B&J Oilers Recap (vs. Columbus Blue Jackets 10/22/09)

Welcome to Oilers Jambalaya. Beers & Jeers is a dual collaboration between Smokin' Ray and Paq Twinn.  We hope you enjoy our Edmonton Oilers full game recap.

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- Who's Out? More like who isn't?  The flu is running rampant in the Oiler dressing room.  Comrie is sick but playing.  Brule is sick and won't play.  Big Mac finally gets his 1st game of the year and draws in. So with the flu around, it's forced Quinn to change the lines.  Khabibulin starts in goal again.  I'm wondering why Deslauriers hasn't started again? I'm sure he will this weekend.

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Pre Game Records

Edmonton Oilers (5-2-1) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (5-2-0)

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TONIGHT'S STARTING LINES

Penner-Gagner-Hemsky
Comrie-Horcoff-O'Sullivan
Jacques-Cogliano-Nilsson
MacIntyre-Stortini-Moreau

Smid-Visnovsky
Gilbert-Grebeshkov
Strudwick-Chorney

Khabibulin
Deslauriers

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**These are Re-Tweets of Paq Twinn's LIVE TweetCast© at www.Twitter.com/PaqTwinn**

1st PERIOD

- Welcome to the Full Game LIVE *TweetCast* of the Oilers vs Blue Jackets
- I'm excited to see how the new lines will work out. Horc and Hemmer split up.
- Waiting for player intros, anthem's and puck drop.
- Here we go, Cogs thrown out, BJ's win the draw.
- Gags scores! :58 seconds in. Great slapper on a feed from Pens. 1-0 Oilers
- Oilers have plenty of jump and look sharp early on.
- A couple shifts in and the new lines look good
- Shots are 4-0 for the Oilers 15:00 remaining in the 1st.
- The new 1st line of Pens, Gags, and Hemmer looks great together
- The 4th of Big Mac, Storts and Moreau looks pretty good too
- Khabi hasn't faced a shot yet. 12:14 1st.
- The pace has been average with the Oilers controlling most of the play. BJ's not without some pressure.
- After a flurry of chances Khabi stops it and holds on. 1-0 Oilers 7:00 1st
- Patty-O gets leveled from behind by Methot. no call
- The Oilers 2nd and 3rd lines are starting to pick it up now
- Huselius scores. 1-1 tie game 3:58 1st
- Oilers PP 3:00 1st
- After some great pressure, and Garon without his stick, Pens takes 2 in the bin. 4 on 4
- BJ's go PP in the last min of play in the 1st
- Torres scores on the BJ's PP. 2-1 Blue Jacket's :23 1st
- After playing a great opening 15 mins the Oilers crapped the bed in the last 5 of the 1st. The Blue Jackets lead by one after one

2nd PERIOD

- 2nd period under way. 4 on 4 after Smid gets into a skirmish at end of 1st.
- Huselius scores from Voracek. 3-1 Blue Jacket's 17:53 2nd
- BJ's getting lots of pucks at Khabi.
- Oilers 1st line comes back with a good shift.
- Followed by a good one from the 4th
- The whosillyus line is the most dangerous for Columbus. I can't spell that guys name.
- Moreau take a roughing penalty. approx 15:00 remaining in the 2nd
- BJ's had the zone most of the PP, but the Oilers kill it off.
- Now Lubo takes a holding call at 11:29 remaining in the 2nd 3-1 BJ's
- More pressure from the BJ's but Khabi's standing his ground
- Pens with a great rush, followed by a flurry from the Oilers
- Chimera scores on rush up the wing. backhand top shelf. 4-1 Blue Jacket's 8:07 2nd
- Pens Scores! from Hemmer. 4-2 Blue Jacket's 7:51 2nd
- JFJ gets hit with a high stick. Oilers PP 6:18 2nd
- despite the score the #Oilers haven't been out played that badly. #thisaintover
- nothing on that PP, new one coming up. BJs 4 - Oilers 2   3:25 2nd
- Oilers get a 5 on 3 for :17
- Hemsky Scores! On nice point pass by Lubo (my star). 4-3 Blue Jacket's
- After falling down by 3 goals, the Oilers pulled up their socks, and cut it down to 1.
- Regardless of how this game turns out, the 1st line should stay for awhile. Pens has played even better tonight, if you can believe that.
- @toxxxicity Yes, Hemmer is playing good tonight. The best this year and the game is great.

3rd PERIOD

- 3rd period underway. BJ's win the draw.
- The pace is good to start the 3rd. Oilers PP 15:43 3rd
- Pens Scores! after Lubo makes a great D play to stop Nashes rush. tied 4-4
- Oilers PP looking good with the new 1st line + Patty-O on the point
- Pens, Gags, and Hemmer all have 4 points in this game.
- As long as Khabi doesn't let in "the next one" we should be good.
- Half way through the 3rd it still tied at 4.
- Lubo Scores! after a great rush up the ice. 5-4 Oilers
- Time for number six. GOILERS!
- 5 Goals, 5 Points each for Pens and Hemmer 5-4 Oilers 7:00 3rd
- Strudwick trips Chimera and goes off for 2. 6:06 3rd
- Khabi playin for keeps on this PK for the Oilers. Solid saves
- Horc had a good PK Timely clear
- Torres takes a dumb penalty, 2 mins for elbowing Oilers PP 3:14 3rd
- BJ's kill off one penalty, but take another immediately Oilers PP Last minute
- Nilsson Scores! on a flukey backhand clear from his own zone. 6-4 Oilers.
- Final score Oilers 6 Blue Jackets 4. Pens(1), Hemmer(2), Gags(3) get the stars tonight.
- Thanks for following this LIVE *TweetCast* Next game is Sat. @ the Flames. GOILERS!

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VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS




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FINAL SCORE


Columbus Blue Jackets - 4


Edmonton Oilers - 6

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GAME STATS
- Event Summary Link

- Game Summary Link

- Time on the Ice Report Link

- Post Game Video Interviews

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BAD TIMING PENALTY

Columbus Blue Jackets - Torres and Chimera taking those penalties are the definition of a Bad Timing Penalty, especially Chimera.  Dumb, dumb penalties.  Those two must have spent to much time hanging out with Staios and Moreau.  Notice how Quinn keeps Moreau off the ice near the end of the game? Strategy. *wink*

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GOAT WATCH

(Smokin' Ray) Ethan Moreau - I don't know what to say about him?  He clearly is a 4th liner now.  He really can't do much more than that anymore. 1/2 ways through the 3rd, Quinn had Moreau in Comrie's spot (sick) and he didn't look very good at all.  It was pretty clear that he's not who he used to be. He's a shade of Chopper now. Does anyone even say that anymore? Chopper?

(Paq Twinn) Robert Nilsson - He played ok tonight.  He scores on the empty net and honestly, he really didn't make any huge mistakes.  I think he's trying to not be Paq's goat anymore.  That's just too much pressure to be a goat.

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BEERS

Dustin Penner - Wow!  His 1st ever 5 point night.  THIS GUY IS FOR REAL!  He's on a mission and he's has the whole world to prove.  He looks like and old school Mario Lemieux out there.  Busting moves and scoring goals.  He had 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points and was a +3.  If you can believe this, he had 11 shots hit the net and missed only twice.  He even went 4W & 4L on faceoffs for 50%.  I was going to give him a Lucky beer, but this performance deserves better than that.  Have a keg of whatever kind of barley based drink you want. The big guy's choice.  Cheers!

Ales Hemsky - I'm sure no one is going to argue with me tonight about Hemsky.  This is the guy that Paq Twinn was talking about.  Finally he arrived this year.  I was getting worried that the old Hemsky was gone.  I'm sure this shuts down the trade talk for awhile on Hemsky.  He was fast and played like he wanted to be the best.  He had 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points.  He even fired 4 shots at the net.  Not a bad game for a guy who a game or two ago could have been traded (by the fans).  Excellent game Hemmer.  Penner won't share his keg so go and get your own. Cheers!

