Why I love my Edmonton Oilers?

Well, with roughly 10 games left in the regular season, and it is pretty obvious now that we will finish with a top 5 pick in the draft this summer. But, this season for me was NOT a complete failure like many are stating, and there is a completely different team inside that locker room, a team I am very proud of for the most part. At times were the loses frustrating, aggravating, never-ending, and redundant? Absolutely, but the players on this Edmonton Oilers club, fought with everything they had, the played with blood, sweat and tears, essentially they played with heart and passion for the logo on their chest. I feel like this group of players, this family, they understand what that logo means in the hearts of every Oilers fan young and old. They understand what this city and its fans went through last season and how they saw the players in that locker room just give up and admit defeat.

The players that dress for this team hate to lose as much as they love to win. A huge amount of the credit for instilling this culture is the coaching staff, they expected nothing less than 110% every night out of this group, and when that didn’t happen they were the first ones to hold them accountable for what happened and how they played. So, Tom never called a bag skate when the team under preformed, but he called out their character, called them out not only as hockey players but as people, that sometimes is more motivating, then a bag skate. He called them out as men, and challenged them to prove that they are better, and that they don’t deserve the label as lazy, half-ass players, and that is the exact response Renney often got.

Yes, this year’s team is young and inexperienced but hell they sure know how to play exciting hockey. Seeing the magic that has developed between Hall and Eberle, makes any hockey fans heart race with excitement, seeing the heart and passion from third line winger Ryan Jones, erupt on the ice, and seeing Ryan Whitney show why he wore the A and anchored our back-end, thinking about it makes me grin. This year was a development year, and it was a year to get everything figured out, which did happen, but they did not go down without a fight.

One thing is absolute next season will be a BIG year! It’s time the rookies see what Edmonton is like during the playoffs cause there’s nothing like it.

Now this part of the blog, is really just me sounding off about a part of a young oilers team that I absolutely LOATHE………….bandwagon puck bunnies.

My issue, okay so first I must say, yes the young players on the team are good looking hell most of the team is decent looking, however should that matter when you are watching, NO, should that matter when you are decided why you like or don’t like a player, NO.

I don’t believe that you can go to a hockey game and talk about only how the players are looking during warm-ups or during the game, you cannot consider yourself a hockey fan. I don’t have a problem with girls saying that the players are good looking, cause I am guilty of doing it too, however hockey comes first, and if not don’t claim to know hockey when you don’t. 

That's all folks

Peace

The Oilers: Exciting Last Place Hockey…… or not so LAST place

In the last 10 games the Edmonton Oilers are 7-3-0, but in the last 6 days a lot has erupted in Oiler Nation.

On what seemed like a sleeper of a trade deadline day, Oiler fans saw winger Dustin Penner, shipped unexpectedly to the LA Kings for 2 draft picks and rookie defenseman Colten Teubert. Many Oiler fans were upset by this deal saying that the oilers not nothing in return as far as an active roster player and that they should have never done this. I was one of what seemed a minority that believed that this was a FANTASTIC deal for the oilers who are REBUILDING through youth and development. The Edmonton Oilers don’t need a quick fix, or a filler player, they are not pushing for the playoffs therefore, that is not ideal. For the Oilers they needed picks and prospects to build through and they wanted to dump salary cap to leave opportunity for them to sign rookies or whatever they feel is necessary, it gives them options. Ohhh and to all those who believe otherwise, I am pretty sure that the Oilers are 3-0 without Penner so he can’t be missed TOO much.  

With Penner being traded, this gave the players on the roster and in OKC opportunity to grow and develop. 

In the first game post-Penner, the Oilers come out ready to prove like they have wanted to all season, to show that they have compete, passion and determination. To prove to Oiler Nation that the logo on their jersey is more than an emblem, it’s a culture, and an understanding of the responsibility that is bestowed on every player that dresses.

Yet, it seems that the injury bug hits the Oiler roster again, for a second time this season, alternate captain and leading scorer Ales Hemsky goes down with a shoulder injury. Oiler fans, or half ass fans, whomever, immediately get on the “we should have traded hemmer when we could have”, or “Penner doesn’t get injured Hemmer always does”. Whatever your poison it was flooding the air waves of oil country. Now, with hemmer out and Penner traded, it was time for Edmonton to test their depth, the call wasn’t placed to OKC, just yet. It was time to see the guys in the locker room, rise above this and competes, leaving everything out there and showing all that you have.

Now we come to last night’s game, 2-0 Oilers face a pushing CBJ team who is edging for the race for 8^th in a very tough western conference. Now, the Oilers have had success against this blue jackets team this season, but every game is different. However NO ONE in the 17,000 seats at Rexall Place expected the game that came to be…

The Oilers came out guns a blazing, they came to play, at home, with the crowd behind them, they seemed……….unstoppable! Taylor Hall notches a goal in the first period, the kid was on fire. During intermission while talking to Dan Tencer, he says one statement, the statement only a star would say… “I’m not stopping at one tonight”.

