tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-317122152024-03-07T15:04:28.182-05:00hot oilgiggling is our business, and business is goodAlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04293795601043234505noreply@blogger.comBlogger412125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-55745177239690633952023-05-18T17:44:00.005-04:002023-05-18T22:33:20.914-04:00See you later<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsnDbuxcTfIlgj-NdWt3QGzJQ3GJ4rGixJCFTdyMnWmhrIL1FkNToKjHKOmcC7SPQpHsu6uwAHKZFXL6X1ZEsQPJmckjlEZF9d30_-M6bSyfpd5MoVuz5YyZRt0G9i780xmv0Cd3UswpVyoKodPsnP4reLDjddMmP9yj6CxvEsfur0FgcCqyQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="988" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsnDbuxcTfIlgj-NdWt3QGzJQ3GJ4rGixJCFTdyMnWmhrIL1FkNToKjHKOmcC7SPQpHsu6uwAHKZFXL6X1ZEsQPJmckjlEZF9d30_-M6bSyfpd5MoVuz5YyZRt0G9i780xmv0Cd3UswpVyoKodPsnP4reLDjddMmP9yj6CxvEsfur0FgcCqyQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div></div></div>In the decade between posts on this blog, I would end up being a mainstay on the nazi-sympathizer platform known as Twitter. During the ups and downs, I did things like acronymized all the player names. I put Oilers in a Hunger Games-style scenario to see who would be victorious. Maybe Benoit Pouliot won? Also, I took famous quotes and Oilersified them. Anyways, the thing that maybe I became best known for was Oilers haikus.<div><br /></div><div>For instance: </div><div><br /></div><div>It's not an oil drop</div><div>But rather a single tear</div><div>I shed for Leon</div><div><br /></div><div>Or:</div><div><br /></div><div>Summer is now here</div><div>The Oilers are out again</div><div>Enjoy the weather</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, some are better than others. But the second one is probably closer to where I land at this point. We've had some glorious early summer weather this week in the Yukon, so I'm happy to be out getting seeds in the ground instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop on the Oilers season. Sorry!</div><div><br /></div><div>I know there are a lot of people who thought the Oilers were going all the way this year. And for a flicker of a moment, I too did wonder. But poor Skinner didn't have his best showing, Nugget disappeared down the center, depth scoring was not deep enough and it felt like a team outcoached. </div><div><br /></div><div>One might say: </div><div><br /></div><div>The more things change</div><div>The more the Oilers still fail</div><div>To learn from data</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-66414559782620149982023-05-08T14:44:00.004-04:002023-05-08T20:42:25.011-04:00LFG!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_xQr6Evw7UJeGcm21WD3eA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2023-05/678185a0-ec6f-11ed-b6b4-4be08bf04aba" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_xQr6Evw7UJeGcm21WD3eA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2023-05/678185a0-ec6f-11ed-b6b4-4be08bf04aba" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Let's keep this momentum going! After <a href="https://youtu.be/AgDySyrA3tE" target="_blank">humiliating</a> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Laurent Brossoit in Game 2, our boys are back in Stab City! I wish I could be home setting shopping carts on fire with my fellow Oil fans for the next couple of games, but I will be there in spirit with a case of Pil and a lighter. GOILERS!</span></div><p></p>Alanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04293795601043234505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-75274765275280781322023-05-05T16:16:00.002-04:002023-05-05T16:16:30.441-04:00Confessions of a lapsed Oilers fan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLcYGLZZ-PvpVK_0rvBxHpRAUVV1Pon5YgnAnXBbWIKewf9nqSfAIzCILaY_xALuOtbBaU403Z0mah10edy9hnqJ7iQkLHpM-0tDfADQm-BJyp6b17_6RgPjbXGRZ5JAoYN-NXOcuo65NPtk99xcXoWoJ-pENCWXe742J8lqsHJMY9RFou1A/s2049/IMG_6413.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLcYGLZZ-PvpVK_0rvBxHpRAUVV1Pon5YgnAnXBbWIKewf9nqSfAIzCILaY_xALuOtbBaU403Z0mah10edy9hnqJ7iQkLHpM-0tDfADQm-BJyp6b17_6RgPjbXGRZ5JAoYN-NXOcuo65NPtk99xcXoWoJ-pENCWXe742J8lqsHJMY9RFou1A/s320/IMG_6413.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br />2022-23 was the first season where I didn't watch one full Oilers game. In fact, I didn't watch any other NHL games. Some of it is frustration about the management and how they haven't managed to build a better team around two of the best in the game. Some of it is frustration at a league that doesn't seem to want woke women as fans. Some of it is that my sports viewing energy has found a new home in English Premier League soccer and Liverpool Football Club. <div><br /></div><div>Like Alana posted, a lot of things have changed since was last on this blog. I'm now in my 40s, have moved across the country twice, ending up in Whitehorse, Yukon, and have a family - of two people and two dogs. Of course, one of those dogs is Lubo. Yes, named after the player who spent two partial seasons on the Oilers. I try not to google him too much, in case the man's real life behaviour ruins the name of this 13+ year old dog. (We once had a plan for dog #2 to be named Teemu - dodged a bullet on that one.)