Sam Gagner - Is this little dude Sam the next #1 guy on the Oilers? If he plays like this,  then his butt does not move off of that 1st line. He it it up tonight with Penner and Hemsky.  All those weird and awkward games that Gagner and Hemsky had are long gone (hopefully) and I'm very excited for the next game against the fLames.  Sammy had 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points.  He was a game best 7W-2L on the faceoff dot for 78%.  Wow! No one (other than Comrie 2W-0L) was that good .  Who would have guessed that?  Not I.  Studly game for my STAR Gags.  Frosty Mini Keg? Cheers!

Lubomir Visnovsky - Every game he gets better and better.  He seems really comfortable and knows that he needs step it up and perform. Since the injuries, he's been the defensive leader.  He is Paq's star and playing like that sure makes him brag.  He scores the winner and had 2 assists.  He was the best guy on the blue line for the Oilers tonight.  Good job Vish.  Care for a cold Budweiser?  Cheers!

HONORABLE MENTION(S): Ladislav Smid (The Spaz is one of my favorite guys this year.  He fiery and explosive.  And he's a goalie on his spare time.  He earns an assist and was a +1 with 3 blocked shots. He was good.) Graham EDIT: Robert Nilsson (It was by far and away the grittiest game I've seen him play. He went to the dirty areas all game, battled hard on the boards, laid at least one big hit, and really just worked his ass off all night long)

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JEERS

None -

HONORABLE MENTION(S): Tom Gilbert (I really want to boo you, but I won't. He had a pretty sloppy game.),

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OUR GAME SUMMARIES

Smokin' Ray - I really like Pat Quinn.  He makes such good forward lines.  I liked all the lines tonight, even the 4th line.  They really should have played more.  Is Stortini sick too?  He only played 4:02.  And Big Mac logged in 2:44.  But whatever, we won. Yay!  I was also thankful that Quinn changed Horcoff out and inserted Gagner onto the 1st line.  Hemsky sure seemed happy to play with Penner again. Maybe after all this time, 83 needs 27 more than 83 needs 10.  *mind blows*  Great game Oilers.  Let's keep this up.

Paq Twinn - Well what can I say but, wow what a game. The new 1st line was very impressive. I've been saying to break up Horc and Hemmer for quite awhile now, and bang 5,5+3 point nights for Hemmer, Pens, and Gags respectively. They had a phenomenal game tonight. The 4th played pretty good, and the other 2 lines were average at best. Khabi let in more then I'd like, but he never let in "the next one", he was great when the team needed him to be. I give this game an B+, we could have been better, easily.

EDIT: Graham Martin - I honestly think that Nilsson deserves beers, or at the very least honorable mention. I thought that was one of the better games hes played as an Oiler. It was also by far and away the grittiest game I've seen him play. He went to the dirty areas all game, battled hard on the boards, laid at least one big hit, and really just worked his ass off all night long. outside of that top line, he was without question the best Oiler.

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NEXT GAME

Oilers vs. fLames <---- I don't like these guys.  *grrrrrrr*

Oct 24/09
8:00 pm MT
CBC

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Beers & Jeers #71: Edmonton Oilers vs. Minnesota Wild (10/16/09)

Welcome to Oilers Jambalaya. Beers & Jeers is a dual collaboration between Smokin' Ray and Paq Twinn. We hope you enjoy our Edmonton Oilers full game recap.

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- Who's Out? Ales Hemsky has a fever and will not be playing tonight.  Robert Nilsson will take his place alongside Horcoff and Comrie.  Go figure?  He's out for 4 games and POOF! On the 1st line.  Staios, Souray, Pisani, Pouliot and Peckham are injured.  Steve MacIntyre is a healthy scratch even though the big idiot, Derek Boogaard is playing.  Too bad.  That would have been a good scrap.

- I'm hearing that Robbie Schremp may be put on waivers once again. Apparently, even the New York Islanders (a really bad team) don't even need him anymore.  After 4 games he has 1 assist and is a -2.  So if they do put him back on waivers, the Oilers have 1st dibs on re-claiming him.  Would they do it? It's possible.  If I'm correct, I do believe that the Oilers can then send him straight to Springfield at that point.  But do the Oilers really need him back?  Not really.

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Pre-Game Records

Edmonton Oilers (3-2-1) vs. Minnesota Wild (1-4-0)

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TONIGHT'S STARTING LINES

Comrie-Horcoff-Nilsson
Penner-Gagner-O'Sullivan
Jacques-Brule-Stone
Moreau-Cogliano-Stortini

Strudwick-Visnovsky
Gilbert-Grebeshkov
Chorney-Smid

Khabibulin
Deslauriers

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** These are Re-Tweets of Paq Twinn's LIVE TweetCast at www.Twitter.com/PaqTwinn **

1st Period

- Here we go, the Wild win opening draw.
- The Wild are dealing with some injuries, same as the Oilers, most notably, Martin Havlat
- The Wild's starting goalie, Josh Harding, takes a delay of game penalty a minute and a half in. Oilers PP
- My "goat" Nilsson, screws the Oilers PP pressure, with a bad pass.
- The Oilers have a good pace going early in this game.
- Oilers looking good in this game. so far Minny has 0 shots. 13:45 1st.
- side note: Mike Comrie's girlfriend, Hillary Duff is in the crowd tonight.
- Oilers controlling the play, Harding looks sharp.
- Storts lays out Shepard with an open ice hit. 8:00 1st
- Boogaard nailed Lubo. Everyone's hitting now
- Oilers end up with a PP, after a scrum. 6:00 1st
- Oilers PP ends with little success. 0-0 still.
- Oilers 2nd line of 27,89,19 is looking good, same with the 1st of 91,10,12.
- Brule with a great shot, but it goes off the post.
- Wild getting pressure for the first time, in the last minute.
- 1st period ends tied at 0. Oilers hit 2 posts in the period.
- This was the fastest pace period I've ever seen the Wild play. No more trap.
- Oilers looking better than the last game. they're playing a smarter game.

2nd Period

- 2nd period about to begin. Oilers vs Wild 0-0 tie game
- Oilers all over the puck early in 2nd.
- Comrie scores! pass from Nilsson, 18:11 2nd. 1-0 Oilers
- Lubo makes back to back shot blocks.
- Oilers playing their game. Hit and skate, the crowd starts chanting "lets go Oilers" for the first time tonight.
- Strudwick blocks a shot. takes a penalty shortly after. Wild PP. 13:34 2nd
- Wild rank #6 on the PP.
- Oilers doing a good job on PK
- 2 face offs outside the zone on the PK. 1-0 Oilers 11:17 2nd
- Wild get some pressure, Khabi makes some saves.
- Patty-O hits Boogaard.
- Penner scores! thanks to the hit by Patty-O. 2-0 Oilers 8:01 left in the 2nd.
- Last 5 mins are dragging by in the 2nd
- The Wild's Pouliot (Benoit) scores. 3:18 2nd 2-1 Oilers
- Last min in the 2nd period.
- Stone scores! 3-1 Oilers A last minute goal
- That goal may go to Brule. After 2 periods the Oilers lead 3-1.
- Stoner says he didnt score, during interview at intermission.

3rd Period

- Getting ready for 3rd period action.
- The Oilers 3rd goal is credited to Brule.
- Oilers take a penalty right out of the gate.
- Patty-O doing a great job on PK for the Oilers. 17:17 left in the 3rd
- Horcoff takes 2 for holding.
- Brunette scores on the PP. 3-2 Oilers
- Oilers looking sloppy and slow early in the 3rd.
- Shepard takes a hard low wrister, Save by Khabi
- The pace is starting to pick up again. 13:25 3rd
- Hilbert goes off for high sticking. Oilers PP.
- Patty-O takes 2 for slashing. PP over. 4 on 4
- Wild get :55 of PP half way through the 3rd period
- Wild out shooting Oilers 28-14 Third game in a row
- Penner scores! a great pass from Gags leads to a butey tap in by Penner. 4-2 Oilers 7:47 left in the 3rd period
- Brule scores! off a scramble rebound. 5-2 Oilers 6:01 3rd
- Penner and Brule both have a 2 goal night going. A possible hattrick maybe?
- Chorney's having another solid game. 3:00 left in the 3rd
- Boogaard hammers Patty-O late in the game, Penner takes exception. Cheap hit.
- Oilers PP looks for revenge.
- Last min of the game
- Everyone's looking for Pens or Brule for the hatty's
- Game Over. Oilers Win 5-2.
- Patty-O(3), Brule(2), Penner(1) get the stars tonight.
- Overall a good game by the Oilers tonight. But with all due respect to the Wild, this was a game we should have won.
- Next up, the Canucks on Oct.19. hope everyone enjoyed this Live **TweetCast** brought to you in part by oilersjambalaya.blogspot.com

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FINAL SCORE

Minnesota Wild - 2

Edmonton Oilers - 5

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GAME STATS

- Event Summary Link
- Game Summary Link
- Video Highlights Link
- Oilers Post Game Comments Link

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BAD TIMING PENALTY

None - None that changed the outcome of the game.  O'Sullivan's slashing penalty was as close as it got for a BTP. But lucky for him the Wild already had a guy in the box and it only made it a 4 on 4 and then only gave the Wild a 55 second PP.  Plus no momentum was lost to the Oilers because of that penalty.

