Is Luongo, Luongone?

April 19, 2012

Posted by Kevin Cawthra | 21 »

A Captain, a Vezina candidate, a leader, all things that could describe Roberto Luongo in the past 6 years since he’s been with the Canucks. Has he had a great season this year? No. He’s been very mediocre, but he still got the job done when needed. Everyone should know that no one is perfect; no one is absolutely amazing and perfect at what they do! I’m sure Luongo knows that from all the criticism he takes from the fans here in Vancouver and Media.

Many Canuck fans seem very brain washed whenever they see Schneider play, and he wins us a game. Is it because of how good he is on the ice? Maybe so, is it just because he wins us hockey games? Yea that could be also. But Schneider also only plays about 30-35 games a season, so he’s as ready as always, and he’s always fresh. Now with Schneider getting the nod last night in Game 4, and Luongo declining to talk with any media; its led many to believe that Luongo could be on his way out this offseason. I honestly feel bad for Luongo, many blamed him for games 1 and 2, well yea, he let in 7 goals, but you also need an offense and defense out there to help you win the game, and he had no support from his team.

Last year, if this scenario was happening, would you believe it? No I wouldn’t. You know why? Because of his long contract, his lengthy experience that he has, and he was also our former captain, and has been considered untouchable. Many people say “well he’s blown us many games”, “he lets in weak goals”, yes I agree that he’s blown us games once or twice, and he’s let in the odd knuckle ball, but he doesn’t blow many games as what everyone says.

When everyone used to say Vancouver is a “goalie graveyard”, I definitely get it. Most fans in Vancouver are Canucks fans and not hockey fans. When a goal is scored the situation is not analyzed thoroughly. It is always Luongo’s fault. Forget about the lazy play by Edler or Bieksa in front or the terrible back checking of Lapierre or Kesler. No one should ever view Schneider as a backup though; the team loves him as much as they love Luongo. He carries himself like a veteran, he breathes greatness. Even as a backup, he still defends Luongo every night if he lost.

I suddenly realized that hockey in Vancouver now has become a style. People do not really like hockey. They just have to be there because it is the popular thing to do. Then they will go on their iPhone or Blackberry and talk about how awesome it is to be at the game. When the game is over these so called fans will tweet or put up a status about how Luongo blew it and cost us the game. Oh but what if Schneider was in net? Who do we put on the blame then? I’m guessing the team in front of him right?

What bothers me the most is, even though he was one of our best players this season, Luongo still gets criticized, he had two great games to start the playoffs, and still after that, he finds his job is in doubt? It sucks that this might be Luongo’s last year here, with how much scrutiny and criticism he’s taken this season only because of his great season last year, he gets that much more the criticism, and ten times more negative comments then he should get. Yes, he took us to the cup finals, yes he won Team Canada a gold medal, but everyone deserves a break, I get it, it’s all part of being a goalie, and it’s something you have to deal with every season, but the amount of criticism Luongo gets, he definitely deserves to go on his own terms.

Don’t get me wrong, Cory is a great goalie, I love Schneider, and he definitely deserves to be a number 1 goaltender, but Luongo is the man here, and he’s been the man here for the past 6 years, you either wait your turn or off to another team.

That’s all for now folks! Hope you enjoyed the blog and my first Canucks article! Follow me on twitter @KevinCawthra

Kacey_du

Agree. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t take clutch genes to play clutch defense. When ur a super star, u don’t just have on and off nights. Lu been in the bihh long enough to know the ins and outs, and the amount of times he gets scored on is simply unacceptable. None of us are hockey analysts, and at the end of the day, whether fake fan or not, everybody in Vancouver just want to see the goalies gettin their jobs done. Lu was great, but this is professional hockey. Tough sport, tough bihhness, and a tough city to be in, and that’s all it ever was.
http://twitter.com/wengeronimo weng geronimo

I agree. Even Quick gave up last night. With all those toughness needed in the world of hockey let us not forget that “one stroke of FATE. It can make one to be at his Worst or his
Greatness.
Amy G

Kacey_du,
I disagree with your “when you’re a super star, you don’t just have on & off nights”. Lou played amazing the first 2 games, it was our offense & defense that sucked balls. And Lou isn’t the only goalie who’s had on & off nights. How do you explain Fleury letting in 20 goals in the first 3 games, and then last night only let in 3? And how to you explain Bryzgalov only letting in 12 goals in the first 3 games and then 10 last night? No matter what profession, you will have your on and off days. Luo will, and so will Schneider. Schneider doesn’t play too many consecutive games like Luo does for us to see his off days. Vancouver “fans” need to get off Luos back and give him a break. You need a defense & an offense to win a game, and in our first 2 games, we had neither. The best player on that team those first 2 games was Luongo.
pc

This article sounds like it was written by a 12 year old. “Suck’s” ?

