time in five years.

MacEwen and Gaudette got to the dirty areas and got to the net to deflect Alex Edler point shots home. And with all the heat on the top-six mix to be the difference every night, the third line is making the right impression at the right time.

“That line, I would have liked to have played them more tonight because they were going and really good,” said Canucks coach Travis Green. “The problem was they (Islanders) lost a player and it almost turned into a three-line game a little bit and that can sound silly from the outside.

“But when you’re matching a couple of lines, it throws other matchups off. But at this time of year, you look at teams who are doing well — and even into the playoffs — if you don’t have secondary scoring, it’s a tough road.  Right now, every inch of the ice matters and there’s pressure on you.”

MacEwen, who’s looking like a roster mainstay, helped his cause. He went heavy on the forecheck, slammed a defender into the end boards went to the net and deftly deflected an Edler point shot for his fifth goal and third in the last three games. 

“I just tried to get in as fast as I could on the forecheck and Eddie made a good play keeping it in and I was just going by the net and got a stick on it and lucky enough to go in,” said MacEwen, who has played 17 games this NHL season. “Getting to the dirty area is a big part of our game down the stretch. Confidence kind of builds the more ice you get and the more looks and each game, you get more comfortable. 

“I still have work to do and I need to fine tune my game as much as possible. I think it’s trending in the right direction and I’ve got to stick with it. It’s little details defensively and on the forecheck. We’re just getting in hard on the forecheck and turning pucks over and creating offensive zone time. That’s a big part of our game and we’re burying our chances.”

“And we didn’t get down. We need that coming down the stretch.”

CORONAVIRUS TESTS MEDIA:‘If you don’t have access, it could be hard to get deeper into subjects. It would be bad for the game’

We are not the story.

But we have sort of become a story.

There are serious wide-ranging consequences related to spread of the coronavirus. People are getting sick, people are getting quarantined and people are dying. Many are having their travel and livelihoods affected while others are panicking by stockpiling cleansing and paper goods — especially toilet paper. Imagine that?

But hey, I get it. I’ve become a big fan of ‘Wet Ones’ handy wipes.

Which brings us to Rogers Arena.

The inner-sanctum that is the Canucks’ locker room has become a media no-go zone. This is unfortunate yet understandable. The essence of good journalism is the 1-on-1 interview to not only build rapport and trust with players, but in-depth coverage of the NHL team that sets a higher standard is good for everybody to explore issues and drive interest. 

However, nobody is that short-sighted to short-sell the serious nature of the coronavirus. Everybody is being extra vigilant with hand washing and sanitizers while avoiding handshakes and keeping safe work distances.

However, with an insatiable appetite in a hockey-mad market for all things Canucks, reporters have been huddled into press-conference style availability with players after practice, game-day skates and post game.

It has been far from ideal, but to the Canucks’ credit, they are trying to find a suitable solution in which 1-on-1 interviews can be conducted in a safe manner in which a player and reporter are kept a suitable distance from each other.

And as much as players have joked that a press-conference setting is suitable to keep them from more probing questions, they get it. They know what we do and what we mean to growth and interest in the game.

“You guys do a great job promoting the game, and if you don’t have access, it could be hard to get deeper into subjects,” said Canucks winger Antoine Roussel. “It would be bad for the game.”

“You still need news,” added captain Bo Horvat. “You guys need to do your job and we have to do ours. Trust is a big thing. You interact and you see us as people and not just players. I like to think I’m a good guy off the ice, too, and to interact with you guys is important.”

On Tuesday, there was a press-conference setting in the media room after the morning skate. There was also another area in another room for individual interviews with a safe distance between the interviewer and player. This is a good thing.

There was also a walk-off TV interview at close quarters after the game, so let’s just say all of this is still a work in progress and kudos to those trying to make it work for everybody.

CORONAVIRUS MEETS MR. CLEAN:‘I’m not necessarily a germaphobe, but I’m usually pretty careful. I’m not really changing how I am but I’m thinking about it’

Sometimes, you need a little levity.

Seriousness of the coronavirus virus is not lost on anybody. And in the sporting world, events have been cancelled, leagues have shut down and there’s the possibility the Canucks could eventually be playing in an area void of fans. 

The San Jose Sharks were reviewing their options Tuesday after Santa Clara County announced it was suspending any mass gatherings through the end of March. The Sharks, who aren’t scheduled to play a home game again until March 17, are reviewing their plans at SAP Center.

The Sharks are heading on the road, but when they return there is a real possibility they will play in an empty rink. And a state of emergency has also been declared in Colorado so the Canucks will find out how that impacts their game in Denver on Friday.

Players still are trying to figure out how to navigate this new normal. And in Vancouver, when the possibility of playing before an empty Rogers Arena was presented to Canucks winger Tyler Toffoli, he tried to lighten the mood.

“It’s definitely not ideal,” said Toffoli, a former Los Angeles King. “But unfortunately for myself, playing in the minors a little bit, there are some rinks (empty) for different reasons obviously. It’s a lot of fun going into a rink and fans are booing you and then coming here, too, with all the hoopla.

Don’t get the wrong read on Toffoli. He’s more than aware of his health than most.

“I’m like that in general,” he added. “I’m not necessarily a germaphobe, but I’m usually pretty careful. “I’m not really changing how I am but at the same time, I’m thinking about it in the back of my mind. And my wife is the same way.

“We try to keep out place clean and the cleaner it is, the more it makes us feel better.”

Stay safe everybody.

bkuzma@postmedia.com
twitter.com/benkuzma

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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November 8, 2024

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

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November 8, 2024

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

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November 8, 2024

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Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

—

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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