Here's an example of the problem I have with the hockey media in Vancouver. After the win over Calgary on HNiC, Jason Botchford's headline reads "Canucks' 5-2 Win Flatters Sloppy Performance Against Inept Calgary Flames." That's a freaking pathetic viewpoint to take, it's a view our media is extremely partial to...namely, the negative column after a hard-fought victory. Fools like Botchford look at the standings and expect a gimme, so when it's a tight contest, it must be because the Canucks were "sloppy," because heaven forbid the "inept" Flames might put up a fight.
Well guess what, even a bad team has pride and can come out playing hard, and Calgary did. It's not on the Canucks, you have to give some credit to the Flames for playing a good game and making it tough. I thought we played a real good game, and so did Calgary, it was up-tempo, lots of hitting, lots of shots and good saves, it was a throwback to four, five years ago when Calgary was our biggest rival. Great game. But these media jerks think it's only a good game by the Canucks if the other team doesn't show up at all. Me, I think it's a better game, because we were challenged and still won handily.
Some gems from Botchford's latest: Derek Roy "floated"...the honeymoon is over for 15! Edler and Bieksa "got smoked" (Edler had a goal, was +2 with four shots, Bieksa was physically engaged all night)...the Sedins were "uneven" but somehow managed to get six points, because it was Calgary though, not because they played well at all. The defence was "a disaster." Throw in a Duncan Keith reference for good measure. It really riles me up, going to read some hockey analysis and I get this drivel instead, it's like they're watching a completely different game than I am.
I mean, Calgary played a good game! They played hard, they were physical and getting pucks to the net and put up a solid fight. What does Botchford want, for them to not even come to the rink? It was an entertaining, engaging game, lots of things going on, very eventful. The Habs-Boston game was terrific, hard-fought and fast-paced if not terribly eventful or pretty, and Don Cherry was on top of his game as he swore to see the end of touch-up icing if it's the last thing he does. It was a great HNiC, great performances, nice storyline with Reinhart playing his debut, and now I look in the Province and have to read this crap? Infuriating!
The worst thing is, it's not a one-off, it's every freaking time. "Oh, the Canucks won by three but I thought they could have played better, criticize this guy, criticize that guy, uninspired performance, should be beating Calgary/Columbus/team X by eight or twenty, giving up six shots. Blah Blah Blah." That isn't the way hockey works, you expect a Calgary team with guys fighting for roster spots next season, playing on Hockey Night, to not show up? To just roll over? And criticize the Canucks, because the Flames didn't just give up and pack it in? It's not how hockey works, but it's how the media around here works, that's for sure...to the detriment of the team and the overall atmosphere surrounding it. I'd like to see Gillis take these clowns to task, it's like Pink Floyd sang, "get 'em up against the wall!"