Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers 0-3 (0-1, 0-1, 0-1)
Edmonton made no changes up front, but Anton Babchuk returned, forcing bruiser Nolan Yonkman out of the lineup.
The home fans were pleased to see that Edmonton were better defensively than had been the case in Vancouver two days ago. Following a big hit, Adam Hall added his first ever goal as an Oiler, directing Laich's slap pass into the net. Khabibulin had an outstanding game, saving 38 shots for a shutout. A sad note was Dustin Penner's second period injury, which turned out to be a knee injury that would keep him out for about ten days.
"We showed a lot of character in this game, but I'm afraid this result will not necessarily be mirrored in other games we are outshot by 38 to 25 in. We need to reduce the shots against a bit, but our defensive game did not allow many big chances, which is really the essence of the win."
It is expected that Swedish winger Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson will be called up if Penner is out for any length of time.
Scoring Summary
1st period:
EDM - Hall (Laich, Gilbert)
2nd period:
EDM - Tangradi (Brule)
3rd period:
EDM - Hemsky (Fowler)
Lines:
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Tangradi - Cogliano - O'Sullivan
Moore - Laich - Hall
Axelsson - Falardeau - Brule
Babchuk - Visnovsky
Fowler - Gilbert
Smid - Plante
Khabibulin
(Hiller)
May 04, 2010
Oilers shut out Canucks
Oilers fall in B.C.
Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks 2-3 (0-1, 1-1, 1-1 )
Edmonton opened their season against the team that eliminated them in game 7 of the first round in the playoffs last season. Neither team had undergone major changes, although new faces like Hall, Fowler and Plante featured in the Oilers lineup. Anton Babchuk was suspended for his misconduct in a pre-season game, thus Ladislav Smid drew in on the top pairing.
Even though they were heavily outshot, Vancouver gained the lead in the first and still held it at the first intermission. Oiler-killer Erhoff added to the problems early in the second and Edmonton were shaken by their opponents. When the Oilers finally got on the board, it was rookie Cam Fowler who tallied the goal - scoring his first NHL goal in his first NHL game! Despite a good effort, the Oilers were still unable to edge out in a close contest. Cam Fowler's third star performance, however, cheered head coach Constantine's spirits up: "He's been terrific in the pre-season, showing maturity and composure in all situations."
Scoring Summary
1st period:
VAN - Burrows (White)
2nd period:
VAN - Erhoff (Kesler)
EDM - Fowler (Falardeau, Axelsson)
3rd period:
EDM - O'Sullivan (Laich, Penner) PP
VAN - Kesler (Fedotenko)
Lines:
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Tangradi - Cogliano - O'Sullivan
Moore - Laich - Hall
Axelsson - Falardeau - Brule
Smid - Visnovsky
Fowler - Gilbert
Yonkman - Plante
Khabibulin
(Hiller)
Oilers trade Skille to Wild
Oilers in fine feather against Falcons
Springfield Falcons vs Edmonton Oilers 1-10 (0-3, 0-2, 1-5)
Edmonton absolutely dominated their affiliate, as expected, and won comfortably. In what was more of a scrimmage, Ales Hemsky's line was on fire, setting Olivier Roy ablaze on a number of occasions. The defense was effective at moving the puck quickly to the wings who could use their speed and size to gain the zone. Of all the 12 forwards, only Axelsson was left without a shot in the game.
On the Falcons, Hartikainen, Karamnov and Pääjärvi had decent games, but the team was obviously too light to put up a proper fight.
General manager Morgan Kowalski stated he was pleased with the pre-season and that the team was shaping up well before the season opener. "We still have some roster issues, players that have to go through waivers that have not earned a spot on the team. I will be looking for deals for a player or two, but I won't be forced to take anything less than market value, we do have the possibility of rotating a few forwards too".
Scoring Summary
1st period:
EDM - Hemsky (Penner, Gagner)
EDM - O'Sullivan (Penner, Laich) PP
EDM - Hemsky (Penner, Gagner)
2nd period:
EDM - O'Sullivan (Cogliano, Tangradi)
EDM - Penner (Hemsky, Gagner)
3rd period:
EDM - Gilbert (Laich) SH
EDM - Fowler (Gilbert, Penner)
SPR - Hartikainen (Eberle, Krysanov)
EDM - Smid (Laich)
EDM - Cogliano (Fowler, Tangradi)
EDM - Hemsky (Tangradi, Fowler) PP
Lines:
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Tangradi - Cogliano - O'Sullivan
Moore - Laich - Hall
Axelsson - Falardeau - Brule
Babchuk - Visnovsky
Fowler - Gilbert
Smid - Plante
Hiller
(Khabibulin)
April 27, 2010
Oilers barely brush Leafs aside
Edmonton Oilers vs Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 SO (2-2, 1-1, 1-1, 1-o SO)
The Oilers started their last (ordinary) pre-season game with Khabibulin in net. Media speculated that this might be the last chance to impress for players like Axelsson, Skille and Brule, all of whom are subject to waivers should they fail to 'make the team'.
Another entertaining pre-season matchup saw the Oilers end up in a shootout, which they managed to win this time around. The top line of Tangradi-Karamnov-Hemsky were the most dangerous offensive combination for the Oilers, whereas the Van Riemsdyk-Malhotra-Stempniak line of the Leafs absolutely dominated throughout the contest. That line alone put up 18 shots against Khabibulin and Edmonton struggled to find a cure for them all night long. Defenseman Anton Babchuk received a game misconduct for boarding late in the game, effectively ending his contribution there and then. Perhaps most impressively, the Oilers kept the Kovalchuk-Marleau-Kessel line pointless, much to the credit of the Smid-Babchuk pairing.
Post game: "We have work to do defensively, but I like the way our forwards get into position to receive breakout passes and how we work the puck around in the offensive zone" said GM Kowalski after the shootout. Gilbert Brule looked lost out there, unfortunately, as did Jack Skille. Anton Axelsson's performances in a 4th line role has been quite solid, likely earning him a starting role in the opening game of the season. Before that, though, the Oilers are to meet their affiliate from Springfield in an intra-squad match of sorts.
