BIG STORIES, NOT MUCH GAME

First Story...


as I wrote yesterday, Devan Dubnyk was supposed to start last night in goal for the Oilers. I got this intel from reading the local beat reporters stuff on-line and listening to the usual suspects on the radio.


When the the pre-game video started at the rink, they announced Dubnyk was to start as well. When the team came out, Khabibulin was announced and he played the whole game from start to finish.


I have two questions...


Question 1) How is it the Dubnyk was so sick that he had left practice early and still no one in the media (or even the rink announcer) knew that he wouldn't be starting this game? 


I have since learned that the media assumes that because a goalie leaves the practice ice first, this is a sure fire tell, that he gets the start in goal!? Well I guess the jokes on all of them and, of course us audience members, as Dubnyk left due to illness.


Question 2) Since we did not have a Goalie dressed on the bench, what would the team have done if Khabibulin pulled his groin, blew out his back, or had some other injury that we all know he's prone to? Would they have made Dubnyk dress and play? From what I understand he was in the arena, but quarantined so as not to infect the other players on the team.

Maybe we would have to put a call into the U of A Golden Bears like we did a couple of years ago When our Goalies  got hurt.


I have not heard if anyone (writer or radio jock) has asked these questions, or provided any answer to either of them today. But I have benn somewhat out of touch, so if they have I would love for someone to leave a comment and explain.


Second Story...


Hemsky plays one shift in the second period and then disappears for the rest of the game??? We learn today that he'd been having some concussion like symptoms for a while now, and at some point during the game last night, could not continue and was pulled as a precautionary measure.

If he'd had symptoms prior to tonights game as suggested by  Tom Renney, who inferred it has been cumulative with lots of small hits to the face and head. Why didn't he (Renney) take the precaution of not playing him before the game? Are we that desperate for wins now? Do we need to prove that this team is willing to do whatever it takes to be 29th in the league? I don't get it.


Third Story...



Magnus Paajarvi snaps the 44 goal-less streak with that beauty. we are now 1-45 in our last 45 attempts on the PP. I actually missed the goal and had to watch the replay, as I was more interested in the debate on Twitter of how long this streak would continue. 


Here are a few excerpts from last night if you didn't catch them on twitter yourself...


@BruceMcCurdy "Hi from rexall - how are we supposed to mount a comeback when they keep giving us powerplays?"


@JasonGregor "Okay Oiler fans...what number will the streak end at? Get your picks in by start of the 3rd...if correct you go into draw for Oilers tickets"


@nielson1260 "On a bright note...possible future Oiler Sean Couturier went 0 for 8 in the accuracy shooting competition at the top prospects game tonight"


It was a lot more fun on twitter, than watching the game for long stretches. I especially like the Sean Couturier reference. That was awesome! That's right...Gregor actually started a contest for tickets if you could guess the right number that the streak would end on. I love this town!


GO Oilers GO!