GDB 40: Groundhog Day at RX1
Jason Gregor
January 09 2009 12:56PM
Let me apologize for the lameness of this post. Like Jason Arnott, “I just wasn’t into it tonight.” That is how I am today. I rarely complain about the weather, but I’m sure sick of this -57 crap every morning, and going to the Oiler locker room feels like Groundhog Day.
Same story over and over, except Phil Connors was able to save the kid from falling from the tree, stopped a guy from choking, learned to play the piano and ended up with sexy Rita.
Today I got none of it. I won’t be helping Dustin Penner learn to show up even 60 per cent of the time, Ales Hemsky is still hurt, the music will still be sub par at the game tonight and I’ll be sitting by Rishaug not some hottie in the pressbox.
There was one difference today. It was an optional practice, on a game day no less, and Robert Nilsson showed up with all of his teammates except Shawn Horcoff. Horcoff will dress, and while MacTavish didn’t want to reveal who will be his right winger, I discovered it will be Liam Reddox. MacTavish likes to play Horcoff against the other team’s top line, so Reddox gets the call. YIPPIE.
MacTavish did admit that this team is still in a state of flux when it comes to their system.
“There is a bit of transitional period where you go from a team two years ago that was going to be physically reliable and had a certain amount of power to our game and we could rely on that. Now we are transitioning more to offensive puck moving team, and it has been a slower transition than what we would have anticipated based on what we saw last year. I still feel we are making good progress in that regard, and I look forward to a healthy team to see what we have.”
FYI Craig, you will be at the halfway point of the season on Sunday. Outside of Hemsky, and Horcoff’s wonky back your team has been healthy. Of course, Hemsky makes a world of difference. This team isn’t good enough to absorb his absence, and because no one else can score changing up the lines makes little sense.
But I’m kind of torn with his statement. I can go ballistic and say, “What you talking about Craig,” or I could applaud the coach for being patient with young guys and sticking to their strengths. Because it is clear the Oilers don’t have the horses to play anything resembling a power game. Well, the former is where I stand.
I said at the start of the year, 40 games is where I would evaluate this team, and here we are hours away from game 40 and this team is still as inconsistent as ever. Jekyll and Hyde have nothing on the Oilers. They didn’t take advantage of an extended stay at home and now they are in chase mode again. Win five or lose five in a row, at least do something unexpected. How about a line brawl? Or score eight goals. Do something, anything that would be outside of the same old same old routine of the past three seasons.
But just like the Groundhog Day, a win or a loss tonight won’t change a thing. The coach isn’t going anywhere, the players have yet to learn to be consistent, the music will still be sucky tonight, and I will spend a Friday night at the rink with Rishaug. How depressing. (Let’s hope the camera guy at least puts a few of Edmonton’s finest on the big screen tonight).
And yes, Dwayne Roloson will start tonight.
Wanye Gretz wrote:
LOLOLOLOL
jeanshorts wrote:
*Smashes jeanshorts with a tire iron*
Wanye Gretz wrote:
*High fives Wayne*
Wanye Gretz wrote:
*Steals jeanshorts' wallet*
Dammit, filled with nothing but R&R stickers.
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Wah, what happened? I blacked out before the third period. Did the Oilers win? Why are my pants off? Why are (I ALWAYS HAVE THE LAST WORD JEANSHORTS - WG) I doubt there is a connection there.
Also I love estelle getty. For her looks.
Oilers dressing room:
"OK guys. Let's try to pick it up, put a few in and make a game of it."
San Jose dressing room:
"OK guys. At least three sticks have to touch the puck before you put it in. And this time let's make sure we reserve enough tables at Diesel after the game."
baggedmilk wrote:
And pokemon cards
Glove to the grill? Really? SPORTSNET??
David S wrote:
LMAO
My pokemon brings all the boys to the yard and they're like "you wanna trade cards?"
baggedmilk wrote:
You should really stand and take a bow. That was pretty good. For you anyway.
