I arrived in beautiful British Columbia on Monday and have been overwhelmed by the locals incredible support of their Vancouver Canucks reaching the NHL’s Stanley Cup finals for the first time in 17 years (ironically the same number 17 that their key player Ryan Kesler wears!). There are ‘Go Canucks Go’ banners everywhere and each day looks like it’s flag day-as plenty of cars go whizzing by with some huge flags flying in the wind! Even a very famous statue of a female at the water by amazingly stunning Stanley Park has a Canucks jersey on (and she probably couldn’t get a ticket either-with prices starting at aboat $500!).

This really should be a long series between 2 clubs of contrasting styles and although I give the edge to the Canucks who have more quality difference makers, I also give the edge to the Boston Bruins in goal and in grit! So as usual this series should come down to who gets the best out of their special teams and Vancouver’s power play is so far superior that the B’s better not take too many penalties or they might find themselves on the golf course well before any parade route in Beantown.

On Tuesday (the day before game 1), I missed the morning media day get together with the Canucks but made it to the Bruins’ afternoon gathering and have posted the following interviews for your listening pleasure…

Mark Recchi with Ted Sobel:

Nathan Horton with Ted Sobel:

Tyler Seguin with Ted Sobel:

Tomas Kaberle with Ted Sobel:

I can’t wait for the crowd’s pregame reaction to see if the Vancouver faithful stay as loud or even louder then they’ve shown during these playoffs..but many have told me that they expect a quieter start until their boys get that first goal with true nervousness setting in as they pray for their first EVER Stanley Cup title here. Good luck Canuckleheads and enjoy the ride!!!

p.s. And to think I’m here in Vancouver on the same day when I’d usually be at the Lakers newser to introduce new head coach Mike Brown or even in Miami where I’m also credentialed for the Heat-Mavs NBA Finals? I’ll take B.C. thanks…and glad I made the trip! 🙂