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GOAT WATCH

(Smokin' Ray) Ethan Moreau - He was his usual goat self.  He did nothing to contribute to the game.  Even though he didn't take a penalty late in the game (wow! amazing!), he still didn't do squat.

(Paq Twinn) Robert Nilsson - Can you believe it?  He was good.  He sits out for 4 games and looks better than Hemsky has on the 1st line.  Not much of a goat tonight.

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BEERS

Dustin Penner - The temporary Assistant Captain was a real force out there tonight.  I still can not believe how fast he is this year.  It's nothing short of phenonimal.  This was his 3rd multiple point game. He had 2 goals and was a +2.  I'm kinda thinking that he's earning his money this year (so far).  Enjoy a big frosty beer.  Mmmm.  Cheers!

Gilbert Brule - This guy is slowly making me into a huge fan.  Raffi who you say?  He nails the post, scores twice w/ 4 shots and goes 7W-6L 56% on the faceoff dot.  He played his best game as an Oiler tonight.  I hope there is more of that.  *Two thumbs up*  Good job Brew.  Have a cold Kokanee.  Cheers!

Nikolai Khabibulin - The wall was solid again tonight.  So far this year it looks like the Oilers may have a solid duo.  With Bulin being an Oiler (and doing well), we at least have some hope for the playoffs.  I wasn't huge on his signing but I'm getting there now.  For another great game... It's Miller Time. Cheers!

Ladislav Smid - I love this guy.  He's playing tough and is not making very many mistakes.  He finished the night with a +3 rating.  Very solid.  Glad to see him step up this year.  Quick Ladi... slam this beer. Cheers!

Lubomir Visnovsky - Just when you thought that Smid had a good +/-, Lubo comes out with a +4.  He started out the season in a fragile state, he's good now, just ask Boogaard.  He played with fire and passion tonight.  He's a stud and Paq Twinn made a good call when he picked him as his "star".  How about a good cold mug of Budweiser?  Cheers!

HONORABLE MENTION(S): Sam Gagner (He didn't play much in the 2nd, but once he got back out, he was buzzing like a bee.  He was +2 and had 1 assist), Patrick O'Sullivan (+2 and 1 assist.  He needed to shoot more), Zack Stortini (He kept the Boogeyman at bay and was a hitting machine.), Ryan Stone (Picked up 2 assists and played pretty good.), JF Jacques (Survived a hit from behind and made a few hits of his own.  He played tough.), Mike Comrie (Maybe he should bring Ms. Duff more often.  He scored a beauty.), Robert Nilsson (Where has this guy been all season? Oh right, the press box. He did ok tonight as he picked up an assist.), Jason Strudwick (How is this guy getting points? Add another assist to the list.)

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JEERS

The Entire Team - Do you like to be outshot every game?  Is it fun to rely on your goalie?  SHOOT! Shoot lots.  I just don't get it. It's a simple concept.  SHOOT!  We're just lucky that the Wild stink right now.  Booooooo!

HONORABLE MENTION(S): None

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GAME SUMMARY

Smokin' Ray - I am always worried when it's a PPV.  The Oilers are classic for pooping in the bed when I'm paying for it.  But tonight we got out money's worth.  The Wild killed us in shots and that's not a good thing even if your goalie is ripping it up.  I really didn't miss Hemsky tonight.  Isn't that strange to say?  But it's true.  But all in all I enjoyed myself.  I'm liking this "new look" Oiler squad.  I like it when we win. GOILERS!
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NEXT GAME

Oilers vs. Canucks
Monday Oct. 19/09
7:00 pm MT
Sportsnet West

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Beers & Jeers #70 (Oct 15/09 vs. Chicago Black Hawks)

Welcome to Oilers Jambalaya. Beers & Jeers is a dual collaboration between Smokin' Ray and Paq Twinn. We hope you enjoy our Edmonton Oilers full game recap.

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- It looks like the lines won't change, they will be the same as last game.  Staios, Souray, Pisani, Peckham and Pouliot are all hurt and cannot play.  Nilsson and MacIntyre are healthy scratches.

- Does it bug anyone else that Pittsburgh is using and advertising the "City of Champions" slogan as their own?  It's pisses me off.

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Pregame Records

Edmonton Oilers (3-1-1) vs. Chicago Black Hawks (3-1-1)

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TONIGHT'S STARTING LINES

Jacques-Horcoff-Hemsky
O’Sullivan-Gagner-Stone
Penner-Brule-Comrie
Moreau-Cogliano-Stortini

Strudwick-Visnovsky
Gilbert-Grebeshkov
Smid-Chorney

Khabibulin
Deslauriers

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**These are Re-Tweets of Paq Twinn's LIVE TweetCast© at www.Twitter.com/PaqTwinn**

1st Period

- #Oilers at #Hawks. Its game time! waiting for player intros and anthem's
- Horcoff wins the opening draw
- 30 sec in the oilers ice the puck.
- Sharp scores. 1-0 Hawks
- usually its a last minute, not a first minute goal against. lets go #Oilers!
- big hit behind the oilers net, results in the glass popping out.
- Cogs scores! 1-1 Tie at 17:30 of the 1st
- good fast pace here early in the 1st.
- Oilers 4th line has some jump tonight
- Oilers getting a few takeaways early
- Khabi's shining against his old mates. #great save
- Quinn's going with the 4th line vs Hawks 1st
- Chicago's getting lots of chances. Out shooting the Oilers
- Penner with a nice hit
- Oilers picking up the hitting.
- Brouwer with a great move in front, Great Save by Khabi
- Skille scores for the Hawks, off a point shot rebound. 2-1 Hawks
- Smid with a nice 3 on 2 breakup.
- shots are 13-4 for the Hawks with 5 min to go in the 1st.
- Horcoff is hobbling after a blocked shot
- Oilers with a great last minute chance, Niemi with the save. 1st intermission, 2-1 Hawks shots are 16-6 for Chicago.
- the Oilers manged to only be down by a goal after the first, they should consider themselves LUCKY.

2nd Period

- Hawks win the face off to start the second.
- Oilers starting the 2nd better
- Cogs in on a break...DING! off the post.
- oilers 3rd line starting to get it going.
- Storts with a rap around chance
- Versteeg scores, halfway through the 2nd its 3-1 Hawks
- Stoner gets 1st penalty of the game, 2 for roughing. 8:33 2nd shot 21-10 Hawks
- Hawks with lots of traffic in front of Khabi. The PK misses Souray
- Oilers kill off penalty, but ice the puck immediately
- Hawks are in control of this one.
- Hemsky gets a nice pass from Chorney and misses the net
- Sharp hauled down by Strudwick. Penalty Shot
- Sharp goes down and shoots, SAVE by Khabi.
- with limited to no success so far, Quinn turns on the line blender
- last minute in the 2nd period
- Strudwick having a bad game, almost gave a gift to Skille in final seconds.
- after 2 periods of play its 3-1 for Chicago.
- Oilers can still do this, but they'll have to play WAY better. If not for Khabi, the Oilers could be down 6-1.