<br /><div><div><br /></div><div>My disconnect is a good thing. I can watch these playoffs and not worry when I miss a period or a game. At the end of the game, I can turn it off and get on with my day (or more often, night). Wins are still fun, but losing doesn't hurt as much. Mostly I'm happy to see all my loyal Oiler fan friends so happy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Edmonton will always be my hometown. My Oilers fandom will always be a part of me. It's just healthy that it's only a small part of me - a drop sized amount on the logo. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com0Whitehorse, YT, Canada60.7197137 -135.052276132.409479863821154 -170.2085261 89.029947536178838 -99.8960261tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-13035118123038421772023-05-04T14:42:00.002-04:002023-05-04T14:42:29.786-04:00Leon: The Professional<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4B47YjxB-Rq267xQXQDon3N1KQASddDm_FfHFGQVfNKymGyyFNyefxr1ECFvKtUr57ugvAGXY6x0TqBW_RbeLLuKI3QLTg71q4DVX8_jCa3WTNYdWn4H3oTTu4kDlhq4ot54XRxZjTclTqe3zeGnFbjIoAA30BPd8pYo8aN38LaUZ9TN1Q/s3200/Draisaitl.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="3200" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4B47YjxB-Rq267xQXQDon3N1KQASddDm_FfHFGQVfNKymGyyFNyefxr1ECFvKtUr57ugvAGXY6x0TqBW_RbeLLuKI3QLTg71q4DVX8_jCa3WTNYdWn4H3oTTu4kDlhq4ot54XRxZjTclTqe3zeGnFbjIoAA30BPd8pYo8aN38LaUZ9TN1Q/s320/Draisaitl.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Tough loss. Especially with Leon Draisaitl (pictured here showing the ladies what he can do) playing the game of his life. Bouncing the puck off of the goalie's back to score? Genius, with high points for difficulty! He was so fun to watch last night -- I hope he can keep it up!<p></p><p>Other game highlights for me: All of the big saves by my boy Skinner, including a sweet pat on the butt from Hyman after a particularly good one. </p><p>It was hard to watch the Knights knocking the puck off of Oilers' sticks all night, and blocking passes over and over and over. They were all over them! If the Oil can figure out how to get them off their backs, I think good things can happen. Let's go, boys!</p>Alanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04293795601043234505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-50998725728428384412023-05-03T15:54:00.000-04:002023-05-03T15:54:02.339-04:00Game Day, Baby! Let's Goooo!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKZdbsvbxHICnOgRqh1ZNZp2dCNiuT3KJlh98dCmz7vSDau2kr_HgyLdvC6_MsB9z7sWfp_YvZk2zngLV386598hGncSJFhM7fdkkGLspbkE2lbU5O0I72N8n8_2Lf_v0LSaCHxMlaJdffUjH6cSsPgK5fjp0mD8dl4ykwvvcg5j9naijcg/s225/Mcdavid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKZdbsvbxHICnOgRqh1ZNZp2dCNiuT3KJlh98dCmz7vSDau2kr_HgyLdvC6_MsB9z7sWfp_YvZk2zngLV386598hGncSJFhM7fdkkGLspbkE2lbU5O0I72N8n8_2Lf_v0LSaCHxMlaJdffUjH6cSsPgK5fjp0mD8dl4ykwvvcg5j9naijcg/s1600/Mcdavid.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br />Who's psyched for Round 2? <p></p><p>Personally, I can't wait to see my new boyfriend Stuey take on Jonny Quick and the "nicest" (read: least hot) guy in the game, <a href="https://chumley.barstoolsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/15/kessel-cupdogs-1019x1024.png" target="_blank">Phil Kessel</a>. Hopefully the boys didn't stay out too late at Medieval Times last night.</p><p>To my friends in Edmonton: Keep your celebratory and/or rage stabbing on the DL. The Police Chief <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/don-t-think-you-can-hide-increased-security-planned-for-oilers-games-to-deal-with-unruly-fans-1.6828682" target="_blank">has his eyes on you</a>!</p><p>With a 9:30pm start time here in Toronto, this old lady will do her best to stay up for the game. Maybe I'll start a Stu Skinner Pinterest board to pass the time.</p><p>GOILERS!</p>Alanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04293795601043234505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-8541877768907617292023-05-01T11:35:00.000-04:002023-05-01T11:35:07.397-04:00Hot Goalie Alert<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol9lPBUDRhaZRmgnOhTLbkywhhMmSzSg7W_-X0TH2wXaXhola9h-1MyUidGUai8Dm3idE5egPo0fmYotLdW_YiYUvCbTS3eR5CCsYrioDr2krx_F8y0VMrwgl7cwQUX3xtBx5iSGSUd8qeYXiT0kQ__Jmbn7GlIL46YFXDlUKKAw4o3wQ7w/s600/Stuey.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="600" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol9lPBUDRhaZRmgnOhTLbkywhhMmSzSg7W_-X0TH2wXaXhola9h-1MyUidGUai8Dm3idE5egPo0fmYotLdW_YiYUvCbTS3eR5CCsYrioDr2krx_F8y0VMrwgl7cwQUX3xtBx5iSGSUd8qeYXiT0kQ__Jmbn7GlIL46YFXDlUKKAw4o3wQ7w/s320/Stuey.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Hello friends! It's been a while!<p></p><p>How has the past 14 years been treating you? Not much has changed on this end except, you know, marriage, kid, mortgage, reading glasses, etc. </p><p>On the other hand, many things have come full circle: I have braces again, my boys have made it to the second round and, just like in 2006, their goalie is a total dreamboat!! Look at that 'stache! And his name is STUEY! It says so on his helmet!! *swoon*</p><p>I don't know about you guys, but I'm excited about these playoffs. I'm going to do my best to keep my old ass awake late enough to watch all of these 10pm games over the next few weeks (months?), and then post my completely uneducated and thirsty "takes" over here! Join me, will you?