Everyone loves an Underdog!
What a way to win a game on Stars territory for the first time in three years. It has been on everyones mind lately, with the Oilers hanging around the bottom of the Western conference if they were going to make a playoff run they would need to hurry up and do it quickly. Being plagued with injuries and illness (including the dreaded H1N1) and star forward Hemsky out on a season ending injury, it was looking for awhile that the only hope for the Oilers was a top pick in the spring.
But then tonight happened, and the team seemed to take coach Pat Quinn’s advice to just carry on to heart. The reward? Edmonton’s first back to back win since October when the plight of of injuries started. Won with a slightly fluky goal in the 5th round shootout by favorite Horcoff, this still in my opinion wasn’t the most exciting part of the game.
What was the most exhilarating aspect for me was the fantastic show of goaltending on both sides of centre ice. After fan favorite Dwayne Roloson was traded to the Islanders for (considerably less attractive) Khabibulin, I didn’t really know how to react. But with Khabibulin banged up and out of the game it was left to Deslauriers to step up. And step up he did! Turco and Deslauriers were making the forwards throughout the game work hard for every shot. Not to mention that Turco’s glove hand was pretty much a magnet for the entire night. But the first star of the night inevitably went to Deslauriers! All in all, good show, and showing that the Oilers may be starting to turn their luck around, or at least keep their heads above the water!
More good news, the Habs celebrated a win during their centennial game helped out by Mike Cammalleri’s hat trick! Another notable centennial celebration was Lach and Bouchard having their numbers brought up to the rafters to join the Habs elite with retired numbers.
That’s all for now really, when I started this blog it really wasn’t intended to be all about hockey. But I just figure thats more interesting then stories about me cleaning my bathroom or getting drunk off champagne at the company Christmas party last night. Well maybe not more interesting then that last bit…more varied and exciting updates coming soon!