3rd Period

- 3rd period under way. Oilers looking better, so far
- Hemsky still looking for his 1st shot.
- Comrie and Patty-O with a nice give and go. save by Niemi
- 4 mins in and the shots are 30-11 for the Hawks
- after a few good shifts by the Oilers, Hawks start winning battles again
- Hemsky draws a trip. PP Oilers at 14:36 3rd
- Getting their 1st pp gave the Oilers some jump
- Madden gives Moreau a can-opener, goes off for 2.
- Versteeg goes in on a pk breakaway, cuts in and SAVE by Khabi!
- Oilers giving up too many SOLID chances
- Oilers go 0 for 2 on pp
- Penner raps it around the net and scores...but wait, its under review
- Its a GOAL! 3-2 Hawks, 9:17 3rd
- Penner's up on the top line now
- Comrie blocks a monster shot from Seabrook
- this looks like its going to be a wild finish.
- Horc and Penner made similar blocks earlier in the game
- Toews schools Moreau, gets a good chance
- Lubo slides down from the slot, takes a shot, low glove save
- Hawks get some pressure against the 4th line
- Grebs takes penalty at 4:07 of the 3rd
- Barker scores, pp goal. 4-2 for the Hawks
- chances aren't looking good for the #Oilers.
- Grebs draws a penalty. Oilers PP for 1:38 or less
- Grebs scores! PP GOAL!!! :47 sec left in the 3rd period 4-3 Hawks
- Oilers buzzing like crazy.
- Hawks hold on to win 4-3
- Oilers gave theyre all in the final seconds.
- This was the poorest performance this season by the Oilers

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FINAL SCORE

Edmonton Oilers - 3


Chicago Black Hawks - 4

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GAME STATS

- Event Summary Link
- Game Summary Link
- Scoring Chances (MC79) Link
- Video Highlights Link

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BAD TIMING PENALTY™

Denis Grebeshkov - Just when the team needed to press on for the win... you take a stupid tripping penalty at 15:49. Not cool.

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GOAT WATCH™

(Smokin' Ray) Ethan Moreau - Did he even play tonight?  He didn't get a penalty so it's hard to notice him.  He really did nothing other than a sweet pass to Cogliano on the Oilers 1st goal.  Check the stats.  No hits, no shots.  Just 1 giveaway and 1 takeaway.  Yeah Goat!

(Paq Twinn) Robert Nilsson - He ate 3 tubs of popcorn and drank 2 Gatorade's.  In the press box.

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BEERS

Nikolai Khabibulin - He was awesome.  He did everything but score the goals.  I thought that he was maybe a little nervous in the 1st, but really came into his own for the rest of the game.  Nice to see someone wanted to show up tonight.  By far the best Oiler tonight.  Great game Khabi.  Frosty beer? It's a cold one... Cheers!

Andrew Cogliano - 58% on the dot tonight.  That's a huge acclompishment for him.  He's used to being under 40%.  He scored a nice goal in the 1st and kept trying all game.  I thought he did well.  What is it with the 4th line?  It turns you intoo gold.  Good Job Cogs.  How about a light beer?  Cheers!

Dustin Penner - Once again he has almost a sleeper game while getting a goal and an assist.  How is he doing it?  Good job Penner.  You can have a Pilsner.  Cheers!

HONORABLE MENTION(S): Taylor Chorney (Again the rookie was good.  Maybe he should stay around and send Staios packing?)

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JEERS

JF Jacques - Only 3 hits?  That's it? I'm starting to think that you were a 5 game fluke.  Will that Jacques please show up?  Boooooooo!

Lubomir Visnovsky - Trying to hard to do to much.  He needs to just play his game.  I understand that he's still a little gun shy with the shoulder.  I don't blame him, but geez man.  Your one of best guys on defence.  It's a good thing the season is still young.  Boooooooo!

Sam Gagner - While he did look good out there, he really wasn't.  He lost every faceoff and was a -2.  Now I don't understand where his game went.  He was dynamite, now's he juggling it.  I don't get it.  Get better Junior.  Booooooo!

HONORABLE MENTION(S): The Rest Of The Team (You guys need to not get out shot all the time.  How about trying being the other team for once?)

-------------------

OUR GAME SUMMARIES

Smokin' Ray - I thought that the Oilers were pretty stinky.  I can't stand these last minute finishes that always seem to follow this team.  If it wasn't for Khabi, this game would have been a lot worse.  I was a little surprised that Quinn was shuffling the lines in the 2nd.  I mean really... why put O'Sullivan with 10 and 83?  Penner goes there.  Why does Quinn refuse to play him there?  I'm sure the Oilers deserve a bag skate after that performance.  Go ahead Quinn... do it.

Graham Martin - (He said this on Facebook tonight) Now that was a frustrating game to watch. I don't mind when they get beat by a better team, but the effort was not there at all tonight. They lost most battles, senseless turnovers by just not being strong enough on the puck, and no support, and no pressure. The hawks tonight played the kinda game the oilers need to play, speed through the neutral zone and PRESSURE! The forcheck, save for a few spots, was just not there tonight. And Hemsky needs to show me something. He wants to be the guy, but it sure doesn't look like it on the ice. So many giveaways, and so many shots blocked. And that chance in the second i think where he missed the net point blank, well, if you are a superstar, down in a game, you just don't do that. He needs to use his speed, and try moving the puck through the neutral zone for a change instead of carrying it himself and forcing his linemates to wait for him at the blueline. And the last thing that seriously needs work, is how the forwards drop down so deep in their own end and leave the points so wide open. It was like that from the first shift of the game. Ethan Moreau is the worst and he just chases that puck around whereever it goes when he is penalty killing and gets caught out of position so often. The pluses for me were Cogliano, had a very good game, lots of speed and one of the forwards that actually got a forcheck going, Penner with two points and so much hard work infront of the net on the grebeshkov goal, and Khabby was very solid other than the versteeg goal but even then i can't really blame him.

-------------------

NEXT GAME

Oilers vs. Wild

Friday Oct 16/09 7:00 pm MT

PPV

-------------------

Beers and Jeers #68 (Oct 10/09 vs. Montreal Canadiens)

Welcome everyone.  Starting tonight, Paq Twinn is going to do live updates on Twitter.  www.twitter.com/paqtwinn  Don't have Twitter?  No problem, look to your left.  It's right there for you.  Just refresh the page every few minutes and POOF!  Your updated.

--------------

Tonight's Starting Lines

Jacques-Horcoff-Hemsky
O’Sullivan-Gagner-Stone
Penner-Brule-Comrie
Moreau-Cogliano-Stortini

Gilbert-Visnovsky
Staios-Grebeshkov
Strudwick-Smid

Khabibulin
Deslauriers

---------------

1st Period

- Getting ready for player intros, anthem, and puck drop.
- Nice save by Khabibulin. missed opening faceoff.
- Penalty to Montreal at 3:57 hooking Oilers PP
- No shots for, chance against, bad pp for Oilers
- Cogliano gets a nice chance.
- Oilers getting good offensive pressure
- Oilers PP at 10:13, Spacek goes off for holding.
- Good pp, 2 shots, this game is moving fast. 7:00 mins left.
- Khabibulin is making some nice stops.
- I'd say the crowd is half n half.
- At 18:40, Comrie scores a bute, top shelf. Gagner with a great stretch pass. #lastminutegoal
- 1-0 for the Oilers 1st intermission. Good 1st for the home team. #ppneedsattention

2nd Period

- Hemsky is playing with some passion early.
- Fast start to the second, things getting rough
- At 3:32, JFJ tips in Smid's point shot. 2-0 Oilers. Hemsky with second assist. #GOILERS
- JFJ starting to look better every game. #keepupthegoodwork
- Khabibulin holds down the fort in a barrage of chances by the Canadiens.
- Staios having a better game. #haventseenthissteveinyears
- At 8:10, OSullivan scores! good pressure and pass by Stone. 3-0 Oilers
- Brule has a big hit, Mara takes exception. Mara takes Brule down in a fight. #hitsfrombehind
- At 9:19, Oilers PP, Mara gets the instigator.
- 2 goal posts,but no goals on that PP.
- OSullivan continues hot start to season, really buzzin tonight.
- Canadiens getting ornery, down by 3. #gaineysnotahappycamper
- Oilers penalty at 14:33 to Patty'O. 2 for tripping. lets go oilers PK!
- Lots of Canadiens pressure on the PP
- Good PK for Oilers, no shots against. shot favor Montreal 19-11. about 3 1/2 to go in 2nd period
- At 19:10, a 2 on 1 for Canadiens turns into a goal for Gionta.  3-1 Oilers
- Oilers getting very sloppy late in second. #haventlearnedtheirlessonyet
- Second period ends with a half dozen chances by the Canadiens. 3-1 Oilers after 2.
-Overall a good second period for the Oilers. We gotta learn how to play out periods better, its killing all momentum gained through out the game.

