[GDT] Vancouver Canucks vs Tampa Bay Lightning, Rogers Arena, Dec 12, 7pm PST - The Lets Keep the Winning Ways Going ... m'Kay! Game

[Rocket-68]

A Random Hockey Story

NHL enforcers die 10 years younger than their fellow players, study finds

Columbia University analyzed data on 6,039 NHL players from 1967 to last spring [2023].

 

A study of former National Hockey League players shows that enforcers who spent a lot of time dropping their gloves or in the penalty box lived significantly shorter lives than their peers. Researchers at Columbia University in New York reached the conclusion after analyzing data from 6,039 NHL players from 1967 to last spring.

 

The study, published Wednesday in the JAMA Network Open, found that enforcers died on average a decade younger than comparable peers who were drafted at the same rank, were of similar height and weight and played the same position.

 

The researchers did not find more deaths among the NHL enforcers than in the control group. "However, being an enforcer was associated with dying approximately 10 years earlier and more frequently of suicide and drug overdose than matched controls," the study reads. "Re-emphasis on player safety and improving quality of life after a hockey career should renew discussion to make fighting a game misconduct penalty in the NHL."

 

The differences in causes of death between the enforcers and their fellow players was striking. Two neurodegenerative disorder deaths, two drug overdoses, three suicides and four vehicular crashes were attributed to the 331 players identified as enforcer-fighters, compared to just one car crash death among the age-matched control group.

 

Dr. Dave Ellemberg, a professor at Universite de Montreal and a specialist in sports medicine and concussions, said in an interview that the new study strengthens the case for ending fighting in hockey.

 

"Will this study be the straw that breaks the camel's back? I hope so, but long before this study we had data that argued clearly in favour of abolishing fighting," said Ellemberg, who was not one of the study's authors.

 

Ellemberg said because of its sample size, the study allows conclusions to be drawn on the state of the brains of athletes that until now were only accessible with an autopsy.

"On a very large scale, we see that there are athletes who present the characteristics of chronic traumatic encephalopathy [CTE] without us having to do autopsies," he said.

 

CTE is a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries, including concussions and repeated head shots. Deaths by suicide and drug overdose are common among athletes in CTE cases.

 

The researchers, led by Dr. Charles Popkin of the Columbia University Medical Center, defined enforcer-fighters as players who had participated in 50 or more career fights and compared them to similar players who had not. A second group of players who averaged three or more penalty minutes per game over their careers were compared to similar players who did not.

 

WATCH | NHL commissioner denies linking CTE to head trauma in hockey:

 

 

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-enforcers-study-1.6838788

 

Personal Story:

I played hockey when I was younger and begged my way into organized league when very young. However, that did not last as my parents pulled me out of hockey before I was 10 years old - that was one of the worst days of my young life. The reason given, "you need to get an education and hockey will not help you do that nor will it get you anywhere. Hockey will hurt you, school won't." Me, the student getting straight A's at that time, which I continued on until I graduated grade 12 with Honors. 

 

I didn't realize that my parents were both wrong and right at the same time. 

 

My friend, with whom I played with at the time, continued on. He was the funny one, the sad clown, always the life of any party, someone you wanted to be around. I watched with envy as he made team after team as we went from grade 4 to grade 5 ... to grade 10 to grade 11 ... you get the gist. He was turning into the prototypical power forward, although no one used that term back then. At 14 was already over 6' tall and 200 lbs+. He played hard and fast, always sticking up for his team mates. 

 

Some games he would get rocked and the coach would say, "you just got your bell rung. Sit for a few and then get back out there." As we progressed up through school together, I noticed changes in him. He would fly off on a rage at the slightest provocation, grades slipped but is was on the ice where I really noticed it. He started not playing hockey for fun but playing to hurt. It came to head one game where he fought an opposing player finishing on top while slamming the other players' head into the ice - refs and other players from both teams piled on to stop it.

 

We went out together after that game and over a pizza and coffee (I snuck in a mickey of whiskey to spike the coffee), he stated pounding his temples with his palms saying, "I don't know what is happening to me, it is like cicadas are buzzing in my head." He never played organized hockey after that day - his choice but I would think the choice would have been made for him anyway sooner or later. My friend was changing before my eyes. 

 

Somehow my friend managed to become a paramedic - I think the thought of helping others would in turn help himself drove him down that path. During the first war in Iraq, my friend went over as part of a medical unit and sadly never came back. While the AAR was ambiguous, his family held the belief he ended his own life overseas.

 

I often think of my friend and what could have been if what we know now was was known then. Without any data, none existed at the time, I truly believe my friend was suffering from CTE as a teenager - as many of the enforcers mentioned in the article above had.

 

Rest in peace my friend, until we meet again. 

 

---- Now for the Game Day Thread ----

 

Overview

The Canucks broke the win one / lose one streak they had running over the past 10 games or so. Woohoo! Will we make it three in a row, Magic 8-ball says "YES!".

