Ference won't get anymore than 5 since he's only having a telephone hearing.
Also, can someone tell me why Vigneault is a dumbass and doesn't play Hodgson more?
Because it's on par with how the Kesler, Bieksa, Edler, Raymond, Burrows and Hansen developed? Seeing that they've developed pretty well, I'd say that Hodgson is right on course. I have plenty of issues with Vigneault myself, especially with his matchups, but he's developed many of our core and depth players phenomenally, and I see no reason as to why he should change his strategy now.
Plus, whose minutes are you going to take out? The Amex line (Higgins-Kesler-Booth) was terrific today. The Sedins were mediocre (meaning they had plenty of scoring chances today) and the fourth line already gets less than 10 minutes per game. I don't see how you can give Hodgson more minutes. Plus, his defensive face offs are terrible, so you need Malholtra's fourth line, and Kesler's 2nd line out for those.
But yeah, Hodgson has been amazing for us this year. Obviously he's not Nugent-Hopkins, but he gives the Canucks 3 offensive lines to roll out with. Off the top of my head, the bottom 6 has been scoring more goals so far compared to last year.
Also, as we're still chirping the Bruins, here's Hodgson's slapper on Thomas:
Edit: Also, LOL Hall. I quote "Why the fuck did we pull our goalie" after the Oilers got scored on the empty net.
As for Ference, McDonaugh (sp?) was in a defenseless position, Ference got him right on the numbers, shoving him right into the boards. Ference was going at a good speed without letting up, and I don't see how you can't call that a suspension. The refs fucked up though. Wasn't charging, but boarding. Saying 2-3 games for him.
A pity; the Bruins-Rangers game was pretty much a hard fought clean game until that hit.
Edit2: Right on the money. 3 games.