WHAT'S THE POINT?

Huh...?


If you have read this blog for a while, you will know how I feel about reffing this year when the Oilers are playing. But come on...last night was just wrong! if you watched the game then you know that it wasn't the play on the ice that determined the loss that we suffered, it was the officiating.


I won't try and re-create what happened for you as I'm sure it is all over the Oilogosphere at this point. What I will say is that I feel like there should be some process for teams to protest these types of games. And I don't mean in a back room somewhere behind a closed door. I mean that a team can file a grievance with the league, and the results of any decision be a matter of public record. If ever there was a case for that, it was last night.


Are officials trying to make a point here? Do they think that if they don't make calls that are blatant, that they will earn the respect of the players? I'm trying to figure out what the message is here, if they are trying to send one. The only thing I can think of is that maybe they feel Omark is a bit of an actor. Maybe it's a "boy who called wolf" type of message to Omark. But that still doesn't explain the goal that was allowed, when there was no conclusive evidence that the puck was in the net, except the the official signaled a goal was scored.


The ironic thing about the bad calls last night is that Mick McGeough, who is the supervisor for all NHL refs (I'm told) was at the game last night. We all remember what happened with Mick and the bad Horcoff call a few years ago.


Tom Renney said last night on the post game show that he was pleased with our game last night. This coming from a guy who lost his mind on the bench for the reffing issues mentioned above. 


The Oilers-Barons


It's quite a comment on the effort of our team last night when you out-shoot and dominate the play like we did vs. a team sitting in a play-off spot right now. I liked Teemu Hartikainen's  game. he likes to go to the net, which is something we don't see enough of here. He also finished his checks and threw his weight around a little. Not to mention, he got his first NHL point in the first game he plays, and he was on a line with Vande Velde & McIntyre. Impressive for a first game, let's see if he can continue to grow from here.


I was not very impressed with Vande Velde. he was a little invisible last night accept for a couple of body checks. I don't know if it was just that he didn't get much ice, or he just wasn't that impressive that I didn't notice him. I'd like to see more games before I truly decide how I feel about his game.


Ryan O'mara was good last night in my mind. In a 4th line role I think this guy could center our energy line next year. I have not been much of a fan of his over the last couple of years. But, last night, I had a small change of heart on this guy. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a real NHL career for him.


ELPH...


we play Colorado on Saturday at Rexall and i for one say we need to lose this game too. Colorado is in free-fall mode and could seriously challenge for last place. 


GO AV'S GO! 


(and you all know why, whether you want to admit it or not)