</p>Alanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04293795601043234505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-42183589730790851402023-04-30T01:46:00.002-04:002023-04-30T01:46:58.002-04:00*taps mic*<p> Is this thing on? </p><p><br /></p>Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-54658999966216742072011-04-03T00:39:00.005-04:002011-04-03T01:37:59.785-04:005 years later, #Stilloilfans<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/171276920_b049fa95ed.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 298px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/171276920_b049fa95ed.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A lot has changed in the past five years.<br /><br />The Oilers are no longer that team that got to game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Two players remain from that team (unless you count JF Jacques who did draw in for a handful of games during the 2005-06 season) and both are currently injured.<br /><br />I'm no longer that new-to-Vancouver waitress making my way back to school. Two years of broadcast school and I'm a news anchor in a major market. I talk little about my favourite team, having to fake enthusiasm and hide my disgust for the Canucks on a daily basis.<br /><br />Hot Oil is not much more than memories of Ulanov, Roloson, and of course, my Marty.<br /><br />But tonight, as the worst team in the league, beat the best team... I was proud once again. (The Canucks in the number 1 spot is also troubling, but I remember what position the Oilers were in when they made it all the way in 2006.)<br /><br />I haven't watched a lot of games this season. In fact, the Oilers are probably 50-50 when I tune in. Maybe I should have tuned in more often.<br /><br />Despite the bad moves over the last five years, my dissatisfaction with the people of Edmonton being forced into paying for an arena, and the piss poor results we've seen since the cup run - I'm still an Oilers fan.<br /><br />Next Sunday, Oiler fans in Vancouver are getting together to mark the final game of the season.<br /><br />From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=209986472361166">Facebook event</a>: <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Wanted: Displaced Oilers fans in need of friendly faces.<br /><br />The last game of a long season is almost upon us. You've been suffering alone long enough - mosey on down to the Black Frog as YOUR Edmonton Oilers end their season against the Avs and spend a Sunday with people who get you.<br /><br />Black Frog opens at 11:30. Game starts at noon.<br /><br />Be there or be square.<br /><br />Tweeting not required, though encouraged. (#stilloilfans is the hashtag. Use it. A lot.)<br /><br />If you just feel like getting tipsy on a Sunday, feel free to stop by, but no mocking or jerky comments about the season, the Oilers or Edmonton.<br /><br />Tell your friends!</span></blockquote><span style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">(Really, tell your friends, we'd love to have a full house, just like we did at the Frog, 5 years ago.)<br /><br />The Oilers have a lot of things to be thankful for, including a storied history, a relatively recent cup run and a lot of good young players. The end of this season has been painful, not because of all the losses, but because we're not part of the run. Battling for 8th is a lot of fun. I don't need a Stanley Cup to enjoy my team. I just don't want one in the hands of the Canucks or Flames.<br /><br />(I'd say the Leafs too, but c'mon.)</span></span>Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-57399228965697917012009-10-29T23:15:00.002-04:002009-10-29T23:49:04.269-04:00Happy Halloilerween!<iframe src="http://oilers.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?catid=5&id=49965" frameborder="0" height="289" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />Without fail the Oilers come up with something hilarious every Halloween.. remember when Horc went as Gene Principe a few years back? <br /><br />This year is equally as good. <br /><br />By the way, I <3 Smid, even if he has Hamthrax.Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-42766671907506470072009-10-09T20:20:00.003-04:002009-10-09T20:30:51.526-04:00Yowzers!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50OXzsJpfOEKAzPv9Hfr2kReI-NwIANm3clizbnwilV0eorIi7DahEVzHb-eOgouujBHyfNUmHOlVixwRbRt_hmbUe3z-JtQv9n4yOewILej9bk9-amn6nyB3xyf5GQh82lVzVQ/s1600-h/oilers"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50OXzsJpfOEKAzPv9Hfr2kReI-NwIANm3clizbnwilV0eorIi7DahEVzHb-eOgouujBHyfNUmHOlVixwRbRt_hmbUe3z-JtQv9n4yOewILej9bk9-amn6nyB3xyf5GQh82lVzVQ/s400/oilers" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390761635578168482" border="0" /></a>Do we need to have a hot off this year? I think I know who the three finalists will be.<br /><br />The picture is from <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=4526351">ESPN's body issue</a> that came out today.Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-90975823802710576292009-09-10T21:44:00.002-04:002009-09-10T22:00:15.904-04:00#BarfOilers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.celebrity-gossip.net/images/photos/hilary-duff-mike-comrie-georgio-baldi-date.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.celebrity-gossip.net/images/photos/hilary-duff-mike-comrie-georgio-baldi-date.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I'm on twitter. I think my updates are over on the side there -><br /><br />When I saw the news of Mike Comrie's return to Edmonton, I found every funny tweet regarding the move and re-tweeted it with the tag, #BarfOilers.