Canadians support non-combat role – open to bringing 25,000 Syrian refugees (Globe and Mail/Nanos Survey)

Posted on December 4, 2015 by CanucksBanter

Canadians support training local troops in Syria and accepting 25,000 refugees; split on sending Canadian troops to fight ISIS or providing only humanitarian aid

A majority of Canadians support sending non-combat personnel to Syria to train local troops, as well as the Trudeau Liberals’ pledge to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees into Canada. Contrary to current government plans, deploying Canadian fighter jets to support the international mission was also supported, although support has experienced a decline over the past year. Support was split among Canadians when considering sending in Canadian ground troops to fight ISIS directly, or providing only humanitarian aid.

Training local troops only – The most popular choice for intervention in the Syrian conflict, according to Canadians, is to deploy non-combat military to train local troops in the region. Four fifths of Canadians (81%) either support or somewhat support the deployment of non-combat troops (54% support; 27% somewhat support), while 16% of Canadians either somewhat oppose or oppose the same idea (8% oppose; 8% somewhat oppose).

Accepting 25,000 refugees – The majority of Canadians (65%) support or somewhat support the Trudeau liberal plan to bring in 25,000 refugees from Syria into Canada as promised by the Trudeau Liberals during the election (46% support; 19% somewhat support). Twelve percent say they would somewhat oppose this plan, and one fifth (22%) say they would oppose the plan.

Deployment of fighter jets – Contrary to the Trudeau Liberal’s plan to stop Canadian air support in the international mission in Syria, a majority of Canadians (59%) continue to support or somewhat support the deployment of fighter jets in Syria. Thirty-eight percent support, and 21% somewhat support deploying the jets- down from those who supported (44%), and who somewhat supported (21%), deployment of jets a year ago. However, almost two fifth (38%) of Canadians somewhat opposed or opposed this plan (16% oppose; 22% somewhat oppose).

Deployment of Canadian ground troops – Opinions on deploying ground troops to Syria were split among Canadians. Just under half of Canadians (49%) either oppose or somewhat oppose sending in ground troops to Syria to fight ISIS. Thirty-two percent said they oppose such a plan, and 17% said they somewhat oppose it,however, fewer Canadians oppose sending in troops now compared to 2014, where 40% of respondents said they opposed such a plan. Just under half of Canadians (47%) said they would support or somewhat support sending in ground troops (24% support; 23% somewhat support)

Provide only humanitarian support – Opinions on providing only humanitarian aid to Syria were similarly split among Canadians. Just under half of Canadians (49%) either oppose or somewhat oppose providing only humanitarian support and offering no military involvement in Syria (32% oppose; 17% somewhat oppose), compared to 23% who said they would oppose and 14% who said they would somewhat oppose the same thing a year ago. Comparatively, just under half of Canadians (47%) would support or somewhat support providing only humanitarian aid. Twenty-five percent of participants said they would support, and 22% said they would somewhat support, this type of intervention. This is a decline from 2014 when 38% supported, and 21% somewhat supported, the same action.

The full survey results can be found by visiting our website

Methodology

Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) hybrid telephone and online random survey of 1,000 Canadians between November 21st and 24th, 2015 as part of a Canadian omnibus survey.

Participants were randomly recruited by telephone using live agents and administered a survey online. The sample included both land- and cell-lines across Canada. The results were statistically checked and weighted by age and gender using the latest Census information and the sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Canada. The research was commissioned by the Globe and Mail.

The margin of accuracy for a random sample of 1,000 Canadians is 3.1 percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20.

Vancouver Drops Fourth Game In A Row 3-2 To Dallas

Posted on December 3, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff December 3, 2015

CANUCKS IN NEED OF SHAKE UP AS LOSSES CONTINUE TO BUILD UP

The Canucks knew they had to bounce back against the Dallas Stars.

Ryan Miller knew he could not allow another bad goal.

For Jim Benning, Canucks GM, he felt Vancouver did not work hard and compete against the Kings. And he wasn’t happy about the team not sticking up for each other.

