Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010
2:23 PM
By Tracey Myers
CSNChicago.com
The Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks already have a contentious relationship, thanks in big part to their recent playoff history. But it may have gotten a little more heated after their latest game.
Canucks coach Alain Vigneault felt that the Blackhawks were running up the score and putting what he called their No. 1 power play on the ice late on Nov. 20, when the Blackhawks beat them 7-1 in Vancouver.
We basically embarrassed ourselves in front of our fans and they did everything to rub it in our face, Vigneault told the media after that game.
The Canucks are 3-1-0 since that loss to the Blackhawks, and are coming off a 7-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.
We had a number of different power plays up there, Patrick Sharp said on Thursday. Joel (Quennevilles) been here three years now and hes not known as that kind of a coach.
NHL
Ill stand by the fact that we werent trying to run up the score, he continued. We just about blew a 5-1 lead the other night (vs. St. Louis), so no leads really safe in this league. But as players and coaches, we werent trying to do that.
Sharp absence
Patrick Sharp was No. 3 among NHL goal-scorers entering Thursday nights games but you wont find his name on the NHL All-Star ballot. Sharp has been a consistent contributor for the Blackhawks this season and has a goal in five consecutive games heading into Friday nights tilt against the Vancouver Canucks.
Teammates say he should be on the ballot.
I dont understand that, Troy Brouwer said. He may get overlooked because of other players on the team. I know every team can only send so many players but hes a name that shouldnt be lost and should get some recognition.
Turco starting
Marty Turco will start Friday night against the Canucks, his first action since Nov. 24 against San Jose. Corey Crawford has started three consecutive games, winning all of them.
Hes excited about getting back in and he wants to play, Quenneville said. Crawford, I know he won, but you still think about keeping them both active and giving them both a chance to play.
Briefly
There were no changes to either Marian Hossa (lower body) or Fernando Pisani (upper body). Quenneville said he hoped Pisani, whos still listed as day to day, could return to the ice soon.
Tracey Myers is CSNChicago.com's Blackhawks Insider. Follow Tracey on Twitter @TramyersCSN for up-to-the-minute Hawks information.