Sunday, May 21, 2006
Game 1 Recap and Thoughts on the Fans, etc.
Well, it wasnt the greatest game but we still won, so I will take it. The best part was Roli's hail Mary to Pecs. WOW, I was in disbelief even after he scored. I felt Anaheim would score right after that, and a deflected shot from MacDonald did the trick.
All is well though, as we gritted it out and won. The thing is, and other blogs like Lowetide and Blac Dog have suggested this also, is that I no longer feel nervous every game. It seems that my psyche knows the Oilers will win, and allows the rest of my body to remain relatively calm. Its a feeling I havent had as an Oiler fan since I was a little kid. The late 90's and early 00's were not kind to me and other Oiler fans, always hoping that by some miracle we could desperately cling to a victory or two.
This brings me to the other point I wanted to make. All the fellas, and ladies ;), over at the Hockey's Future boards seem to be very loathe to suggest that there is even an iota of a possibility that we might lose. I can understand their reluctance and respect the superstitions, I think its time to ditch the self depreciating fan behaviour.
Lets get a little cocky. Why not? The '80s Oilers were all about swagger. So why not these guys? The current edition doesnt boast the likes of Gretz, Mess, Kurri et al., but they believe in themselves and each other. They know they can win and dont seem to get flustered when things arent going well for them. They show no signs of panic and will fight back from anything. I mean, Hemsky is blocking shots and dishing out hits. He gets steamrolled by Beauchemin and gets up and scores. They arent scared of anyone and know FEEL they can win it all.
I think the fans are doing the bos a disservice by not buying in as well. No need to keep it secret, sing it loud and proud!
GO OILERS GO!
All is well though, as we gritted it out and won. The thing is, and other blogs like Lowetide and Blac Dog have suggested this also, is that I no longer feel nervous every game. It seems that my psyche knows the Oilers will win, and allows the rest of my body to remain relatively calm. Its a feeling I havent had as an Oiler fan since I was a little kid. The late 90's and early 00's were not kind to me and other Oiler fans, always hoping that by some miracle we could desperately cling to a victory or two.
This brings me to the other point I wanted to make. All the fellas, and ladies ;), over at the Hockey's Future boards seem to be very loathe to suggest that there is even an iota of a possibility that we might lose. I can understand their reluctance and respect the superstitions, I think its time to ditch the self depreciating fan behaviour.
Lets get a little cocky. Why not? The '80s Oilers were all about swagger. So why not these guys? The current edition doesnt boast the likes of Gretz, Mess, Kurri et al., but they believe in themselves and each other. They know they can win and dont seem to get flustered when things arent going well for them. They show no signs of panic and will fight back from anything. I mean, Hemsky is blocking shots and dishing out hits. He gets steamrolled by Beauchemin and gets up and scores. They arent scared of anyone and know FEEL they can win it all.
I think the fans are doing the bos a disservice by not buying in as well. No need to keep it secret, sing it loud and proud!
GO OILERS GO!
Thursday, May 18, 2006
OILERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS WIN
That was so sweet. Words cannot express the pure elation that Game 6 brought to me. I havent had this experience since I was 16 and we lost to the Blackhawks (Can you believe anyone used to lose to them?) in 1992.
What a game! Did anyone see the assload of breakaways? I dont even care that we tried 5-hole 6 times and didnt score, even though we have been beating Toskala like a rented mule up high. Whatever, the point is that we won, and didnt have to scramble and hold on for dear life like we usually do.
This team, in my opinion, is special. They went through that terrible losing streak in the early going, never went on a prolonged win streak, and fought goalie demons all year. Yet, they perservered and are now in the Conference finals. There isnt really anything else that can happen to these guys that will rattle them, I mean they block shots with their faces, how much do you think they care if "experts" dont pick them to win?
I cannot wait for the series to start. For the first time since I was a little kid, I do not watch Oiler games thinking about the lucky bounces they will need to win. They get pretty balanced scoring, and are monsters defensively. Roloson has becoming the steady presence between the pipes that they have needed for so long. I am feeling so good about this!
Kyle out!
What a game! Did anyone see the assload of breakaways? I dont even care that we tried 5-hole 6 times and didnt score, even though we have been beating Toskala like a rented mule up high. Whatever, the point is that we won, and didnt have to scramble and hold on for dear life like we usually do.
This team, in my opinion, is special. They went through that terrible losing streak in the early going, never went on a prolonged win streak, and fought goalie demons all year. Yet, they perservered and are now in the Conference finals. There isnt really anything else that can happen to these guys that will rattle them, I mean they block shots with their faces, how much do you think they care if "experts" dont pick them to win?