If you make 7-10m (average 5.5m) a year, you deserve to take the criticism.

”
but Luongo is the man here, and he’s been the man here for the past 6 years, you either wait your turn or off to another team. ”

It’s not about the fans, it’s about the team believing Schneider is the better goalie right now. Get over it. Luongo was great in the past, but now it’s about who the better goalie is.

The tone of your blog is condescending and you try to imply you know more about hockey than fans. I bet you barely even lace your skates up, if ever.
http://twitter.com/KevinCawthra Kevin Cawthra

Thanks for the CC, I made a small grammar mistake, MY BAD. You’re right, I don’t ever lace up my skates. But I’ve watched Canucks hockey since I was 6 years old and have been a fan ever since.
Dubz

I agree completely, everybody seems to forget for the past 6 years the only reason vancouver has been as good as they have been falls back to Lu. If it wasnt for him we wouldnt know what a presidents trophy OR stanley cup final feels like. Lu has been solid and i feel so bad for him that everyone is quick to shoot the blame at him, hes a great goaltender behind a somewhat mediocre team; and hes carried them a long way.
Amy G

You’re telling Kevin that his blog implies he knows more about hockey than the fans? Our “fans” in Vancouver know nothing. If they were true fans, they would know that everyone has off days and that Luongo IS a great goalie, and so is Schneider, we just haven’t seen Schneider play enough consecutive games to say he “sucks” too. I hate our “Vancouver Fans” because they’re not true hockey fans, they’re just bandwagoners. There are very few of us who are real fans. Kevin is one of them because he sees both sides and knows himself that Luo is a great goaltender. Great article Kevin, kudos to you.
eyey

As my friend said, “If I make $7 million a year, you can criticize me all you want.” Haha! But kidding aside, Luongo is still a great goalie but he is not perfect. Even the best fall down. The 1st two games he’s been good, it’s our offense that’s lacking, anyone can see that! When top lines are not scoring, then we’re in big trouble as well. Let’s not play the blame game and point fingers at Lu. Hockey is a team effort and offense and defense should work equally together to produce wins. I love Schneider yes and am happy he’s helping us win but I have to agree that it’s prolly coz he only plays about a third (?) of the games they play and is not pressured by the “fans” and everyone likes him coz of that. He always seem to be smiling and friendly and doesn’t take credit for wins and defends the team when they lose. Luongo’s all serious when talking to the media so that’s prolly why he’s being perceived as “unfriendly” then fans have all the more reason to blame him. He’s just like that. But he practices as hard as everyone else on the team. Seriously, one mistake and he gets all the blame? Unfair. Let’s put as much faith in him as we do Schneider and we might just get our No. 1 goalie back. Send out positive thoughts to the team and BOTH goalies!
Kacey_du

I agree with what you’re saying. Ok, let me rephrase myself.
When you’re a mega star, it’s still ok to have off nights, because that’s just
what happens. However, when your “off nights” happen to be during the playoffs,
and during crucial games, then it really catches people’s attention and raises
question about your skills. Yes, he carried the Canucks on his back for the
past 6 years or whatever, but that was then, and this is now. Nobody cares what
happened in the past, cuz it’s been done already. We care about now. And if you
can’t live up to people’s expectations, there is nothing wrong with people
being critical. If all we talk about is his PAST 6 YEARS or what he did during
the REGULAR SEASON, that really tells me “true fans” have been living in the
past, and “true fans” don’t understand professional sports. Name one great athlete
in the history of any sports who freezes during the playoffs. True, it wasn’t
his fault in game 1 and 2, but when you’re the goalie, you need to take more responsibility.
If Schneider under performs too, he will get booed off the stage as well, cuz
that’s just what happens when you’re in the spot light. Canucks is a
professional hockey team, not a charity organization, and this is the playoffs.
We went to the finals last year, and that was great, but wouldn’t it be great
if we could go this year too? I dunno about “real fans” but real sports
analysts never discuss people’s past performances, they discuss the crucial
games, the playoffs, and discuss the present. He played great in games 1 and 2? The numbers don’t think so
je

