Oh, do I love hockey.

I love hockey like Tammy Faye loved mascara, like Tom Cruise loves jumping on couches, like David Letterman loves a Top Ten.

If you click on my “hockey” category down there to the right, you can read some of the stuff I’ve said about it on my blog, like this and this and this.

Those posts should tell you what you need to know. But I’m going to tell you a bit more.

I love hockey because it’s beautiful and brutal all at once. Much like my love life.

You can watch people squish one another into the boards only seconds after they execute some near-balletic move to take a shot on net. That contrast of perfect and fierce is what true sport is all about to me… along with the fever pitch of competition, and the magic of camaraderie among players and in the stands.

Just a week or so ago, I got to go to an actual game, courtesy of someone very nice, and it was brilliant to scream like a freak and listen to all the people around me cheering for the same thing I was: our boys on skates!

See how happy (and tanned) we looked?

Unfortunately, my sweet Canucks were a bit shaky the night we saw them (and lost in the shootout.) They weren’t looking too confident in their season opener, either (a 3-1 loss to San Jose.)

Last night was their first win of the regular season — 5 seconds before the end of OT.

So I’m a little concerned.

Not doubting, not complaining, not bitching, mind you… no way. I’m no Bandwagon Betty, turning on the game only in the middle of a winning streak.

I’m just wanting to make sure they get off on the right skate.

And what do I think is the key?

We need bigger showings from our “marquee” players (Hello, Naslund?), more shots on net (Stop waiting for the perfect opening!), more consistent play from our defensive guys (Where ARE you?), and continued energy and drive from our “newbie” players if we’re going to stay alive in the standings this season.

We have zero time to rest on our laurels… or our Luongo.

Speaking of Luongo, I remain in love with our goalie. Even on his bad days, he shows the kind of genius we’ve needed in net for years (I was no fan of Cloutier.)

So I’ll be watching and blogging about my favourite sport all season, and seeing it live as often as possible, too. Even if I have to sell a kidney.

Stay tuned. AND GO CANUCKS GO!