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.
"At least the DJ was playing 'ballroom blitz' during that stoppage in play" - Time traveller from the `70s sitting in Rexall right now
@ David S: I think it was Gregor saying they already threw a tonne of cash at the plant...money well spent. NOT!!
Did I just hear "Cherry Pie" by Warrant being played at RX1?? OMG Now Nilsson down???
can this get any worse? geeezzz
Nilsson. *facepalm*
NILSSON?????
Leave it to Dr. Debrusk to make a diagnosis
Oh hooray. Another injury. And even still, Brule and Schremp won't get a chance to play!
@ David S: mmmmmmmmmmm. No Doubt!
@ Wanye Gretz:
And the man at the back said Everyone attack and it turned into a ballroom blitz And the girl in the corner said Boy, I wanna warn ya, it'll turn into a ballroom blitz Ballroom blitz, ballroom blitz, ballroom blitz Ballroom blitz
*dances while tattered rags come off*
R-DAWG wrote: I think it was Gregor saying they already threw a tonne of cash at the plant…money well spent. NOT!!
'Twas me and I stand behind my story. Just like Larry Flint would
Oh what? I'm late?
baggedmilk wrote:
Dances in circle, hobo pants fall to ankles causing tripping
Dr. Louie DeBrusk Esq. PhD. in "I know NOTHING"
Wanye Gretz wrote:
LOOK WHAT YOU DID!!!
jeanshorts wrote:
*stares into horizon with deep concern*
Which Oiler will appear on the injury list next?
My money is on Tom Gilbert.
*turns up The Old Apartment by the Barenaked Ladies*
Amber McCormick wrote:
What a sweet job to sit in a NHL building and talk out your ass...even I can do that...as u all can tell!
Maybe if a couple more get hurt we can pull some of the Legacy seat holders to suit up and hit the ice.
I predicted a 5-1 Sharks win with my co-workers. Come on Sharks, you can get 1 more!
Maybe Anderson is still in the building?
baggedmilk wrote:
Good jam
Nothing. We've got absolutely nothing.
Although I have to say that it's pretty much what I expected. Still, the reality of the hopelessness is debilitating.
And the warriors lost.
Poulliot was ROBBED
What's Marc Pouliot doing? I thought the game was already over.
@ Jonathan Willis: No one told him that in French :/
baggedmilk wrote:
I would have taken you for a "Pinch Me" man
La match de hockey est finie.
Amber McCormick wrote:
Dammit Amber. Stop it. You're sending me from 6 to 12.
my god. this is way worse than I could have imagined. losing guys to injury is way worse than a blowout loss...
Why can't Moreau, Horcoff and Staios get injured instead???
:( OK lets talk about Mac-t's post game presser...on Gregors show someone asked about the media asking the tough questions...how about "Craig when is this team going to stop sucking the life out of every Oilers fan and stop getting your asses kicked???
I will not stop watching this game!
Wanye Gretz wrote:
It's like watching a horrible car accident. You know you shouldn't look but you can not help but staring.
If we were all wearing kilts we could all moon the Sharks bench in a very Braveheart fashion.
Cheap night for Jayman Master Builders tonite
I think Jayman Master has a great deal going. $75 per hit.....10 whole hits in this game....sniff sniff
Men against boyz...
*writes name in snow*
*make stencil for Amber*
@ R-DAWG: lol
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Just as I won't stop poking the bruise on my shin. I know it's going to hurt yet I keep pokin'.
baggedmilk wrote:
Awww, how did you know that I've always dreamt of writing my name in the snow?!
"In danger of seeing their losing streak grow to two"??? Quinn=dork
@ jeanshorts: ahahahahahahahahahahhaahhhaaa
You make me so sad
jeanshorts wrote:
As soon I hit "Post Comment" I thought to myself, "Self, why open that door?"
Best part tonight is seeing Evanka
Evanka Osmak is the only reason I still watch Sportsnet.
"I think we just needed a new voice behind the bench. A tweak in the system."
ARE YOU LISTENING KATZ OR TAMBO OR LOWE ET ALL?
@ jeanshorts: You speak the truth brother!