<br /><br />Okay, I know the money is good. I know that he's probably done a lot of growing up since he left town. I know that on rare occasion, I carry a grudge. I'm looking at you, Jamie Langenbrunner.<br /><br />I don't have a huge problem with Mike Comrie. That was eclipsed by the CFP incident. But what this indicates is a disconnect with management.<br /><br />Bringing in Mighty Mouse doesn't move this team forward. It may prevent us from falling backwards due to the overwhelming lack of guys who can play centre. But that's not good enough. So, in the face of having a team that not just fails to make the playoffs but fails to compete, I feel we're just not gaining ground.<br /><br />I feel like I should warn Hilary Duff (who I'm psyched to see on Gossip Girl this fall). Once you get the city on your side, we've got your back. But this is a town that doesn't forget. That Rich Boy on your arm, he hurt us last time around. 30 games, sitting out, and for what? <br /><br />By <a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/03/12/celebrity-photos-hilary-duff-at-hockey-game-joaquin-phoenix-confronts-a-fan-katie-holmes-taylor-swift-and-more/">all accounts</a>, Duff was a fan favourite in Ottawa, where she made regular appearance watching games, often with regular fans, unlike Carrie Underwood who hid from the public.<br /><br />I wish I could say the prodigal son has returned home to bring prosperity to the Oilers family. But I'm afraid he's just not enough. And his return shows the dire state this team is in.Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-65771062195634322262009-04-22T14:54:00.004-04:002009-04-22T16:13:25.938-04:00How to cover the Canucks without shooting myselfSome of you may know that I work as a news reporter in Vancouver... My shifts are evenings and weekends - prime timing for Canucks games. Unlike the sports reporters, I don't get to go to games and hear cliched answers from dreamy eyes Taylor Pyatt. During this playoff run, I get to talk to the fans. Not only do I have to go live from some sports bar every half hour all evening, I have to talk with Canucks fans at their worst. Drunken.<br /><br />Part of me was happy to hear of the Canucks' sweep last night - otherwise this Friday night I would've spent my evening dealing with fans who would argue this is the best team hockey has ever seen. In 2006, every round the Oilers won, I expected it to be the last. Yet Canucks fans believe the cup is already en route.<br /><br />I'll give the Canucks credit. It's a good *TEAM*. Before this round started I figured they'd do some damage in the playoffs. I don't want them to, and am praying for them to lose the next four as quickly as they swept through the the first round.<br /><br />I don't want to go to another bar. I am trying to come up with ideas for how to cover a Canucks game from the fan perspective... I already did families/children. I wanted to pitch an idea where I search the city for the elusive St.Louis fan. Where should I go next?Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-48257279821730800142009-04-16T03:32:00.004-04:002009-04-16T03:53:24.734-04:00Goodbye Silver Fox<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10333069@N04/2498850931/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2498850931_eb02ac603e_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); width: 242px; height: 182px;" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10333069@N04/2498850931/">Walter & Craig MacTavish, Salvation Army Skybox</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/10333069@N04/">ron_zima</a></span></div>I like Craig MacTavish. I think he's a good coach who will find work elsewhere. I think his time here was done but there were some really fine moments. I wish him all the best elsewhere. It is, on some level, unfortunate that the Oilers will no longer have the hottest coach. But I digress...<br /><br />I watched Tambellini's presser today and was pleased by a lot of the things he said. Sure, he's all practiced up and knows the right thing to say but what stuck with me is the fact that he did not absolve the players of their craptastic play this season. Regardless of the holes I know this team had, regardless of the coach that may have lost the room, this team underachieved.<br /><br />Subpar Oilers teams have made the playoffs before, clawing their way in like the St.Louis Blues did, only to lose in the first round. (Which I anticipate will happen for them too.)<br /><br />Those are the Oilers teams I miss. The ones that may have lacked skill but worked like dogs.. or like the underdogs they were.<br /><br />I'm hopeful more changes are made. I'm hopeful this is the end of hiring the old boys club. I'm hopeful this team can move in the right direction.<br /><br />I'm hopeful.<br /><br />...and I'll miss MacT.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(</span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://mylifeontheelist.wordpress.com">my other blog</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> has thoughts on jumping on the Canucks bandwagon)</span>Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-90311973557192158702009-04-02T12:28:00.003-04:002009-04-03T01:04:50.886-04:005 games left: My pre-emptive look at a failed season.Like <a href="http://lowetide.blogspot.com/">Lowetide</a>, I'm not putting all of the blame on MacT for what happened this season. Should he quit or be fired at the season's end? Yes. He made some dangerous gambles (from position shifting to the stick call) but had any of them worked out, we could still be talking about post season chances (which are now at 8% and require the Oil to pretty much win-out the season). I commend him for trying things that other coaches wouldn't have attempted, but maybe he shouldn't have been put in particular situations by management.