 

Good news front - Vancouver Canucks forward Pius Suter has not been in the team’s lineup since a Nov. 12th victory over the Montreal Canadiens. That could soon change, as Suter was on the ice in a regular jersey for Canucks practice Friday, rather than a non-contact one. Well now, that is good news. Suter had come to Vancouver with high expectations as a bottom-six forward. While his offensive numbers have been a bit off the mark, the Canucks won a lot more often than they lost with Suter in the line up. 

 

The Canucks are coming of two wins in a row over Minnesota and Carolina. While the games were not Mona Lisa masterpieces, the Canucks are working their way back to playing solid hockey for 60 minutes while reducing the mistakes. A work in progress but encouraging signs for sure of days to come.

 

 

 

Media

You know the drill, GO BUY A TICKET AND throw random objects at the opposing team - just kidding, no violence please, just your best one-liners hurled at the Lightning bench, and the zebras as needed. Otherwise go to your local watering hole and support your team and swill some beer.

 

TV: Sportsnet Pacific

Radio: SportsNet 650

Streaming: lots on various Reddit threads 

 

By the Numbers

LAST 10 GAMES: Canucks: 6-4-0, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.8 assists, 3.7 penalties and 9.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game.

                              Lightning: 4-5-1, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.5 assists, 4.3 penalties and 14 penalty minutes while giving up 3 goals per game.

Translation: the Canucks should win this game and especially having the home field advantage.

 

Quinn Hughes has 9 goals and 27 assists for the Canucks. Brock Boeser has 5 goals and 6 assists over the past 10 games.

Brayden Point has 12 goals and 19 assists for the Lightning. Kucherov has 6 goals and 13 assists over the past 10 games.

Lightning vs. Canucks Odds

We have researched the best betting odds in America for this game, which are listed here:

Source: click here

 

 

 

 

 

Matchup Info

 

 

Da Roster

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Da Zebras

******* more to come *******

Player Spotlight

 

Now for some fun stuff

Canucks' Boeser, Myers Net 48 Seconds Apart To Take Lead vs. Lightning

 

 

Canucks vs Lightning all fights/scrums

 

Edited December 11, 2023 by Rocket-68

[footsteps]

42 minutes ago, Rocket-68 said:

A Random Hockey Story

 

---- Now for the Game Day Thread ----

 

Overview

 

Nice story! 

 

GCG!

[Blue]

It's just crazy how Boeser was a negative value asset last year. And 39 goal Kuzmenko has switched places with him. Except it's worse than Boeser , Beauvillier or Garlund. None of them were tossed onto the 4th line with next to no minutes.

 

 

[Rocket-68]

24 minutes ago, footsteps said:

Nice story! 

 

GCG!

 

Apologies, was putting it together in between ... will try better next time 

[Canucklehead]

Let's keep the streak going. Don't want the oilers catching up.

[6of1_halfdozenofother]

Too bad nobody can give Count Gory Buttman "head trauma in hockey" so that he can see for himself if he'll get CTE.

 

Oh wait, with the twitches he makes every time he talks at a press conference, maybe that'll give him CTE.

 

Fucking weasel.  Him and his whole harem of clowns.  Grr.

[Jaimito]

No practice tomorrow.  Rest day. 

 

Need to be on top of their game to beat TB.  Even up the season series. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 11, 2023 by Jaimito

[YourHuckleberry]

Would love to see them bury a championship veteran team like TBL but should be an entertaining one either way with the amount of skill out there. Here’s to hoping the good guys come out on top.

[Tocchet.A.Hockey.God]

Same as the last game all I ask from this team is to see a complete game not a perfect one just a complete one.

 

What does that mean.

 

All teams in all games have some breakdowns good teams have less and great teams have far less.

 

I want to see the Canucks come out and compete from the first faceoff. I want to see no more then a couple of breakdowns in each period. I don't want to see constant 2 on 1s or free players standing by the Canucks net getting tap ins and most importantly I want to see the opponents PP units have to work to get passes through. If they don't have possession make them work for it and if they do don't give them a open man take your coverage and make the guy with the puck shoot into bodies.

 

Do this and they give themselves a chance to win every game

 

Prediction

Kuz breaks out has a goal and assist on the PP

[cripplereh]

With our management group things may happen but doubt it's an older close to bum player unless they are close to being free.

 

 

Anyways Canucks should stomp them a new one and show we are ready to lay the smack down cause us fans say so!

[Jaimito]

 

 

 

 

 

[IBatch]

On 12/10/2023 at 9:20 PM, Blue said:

It's just crazy how Boeser was a negative value asset last year. And 39 goal Kuzmenko has switched places with him. Except it's worse than Boeser , Beauvillier or Garlund. None of them were tossed onto the 4th line with next to no minutes.

