GDB 75: Robert Frost's hockey wisdom lives on
Jason Gregor
March 27 2009 01:43PM
A few weeks ago my neighbour strolled up to my door toting a bottle of Bacardi Limon -- best drink going if you mix with water -- so I let her in. We yapped for a bit, poured a few Limons, but the Oilers game came on so I pretty much gave her the proverbial nod every few seconds suggesting I was listening to her. She must have caught on that I wouldn’t be engaging in any conversation until a commercial or intermission, so she sat at my computer and checked her e-mail.
I thought it was harmless enough, until the next morning when I open my Outlook and I have some email from Audri and Jim Landford. I’m like WTF, why isn’t my spam detector working? But, of course I had to see who it was from...
Maybe Carney Lansford, one of the greatest third basemen ever, died and left me something in his will. I wasn’t a baseball enthusiast growing up, but he was one my favourite ball players.
I never played ball -- hated it in fact. I tried it once when I was seven and they put me in the outfield. After six innings of swatting mosquitoes, looking like Les Nessman from WKRP in Cincinnati and getting no balls hit to me, I announced to my dad that I would not be coming back. At that age, there is no more boring sport than baseball.
Anyways, Lansford rocked and he had a great ‘stache too. And he had a cameo as Kit “hit or Die” Kesey in the 1994 remake of Angels in the Outfield.
** Yes it was a Disney movie, but I’ll watch any sports movie, and don’t say you didn’t believe in the possibility of angels when the kids started flapping their arms in the final game. Admit it, you believed a bit.***
Well Audri and Jim aren’t Carney’s parents; rather, they are some inspirational speakers or something, and my neighbour felt it was necessary that I receive these quotes. Every day now I get an inspirational quote from some famous person that is supposed to brighten my day. Yesterday it was:
"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest." -- Mark Twain
Thanks Mark, I’ll try that one.
Today this is what I got -- brace yourselves Oiler fans:
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." -- Robert Frost
Frost is a famous American poet, in case you didn’t know. And I can tell you that without those inspirational words I might not have realized that in fact I would still be breathing today. Thanks, Tips.
Oh bla dee, oh bla da
Life does indeed go on, but after watching that debacle last night, you wonder if the Oilers will go on to the playoffs. And if they, many of us will have a big part of our lives put on hold until next October.
While life goes on, it sure sucks going on in a city void of playoffs. Everyone is happier when the Oilers are in the playoffs. Hell, even Brownlee’s scowl softens as young lasses who can’t name two players on the team drive around the city flashing passing motorists. (True story in the run of 2006, the JAG mobile got flashed every day by random girls after the Oil beat the Sharks in round two. Some days it pays to have your show name plastered on the Kia.)
It’s been two springs of nothing since, and after yesterday’s incredibly bad effort against the lowly Phoenix freakin’ Coyotes, I’m worried we’ll experience another flashless spring.
It was game 74 last night, and you would think that by now the PP could at least string together three consecutive passes. Or how about this novel idea: if the first unit can’t do anything, then start the second unit on the PP. Do you not want some healthy competition amongst the units?
Where was the desire? The urgency? Don’t give me this garbage about Phoenix being loose, so it’s easier for them to play. They aren’t that good. Colorado is supposed to be loose and they keep getting blown out by five or six goals a night.
The Oilers better wake up tonight. The Ducks have won five straight, and six of their last seven. They’ve won two in OT and two in the SO.
In their last two home games they are a ridiculous seven for ten on the PP. They are rotating their goalies, yet they still win. The Ducks are playing aggressive, in-your-face-yet-disciplined hockey right now. They look like a team that wants to be in the playoffs.
We’ll find out tonight if the Oilers truly want to be in the playoffs.
- Show up early.
- Compete.
- Hit.
- Shoot the damn puck.
- Crash the crease.
- Play Stortini.
I know he isn’t a game breaker, but at least Stortini gives you some energy and spark, and he’ll stand up to Anaheim, something very few forwards on this team seem willing to do.
As the great American Poet Robert Frost said about life: it goes on.
Well Mr. Frost, in Edmonton life sure sucks if it goes on without some NHL playoffs. And it sucks even worse if you drink pansy American beer while doing it. Here’s to some good old fashion Pilsner, Molson Canadian, OV, Labatt Blue, Black Label, Grasshopper or any other Canadian Beer that tickles your fancy.
Tonight we drink real beer, (Or Bacardi Limon with Water) and we get set for some playoffs!
** Game day update:
- Stortini and JF Jacques are in.
- Nilsson and Reddox are out.
This is a smart move by MacT, and we'll see more energy in tonight's game because of these moves.
Shots are 30-17 for the Ducks.
This is going to be the longest 20 minutes of the year.
They're getting outplayed a bit but, they have the lead. Let's go third period!
I wish we had the nutz to put one more in.
one more goal would be nice. really nice.