Scoreboard
1st Period:
TOR -Ericsson (Van Riemsdyk)
EDM - Axelsson (Falardeau)
TOR - Stempniak (Van Riemsdyk, Malhotra)
EDM - Tangradi (Karamnov, Hemsky)
2nd Period:
TOR - Malhotra (Stempniak, Van Riemsdyk)
EDM - Hemsky (Karamnov, Tangradi)
3rd Period:
EDM - Hemsky (Tangradi, Smid)
TOR - Dallman (Van Riemsdyk, Stålberg) PP
Lines:
Tangradi - Karamnov - Hemsky
Hartikainen - Brule - Cogliano
Moore - Krysanov - Skille
Axelsson - Falardeau - Vande Velde
Smid - Babchuk
Fowler - Gilbert
Peckham - Plante
Khabibulin
(Hiller)
Oilers run over by Flyers
Edmonton Oilers vs Philadelphia Flyers 4-6 (3-4, 0-1, 1-1)
Without their junior trial players, Edmonton changed things up to include names like Karamnov, Tangradi and Vande Velde in the lineup. Jonas Hiller got the start in net.
In an absolutely stellar first period, from an offensive standpoint, both teams racked up the points. Teemu Hartikainen's power play goal was a beauty from the high slot. Carcillo and Richards rapidly turned the game to the home team's advantage with two rebound goals on Hiller. Edmonton's fourth line combined to equalise, before Hemsky rallied his team and got them ahead with a nice deke on the netminder in close. It looked as though the period would end with a 3-2 score, but Carter and Dumont both scored in the final minute, turning it in the Flyers' favour once again. Philadelphia's technicians were worried the budget for score board light bulbs would be exceeded even before the season started.
The second was a major disappointment for the fans, although Mark Streit did manage to put one by Hiller. Generally, the coaches must have screamed their lungs out and into orbit in the break, forcing their players into better defensive efforts.
The teams exhanged goals in the third, through Skille and Timonen, but neither team seemed to bring their full bag of tricks in the final frame.
Post game: "We were playing only one way, which was forward. Do that against a better lineup like we did today, and the result is a given" said head coach Constantine on the loss. Despite doing a decent job, the Oilers defensive pairs were exhausted by the lack of assistance from their forwards, most of which were only looking to score and not to prevent being scored on. On a positive note, Axelsson and Skille's good games were welcome news to the Oilers management who are looking for players to fill out the bottom six with Moreau and O'Marra gone.
Scoreboard
1st Period:
EDM - Hartikainen (Skille, Tangradi) PP
PHI - Carcillo (Belanger, Blake)
PHI - Richards (Giroux, Hartnell) PP
EDM - Axelsson (Laich, Vande Velde)
EDM - Hemsky (Cogliano, Karamnov)
PHI - Carter (Gagné, Hartnell)
PHI - Dumont (Richards, Coburn)
2nd Period:
PHI - Streit (Liles, Carter)
3rd Period:
EDM - Skille (Axelsson, Laich)
PHI - Timonen (Hartnell)
Lines:
Cogliano - Karamnov - Hemsky
Tangradi - Hartikainen - Brule
Moore - Krysanov - Skille
Axelsson - Laich - Vande Velde
Smid - Chorney
Fowler - Yonkman
Peckham - Plante
Hiller
(Roy)
Oilers wrap up part one of camp
"Oilers wrap up part one of camp"
All contracted players will stay on the roster until the final pre-season game, featuring the Oilers and Falcons, in which the prospects will be sent down to face a trimmed NHL roster.
Oilers defeated in epic shootout
Edmonton Oilers vs Boston Bruins 4-5 SO (0-1, 1-1, 3-2, * 3-4SO)
The Oilers travelled out to the East Coast to play the remainder of their pre-season games against NHL opponents. They made several changes to the lineup, including giving Anton Lander a chance on the first line and Mathieau Gingras an attempt on the second unit. Olivier Roy got the start in net.
Edmonton controlled the play in the second period, dominating around the boards and in the face off circles, but could not find a way to beat Chet Pickard in the Bruins net. Instead, young defenseman Alain Goulet's point shot went by a screened Roy to give the Bruins the go-ahead goal late on.
Veteran free agent signing Adam Hall made it 1-1 on an early power play in the second period, following a quality passing play from Axelsson and Peckham. The Oilers rolled four lines and were seemingly comfortable in all facets of the game, though clearly enjoying the time against relatively inferior opponents in that the Bruins played a number of non-NHL players. Still, hard-working forward Brad Marchand gave the Bruins the lead once again - scoring on an extended power play opportunity that was the result of a Smid double minor.
The fireworks started in the third, when Hall potted his second of the night on the man advantage, courtesy of a massive Pickard rebound. Old-timer Aaron Downey equalised minutes after, setting up a fierce sequence of goals that saw Pääjärvi, Hall (recording his hat trick) and McNaughton all score within two minutes. That, naturally, propelled the match into overtime with the score at 4-4.
The players looked somewhat drained in the overtime period, having spent much resources on pursuing a late game winner. As taxed as they were, both teams gave up a few big chances, but were bailed out by clutch goaltending.
In an epic 12 round shootout, where Krysanov, Hartikainen and Cogliano scored, netminder Olivier Roy conceded four and Edmonton lost. The blame for the loss, however, would obviously be shared between a so-and-so goaltending effort and a less-than-stellar effort by the shooters.
Post game: "Well, we got a good look at shootout prospects" general manager Kowalski joked in the post-game press conference. Offensive stars like Plante, Yonkman and Peckham all got their chances to go against Pickard in the Bruins net, all failed. Unfortunately, truly gifted players like Pääjärvi, Brule and Lander also let the team down. Temporary captain for the day, Adam Hall, scored an encouraging hat trick and boosted his team's chances every time he was on the ice. Top prospect Cam Fowler contributed well from the blueline too, adding two assists.
Scoreboard
1st Period:
BOS - Goulet (Hamill)
2nd Period:
EDM - Hall (Axelsson, Peckham) PP
BOS - Marchand (Hamel, Hamill) PP
3rd Period:
EDM - Hall (Fowler, Axelsson) PP
BOS - Downey (Wudrick, Hamill)
EDM - Pääjärvi (Gingras)
EDM - Hall (Watson, Fowler)
BOS - McNaughton (Skog, Bergeron)
Lines:
Cogliano - Lander - Moore
Pääjärvi - Gingras - Brule
Watson - Krysanov - Hall
Axelsson - Catenacci - Hartikainen
Smid - Fowler
Chorney - Yonkman
Peckham - Plante
Roy
(Khabibulin)
April 26, 2010
Oilers blow Sabres out of the water
Buffalo Sabres vs Edmonton Oilers 0-6 (0-2, 0-0, 0-4)
Edmonton had yet to win in the pre-season, but kept on sending their inexperienced players out there. Power forward Austin Watson had been bumped up a line due to his amazing scrimmage game yesterday, while Krysanov, Hartikainen, Brule and Catenacci got their first taste of pre-season action this year.
