Tracking Perceptions on US-Canada Relations (Canadian-American Annual Survey Summary – Year 11)

Posted on March 28, 2016 by CanucksBanter

Chicago Makes Playoffs, Handing Vancouver Their 8th Consecutive Loss With 3-2 Victory

Posted on March 27, 2016 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff MARCH 27, 2016

The Vancouver Canucks were looking at playing the role of spoilers tonight as they hosted long time rival Chicago Blackhawks at Rogers Place, and in doing so, ending their 7-game losing streak.

Chicago was looking to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs if they earned at least one point against the Canucks.

Vancouver, who were knocked from playoff contention with a 4-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Friday, wanted to delay Chicago’s playoff clinching, having it happen against a different team.

VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 27: Marian Hossa #81 of the Chicago Blackhawks watches as a shot by Andrew Ladd #16 beats Ryan Miller #30 of the Vancouver Canucks for a goal during their NHL game at Rogers Arena March 27, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Chicago won 3-2. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Ryan Miller stopped 26 of 29 shots, and Vancouver got goals from Alex Burrows and Sven Baertschi; two assists from Emerson Etem, and an assist from Linden Vey, but just could not match the Blackhawks dominance in the game, and the Canucks would make it eight consecutive losses without a win, and Chicago would clinch a playoff berth, winning 3-2.

GAME REVIEW

Chicago had the early momentum in the opening period, but Vancouver eventually got their legs and a couple of scoring chances on Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling.

With under nine minutes left in the period, Chicago was out shooting Vancouver 7 to 5, but the Canucks were 6 for 9 on face-offs and out hitting Chicago 7 to 2.

VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 27: Nikita Tryamkin #88 of the Vancouver Canucks checks Andrew Desjardins #11 of the Chicago Blackhawks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena March 27, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Chicago dominated the Canucks in their end late into the period, eventually opening the scoring at 17:42, when Tomas Fleischmann scored his 14th goal of the season on a wrist shot, assisted by Trevor van Riemsdyk (8) and Christian Ehrhoff (10), to make it 1-0 for the Blackhawks.

Chicago up 1-0 after one period.

In the first period:

Canucks out were out shot by the Blackhawks 13-7 and won 10 of 19 face-offs.
Canucks out hit Chicago 10 to 2.
Canuck face-off leaders: Henrik Sedin-7 for 9; Bo Horvat-3 for 6.
Jake Virtainen-3 hits; Daniel Sedin-2 shots.
Canucks Time On Ice: Jannick Hansen-7:42; Nikita Tryamkin-7:29
Teams Corsi For:
- Even Strength: Chicago-22; Vancouver-12
- All Strengths: Canucks-12; Blackhawks-22
- Top Canucks:
  - All Situations: Jared McCann-0; Alex Biega -1; Brendan Gaunce -1; Matt Bartowski -1
  - Even Strength: Jared McCann-0; Alex Biega -1; Brendan Gaunce -1; Matt Bartkowski -1

The Canucks needed to turn things around in the second period, generating more puck possession in the Chicago end and getting more shots on net, and push back for some goals, or it was going to be a long night.

Vancouver did not start the period on the right foot, as Chicago received the game’s first power play opportunity when Daniel Sedin would be penalized at 21 seconds for hooking.

Canucks killed the Sedin penalty making it 20 kills in their last 21 times shorthanded, while the Blackhawks made it 23 consecutive man-advantage opportunities without a power play goal.

VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 27: Alexandre Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks is congratulated after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena March 27, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Alex Burrows would pick a puck out of the air in front of the Chicago goal, and slap it past Blackhawk goalie Scott Darling, to tie the game up at 1-1, at 11:29.

Burrows, his 9th goal of the season, assisted by Linden Vey (11) and Emerson Etem (6), to end the Canucks latest scoring drought at 141 minutes and 50 seconds.

Teams tied 1-1 after two periods.

In the second period:

Canucks were out shot by Chicago 9 to 6 and won 7 of 19 face-offs.
Canucks out hit Blackhawks 5 to 1.
Canucks penalty kill was 1 for 1.
Canuck face-off leaders: Henrik Sedin-3 for 8; Bo Horvat-2 for 6.
Nikita Tryamkin and Jared McCann-2 hits
Canucks Time On Ice: Dan Hamhuis-7:46; Nikita Tryamkin-6:58;
Teams Corsi For:
- Even Strength: Chicago-12; Vancouver-18
- All Strengths: Chicago-14; Canucks-18
- Top Canucks After Two Periods:
  - All Situations: Jared McCann +3; Yannick Weber +3
  - Even Strength: Dan Hamhuis +4; Jared McCann +3; Yannick Weber +3

In the 3rd period, Chicago pressed for the game leading goal, and were rewarded at 5:37 when Teuvo Teravainen, with his 13th goal of the season scored, assisted by Trevor van Riemsdyk (9) and Patrick Kane (55), to make it 2-1 Chicago.

