April 2011

All articles posted in April 2011.

Canucks 2 – Blackhawks 1 OT

  Frederick Linsmeyer • April 26, 2011 • Hockey
Alex Burrows

Alex Burrows

It was all Alex Burrows as the Vancouver Canucks have overcome their nightmare and beat Chicago 2 – 1. In a game that was reminiscent of the gold medal round of the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Canucks managed hold the province on the edge of their seats while fighting to keep the lead.

Burrows got Vancouver on the board in the opening minutes of the first period setting the crowd up for a raucous night.

The Canucks had a lot of chances but Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford kept the home team from adding insurance, blocking Burrows again on a penalty shot.

The ante changed within the dying minutes of the third period when Jonathan Toews, shorthanded, put the puck behind Roberto Luongo.

However, Burrows came back and 5:22 in overtime slapped the puck past Crawford ending the post-season losing streak against the Blackhawks.

The Nashville Predators are in town on Thursday, April 28th to start round two of the playoffs.

 

Sakura-Con 2011

  Frederick Linsmeyer • April 26, 2011 • Conventions

With another Sakura-Con behind us, it’s time to reflect and remember how many Japanese cartoons one can cram into a three day weekend. Quite a bit, actually. This time around, I selected a hotel closer to the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, the Seattle Sheraton, primarily because it was really close (across the street) and had a slightly cheaper room rate. So here it is, my fourth Sakura-Con. Photos, as always, are available on Gallery. Read the rest of this article…

Sakura-Con 2011 in pictures

  Frederick Linsmeyer • April 25, 2011 • Photography

With my new Nikon D5000 in hand, Sakura-Con would be the first test to see how it held up at a convention. Overall, the camera worked amazingly well and the battery held up (along with my memory card). I just need to take pictures in a brighter light and adjust the flash in these scenarios for better shots. Until then, enjoy my collection of photographs from the Sakura-Con weekend on Gallery.

A review of the convention will be available in the next few days.

Dragon Ball ZGaaraMidna

Confusion?Majora's MaskSora

More photographs…

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

  Frederick Linsmeyer • April 20, 2011 • Gaming
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Box Art

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Box Art

When The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was released in 1998, the graphics were pretty amazing. Now that we’re in 2011, they pale in comparison to the majority of modern games. However Nintendo has done a great job in updating the classic Ocarina of Time for its new 3DS console, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D.

Nintendo also changed up the dungeons mimicking the ones from Master Quest – fans who pre-ordered The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker might have received a copy of Ocarina of Time with the Master Quest on one GameCube disc back in 2003. Basically, the levels are redone with more complex puzzles. No new items, weapons or dungeons are being introduced though.

IGN has discovered that there will be a new boss mode included. This mode allows the player to go back and re-tackle the terrorizing creatures that watch over a dungeon – something that isn’t included in previous games. Well, not officially at least as The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks let you take on previously defeated bosses in some manner.

Want more pretty screen shots? Kotaku has a couple of comparison images showing the original 1998 game with the 2011 release.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D will be available for sale on June 19th, 2011.

New Rurouni Kenshin anime series

  Frederick Linsmeyer • April 18, 2011 • Anime

Nobuhiro Watsuki’s legendary samurai saga Rurouni Kenshin has been given the go ahead for a remake as announced in Shueisha’s Jump Square magazine.

Watsuki’s story follows Himura Kenshin, a former assassin in Japan’s Meiji period wanders the land offering his service to those who need it. Most fans are familiar with the 28 volume manga series, the original televised show which ran for 95 episodes, along with the two OVAs and a film.

More information on this anime is expected to be released in upcoming publications of Jump Square.

Source: Anime News Network

Celebration of Light 2011

  Frederick Linsmeyer • April 11, 2011 • Local
Celebration of Light 2010 - Spain

Spain's performance in 2010

The sky will light up over Vancouver once again as the Celebration of Light returns to English Bay this summer.

Last year’s winner of the fireworks competition, Spain, will join China and Canada with their explosive style. China is first on Saturday, July 30th, followed by Spain on Wednesday, August 3rd and Canada finishing off on Saturday, August 6th, 2011.

Looking for a great spot to view the pyrotechnics? Bleachers will be setup next to the English Bay Bathhouse on the hillside and will be available for $35.00 online for early birds. The new seating is being tested out and is a neat idea for those who don’t want to fight for a good spot or more space between your neighbours. Proceeds go towards running the Celebration of Light event.

Canucks vs Blackhawks in quarter-finals

  Frederick Linsmeyer • April 10, 2011 • Hockey
Rogers Arena

Rogers Arena

The Vancouver Canucks are facing the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs once again. This time, the number one Canucks are taking on the eighth-seeded Blackhawks in the quarter-finals instead of the semi-finals for the Western Conference. Vancouver will have home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

The last three games may not be required if Vancouver sweeps Chicago.

  • Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 7:00 pm PDT Chicago at Vancouver
  • Friday, April 15th, 2011 7:00 pm PDT Chicago at Vancouver
  • Sunday, April 17th, 2011 5:00 pm PDT Vancouver at Chicago
  • Tuesday, April 19th, 2011 5:00 pm PDT Vancouver at Chicago
  • Thursday, April 21st, 2011 7:00 pm PDT Chicago at Vancouver (if necessary)
  • Sunday, April 24th, 2011 5:00 pm PDT Vancouver at Chicago (if necessary)
  • Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 TBD Chicago at Vancouver (if necessary)

Happy 125th Birthday Vancouver!

  Frederick Linsmeyer • April 6, 2011 • Local
Vancouver skyline

Vancouver looking north with the North Shore mountains in the distance.

On this day, 125 years ago in 1886, Vancouver was incorporated as a city on the south shore of Burrard Inlet. Since then, the fledgling community boomed into a cosmopolitan crossroads with people from all over the world.

Vancouver has welcomed the world twice: Expo 86 and the 2010 Winter Olympics. Millions of people come through each year to experience the beauty, the food and culture.

Come join the celebrations in Jack Poole Plaza west of the Vancouver Convention Centre. There will be music, ball hockey, food, artwork, cake and a relighting of the Olympic Cauldron.

Naruto Shippuden Box Set 6

  Frederick Linsmeyer • April 3, 2011 • Anime

Naruto Shippuden box set 6 Wave after wave of undead ninjas storm through Konoha after Asuma is trapped behind a lightning barrier. However, Shikamaru has come up with a plan to stop the zombies but will it be enough? And will Furido’s ultimate plan on getting revenge on Konoha finally complete?

As Naruto continues his training by learning more about the rasengan and how to develop it further, Tsunade sends out a group of ninjas to hunt down the Akatsuki who’ve returned to the Fire Country.

The Naruto Shippuden Box Set 6 contains episodes 66 through 77 across three discs and will be available on April 26th, 2011.

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