Roberto Luongo and the Sedins will make people forget past failures with an NHL title, writes Sam McCaig
The Vancouver Canucks have been one of the NHL's elite teams in recent years. They ran away with the Presidents' Trophy as the league's regular season champions last year and came within one victory of winning the Stanley Cup.
And after a slow start in 2011/12 - blame it on the Stanley Cup hangover - the Canucks have climbed back to the top of the NHL standings, vying with the Detroit Red Wings for Western supremacy.
Vancouver have A-list star power and great depth at every position, but the Canucks rarely seem to get the kudos they deserve. Rather, they are a regular target for criticism.
It starts in goal, where Roberto Luongo's play-off inconsistency has not matched his regular season prowess. Even his own coach lost faith in him, opting to start back-up Cory Schneider in Game 6 of the cup final last June.
Truth be told, Luongo had a strong post-season for three rounds, but was mediocre - at best - in the final, and his below par performance paled in comparison to the Bruins goalie Tim Thomas' Conn Smythe-winning heroics at the other end. Luongo seemed to run out of gas before the play-off marathon concluded, and his reputation as a top-tier netminder took a pretty big hit.
But the Canucks' starter has proven his resilience before, and he is aware that he will never be on a better team than he is right now.
Luongo, like the rest of the Canucks team, appears determined to pace himself for the rigours of the 82-game regular season and save some for the play-off push.
Joining Luongo in the Vancouver blame game are the Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel.
The Sedins have had more than their share of detractors, which is absurd considering their superstar calibre and relentless point production. Henrik won the NHL's scoring race two seasons ago; Daniel won it last year. Henrik was the league MVP in 2010; Daniel was runner-up last year.
Too soft? That is a ridiculous accusation for a pair of players who make their living along the boards and in the danger zone around the net. Too disciplined, perhaps, since they rarely get baited into retribution.
Too slow? They might not be speedsters, but they are plenty quick enough and have great instincts for the puck.
For Luongo and the Sedins - and the Canucks as a whole - the challenge is clear. They have proven themselves as regular season stars, and now it is about winning a cup.
Do not be surprised if they make it back for another crack this June.
sports@thenational.ae
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series
All matches at the Harare Sports Club:
1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
Venom
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
Rating: 1.5/5
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
Results:
CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off
1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds
2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42
4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
