Flames to host Canucks in Round Two
06.05.06 13:30MST
Divisional Rivals set for exciting second round
The stage is set for an exciting match-up between the two top teams in the Northwest Division as the Flames will host the Vancouver Canucks in round two.
Led by the emerging dynamic duo of the Sedin Twins (pictured with Naslund), Vancouver has an abundance of weapons amongst their forward ranks. Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi and Patrice Bergeron compliment the two Sedins, making the Canucks a formidable opponent.
Vancouver's blue-line is also stacked. 22yr old Jay Bouwmeester leads a corps of solid veterans like Ed Jovanovski, Adrian Aucoin, and Mattias Ohlund that make up perhaps the best blue-line in the league.
In net, Vancouver's enigmatic Russian starter Ilya Bryzgalov keeps reporters busy with his unusual quotes. He has talent and is a fierce competitor, but may be the weakest link on the team.
Vancouver had a very sluggish start this season and didn't find consistency until after Christmas. This slow start, coupled with Calgary's very quick start, gifted the Flames the division, but Vancouver's play since the new year has been solid as the team finished the season with 102 points making the round a tough one to predict. The Flames won the season series 5-3 and are an encouraging 3-1 against the Canucks since Christmas when Vancouver found their game.