Canucks Smell Playoffs Around the Corner

The Vancouver Canucks extended their winning streak to 4 games and are now 10 - 2 in their last 12.  Pretty decent considering they haven't played any of those games without their full complement of starters.  In fact, the line-up they dressed in some of those games closer resembled an AHL team then the usual Canucks squad we've gotten used to.
Even with a full line-up, 10 - 2 is impressive.  To do it with a depleted roster is almost jaw-dropping.  I've been critical of Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault in the past, and I'm still not convinced he can fully get the job done, however, credit where credit is due.  He's managed to not only keep the team competitive while missing multiple starters, dealing with the 2 headed goalie "champagne problem" as well as rampant trade deadline speculation, he has kept them absolutely rolling.  So I lay bouquets at the feet of the coach.

                                                                         

Canadians featured at running back in the CFL

Unlike any other time in the CFL have we seen the quantity and quality of Canadian running back as we have in the last few seasons.  Sure, there have been many good Canadian running backs in CFL seasons gone by, such as Normie Kwong, Orville Lee, Sean Millington and others but for the most part, the role of the Canadian running back was that of a fullback, or blocking back, making holes for the import running back.  That's just the way its always been...until now.
We are witnessing a golden generation of Canadian running backs; not just good enough to get playing time, but dominating at the position.
Last year we saw Jerome Messam have a dominant season for the Edmonton Eskimos winning Top Canadian honours and getting a shot in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins where he was a late cut.  Messam is back with the Eskimos and has fellow Canadian Calvin McCarty in the backfield with him.
But the two biggest stories this year are New Westminster, BC's Jon Cornish of the Calgary Stampeders who currently leads the league in rushing, and BC Lions star and Winnipeg native Andrew Harris who has a chance to have 1000 rushing yards and 1000 receiving yards by the end of the season.
These two are leading their teams and dominating CFL defenses this season.  While both have a lot in common as far as CFL success goes, their path to pro-football couldn't have been any different.
Jon Cornish starred in the NCAA for The University of Kansas, while Harris played BC junior football.

You can follow Sporting Vancouver on Twitter @vansport