Catch up time!

Sorry to my two loyal readers, but I've been slacking in the blogging department lately, instead of writing I have been reading and commenting on other blogs and wasting a hell of a lot of time on facebook. And I mean a hell of a lot of time.
My apologies.

So far the season has not gone as we have hoped, what with Moreau's injury being worse than originally thought, the boys winning two then dropping four, the power play still stinks, the vets are being outscored by the rooks, and now Souray's injury. UGH. There shouldn't be this much stress this early in the season!

Shall we talk about the past then? Ok.

As I was at the Oilers-Flames pre-season game back on September 26th, I noticed a very interesting (or disturbing, depending on how you look at it) trend. Flames fans seem to only know 3 players on their own team. Of all the Flames jerseys that were crested that I saw worn at the game, only 3 players were evident: Iginla, Phaneuf, and Kiprusoff. Really, your team consists of more than just the 3 cornerstone players. This is why I love Oilers fans, we aren't afraid to buy jerseys for any and all of the players. Hell, some loser last season was still wearing his Josh Green #12 jersey.

The best part of the night was the 4 Flamers fans sitting a few rows behind us with the hard-on for Huselius. It was all "Huselius this, Huselius that, if Huselius was gay he would totally be my bf, blah blah blah." The real fun started when two Oilers fans sitting across the isle from them started a Huselius chant. "hoo-SAY-lee-oos!!!" "Sucks!" "hoo-SAY-lee-oos!!!" "Sucks!" "hoo-SAY-lee-oos!!!" "Sucks!" "hoo-SAY-lee-oos!!!" "Sucks!" And so on. Soon most of the gallery was in on the "Sucks!" part. Pure Gold.

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Home opener was pretty stellar, with the boys winning in a shoot-out over the San Jose Sharks. We all know how the game story went, so I'll write about the fun had after the game waiting at the 'creeper' fence for autographs. Cuz really that what this blog is supposed to be about, more than just the game.
Bought me a new Oilers hat to start the season, then bought a duplicate to get signed. We met up with one of the girls we made friends with last season at the 'creeper autograph fence' and chatted about the new season and Souray among other things. I should have wore a jacket as it was a chilly night out. Oh well, I survived.

Reasoner had a split lip, when he came to sign he was bleeding. Someone asked him if he wanted something for it, I piped up and offered him a napkin, even though I didn't have one, lol. He politely declined. Good thing, because that would have been awkward.

I asked Raffi if he lost his contact in the scrum in the 1st period, because after the scrum he was down on the ice for awhile. When he was doing his time in the penalty box, looked like to me that he was washing off a contact lens. (I wear contacts, so I know about that.) He said "yep" with a little smile and then I said "I knew it! I sooooooo called it from row 46!"

Kyle Hot-Rod-ziak and Tom Gilbert come up together to sign; someone asked Kyle to turn and smile so she could take his pic, and Gilbert backed out of the way. I said, "Hey Gilbert, you didn't sign my hat yet; you have to sign it cuz we are facebook friends!" lololololol.

Garon was wearing a very sharp suit, I should have taken a picture of him it was that sharp. And he's a lefty like me, so he's alright in my books.

Finally after freezing my arse off, Sheldon Souray came out. I was in such a frenzy to get my jersey off that I got stuck in the rush. I managed to get it off in one piece and hand it to him before he got away, lol. Some of the guys rush thru signing and leave. Some guys don't even come and sign for that matter. He said "Thank you for the jersey!" when I handed it to him to get signed. I said, "No, THANK YOU!" I told that I had asked his brother to get it signed for me, but that he was being a jerk. Sheldon replied "that's nothing new." lol, burn! (I know Sheldon's half-brother as he works for the same restaurant chain as I do.) Souray was very nice about everything he signed and even made a video greeting for someone from his hometown when they politely asked. Made me love him even more. He also signed my hat and my Oilers 2007/08 guide. Good thing I stocked up on the Souray autos as he probably won't be signing for a few weeks due to his injury. But ya never know cuz Moreau was at the games at the end of last season when he was out injured and came to sign most nights.

I love these boys, but they aren't earning that unconditional love so far. They better kick some Coyotes ass tomorrow night, as they are the only team worse than us so far. UGH. Hoping for a 8-2 win with Hemsky and Stoll each scoring hat-tricks to break out of their zeros in the goal column, but I'll take a 4-3 nail bitter. Stoll, Hemsky, Cogliano, and Greene with the Oilers goals.