Edmonton came out in the same style as they had in the previous pre-season matches, with speedy and direct hockey. It proved an effective strategy against a rather slow Sabres defense that kept taking hooking and holding minors. Pääjärvi managed to tally the 1-0 goal on the third man advantage of the game, after which Gagner scored on a brilliant one timer from Pääjärvi's pass. Jon Merrill got the Oilers in some late trouble with his double-minor, but the PK valiantly kept the Sabres rookies (and veterans) out.
The Oilers kept the Sabres under fairly good control and head coach Constantine allowed himself to shuffle the line numbers during the second, giving the bottom 6 units more ice time against better opposition. No goals came of the changes in the middle frame, but fans were keenly watching players like Austin Watson, Anton Krysanov and Teemu Hartikainen do well with their increased minutes.
Edmonton went for the jugular in the third, adding a total of four more goals. Jack Skille and Lubomir Visnovsky first tallied a goal each on consecutive power plays. Buffalo managed to settle the game's pace a bit, but error-prone defensemen allowed Pääjärvi and O'Sullivan to score additional goals to sink the heavy Sabres.
Post game: "We were exactly how competitive and aggressive as I think we need to be, in all types of games, in order to become a winning team" general manager Kowalski stated upon the completion of the game. Swedish power forward Pääjärvi was truly excellent in the game, scoring when on the top line matched against checking players, scoring when he was up against the other team's top lines. Jack Skille and Gilbert Brule, who both struggled in the NHL last season, were solid. Defensively there were few problems. Merrill added two assists, while Visnovsky earned the second star of the game with a 1+1 performance. Austin Watson continued his good form by scoring 3 assists!
Scoreboard
1st Period:
EDM - Pääjärvi (Gagner, Merrill) PP
EDM - Gagner (Pääjärvi, Brule)
2nd Period:
-
3rd Period:
EDM - Skille (Krysanov, Watson) PP
EDM - Visnovsky (Watson, Peckham) PP
EDM - Pääjärvi (Merrill, Visnovsky)
EDM - O'Sullivan (Watson, Krysanov)
Lines:
Cogliano - Rask - Skille
Pääjärvi - Gagner - Brule
Watson - Krysanov - O'Sullivan
Axelsson - Catenacci - Hartikainen
Babchuk - Fowler
Merrill - Visnovsky
Peckham - Plante
Hiller
(Roy)
More scrimmages, camp news
"More scrimmages, camp news"
Team BLUE outscored team WHITE by 5 to 3 in today's morning scrimmage. Victor Rask was a leading player for BLUE, scoring twice, while Pääjärvi-Svensson and Ben O'Quinn also doing well. Team WHITE was led by an enthusiastic Eric Tangradi who was involved in all three goals for his team.
Team RED was absolutely decimated by team GREEN in the other scrimmage game. Austin Watson led the charge with a 2+2 effort, while Dustin Penner topped the performance with a 2+3 game. Unable to resist their opponents, RED was left with a lone goal, scored by Viktor Karamnov.
A brief press meeting after the games revealed that defenseman Jeff Petry had suffered a pulled hamstring during his match and he is not likely to return for at least 3 weeks. In positive news, the coaching staff admitted to being positively surprised by a number of players during the camp so far. Eric Tangradi, who has clearly come in with a good attitude and willingness to improve his game further, was one of them. Teemu Hartikainen, Anton Krysanov and Gilbert Brule were among the player that played NHL games last year to receive praise. Newcomers Merrill and Pääjärvi were also praised for the potential they had displayed.
Scrimmages continue
Team WHITE drew team BLUE 3-3 in an entertaining game where special teams were truly special. All team WHITE's goals were SH's, while all BLUE's were power play markers. Cogliano started the party by beating Roy glove side, before Hemsky's duce and Visnovsky's point bomb put WHITE behind by two goals. Lee Falardeau and Greg Moore, veteran checkers, levelled the game during a single penalty kill late on. Late arrival trial netminder Daren Machesney did fairly well during his time in net, stopping 6/6 shots.
Team WHITE's Jordan Eberle was injured during the scrimmage and is expected to be out for at least two weeks, which effectively ends his participation during the camp. On a more positive note, Edmonton's coaches noted on the improvement made by centreman Anton Krysanov, who arrived in a trade last season. Krysanov has yet to appear in a pre-season game, but is expected to dress for the next matchup at Rexall Place.
Oilers lose second straight
St. Louis Blues vs Edmonton Oilers 5-3 (3-2, 1-0, 1-1)
Edmonton rolled on with their prospects holding key positions. Rask kept his place on the first line, now accompanied by Penner and Skille. Christian Hägg, 2nd rounder this summer, joined Gagner and Lander to form a second line. In addition, Mathieu Gingras and Vitaly Karamnov both got their Oilers debuts.
Gingras got off to a great start by setting up Axelsson on a breakaway. The Swede took two chances to score, but brought his team up by slipping the rebound by Mason in the Blues net. Another inspired Swede, Hägg, sent the Oilers up by two eight minutes into the period, finding some space and time at the side of the net to receive Gagner's pass and direct it into the net. Edmonton's ferocious flame died out somewhat and the Blues recovered from a 10-2 shot deficit within a cruel three minutes. First, former Oiler Petr Sykora scored, David Perron followed his lead and David Rundblad rounded off the comeback with a game leading goal. Rookie netminder Olivier Roy looked shaky and was not thriving against quicker opponents.
St. Louis went up 4-2 in the second, but the period was a close one in which Edmonton was clearly a handful for the more experienced Blues team.
Veteran netminder Nik Khabibulin was given the reigns in the third period. Even with more steady goaltending, the Oilers could only draw the period after Alex Steen had sent the Blues up 5-2, as Dustin Penner capped a fine two-on-one with a goal.