I cannot wait for the series to start. For the first time since I was a little kid, I do not watch Oiler games thinking about the lucky bounces they will need to win. They get pretty balanced scoring, and are monsters defensively. Roloson has becoming the steady presence between the pipes that they have needed for so long. I am feeling so good about this!
Kyle out!
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Change of Format...
Hello All,
I have recently become very disallusioned with politics. In America, it seems Conservatives are imploding due to infighting and their basic failure to actually act Conservative. If the MSM actually wins this debtate and puts a Democrat in the Whitehouse, I will face 4 to 8 years of merciless hazing at the lands of the radical left. And by radical left I mean friends, professors and in-laws. W has abandoned his base and is flirting with becoming a prettier Hilary. The only brightspot on the political landscape is Stephen Harper. Wow, this guy is so impressive. From his talking down to the media, to one liners in Question period to his increasingly stiff backbone, this dude has it all.
Alas, his unleashing of a conservative tide on Canada is not enough to bolster my flagging spirits. So for the next few weeks, Two Conservative Canadians will become yet another Oiler blog.
I am officially Cup Crazy and enraptured with my team's performance thus far in the Stanley Cup playoffs. They have shown an immense sense of pride, grit and have exhibited a deepness unseen in Northern Alberta since about 1992.
They play hurt, they play tough and they play to win. They are even exhibiting a killer instinct, something I did not know they possessed.
Game 6 against the Sharks goes tonight, in about 3.75 hours. I am giddy like a school girl to get home, lose the tie and throw on the retro 80s jersey. It is going to be a crazy game, and I imagine they Oiler faithful will blow the roof right off of Rexall.
Todd Harvey checks into the lineup tonight in place of Brad Winchester. I am not 100% sold on changing a winning formula, but Harvey is a veteran presence and likely wouldnt mind sticking it to his old team. I think he will be a valuable commodity should the game be a long and drawn out or nasty affair. Winchester is big and fast, but Harvey has grit written all over him.
The X-factor to this game, in my opinion, will be how the Sharks respond after folding like a cheap tent in Game 5. As has been suggested on other blogs, the feeling is that one or two quick goals will cause the Sharks to wash up on shore, so to speak.
I am predicting a 4-2 Oilers win, as that has been my prediction from Game 3 onward. I see the Oiler goals coming from Pronger, Smyth, Pisani and Stoll. I think we get 2 on the PP. I couldnt care less who scores the Sharks goals, though I would take a Thornton-Cheechoo combo to solidify my lead in my work draft.
Thats all for now!!! Lets Go Oilers, Lets Go! Win. Do it.
I have recently become very disallusioned with politics. In America, it seems Conservatives are imploding due to infighting and their basic failure to actually act Conservative. If the MSM actually wins this debtate and puts a Democrat in the Whitehouse, I will face 4 to 8 years of merciless hazing at the lands of the radical left. And by radical left I mean friends, professors and in-laws. W has abandoned his base and is flirting with becoming a prettier Hilary. The only brightspot on the political landscape is Stephen Harper. Wow, this guy is so impressive. From his talking down to the media, to one liners in Question period to his increasingly stiff backbone, this dude has it all.
Alas, his unleashing of a conservative tide on Canada is not enough to bolster my flagging spirits. So for the next few weeks, Two Conservative Canadians will become yet another Oiler blog.
I am officially Cup Crazy and enraptured with my team's performance thus far in the Stanley Cup playoffs. They have shown an immense sense of pride, grit and have exhibited a deepness unseen in Northern Alberta since about 1992.
They play hurt, they play tough and they play to win. They are even exhibiting a killer instinct, something I did not know they possessed.
Game 6 against the Sharks goes tonight, in about 3.75 hours. I am giddy like a school girl to get home, lose the tie and throw on the retro 80s jersey. It is going to be a crazy game, and I imagine they Oiler faithful will blow the roof right off of Rexall.
Todd Harvey checks into the lineup tonight in place of Brad Winchester. I am not 100% sold on changing a winning formula, but Harvey is a veteran presence and likely wouldnt mind sticking it to his old team. I think he will be a valuable commodity should the game be a long and drawn out or nasty affair. Winchester is big and fast, but Harvey has grit written all over him.
The X-factor to this game, in my opinion, will be how the Sharks respond after folding like a cheap tent in Game 5. As has been suggested on other blogs, the feeling is that one or two quick goals will cause the Sharks to wash up on shore, so to speak.
I am predicting a 4-2 Oilers win, as that has been my prediction from Game 3 onward. I see the Oiler goals coming from Pronger, Smyth, Pisani and Stoll. I think we get 2 on the PP. I couldnt care less who scores the Sharks goals, though I would take a Thornton-Cheechoo combo to solidify my lead in my work draft.
Thats all for now!!! Lets Go Oilers, Lets Go! Win. Do it.
Shoes
