Canucks advance to Stanley Cup Final

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Deja vu! Just like the last time in 1994, the Vancouver Canucks advance to the Stanley Cup final on a Tuesday — on May 24th — in double overtime.

The party was long and loud. The crowd was at it until way after midnight along Granville Street.

“This is our time; we waited for this 17 years!” shouts one fan. “Our time, baby! Go Canucks!”

People keep comparing it to the Olympics: Celebrations, good times, and tons of positive energy. “It’s like winning the gold medal!” shouts one woman.

Maybe — just maybe — the Canucks are now finally Canada’s team. “I’m from Toronto, but it doesn’t even matter!” yells another partier in Downtown Vancouver.

The border between Surrey and Delta was rocking last night, as well. As many as 3,000 people turned out to party along Scott Road and 72nd Avenue. Police say it was a noisy, but polite crowd.

“We won! Can I hug you?” exclaims another fan.

From full frontal hugs to spontaneous outbursts of O Canada, Canucks fans are absolutely ready for the Stanley Cup Final.

It’s not just Canuck fans in the Lower Mainland out celebrating! Mikey the trucker gave us a call from tiny Morristown, near Smithers on Highway 16.

“Everybody was out driving around with their four-way flashers on, honking their horns… there had to be 150 cars driving around!” he says. “Yeah, it’s not just down there in Vancouver!”

He tells us he’s seen celebrations in other places along his travels, including Hazelton.

Now what?

With the big win last night, the Canucks have a little time off. Considering no one knows when the Stanley Cup Final begins, what do the Canucks do now?

“They sit back and watch Game Six between the Bruins and Lightning tonight!” explains News1130 Sports Director Ann Schmaltz.

“The team has the day off today; they will get back on the ice tomorrow and focus and continue to fine tune what has brought them this far,” she adds. “Head Coach Alain Vigneault says once it’s confirmed who their opponent will be, they will make any adjustments needed to the game plan. But for now, it’s time for the Canucks to sit and wait.”

Who will the Canucks face?

The series between Boston and Tampa Bay isn’t over yet, but would the Canucks rather play one team over the other?

“It doesn’t matter at all, and everyone in the room stressed that last night,” explains Schmaltz. “This group is thrilled to have the chance to compete for the Stanley Cup. They know whichever team they face will be a worthy opponent; it won’t be easy.”

“Ironically, the Canucks battled the Bruins and Lightning once each this season, and ended up on the wrong side of the score both times. Boston won 3-1; Tampa Bay needed overtime, but got the 5-4 win,” she explains. “But I have a feeling the Canucks will forget both outcomes once the puck drops.”

“All the players recognize it’s not every year you get the opportunity to compete for the chance to hoist the Cup,” notes Schmaltz. “It is an accomplishment for sure, but by no means has this team reached the ultimate goal.”

“I think Sami Salo summed it up best last night. He said It’s like climbing Mount Everest — a tremendously long, towering journey. The toughest part will be the final stretch. They’re so close they can’t quit until the summit is reached.”

Other places to party

While Rogers Arena is planning to open up for away games as the Canucks get closer to the cup, the City of Vancouver is also looking at more venues for folks to cheer on the team.

City engineer Jerry Dobrovolny won’t say what options they are considering just yet.

“Ideally, we need to look at what the timing is for the games. If we can avoid the rush hour, or if it’s on the weekends, then it’s much easier to do. [We’re] looking to find out what the game day is, what the game times are, and we’ll incorporate that into planning. We know the demand is there.”

Listen for sports at :15 and :45 and get up to the minute updates on Twitter @News1130Sports. Subscribe to breaking news alerts to get updates sent directly to your inbox.