<br /><br />In the off-season, the Oilers lost Stoll in the Lubo trade (I <3 Lubo), and Reasoner (a million dollar man) for free. Both could win faceoffs and kill penalties. No one was brought in to replace either. PK has gone from 5th to 27th. Stoll (now at 57%!) and Reasoner (53%) continue to win faceoffs for their respective teams and instead we see Shawn Horcoff taking all faceoffs. Seriously. He's done an admirable job at 54%, taking more than anyone else in the LEAGUE. Hot Rodz also is above 50% but just barely. I think the heavy reliance on Horcoff has been another factor in the mediocrity of the team. Dude is tired.<br /><br />Horcoff fills the role of the top line centre on the Oilers. Would he do that on other teams? Very few. He's what I would call a "very good roleplayer". Hardworking, able to do a lot of things right, but not going to many (if any) all-star games. And he has been worked this year - leading Oilers forwards with 21:31 in ATOI per game. Yet his production will be around 50 points on the season.<br /><br />The Oilers have enough skill to roll four lines, the problem with the skill is that it comes in small packages. Don't get me wrong, from what I've seen of Patrick O'Sullivan, I really like. And Liam Reddox plays much bigger than his frame would indicate. But the JFJ/Stortini's of the Oilers feel pretty one-dimensional right now in that they are AHL players in big bodies. The guys who legitimately have NHL skills tend to be small. Sure, Dustin Penner was brought in for his size and the numbers guys tell me he's still excelling, but he's hard to watch. His shuffle through the lineup and into the pressbox gives me the indication MacT wants to use him, but the team makeup isn't right.<br /><br />That's the biggest issue that I can gather... a disconnect from the top to the front line. I commend the moves made to get the defensive corps that we have and while I'd rather see Strudwick take a 7th man role and Staios be 4 years younger, those are small issues when the team is just not clicking.<br /><br />I listen to a lot of games and only see a few, but even the play-by-play seems to indicate a disconnect. Are there issues in the room? Is it the right mix of personalities? Or is everyone just really frustrated? I know I am.<br /><br />The nail in the coffin was the recent "cheer for us, fans" video. Outside of Strudwick who had a certain charm to him and Grebs who just seemed sincere, it was awful. Awkward and not heartfelt speeches from Horcoff, Gilbert and Gagner. If you're trying to make us care (and most of us wouldn't be watching stupid videos on the Oilers website if we didn't already) you're just making a fool of us. We want to cheer. That's what makes the video so sad. Give us a reason to support the team because we're not going to accept losing. For the amount of money we pay to the organization, for the amount of money the players are taking home, they should be grateful we're still here despite some pathetic efforts as of late - when it matters most.<br /><br />How about instead of doing it for the fans, do it for Dwayne Roloson? The man has kept the Oilers in almost every game in the second half of the season. It's so frustrating to listen to games where he is averaging nearly 40 saves yet the Oilers can't even forecheck.<br /><br />This isn't going to be just a failed season, but one of the most frustrating I've dealt with as a fan. And it's not just because I'm stuck in Vancouver watching a team win games based on effort, good goaltending and performances from unlikely sources. It actually reminds me of a certain Oilers team in 2006.<br /><br />Le Sigh.Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-1690321240032512792009-03-24T18:20:00.003-04:002009-03-24T18:37:03.312-04:00Laddy Smid: What's to like?<iframe src="http://oilers.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?catid=921&id=35285" frameborder="0" height="225" width="300"></iframe><br /><br />I was surprised to see that Ladislav Smid is a popular guy, even just among the dozen replies I got to my question. He was on more lists than anyone else, getting more points (based on my 5,4,3,2,1 system) than anyone else and averaging a placement of 3rd on everyone's lists.<br /><br />What is it about Smid that we like?<br /><br />His three goals ever in the NHL?<br />The fact that he's been thrown in as a winger this season?<br />His original nickname?<br /><br />You tell me!<br /><br />P.S. The rest of the voted top five would be Gagner, Horcoff, Lubo, and O'Sullivan.Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-72835316948632800262009-03-22T13:10:00.005-04:002009-03-22T13:17:52.680-04:00Who are your favourite three current Oilers?I was thinking about this when Marty was recently in town... who is left for me to cheer for? Reasoner is long gone and not coming back. I had a soft spot for the Thoresens, the Hejdas...<br /><br />Who are my top three now?