Post game: "We were obviously up against better players, but most of the players did quite well. I like how Merrill stepped up his game with a more experienced defensive partner in Lubo, how Penner and Rask created a number of chances together, how Gagner led his line offensively - making Lander and Hägg better in the process. Roy, he showed some weakness by allowing a few softies, but that will be an inevitable part of his learning curve at this level" summarized GM Kowalski.
Scoreboard
1st Period:
EDM - Axelsson (Gingras, Lander)
EDM - Hägg (Gagner, Lander)
STL - Sykora (Oshie, Woywitka)
STL - Perron (Sykora, Pietrangelo) PP
STL - Rundblad (Eller)
2nd Period:
STL - Tlusty (Steen, Eller)
3rd Period:
STL - Steen (Tlusty, Eller)
EDM - Penner (Rask, Babchuk)
Lines:
Penner - Rask - Skille
Hägg - Gagner - Lander
Axelsson - Gingras - O'Sullivan
Watson - Karamnov - Mignardi
Babchuk - Fowler
Merrill - Visnovsky
Chorney - Plante
Roy
(Khabibulin)
Low scoring scrimmages
Team GREEN won a deserved 1-0 game against team WHITE. 2011 4th rounder Andrei Kuchin, who has already earned a pro-contract, scored the lone goal. Dustin Penner, Gilbert Brule, as well as Kuchin, were the top players of the game - all three donning the green practice jerseys.
Unfortunately, GREEN lost Kuchin to an injury during the dying minutes of the scrimmage. He is expected to be out for a week or so.
Oilers succumb to Islanders in pre-season
New York Islanders Edmonton Oilers 4-3 (0-0, 3-3, 1-0)
The Oilers iced an inexperienced lineup with a number of rookies and trial players. The Islanders did not. Recently signed defensemen Jon Merrill and Cam Fowler made out the top pairing, while other notables such as Pääjärvi, Lander and 2011 first rounder Victor Rask featured in the top 6.
The first period was touch-and-feel, both teams getting their legs going and trying to find some early rythm - not in a Marvin Gaye "Let's get it on" fashion, but rather something like Pink's "Let get the party started". Neither team could 'score' either, though Sean Bergenheim was rewarded with a 10 minute misconduct for elbowing Merrill early on. Merrill, on the other hand, exerted his revenge upon Daniel Briere and served a 10 minute misconduct as well.
Eric Tangradi opened the pre-season scoring by finishing an Eberle-pass quickly past Munroe's short side. The Islanders had, at that point, twice the amount of shots as the Oilers. It finally paid off for the visitors as a familiar face, namely that of Georges Laraque, netted the equaliser from close range. The only Oilers line with considerable NHL experience (Moore-Laich-Hall) found their mojo and scored a nice goal with help from Plante's excellent break out pass. Suddenly, the game spiralled out of defensive control and Rask, Tambellini and Okposo scored in quick succession, setting their teams up at a deadlock before the third.
Vaclav Prospal potted home a power play goal of the game early in the third, putting Edmonton behind for the first time in the game. The adversity seemed to spur the youngsters of Edmonton on as they ate up the NY shot advantage during the final frame. Still, they were unable to capitalize and the Islanders took home a win.
Post game: "I must admit I was a bit disappointed to read the Islanders lineup before the game, them having all their regulars in, but I think it proved a brilliant challenge for us. If our young players are ever to truly prove themselves, they have to face proper opposition. They got that today and did quite well. I was impressed with Plante, Fowler and Pääjärvi especially" noted GM Kowalski on the game.
Scoreboard
1st Period:
-
2nd Period:
EDM - Tangradi (Eberle, Pääjärvi)
NYI - Laraque (Bailey, Bieksa)
EDM - Laich (Moore, Plante)
EDM - Rask (Plante, Chorney)
NYI - Tambellini (Hannan)
NYI - Okposo (-)
3rd Period:
NYI - Prospal (Okposo, Briere) PP
Lines:
Pääjärvi-Svensson - Rask - Hemsky
Tangradi - Lander - Eberle
Moore - Laich - Hall
Watson - Falardeau - Vande Velde
Merrill - Fowler
Smid - Petry
Chorney - Plante
Hiller
(Roy)
Oilers boot up camp
"We are pleased with the amount of talent at this year's camp and I will not be surprised if a few players play well enough to warrant a spot on the NHL roster in the season opener in October. We might even be 'forced' to trade a player or two to shape the team the way we want. There are players here that have their first chance to crack the roster and those who know this is their last opportunity to do so" said general manager Kowalski on the camp.
2011 camp roster
April 23, 2010
Oilers sign Fowler, Merrill
"Oilers sign Fowler, Merrill"
"I am delighted to have these two join our organisation. Both should be ready for our camp and I will not be shocked if one or both grab spots on our team. Nonetheless, we will keep a strict policy of patience with our youngsters and will not hesitate to play them where we feel it will gain the organisation the most."
Oilers trade Grebeshkov, sign Hall
"Oilers trade Grebeshkov, sign Hall"
The Oilers have also signed veteran right wing Adam Hall from free agency. The 190cm Kalamazoo, MI, native played for the Tampa Bay Lightning last season, scoring 15 goals in 81 games from a third line role. The deal is for 1M per season for two years. "We are happy to have signed Adam, who is a good role player who adds grit to our team" said GM Kowalski on the signing. It is believed that Hall is a de facto replacement for Ethan Moreau who was released July 1st.
July 1st, start of free agency
Edmonton Oilers News (July 1st 2011) "Free agency starts"
The Edmonton Oilers have signed draftees Vitaly Karamnov and Andrei Kuchin to entry-level deals worth .475M for the next two years. They will join the team during the summer and attend training camp as members of the Oilers.
The Oilers have released captain Ethan Moreau to free agency, along with non-qualified RFAs Deslauriers, Bendfeld, O'Marra, Pitton, Reddox, Stone, Stortini and Wild. Only Moreau and O'Marra had a significant amount of games during the season, playing regularly on the 4th line. "We wish to thank Ethan Moreau for his long service with the team, but now we are prepared to go with new players."
By the looks of it, Oilers prospect Linus Omark is lost to the organisation. The Oilers and Omark could not agree to a deal prior to Omark's rights expiring and the Swede is now a free agent as far as the NHL is concerned. He is still under contract with Dynamo Moscow, however.
On another note, Dustin Penner won the fans' "Player of the Year" award for his 80 points in 82 games throughout the regular season and playoff campaign. He was a plus 3 in the process.
