Luongo needs to forget certain antics

Not exactly his best angle is it?

The Vancouver Canucks are 13 games into the 2010-2011 NHL regular season and, the team's 8-3-2 record so far suggests that there has been a lot to like about how the team has come together. They are exciting to watch and their play of late warrants optimism that the team will not suffer another second round debacle in the playoffs this year.

Last night the Canucks played in what was dubbed a great "measuring stick game." They were going up against the Central division leading Detroit Red Wings and, if the standings stay the way they are right now, this could be a very possible (and a very entertaining) battle in the Western Conference Final.  The Canucks who went into the game on a 5 game win streak, rode the momentum of a pair of 3's - the 3rd line and the 3rd period - and were able to hand the Wings a 6-4 loss to help maintain their lead atop the Northwest Division.  There was a lot to like about how the Canucks played. Once they found their legs they were throwing pucks on net, drawing penalties, capitalizing on chances, and showing that they could battle it out with arguably the most dominant NHL team of the decade.

No game is ever perfect though, and while the team may be concerned about their flat start or the fact that they took too many penalties in the first two periods, I was more concerned about the man between the pipes - Roberto Luongo. It was not the fact that he let in 4 goals and that some of them were weak and easily stoppable.  Every goalie is allowed to have an off night and, given the changes to the personnel in front of him as well as the incorporation of a new goalie coach, Luongo has played extremely well to start off  the season. What concerned me most about Luongo's performance yesterday was his constant protesting to the referees after almost every goal he surrendered.  Luongo is a competitive guy and he probably realized the importance of winning a game like the one vs. the Red Wings so it's understandable that he wasn't thrilled with the way he played.  But after at least 3 of the 4 goals against, Luongo was seen vehemently arguing with the referees claiming that the puck had either been kicked in, or tipped in with a high stick, or that he had been interfered with when the puck crossed the goal line.  In each of the 3 cases the referees conferred with the folks at video review and ruled that all 3 goals were legal, fair goals.  The image of an irate Luongo flailing his arms at the refs while the opponents celebrated their goal was oddly reminiscent of the second round of the 2009-2010 playoffs where he did virtually the same thing every time Patrick Kane went top shelf or Dustin Byfuglien parked himself in front of the crease.  With each goal against Luongo lost more and more of his focus and expelled more and more of his energy on arguing with referees.

This is NHL hockey Roberto. It's tough, it's greasy, and it's not always pretty. Players know the NHL rulebook like they do curve of their stick so they know what is and isn't allowed in terms of goalie interference and illegal plays. They will park themselves in a spot they know is legal and will make your life miserable for that 60 minute hockey game, and there's nothing wrong with that.  In fact, it's what wins championships.  Luongo was first introduced to such hockey two post-seasons ago against the Chicago Blackhawks. He was unable to fight through the screens or deal with the deflections and it led to a second round exit.  Exactly one year later, the Canucks and Hawks got reacquainted for another second round playoff date and Luongo, who apparently didn't learn anything from the year before, was yet again unable to deal with the plays in front of him.  It was disappointing for me to see him reacting to goals the way he did yesterday because it made him look immature and it made the Canucks as a whole look like a whiny organization.  Eventually referees will catch on and Luongo's complaints will not be taken seriously.  There will be times where he has a legit point but the referees won't be willing to listen because they'll know of his reputation as a complainer.

This season, Luongo is THE highest paid player in the NHL. Mike Gillis, via trades and the free agency pool, has assembled a defense core and forwards that are the envy of most teams in the league. Luongo is the gold medal winning goalie from the Winter Olympics, he has absolved himself of the burden of being the Canucks' captain, he has a new goalie coach, and a new and very capable back up goalie in Cory Schneider who he can mentor this year.  His play in net should exude confidence. This summer, during a hockey tournament, I learned the importance of swagger - not being cocky but operating with a chip on your shoulder so as to tell others "if you wanna beat my team you're gonna have to go through me first."

I hope that in the future Luongo can play well but get rid of the childlike tantrums he likes to throw.  It reflects badly on the organization and on him.  He has everything he could want in a team, so the swagger with which the slick Italian walks should translate into the same confidence when he steps between the pipes.