HOCKEY: In the Box with Brent & Craig
Oil Spring
The Oilers keep rolling this week with three straight wins after a one goal loss to the Flames on Monday. McDavid proved himself (yet again) as the best player on planet earth, and Mike Smith is getting some (dumb) consideration for the Vezina at 11-3.
Are Craig & Brent going to let this 1st place tie with the Leaves go to their heads, or will they enjoy none of it because they’ve been Oilers fans for far too long?
You’ve probably already guessed right.
Craig Douglas
March 15: Flames 4 Oilers 3
There’s a lot of blame to distribute around here after this one – a little bit for everyone and everything. Mike Smith was left alone to face some shots that were going to go in no matter what, so some of the blame is going to land on the defense, but at the same time his .852 sv% suggests that he wasn’t exactly stopping very much anyways, with the third Flames goal being largely his fault for going wandering. We can definitely toss some blame in the direction of the fucking refs as they handed out three penalties to the Oil, and only one for the Flames, all the while McDavid being tripped and hacked all night long. We can blame bad luck and/or injuries while we’re at it as Tyson Barrie only managed seven minutes before being shutdown for the evening with a classic ‘lower body injury’, and of course they were short a forward the rest of the game after Khaira got knocked out kindaaaa badly less than ten minutes through the first period.
It was valiant that the Oil managed to stay afloat this game, as they were down two men after the first period, suffering through a boring ass Daryl Sutter type of game against this team of wankers. They were pretty much always in the game, but had a nasty habit of giving a goal right back after almost every instance that they scored. That’ll make it just a little difficult to develop any momentum when you toss the enemy a virtual freebie after every time you manage to climb back into it. So yeah, sprinkle a little blame over everybody on the local team and save some at the end for the fucking refs, then get back out there and get them next time … Right Brent???
Brent Oliver
March 17: Oilers 7 Flames 3
Oh, they sure got them next time. Seven, fucking SEVEN, goals against the Flames to exact revenge from the last game, and prove that no matter how bad the reffing, goaltending and defensive opponents can be – the Oilers can still put up a touchdown to make sure its all going to be out of reach.
Tyson Barrie racked up 4 assists, proving he’s been the most significant pick up the Oilers made in the off season, with the Super Twins scoring three points a piece. A thorough and beautiful beatdown on the Flames feels so very very good, and even better if you were at home and not drinking green beer in a bar since there’s still a pandemic going on you dummies.
Back home to play the Jets for two and fight for a top spot alongside the slumping Maple Leaves.
Craig Douglas
March 18: Oilers 2 Jets 1
There’s not a lot to be said about this game. The first period was incredibly dull, with just ten shots on net between the two teams. The second period featured all the scoring, and the third period was tight as the Oil clung to their thin lead as the two teams combined for another meager shot total of just thirteen between them. McDavid with two very similar goals is a nice little touch, and some solid play by Koskinen saving 24/25 shots (.960 SV%) is comforting and encouraging. The first goal where Connor jumped on to the ice and scored within the first five seconds of his shift was enough to get people jumping to their feet, so that was very thrilling, but it was five whole seconds of excitement and there just wasn’t much else to shout about.
It wasn’t the most entertaining game to watch, but pulling out a tight win against the team directly elbow them in the standings is exciting when you consider it in the right context.
Brent Oliver
March 20: Oilers 4 Jets 2
Same deal with last night’s game against the Jets. Yes I watched it, yes it was awesome to score 4 unanswered goals after being down 4-0, yes we won, but this game was another snoozefest. Besides McDavid hitting 60 points in the 4th shortest time ever (DID I MENTION HE’S THE BEST PLAYER ON THE PLANET), and a couple beauty goals, and a couple decent stops by Smith after a shaky 1st – it was a relatively dull game. I’m really sorry to be complaining after a win, and my therapist says I should be more grateful, so – I’ll take it.
Good win boys, keep it up, I love you, get my pregnant, etc etc.
Off to La Belle Province…
Craig Douglas
The Connor McDavid Player Of The Week Award Brought To You By Humpty’s
Four games, four goal, and four assists. Just another pretty good week for the best player in the world. He really does not want anyone else getting their gloves on his award.
Predicsh Brought To You By Huge Ford Trucks
03/22 at Montreal – The winning streak stretches to four with another W against the inconsistent Canadiens.
Final score: Oilers 4 Canadiens 2
03/24 at Montreal – Let’s make it five in a row! A McDavid hat trick ensures he keeps his award for another week.
Final score: Oilers 6 Habs 4
03/26 at Montreal – The winning streak comes to an end, because it has to end somewhere.
Final score: Canadiens 4 Oilers 3
03/27 at Toronto – The last two games of the regular season against the Oiler’s top competition for the division crown. These games are important!
Final score: Oilers 2 Maple Leafs 1
03/29 at Toronto – They split the series with Toronto, but they pick up their first stupid, stupid, stupid loser point of the season.
Final score: Maple Leafs 3 Oilers 2 (OT)
Wagon’s East! The Oilers head to the seedy streets of Montreal, then to the stinky streets of Hogtown to either fall, or solidify their 1st place in the stupidly corporate named North division. Can Brent find some gratitude and joy in his life with these wins? Will Craig cheer for his favourite kid, or second favourite kid in Toronto? When it comes to this discoloration on my neck, should I get it checked out?!
See you next time – In the Box.
