The Buzz · Vancouver Morning Wire

Remember the Torts Tunnel Tirade? He's back.

Canucks are playing Tortorella again, you won't believe it

You know, sometimes the universe has a strange sense of humor, or maybe it just likes to watch us suffer. The Vancouver Canucks, after a string of performances that would make even the most seasoned fan consider taking up competitive napping, are about to face a familiar face. And not just any face. John Tortorella, the man who brought us the infamous "Torts Tunnel Tirade" and a year of absolute, unadulterated chaos, has just been hired as the new head coach of their next opponent.

It's one of those only-in-Vancouver kinds of moments, isn't it? The sheer timing of it all, just as the team is... well, let's just say they're in a "rebuilding" phase that feels less like construction and more like a never-ending demolition derby. You almost have to laugh, because what else is there to do? I remember that tunnel tirade like it was yesterday — the sheer volcanic eruption of it all. It felt like the entire city held its breath, wondering if the building itself might just collapse. The fact that it's coming back around now, like a very grumpy, heavily caffeinated ghost from our past, it’s... it’s something.

### The Torts Factor

For those who might have blocked out that particular chapter of Canucks history, here's a quick refresher:

* **The Tunnel Tirade:** January 18, 2014, against the Calgary Flames. Tortorella famously tried to get into the Flames' dressing room during the first intermission, sparking a brawl. * **One and Done:** His tenure in Vancouver lasted exactly one season (2013-2014) before he was fired. * **The Hockey:** It was... physical. And often, less than pretty.

This isn't just about a hockey game; it's about a memory etched into the collective Vancouver sports psyche. You can practically hear the conversations already, from the coffee shops on Commercial Drive to the early morning walkers on the Seawall, everyone reliving that particular brand of *shoganai* – that "it can't be helped" feeling that Vancouver fans know so well. It’s a reminder of a turbulent time, and for the current squad, it's just another layer of pressure in what's already a pretty complicated season.

Beautiful out here. Complicated in here. That's the coast.

Kirsten and the crew are probably already dissecting this on the morning show — you should check it out live at mornings.live.

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