Hope is Brightest after the Storm....

Hope is brightest after the storm.

The whole Canuck Nation woke up Friday morning knowing we just had to win Game 5.

This was going to be the most important game of the series.

It was no wonder that Lou took a midday stroll around the seawall.

He had the weight of the Canuck Nation across his shoulders.

As a city held it's breath come 5pm, little did we know the drama that would unfold before us.

The team that stepped on the ice was the one that got lost along the way to Boston.

You beauty!

As the defense got a boost with the young 21 year old Tanev and Edler hit everything in sight., they cut down the Bruins chances, and Lou's confidence rebounded as he got his mojo back.

We came out hungrier, more savage than the previous two games. It was hard to believe what I was seeing. The Bruins went 0 for 4 as their special teams just couldn't get it done.

But it took the continuing tenacity of the gritty 4th line, that produced the only goal by that nutbar Lapierre. He wristed a shot from an impossible angle that rebounded out of Thomas`s glove and over the line.

Game set and match. You beauty!

Get me Downtown! 

The taxi driver can't understand why fans cry over a hockey game.

He tells me that he just watch`s the game, and that's that. I haven't the heart to tell him that when Crosby scored 7 minutes and 40 seconds into overtime in that game last year, I cried.

To understand Canada, you have to understand the power of hockey in our national psyche. And right now this game is all that this city is thinking about.

As I head down to Granville Island to meet the gang John keeps calling: `Where are you man?` It seems he can barely keep the gang at bay, as they`re gagging to get down town.

I`m like a human Stanley Cup as I run down the ramp, Captain Adam, Chris, Max and the gang hoist me up in a huge hug. This is really the best of times! It`s all singing and huge smiles as we take the Cquabus over.

On route, we decide to head for supplies at the Wicklow. As we head up the ramp to Yaletown, we wonder if we`ll make it without getting mobbed with what we`re openly carrying.

But we do, and the party continues into the night........

Canuck Nation Central 

To walk down Granville Street, after such a huge game is to float in a sea of youthful exuberance and joy. I can`t help feeling buoyed as this city parties like Funkadelic said as `one nation`under a groove`.

The Canuck Nation are out in force in a wall of blue. High fives aplenty, screams and hooting.

And OMG - so many party girls in their best glad rags......love it!

The bobbies are out, standing around in their neon vests. But all credit to them, they`re are smiles and as they say in the old country, taking a `softly, softly`approach.

Apparently they have a record 2000 alcohol pulls that night, but you would never have known

A Chance for the Big Show 

And so here we are. They won the must win game.

But it`s still NOT over.

The Canucks, as good as they are, just won the right for a CHANCE to win the ultimate prize of all.

We cannot underestimate a team that has also got this far, with that much skill and a equally hot goalie.

They will come out probably just as nasty, mean as determined as before.

For this fan, it`s been a nerve wracking but brilliant ride so far. And what a ride! It`s brought together a city just as we all came together in 2010 for the Olympics.

But remember:

....stay strong, stay faithful, stay Canucks.....
(up to now its worked!)

But before I go: a couple of films from Friday night:





in the meantime:

peeeaaaaaacccceeeee out sisters!