2011 NHL Entry Draft
Edmonton went on to draft eight other players, all of which are presented below:
1st round (21st overall) Victor Rask (C) (190 cm, 91kg) 18 yrs
Rask is a strong two-way centreman who is mentally strong. His ability to win faceoffs is a key
to his overall game. While he is lacking somewhat in the skating department he is an overall solid player.
2nd round (51st overall) Christian Hägg (W) (180cm, 81kg) 18 yrs
Hägg is a gifted offensive player with a mean streak. His skating is decent, but he needs to add some strength to be truly competitive in the NHL. Projected as a 2nd liner.
3rd round (81st overall) Daniel Catenacci (C) (182cm, 85kg) 17 yrs
Catenacci is a strong-willed and strong two-way centreman. He lacks the technical edge to become a
top 6 forward, but may well be a third line checking center.
4th round (111th overall) Alexei Shamin (W) (183cm, 79kg) 17 yrs
Shamin is an unpolished, but gifted, winger with exceptional determination and stamina. He has decent
offensive ability, but lacks a truly effective defensive game. His skating is average. He has an outside chance
of becoming a second line forward.
4th round (118th overall) Andrei Kuchin (W/C) (182cm, 88kg) 20 yrs
Kuchin is a world-class skater, has a solid determination and work ethic, but is not the best defensive player. His shot selection is above average. His age and readiness should make him a shoe-in for the AHL next season.
5th round (130th overall) Pavel Chernov (C) (179cm, 88kg) 21 yrs
Chernov is another Russian late-bloomer with good skating ability and a solid overall game. His determination and ability to win draws are his main strengths.
5th round (141st overall) Bernie Bertrand (G) (180cm, 84kg) 18 yrs
Bertrand is a decent butterfly goaltender. He is a long-shot to make the NHL.
6th round (171st overall) Vitaly Karamnov (C/W) (185cm, 87kg) 21 yrs
Karamnov adds to the list of Russian draftees, having many of the same traits as the other two. His game is
signified by his great skating, solid attitude and two-way ability. He lacks strength and an accomplished defensive game.
7th round (201st overall) Mathieau Gingras (C) (183cm, 84kg) 20 yrs
Gingras is a reliable centreman with great skating ability. He works hard, wins draws and has a decent overall game. His age should enable him to see time with the Springfield Falcons this year.
General Manager Morgan Kowalski's comments
We are satisfied with the draft. There were players we certainly would have drafted had they fallen to us, but there are some NHL players among these guys I am sure. Our situation in Springfield, having a number of free agents leave the team, necessitated bringing in some more ready players. In addition, our signings earlier will add to our organisational depth.
"Oilers sign prospects"
"Oilers sign prospects"
The Oilers have signed four of their prospects to entry-level deals, namely Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson, Anton Lander, Olivier Roy and Bobby Mignardi. Swedes Pääjärvi and Lander were the 1oth and 40th overall picks of the 2009 draft and have signed 2 year entry level deals ending in 2013. Pääjärvi will make .575M per year if playing in the NHL, while Lander signed a .475M deal. Where the two forwards will play next season depends on their performance at training camp, but it is expected that they will see both NHL and AHL action throughout the course of the season. Goaltender Olivier Roy also signed a two-year two-way deal, worth .475M, and is expected to play a role with the Springfield Falcons next year. Forward Bobby Mignardi was a 6th round pick in 2009, and signed a contract worth .475M for the next two seasons. Mignardi is odds on to play for the Falcons, unless he surprises everyone by taking a bottom 6 role in the pre-season.
April 21, 2010
"Oilers re-sign Axelsson, Chorney"
Edmonton Oilers News (April 28th 2011) "Oilers re-sign Axelsson, Chorney"
The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed two pending RFAs, Swedish winger Anton Axelsson and defenseman Taylor Chorney. Twenty-five year old Axelsson played 65 games in the NHL this year, scoring 5 goals and 13 assists, mostly from the third line. He signed a one year extension worth .495M.
Defenseman Taylor Chorney spent his entire regular season with the Springfield Falcons, but got called up as an injury replacement in the playoffs, scoring an amazing 3 goals in 5 games from a limited role. His status with the Oilers fans was forever cemented as he scored the overtime winner in game 6 against the Canucks, capping a marvellous comback. Chorney signed a one year extension worth .975M, giving the twenty-four year old a final chance to break into the Oilers team.
"Kowalski sums up season"
Edmonton Oilers News (April 27th 2011) "Kowalski sums up season"
General manager Morgan Kowalski held the final press conference of the year today, answering a variety of questions. As the players were busy cleaning out their lockers and heading off for a summer vacation, Kowalski was busy praising his coaching staff for the development they had contributed to within the organisation.
Q: How do you view the season as a whole?
A: We can be proud of the regular season, as can we with the way we kept all but two games in the series against Vancouver so close. They have a team that is built differently than ours and are expected to be competing for the Cup right now. We are still a few years away, but no one in the locker room felt pride when we lost game seven. Regardless of our stature, plans and goals, we are still a team that competes with the intention to go all the way. We were very disappointed to be beaten when we had pushed it to a final matchup we were not thinking that it would be a good season either way.
Q: What changes do you expect to do for next season?
A: We have to assess what we want to look like next year, specifically in terms of our free agents. I don't really see major changes in the cards, but you never know.
Q: Will you be pursuing any free agents?
A: It is not likely, but I won't ever overlook a chance to bring in a quality player or two just for the sake of it. The problem with free agents is the free market you know, and we won't get into any bidding war and get into cap problems later. One of our organisational tenets is to pay players what we think they are worth, not what others may think they are worth. That, of course, means we have to let the odd player go - even really good ones - but I believe it will gain our team in the long run.
Q: Do you expect to bring in any of the draftees from previous years for next season?
A: I expect to sign a few prospects, but they will have to prove themselves during the training camp as will anyone who expects to play regularly for the Oilers. It is not to say that we don't have an idea of who will be our core players, but we have a selection of young players that can steal a roster spot. If not, we aim to improve our affiliate in Springfield too, they also suffered a first round exit in the playoffs and will surely appreciate some reinforcements.