3rd Period

- 3rd period under way, with both teams trading chances.
- Crowd chants "lets go Oilers" for the 6th or 7th time tonight. Didnt hear that enough last year.
- The line of Patty-o, Gagner and Stoner has been the best for the Oilers tonight.
- 1st line of JFJ, Horc, and Hemmer playing their best game of the season. #letshopeitgetsbetter
- Oilers have given the puck away 11 times already tonight. Khabibulin keeps making the saves.
- Oilers better defensively in this period. they are right on top of the puck.
- At 10:36, Hemsky goes for 2 for holding. Oilers go on PK.
- Solid PK for the Oilers, only 1 shot against.
- Canadiens out shooting Oilers 2 to 1 (ratio).
- Khabibulin solid between the pipes.
- 5mins to go in the 3rd. still 3-1 for the Oilers
- Oilers attacking more in the late stages then earlier in 3rd.
- Canadiens score... but wait its under review.
- After review, no goal. #phewthatwasacloseone
- Canadiens score. Hamerlik sends a shot through traffic, hits Horcoff, and goes in. #badbounces
- At 16:38, 3-2 Oilers 3mins left in the 3rd. #battendownthehatches
- Quinn riding 19,89,32 in final mins.
- Oilers hold on to win 3-2 against Canadiens. It was white knuckle in the last minute.
- JFJ (3rd) and Khabibulin (1st) get stars. good win for the Oilers, held off a late flurry, successfully this time.

-------------------

FINAL SCORE

Montreal Canadiens - 2

Edmonton Oilers - 3
-------------------

Bad Timing Penalty™

Ales Hemsky - The only reason he gets the BTP™ is because after took this holding penalty, he gave Montreal life.  They didn't score on the PP, but they did have a review goal (no goal) minutes later and then scored their 2nd goal right after that. 

-------------------

Goat Watch™

Ethan Moreau - He was his usual goat self.  Just ok.  Nothing to see here.

-------------------

BEERS

Nikolai Khabibulin - The Wall has arrived.  I could tell in the 1st period that he was going to be solid tonight.  He was awesome.  When a goalie looks that calm in net, he makes it look easy.  Great game Bulin.  Feel like a beer?  Cheers!

Patrick O'Sullivan - Patty O is a really good player.  I love how he shoots from anywhere.  It was nice to see one go in for him finally.  He did seem to click with Gagner and is showing his worth for being a top 6 guy.  I like #19.  How about a frosty mug o'beer?  Cheers!

Sam Gagner - I picked him as my star for a reason.  He's freaking killer.  I had a feeling that he was going to be better this year.  I was pissed off when he started the season on the 4th line. But that Quinn fella know his stuff.  I will doubt Quinn no more.  Gagner was awarded with the 2nd line center spot after busting his ass on the 4th.  Gags picks up the beautiful assist on the Comrie goal and finishes the night a +2.  Solid game for him.  Miller time once again.  Cheers!

Ladislav Smid - He led the team in ice time.  For a guy that wanted to be traded, I think he's happy now don't you think?  He was a stud out there.  He is turning into one of my favorite defencemen.  Let's sit and drink a Cerná Hora and toast a great year to you.  Cheers!

JF Jacques - Well that was great game by the big guy.  He had 8 hits and made you look twice when you had the puck.  This was more reminisant of the JFJ that we seen in pre-season.  I sure hope he can keep this up.  For a stand out game, let's enjoy a Big Bear, paper bag and all.  Cheers!

Honorable Mentions: Shawn Horcoff (Did well on the faceoffs 64%), Lubomir Visnovsky (Played well and finished +1), Jason Strudwick (Also played well. Pretty solid for guy that came in last game), Ryan Stone (He played the same old, hard hitting game he plays.)

------------------

JEERS

Mike Comrie - Sure he scored but...  Mr. Duff still is having trouble keeping up.  His condiditoning needs some serious attention.  Ride the bike Mike.  Rid'er hard.  It's easy to see who is in shape and who isn't.  Look at a players average shift lenghth.  Mike is :46.  Gagner is :51 and Hemsky is :55.  No doubt Mike is a good player, but only a useless player unless he can skate with the boys.  Is it coincidence that he only scores in the 1st half of the game?  Shape up Mike.  Booooooo!

-------------------

Well we won. Yay!  It's quite clear the the Edmonton Oilers of 2009/10 are one of the most exciting teams in the league (next to the Caps).  I love this "new" team.  it does'nt matter that we should be 4-0.  This team is not only going to make the playoffs... they will go far.  GOILERS! 

In Quinn We Trust (IQWT) *deposits quarter to JSBM*

Beers and Jeers #67 (Oct 8/09 vs. Calgary Flames)

There was a wind/snowstorm in Alberta today.  Very cold out considering we were at 30 degrees two weeks ago.  Brrrrrr.  What happened to Fall?  Are we not getting it? *shakes fist at Mother Nature for skipping Fall*

Rob Schremp is wearing 13 and didn't look very good tonight with the NYI.  I'm not really sad any more  and I'm kind of relieved that he's gone.

Just found out that Center ice is free right now.  Wish I knew and I wouldn't have paid for the last PPV.

Quinn shuffles the lines in practice to fool the fLames.  Crazy old fox.

Staios and Nilsson are out / Moreau and Strudwick is in

----------------

Tonight's Starting Lines

Jacques Horcoff Hemsky
O'Sullivan Comrie Stone
Penner Brule Cogliano
Moreau Gagner Stortini

Souray Smid
Gilbert Grebeshkov
Strudwick Visnovsky

Khabibulin
Deslauriers

-----------------

1st Period

- Good start.  All 4 lines look good.  Fast pace.
- The first 10 minutes went by fast.
- Bulin's looking good.  He's been making some great saves.  He seems confidant.
- It only took a game and a half period of this season for Kevin Quinn to say, "He has to get a new cue." for a broken stick.
- Gagner and Stortini belong together.  There's just something about them that seems right.
- PP fLames (Moreau at 14:18):  The Oilers kill it off with no real chances for the fLames.
- Moreau steps out of the box and gets a breakaway. SCORES!!!  1-0 Oilers (18-67-37 at 16:27)
- Moreau is now revved up and so is Gagner. 
- Bouwmeester rocks Smid and Smid gets pissy.  Iginla comes in and has words with Smid.
- PP Oilers (Bouwmeester at 19:28) Visnovsky SCORES!!! 2-0 Oilers (71-91-19 at 19:46)
- Great period by both teams.  Great action.

2nd period

- Souray and Iginla come together into the boards and Souray goes head first.  His head is cut and he leaves the game with a mild concussion.
- PP Oilers (Iginla at 0:18) The fLames kill it off with the Oilers not really doing much.
- At 5:50, Bulin comes out and plays the puck.  The crowd cheered. 
- Fight!  Moreau vs. Iginla at 6:09.  Moreau tosses a few, slips, Iginla doesn't kill him when he's down, Moreau gets up, Iginla chucks a few uppercuts while the refs break it up, it's over.
- PP fLames. (Stortini at 8:47)  Before you know it...
- PP fLames 5 on 3 (Grebeshkov at 9:14) What the hell man?  Talk about a killer.  This games BTP™.
- Smid takes a puck off the ankle (blocked shot) during the PK. Ouch!
- The Oilers kill off both penalties and somehow get some life.
- PP Oilers (Bourque at 11:54)  Just as the 5 on 3 is over, he takes a tripping penalty.
- The Oilers can't do anything on this PP.  They waste the 2 minutes.
- PP fLames. (O'Sullivan at 16:35) The Oilers keep the PK rolling and kill it off.
- Flames score. Boooooo! Another redirection by an Oiler.  This time Strudwick.  2-1 Oilers. (22-17-5 at 19:31)
- Good period by both teams.  It's a pretty close game.

