Just a quick one about the Canucks Superskills, which I went to see yesterday afternoon. It was a great event where everyone, from the fans to the players and everyone in between, having fun. We got some pretty sweet seats in row 11 at the end of the rink where most of the action was and a good time was had all-around. We were watching the gold medal game for the World Juniors just prior to getting to GM Place and I thought Canada had the gold in the bag. That is, until I was paying for my new Canucks jersey (yay!) and Sweden scored with 38 seconds left to tie the game, forcing overtime. Then the Superskills began. We didn’t know what the outcome was and I was just mentioning to my friend that they should have dedicated one of the screens on the scoreboard to the game when right after the first event they flashed Canada’s winning goal on the screen. The place erupted (although I’m sure some of the Canucks weren’t as excited, seeing as how a good lot of them are Swedes). That was definitely one of the better moments of the afternoon. Other good moments were the breakaway event (Naslund against Luongo! Linden against Luongo!), Daniel Sedin going 100% in the accuracy event, Alex Edler de-throning Sami Salo’s 4-year reign with the hardest shot, Team White winning the overall Superskills (hurrah, I bought the white jersey!) and Mason Raymond’s pie-to-the-face from Burrows after winning the fastest skater event. Welcome to the team, Mason!

I’d definitely go again next year. For $20, it’s was a great way to spend the afternoon. Now, on to the pictures:

Ryan Kesler making his way on to the ice.

Back-up goalie Curtis Sanford warming up.

Sedin vs. Sedin.

Canada defeats Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.

Pyatt, Kesler, and Jaffray in a heated discussion with the ref.

Mason Raymond gets a pie for his efforts.

Is there any doubt his number will be retired once he hangs up his skates?