April 20, 2010
Oilers eliminated in game 7
Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks 2-5 (2-1, 0-3, 0-1)
"However this unfolds, I will be devastated if we don't put up a dogged fight" said GM Kowalski before the game. His head coach, Kevin Constantine, iced an unchanged lineup. The Canucks were suddenly facing a team that marched with a piece of the true cross. Then again, a lot of experts were convinced that Edmonton's push to game 7 was a mere Lazarus-reflex and that the corpse was now cooling.
There was no trace of rigor mortis nor decay of the Oilers, though they needed all the vigor possible to keep out two consecutive Canucks power plays early on. The successful penalty kill then handed the initiative over to the scorers, who dropped it, but fortunately Lee Falardeau was dilligent enough to collect it and wrist home his second of the post-season - giving the Oilers their first opening goal since game 1 of the series. The lead suffered an early death, however, as veteran Colin White was able to find a hole through the screens to score from the point. Ralph Waldo Emerson stated that "Every hero becomes a bore at last." He might be right, but Taylor Chorney certainly delayed his trajectory towards boredom with his third goal of the series a few minutes before the first intermission.
The mortality rate of leads in this game was astonishing and it rose even further when Samuelsson brought his team back into the game within a minute of the opening face off of the period. Edmonton's fate was oscillating between heaven and hell - and Schroeder appeared as a fallen angel at 27:32, forcing the Oilers down Golgotha with their burden again. The first stones were cast, bringing futher misery with them in form of another Canucks goal, this one signed 'Alex Burrows'. The period ran out with the Oilers behind yet again.
Early minors taken by Smid and Yonkman limited Edmonton's time to mount a comeback significantly. The power plays were heroically fended off, however, and Edmonton did manage to create a few chances - igniting some hope yet again - before life support was cruelly severed by Ryan Kesler. The game ebbed out with the Canucks very deservedly taking game 7. The echo of a certain 2006 game 7 resonated in the Oilers fans' minds. Tormenting them. Again.
Post game: "We came this far, had some excellent games, but did not prove we were good enough in the end. Kudos to the Canucks, but we have identified much to build on in this series and will not let it bring us down for long" summarized GM Kowalski. "In the end, we knew we would have a hard time in this series, but there's only so much to it when you are actually in a game 7. You can never be satisfied losing like this, or any other way, because you know how close you are to going through." So the Oilers end their season, defeated.
Scoreboard
1st Period:
EDM - Falardeau (Smid, Gilbert)
VAN - White (Hodgson)
EDM - Chorney (Laich, O'Sullivan)
2nd Period:
VAN - Samuelsson (Fedotenko, Gratton)
VAN - Schroeder (Burrows, Gratton)
VAN - Burrows (Gratton, Bernier)
3rd Period:
VAN - Kesler (D. Sedin, Edler)
Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
-
Lines:
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Tangradi - Laich - O'Sullivan
Axelsson - Cogliano - Moore
Moreau - Falardeau - Brule
Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Chorney - Yonkman
Khabibulin
(Hiller)
Oilers pull off miracle in game 6!
Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers 3-4 OT (1-1, 2-0, 0-2, 0-1)
The Oilers were preparing themselves for yet another fight to the death, while the Canucks were still quite safe in the knowledge that very few teams had ever come back from a 1-3 series deficit. Vancouver had also taken both games at Rexall in this series and found little reason to panic - as if panic has ever been subject to choice. Edmonton made no line changes and opted to keep Khabibulin in the net from the start.
For the fifth straight game, the Oilers allow the first goal of the game. Henrik Sedin was, as Louie Debrusk would most certainly call it, "Johnny on the spot" to pot home a big rebound from Khabibulin. Fortunately for the home team, they managed to apply instant pressure to the wound and control the damage by adding a power play marker of their own just a minute later. Anton Babchuk's laser beam grazed Luongo's blocker on the way, but ended up in the net nonetheless.
After being denied a goal by the Bulin Wall earlier in the shift, Alexandre Burrows got his vengeance on the Russian netminder by waiting him out the next time around, sending his team in front. The slide got more slippery, the hole got deeper and the light got fainter for the home team three minutes later. Ryan Kesler was able to tip Daniel Sedin's shot and fool Khabibulin just enough to score. Edmonton sprung into action and drew two minors before the second break, but could not solve Luongo during either of them.
The third period evolved into a siege by Edmonton on the Canucks, though that also implies that little attacking was done. The Oilers kept neatly to the outside for most of the period, taking low percentage shots because they were what was available. It was apparent that the coaching staff was looking for a more driven approach, but Vancouver's defence was solid. The sands of time was grinding the Oilers' season to a halt and the fans must have been thinking of Jules de Gaultier's words "Imagination is the one weapon in the war against reality." Reality was that there was a superior goaltender, a superior defense, 2 minutes and a overwhelming statistic between the Oilers and further life in the post-season. When Lee Falardeau wristed a Moreau pass into the net with 1:58 to go, most fans cheered like wild animals, but knew within their hearts that it was but a cruel tease. Then, with 28 seconds to go, Khabibulin on the bench, sticks on the ice, shoulders to the wheel, noses to the grindstone, plugging away, grinding it out, keeping it simple, putting pucks to the net, driving to the crease, never saying die and willing to win - Patrick O'Sullivan completed the comeback and sent the game to overtime in a most scripted fashion, by finding that miniscule hole between Luongo's arm and pad to send the puck into the net!
On an Oilers power play, eleven minutes into overtime, 16 839 people at Rexall Place witnessed how religion is born, how legends are spawned and how something CAN be created from nothing. Although some scientist have proven the latter is possible, none have done so in such an entertaining fashion, nor will ever likely do so. Dustin Penner drove down the left wing, forcing his way past Sami Salo, fed Brooks Laich with a pass, but to a collective "ooooh" Laich gets little on the shot and the puck barely goes into Luongo's right pad. Taylor Chorney, who had a total of zero regular season games and is a pending RFA, came rushing in from the point to poke the loose puck through Luongo - rendering the people in the stands nothing short of euphoric. Edmonton's comeback had defied logic, more than 'one and one making three' could ever do.
Post game: "So beautiful...they should have sent a poet" quoted GM Kowalski from Carl Sagan's Contact. He made no further comments, but instead left head coach Constantine to reiterate the need for a collective effort in game 7. "It's a bit dry, I know" said assistant coach Tom Renney, "but we really do have to regroup and come out strong, because this was not the end of it. We are fortunate to be in a game 7 and now we have to pay lady luck back by taking it home". Suddenly it appears pressure is with the Canucks, who were stunned by the unexpected resurgence of the Oilers. Alain Vigneault remarked a vital point, "We were not playing badly, but they came through nonetheless". Taylor Chorney's #41 can be expected to appear on an increasing amount of jersies before game seven, that is the only certainty of it all.
