Vancouver Canucks fans (and the team) have a reason to be hopeful - star goaltender, Roberto Luongo, is a little closer to returning to the lineup.  He skated and practiced for about an hour yesterday morning.  “I’m able to do movements totally pain-free,” he said. “I’m able to kick it out and not worry about hurting it again. But it’s still in a controlled environment. I’m not (going) full-out in practice.”

While that is great news, Luongo has made it clear that he’s not ready and won’t make the mistake of returning too soon (which he did, unsuccessfully, in mid-December).  He’s been out of play since November 22, 2008 after suffering a groin injury in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It’s too bad because this season was off to a good start for the netminder who had an 11-5-2 record, five shutouts and a 2.17 goals-against average in 19 games.