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Schneider hits 'reset,' returns as starter

Faces Flames despite Luongo's solid play

By: Joseph Sapienza

Posted: 01/23/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Darryl Dyck / the canadian press archives Cory Schneider (left) may not be sharing ice time with Roberto Luongo for long. (CP)

VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Canucks goaltending controversy has taken another turn.

Cory Schneider has been given the starting nod for Vancouver's home game against Calgary on Wednesday after a forgettable performance in the Canucks' season opener.

Schneider was given the hook after letting in five goals on just 14 shots in a 7-3 loss against Anaheim on Saturday. Roberto Luongo stepped in to finish the Anaheim game, then stopped 30 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss to Edmonton on Sunday.

Despite Luongo's solid goaltending, Schneider is being given another chance to cement himself as the starting goalie and live up to the three-year, US$12 million contract he was rewarded with last summer.

When asked what he hoped to achieve against the Flames, Schneider's wishes were simple.

"Just a bounce back game," he said after Tuesday's practice at Rogers Arena.

"A much better performance and hopefully a win for our team because we need to get one here.

"It wasn't not the way I wanted to start but hopefully it gets better. I don't think it can get much worse, so I'll just hit the reset button and almost start the season over again."

The 26-year-old said he was able to forget his miserable outing against the Ducks and stay focused, despite being dropped to the bench against Edmonton.

"I wasn't worried (about not starting), I didn't put too much into it," Schneider said. "I was just more focused on being ready in case I did get the call and sure enough I did, so I feel like I put the work in."

Schneider said it was time for the Canucks to grab a win at home, but he was wary of a Calgary team desperate for its first points of the season.

"They've got some good firepower up front and some active defencemen so it's going to be a challenge for us," he said.

"We need to have a good game and set the tone that we're going to be a tough team to play at home."

Meanwhile, a story in the Vancouver Sun quoted Canucks general manager Mike Gillis as saying there is a "potential deal in place with one team" for Luongo's services.

Luongo said Thursday that Gillis has not yet approached him about a possible trade.

"It's just the status quo from my side," he said. "Like I've said, until Mike comes to me, I've got nothing to report.

"I'm a Vancouver Canuck and I'm working hard and trying to do my best to help this team. I'm just focused on being here right now."

Head coach Alain Vigneault tried to shrug off the latest speculation and said -- not for the first time -- that he was fortunate to have two high-quality goalies to choose from.

"My concern is picking the goalie for tomorrow night and making sure that the players and the goaltender that's playing and the goaltender that's backup are all ready to play," he said.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 23, 2013 C2

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