Now had it been anyone else, well they would have just been happy with the goal but Taylor was NOT satisfied, he thrives on having the game on his stick and the weight of 17000 hearts on his shoulders. Start of the second period oilers continue to push back with CBJ and 0.14 secs into the period, staying good on his word, on a feed from Hall himself, Jordan Eberle scores a beauty. Oilers are up 3-0. T. Hall playing like a machine, making hits, taking hits, making playing and scoring goals. This game had me on the edge of my seat, rubbing thinking is this really my team, and then something happened that in retrospect grew the respect I had for a 19yr old kid from Kingston, ONT.  

After an open ice hit, Taylor Hall picks a fight with CBJ tough guy Dorsett. You could see the passion in Hall’s eyes as he engaged Dorsett, however, in living rooms across oiler nation I'm sure we all had choice words for Hall, especially when we all saw him fall awkwardly. We all knew that he was injured, and like many, I was pissed at the initial thought, well the thought of Hall being injured made me want to vomit. 

“Why didn’t the Oilers on the ice step in? Why didn’t someone help him out? Why was he fighting?” The answer to those questions comes right from the kid himself, “I hate being rescued, and I don’t like the feeling that someone else has to fight my battles.” “There is nothing in my contract that forbids me to fight.” “It’s embarrassing being rescued all the time. I hate being the target and not defending myself”

That folks is why he was selected first overall, why he was at the All-star rookie game, THAT is the player that got up after getting pummelled into the boards in the memorial cup, got up, got stitches and never left the game or missed a shift. Those words, that action, is something only a star does, only a star takes on more than the role he is expected to play.

Taylor Hall is not just a player that is good, Taylor Hall is star, who feels passion, heart and determination in every fibre of his being. Taylor Hall my friend is nothing short of his biggest praises, and if you weren’t a Hall fan up until this point after that fight, and after his comments, I don’t know how you couldn’t be.

Taylor Hall is a special player, the kind that doesn’t come around every draft class, and doesn’t come from every first overall pick. 

Yes he is out for the remainder of the season, but he is going nowhere, and I cannot wait to see him lift that Stanley in 2013-2014.

Back in the Saddle: Setting up the Oil vs the Red Wings

Welcome to the first blog of the season as Darcie and I set up the match tonight between the Red Wings and the Oilers. We are passionate hockey fans and most importantly PASSIONATE OILER fans. Have a look at our game day debate!

Setting Up the Game

Karianne: what is your biggest concern for our team against the Red Wings?
Darcie: I’m going to say defense
Karianne: i think mine is our special teams
We have to watch our play and make sure we don’t cross the line and get caught in the box
Because we know Detroit will take advantage
Darcie: I’m also going to say a slow start is a big concern for me
Because if we start off slow again, we won’t be able to come back against Detroit
We need to play the full 60 mins in order to have a chance against this team
Karianne: yeah and we need to hit bodies
If we try to out skill them we will look like fools
We need to make clean hits and be on the fore-check
We need to play with the fire we had against the Blackhawks
Darcie: but with more organization
We played fast against the hawks, but we were still very scattered and unorganized at times. Detroit will jump on that team has chemistry, and knows where to be
Karianne: good point, however like i said i think Detroit’s weakness is they can’t play a physical game like we can
We CANNOT be caught chasing the puck that will end in Detroit scoring 10 goals because they have the skills to play on that like no one else in the league
Darcie: Detroit is a stacked team man
This is going to be crazy

Previous Success Against the Wings

Karianne: but then how have we been so successful because we have been a team that can hit and get on the fore check and get the puck back
Darcie: we don’t hit nearly as much as we need to though
Darcie: that’s one of the biggest things I’m worried about too and i do think they’re as dominating as they seem, their numbers show it, and their games show it
Yes.......BUT we are a COMPLETELY different team now
Karianne: yes but i think that we can match them
I think if we bring our a game we can skate with the best of them
Darcie: see we should just try and match them. Not try and beat them
If we can keep up to them
We will be fine and create chances
Karianne: but you are right that we can’t get behind because a team like that will destroy you once they have a lead
Darcie: absolutely. Red wings scare me and it’s not even about cups. Cause Washington is a scary team and they haven’t even won with ovi so yeah.
We are at the bottom they’re at the top
Just the way it is. And we have to not let that get in the player’s heads
Karianne: i mean yes we had a stronger defense in 06 and I’m not trying to live in the past but we weren’t ALL that skilled... as far as big names. We were not expected to go anywhere. And we went from 8th in the west to the SCF
If the players believe that anything is
Possible then anything is POSSIBLE
Darcie: yes i know it’s just another game, but i don’t think we are ready to beat them yet

