Is There Something To Cheer For? Oh Yes.. Eberle vs Paajarvi

Tomorrow features an excellent game for all the Oiler fans out there to watch. Jordan Eberle and Team Canada take on one of our favorite Oil Swedes, Magnus Paajarvi, and the rest of Team Sweden.

So far in this tournament, Paajarvi has a goal and three assists in the 5 games he's played. Not bad. Not bad at all. His only goal might have came on the power play, but he's still playing well 5 on 5 too. He's a +4 in those five games and has played an average of 15:11 per game. I'm a little surprised that he hasn't scored more because he's 2nd on his team in shots with 18. He's one to watch tomorrow for sure. Can he score and improve his shooting percentage against Canada?

There is another Oiler who has 4 points too that's playing tomorrow. Jordan Eberle. The difference here is, his 4 points are all goals. No assists. Like Paajarvi, Eberle is also +4 in the 5 games he's played. So far in this tournament, he's played an average of 12:53 per game and has taken 13 shots on goal. Is there another clutch goal waiting to be scored by Ebs? Watch for it.

Both players have been good and it's nice (although it sucks the Oil are not in playoffs) to watch these two get better and better. It's like watching your own kids grow up. *sniff sniff* This has been the best year!

Check out the game on TSN at 2:15pm Eastern time.

ON A SIDE NOTE:

Remember this article I wrote from a while back? That very same goalie is on Team Sweden and we should be able to get a good look at him tomorrow as he's played 4 out of the 5 games. Are the Oilers doing the same by watching him too? Is he really the future goalie of the Oilers?

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-

Devan Dubnyk Relegated To #3 For Team Canada?

Yes, it's true. Earlier today Team Canada coach, Ken Hitchcock finally said publicly that Devan Dubnyk has been bumped down to the #3 spot on the World Hockey Championship team.

It was clear that that was the current situation when Jonathan Bernier became the Canadian backup two games ago (plus he started and won one of those games). Once the Los Angeles Kings were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs, Bernier joined the Canadians for the WHC. That gave the Canadians 3 goaltenders, so it wasn't hard to do the math. But still...

Dubnyk made himself quite clear before the tournament started that he had no desire to be the #3 goalie this time around. That was a spot he graciously filled the last time he came to play with Canada at the WHC.

Dubnyk was the backup for 3 games at this tournament and he did play in one game for 13:50 in the 3rd period. He made 8 saves and let in no goals.

This situation makes me disappointed with Team Canada. Where's the loyalty? Why not give him a chance at playing a full game before this decision was made? What the hell?

I feel bad for Devan.  He didn't deserve this.

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-

Wayne Gretzky Collage made by @SAVEMEX29

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Player Movement Begins, Brad Moran Reportedly Headed To Sweden

Originally reported by Smålandsposten and then reported by other Swedish outlets, it looks like Brad Moran will be heading back to Sweden to play for Vaxjo Lakers HC. The Lakers will be making their debut in the Elitserien this season after earning their promotion from HockeyAllsvenskan last season.

Moran had played for Skellefteå AIK previous to signing with the Oilers and playing for the Barons this last season. Moran had 71 points in 79 games with the Barons and 82 points in 110 games with Skellefteå AIK over two seasons. Other centers Ryan O'Marra and Chris VandeVelde both got Oilers callups ahead of Moran during the season. It's definitely going to be a difficult spot to fill for the Barons, as Moran had been the team's best center throughout most of the year.

EDIT: Vaxjo Lakers HC put out a press release stating that Brad Moran has indeed signed a two-year contract with them.

-Written by Eric Rodgers-

Oklahoma City Barons Game 6 Recap; Bulldogs Close Out The Series

And so it unfortunately ends. The Barons played well through the first 55 minutes, but couldn't keep it up. The Barons had a lot more quality chances at scoring but Drew MacIntyre did well to keep the puck out of the net. Two scoreless periods saw the Barons outshoot the Bulldogs 18-9 and Alexandre Giroux would finally break through at 5:41 of the 3rd to start the scoring. Nigel Dawes wouldn't have any of it though, scoring 62 seconds later to tie the game back up at 1. The Barons would have some good chances to take the lead back and would have a better chance as Aaron Palushaj would take a tripping call at 14:18. The beginning of the end though would come at 15:28 when Jeff Petry would take a tripping call of his own to help break up what might have been a breakaway by Hamilton. Palushaj would come out of the box and would later assist on Frederic St. Denis' goal to give the Bulldogs the 2-1 lead. The Barons would pull Martin Gerber for the extra attacker as time wound down, but Nigel Dawes and J.T. Wyman would each put in an empty netter to make the score 4-1 as the final horn sounded.

But wow, what a season. It's been a fun ride. Some end of season thank yous. First, many thanks to Smokin' Ray for giving me the opportunity and platform to do this. After meeting him and Scott from OilFieldHockey after the name "Barons" was unveiled, I had no clue I'd be where I'm at right now doing this. Second, thanks to Josh Evans and the Barons staff. They've been very inviting and I've gotten to meet some good people within the org. Third, many thanks to the players. For what they've done in the community this season and getting to know them during the STH events, they're all class acts. It's going to suck seeing those that pursue other opportunities leave. Many thanks as well to Ryan Aber of the Oklahoman. He was the only constant source of media coverage for the team this season and it was much appreciated.

Finally, many thanks to all of you. A year ago, I never thought I'd be where I am right now. Having 469 followers at the time of writing this on my Twitter account is far beyond where I thought I'd be at the end of the season. A lot of that is due to retweets and mentions from Dan Tencer, David Staples, and the great people at Copper and Blue. Lots of thanks to them as well. I appreciate all the support from all of you and I look forward to doing this again next season. Be sure to keep up with my Twitter, @AHLBarons, during the offseason for all the goings ons over the next few months. Next season's looking to be a good one.

-Written by Eric Rodgers-