I would rather watch Steve Staios beat Liam Reddox within an inch of his life than watch Setoguchi play badminton.
Is this supposed to sell tickets/jerseys/oven mitts?
jeanshorts wrote:
DAMN YOU THOUGHT POLICE!!!!!!!!
Amber McCormick wrote:
No it wasn't: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frJ5quhBeG4&feature=related
@ Amber McCormick:
I wish I could take credit... Unfortunately I cannot.
jeanshorts wrote:
BAHAHA
*farts loudly in triumph*
@ Whoops: See i'm so out of the 'cool-loop' I don't even know these things. Oh the youngin's with their crazy ways, long hair and that rock n' roll music.
On behalf of the OilersNation Anderson:
Grow back the moustache.
@ baggedmilk: Next time try and show some creativity. I know it's hard and it gives you gas but I'm sure someone else from the ON team with burp you.
Is it just me, or does Glen Anderson look like Patrick Swayze in Point Break?
On behalf of Oilers fans everywhere Anderson:
Suit up. Please.
@ Amber McCormick: When you insult me I can't help but
(I am going to fight you JSBM - WG)
jeanshorts wrote:
swoon
Oh great. Big sexy with a quite possibly broken thumb. AWESOME! Might as well just cancel Christmas next year.
*sobs and poops uncontrollably*
So I guess all we can look forward to now is Stauffer telling bar jokes just before the post game scrum starts on the Oilers site.
Announcer: Sheldon Souray has left the game with a hand injury.
Lowe: You wanna make a trade or should I? Tambellini: *drool*
What's a trade? We can do that?
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Come get some big boy.
@ baggedmilk:
That's what she said.
baggedmilk wrote:
He can't beat both of us! If we're both on PCP!
Come on Willis. Nilsson needs a little more of your magic tonight.
@ jeanshorts: @ Amber McCormick:
*loads stungun, charges taser*
Kill someone Mac
Please gods of hockey let this be the game the Oilers decide to fight everyone.
Oh great not Stortini
Why is Cole not with Gagner?
Why is the 4th line not together?
Why is Horcoff still an Oiler?
Why is MacT thinking that sitting Reddox was a bad idea? (I know you are MacT)
Why is there no effort?
YAY! More hugging, more injuries, less scoring, more losses! At least the status quo is back to normal.
There's no magic left on this team.
And Stortini's down. That's a bad thing, believe it or not.
Ew gross he broke his leg Debrusk. It's pretty clear.
*barfs in mouth*
Poor Stortini
Broken leg...
Oh sweet lord, that was brutal. Stortini smash!!
Please God take my eyes but not Stortini!!!!
Yeah this team isn't jinxed at all.
*stares out window nervously for rest of season*
Smokin' Ray wrote:
Because Reddox can find his ass without the aid of a map and compass in the defensive zone.
He ain't a great player by any stretch, but his skillset is underrepresented in the lineup right now. Hell, I'd dress him over Moreau these days.
Stort's knee was twisted like a pretzel. I have had that happen and it does not tickle!
What the hell did I miss!!!
Zack's gone for the season. I really feel bad for the guy. We just lost 50% of the heart of the team.
This is not good. That injury speaks to the overall state of the Oilers right now.
@ R-DAWG:
Stortini snapped his leg pretty good, and Louie DeBrusk in his infinite wisdom kept calling it a concussion.
Louie Debrusk's past two games
Last game: Doesn't understand what a natural hat trick is. Keeps saying Bernier could get one though the Oilers had scored.
This game: Mistakes a torn everything in a knee injury for a concussion.
Everything is going so crappy. I am floored by everything
Not only is Zach's leg most likely broken, I can bet there is some serious ACL and/or MCL damage as well.
On a side note, how many times this year have you heard the term "hopped over his stick". I'd say the ice sucks but I don't want a zamboni blocking my car tomorrow morning.
Wasn't it Wanye saying earlier this year that they were fixing the ice plant?