3rd Period

- Another good start to a period by the Oilers.
- Regehr nails Gagner and then roughs him up a bit.  Stortini gets there quickly and gives Regehr an ear full.  At one point (I read his lips) he says, "Your dead Regehr".  How do you not love this guy?
- fLames score. Ugh! Boooooo!  Another redirection but by a fLamer.  2-2 Tie Game. (15-8-17 at 4:11)
- Intense game so far.
- Grebeshkov will a brutal giveaway at 8:10
- Oilers SCORE! Yeah!!!!  Hemsky with an easy slid in.  3-2 Oilers.  (83-10-37 at 13:30)
- In the last 5 minutes Quinn went with these lines: 1st, 3rd, 4th, 1st, 4th, 1st.
- With 30 seconds left, Quinn puts out the big boys to finish off the game. 27-10-18-43-77
- It doesn't work.
- fLames score. It looked like a high stick but it's called a goal. Boooooo! 3-3 Tie Game (17-4-3 at 19:58)

Overtime

- PP Oilers (Girodano at 0:35)  Quinn rolls with two sets. (89-19-91-71) & (10-83-27-37)
- Kipper is on fire and the Oilers can't score.  Penalty is over.
- What a Battle of Alberta.

Shoot Out

- Gagner - poke checked
- O'Sullivan - shoots and scores
- Hemsky - rings it off the post

-----------

FINAL SCORE

Calgary Flames - 4
Edmonton Oilers -3  SO

------------

Bad Timing Penalty™

Denis Grebeshkov - With the Oilers already a man down, Grebs manages to take a stupid hooking penalty and turn the man advantage into a 5 on 3.  Not really a good thing to do to your team when you have a two goal lead. 

-------------

BEERS

Sam Gagner - Once again he was good.  He didn't score, but he was all over the place.  He was even playing like a big guy.  After a crappy pre-season, he's on fire so far.  He had 5 shots and was 67% on faceoffs.  That's huge for him.  Frosty beer Gags?  Cheers!

Lubomir Visnovsky - This guy is finaly getting better.  He also hasn't been great up until this game.  He was playing hard all game and stepped up even more when Souray went down.  He scores a goal and plays over 24 minutes.  He also had 3 hits and 3 blocked shots and took 8 shots with only 3 hitting the net.  Great game tonight Lubes.  Miller time. Cheers!

Nikolai Khabibulin - If we won he would be the hero.  But we didn't.  He was good tonight.  The best I have seen him in an Oiler uniform.  He made great saves and was burned/fooled on the last goal in the 3rd.  I can hardly fault him for it.  He made 25 saves and made me less nervous.  So why not?  Let's have a beer together.  Cheers!

Zack Stortini - Storts was a machine tonight.  He really blends well with Gagner and I hope he gets more time with him.  I would just put Cogs there with them. It's wierd he didn't get more stats but no matter, he was good enough for my liking.  Good job Storts. Frosty? Cheers!

Ryan Stone - I never liked this guy yet, but tonight I did.  He was trying for the big hit all night. He landed a few good shots and made people look twice to see when he's coming.  He had 4 hits on record.  Who knows... he may be better than I thought.  A cold mug o'beer? Cheers!

Tom Gilbert - He may have been the best defenceman out there tonight.  He just played really good.  he made solid, sound decisions.  He played over 25 minutes, with 2 shots, 2 take aways, and 2 blocked shots.  I hope this is the beginning of a great year for Mr. Gilbert.  Thirsty?  Sure you are. Cheers!

Honorable Mentipns: Patrick O'Sullivan (Had an assist on the Visnovsky goal.  Played well.), Mike Comrie (He still needs to work on his conditioning.  But he played ok.), Jason Strudwick (Not bad for his 1st game of the year.), Ales Hemsky (Needs to show up quicker in the game.  He can't wait till the end to bring it.  He scores his 1st of the year.), Shawn Horcoff (He did nothing special, but played good enough.), Denis Grebeshkov (Had 2 assists but had 3 giveaways.  That has to improve soon.), Ladi Smid (He played a solid game.)

--------------

JEERS

None worth complaing about.

--------------

That was a good game, I just can't believe that we lost to the fLames again.  And again to another crappy goal.

Next game is Saturday, so I see you all then. 

Don't forget you can be friends on Facebook with Smokin' Ray Burnt and Paq Twinn.  We are always talking hockey. Come join us.

Beers and Jeers #66 (Oct 6/09 vs. Dallas Stars)

Well I'm sure the party was good at the Pint.  The OilersNation group was there to watch this PPV game.  It sure would have been nice to meet some of these people.  If only I lived closer... :(

~Nice to see the Oilers PPV crew again this year.~ I'm finding that I still don't like Rob Brown.  It's not just the bad plug job, he's just not a Ray Ferraro in the booth.  Too plain Jane for me I guess.  Too obvious.

I also forgot about how much I dislike Marc Crawford. Ugh.  At least I don't have to hear his voice much this year. Yay! :)

Here is a link to a story about how Craig Conroy "did Gagner a favour."  Weak excuse for getting beat up by a little guy like Gagner.

--------------

Tonight's Starting Lines

Jacques Horcoff Hemsky
Stone Comrie O'Sullivan
Penner Brule Nilsson
Cogliano Gagner Stortini

Souray Staios
Gilbert Grebeshkov
Smid Visnovsky

Khabibulin
Deslauriers

--------------

1st Period

- Oilers get a PP right off the bat.  Cogliano sends a nice pass to the front of the net and Comrie scores (91 from 13 and 5).  1-0 Oilers
- Dallas scores and make it 1-1 Tie game.
- At 6:28, Souray takes on Barch.  He pauses, removes his wrist brace, then proceeds to give Barch a shake down/beat down. 
- Gilbert shows some crust and scrums with Morrow.  Just before then Ribiero takes a penalty for Holding.
- Oilers PP.  Hemsky is playing left wing and Staios is the QB.  Go figure?
- Stortini even see's a bit of time on the PP and he has the best chances out of all the Oilers.
- PP Stars (Brule/Holding) The Oilers do well. No shots against. They kill it off.
- Quinn is mixing up the lines for the special teams.  I have no idea who is going out.
- PP Stars.  The Oilers will have to finish killing it off in the 2nd.

2nd Period

- The Oilers finish killing off the penalty.
- Ryan Stone nails a Star player (?).  Ott comes off the bench to fight him.
- Some good punches were thrown in the beginning, then it turns into a hug fest, followed by Ott getting "jersey-ed".
- No extra penalty to Ott. Wonder why not? He wasn't on the ice for the hit. That screams instigator to me.
- Grebeshkov goes to crash the net and gets a face full of elbow from Turco as the puck trickles back down to the Oilers zone to an empty net.  Lucky enough it missed.  No penalty for that play.
- PP Oilers.  Good pressure in the first half, then the Stars score a SH goal.  Good god. *shakes head*  2-1 Stars.
- Shortly after Gagner scores on the PP at 6:35.  (89 from 37 and 13). 2-2 Tie Game.
- PP Stars.  An Dallas scores.  3-2 Stars.
- The line of 13/89/46 is on fire.  They are buzzing all over the place.
- PP Stars.  The Oilers kill it off this time.
- Sweet pass from Nilsson to Penner.  Penner then skates in and puts it top shelf on Turco. (27 from 12)  3-3 Tie Game.
- Storts and Gags mix it up with some Stars and Storts goes of to sit in the box.  4 on 4 hockey.
- Horcoff is in his own zone and gets to fancy and loses the puck. Staios hooks the guy and now he has to sit for two. *shakes head* 

3rd Period

- The 3rd starts as a 4 on 3 for the Stars. 
- Morrow scores on the PP and the crowd boo's.  4-3 Stars.
- The Oilers look flat and the crowd is quiet.
- PP Oilers.  The Stars kill it off but the Oilers score shorty after.  4-4 Tie Game. (37 from 83 and 77)
- The 1st line (22/10/83) is not doing so well.  Quinn switches Penner and Jacques and it helps big time.
- PP Stars.  The Oilers again kill it off.
- This game is getting nasty with 5:00 minutes to go.
- This game is going to overtime.

