Phantom Girl

Not to be confused with Phantom Lady, Phantom Girl, a.k.a. Tinya Wazzo, is a Legionnaire with the ability to phase through solid objects. She's worn a ton of different uniforms over the decades, but for my money none of 'em have had the wacky charm of this boob-window/bellbottoms combo from the late 70s.

Spider Girl

Sussa Paka of 30th century Earth has the power to use her indestructible and malleable hair as weapon. Taking the name Spider Girl, she applied for Legion membership but was rejected on the grounds that her power was lame. She instead became a founding member of the Legion of Super-Villains. She would later become a hero and Legionnaire after the Dominators' takeover of the Earth, but that was at least a couple reboots ago. I think she's a bad guy again now.

I Watched This Game: Canucks vs. Avalanche, March 16, 2011

Canucks 4 - 2 Avalanche

With their win tonight, the Canucks now have 103 points, a mere 2 points from their team record, set in 2006-07. In addition, they clinched the Northwest Division title, meaning they are the first team in the NHL to clinch a playoff spot. Most remarkable, however, is that they have accomplished all of this with 10 games still remaining in their schedule. 10 games, people. If there was any lingering doubt that we are witnessing the greatest regular season in Canucks histroy, it should be completely wiped away. My only disappointment tonight was the the player number I got at the pub belonged to Alexandre Bolduc, so there was no chance for a free beer. Oh well. I watched this game.

• This is the third time in the last five games that the Canucks have gone down by two goals in the first period and come back to win the game. That's significant enough to be called a trend. Last season, the Canucks were the comeback kings, winning 10 games when trailing after one period and 11 games when trailing after two period. This season's Canucks hadn't come back after trailing after one period until this recent spate of 3 wins. The issue, of course, is that they've had so little practice: clearly, the Canucks are secretly allowing the opposition to build an early two-goal lead (the worst lead in hockey) in order to practice coming from behind.

• The Canucks weren't even really outplayed in the first period. They carried the play, particularly the Sedins, who created scoring chances like a Keys to the VIP winner. The difference came down to two hard luck shifts from Sami Salo, who took an interference penalty that led to the first Avalanche goal, then had the second bank in off his skate. The two-goal Colorado lead had little to do with how the Avalanche played, though they should be commended for their opportunism. Still, the Canucks were clearly unhappy with the results of the first period. They came out in the second like Kyle Wellwood men possessed, outshooting Colorado 15-5.

• Manny Malhotra left the game after taking a deflected puck to the face early in the second period. He went to the hospital with blood in his eye and it's feared that he may have a broken orbital bone. Here's hoping that it isn't anything that serious, as Malhotra is essential to the Canucks' chances in the playoffs.

• The fourth line was flying tonight, none moreso than Chris "Kiss Huggins" Higgins, who played 17:18 in the absence of Manny Malhotra, double-shifting with both the second and third lines throughout the game. Kiss Huggins just has a lot of love to spread around. The Canucks' first goal of the game, shoved home by Maxim "The Pierre" Lapierre, was all Huggins. He recovered from mis-handling the initial outlet pass from Keith Ballard by kicking the puck into the corner, where he embarrassed Ryan Wilson, took the puck behind the net, and drew Matthew Hunwick away from Lapierre before neatly slipping the puck in front. Kiss Huggins then gave everyone a heartfelt embrace: no word on whether it included a peck on the cheek.

• Higgins played on the second line in place of Mason Raymond, who was hog-tied to the bench after the 6:32 mark of the third period. Although Raymond had a game-high 5 shots, his overall play was lackadaisical, negating much of the fire that Ryan Kesler played with all game. Instead of feeding off Kesler's fire, Raymond felt the need to stop, drop, and roll at every opportunity. Kesler, meanwhile, was held off the scoresheet despite his best efforts and went all Jason Voorhees on Shorty and Garrett to vent his frustrations.

• Further evidence that Kesler played with a massive chip lurking just over his shoulder: he led the game with a whopping 6 hits. Considering he averages 1.57 hits/game, that's fairly significant, which shouldn't be confused with Puck, who is a significant fairy. Kesler also picked up the majority of the faceoffs in Malhotra's absence, taking 31 draws. The rest of the team, Malhotra included, took 42. And if anyone needs more evidence that Kesler has a heavy shot, witness how he took Adam Foote out of the game with a wristshot. Foote isn't exactly a shrinking violet (I consider him more of a Blok), so it takes a lot to send him to the locker room.

• Mikael Samuelsson is back to his logo-sniping ways. He hates that logo! Stay away from the logo! Jeff Tambellini, meanwhile, seems intent on continually attempting to score from somewhere other than his Magic Shooty Spot. They need to go back to what works: shooting where the goalie is not and the net is.