Less than a minute and a half later, Vancouver would get a glorious opportunity to even up the score, when Jonathan Toews would get a double-minor for high sticking Alex Biega at 7:05.

Canucks would be unable to come up with the equalizer on either power play, and would continue to be fruitless with the man advantage, making it one power play goal in their last thirty opportunities, going back to March 7 against the Los Angeles Kings. Their only power play goal coming against the Nashville Predators on March 25.

With less than seven minutes left in the period, Canucks were out shooting Chicago 10 to 5, and making an effort to tie up the game, but the Blackhawks were all over Vancouver, until finally Sven Baertschi would solve Scott Darling and make it a 2-2 game.

Baertschi, his 15th goal of the season, and second goal in his last 12 games, assisted by Emerson Etem (7) at 14:18.

With 2:27 left in the game, Andrew Ladd would make it 3-2 Chicago, with his 23rd goal of the season, assisted by Jonathan Toews (26) and Niklas Hjalmarsson (21) at 17:33.

In the final minute, Vancouver would have six attackers on the ice to try and tie the game, and take it into overtime.

Time would run out though, and the Canucks would make it eight consecutive losses without a win, and Chicago would clinch a playoff berth.

In the third period:

Canucks out shot Chicago 15 to 10 and but only won 7 of 20 face-offs.
Canucks out hit Chicago 3 to 1.
Vancouver power play was 0 for 2 in the period.
Canucks Time On Ice: Daniel Sedin-8:24; Henrik Sedin-9:08; Ben Hutton-8:42
Teams Corsi For:
- Even Strength: Vancouver-18; Chicago-14
- All Strengths: Chicago-17; Canucks-23

End Of The Game:

Vancouver finished with 28 shots, Chicago 32 shots, and Canucks won 24 of 58 face-offs.
Canucks had 18 hits to the Blackhawks 4 hits.
Vancouver penalty kill was 1 for 1; power play was 0 for 2.
Canucks Time On Ice: Henrik Sedin-20:31; Ben Hutton-22:51; Dan Hamhuis-21:04; Nikita Tryamkin-21:01
Teams Corsi For:
- Even Strength: Blackhawks-48; Canucks-48
- All Strengths: Chicago-53; Vancouver-53
- Top Canucks in game:
  - All Situations: Dan Hamhuis +6; Jared McCann +6; Alex Biega +4
  - Even Strength: Dan Hamhuis +6; Alex Biega and Matt Bartkowski +5 each.

Vancouver Attempts To End 7-Game Losing Streak At Home Against Chicago Tonight

Posted on March 27, 2016 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff MARCH 27, 2016

The Vancouver Canucks (27 – 34 – 13 = 67 pts) host the Chicago Blackhawks (43 – 25 – 7 = 93 pts) tonight in their third and final meeting of the season. Tonight also marks the first of a two game home stand for the Canucks who take on division rival San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night.

Vancouver enters the game in the midst of a 7-game losing streak, and out of the playoffs for the second time in the last three seasons.

In the last Canucks game on March 25, Vancouver lost 4-0 to the St. Louis Blues. The Canucks were shut out for the fourth time in the past five games and extended their winless streak to a season-high seven games. Yannick Weber had three hits. Nikita Tryamkin had three blocked shots. Jacob Markstrom made 33 saves.

This is the second of seven consecutive games the Canucks will play against playoff teams, and their 38th home game of the season.

Ryan Miller starts for Vancover, bringing a 15-22-9 record into the game with a 2.63 GAA and .917 Sv% and 1 shutout, but has lost his last three starts.

Miller’s save percentage during his three-game winless streak (108 saves on 115 shots) is .939, above his season average, but his teammates have only been able to score 3 goals during his winless streak.

Vancouver has the 5th best penalty kill in the NHL since March 1 with a 87.5 percentage (28 for 32), and since March 10 the Canucks have only allowed one power play goal against in 21 opportunities, for 95.2 percent, 3rd best in the NHL in that span.

Canucks are averaging 2.17 goals per game. For an 82 game schedule the estimate is Vancouver will finish with 178 goals. The least number of goals ever scored by a Vancouver team in a full season of 82 games is 192 by the 1998-99 Canucks.
- Vancouver needs to average 3.00 goals per game over their last 8 games for a minimum 193 goals, to avoid 2015-16 being the season for the worst offensive production by a Canucks teams in franchise history.

Derek Dorsett and Andrey Pedan will not play tonight, while Alex Biega and Jared McCann enter the line-up.

Injured for Vancouver are: D Christopher Tanev (lower body) and F Markus Granlund (upper body) are day-to-day. D Luca Sbisa (upper body) is week-to-week. F Radim Vrbata (knee) is out for the season. F Brandon Sutter (fractured jaw) and D Alexander Edler (fibula fracture) are on the injured reserve list and are out for the season.