 

 

Maybe we can have a GDT where nobody tries to coach.   Good luck with that lol.  Brock had several trips to the doghouse.   Even EP was sent to the third line for a spell ( several games - off and on with Hogs and Podz) to shake him out of a funk.   It happens.   

 

As for the game, TB has lost some of its glow, and are dealing with some drama over their Captain.    Vasilevsky was the best goalie in the world for half a decade or so overall..:back surgery has come a long way, but can attest, it's not an easy thing and full recovery is rare.   We can beat them.    And they are still a dangerous opponent.    Resting for the playoffs..or just on the decline.. I'm not sure. 

Edited December 12, 2023 by IBatch

[IBatch]

On 12/10/2023 at 10:30 PM, Canucklehead said:

Let's keep the streak going. Don't want the oilers catching up.

Oilers on quite the heater now ... 7 games.   They have a lot of work to do still to get there, and yes, let's make it awfully hard for them.  Those six points we got early on (we won't see them again until maybe the playoffs), are looking huge, huge right now.    This is the easiest part of the travel schedule right now.    Maybe we can go on a heater too.   Right now would be a great time to do it. 

[Blue]

The Oilers need to win for a week longer just to weasel their way into a last wildcard spot. And yet ppl are looking in the mirror to them ? I'd rather the Oilers win some games vs Dallas or the Kings to help our over all record.

[Goal_thecup]

34 minutes ago, IBatch said:

Maybe we can have a GDT where nobody tries to coach.   Good luck with that lol.  Brock had several trips to the doghouse.   Even EP was sent to the third line for a spell ( several games - off and on with Hogs and Podz) to shake him out of a funk.   It happens.   

 

As for the game, TB has lost some of its glow, and are dealing with some drama over their Captain.    Vasilevsky was the best goalie in the world for half a decade or so overall..:back surgery has come a long way, but can attest, it's not an easy thing and full recovery is rare.   We can beat them.    And they are still a dangerous opponent.    Resting for the playoffs..or just on the decline.. I'm not sure. 

Gotta shut the Kootch.

[HorvatToBaertschi]

Gameplan should be pretty clear today. Clear the crease, forecheck hard, and make life difficult for Kucherov.

 

Those are the 3 keys to a win tonight for the good guys 

 

Should be a fun one!

[PeteyBoeser]

Oilers seem they can’t lose now. McDavid is playing better, we need to keep them and flames behind us! Stay top 3 in our division 

[IBatch]

1 hour ago, Blue said:

The Oilers need to win for a week longer just to weasel their way into a last wildcard spot. And yet ppl are looking in the mirror to them ? I'd rather the Oilers win some games vs Dallas or the Kings to help our over all record.

If you aren't checking your mirror's, you could get rear ended.   It's not a bad thing. 

[Bob Long]

7 minutes ago, IBatch said:

If you aren't checking your mirror's, you could get rear ended.   It's not a bad thing. 

 

Doesn't really matter what EDM does now, we've already beaten them in the season series if we end up tied in points, and them beating up on la or Vegas just helps us. They likely won't pass us in points.

[Nucker67]

I don't understand why other teams don't send out one guy who takes his stick and whacks it across McDavid's face, really hard. Take the penalty, take the fine, take the suspension. Ownership has your back. Remove McDavid and the Oilers will never win again (insert evil laugh)

 

Edit - I am kidding btw, kind of.

Edited December 12, 2023 by Nucker67

[Ghostsof1915]

The Twins come out of retirement both at league minimum.

[PhillipBlunt]

1 hour ago, Blue said:

The Oilers need to win for a week longer just to weasel their way into a last wildcard spot. And yet ppl are looking in the mirror to them ? I'd rather the Oilers win some games vs Dallas or the Kings to help our over all record.

Everyone wanks over McDavid, Blue. The average hockey writer knows that putting out articles that fawn over that whiner draws the clicks. 

[PhillipBlunt]

Just now, Ghostsof1915 said:

The Twins come out of retirement both at league minimum.

And are gassed by the end of their first shift. 

[Boudrias]

17 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

Doesn't really matter what EDM does now, we've already beaten them in the season series if we end up tied in points, and them beating up on la or Vegas just helps us. They likely won't pass us in points.

Injuries will play a part in how the season evolves. Imagine if McD goes down. I am hoping Van has seen all their  Injury bug for awhile. As well as the scoring has gone to date for the Canucks I think there is room for much more growth on both sides of the offence and defence. PA has some chips he can still play to add to this roster whether by trade or call ups from Abby.

Edited December 12, 2023 by Boudrias

[PhillipBlunt]

Just now, Boudrias said:

Injuries will play a part in how the season evolves. Imagine if McD goes down. I am hoping Van has seen all their  Injury bug for awhile. As well has the scoring has gone to date for the Canucks I think there is room for much more growth on both sides of the offence and defence. PA has some chips he can still play to add to this roster whether by trade or call ups from Abby.