Sorta off-topic note: call me what you want for this (I really don't give a crap), but I'm addicted to a remix version of Britney Spears "Gimme More" song. Hopefully the boys "Gimme more" in the form of a win tomorrow. GOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was there any doubt? I don't think so.

One Ethan Moreau, (pronounced EE-than moh-ROH), our Chopper, will the be the Oilers new fearless leader into the 2007/08 season and beyond.
He was officially named the 12th captain in Oilers history today. Thank you MacT for not going the rotating captaincy route like Minnesota did last season.
Also named were 4 alternate captains, Hemsky and Horcoff for home games, and Staios and Stoll for away games.
Ethan is thrilled to have this great honour bestowed upon him. He deserves it 100%.

In other Oilers news, the 23 man roster to start the 2007/08 season was accounced today. Surprising ( and a little pissed off) that Ladislav Smid has been sent down to the AHL instead of Tom Gilbert and Denis Grebeshkov, both whom have less NHL experience combined than Laddy does. Which isn't saying much, since Laddy was only played one full NHL season last season with the Oilers.
I'm sure Laddy won't be down there long, but given that both Gilbert and Smid are on two-way deals while Grebeshkov is on a one-way deal, its easier to send Smid or Gilbert to the AHL than it is to send Grebeshkov, who would have to clear waivers 1st. Kind of bullshit in my mind, but Smid wasn't that noticeable in the pre-season I guess. Smid will be a helluva NHL defenseman someday soon; he just needs some seasoning. I'm sure Dick Tarnstrom will develop Cory Cross disease soon enough because he is wearing Cory's old number 23, and Laddy will be back to replace him.

GOILERS!

So super excited for the home opener on Thursday!

Egads!

Moreau is out with a severe bone bruise after taking a shot off the ankle in Calgary on Saturday.
At least it's not broken, but I don't know how long it takes to recover from that kind of injury. Sounds painful. Godspeed Ethan! With Pisani already down and out and possibly gone for the entire season, we don't need anymore injuries to the grind line.

Greene is apparently going to be paired with Souray. I wonder who gets to play the point on the powerplay then, because both those guys tend to take too many unnecessary penalties.
My money is on Pitkanen. And if Souray is going to be paired with Greene, are they the number 1 pairing or the number 2 pairing? And then what are the other 2 pairings? Statios and Pitkanen, Smid and Transtrom? Where do Gilbert and Gerbeshkov fit into this? This defense is actually making me nervous.

Most of the young forward prospects are making names for themselves. Cogliano is starting to emerge, showing some hands to go along with that speed of his; scoring three goals in the last two games, including the overtime winner against the Falmes on Saturday night. Thank God, I was hoping he had some finish. He's not listed as being in the Oilers line-up for tonight's game in Phoenix, so I'm going to assume that he is playing tomorrow night against the Falmes; a game which I will be attending. wooooooo!

It's almost here!

Despite the fact that the Oilers sucked something fierce down the stretch last season and the 'experts' are predicting the mighty Oil to suck something fierce again this season; I for one can't freakin WAIT until the 2007/08 NHL season starts.
Rookie camp starts on Thursday in Yellowknife, main camp starts in a week, pre-season gets rolling in two weeks on Monday Sept. 17 with a home game against the Florida Panthers.
What Oiler/hockey fan isn't getting excited at this time of year?! WHL pre-season is already under way, the young Canadians are kicking some Russian ass in the junior summit series; hockey is coming back in full swing and I love it. The beginning of the season is only second to the playoffs in terms of the best part of the hockey season; everyone gets a fresh start when the season begins.
No word yet on who will be the next Oilers captain. My vote is for Moreau.

1st goals, whiny Anson Carter, playing spoiler, more injuries, Flames getting scared, team autograph session.

Haven't posted in a few days, so I am cramming it all into one!

Smid and Pouliot play some soccer in the hallway prior to the game in Columbus.

