Canucks Bid Farewell To G.M. Place

Mason Raymond scored two goals and Christian Ehrhoff scored the game winning goal in the third period as the Canucks capped off a perfect 4-game home stand with a 3-2 victory over the St.Louis Blues. This win also marks the last time the Vancouver Canucks will play at General Motors in over a month as they embark on their 14-game road trip.

The Canucks, fans and media have had this stretch of games circled on their calendars since the schedule was released last summer and it has finally arrived. With the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games now just 16 days away the Canucks will hand over the keys to VANOC who will now prepare G.M. Place for the Olympics when it will be called Canada Hockey Place.

The Canucks have been red hot as of late and it's been vital. Vancouver has won six straight games to move into top spot of the Northwest division and 9 points ahead of 9th place Detroit. This buffer will be essential as the Canucks are just 10-11-1 on the road this season and will need to improve on that in order to stay in the playoff hunt.

The first portion of the trip will consist of 8 games. Many experts actually consider this to be the easier of the halves as just one game will be against a playoff team (Ottawa) as of the league rankings today. There is also just one back-to-back set. Most games will also be against the Eastern Conference whom the Canucks have dominated with a 9-1 record.

However, the post Olympic 6-game road trip will be very tough as the Canucks will play Detroit, Chicago, Nashville and Phoenix. If the Canucks can win 8-10 of the games on this road trip they will be in good shape. Regardless, this stretch of games can make or break the Canucks season.

14-game Road Trip Schedule

Saturday, January 30th @ Toronto
Tuesday, February 2nd @ Montreal
Thursday, February 4th @ Ottawa
Saturday, February 6th @ Boston
Tuesday, February 9th @ Tampa Bay
Thursday, February 11th @ Florida
Friday, February 12th @ Columbus
Sunday, February 14th @ Minnesota

2-week Olympic Break

Tuesday, March 2nd @ Columbus
Wednesday, March 3rd @ Detroit
Friday, March 5th @ Chicago
Sunday, March 7th @ Nashville
Tuesday, March 9th @ Colorado
Wednesday, March 10th @ Phoenix