Canucks hope Kariya finds game in Syracuse
 
Slumping Vancouver left wing Steve Kariya, who started the season playing
like a rookie phenom, has been demoted to Syracuse to try to recapture some
of that early spark.
 
Kariya, younger brother of Anaheim superstar Paul Kariya, is expected to be
in uniform for the Crunch's game tonight against visiting Providence.
 
Kariya, a 5-foot-7 free agent signed by Vancouver out of Maine, has
tremendous speed and elusiveness. He has eight goals and 11 assists overall
but has scored just twice in his last 23 games and was scratched in four out
of Vancouver's last five games.
 
"Obviously, everyone wants to play in the NHL, but quality ice time in
Syracuse is probably the most positive thing about this," Kariya told the
Vancouver Province newspaper. "I'll go play and get some enjoyment and fun
back in my game."