1st up, congrats to Smid for scoring his 1st NHL goal Thursday night in Columbus.
Great pass from Torres after he made a beautiful move on Ron Hainsey.
Great game by all the boys, especially Horcoff with his 1st 2 goal game of the season, in a 4-0 win over the Blue Jackets. A much needed win over a non-playoff team.
Again, another game another injury, Gilbert left after a stick in the face and did not play on Friday. He is added to the growing list of Oilers on the IR with a concussion. Ugh.



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Anson Carter of the BJ's was whining in the Columbus papers a few days before, the Friday Edm Sun did an article about him as well. Ken Hitchcock, the Blue Jackets coach, did not have nice things to say about him.

"When you see players at this time of year that say 'I don't have the focus' or 'The coach isn't playing me because he might deal me', that's a very weak excuse," said Hitchcock. "That's a player just allowing himself to get pushed out of the role that he's in. I get a kick out of that, I really do. If you stop and think about it, if you were a player in the last year of your contract, why wouldn't you try to make an impression in the city in which you live?"

Carter was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for a 5th round draft pick on Friday.
Obviously it was just to get rid of him, because a 5th round pick ain't much.

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Oilers win a in SHOOT-OUT! Yes, you heard correctly; Oilers won in a SHOOT-OUT!




What is with the Oilers and shoot-outs against Detroit?
Earlier this season the Oilers beat the Red Wings in Edmonton in a long sudden-death shoot-out. That was their only shoot-out win of the season, until last night.
Props to Hasek for being a douchebag and biting on Pouliot's fake, which resulted in Marty Reasoner's (easy) game tying goal into an empty net. Glad to see Reasoner score again after a long drought. Poor guy is working hard and needed that break.

Both Pisani and Tjarnqvist returned from the IR. Nedved took Pisani's place on the IR with a knee injury that has kept him out of the last few games. Not that Nedved is going to be missed; he really hasn't done much in his 2nd stint with the Oilers.

Downside to the game: Lupul now joins the injured club with, you guessed it; ANOTHER CONCUSSION. What is with all the concussions this season??!?! What is with this road trip and someone being injured after every game!?!?! Stoll is still on the IR with a concussion, no word yet if Lupul is out day-to-day or if he will be placed on the IR as well. Get well soon boys, we need you! :(

The Oilers played spoiler in this one, as the Red Wings were going for their 14 th straight win at home. Too bad for them the Oilers are gunning for a playoff spot and weren't doormats like they have been on the road. Plus, Roloson sucks in shoot-outs against everyone else but the Wings. Congrats to Smytty for scoring the only goal in the shoot-out as well. SUCK ON THAT HASEK, YOU OLD FART.

With the last two Oilers wins, they are now only 5 points out of the playoffs, instead of 9. Still not as great as being in a play-off position, but better than a few days ago. This has the Flames, now fallen to 8th, worried. Damn right you bitches better be worried. (See the next segment for more on this). 20 games to go; stranger things have happened. I, like many Oilers fans, would love for the Oilers to take the final playoff spot at the expense of the Flames.
BRING IT ON LAMES.
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Too close for comfort

Fragile Flames wary of an Oiler uprising in the West

George Johnson, Calgary Herald, Saturday, February 24, 2007

A quick check of the side-view mirror only confirms the unease. Squint, and damn if it isn't still there. Off in the distance. No more than a fuzzy speck in the gathering haze, nearly out of sight.

But not quite . . .

That rickety blue pickup truck, big-ass Smytty at the wheel, and Hemsky and Horcoff and Rollie the Goalie and tough-as-old-boot-leather Gator piled in back, the familiar large Oil drop painted on each door.

"Seven points," agreed Craig Conroy, "is close.
"Too close."

Five is even closer, and that's the margin by which the Calgary Flames lead the Oilers for the Western Conference's final playoff spot, following Edmonton's 4-3 shootout win at Detroit on Friday night.

One by one, the Flames filed into the Pengrowth Saddledome on Friday at 11 a.m., for either an off-ice workout or a short turn on skates across the street at the Corral. Conspicuous by his presence was general manager Darryl Sutter.

Call it loitering with intent.

When Sutter feels it necessary to make an appearance down at event level these days, and thus make a statement, the temperature in the area plummets 10 degrees. In the time it takes to draw breath.

A seventh consecutive road loss in the books, Thursday in Phoenix, and the clearly not-amused architect finds his Flames unwitting, uneasy middlemen in the ongoing squabble that is life in the Northwest Division.

