SPLIT SCREEN PRE-SEASON MANIA!!

First Pre-Season Games Tonight in a Split Squad Frenzy...


As a Die Hard fan of the Edmonton Oilers, tonight was pretty much a dream come true, even though I couldn't be at the game myself. 


To see two Oilers games at the same time, split screen on my PC was a first for me. I found my self torn between the two tilts as there was a ton of intrigue in both games!


Edmonton Vs. Minnesota...


In this game I was most interested in the all Swede kid line that was Omark-Lander-Paajarvi. I was not disappointed! Lander scored a goal that was assisted by Omark, and all night Paajarvi was dangerous and fast!


There was another element to this game that I was intrigued to see, I wanted to see Khabibulin's first game back after a tumultuous summer to say the least. I was surprised to learn that it was 3-0 Wild after the first period when I finally got back to my computer and turned on the game! Unfortunately I did not see the those goals and therefore can't comment until I see the highlights when they get posted later on the Oilers site, but I will say this...I was disappointed that we were down by 3 goals and was blaming Khabibulin even though it might not have been his fault.


When Tyler Bunz was brought into the game, I thought he looked outstanding. His glove is unbelievable! I shouldn't be surprised though as he did post the shut-out in Penticton last week.


Taylor Hall looks like a different guy this year. He looks stronger, faster and harder on the puck than at the end of last year. I noticed this too at the Joey Moss Cup game on Sunday. The only way I can truly describe it is...he looks really hungry. Like he's not going to take no for an answer in any situation, and that he's going to be better this year if it kills him. This is awesome to see!! I can't wait to watch him get 40 goals this year. (that's right I said 40)


It's hard to comment here on the intangible stuff as I was paying attention to both games and missed alot of that kind of thing.


It sucked that we lost this game 4-3, but we came back to tie 3-3 and lost in the dying minutes of the third. Unfortunately, I am not a bandwagon jumper like I used to be, and I do not have unrealistic expectations for this team to make the play-offs. But, if we can compete in games and lose the way we did tonight, this season ticket holder will be a happy camper.


Edmonton Vs. Chicago...


There was a ton of intrigue for me in this game as well. the obvious stuff like, RNH playing his first pro game, Ryan Smyth in his first game back for the Oil, Jordan Eberle etc...


But to be honest, I was really looking forward to watching the boys play in those new white retro uni's. When I saw the team take the ice on Sunday for the Moss Cup...I was blown away by the look. It was like watching the 80's Oilers take the ice. I wanted to see what they looked like on TV and I wasn't disappointed.


But, as far as the game goes, Ryan Smith was up to his old tricks in front of the net picking up the rebound from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who shot from the point. Smyth scores of course!


Jordan Eberle, who has been so clutch in his short career...scores on a 2-1 break with 1:30 left in the game for the winner to make it 3-2. It was a beautiful snipe! I would post the video here, but it has not been uploaded to the Oilers site yet.


All in all a very good night to be an Oilers Fan. I can't wait for my first in-person game on Saturday against the Flames. Unfortunately...I am travelling for business (to help pay for my seats) and can't be there Thursday either, but if you are going to be at the game Saturday...I will be telling Kiprusoff just exactly what I think of him all night long!!


Stream Was More Like a Trickle...


In this day and age of high speed internet, the stream tonight on the Oilers website was pretty choppy! I am not sure if it was my connection from here in Fort St. John, BC or what...but there was a hell of a lot of buffering going on. 


There was a lot of complaints on twitter tonight from viewers as well, so I tend to believe that there wasn't enough bandwidth from the broadcast to go around. I hope the Oilers fix this for Thursday night as it was pretty frustrating tonight for sure.


GO Oilers GO!!