Saturday, January 20, 2007

Battle of Alberta


So with two wins in a row, yes let's even call it a winning streak, the Oilers go for number three tonight against the Flames. Which team will show up? The Oilers from the first period of the Ducks game or the Oilers from the second and third periods? Let's hope the latter.

After being pushed around like a bunch of little girls lately, the Oilers finally showed some physical play vs the Ducks. And now they have called up Zack Stortini, and hopefully this time he'll play.

This is something I do not understand about this year's team: their lack of physical play. Last year, they were physical, forechecking hard and this in turn created many scoring chances. This year, the boys are so timid. Jason Smith isn't laying out the opposition much. Even Torres, who we all know can make those big open ice hits, is sitting back. This team seems to be afraid to make a mistake, get out of position and give up a scoring chance. Well, when you play with no intensity or physicality, that is what happens.

Game Day updates:

ROSTER UPDATES: Edmonton — Ethan Moreau (shoulder) is out. Daniel Tjarnqvist (inflamed public bone) is doubtful. Ales Hemsky (upper body) is questionable. Steve Staios (knee) is out. Jarret Stoll (fractured nose) is out. Raffi Torres (flu) is questionable;

LINEUP UPDATE (11:10 AM): Raffi Torres was ill and did not take the morning skate. He will be a gametime decision. Ales Hemsky is also a gametime decision while Jarret Stoll will not play.

So we could be down a few forwards tonight. Yikes. Looks like Ryan Smyth will have to keep carrying the offensive (although Sykora has been hot against the Flames but needs his little buddy Hemsky).

Eight hours until the puck drops. I'll be at Rexall as usual to cheer on the boys. With three points out of the playoffs and four points behind Calgary, this is another big game. They all are at this point. Oilers have to start winning against their divisional opponents. Oh good news, Iginla finally admitted he's out for at least a month. hahahahhaha. Now only if the Flames would start losing. Actually, they really suck on the road (lost 16 of 22) so let's hope that trend continues!!!

Oilers will win 3-1, with goals by Sykora, Smyth and Horcoff.

update: Oilers lose 4-0.

Some thoughts from tonight:

-bad penalty call on Roli led to goal one (he was apparently in the no-fly zone, ahuh sure)
-horrible second goal, Roli should have had it
-Hemmer and Smid cause third goal
-game over

-Flames are very ladylike. Everyone refused to fight Stortini. What a bunch of pansies.
-Dion Phaneuf should change his name to Celine.
-Stortini gets a 10 min misconduct for doing nothing. Another good call refs.
-Nice to see Smith fight
-Good hip check by Bergeron
-Kipper played fine, not spectacular. Gave up lots of rebounds but the Oilers were NEVER in the right spot to pounce on it

Oilers, please fire Craig Simpson. With Stoll injured and unable to play the point on the powerplay tonight, guess who Simpson put out in his place? Peterson. Who? Yeah exactly. Nice to see Simpson really mixing things up.

While I drove home after the game, I was listening to 630 CHED and their post-Oiler show. A caller mentioned that Ryan Smyth wants $6 - 6.5 million instead of the $5 - 5.5 mill. we've been hearing. Could that possibly be true? I thought Smitty was pushing it at $5 million, but $6 million??? I have one thought on that, if it's true: trade the greedy bastard.

Anyways, in conclusion: It is VERY tough being an Oilers fan right now.

13 comments:

Red said...

I'm sorry you had to be there for this embarassment. I have no idea where the Oilers were tonight, they just didn't seem to want the win bad enough. No heart makes for a tough game to watch.

Anonymous said...

Sigh. Awful, awful, awful.

Marsha said...

This had to be one of the worst games to sit through. They were in it, but one bad penalty led to a goal and then a horrible goal. It was 2-0, and the Oilers gave up.

Marsha said...

I agree he is the heart of this team, but if you give him 6-6.5 million, that's a raise of almost 3 million. Come on, he's not worth that much. I might be more inclined to the 6 mill if we had a good solid defense. But those holes need to be filled, and the Oilers will never spend the cap.

So what happens next? Lowe, make some smart trades and maybe we can keep Smyth and a top defenseman.

MacS said...

I would definately imagine Smytty will take at least within the $5-6.5 range. $6 million would not suprise me at all and thats the number I've been playing around with for a while.

Its debatable whether he's worth that much, but compare him to similarily compensated players (Gagne, Tanguay, Savard) and thats definately Smyth's market value.

MacS said...

Oh and to be fair to Roloson, that 2nd goal completely changed direction when it deflected off the inside of Bergeron's leg. I thought it was a really weak goal until I saw the replay, and now I'm suprised Roloson got as much of it as he did.

Anonymous said...

i'm so glad i missed this crap! it's getting very stressful...


-foxy

Shawn said...

I thought we had a good first period and gave up after they got the lead.

If Smyth wants 6 to 6.5 million you just hold on to him and wait for free agency. He'll NEVER ever get that kind of money. I promise. Too many teams will be close to the cap, there's no way he's going to get that kind of cash.

As soon as our man realizes on the open market that the 5 or so Edmonton offers is about his limit he'll coem home.

Sure we'd all like to see it done sooner, but it'll get done.

Anonymous said...

The "Flamers" were really obnoxious in the stands, too. I agree that the game wasn't great. We started okay, but just couldn't score. I kept hoping it wouldn't be another shutout for Kipper, but alas, it was not meant to be.

By the end I just wanted Stortini to beat the snot out of somebody. If you can't beat 'em, beat 'em up!

Shannon

MacS said...

Shawn, not a bad thought, but if Bryan McCabe can get $5 million...

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to make my debut at the Saddledome in April decked out in Oil gear. That is, uh, if my friends and I can get tickets. I'm tired of seeing Flamers at Rexall. It's time to make things right.

Marsha said...

D, we WILL get tickets. Foxy will do anything!! hahaha

Totally Shannon, I wanted to see Flames' blood on the ice. Is that too much to ask for??

The open market is so unpredictable. Totally right about McCabe getting 5 mill (and Tanguay). It'll be interesting to see what happens either way.

Anonymous said...

yes, i'll do anything! hahaha

-foxy