Overtime

- Exciting overtime with back and forth action.  Hemsky threw himself in front of a puck as the time was winding down.  It was nice to see him do that.  Nothing was solved in OT.

Shoot-out

Sam Gagner - gets poke checked
Patrick O'Sullivan - deflection save by Turco
Ales Hemsky - scores low right side 5-4 Oilers.

The Stars ring the last shot off the post and the Oilers win!!!

-------------

FINAL SCORE

Dallas Stars - 4
Edmonton Oilers - 5

-------------

Bad Timing Penalty™

none - Moreau didn't play.

-------------

GOAT WATCH

Ethan Moreau - It was a goat watch alright.  The goat was watching from above in the press box.  He has a ankle injury but might be back next game.  How am I supposed to boo you way up there?

--------------

BEERS

Sam Gagner - The mighty Sam was good once again.  He had 4 shots and seemed really determined to show that last game wasn't a fluke.  And by the way he played tonight, it wasn't a fluke.  He did everything good other than score in the shoot-out.  The little big guy deserves a beer tonight.  Frosty?  Cheers!

Zack Stortini - He was showing good chemistry with Gagner and Cogliano.  He was hitting and skating hard.  Quinn even gave him some PP time and he almost scored twice.  He's not just a fighting machine, he can contribute.  I think he's better than Stone and Jacques and should get a fair shake at some more ice time.  Will Quinn keep him with 89/13?  Let's hope so.  Have a cold one Storts. Cheers!

Sheldon Souray - Big Sexy played a pretty solid game, never mind the fight.  He was playing fairly smart and not to risky.  Then when he dropped the gloves with Barch in the 1st, he blows my mind once again.  He pauses, removes the wrist brace (to be fair) and does a number on Barch.  That is almost as cool like the time he pushed out Moreau to fight.  This guy should be the captain of this hockey club.  He oozes everything you need to be a leader.  Plus he led the team in ice time with 25:20.  My vote's for this guy.  Care for a Bud?  Cheers!

Ales Hemsky - I was seriously mad at this guy for the first half of the game.  He was lazy and lolly gagging all over the ice.  I would have pulled him from the game.  Instead, Quinn moves Penner back to the Horpensky line and the magic continues where it left off.  Hemsky all of the sudden clicked on the nitro and came alive.  Holy crap!  He's making moves and is fighting for the puck.  He even block a shot to the chest in OT.  Again, holy crap!  This is the Hemsky that became my Jib Cutter, not the bum that we saw in the first half of this game  (and last).  That was awesome.  To top it off he scores the winning goal in OT, and the shot was a whiff.  Luck happens to those who try.  Feel like a cold one?  Cheers!

Dustin Penner - Penner also had a good game.  It's quite clear that Quinn is liking this guy.  20:00 minutes of ice tonight.  Only Horcoff played more out of the forwards. Dustin is playing great right now and he seems to be having fun.  I like the way that he made that 1st line click.  He scores a big goal and had 3 shots.  Let's see if he is with 83/10 next game.  I'm thinking so.  Miller time Pens?  Cheers!

Honorable Mentions - Ryan Stone (Had a good fight and had 6 hits), Patrick O'Sullivan (Lot's of effort, but little results.), Gilbert Brule (He played pretty good.  He was the best on the team at faceoffs with 56% (5W/4L)

-------------

JEERS

JF Jacques - Maybe it's not fair of me to boo you tonight, you are in over your head and I don't really blame you for being in that position.  But your not good enough for the 1st line.  Against weaker opponents like in pre-season, you do great.  Against the NHL quality players, not so good.  You not living up to the hype so therefore I must jeer. Booooooooo!

Mike Comrie - Comrie had a point in last game where he was caught in the Oilers end and he became winded after a long shift.  He was pretty much toast in the 3rd.  I'm wondering if he does have a conditioning problem?  Once again today he was pretty good in the first half.  After that, he faded to the point of not really playing.  What's up with that?  Get into shape man.  Your just bringing down Sully if you can't do much.  Booooooooo!

Robert Nilsson - Before I get into the negatives, he made a sweet pass to Penner and that is why we still have him.  But other than that, I didn't see him do much, other than some errant passes that he was lucky he didn't get burned on.  I think that the Oilers are going to give up on him.  I just don't see the positives out weighing the negatives.  Booooooooooo!

Honorable Mention: Shawn Horcoff (You may have won a fair share of faceoffs and did ok on the PK, but that's all you did.  It's step up time, don't wait for Hemsky to hold hands with, be a leader.) Nikolai Khabibulin (Is it wrong that this guy scares me everytime a puck gets shot at him?  I hope I get used to him soon or I'm going to have a heart attack.)

-----------------

Well it was nice to see a win.  We needed that.  Life is looking good now in Oil Country.  Is it crazy to say that Gagner is on pace to be an 82 goal scoring 4th line machine?  Maybe.  But maybe he does it?  *mind blown* JK

Until next time...

Beers and Jeers #65 (Oct 3/09 vs. Calgary fLames)

Well we waited all summer for this moment.  It's finally here.  The Oilers are back.  GOILERS!

-----------

1st Period

- I seen a glimpse of Deslauriers new pads.  They are a beautiful orange.  Can't wait to see him play.
- The fLames score right off the bat.  Glencross at 1:52.  Why does this guy haunt us?
- Oilers look nervous and shaky out there.  Nothing like opening night jitters.
- At 6:14, Penner scores from O'Sullivan and Comrie.  Nice work to get the 1st Oiler goal of the year.
- I just hate former goalies that get into broadcasting.  Kevin Weeks is the new Captain Obvious. Good Grief. *throws Charlie Brown a quarter*
- fLames score again on the PP at 12:09.
- The Oilers had two PP chances and didn't score on either.

2nd Period

- Stortini tries to get the Oilers going by fighting with Prust at 2:38.  A pretty even fight.  It was kind of boring.
- The 1st half of the period the Oilers look flat and lifeless. 
- Just as the team was gaining some momentum, Staios takes a reckless holding call.  Bad Timing Penalty™
- The fLames score on the PP and go up 3-1.  Once again, thanks Staios.
- Good thing for guys like Sam Gagner.  He drops the gloves with Craig Conroy at 13:23.  Great fight as Gagner takes one on the face and then nails Conroy a few times.  Gagner wins the fight, wins the crowds attention and wins a little respect from Quinn. 
- But not to be out done, we have another Bad Timing Penalty™ from my beloved goat, Ethan Moreau.  It was a real lazy penalty that could have been avoided.  God he makes me angry.
- Brule scores on a hard shot with the assists going to Penner and Visnovsky.  He's doing what he can to stay here with the big club.  You gotta like that. 3-2 fLames
- The Oilers were back in it after 2 periods.  Can they carry it into the 3rd?

3rd Period

- The crowd was ready for some action and action we got. 
- There was good flow to the game at the 1/2 way point.  Back and forth they went.
- No penalties were taken in the 3rd.
- Gagner jumps all over a loose puck and slides it past Kipper for an unassisted goal.  Yeah!!! 3-3 game.
- In the dying seconds (:49 left), the Bulin Wall absolutely craps the bed and mis-plays the puck and Moss pokes it in. Doh! 4-3 fLames win

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Tonight's Starting Lines

Jacques-Horcoff-Hemsky
O'Sullivan-Comrie-Stone
Penner-Brule-Cogliano
Moreau-Gagner-Stortini

Souray-Visnovsky
Grebeshkov-Gilbert
Smid-Staios

Khabibulin
Deslauriers

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FINAL SCORE

Calgary fLames - 4
Edmonton Oilers - 3

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Bad Timing Penalty™

Steve Staios - The guy knows how to wreck a party.  He picked a real bad time to take an aggressive holding penalty.  He crossed the line and was caught.  1st BTP of the season.  Not sure if I'd brag about it.

