Top 10: Trevor Linden Moments, #5-1

The ceremony yesterday looked amazing, even if I was only able to watch it via YouTube as it was not broadcast in Ontario. Before I move on to the top 5 Linden moments, here is the video tribute they played in the building. It almost brings a tear to my eye, it is moving stuff:

Number 5

February 20, 1998 – Czech Republic vs. Canada
Nagano Winter Olympics, Men’s Ice Hockey Semi-final

Fresh off his controversial and tumultuous departure from the Canucks, Linden headed to Nagano to represent his country at the Winter Olympics (the man who helped drive him from Vancouver, Mark Messier, was not selected to the squad). With just over a minute remaining in the third period, Linden buried a centering pass from Eric Lindros to tie the game 1-1 and force overtime. The Czech Republic eventually defeated Canada in a shootout, advancing to the finals where it claimed the Gold Medal with a victory over Russia. Wayne Gretzky sitting on the bench after the shootout, having watched his teammates fail to get a puck past Dominik Hasek, is the defining image of the tournament for most Canadian hockey fans. Sadly Linden’s heroic goal therefore never achieved much notoriety, yet had Canada solved Hasek and won the game, the goal would have undoubtedly been widely celebrated. Unfortunately for Linden and Canada, he was the only Canadian player to put a puck behind the Dominator in the entire tournament.



Number 4

June 14, 1994 – Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers
Stanley Cup Finals, Game 7

Linden does everything in his power to bring Vancouver its first Stanley Cup, scoring two goals in Game 7 of the Finals versus the Rangers. Unfortunately it was not enough as the Canucks fell 3-2, the closest they’ve ever come to winning Lord Stanley’s mug.

Number 3

November 10, 2001 – Linden returns to Canucks

Brian Burke undoes the most heartbreaking trade in Canucks history be reacquiring Captain Canuck, then on the Washington Capitals. Linden, of course, would finish his career where it started, playing six more seasons with the Canucks before retiring this past offseason.

Number 2

April 5, 2008 – Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks
Linden’s Last NHL Game

As much as I hate the Flames, I have a world of respect for Jarome Iginla. He proved what a class act he is following the Canucks last game of the 07-08 season – and, as it would turn out, Linden’s last game of his great career. Following a massive Flames blowout, Iginla assembled his teammates and led them to shake Trevor’s hand. Pretty amazing stuff.


Number 1

June 11, 1994 – New York Rangers vs. Vancouver Canucks
Stanley Cup Finals, Game 6

With the clock ticking down in the final minute of what then-owner Arthur Griffiths called “the greatest game ever played at the Pacific Coliseum,” Linden went down with an apparent injury. Hobbling to the bench so his team could get fresh legs on the ice to defend the lead, Linden was accosted by Rangers captain Mark Messier. Legendary broadcaster Jim Robson’s now famous call in the game’s final seconds summed up the toughness and dedication of Linden: “He will play, you know he’ll play, he ‘ll play on crutches, he will play, and he will play at Madison Square Garden!”

Top 10: Trevor Linden Moments, #10-6

I had thought about starting this blog for a number of months, but the impetus for me actually doing so came from my desire to express my appreciation of the greatest Vancouver Canuck, Trevor Linden. The first ever post on 'Nucks and Pucks came last June, on the occasion of Trevor's retirement - and now, on the day that his jersey is raised to the rafters of GM Place, I present my Top 10 Trevor Linden Moments. This first part presents moments 10-6.

Number 10

St. Louis Blues vs. Vancouver Canucks

Linden hits Jeff Norton through the glass

Unfortunately I couldn’t track down the date for this massive hit, but I believe it was during the 1995 playoffs, when Vancouver defeated St. Louis in their opening round series. No need for a description here, the video speaks for itself. Simply awesome.

Number 9

January 21, 1998 – Phoenix Coyotes vs. Vancouver Canucks
Linden fights for his Captain

In what looked at the time to be his last game ever as a Canuck, Trevor Linden valiantly defended Mark Messier after a Coyote player took liberties with him. This, despite the fact that Messier had taken over the captaincy from Linden and been the reason for bringing in Mike Keenan as coach. Keenan verbally assaulted Linden in the dressing room, and was eventually responsible for trading the Canucks icon to the New York Islanders. That Linden would defend Messier despite these circumstances speaks volumes about his character and his dedication to the Canucks.

Number 8

1988-89 Season – Trevor Linden’s Rookie Season

Linden Makes NHL All-Rookie Team

Linden finished his rookie season with 30 goals and 29 assists, good enough to earn him a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team. Check out this vintage of clip of TL in his rookie year. I have a serious love/hate for those canary duds!

Number 7

April 23, 2007 – Dallas Stars vs. Vancouver Canucks

Western Conference Quarter-Finals, Game 7

Linden nets the game winner as the Canucks advance to the second round. The Canucks lost in the second round to the Anaheim Ducks, who would go on to win the Cup that season. Linden finished the 2007 playoffs, the last of his career, with seven points to tie for the team lead.

Number 6

May 24, 1994 – Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Vancouver Canucks

Western Conference Final, Game 5

After Greg Adams’ dramatic double-overtime goal sent the Canucks to the Finals, Linden skated forward to accept the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, which the Canucks earned for winning the Western (formerly Campbell) Conference. Accompanying Linden was the widow of Arthur Griffiths, the former owner of the Canucks. After hugging Mrs. Griffiths, Linden picked up the trophy only to have the lid fall off. This memorable moment of levity only enhanced the importance of this historic moment, which marked only the Canucks’ second trip to a Stanley Cup Final.