Rosters and Special Teams

Darcie:Hey is big mac in the line-up tonight?
Darcie: I’m going to say no, just b/c of the awesome game the 4th line had last time
Karianne: i think if the lines are the same as practice that mac is in tonight but we'll have to wait for warm up to find out i guess
Karianne: it’ll be interesting to see the defense pairings tonight
Darcie: probably Whit-Vandemeer, Peckham-Gilbert, and Smid-Foster
I’m going to guess probably
Know what scares me?
I’m pretty sure Datsyuk Holmstrom and Zetterberg are on a line together
That’s a scary line, but NOT only have that but then I also thought franzen bertuzzi and modano are the 2nd line
No wait, maybe Filppula not Modano
Then you have players like lidstrom ericsson stuart kronwall in the back.....
Their penalty kill is going to be unbeatable
Actually i want to know what their PK is.
Karianne: we can only be in the block tonight if it is matched penalties
Darcie: some nice fights would be good
And i can almost guarantee we will see a couple tonight
To try and keep our team pumped, cause wow.
Karianne: but they need to be deserved penalties not stupid stick penalties
I don’t think that the red wings are as dominating as you make them seem. I mean yes they are talented and yes they are one of the best but they haven’t won a Stanley cup since they played the pens.
They played in penguins
Detriot PP and PK stats this season
PP% is 16
And PK is 90
Darcie: yes PK is 90
The red wings haven’t changed much that’s the problem
They’ve been together for a while
We haven’t
Karianne: yeah but look at our record against them

Final Thoughts

Karianne: i agree with coach Renney
That fear is the best motivator
Darcie: absolutely
Karianne: i think this is good for this team
We need to be put up against the best of them
That’s the only way to learn
Darcie: not only do i hope the players learn something from this game but the coaching staff as well
If we pull out a win, this is going to be huge for us
HUGE
HUGE
....One more time.....HUGE

Khabibulin Saga: The sentencing

Today in Scotsdale Arizona, Khabibulin was given his sentence for being found guilty on all counts.. His sentence given by the courts he was fined an upwards of $1500 in fines and paying for various services and programs and to serve the minimum sentence of 30 days in jail. Khabby has also enlisted in the NHLPA substance abuse problem. The sentencing went underway at approx. 315pm MT probably in hopes of not having media and reporters present. Immediately following the sentencing Khabby and his Lawyer exercised their right to appeal the sentencing decision.

Immediately after that was made clear back in edmonton at the hockey operations office Oilers GM Steve Tambellini was initially prepared to comment on behalf of the club on the sentencing verdict and the whole situation but he as well was caught by surprise that Khabby was appealing the decision and could not comment on the clubs stance on the issue or what the future holds. Like many oiler fans including myself, he looked frustrated that this has done nothing but drag on and on and that it still leaves his club waiting and not having a decision one way or another.

Okay so that is the logistics now time for my opinion on the matter. Now had I actually written this last night after i heard the news, there would have been a lot of swearing and name calling and disrespectful comments which would have been rude and i think uncalled for in my blog. So after i slept on it this is what i have come up with.

On twitter i expressed before the court proceedings that i wanted khabby to get a little more than minimum sentence so that he can truly take responsibility for his actions and most importantly learn from his mistake because i do truly believe it was that an ill fated decision made in the moment.

I was willing to accept the minimum sentence that he was given and move on but when i heard he was appealing it i flipped my sh** to say the least. I was frustrated because i felt like khabby was getting the "celebrity" treatment and it came off like he thought he was above that sentence and that he deserved to get away with just a "slap on the wrist". Had that been you or me and we got the min. sentence for an Extreme DUI i would be dancing in the streets.

After getting more details about the appeal and the fact that we don't know what about the sentencing he appealed I realized that i can not judge his decision to appeal until i am informed about what actually was appealed. I immediately jumped to the conclusion most probable like many of you without giving khabby the benefit of the doubt.

I DO think that he should have a record because this isn't like any other circumstance that he stumbled after a beer and drove home.. his BA was almost double the limit in the state of Arizona.. as per the explanation that he is on meds for his back then what the HELL was he doing drinking like that?

This is something that really bothers me about "celebrities" and pro athletes is that they are not just a normal joe, you play for the NHL therefore you have accepted the responsibility of being a public figure and a role model to people young and old. and Khabby is not just some 19yr old NHL rookie he is a 37 yr old man who has been in the league for years.

I really more then anything what to hear Khabby's public apology because for Oiler fans and hockey fans in general that is ABSOLUTELY needed..


Well thats all for now!

