Pat yourself on the backs, hockey activists - you saved the season in Vancouver.

To the tens upon tens of you who signed last month's petition to end dumb penalties by the Vancouver Canucks, we'd like to thank you for your support. You'll be happy to know that you've made a difference.

From the KB's biggest fan, Ben Kuzma, in today's Province:

In their last six games, the Canucks have given the referees reason to put their whistles away. If you consider roughing minors and fighting majors good penalties -- those that tell of team toughness and the refusal to allow crease crashers to crowd Roberto Luongo -- then the Canucks are only guilty of 27 bad minors in the 44 assessed.

"It's a matter of playing better defensively and getting the puck out of our end quickly," added [Canucks defenceman Kevin] Bieksa, who has 13 penalty minutes. "Not spending a lot of time in our zone has contributed to that as well as being smart in our end. We've had better body position and better reads.

"That forces guys to be on the right side of the puck and not reaching."

It's the same story in the neutral and offensive zones where the Canucks were taking too many lazy penalties. They're now moving their feet better and gaining better position.

We'd also like to take this opportunity to commend Henrik Sedin for taking just one minor in his last eight games. Same for brother Daniel, also with one minor in his last eight games. And, finally, how 'bout a nice hand for Taylor Pyatt, with just one minor in his last seven games.

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It's nice to volunteer for a good cause. (When Tom Hanks Was Funny video)