UNBELIEVABLE.....

So, I went to the game on Saturday night. I was pumped to be there as I hadn't been in the rink for over a week. I was expecting a fast paced game with a lot of free wheel scoring. The San Jose Sharks have a good team with some pretty big super stars on their squad. But they had struggled a little bit to start the year. They came into Rexal with a 2-3-1 record. I figured if there was ever an opportunity to beat this team, it would be at home, while they struggle and have not yet had a chance to get on a roll.

What we got on Saturday, was an Oiler team that at this stage of the season, was not ready to compete. Don't get me wrong, when Eberle scored this beauty...



I thought we were going to go for an exciting ride. He made Patrick Marleau look absolutely stupid on this play! But, what we ended up with, was a 6-1 loss at the hands of the worst penalty kill in the league (well almost we are tied with Dallas for worst). Jason Gregor said it best today on his show..."a brutal PK is about 75%." The Oilers are 50% for the year right now! Not to mention our face-offs were no better. This must change if this team wants to be in games. The thing that concerns me the most, we didn't even try in the 3rd period.

I understand that this will be a tough year. I understand that this is a re-build year, and that there is a process to creating a "winning environment." I also understand all the new faces and and new systems the Oilers are trying to become assimilated with. What I don't get, is the fact that they appeared like there was no effort. Tom Gilbert...has to be better. I get that he's not a physical presence...but how about making a smart play in your own end? Jim Vandermeer...this guy has been our worst defenceman so far this year. Hmmm...do you think the Oilers could use a big, strong, tough Defenceman in their first pairing? One that can help the power-play (which need help badly) and make life difficult for the opposing team? I wonder where we get a guy like that? My guess is we could use a guy that's playing in Hershey right now, that fits this description. And we wouldn't even have to give up anything to get him here....oh wait, yes we would, we might have to send one of our three Goalies down to the farm.

Is it just me or does this three headed Goalie monster make any sense? We need another forward that can kill penalties and win face-offs (or the aforementioned D-Man). Why then, do we have three Goalies? The development of these Goal Tenders is being wasted while they sit on the bench. I didn't understand it with Roloson, Garon, & Deslauriers, and I Don't understand it now. Figure it out Oilers.

THERE WAS SOME EXCITEMENT...

In my section a fight broke out between two fans near the end of the game. One of the guys got clocked pretty well by the fan he was picking on when the fan had had enough of his BS and decked him. The sad thing about this (other than the fact that people just can't get along) is that this was the most excitement we had at the game since Eberle scored in the first period.

I will be on the road in Calgary for work when we play the Flames tomorrow night. Unfortunately I will not be at the game. I just hope that Tom Renney decides to dress MacIntyre for this game and give the rest of the guys a little confidence that they will not be run over like they were by San Jose. Here's hoping that we can get our S%#@ together and start to turn this around.

GO Oilers GO!