What you just said now is what exactly this article is trying to say. “You just dont have on & off nights”?? That the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. If that’s the case, then we can pretty much say the same thing not only to hockey players but to every pro athletes out there, ya? He did get the job then you just didn’t see it. You were blinded by his mistakes (which happens to everyone) and chose not to acknowledge the accomplishments that he has brought to this team. Though, I agree that Vancouver is a tough city to be in and I’d be more than happy for him to move on to another team where he’ll get better treatment from the fans. Sure, we’re not all hockey analysts but we have to be more reasonable when saying things like “he’s not getting job the done”. True there are time like that but there are MORE times that it’s not as simple as the puck goes on, and it Lou’s fault. To be honest you seem to be that type that would say. Can you say that on how he performed at the first 2 playoff games?? Maybe 2 narrow-minded “Likers” can
Luo fan

Prior to last game we had 8goals in our last 8 playoff games. It’s not goaltending, it’s out offense.

Luongo has played 600+ games over the last 10 years. Schneider has 60games over the last 3 years…the amount most starters in the NHL play in one year. Yes, any superstar should be able to take the criticism but tell me how many teams in the NHL would love to have Luo in net for them. We’re fortunate to have 2 great goalies but lets be clear and know that Schneider is a backup goalie. Maybe a #1 at other teams but you put him on any team like Buffalo, San Jose, Nashville, Detroit, New York, New Jersey, etc, etc…where they have legit #1 goalies, and Schneider will be a back up there. He will eventually be a #1 but I don’t think that now was the right time in my opinion. I really hope Luo leaves this year and goes to a team that fully appreciates him and allows him to play with full support from his fans and organisation during good and bad times.There is no guarantee that Schneider will stay here long term but there is a good chance we’ll run him out of town in the not-so-distant future. Canucks have been labeled a graveyard for goaltenders by many and when we finally get a bonafied #1 who’s been a vezina candidate, Olympic Gold, National team member, All-Star, Team Captain…we think he’s not good enough and point any loss on him. I’m no die hard fan but I’m a fan of sports in general and what we did to Luo is wrong. We’ll regret in the long run letting him go but he deserves better than this for being a Top 10 goalie in the world.I didn’t see the Penguins bench Fleury for game 4 after letting 17goals in the first 3 games. Luo played well in games 1&2 and AV and the Canuck nation think Schneider will be the difference??? He played well no doubt but I think several factors played a part in our much needed win yesterday. The sad thing is many fans that are in favor or Schneider over Luo will think it’s goaltending only and not well balanced offense & defense. D.Sedin coming back and helping our offense put up goals on the scoreboard was a much needed contributing factor. You give Luo 3 goals to work with and I don’t think we would hear many people complaining…
Amy G

The numbers as the final score? You can’t be the guy playing every part of the game. If we actually had a defense in those first 2 games, I’m positive there would have been less goals scored on Luo.
je

“He played great in games 1 and 2? The numbers don’t think so”

Another ridiculous comment. Sure the numbers don’t think so but that’s just saying it’s all Lou’s fault again. Didn’t you see the how whole team played The whole team was a complete mess! Sure he didn’t play great but he played good enough to keep us in the game but the team didn’t bail him out.

Each of the comments here have facts to support their points and you are obviously ignoring that but where’s yours? Here let me give you one “One goal in, it’s Lou’s fault”.

He knows he has to take responsibilities that’s why we got to where we are now. Being critical is not wrong but it’s completely ridiculous when people are too narrow-minded with their own criticisms toward him.

Don’t give us that all in the past crap.. They all sound BS to me to be honest. Were you even around during those 6 years? You have no idea what you’re talking about. Living in the past? Laughable! It’s called embracing and appreciating the history that were made in those years. Everybody knows that “Now” is important but his past accomplishments are being brought up coz’ the other so-called fans cant even be thankful enough for what he’s done.. We can all agree that it’s Schneider’s time now and that it’s definitely time for Lou to move on but don’t you think he deserves a lot more praise than he’s getting.