• Dan "Community Man" Hamhuis had yet another quietly effective game, posting a +3 rating in 23:55 of ice-time and making many excellent defensive plays. His loudest moment came when he picked up an assist on the game-tying goal with a wonderfully patient play after picking up his own rebound. It's remarkable how Burrows manages to create space for himself in front of the net despite being surrounded by three Colorado players when he chipped in the Daniel Sedin rebound. As for Hamhuis, he desperately wanted to help man the phones for the Canucks for Kids Fund Telethon during the intermissions, but had a prior commitment serving soup to the homeless at a local soup kitchen. Dan is a man of his word.

• Speaking of the Telethon, it has raised $1,695,000 already. Holy monkey, that's a lot. It was cool seeing some of the people working the phones, including Stan Smyl, Francesco Aquilini, Victor de Bonis, and Filomena Nalewajek, who is the CEO of Canuck Place. Harrison and I got a chance to meet her at the Scrabble Battle and she is a delightful lady.

• In the pre-game show on the Team 1040, Dave Pratt practically drooled all over his mic at the possibility of the Art-Ross-race-leading Sedins taking on the lottery-pick-bound Avalanche, while Ben Kuzma cautioned that such opportunities frequently don't result in much. Up until the third period, it looked like Kuzma was right; the Sedins were dominating the offensive zone, but were unable to finish their chances. Then, Burrows tied up the game and the door was open for some classic Wizardous Sedinerie. Ehrhoff held the line, Burrows out-battled a defender to hack the puck to Daniel, and Daniel decided that his best course of action upon receiving the puck with room to shoot at the right faceoff circle was to, of course, pass the puck blindly between his legs to his brother. As seen above, Henrik made no mistake, demonstrating a quick release akin to a weaker Joe Sakic.

• Finally, Henrik took a major chance at the end of the game, risking an icing call to ice the game with an empty-netter that was the icing on the cake of this victory. As pointed out by Justin Bourne last month, it's generally considered selfish to take that risk, especially considering there was still over a minute left in the game. A faceoff in the defensive zone in a 6-on-5 situation is less than ideal. That said, it is Henrik Sedin, one of the most accurate passers in the NHL, and considering the force of the shot, it was really just a glorified saucer pass. The risk was a little less than if it had been, say, JaMarcus Russell. I'm guessing he just wanted to net the goal without an assist from Daniel. He needs to make up ground in the Art Ross race somehow.

From the Archives: Sami Salo is a Superhero

In case you haven't heard, Sami Salo will be making his season-debut for the Canucks' in tomorrow night's game versus the Calgary Flames after rehabbing an offseason tear to his Achilles tendon suffered during a game of floorball. It should be an exciting moment for Salo, who no doubt suffered through a lot of mental and physical resistance to make it to this point.

Any time that Salo returns to the lineup from an injury, however, it's worth taking pause to marvel at how many he's had over the years. Muscle tears; burning sensations; snake bites; testicular fulminations--Salo's had it all. He's averaged about three a year for his career. That's insane. It's unbelievable.

In fact, it's too unbelievable. Early in PITB's run, Daniel posited a pretty theory that made sense of Salo's bizarro injury history. Sami Salo's a superhero.

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Saturn Girl

Saturn Girl, along with Cosmic Boy and Lightning Lad, was one of the three founding members of the Legion of Super-Heroes, and has always kind of served as a mother figure to the other legionnaires. Except of course for the period in the mid-70s when she sported this Mike Grell Kim Metzger-designed and porn star-inspired uniform, making her more of a MILF figure to the other legionnaires.

I like this drawing, but I don't love it. I have another in the works, so keep your eyes peeled.

Dawnstar

Every Goal, Defenseman Edition: Sami Salo

Last year's Canuck defense corps scored 42 of the team's 268 goals, an impressive total good for second among team scoring by defenseman to the Phoenix Coyotes. Offense from the blue line was preached all season long, and the offensive abilities of a newly-acquired Christian Ehrhoff and a still-developing Alex Edler were allowed to flourish. With this year's acquisitions of Keith Ballard and Dan Hamhuis, as well as, hopefully, a healthy Kevin Bieksa, these numbers could be even higher. But why are we looking ahead? Let's take this week to revisit each and every one of the 42 goals scored by a Canuck defenseman. In bold, you will find each goal's chronological standing among the 42. Up today: Sami "The Friendly Ghost" Salo and his 9 goals.

1. Dec. 2 vs. the New Jersey Devils - Sami Salo (13)

Salo's first goal of the season, the 13th by a Canuck defenseman last season, is scored the way most of his goals are: a pass to the point from a Sedin, followed by a wicked slapshot. You will see this time and time again, and if you're surprised that this is how he scores the majority of his goals, you haven't been watching him for a decade like I have. Salo doesn't deke. He just shoots through goalies. I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise that Salo, who can pass through solid objects like ghost worth his salt, thinks he can put pucks through solid objects as well.

2. Dec. 14 vs. the Los Angeles Kings (17)
A Salo power play goal, but this one is scored by Sami's willingness to sneak in from the blue line. Daniel's cross-ice pass is deflected by the Kings defender, and Salo picks it up right in front, where he wires a wrist shot.