<br /><br />1. I <3 Lubo<br />2. Patty O'Sullivan (Number 19 lives on)<br />3. Pantsani<br /><br />Now, I realize these pics go against my usual form of "underdogs" so I'll add honourable mentions to Liam "The Lion" Reddox and Laddy Smid.<br /><br />Hell, just make it a top 5!<br /><br />How about you? Even though this is Hot Oil, I'm not talking looks. Vote in the comments!Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-59401283977108613122009-03-20T16:16:00.003-04:002009-03-20T16:36:04.190-04:00Hot Damn. 8-1!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQUBhd81vd1RSpxDpSKy_pSSUFKMkygNK6bseIz0Y0yPK0YDTv-eH02oNSUesJY2ERIDzPitr0M4vavOZTFmMc9BzHaFzaGguasYVkpkmW164mApTEnlWTVSwYLNqgNkdxzzI9A/s1600-h/ethan_moreau.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQUBhd81vd1RSpxDpSKy_pSSUFKMkygNK6bseIz0Y0yPK0YDTv-eH02oNSUesJY2ERIDzPitr0M4vavOZTFmMc9BzHaFzaGguasYVkpkmW164mApTEnlWTVSwYLNqgNkdxzzI9A/s320/ethan_moreau.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315370303692577986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Tp01phInPDGfmmZ66ILlxnLBXbrC8UhyphenhyphenliQlqSibruc0RwQ6x7fQECG2R9FjQN44BG2AxmwrBGlxgJQJeG4UHFqfOIGX8GKz9brg_CPP7qR_jIKEeDvBa8aTzbzf06VabcXKeg/s1600-h/Picture+18.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Tp01phInPDGfmmZ66ILlxnLBXbrC8UhyphenhyphenliQlqSibruc0RwQ6x7fQECG2R9FjQN44BG2AxmwrBGlxgJQJeG4UHFqfOIGX8GKz9brg_CPP7qR_jIKEeDvBa8aTzbzf06VabcXKeg/s320/Picture+18.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315370310020876514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnlAfI9jhwvu4J0yR03Xy-a1tYLs8yoU2GgOEp8ykZeYyhpOQECtxkqPXzt8PeDfUAMsOhbrWjivNG7ibct2F-eBho9v75N7-Wy171sj7QOy6hmS4ms8tOnpS9MNbosYnyVx55g/s1600-h/235981-87407.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnlAfI9jhwvu4J0yR03Xy-a1tYLs8yoU2GgOEp8ykZeYyhpOQECtxkqPXzt8PeDfUAMsOhbrWjivNG7ibct2F-eBho9v75N7-Wy171sj7QOy6hmS4ms8tOnpS9MNbosYnyVx55g/s320/235981-87407.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315370314860131090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucsV773TUe9EuVImNyY8jTKSo3eZYBmQCevSUNxbTjGkF66nnM5rY-9UHKdRfvXbQqIJrKcex6vJHypf2gfiOONFQJRw2KN-jeawOK2DyT0eh_Bm66QiP-tn3w13IPhFdNjrGxg/s1600-h/2563087754_d24977e1fb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucsV773TUe9EuVImNyY8jTKSo3eZYBmQCevSUNxbTjGkF66nnM5rY-9UHKdRfvXbQqIJrKcex6vJHypf2gfiOONFQJRw2KN-jeawOK2DyT0eh_Bm66QiP-tn3w13IPhFdNjrGxg/s320/2563087754_d24977e1fb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315370316991817746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pxIjZ6fgl1yBEq5qtpWhHGcYoHbZpwoevyQojz-bHb0SvCHkUx7XWO-yvFcEJUfvjfwzDU5RF2bunt1yZEZ7qxH5J3a0zsS732_ZRjVQX_sp7SiUIYv5iUxUQciC2CsdWsvmxg/s1600-h/port_kotalik_640.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pxIjZ6fgl1yBEq5qtpWhHGcYoHbZpwoevyQojz-bHb0SvCHkUx7XWO-yvFcEJUfvjfwzDU5RF2bunt1yZEZ7qxH5J3a0zsS732_ZRjVQX_sp7SiUIYv5iUxUQciC2CsdWsvmxg/s320/port_kotalik_640.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315370323157392770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYbj9T1IbrZpg0EpOcoaAmknyBxbnlCpkq20gsQcYPjhmua2cc2cL76gFePe019HVc9NUR_lK85yqGMc6S0Rq_nDX0FOSz3By6nfiS8qUbSDDxAYExZDhKxwKLjya21wSjRyHww/s1600-h/n81014078_36991967_4275.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYbj9T1IbrZpg0EpOcoaAmknyBxbnlCpkq20gsQcYPjhmua2cc2cL76gFePe019HVc9NUR_lK85yqGMc6S0Rq_nDX0FOSz3By6nfiS8qUbSDDxAYExZDhKxwKLjya21wSjRyHww/s320/n81014078_36991967_4275.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315371211431143826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8ZZnWDDKTtQbHPGTz72LuSNKEFzocmX4kYeqtwnisDxpsHK076iruX3xeyev1ga2BHN3F-mP9hgG_TMu138IrwjEQJASPluBQlu8-0KF2jBG5PxGmCP8Kl_clsseBIIHRKVtZA/s1600-h/P.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8ZZnWDDKTtQbHPGTz72LuSNKEFzocmX4kYeqtwnisDxpsHK076iruX3xeyev1ga2BHN3F-mP9hgG_TMu138IrwjEQJASPluBQlu8-0KF2jBG5PxGmCP8Kl_clsseBIIHRKVtZA/s320/P.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315371217344447858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iXt_lN5Yhf7ClI5018ZcEca9c6v6da5SD3A6kvmGbc6vevujz5JVPlzJ4w5V8rdIHxAwDcuDjZbnzWxyaNEMcEmIgEdzbs9BXuHYNhbBBUMgMJqdF2IJ0qVM6m4i-5INy3o5MQ/s1600-h/80_DRAFT-snoop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iXt_lN5Yhf7ClI5018ZcEca9c6v6da5SD3A6kvmGbc6vevujz5JVPlzJ4w5V8rdIHxAwDcuDjZbnzWxyaNEMcEmIgEdzbs9BXuHYNhbBBUMgMJqdF2IJ0qVM6m4i-5INy3o5MQ/s320/80_DRAFT-snoop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315371216931210354" border="0" /></a>Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-92199526058557245452009-03-13T00:31:00.002-04:002009-03-13T00:32:47.212-04:00Oh snap.<iframe width="400" height="250" frameborder="0" src="http://www.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20082009,2,1015"></iframe><br /><br />Just scroll to the last 20 seconds.Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-12370636946497855642009-03-12T13:28:00.005-04:002009-03-12T15:54:45.482-04:00Guess what today is?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnSmKo8axO1kdK7mKgczlUyu3Pm67IQuD8YRpNo6L5nxj2LPF24NViQNYx3s6_85jHlahG8QDmjWUNFzM5td0YwzBWlYI-mIh-DMScWq7kDlz4j02A7XdhhS5W9gb_4z7o3szsA/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnSmKo8axO1kdK7mKgczlUyu3Pm67IQuD8YRpNo6L5nxj2LPF24NViQNYx3s6_85jHlahG8QDmjWUNFzM5td0YwzBWlYI-mIh-DMScWq7kDlz4j02A7XdhhS5W9gb_4z7o3szsA/s400/Picture+1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312390301295122322" /></a><br />My boy is back in town! (Not Smyth, though his appearance in that picture is great.)