Scoreboard
1st Period:
VAN - H. Sedin (D. Sedin, Samuelsson) PP
EDM - Babchuk (Hemsky, Tangradi) PP
2nd Period:
VAN - Burrows (Pettinger, Edler)
VAN - Kesler (D. Sedin, H. Sedin)
3rd Period:
EDM - Falardeau (Moreau, Brule)
EDM - O'Sullivan (Tangradi, Yonkman)
Overtime (1st):
EDM - Chorney (Laich, Penner) PP
Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
-
Lines:
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Tangradi - Laich - O'Sullivan
Axelsson - Cogliano - Moore
Moreau - Falardeau - Brule
Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Chorney - Yonkman
Khabibulin
(Hiller)
Oilers live to fight another day!
Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks 3-2 OT (2-1, 0-1, 0-0, 0-0, 1-0)
Edmonton had it all to do in game 5, having been severely beaten, beaten and then gutted in three games after their initial win in game 1. Experts were already summarizing the series and looking at what had eliminated Edmonton, blaming inexperience, goaltending and lack of toughness for the loss. The Oilers were still mustering their forces, however, and were allowed one last chance to gain another last chance to gain yet another last chance to go on. Nikolai Khabibulin was yet again named the starting netminder, despite his massive blunder in game 4.
GM Kowalski held a passionate speech on defiance and never-say-die attitudes among the players in the pre-game press conference. Some reporters were tempted to draw comparisons to the American response to the besieging Germans in WWII's battle of Bastogne - in which the U.S. commander replied to the Germans' demands of surrender merely with "Nuts". As history goes, the Americans fought off the Germans, but the Oilers did not start off in the best way. Instead the Canucks were able to score yet another short handed goal, this time from a point shot after an icing call. Impressively, the Oilers kept their spirits up and got the equaliser three minutes before the intermission as Hemsky tallied his fourth goal of the post-season. Apparently, the hockey gods were willing, and answered a million prayers from across the Rocky Mountains and allowed Hemsky to add his second of the night and fifth of the playoffs just before the break!
Edmonton kept their opponents off in the opening minutes of the second despite taking a few penalties, but the Canucks were positioning themselves for an attack. Regular season Oilers-killer Christian Erhoff fired a shot that beat Khabibulin over his glove at 37:49. Neither team produced additional chances before the second intermission.
The Oilers were still in it, but still playing dangerously close to the brink. Nevertheless, the Oilers seemed to enjoy being on the line, working up a sizeable shot lead, their problem being that Luongo was equally fond of being under fire and held his team in it brilliantly. Neither Tangradi nor Hemsky nor Penner were able to beat Lou in spite of having superb chances to do so and thus the game went to overtime.
Nikolai Khabibulin started the first overtime period by making the save of the season, diving across the crease to stop Samuelsson's bid at the back door. Twice more he made qualified saves on a Canucks power play, winning back some disbelieving fans from the overtime horror that played out two nights ago. An epic struggle of special teams ensued, but steadfast goaltending and bright penalty killing propelled the game into a second overtime period.
The game took the shape of a Rocky Balboa movie in the second overtime period - the bigger Canucks kept beating at Edmonton, but could not finish them. Even a full five minute clipping major by Babchuk was eaten by the penalty killers, who suddenly looked like stars opposed to the crumbling units it had presented earlier in the series. Still, the Canucks had closed the gap on the shot chart, which favoured the Oil by 20 shots in the third. Then, two minutes from the necessity of a third overtime period, Dustin Penner appeared - a deus ex machina - and deflected home a relatively poor Gagner wristshot and underlined the whimsical nature of close games.
Post game: "I don't know what to say" general manager Kowalski said jokingly, though there was a sense of thruth in it as well. Edmonton's heartbreaker in game 4 had turned into a reversal of fortune in game 5. Pundits raved about Ales Hemsky's playoff contribution after the game - the Czech star having been all over to drive his team forward. "There is more to be done, but we can be proud of this game as we could of the last one. The difference was small between the two, but we seek to make it bigger in game 6" stated Kowalski before leaving the press conference.
Scoreboard
1st Period:
VAN - Kesler (Samuelsson) SH
EDM - Hemsky (Gagner) PP
EDM - Hemsky (Penner)
2nd Period:
VAN - Erhoff (White, Kesler) PP
3rd Period:
-
Overtime (1st)
-
Overtime (2nd)
EDM - Penner (Gagner, Hemsky)
Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
-
Lines:
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Tangradi - Laich - O'Sullivan
Axelsson - Cogliano - Moore
Moreau - Falardeau - Brule
Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Chorney - Yonkman
Khabibulin
(Hiller)
Canucks gut Oilers in overtime
Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers 3-2 OT (2-1, 0-0, 0-1, 1-0)
Brooks Laich returned to the lineup for game four, forcing Teemu Hartikainen out. The Oilers started Nikolai Khabibulin for the fourth straight game in the series, hoping that he could improve his numbers dramatically. Since the strong 2-1 win in game 1, Edmonton had been exposed as a far less experienced and driven team, although odd sequences had foreshadowed the emergence of something better. In any case, Edmonton would have to look forward for solutions, learning from Warren Buffett's idea, applicable to sports as well as business: "In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield."
The crystal ball had seemingly not given any answers as to how Cody Hodgson was to be contained, because he opened the scoring five minutes in as he pleased - taking the puck from Wellwood and driving through traffic into a parking spot next to Khabibulin from which he easily sniped home the 1-0 goal. But instead of turning into another slaughterhouse at the Oilers' expense, the goal spurred Edmonton to pressure the Canucks significantly. The result was a Visnovsky point bomb that went in through a screen. Just as the Oilers appeared to really assume command, Daniel Sedin capitalized on a mistake by Chorney on a power play, giving him a breakaway on which he scored.
The game kept its pace into the second period, the positive entertainment value of exchanging chances from the rush was evident, though its negative effect on the nerves was equally clear. Both teams kept each other at arms length, though Luongo's play was by far the strongest muscle in the Canucks-body. Twice he denied Ales Hemsky's attempts on partial breakaways - keeping the score at 2-1 before the third.