3. Dec. 22 vs. the Nashville Predators (19)
Salo scores here with a slapshot. Are you surprised? It must be nice for the Sedins to know that, at any time, they can send the puck back to the point and Salo will crush it. That's exactly what happens in this clip.

4. Jan. 5 vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets (22)
Salo's slapshot is legendary, and if there's one thing I think Alex Edler can still learn from Sami, it's how to step into a slapshot out of nowhere and simply murder it into the back of the net. Edler has a better slapshot, but tomorrow you'll see that he only scored one goal with it last season. He doesn't trust it yet in the way Sami trusts his. This puck squeaks free as a result of some good pressure along the boards by Daniel Sedin, but it's all Salo after that.

5. Jan. 20 vs. the Edmonton Oilers (24)
Beautiful passing by the Sedins, and Salo one-times a slap shot for a goal. The Sedins find him so often, you think he's a mercenary for their cause. Maybe they've contracted him out because they don't like slapping pucks?

6. Feb. 12 vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets (at 3:36 of clip) (28)
More of the same from the Sedins and Salo. The shot here is money, as you can hear the ping of the post and the click-clack of a typewriter writing an article comparing Steve Mason to Jim Carey.

7. Mar. 3 vs. the Detroit Red Wings (31)
Salo scores from the point on a wrist shot here, but it's the screens of Mikael Samuelsson and Brad Stuart that let the puck slip through Jimmy Howard's legs. He doesn't quite seem set, but I'm sure he was waiting for Salo to wind up. It really wasn't the best time to shoot it, but perhaps the presence of Samuelsson on the ice inspired Salo to try a shot that seemed foolish at the time. It worked out.

8. Mar. 13 vs. the Ottawa Senators (34)
A wrist shot tallies Salo's eighth goal of the season, as a beautiful Canucks 3-on-2 rush fails to produce a goal. Samuelsson keeps after the puck, and gives it to Edler, who puts it across to Salo for the goal. My favorite thing about this clip: watch for when Henrik passes to Daniel, and Samuelsson makes like he's accepting the pass there, then shades away to one-time Daniel's touch pass instead. A subtle piece of trickery that, had it worked, might have made some highlight reels.

9. Apr. 4 vs. the Minnesota Wild (39)
Salo's 9th goal of the season is an overtime winner scored in the same way he scores most of his other goals. I imagine if he didn't score on that slap shot, the Canucks would just kept trying it for the next two and a half minutes. I know Sami Salo's hurt a lot, but let's be honest: it really can't be helped (unless he really is a superhero), and nobody else on the Canucks scores this exact goal with regularity the way Salo does. It's nice that this guy wears the Orca.

Laurel Kent

More Legion! This one's kind of an oddball...Laurel Kent was a descendant of Clark Kent, and wore (near as I could tell) nothing but a poncho with the Superman emblem on it as a student at the Legion Academy. A few years later, the powers-that-be at DC needed a Legion character to tie in to their awful Millenium crossover event, and it was revealed that Laurel Kent had been a killer Manhunter robot in disguise all along! She blew herself up or something stupid, never to be heard from again.

Whatever.

Andromeda

More Legion! This is Laurel Gand, also known as Andromeda...She's a kind-of pseudo-Supergirl first introduced during the excellent "Five Years Later..." Legion storyline in 1989, back when DC was on the fence about whether Supergirl had ever actually existed or not. Even though she lives in the 30th century, she dresses like an early-90s comic book character!

You Don't Know Me at All: Adam Burish Edition

If [Salo] plays, that guy is an iron man.
--Adam Burish, May 11, 2010


PiTB says: No dice. While it would be impressive if he plays tonight, at this point in his career, "Sami Salo" and "Iron Man" are antonyms.

Night Girl

TONS of stuff going on this week...release of the Jetta book, Stanley Cup previews and FLUKE on Saturday...but I thought I'd start things off with another Legion piece.

It's Lydda Jath, better known as Night Girl! Her power is super strength, but it only works at night...or at least when it's dark, as it is 24/7 on her home planet of Kathoon. You'd think a gal from a planet where it's always night would be a little more goth.

Actually, my first draft of this illo had Night Girl in the ridiculously skimpy outfit she wore when Mike Grell was drawing the Legion...I'm generally a fan of his revealing, if completely impractical Legionnaire costume designs. But as I went to ink, I realized there just wasn't enough to work with, so I switched to the Giffen/Mahlstedt-era version, which makes up for in character what it lacks in skin.

Duo Damsel

Continuing my Legion of Super-Heroes theme started last fall...here's Duo Damsel! Her power is to split into two identical bodies...it used to be three, when she used the name Triplicate Girl, but then one of her selves was killed by an evil computer. Oh, and she's married to this guy. Their story could be an early-2000s CBS sitcom.

Dream Girl

Continuing on the Legion theme. Not 100% thrilled with how it turned out, but I spent too much time on it not to post 'er.

Next up: TYROC!

Shadow Lass

Long live the LSH! So many characters, so many great uniforms...This is (hopefully) the first in a series.