VANCOUVERCanucks head coach Alain Vigneault chuckled at the notion that nearly two-month-old comments were going to provide more venom in this Chicago Blackhawks-Vancouver rivalry.
How could it be more intense than it already is? Vigneault said with a laugh. Its two great teams that like playing one another because it brings out the best in both teams.
Exactly.
All radio bits and barbs aside, this rivalry comes down to what really matters: the game. And the Canucks and Blackhawks have played their share of memorable and intense games. Thats unlikely to change tonight when they square off again here in Vancouver.
Bolland raised the rancor of the Canucks when, during a radio program, he brought out the Sedin sisters comments, along with some other disparaging ones aimed toward Henrik and Daniel. The Canucks said plenty at the time. Vigneault was particularly unhappy with the comments, saying Bolland has an IQ the size of bird seed and a face only a mother could love. He said Monday, however, that he and the Canucks have moved on from that.
Now its just onto the game, and all the vim and vigor they bring.
When you come in here, its always a playoff environment, coach Joel Quenneville said. Most (of them) feel like playoff games. Were coming off two frustrating losses (against Nashville) and we want to start this trip on a positive.
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The Blackhawks have a good chance of doing that, considering theyll get both Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp back in the lineup tonight. And with the addition of veteran Brendan Morrison, they bring in another guy who knows this rivalry all too well.
Itll be a test for both teams right out of the All-Star break, but both are welcoming it.
Its a good measuring stick, a good start to the last push, Alex Burrows said. Theyre always one of our biggest rivals. Theyre high-intensity games and its going to be tight. It should be another fun one.