“I just felt that there were instances in that game where last year we (would have) stuck up for one another; when someone was picking on one of our guys … it was a pack mentality and as a team we stuck up for each other. For whatever reason, we didn’t stick up for each other that game. That was really disappointing for me to see that.”

The players knew the fans and their coach and general manager expected a much better effort and push back against Western Conference rival Dallas Stars.

Everyone wanted a Canuck win.

OPENING PERIOD

The Canucks took the game to the Stars from the opening faceoff, and within 56 seconds, had their first goal of the game off a point shot from Alex Edler (5), assisted by Henrik Sedin (17) and Daniel Sedin (17).

The Canucks momentum was affected by the two straight penalties, and even though the Stars did not score, it wasn’t long before Dallas would be getting more confidence and chances to score, and they did.

At 11:59, on a backhand shot by Valari Nichushkin (3), assisted by Patrik Nemeth (1), Dallas tied the game 1-1.

The Canucks continued to struggle after the first Dallas goal, as they got away from keeping the Stars in check.

Dallas outshot Vancouver 6-4 in the opening period. Vancouver outhit Dallas 9-8; and won 12 of 19 face-offs: Bo Horvat was 5-7; Henrik Sedin, 4-7; Adam Cracknell, 3-4.

Canucks penalty kill was 2 for 2 in the first period.

MIDDLE PERIOD

Dallas responded to Vancouver’s early first period goal, by scoring at 33 seconds. Tyler Seguin (14) on a snap shot, assisted by Valeri Nichushkin (6) and Alex Goligoski (7), gave Dallas the lead for the first time, 2-1.

Dallas out shot Vancouver by a wide margin in the period, 18-6, as they continued to dominate the game up and down the ice.

There were a few momentum changes where the Canucks had some good puck possession in the Stars end and quality chances to score, but overall Dallas dominated and Ryan Miller kept the Canucks down one goal.

Canucks outhit Dallas 12-5; and won 9 of 22 face-offs in the period. Henrik Sedin was 6 for 10; Bo Horvat, 3-4; Adam Cracknell, 0-1. Jared McCann was 0-7 in the period in face-offs. Vancouver was 0-1 on the power play. Canucks now 9 for 38 at home on the power play, 19 for 96 overall.

FINAL PERIOD

The Stars started the final period, the same way they started the second. They kept Vancouver on the defensive and challenged Ryan Miller, looking for that backbreaking goal that would take the wind out of Vancouver’s sails.

The Canucks kept battling though, and were rewarded when Jannik Hansen scored his 8th goal of the season, on a backhand shot in front of Kari Lehtonen, at 5:31, assisted by Henrik Sedin (18). The goal was on Vancouver’s 12th shot of the game.

Vancouver got their second wind, and the fans became alive and appreciative as the Canucks pushed for that tie-breaking goal.

But alas, the Stars would score the tie breaking goal on a fine effort by Patrick Sharp (9), on a wrist shot through the legs of Miller at 14:01 , assisted by Alex Goligoski (8), giving Dallas a 3-2 lead.

Things continued to unravel for Vancouver, as Alex Edler got two minutes for slashing on Tyler Seguin in front of the Canuck net, at 14:23. Dallas was unable to score on the power play, and was now 0 for 3 in the game with the man advantage.

Canucks turned their attention to getting a tying goal with urgency. With just over two minutes left, the Canucks pulled Miller for the man advantage, and Dallas would score as Jason Spezza (11) shot the puck down the ice and into an empty net, to make the score 4-2 for the Stars. Unassisted.

And that would be the final score: 4-2 Dallas. Vancouver was outshot 34-16.

Canucks 4rth loss in a row. Canucks 10th loss in a row to the Dallas Stars.

Vancouver’s 12th loss in their last 15 games. Second loss in a row at home: 3-5-3 at Rogers Place this season.