Off season comes to a close

what started out a slow and long off season for the oilers. First NHL 2010 draft with the first overall pick the edmonton oilers select the one and ONLY Taylor hall.With the intention and goal to make the oilers in the fall Hall as denied invitation to the WJ camp in Nfld. As an oiler fan, i was excited to see him attend the oilers development camp, even though it was really just a conditioning stint it was a good introduction for him and the city. It looks like taylor hall has become the next son of the city. Now that was not the only moving and shaking that happened this summer for the oil and their fans. The team let go of veteran players such as captain Ethan Moreau,patty O'sullivan, Fernando Pisani, Dean Arsene, Marc Pouliot, Ryan Stone, and Robert Nilsson just to name a few notables. Notable Additions to the team returnie Steve Mac, stanley cup champion Colin fraser, veteran character guy Jason Strudwick, both JDD and dubnyk, and newly signed centreman Sam gagner just to name a few. In the off season the oilers looked for big bodies, with a balance of skill and toughness.

5 things were made very clear in the off season:

1) to be on this team to have to have fight, and determination

2) to be on this team you must have PASSION

3) to be on this team you must NOT want to play at the status quo but to RISE above it and destroy it

4) to be on this team you need to want to WIN!

5) to be on this team you have to be commited to the change coming and the process of rebuilding

as the off season comes to a close souray still has NOT been traded and cogliano has NOT been resigned. also khabby was finally given his verdict on the drunk driving case and he was found guilty on all counts which is completely deserved and it will interesting to see his sentence i really hope he does not buy himself out of a tough sentence.

well thats all for now folks..

on a personal note i moved to flames country bleeding copper and blue FOREVER

ps. at least we didn't re sign Jokinen... sorry i just had too

My Letter to the Oilers

This is the letter I emailed to the Edmonton Oilers because I was so upset about what happened at the Capitals game on Thursday. Have a read!


On thursday, my brother and I were very excited because we had purchased tickets to the edmonton capitals game in the Oilers Draft Prospects party section, where we were eagerly awaiting the top 3 prospects to come and meet us. As per the Edmonton Oilers website we had our jerseys in hand and our cameras to meet Eberle, Hall and Magnus Pajaarvi-Svensson. As the game begun we eagerly waited by the door waiting for him to come through, we understood that they had a lot of commitments to do on the field but were patiently waiting until the security person came out and told us that they left and were not coming out.

I have been a loyal oilers fan all my life and had nothing but fantastic experiences as far as player-fan interactions, they are always willing to stay until everyone gets an autograph. Both my brother and I are struggling university students and drove in from out of town to see the game and meet the players, as I also cannot afford to purchase tickets to the NHL games. You can imagine our heart break and disappointment as this was our only opportunity to meet those prospects up close. As a dedicated fan that watches and listens to every interview and pays very close attention to everything going on with the oilers I was left very frustrated and upset. I would understand if the event said only some of the prospects were going to be mingling with fans not all of them but, in the news release it specifically stated the three prospects of Eberle, Hall and Pajaarvi.

As an organization that prides itself on its relationship with their fans and the city, that was not the representation you want coming out of finishing in 30th. When the news was brought to us about them not coming out, I saw many children upset and fans in general feeling like they were misinformed and taken advantage of, I know that the Capitals tried to lessen the frustration by giving everyone a free ticket but for me it wasn't the capitals game that disappointed me or other fans but the fact that it felt like we were mis informed by the oilers.

I am not emailing this to get something out of you, I am emailing you because I don't want another fan to have the experience I had and feel so frustrated and upset.


Thank you so much!
Forever I will bleed Copper and Blue!!!

Karianne

Hockey Canada Does it in True Canadian Style

Okay so tonight I went to Commonwealth stadium in Edmonton for the Hockey Canada Celebrates Canadian Olympians and Canadian Forces..

First of all I would like to give BIG props to Hockey Canada and all involved in making this possible..It was a phenomenal event and presentation. With TSN big rigs like Ryan Rishaug and Pierre McGuire as well as Olympic Legend Brian Williams the program did not disappoint showing all the key moments on the big screen and giving all edmontonians the opportunity to relive the moments that made us all so proud to be Canadian! I felt like I was back in vancouver at the olympics everyone around me was talking about where they were and what they did when crosby scored the OT goal!!

Not to be lost in all the hype was a touching tribute to the Canadian Military with a song by George Canyon that moved me to tears!!

Key moments of the event:

> Jonathan Toews was signing an autograph by where i was standing and we high fived! It made my life a little bit!!

> Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith took time to sign everything for fans

> Luongo pulled kids from the mosh crowd to sign their jerseys

> Saw Moose (Messier)

>Saw one of my fav. coaches Mike Babcock didnt get to meet him or get a pic though

> the queen doesnt have the cop patrol that Crosby did

> BEING CANADIAN IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!


There is a cap refresher on my experience.. still on a high.. not quality writing here but wanted to give you a snap shot!!!


THANK YOU HOCKEY CANADA