Ethan Moreau - Lazy penalty by the Captain.  Even worse than Steve's.  Yours was out of sheer carelessness. 

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GOAT WATCH

Ethan Moreau - He's my goat.  What else do I need to say?  He's baaaaad!

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BEERS

Sam Gagner - The little big guy drops the gloves with Conroy and does well.  He scores the tying goal in the 3rd and earns himself the 2nd star of the game.  I thought he played hard and deserved better guys to play with.  He may just get that shot next game.  Awesome way to show Quinn your worth.  It's Miller time Gags!!!  Frosty beer?  Cheers!

Dustin Penner - The skinny fat guy busted out a stellar 1st period and then caps it off with a classic interview with Scott Oake.  He did fade a little in the 2nd but was rollin' again in the 3rd.  I actually though he should have been 3rd star instead of Kipper, but I'm not the picker.  Excellent way to start the season Penner.  Cold beer?  Cheers!

Patrick O'Sullivan - I really believe that he may only finish 2nd to Ovechkin in shots taken this year.  He fires them from all over.  I love that.  My old coach used to say, "You can't score without a shot".  It's true.  Expect a few goals from O'Sullivan this year.  He's gonna be dynamite.  Great game Sully.  Need a glass for the beer?  Cheers!

Honorable Mentions - Mike Comrie (He played well.  He's great with O'Sullivan.  He had 1 assist and was 75% on the faceoff dot.), Ladislav Smid (The Spaz played well.  He finished the night +2 and didn't make any huge mistakes), Gilbert Brule (He showed us why he made the team this year.  He played hard and did what he had to.  Plus he scored.), Lubomir Visnovsky (He started out not so good but ended strong.  He still seems slow to me.  Nonetheless he finished +2).

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JEERS

Nikolai Khabibulin - PSFTTF!  That's you pooping in your bed.  Terrible man.   Let's hope that's not you at your best.  The fans instantly cried out for Roli when you did that.  ~Nice debut!~  Booooooooooo!

Ales Hemsky - Where was this guy tonight?  Mr. Iwantotbetheman.  You need to show up in order to be the man.  The 1st line didn't look like a 1st line.  Hemsky was to blame for a lot of that.  He needed to get his nose dirty more.  Where's the crust?  He did once and shied away after that.  Man up and giv'er.  I hope it's a different Hemmer next game.  Booooooooo!

Shawn Horcoff - Same goes to Horcoff.  He sucked as well.  Well, he did do pretty good on the faceoff dots.  67% on the night was his only crowning achievement.  Other than that he did squat.  Nice 1st day on the $7 million dollar punch clock.  Booooooooo!

Ethan Moreau - For all the reasons listed above... Boooooooo!

Denis Grebeshkov - Grebs wasn't so good either tonight.  He was having troubles with the puck all night.  Sure some were bad bounces, but a lot was just him in panic mode.  I may just chauk this one up as opening night jitters, but geez Grebs.  That was a terrible game for you.  Boooooooo!

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Well what a crap way to end a Saturday night.  Now I'm going to have to hear it from people at work for a week that the Coilers lost to the Mighty Flames.  *puts face in hands*

Beers and Jeers #64 (Sept 27/09 vs. Vancouver Canucks)

It's funny I was reading various NHL stories today and I came across a story about the Oilers and the Preds maybe making a trade.  I threw out Jordan Tootoo maybe coming to Edmonton, while no one else has that I know of. I read a story about it (HERE) and it says it had good local sources that said it.  Could it be that I'm that source? *gasp while doubting it*

JF Jacques and Dustin Penner have been two out of three of the biggest surprises of the pre-season.  (Comrie being the 3rd.)  I've never been a fan of either one, but I'm starting to be now.  They have been very impressive.  Can they hold up for 82 games and then some?  How long does Jacques stay on the #1 line?  Can he score 20 goals?  Can Penner stay skinny?

-------------------

Tonight's Starting Lines

Jacques Horcoff Hemsky
Penner Comrie O'Sullivan
MacIntyre Gagner Cogliano (Reddox replaced Big Mac after one shift)
Reddox Brule Stortini

Souray Staios
Smid Gilbert
Strudwick Visnovsky

Khabibulin
Deslauriers

-----------------------

FINAL SCORE

Vancouver Canucks - 4
Edmonton Oilers - 5   OT

-----------------------

Bad Timing Penalty™

none

-----------------------

BEERS

Mike Comrie - The mini Brick had two goals and was a +1.  He keeps playing well with O'Sullivan and continues to surprise the Oiler faithful.  I still keep thinking it's some crazy screwed up dream that he's back as an Oiler.  *deja vu*  Does little Mikey want a beer?  Of course he does.  Cheers!

JF Jacques - A goal and an assist and another solid performance on the 1st line.  This guy is unreal.  I think that he can do well this year as long as his previous injuries don't comeback to haunt him.  He was awarded 1st star tonight.  For tonight's excellent performance... a cold frosty Bud.  Cheers!

Ales Hemsky - 7 shots and 2 assists tonight for Hemmer.  This was his best game by far this pre-season.  About time I might add.  I was wondering when he was going to show up.  He just needed to wait until the last game I suppose.  How about a nice Harold traditional Czech lager?  Cheers!

Lubomir Visnovsky - +3 and an assist.  This guy also needed to have a solid game tonight.  And he did.  He made a sweet 4 moves before he slid the puck over to Comrie for an easy tap in.  Over 23 minutes of ice time showed that Quinn and Co. have faith in him.  We will need Lubo if the Oilers are going to be great this year.  How about a cold beer for Lubo?  Cheers!

Shawn Horcoff - Scored a goal and an assist and was pretty solid.  Nice to see him and Hemmer meshing with Jacques.  This may be a good year for Horcoff as it seems like the coaches are not going to skate his bag off.  Solid game Horc.  Beer?  Cheers!

Honorable Mentions: Gilbert Brule (He had an assist on the GWG and had a great fight.  Limited minutes, but a very solid night.), Sam Gagner (The little guy was pretty good.), Dustin Penner (Also pretty good tonight (1 assist).  Most consistent in pre-season.), Ladislav Smid (played very good tonight.  Ended up +2.), Andrew Cogliano (Seems to like to play with Gagner.  It is showing.), Tom Gilbert (Scores the winning goal and was excellent all game.)

---------------------

JEERS

Nikolai Khabibulin - He had a real off start to this game.  He seemed really slow and kind of out off it.  He did play a little better as the game went on, but man he's starting to scare me.  4 years Tambo?!?  I'm hoping I wrong because I was fired up about the signing when it happened, but I might be getting buyers remorse.  For a pretty crappy game tonight... Booooooooo!

Sheldon Souray / Steve Staios - It's strange.  These guys suit each other in the styles that they play, but man do they suck as a pairing.  That was like watching a train wreck in slow motion.  They were the only Oilers that ended the game with a minus rating.  If I was Quinn, I would reconsider keeping these two together.  For a stinky game.... Booooooooo!

---------------------

GOAT WATCH

Ethan Moreau - Did not play.

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Well a good game for the most part.  Lots of action and thank god the Oilers pulled off the win.  The Canucks sure seemed hell bent to beat us.  But the boys pull out a stellar/lucky win.  Some jobs were secured in this game and some were lost.  As of this writing, Devan Dubnyk, Kip Brennan, Rob Schremp, Taylor Chorney and Jordan Eberle have all been cut from the Oilers.  Eberle naturally is going back to Junior and Schremp is going on waivers.  Good luck to Rob in the future as I'm sure that some team will pick him up.  ~He will no doubt turn into a star and we will have to debate it for the next 10 years.~ 

This may have been Big mac's final game as an Oiler.  :(   I've liked him from day one.  His story is awesome and one that I was glad to watch for the past year or so.  Thanks for the memories big guy. *once again I hope I'm wrong and he sticks with the big club*

Ok... next up is the regular season.  Who excited now?  *hand up*