CANUCKS JOTTINGS

On the draw tonight: Henrik Sedin was 12 for 25; Bo Horvat, 11 for 15; Adam Cracknell, 4-10; Jared McCann, 1 for 13. Total: Canucks were 28 for 63.
Canucks penalty kill was perfect at 3 for 3. They have now killed 27 of 33 power play chances in 11 home games this season. Overall, they have killed off 69 of 88 power play chances this season.
Vancouver was 0 for 1 on the power play.
Dallas has won 10 straight against Vancouver, including taking all three games of the season series.
C Brandon Sutter (sports hernia), D Benn Hutton (lower body), Luca Sbsia (hand) and RW Jake Virtanen (upper body) are out.
Ryan Miller has 2 wins in his last 11 games.
Miller’s numbers versus the Stars prior to the game tonight weren’t sterling. He was 4-4-3, with a 3.29 goals against and a .879 save percentage, in his career against Dallas.

GAME REVIEW

CANUCKS AT A GLANCE

Canucks statistics courtesy of the NHL and Vancouver Canucks.

Vancouver Begins Four Game Home Stand Against Dallas Tonight

Posted on December 3, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff December 3, 2015

Home Sweet Home

The Western conference leaders Dallas Stars (19-5-1) visit Rogers Place tonight to take on the Vancouver Canucks (9-9-8), who begin a 4-game home stand, after finishing a 4 game road trip on Tuesday night in Los Angeles.

The banged up Canucks finished their road trip with a record of 1-2-1. During the trip Chris Higgin, Chris Tanev and Jake Virtanen ended up missing action, joining Ben Hutton and Brandon Sutter on the sidelines. Since then, the Canucks disclosed that Brandon Sutter will be lost to the Canucks until at least mid-January after having sports hernia surgery.

Ronalds Kenins, who played well last season when he was called up from Utica (AHL), is expected to make his NHL season debut and it is hoped that some injured Canucks could return to action tonight, receiving clearance after the morning skate.

The Stars are looking to complete the sweep of the Canucks in their third and final game against Vancouver having won the two previous games this season in Dallas.

Dallas fell to the Calgary Flames, 4-3, in a shootout on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Stars blew a 3-0 lead after two periods by giving up three in the third period, to eventually lose in the shootout.

Dallas comes into Thursday’s contest riding a nine-game winning streak against the Canucks and are 12-3-0 in the last 15 games against them. The Stars have also posted wins in each of the last four trips to Rogers Arena and have earned a 5-1-0 record in the last six games at Vancouver.

The Stars share first in the NHL in wins (19) and lead the Western Conference and rank second in the League in points (39) through the first 25 games of the 2015-16 season. Dallas’ 19-5-1 record is the team’s best mark through the first 25 games of a season in franchise history.

The Stars pace the NHL with a 3.48 goals-per-game average so far this season having scored 87 goals. Dallas also leads the League with nine empty net goals, while the team leads the West and ranks third in the NHL with 20 power play goals this season.

