I am sure you have heard the expression that the most popular player in football is the back-up quarterback. Well, hockey is no different, as the back-up goalie lays claim to this fame.

Maybe, this aforementioned expression is a myth but this perception exists. More often than not, fans call for the unproven one to be given a chance. Questions like the following circulate with the backup goalie and his role on a team: Maybe he will be the next star? How will we know if his opportunities are limited?

There is a bit of a difference in football in that there are certain NFL teams where fans do not want to see or even know who the back-up is. Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, Tom Brady in New England and Phillip Rivers in San Diego are just three examples.

On the other hand, in the NHL, there are very few teams that have that kind of stature in net with Martin Brodeur in New Jersey as an exception. Well, his skills are fading, injuries are adding up and the team is struggling.

 

If you analyze this position on the 30 NHL teams most clubs are dealing with big question marks about their number one guy. Jimmy Howard in Detroit and Carey Price in Montreal are among those that carry a big load even though it was just a year ago critics questioned there consistency.

 

Now, this leads us to Vancouver. Fans are pressuring the team because they want to see more of Corey Schneider. They do have a point. After all, what isn’t there to like about Schneider? The new kid on the block is youthful (24), and energetic with a great attitude, accepting his role gracefully and just happy to be in the NHL.

Roberto Luongo has a big ego to go along with a huge contract (12-years, $64 million compared to Schneider’s 2-year, $1.8 million). He is the go to guy with a proven regular season track record. Yes, the playoffs are a different story with “Bobby Lou” never leading his team past the second round.

 

The Schneider supporters are pointing to the numbers this season. I don’t think they are making a case for him to be number one although they certainly feel he should start more than 18 per cent of the games. One start in every three games for Schneider would be reasonable based on production.

What do the numbers say? Luongo has a record of 10-7-2. Schneider has a much better winning percentage in limited playing time with a 3-0-1 mark. Luongo has a goals against average of 2.68 while Schneider is considerably lower at 2.08. The trend continues as the all important save percentage shows a real difference with Luongo .910 and Schneider .936. Now to be fair, Schneider has only played 289 minutes which really isn’t enough to gage real achievement. Luongo has been in the net 1,098 minutes,
so this is a difficult comparison.

 

But at what point do the Canucks consider reducing Luongo’s schedule? He is the man the team is invested in both emotionally and financially. He doesn’t like to sit, that is very clear. And really, if the playoffs were to start today, even Schneider enthusiasts would agree to have Luongo get the call.

 

The Canucks are actually fortunate in that they may have found a reliable back-up. I thought I heard Canucks GM Mike Gillis suggest at the start of the season the plan was to give Luongo less starts with the intent of having him at peak efficiency for the playoffs. Maybe it is time for that plan to begin.

 

Yes, like it or not, Luongo will be number one in Vancouver for the foreseeable future but why do I have this feeling this debate about his playing time won’t go away?

 

A new report has named Vancouver the world's second most eco-friendly city. The authors point to two major steps in Vancouver's reduction of toxic gas emissions: 2006 when the city adopted solar-powered trash compactors, and 2004 when the Canucks fired Brian Burke. 
www.Sportsdeke.com

 

A Florida man was killed on a golf course after being hit by a golf ball. No one even knew that Elin Woods was dating again.

Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)

 

LeBron James took the opportunity to thank Cavaliers fans before his return to Cleveland on Thursday night. I'm sure that Tiger also thanked Elin right before the 'wreck'.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Derek Anderson launched into a tirade at reporters following Monday Night's game against San Francisco after a reporter repeatedly asked about Andersons' smiling exchange with teammate Deuse Lutui on the sidelines during the blowout loss. He said that Lutui's joke was what he thought it was.

 

 

According to the recently released Wiki Leaks documents, the US government urged diplomats to spy on foreign figures. Geez, you join the State Department and you end up on the Denver Broncos coaching staff.
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York

The Montreal Alouettes fans celebrated their teams workmanlike 2nd straight Grey Cup by forgoing the traditional looting of the Gap in favour of looting Marks Work Warehouse.

 

Many athletes participated in November wearing moustaches in support of prostate cancer. The next big event is Junkuary when NBA players manscape is support of unwed mothers.

 

Shaquille O'Neal missed a Boston Celtics practice because he forgot what time it was scheduled. Shaq said he had trouble rolling out of bed; I'm guessing that's the only way he can get out of bed.

Bill Clinton is trying to bring the World Cup to the US. Of course, he thinks the World Cup is really sheer and has underwire support.

Joe Paterno, 83, says he will be back at Penn State next year. When Paterno started coaching, the Big Ten generally just referred to commandments.

 
Danny McDevitt died last week at the age of 78. He was probably best known for being the last Dodger pitcher to win a game in Brooklyn at Ebbets Field. Apparently at his memorial service his family hopes to have him eulogized by the game’s losing pitcher, Jamie Moyer.

Q: What do you get when you cross NASCAR with the Miami Heat?

A: The Daytona Barely .500