QUICK HITS AND DAY THREE
By Jason Gregor
12 years ago
You know Eric Belanger is struggling when even google images doesn’t have a picture of him in an Oiler jersey, instead you get tasty treats like this one of his some model named Eric Belanger. I’m sure once Belanger scores a goal in an Oiler jersey google will have a picture of him, it just won’t be on page two.
Belanger has yet to light the lamp in his 27 games as an Oiler. He admitted it is weighing on him. "You want to make a good impression with your new teammates, and while I think I’m doing other things to help the team it is frustrating not scoring. I try not to think about it, but in Canada everyone knows your stats so I hear about it all the time. I love playing here where hockey matters, but it is a different kind of pressure than what you have in Phoenix. There I wouldn’t think about it, but here, even though I try not to worry about it, it (not scoring) is always in the back of my mind."
Belanger wasn’t signed to score goals, he was signed to win draws, play solid defensively, kill penalties and chip in offensively. He’s been good in every area except scoring, but he realizes that being on the PP means he needs to start scoring.
The good news, or bad depending on how you look at it, is that Belanger had a 27-game goal-less drought last year and still finished with 13 goals. If he can somehow score 13 in the final 53 games he and the fans would be happy.
The Oilers spent lots of time working on their PP today, and while the units looked the same, it seems they will have a few new quirks, and much more movement.
QUICK HITS
- I like the realignment, and once Phoenix moves east the Oilers and their fans should like it even more, because the Oilers will have a better chance (%wise) of making the playoffs. I love the playoff format, because the chances of building rivalries should increase. That will lead to more intense regular season games, because of the hatred built during the playoffs and that is great for the game, the players and the fans.
- Sam Gagner has played much better the past six or seven games, and now that he finally scored I’m curious to see if that gets him going even more. He is starting to look more comfortable on the wing, and when Hall returns I’m curious to see if they finally send Magnus Paajarvi to OKC and have Gagner on 3rd line LW with Belanger and Jones.
- Do we need names of the new "conferences" in the NHL? The old four names were great, but many seem to think they should re-name them instead of going back to the old four names. Do you agree? Do you care? Jim Matheson from the journal suggested naming them Gretzky, Howe, Orr and Lemieux. What do you think. I’m indifferent.
DAY THREE
Yesterday we raised $3,300 for Santas Anonymous. Dan F. made the generous bid and took home a pair of tickets to all 10 World Junior Championships games at Rexall Place. Thanks Dan.
TODAY
Today we will be auctioning off a great golf package. This package is awesome for the golf fanatic and you can help make Christmas very special for some families in need.
A Calloway RazrHawk Driver and a fitting at brand new Calloway Performance Centre in Sherwood Park.
20 hours of golf at Evolution Golf. You can refine your game all winter.
Round for four, including carts, at The Ranch Golf and Country Club.
An Oilers Cart golf bag signed by Nugent-Hopkins, Jones and Petry from Speak Volumes Promotions.
If you want to bid you can call 780.426.8326 or email gregor@theteam1260.com Bidding starts at 2 p.m and ends at 5:45 MST.
Thanks in advance.
Recent articles from Jason Gregor