One more goal for the Oilers that is. dammit.
All vetrans on the ice standing like pylons on Perry's goal
Dear Roli,
I love you.
wow, 42 shots on Roli, and there's still half of the third left.
You have GOT to be joking!
When are we going to learn that sitting on a lead almost never works out. We're making these guys look like freaking Detroit!
The Colosol Fossil is gonna get tired 43 shots already I see overtime.
Losin my mind here! Come on boys lets get a shorty!
Double to boot!
double minor. crap.
I'm following the gamecast on ESPN. Are the Oilers playing with 3 men or something?
Librarian Mike wrote:
No, just Roli. Well..for most of the third anyway.
Roloson needs an aluminum bat.
Librarian Mike: hxxp://atdhe.net/live-tv.php?i=12532444
(my other post is "awaiting moderation")
Do you think the NHL wants the Ducks to make it instead of the Oilers the way the reffing has been?
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EMPTY NETTER FOR KOTALIK!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO 2 POINTS!
well holy sh*t....
Yay!!!!!!!!!!! Do they need to make it so stressful?
Wow. How do you suck so bad and still get the win???
Big win. HUGE!!!
You know the Ducks are just shaking their heads now about Roli.
@ David S: Thanks for the link!
By the way, I enjoyed your library video for Big Chill.
Roli Roli Roli! Sandra wrote:
Hell, with that poor reffing I hope MacT files a complaint. That was ridiculous, we were thinking the same thing here.
OK. Seriously. How in the f*ck is Roli doing this? Old man strength is keeping us in it.
Does anyone else think that Parross` moustache looks fake? also, I think the Sportsnet guys should get together on how they want to say "grebeshcov"
Just wanted to give Hemmer props for the effort to get that puck out on the EN goal great effort. The refs were on crack, that was very one sided 25 of the Ducks shots on the PP, thanks Roli.
Just like I said last night boys and Sandra, not to worry. Oil deserved to win the game. As I have said before, ref's have it out for Oil. Cogs, Moreau and Pisani had a great game. With that big win, no stopping Oil now.
Only thing that will stop the train is if Roli gets hurt as we have no plan B
Maybe MacT should move Roli up to the first line.
Just give Roli the freakin' Vezina already.
Can't we get some defence Roli see's a lot of rubber*insert porn reference here*. Wow when this teams wants to eek it out they can really eek it out, I'm talking rodent eeking, scavenger eeking. Even if we do make the playoffs, our 310 year old goalie will probably burn out in the first round then talk retirement. Anyways good to see the boys being able to win another stinker and keep our meager hopes alive of seeing a playoff game for the first time in four years. Maybe MacT should ditch the fro'!
When I watch the Oil (play) or eff-around on the ice, if you like, I realize the only reason they are even around the tail end of the legitimate play-off contenders is Roloson. Every game this Chinese fire drill of a hockey team get out-shot at least 2:1 and tonight it's almost 3:1. Egads. The Oil never BEAT anyone...ever. The best these dopes can accomplish is OUTSCORE the odd opponent from time to time. Think about it.
These guys are a gaggle of disorganized nincompoops who are either raw rookies or worn out vets who have never learned how to lead or win. If the Oil make the playoffs I think it's honestly safe to say there is no justice. I may be a shitty Oil fan but that's the way I see it.
To Moreau, Staios, and Horker,.... lead, follow or get the eff out of the way!
@ swany: Is it just me or does it seem like the team is ghost riding Roli a lot lately?
Serious question here,
Is there any backlash from the Oilers on how awful a game the "Referees" had? This isnt pre season and a game like that is inexcuseable.
@ Geneès Pubes:
i doubt they'll do anything. They'll take their 2 points and run. If we got jobbed and never got a point last night we may have heard something. That's my guess.
all those penalties werent the refs fault, they werent the ones spearing the ducks in the face, clearing pucks over the glass, throwing out 6 skaters, cross checking players with no abandon. Sure the refs missed a few makeup calls, they also made a few of them. Just be glad the PK showed signs of greatness
442Junkie wrote:
do the nucks ride Luie, do the Flames ride Kippy or how about the Blues and Cbus they ride both Masons. Roli is hot ride him, I do think in the next few games they will be a more effort on D to keep the shots down, but has anyone else noticed Roli is like a god when the shots get over 35 he just stops everything.
abbatoir wrote:
I don't think anyone is complaining about OUR penalties but the Ducks had alot that weren't called that's the problem.
swany wrote:
Some of the calls were border line calls against the Oilers.
Hey Gregor when are you going to have the girl who took Reids job on JAG? She sure looks a hell of a lot better than he does. I'll miss his humor on your show and his fat head on the news. Good luck to him in the big smoke.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLztJeuN8Os
I didn't notice that the officiating was particularly bad... I've SEEN poor officiating... Anyone remember game #4 in the 2006 series against Detroit?