Certainly close enough to reel in the frontrunning Vancouver Canucks and snare that crucial, automatic third seeding in the Western Conference. But also not yet quite out of range of a possible Edmonton Oiler uprising, and catastrophe -- just envision the fallout, try to imagine the angst. There is still all to be won, everything to be lost.

"Right now, we're in eighth spot looking up at everyone else," sighed old hand Tony Amonte, who's been around the block a time or two.

While every now and again casting a nervous glance downward, at the pursuing Oilers. In the thrall of their own murderous road swing, having just offloaded a regular defenceman (Marc-
Andre Bergeron) for a down-the-road prospect who cannot help them make up ground during this stretch run, the Oil seemed ready to fall away, out of contention, only days ago.

But the Flames' maddening inability to close deals on the road has kept Craig MacTavish's men in with a chance, infused them with hope.

"I don't know if it's a mental thing," said coach Jim Playfair of his team's road woes. "But it isn't a good thing."

Potentially a fatal thing.

And don't think a shot at sneaking into the playoffs, again, this time at the expense of the oil-soaked, money-stuffed hoity-toitys from down south, wouldn't pump testosterone levels dangerously high up the road a piece.

They might just do it on spite alone.

"We've got to tighten our belts and look ahead," lectured Calgary captain Jarome Iginla. "You could dwell on the fact that we didn't take advantage of our good November and December. You could sit around and think where we'd be if only we were .500 on the road. You can talk about the leads we've let slip away in third periods lately.

"But it's all spilled milk.

"What's done is done. We have 21 games left. We have to focus on them. I'd be lying if I told you we didn't check out what the Oilers were doing; Vancouver and Minnesota, too. I know everybody's talking about how we've got to start winning on the road, and it's true. But we've just got to win games now. Period. No matter where they're being played.

"It's up to us to keep putting pressure on Vancouver . . . and Edmonton."

To do that means beating one of the West's elite tonight at the Saddledome. And that won't be an easy task, even for a team as proficient on home ice as the Flames -- the San Jose Sharks have won more road games than any other team in hockey.

Ah yes, road games . . .

In case you can't bear to look, six of the Flames' final eight games of the regular season happen to be away from the Saddledome, where they receive worse reviews than Norbit.

If that little detail doesn't emphasize the urgency of the moment, nothing will.

"And, even if you do finish eighth, you've still got to go on the road for the first round of playoffs," cautioned Amonte.

"So it's desperation time for us. Seems ever since I got here we've had to be desperate to play our best hockey. Now we'll see what we're made of.

"If we can put a streak together, we still have a great chance at winning our division."

True enough. Just don't be caught staring straight ahead. 'Cause Craig Conroy's right -- seven points is too close.

Never forget to keep tabs on that fuzzy speck back in the distance, and take a check of that side-view mirror every once in a while. Always remembering what's stencilled on the glass: Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.







Them Flames are shaking in their boots; good, I hope they crash and burn. Aha, burn ........







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It's official: Oilers team autograph session Sunday March 4th @ West Edmonton Mall 1 pm to 2:30pm.

The Oilers press release was put out yesterday; it is also announced on the WEM website. There had been varied rumors about this event for a few weeks now.

What this means is having to get at the Mall before the damn thing opens and map-out which players are going to be where that we actually want autographs from.
I have previously been to an auto-session at WEM; it was like a damn gong show. Back then it was for only an hour though, not an hour and a half.

Also listed in the press release for the upcoming session, players are being put in groups of 2 or 3. I say they should put more players in a group for the ease of the fans. The line-ups are going to be ridiculous to begin with.

Might I suggest to anyone heading to WEM that day to do some shopping: STAY HOME UNTIL AFTER 2:30. SAVE YOURSELF THE HEADACHE OF ALL THE OILERS FANS LINED UP AND IN YOUR WAY.

To all the other Oilers fans going: stay the fuck out of my way if you are heading to the line-up for Ethan Moreau's table. His is the only current Oilers jersey that I don't have signed yet, so he better be there, shoulder injury or not. Sure, there are other autographs I want, but the Moreau jersey is more important than all the 8x10 photos I have accumulated.

GOOD LUCK TO US ALL.

Moreau signing auto's at the Oilers recent hospital visits, Jan 29th.