Canucks Oust Flames 6-1

Canucks lead 2-0 after 1 period

Alex Edler scored 21 seconds into the game on a spectacular pass from Pavol Demitra.

Not 5 minutes later Jannik Hansen put the Canucks up by 2 on with Ryan Kesler providing the seeing eye no-look pass.

Flames came on late in the period peppering Roberto Luongo with 12 shots.

Canucks surge ahead to 4-1 second period lead

Robyn Regher made things interesting early on in the second with a howitzer of a shot from the point that beat Roberto Luongo through David Moss' screen.

Good things came to an end early for the Flames as the youthfulness of their pre-season line-up was exposed by some veterans on the Canucks line-up.

Pavol Demitra scored on a wicked feed (yes we're talking food) from Kyle Wellwood. You know for all that is wrong with keeping Wellwood, he certainly has a knack for offence and that is something the Canucks need more than anything.

With about 5 minutes remaining in the second Alex Burrows and Ryan Kesler combined to frustrate the Calgary defence and set up Lawerence Nycolat who sniped it home for the 4-1 lead.

Canucks oust Flames 6-1 Final

Someone file a missing persons report. Dion Phaneuf and Mikka Kipprusoff were no where to be found at GM Place this evening. Now I will give you the arguement that this is pre-season but the Flames were awful and Phaneuf and Kipper are only the tip of the iceberg.

Give the Canucks credit for not letting up as Jannik Hansen and Mason Raymond (who danced around Phaneuf all night long) tallied third period goals to boost the Canucks pre-season record to a 'perfect' 5-0.

After an eventful Tuesday that included being injured in practice and being named captain in the after noon, Roberto Luongo will take to the ice against the Flames and is expected to play a complete game. Curtis Sanford will back up Luongo and should stay ready in case the groin flares up.

Entering the contest the Canucks carry a perfect 4-0 pre-season record that has the players brimming with confidence and coaches scratching their collective heads as they try to narrow down your 2008 Vancouver Canucks. Public perception is that this team is in for a long season and while only time will tell, there may be a lack of top-end talent however there is no shortages of grit and determination.

Tonight's featured line combination will feature Mason Raymond moving to the right wing while Pavol Demitra is at centre and Taylor Pyatt will do battle along the left wing.

Jannik Hansen continues to impress and will team up with pesky Alex Burrow and newly appointed alternate captain Ryan Kesler. This combination is surely going to cause some fits on Calgary bench.

Running out of opportunities to (really) impress is Cody Hodgson. Hodgson has looked good but nothing to the level that you can say 'he has to stay'. Maybe a game with the crafty Kyle Wellwood and gritty Matt Pettinger is just what the doctor ordered.

Don't expect too many fireworks tonight as these teams with square off next Thursday to open the season and surely that will be the evening that the rivalry will be renewed.

For those of you in Canada you can catch the game shown nationally on TSN.