Hit by Severe Drought, King of Fruits to Cost a Bomb this Summer – The New Indian Express

Posted on March 26, 2016 by CanucksBanter

Express News Service Published: 27th March 2016 06:27 AM

Last Updated: 27th March 2016 06:27 AM

HYDERABAD: The king of fruits ‘mango’ will be costlier this season, as mango production has been hit severely due to drought this year.

The mango season has just begun and mango farmers from all parts of state have started bringing their produce to Gaddiannaram Fruit Market for the past one week. Though a stream of lorries carrying mangoes can be spotted in the early hours at market, the quantity of produce being brought to market is very low this year when compared with last year.

“Mango season starts in the second half of March and goes on till the end of May. It will reach its peak during mid April and mid May. Right now, we are getting about 30 to 40 lorries of mangoes a day but it is very less when compared with the average arrivals. Though the number of arrivals will increase from now, we are not expecting a vibrant season as crop was hit due to drought,” said V Yellaiah, Deputy Director of Marketing, Gaddiannaram Fruit Market.

Mangoes are cultivated mostly in Medak, Mahbubnagar, Khammam, Ranga Reddy districts in Telangana which are mostly being brought to Gaddiannaram market for sale by farmers. Even mangoes from neighbouring AP state are also brought to the market.

While mangoes are cultivated in about 12 lakh hectares in Telangana on an average every year, this year it has decreased to about 6.5 lakh hectares, estimate horticulture scientists.

“Southern Telangana, especially districts like Medak have apt climate and soil conditions for mango cultivation. As a result, Telangana has emerged as one of the major mango producing states. Mango cultivation accounts for 22 per cent of total area under fruit cultivation in the state and it is cultivated in about 1.2 million hectares on an average every year. But due to severe drought conditions, this is set to decrease drastically,” explained Dr Pidigam Saidaiah, assistant professor, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University.

According to the previous crop patterns in state, Telangana produces about 12 million tonnes of mangoes per year and price in retail market used to be in the range of Rs 30 to Rs 50 depending upon the variety and quality. But with production itself decreasing by 50 per cent, the rate of mangoes is set to peak this time.

Dasheri, Himayat, Imam Pasand, Pedda Rasalu and Chinna Rasalu are some of the early varieties which are brought to the market. According to the price fixed by Gaddiannaram Fruit Market authorities, one tonne of mangoes were sold at Rs 60,000 on Saturday. With wholesale price itself hovering around Rs 60 per kg, retail price is set to further soar high, thus making a mango bite a costly affair this summer.

Heavy on pocket

Production decreased by 50 per cent this year due to severe drought

As the mango season just started, the wholesale price hovers around Rs 60 per kg

Early varieties like Dasheri, Himayat, Imam Pasand, Pedda Rasalu started reaching the markets from orchards

Source: Hit by Severe Drought, King of Fruits to Cost a Bomb this Summer – The New Indian Express

Canucks Eliminated From Playoffs In 4-0 Loss To St. Louis

Posted on March 25, 2016 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff MARCH 25, 2016

CANUCKS LOSING STREAK AT 7 GAMES

VANCOUVER SHUTOUT FOR FOURTH TIME IN 5 GAMES

ELLIOTT GETS 3RD CONSECUTIVE SHUTOUT FOR THE BLUES

The Vancouver Canucks came into the state of Missouri tonight to take on the St. Louis Blues on a 6 game losing streak, facing possible elimination from the playoffs, in the final game of their three game road trip.

The Canucks were looking for Lady Luck to smile upon them, along with divine intervention to bless them with a much needed win, in the first of seven straight games against playoff teams.

The Blues were looking for a victory to punch their ticket for the NHL playoffs, their 40th postseason appearance in franchise history and the sixth appearance in the last 11 seasons, and fifth season in a row.

Who would make it a really “Good Friday” with a win tonight?

Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who stopped 47 of 49 shots against the Winnipeg Jets on March 22 and was named the first star of the game, in a 2-0 loss, was making his 7th start of the month, entering the game with a 2-4-0 record, including a .923 Sv% and 2.53 GAA in March.
Markstrom in his previous two starts faced 70 shots, and responded with a .959 Sv% and 1.53 GAA.
Goalie Brian Elliott made his third consecutive start tonight for the Blues, earning two consecutive shutouts, after returning from a lower-body injury that kept him sidelined for 10 games.

Markstrom did his best, stopping 32 of 36 shots, but Vancouver could not get a puck past the Blues goalie and lost 4-0, ending their playoff hopes and extending their losing streak to 7 consecutive games, in the final game of their 3 game road trip.

ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 25: Brian Elliott #1 and Robert Bortuzzo #41 of the St. Louis Blues defend the goal against Alex Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks at the Scottrade Center on March 25, 2016 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/NHLI via Getty Images)