CANUCKS JOTTINGS

The Canucks are 1-6-3 against the Stars in the last ten games played, dating back to the 2012.13 season.
The last three games between the Canucks and Stars have gone beyond regulation; Vancouver has 2 OTL and 1 SOL in those meetings.
Daniel Sedin has 17 points (8-9-17) in the last 11 games. He recently had a seven game point streak from Nov. 14-27; it was the longest point streak of any Canucks player this season and his longest since a seven game streak from Oct. 22 – Nov. 5/13. He currently leads the team and ranks in the top-15 in the League in points (28), goals (12), assists (16), ppg (5) and ppp (11).
Henrik Sedin has 15 points (5-10-15) in the last 11 games. He recently had a six game point streak from Nov. 16-27. He also had a five game point streak earlier this season from Oct. 29 to Nov. 7. Last season, the Captain recorded points in three or more consecutive games on 10 different occasions
Alex Edler leads VAN in time on ice (24:33) and has led the team in that category in 23 of 25 games he’s played, including 14 games where he’s led all skaters in TOI. He currently ranks 17th in the NHL in TOI/GP.
Henrik and Daniel Sedin have played in 583 wins together. According to ESB, since 1990.91 the only pairs of teammates to play in more wins together are Niklas Lidstrom and Kris Draper (664); and Lidstrom and
Tomas Holmstrom (599).
In the month of November, the Sedins combined for 35 points (Daniel registered 8-10-18 while Henrik collected 6-11-17). According to ESB, it is the most points the Sedins have combined for in a calendar month since December 2011, when they tallied 39 points together (10-7-17 for Daniel; and 2-20-22 for Henrik).
Vancouver has scored at least one power play goal in nine of the last 10 games, including at least one power play goal in eight consecutive games from Nov. 12-27. According to ESB, the last time the Canucks went 8 straight games with a PPG in the same season was Dec. 28 – Jan. 15/96. The Canucks also had a PPG in 8 straight games over a span of two seasons from Apr. 14 – Oct. 19/99.
The Canucks 69 goals on the year are 10th most in the NHL
Vancouver is 12th in the League in shots/GP with 30.1
VANCOUVER’S 2015.16 RECORD WHEN…
Score 4+ Goals: 6-0-0
Score 3 Goals or Less: 3-9-8
Allow 4+ Goals: 0-4-3
Allow 3 Goals or Less: 9-4-5
On 0 Days Rest: 2-1-2
On 1 Day Rest: 2-4-5
On 2 Days Rest: 4-3-1
On 3+ Days Rest: 0-1-1
Score a PPG: 4-5-6
Give up a PPG: 4-7-5
25+ Shots on Goal: 7-8-6
Less than 25 shots: 2-1-2

SEASON SNAPSHOT

CANUCKS-DALLAS AT A GLANCE

Statistics courtesy of the NHL, Vancouver Canucks and SportingCharts, with thanks.

NHL MORNING SKATE – DEC. 3, 2015

Posted on December 3, 2015 by CanucksBanter

NHL MORNING SKATE – DEC. 3, 2015

Welcome to the “NHL Morning Skate,” a daily collection of the latest news and notes from around the League.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps
WINNIPEG 6, Toronto 1
NY ISLANDERS 2, NY Rangers 1 (SO)
EDMONTON 3, Boston 2 (SO)
Tampa Bay 2, ANAHEIM 1

ISLANDERS EDGE RANGERS IN FIRST MEETING IN BROOKLYN

Jaroslav Halak made 33 saves through overtime and denied all three attempts he faced in the shootout to lead the Islanders past the Rangers in their first meeting at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

* The Islanders extended their overall point streak to five games (4-0-1), including three consecutive victories. At 14-8-4 (32 points), they sit five points behind the Rangers (17-6-3, 37 points) for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
* The Islanders improved to 9-4-2 (20 points) in their first 15 games at Barclays Center, including three straight wins. Their 20 home points rank fourth in the NHL; the Rangers lead that category with 23 points at Madison Square Garden (11-3-1).
* Halak improved to 11-6-0 in 18 career appearances vs. NYR (2.52 GAA, .921 SV%, 2 SO). That includes a 4-2-0 record over the past two seasons with the Islanders (2.15 GAA, .938 SV%, 1 SO).
* Overall, Halak improved to 7-4-2 in 14 outings this season (1.93 GAA, .926 SV%, 2 SO), including a 6-2-0 record on home ice. His 1.93 goals-against average paces the NHL.

NILSSON, OILERS SNAP BRUINS’ FIVE-GAME WINNING STREAK . . .

Anders Nilsson stopped 38 shots through overtime and turned aside all three attempts he faced in the shootout to help the Oilers improve to 2-1-1 in their last four outings and snap the Bruins’ winning streak at five games.

* The Oilers have won their last two games against the Bruins – both via a shootout – on the heels of a 13-game skid in the head-to-head series dating to Nov. 6, 2001 (0-10-3).
* Nilsson improved to 6-0 in six career shootouts, including a pair of wins with the Oilers (also Nov. 28 at PIT). He has denied 13 of 16 career attempts in the tiebreaker (.813 SV%).
* Matt Hendricks and Mark Letestu both recorded 1-1—2 for their first multi-point performances of the season.