<br /><br />Sure, I'm not, but still.. <br /><br />Am I the only one who misses his clips? Just look at some of the stuff in this recent <a href="http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/edmonton-oilers/story.html?id=1380744&add_feed_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.faceoff.com%2Fscripts%2FSP6Atom.aspx%3Fid%3D898337">Jim Matheson story</a>:<br /><blockquote><br />When Atlanta centre Marty Reasoner signed with the Thrashers last summer, he held onto his house here, but not because he was hoping his old club might get him back at the trade deadline.<br /><br />"I'm looking to sell ... tell anybody who wants to buy, I'll give them two tickets to the game (today)," joked the former Edmonton Oilers forward. "I'd like to close on it before the game starts." Reasoner, who is having a very good season in Atlanta -- 23 points, plus- nine on a team solidly minus -- will be wearing a Thrashers sweater tonight and may also have brought a cardigan on the road. He did check the weather here before he checked his bags. When he found out it was sunny, but frosty, he shrugged. "All these years I spent in Edmonton, I never could figure out what they meant when they said, 'You know it's cold, but, hey, it's a dry cold,' '' said Reasoner.<br /><br />Reasoner's sense of humour, not to mention his work in the faceoff circle and killing penalties, left a hole the Oilers haven't been able to fill this season.<br /><br />Reasoner and Matt Greene were the dry wits in the dressing room.<br /><br />"Geez, I'd rather they miss me as a player on the ice, rather than off it," he said.</blockquote><br /><br />Sigh. <br /><br />Maybe I do wish he'd been traded to the Canucks? <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bo51QF-txO4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bo51QF-txO4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-14278317634291458992009-03-05T03:16:00.002-05:002009-03-05T03:32:28.619-05:00O'Sullivan and Kotalik: Reasons to not talk about MartyI spent several hours glued to my computer today. Despite my Marty Watch, I was more intent on seeing what the Oilers would do. It would take until the final moment, long past the final minute, for something to come through. <br /><br />Lets start with the negatives: <br />1. We become a bit smaller, a bit less gritty. <br />2. Erik Cole seems like a classy dude.<br /><br />And the positives?<br />1. This is likely a wash: 20 games of Cole becomes 20 games of Kotalik<br />2. A 2nd or 5th round pick (depending on where I read) becomes Patrick O'Sullivan.<br />3. Both of these guys are hotter than Cole. Sorry Cole. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbD8YwF7yT4m4ki3GoZMwI1WYW0-zMYKMcDTh2Z4YN5VuhMtQUl1g7-qyhSbovxrByaVkznoj-jui7h_72wUslUIbPS9laOm4ODdXz4F89_CL0LaaczAVEgZ8oCnWJ-l7ypj_5GQ/s1600-h/Patrick+O'Sullivan+-+46.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbD8YwF7yT4m4ki3GoZMwI1WYW0-zMYKMcDTh2Z4YN5VuhMtQUl1g7-qyhSbovxrByaVkznoj-jui7h_72wUslUIbPS9laOm4ODdXz4F89_CL0LaaczAVEgZ8oCnWJ-l7ypj_5GQ/s400/Patrick+O'Sullivan+-+46.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309615039060546850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If you aren't familiar with <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/whoselifeisit/story.html">the story of Patrick O'Sullivan</a>, read it. You can't help but want him to succeed. <br /><br />He's also the key to this whole thing and I commend Tambellini for working this deal out. The more I read about the numbers.. he's a shooter, he's still young, he might be small but he puts up a hit a game... <br /><br />I really want it to work out. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyJgI_AXkF1p7KuNzG0aI8rpb18f65qJo6AfB7-3NIy1a6zp5Qko7-7DTf56hMeZPwcnXoHgTINGzfAmHMTm9OasdNiKyWV1crlFBy_stQIErKj0JlmGrvoYwt5RpJVsayVvq4Q/s1600-h/1846982.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyJgI_AXkF1p7KuNzG0aI8rpb18f65qJo6AfB7-3NIy1a6zp5Qko7-7DTf56hMeZPwcnXoHgTINGzfAmHMTm9OasdNiKyWV1crlFBy_stQIErKj0JlmGrvoYwt5RpJVsayVvq4Q/s400/1846982.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309615038647438258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I really just wanted to write about O'Sullivan. But Kotalik is here too, so, enjoy!Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-3067540845087082422009-03-03T13:28:00.004-05:002009-03-03T13:37:08.486-05:00Marty Reasoner Watch: 24 hours to the deadline<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zSuMu5TKJr0ksDToxFuwU_-5VlbP30vU2imyT1bb3T42VqVB9mIeFydC1q8GxkX21JJCZKypQmhcWHmqZLde5mJCT-0uUK72HDl0Sb3GKY2g78zmejd18r33ISaTuNXjbcQpnw/s1600-h/Reasoner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zSuMu5TKJr0ksDToxFuwU_-5VlbP30vU2imyT1bb3T42VqVB9mIeFydC1q8GxkX21JJCZKypQmhcWHmqZLde5mJCT-0uUK72HDl0Sb3GKY2g78zmejd18r33ISaTuNXjbcQpnw/s400/Reasoner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309031095252136018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">From <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/darren_eliot/03/02/contender.deadline.needs/?eref=sircrc">Sports Illustrated's Darren Eliot</a>: </span><br /><blockquote>Blackhawks<br /><br />This fun, fast, young bunch out of the Windy City is "ahead of schedule" according to GM Dale Tallon in terms of rebuilding. They will get much-needed experience with this spring's appearance, putting them in the same category as the Bruins, Caps and Flyers from last year -- rising teams that made the playoffs and used that to accelerate the maturity process. The Blackhawks need a centerman with some grit who can win faceoffs -- an area in which they've struggled all season. Players such as Dominic Moore or Marty Reasoner make sense here.