I’m done.. you’re just too amazing……ly ridiculous
Kacey_du

Wow you literally don’t know sports at all. Luongo is not just an ordinary goalie. He is considered THE BEST in the league and also the highest paid goalie in the league. Tell me something, with these accreditations, do you have the room for “off nights” in PLAYOFFS? REALLY? and when you do have those “off nights”, what does that tell the general public? Let me rremind you again, THIS IS PLAYOFFS. Those 2 games weren’t regular season games, those 2 games weren’t games where we were leading in the series, those 2 games were the first 2 games in the playoff. You want facts, here are the facts. You compare QUICK’s stats with LUONGO’s stats from those first 2 games. What do you see?

“oh man Lu had bad nights but it’s ok cuz he was such a star IN THE PAST 6 YEARS so why don’t we give him a pass, and hopefully he will bring our asses back to the cup again this year, and if not who cares, better luck next year” REALLLY?

Francesco Aquilini is not paying 6 milli a year for his ass so we can talk about THE PAST 6 YEARS and what he did. He was compensated for that ALREADY.

Yeah i embrace his stats in the PAST 6 YEARS, but i don’t appreciate how everybody gives him a “IT’S OK” when he’s clearly UPDERPERFORMING in playoffs THIS YEAR.

Do you even play hockey? I lived and played hockey my whole life in Vancouver, don’t judge by the last name tho.

I am thankful for his PAST 6 YEARS. And i truly think he was the best thing ever that graced the Vancouver Canucks in the PAST 6 YEARS.

What about this year
http://twitter.com/KevinCawthra Kevin Cawthra

I’ve said that hes played mediocre, he’s played like shit this year, he hasn’t been perfect. But remember this is a team game, if he’s playing like crap, it should be on his team to bail him out. If his team doesn’t bail him out, whose it to blame then? Luongo right? That’s like every other fan in this city. But before the season ended and before daniel got injured, where were the sedins? Where was the criticism on them? What happen to Burrows all of a sudden? No critiques on them right? Cause there not the goalie? The fans here are ridiculous. Yes Luongo hasn’t had a great season, but if you look at past credentials, and what he’s done in the past, he’s been a damn great goalie and even this year, its been mediocre, but still a great season. Didn’t we not win a presidents trophy this year, and still have a mediocre season? that’s pretty damn good in my books. Everyone needs to stop being so blind at the many mistakes Luongo makes, yes he makes a few, but I bet if you put in Schneider and start him 60-70 games like you do Luongo, he will make some mistakes also.
je

I dont know sports?? how well you know me hahaha

Quick is no doubt better than Lou right now but like I said earlier he did well enough to keep him in the game but the team didn’t bail him out.

You’re totally missing the point. It’s not the fact the fans say “it’s OK” when he makes mistakes … It’s the fact the his mistakes weigh more than his accomplishments that’s why there fans that are supportive of him defend him.

Sure you do play hockey.. that just makes you even look worst. You
should know better then how the first two games turned out and I couldn’t
care less about your last name. Hockey anyone’s sport.

You’re totally skimming through what Kevin, Amy and I said and concluding with the fact that we’re biased.. We didn’t like how Lou played the season as he’s played mediocre this season but we still support him just like the rest of Canucks team. You might as well tell the rest of the team that “THIS IS PLAYOFF NO MISTAKE ALLOWED”

Seriously dude you’re amazing.. Peace
Chefkoo

Two things. Fact…He’s not considered one of the best… Statistically he IS one of the best. Fact… He is NOT the highest paid goalie in the league. You make it sound like goalies can simply block goals at will if they try hard enough. The number of variables that go into that is more than an “arm chair” coach can make. You play every game with the same intent whether it’s a season opener or the Stanley Cup Finals. And just like the goalie, according to you should play “harder” during the playoffs, are you saying that the offence and defence take a break? They’re playing just as hard. The cliche of an argument is that he’s inconsistent.
Markovitchs

Kevin,

The article was DEAD on. I am a hockey fan first and a Canucks fan third. Over 50 of my friends on Facebook shared this article and agreed on it. People who.only watch one team are a joke . Vancouver during the playoffs is so hard to be around as everyone becomes an expert on hockey and all of a sudden pretend to know all the opposing teams. Right. Keeping going to games.to drink.beer and pee 5 mins before a period ends idiots.

As for Luongo I agree one hundred percent and I am not a fan of his. I hope he enjoys his time.in tampa and that the fans there enjoy him.
Meghan

I agree with you when you mentioned that “ realized that hockey in Vancouver now has become a style” EXACTLY !!!!!
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Paul_davidescu

Nice article Kevin!

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