. . . DID YOU KNOW?

Despite suffering the shootout loss, the Bruins extended their point streak against the Oilers to 15 games dating to Nov. 6, 2001 (13-0-2). Via Elias, that is the second-longest active point streak by an NHL team against one opponent:

Longest Active Point Streaks vs. One Opponent
19 – Coyotes vs. EDM (16-0-3; March 17, 2011 – Nov. 12, 2015)
15 – Bruins vs. EDM (13-0-2; Nov. 6, 2001 – Dec. 2, 2015)
14 – Capitals vs. FLA (12-0-2; Feb. 7, 2012 – Oct. 31, 2015)

LIGHTNING, JETS KEEP STREAKING

The Lightning and Jets both earned wins on Wednesday to extend their point streaks against their respective opponents:

* Jonathan Marchessault scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period to power the Lightning to a 7-0-4 record in their last 11 games against the Ducks dating to Jan. 9, 2009 (ANA: 4-7-0), including four straight wins. Ben Bishop made 32 saves to improve to 6-0-1 in seven career appearances vs. ANA (1.03 GAA, .966 SV%, 1 SO).
* Led by Mark Scheifele (1-2—3) and Drew Stafford (2-0—2), the Jets scored six unanswered goals to improve to 7-0-1 in their last eight meetings with the Maple Leafs dating to March 12, 2013 (TOR: 1-5-2). Scheifele – a Kitchener, Ont., native – has recorded at least one point in five of six career games vs. TOR (5-3—8).

MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS

* Forward Michael Grabner scored his first goal with the Maple Leafs (23 GP).

LOOSE PUCKS

Despite suffering the shootout loss, the Rangers have earned at least one point in 17 of their last 21 games (14-4-3) . . . The Bruins extended their point streak to six contests (5-0-1) . . . Islanders forward Kyle Okposo registered his seventh career game-deciding goal . . . Oilers forward Jordan Eberle picked up his third such goal . . . Jets forward Blake Wheeler collected one assist to extend his point streak to five games (1-4—5) . . . Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (36 SV) fell to 29-15-6 in 51 career appearances vs. NYI (2.20 GAA, .922 SV%, 5 SO) . . . Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves to improve to 2-0-0 in his first two NHL appearances (1.00 GAA, .958 SV%) . . . The Department of Player Safety suspended Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas for three games for an illegal check to the head of Senators forward Mika Zibanejad . . . ICYMI: The Ducks hosted Star Wars Night at Honda Center . . . The Oilers honored the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos, winners of the 103rd Grey Cup.

EDMONTON, AB – DECEMBER 2: Players of the Edmonton Eskimos salute the crowed prior to the game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Boston Bruins on December 2, 2015 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION

All Times Eastern
Colorado @ NY Rangers, 7:00 p.m., SN360, ALT, MSG
New Jersey @ Carolina, 7:00 p.m., MSG+, FS-CR
Washington @ Montreal, 7:30 p.m., CSN-DC, CITYM, RDS
Chicago @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., CSN-CH, TSN5, RDS2
Arizona @ Detroit, 7:30 p.m., FS-A, FS-D
Florida @ Nashville, 8:00 p.m., FS-F, FS-TN
Toronto @ Minnesota, 8:00 p.m., TSN4, FS-N, FS-WI
Dallas @ Vancouver, 10:00 p.m., SN360, FS-SW

TOP TEAMS FACE OFF IN MONTREAL

Two of the top teams in the NHL face off when the League-leading Canadiens (19-4-3, 41 points) welcome the No. 4 Capitals (17-5-1, 35 points) to Bell Centre. Both clubs rank in the top five in goals for and against per game this season; Montreal is second with 3.42 goals for per game and third with 2.15 goals against per game, while Washington is tied for third with 3.22 goals for per game and ranks fifth with 2.22 goals against per game. This marks the first of three meetings in 2015-16 between these Eastern Conference foes; the Capitals have earned at least one point in 15 of their last 17 head-to-head matchups (12-2-3) since the Canadiens eliminated them in seven games in the 2010 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Oil ends below $40 a barrel for first time since Aug. 26

Posted on December 2, 2015 by CanucksBanter

Oil prices fell 4.6 percent on Wednesday after U.S. government data showed a 10th straight week in crude builds, but traders cautioned of volatility ahead of this week’s OPEC meeting from suggestions of any production cuts.