<br /><br />Canucks<br /><br />GM Mike Gillis played his hand early by bringing Mats Sundin into the mix. At this point, with goaltender Roberto Luongo rounding into form, tweaking is probably the course of action come Wednesday. Players already mentioned -- Kuba on the blueline and Reasoner up front -- are of the ilk Gillis is likely to target.<br /></blockquote><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090302.WBhockeyblog20090302205154/WBStory/WBhockeyblog/">Globe and Mail</a>:</span> <blockquote><br />Meanwhile, Atlanta still has some depth forwards to peddle before they become unrestricted free agents.<br /><br />Centre Marty Reasoner has 10 goals and is on pace for a career high. He wins face-offs and is plus-nine on an awful team. Eric Perrin can play all three forwards positions and, like Reasoner, he kills penalties. Perrin wants out of Atlanta, according to the Journal-Constitution.</blockquote><br /><br />I'll update today as I find stuff.<br /><br />Loxy out.Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-1135601584926337022009-03-02T21:12:00.002-05:002009-03-02T21:23:58.814-05:00Where does my man go?<a href="http://s447.photobucket.com/albums/qq197/stolo17/?action=view¤t=DSC_0128.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq197/stolo17/DSC_0128.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Marty Reasoner won't likely be an Atlanta Thrasher after the trade deadline. He's a UFA at the end of the season and is a good depth guy who can win faceoffs and kill penalties. He's also my favourite player. <br /><br />Duh. <br /><br />Anyways, a friend of mine mentioned the potential of him coming to Vancouver. If I watch that happen on Wednesday, I will have no idea what to do. <br /><br />None.Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-90223205533065132372009-02-27T03:10:00.001-05:002009-02-27T03:12:51.202-05:00Wanna know how I feel about tonight's game?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://d3gkbha1s7sr56.cloudfront.net/someecards/filestorage/cfh_78.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 425px; height: 237px;" src="http://d3gkbha1s7sr56.cloudfront.net/someecards/filestorage/cfh_78.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-70737641922660067862009-02-15T13:51:00.002-05:002009-02-15T13:54:37.366-05:00Breaking NEWS: Marty Reasoner reads<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_FwOB3h_cIrc/R4mFcLWwHJI/AAAAAAAACmw/5_vBF0d87NA/Oilers+Autographs+2008+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 456px; height: 303px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_FwOB3h_cIrc/R4mFcLWwHJI/AAAAAAAACmw/5_vBF0d87NA/Oilers+Autographs+2008+024.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />From the <a href="http://www.ajc.com/thrashers/content/sports/thrashers/stories/2009/02/14/thrashers_plane_flights.html">Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">Reader and movie watcher Marty Reasoner flew a lot last season when he played for Edmonton, a long way from other NHL cities. The Oilers took two two-week road trips and two one-week road trips every year.<br /></blockquote><br /><br />I get too stressed watching or listening to Oilers games this season to write anything... but I'm just letting you know I'm still here.Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31712215.post-51776325674726248962009-02-01T13:38:00.002-05:002009-02-01T13:47:15.999-05:00It's like a shout out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lX5LzB0C-V7ggJm9NCy2IgHaV-T-esyTiynzAcXZnh4O-BFqLdgaqkrtYfi7Bo401GVSULQVer0qhp9b_aPTUT-4hwcgOeyqUeExpyMxohqp9YWKiuG9BlreVLxYX5-VX9tVQg/s1600-h/Picture+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lX5LzB0C-V7ggJm9NCy2IgHaV-T-esyTiynzAcXZnh4O-BFqLdgaqkrtYfi7Bo401GVSULQVer0qhp9b_aPTUT-4hwcgOeyqUeExpyMxohqp9YWKiuG9BlreVLxYX5-VX9tVQg/s400/Picture+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297900380142427762" /></a><br /><br />I never feel good about Sunday afternoon games. I'm sure there is probably a statistical explanation for this, but hot oil isn't the place for real depth game coverage. <br /><br />Things I'm hoping for this game: <br /><br />1. Roli plays decently. In other words, he stops 9 out of 10 shots. He shakes off his helmet at least once. He gives out a few hits with his blocker. I don't like when Roli gets TOO much on a roll, things fall apart after that. I just want "good enough" right now. <br /><br />2. A good effort. I don't think it's much to ask of a team to put in the effort that they are paid to give. Too often this Oiler team is up and down. Just some sustained roll would be nice. <br /><br />3. Ethan Moreau doesn't try too much. I'm scared he's starting to think he's an all-around player. Just don't take the stupid penalties and I'll be happy with just your pretty face. <br /><br />Off to cover a Chinese New Year parade. Hopefully I can catch some of the online banter in the comments at <a href="http://lowetide.blogspot.com">Lowetide</a> later. <br /><br />Goilerz!<br /><br />Clap clap!Loxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415695158117492065noreply@blogger.com2