Crude also hit session lows, breaking below $40 a barrel, after the release of the Fed’s Beige Book.

The dollar’s surge to 12½-year highs after pro-rate hike comments by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairperson Janet Yellen also weighed on oil and other dollar-denominated commodities, as it makes them less affordable to those holding the euro and other currencies.

U.S. crude oil inventories rose 1.2 million barrels last week, for a tenth straight week on higher imports and in spite of a jump in refining rates that also boosted stocks of gasoline and distillates, data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed.

“It is another data point pointing to a continued glut in the U.S. markets for oil as production declines remain stubborn even with oil prices hovering at current levels for a significant amount of time now,” Chris Jarvis, analyst at Caprock Risk Management in Frederick, Maryland said.

Inventories at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub for U.S. crude futures accounted for a third of the build, rising 428,000 barrels, the EIA reported.

Brent crude was down $1.85, or 4.16 percent, at $42.58 a barrel by 2:36 p.m. EDT, falling for a fifth consecutive session.

U.S. crude settled $1.91 lower, or 4.6 percent, at $39.94 a barrel.

Both benchmarks had raced into positive territory earlier on Wednesday, reacting to a headline from Tehran’s oil ministry news agency Shana that a majority of OPEC members agree on output cuts.

But prices fell back rapidly as the report also said Saudi Arabia, the kingpin in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and other Persian Gulf Arab member countries of OPEC were not agreeable to the reductions.

In spite a global supply glut, most traders expect OPEC at its Friday meeting in Vienna to endorse its decision from last year to pump oil vigorously to protect its market share from non-members like United States and Russia.

Only a few OPEC members, such as Venezuela and Iran, are hoping for output cuts to stabilize crude prices which have tumbled from highs above $100 a barrel in June 2014.

“The market is vulnerable to short covering spikes if anything unexpected on OPEC comes out,” said Peter Donovan, broker at Liquidity Energy in New York.

Beyond OPEC’s meeting, oil traders remained focused on growing stockpiles and high production.

Russia continued extracting oil at a post-Soviet record of 10.78 million barrels a day (bpd) in November despite low oil prices, Energy Ministry data showed on Wednesday.

Low oil prices in combination with high debt levels are putting heavy pressure on corporate energy earnings.

“The global oil and gas sector is heavily indebted, with upstream companies holding about $1.1 trillion in dollar-denominated corporate bonds and loans,” BMI Research said.

“While the current debt load does not pose a systemic threat to the industry, a pullback in low-cost financing will be a necessary precursor to the broader rebalancing of the physical oil market.”

Many analysts are skeptical of oil prices recovering into 2016.

“We maintain our bearish or sideway move in oil prices in the next 2-3 months as things haven’t really changed fundamentally, despite data showing a decline in stocks builds by end of next year,” Natixis oil analyst Abhishek Deshpande told the Reuters Global Oil Forum.

Source: Oil ends below $40 a barrel for first time since Aug. 26

Andrew Phillip Chernoff

The Outer Limits To The Inner Depths

Canadians support non-combat role – open to bringing 25,000 Syrian refugees (Globe and Mail/Nanos Survey)

Vancouver Drops Fourth Game In A Row 3-2 To Dallas

OPENING PERIOD

MIDDLE PERIOD

FINAL PERIOD

CANUCKS JOTTINGS

GAME REVIEW

CANUCKS AT A GLANCE

Vancouver Begins Four Game Home Stand Against Dallas Tonight

Home Sweet Home

CANUCKS JOTTINGS

SEASON SNAPSHOT

CANUCKS-DALLAS AT A GLANCE

NHL MORNING SKATE – DEC. 3, 2015

Oil ends below $40 a barrel for first time since Aug. 26