The mention of rear view mirrors could not have been more appropriate in terms of this game. The Canucks were becoming increasingly defensive, continuously looking over their shoulders for oncoming Oilers checkers. Even when Anton Babchuk took a roughing minor mid-way through the period it did not deter the home team from taking calculated risks to get back into the game. The Oilers' relentlessness was rewarded five minutes from full time when Gagner and Tangradi's give and go opened some ice for Ales Hemsky - doubling as a opportunist sniper - who leveled the game! Edmonton kept pushing for another goal, almost ruining it for themselves as Henrik Sedin was sprung on a breakaway - but Nikolai Khabibulin's right pad was put between the Swede and glory. Overtime...
Both netminders took their chances to prove their ability early in the first overtime period. First Robert Luongo dazzled the crowd with a seemingly impossible double-save, rejecting Hemsky and Gagner in the span of two seconds - seconds that appeared to last minutes to everyone watching. Then Nikolai Khabibulin was called upon, and answered, against yet another partial breakaway attempt from Daniel Sedin. When Edmonton then got on the power play, due to Burrows' tripping of Laich, the home fans were smelling victory. Instead, in a moment only equalled by Steve Smith's agonizing own goal, Nikolai Khabibulin mishandled the puck on a simple dump in, which allowed Henrik Sedin to slide the puck into the net for a huge 3-2 win in game 4!
Post game: "I don't know what to say" stated GM Kowalski to the gathered press after the game. He obviously could not put into words the moment that all but ended the Oilers season. Now 3-1 down in a series against a team that is clearly gaining momentum at every key crossroad there is. Despite seeing quality efforts from their top lines, and even dominating in the third period and in the overtime period, Edmonton could not find a way to win. "We have no illusions as to the monumental task that lies ahead, but it is a reality now and we must work with that in mind" commented assistant coach Tom Renney.
Scoreboard
1st Period:
VAN - Hodgson (Wellwood, Pettinger)
EDM - Visnovsky (Gagner, Babchuk) PP
VAN - D. Sedin (Edler) SH
2nd Period:
-
3rd Period:
EDM - Hemsky (Tangradi, Gagner) PP
Overtime (1st)
VAN - H. Sedin (-) SH
Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
-
Lines:
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Tangradi - Laich - O'Sullivan
Axelsson - Cogliano - Moore
Moreau - Falardeau - Brule
Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Chorney - Yonkman
Khabibulin
(Hiller)
Canucks undo Oilers again
Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers 4-3 (1-0, 3-2, 0-1)
Edmonton were forced to make a number of changes before their home debut in the series. Brooks Laich was not cleared to play after the morning practice. General manager Morgan Kowalski had anticipated the problem and Teemu Hartikainen had been called up immediately following the 1-7 loss in B.C. and was able to step in. Denis Grebeshkov had suffered a rotator cuff strain in practice since the last game and was expected to be out for at least two weeks - and his replacement was Taylor Chorney. Jeff Petry was likely the preferred candidate, but Petry had picked up an injury with Springfield and was on IR.
Edmonton stepped onto the ice with authority, but fell through the ice immediately by putting themselves on the penalty kill time and time again. By taking four almost overlapping penalties they practically shovelled momentum onto the visitors, while piling pressure upon themselves. In a brief interlude between man advantages, Steve Bernier found time to open the scoring on a breakaway. Some valiant defensive plays repulsed the Canucks' power play bids, and the first intermission must have felt divine as the Oilers were gasping for air.
The pause had no apparent effect on the initial action in the second. Vancouver finally broke through on the power play, courtesy of youngster Cody Hodgson. Edmonton's lacklustre penalty kill was rapidly disintegrating further, and the defensive zone coverage from last game had carried over into this match. Nonetheless, the home fans were, perhaps blind to the on-ice events, still cheering their team on with zeal. Unlikely enough, Taylor Chorney was the one to bring some hope to the supporters by firing a puck by Luongo from long range. His bid for resurrection was quickly stifled though, as Sedin's goal put Lazarus back in the ground. The pattern was reaffirmed when Visnovsky's power play marker was followed by an Alex Edler point bomb. Edmonton's offense could not outweigh their defensive errors.
The straw was coming under tremendous pressure, but it still held as Cogliano wrapped another finger around it in desperation - scoring his first playoff goal ever, nicely set up by Tangradi. Vancouver remained calm, however, and both Sedins had a shot in the post during the final ten minutes, without striking lucky. Their work in the offensive zone effectively kept Edmonton from working their top units though, and Luongo managed to close out another win.
Post game: "We're playing a fragile game" observed GM Kowalski, "because we leave it all in the hands of chance on the PK and take far too many penalties when knowing what type of offense the Canucks have." The Oilers were undone by a crafty offensive game by the Canucks, involving no less than 8 different point scorers. In addition, Luongo and the defensive corps of Vancouver completely denied Hemsky, Gagner and Penner chances outside of the odd power play opportunity. The result was a close game, but one Edmonton will rue because they had the chance to win and let it slip.
Scoreboard
1st Period:
VAN - Bernier (Kesler, Pettinger)
2nd Period:
VAN - Hodgson (Gratton, Fedotenko) PP
EDM - Chorney (O'Sullivan) PP
VAN - D. Sedin (Gratton, Samuelsson)
EDM - Visnovsky (Babchuk, Gagner) PP
VAN - Edler (Kesler)
3rd Period:
EDM - Cogliano (Tangradi, Gilbert)
Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
-
Lines:
Tangradi - Cogliano - O'Sullivan
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Axelsson - Hartikainen - Moore
Moreau - Falardeau - Brule
Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Chorney - Yonkman
Khabibulin
(Hiller)
Canucks decimate Oilers in game 2
Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks 1-7 (0-2, 0-4, 1-1)
Edmonton found no reason to change the winning lineup from game 1 and kept the lines as they were. Vancouver also featured the same 20 players, but had shuffled their line combinations to re-boot their system.
Vancouver's changes worked. It took just three minutes for Samuelsson to put the visitors behind following a lapse of coverage by Gilbert and Smid in front of the net. Chris Gratton added another in quick succession and sent the fans into a frenzy. Head coach Constantine called a timeout and Edmonton stepped back into action with some intent - seeing Moreau, Falardeau and Yonkman take on three Canucks in fights within minutes off each other. The pugilistic approach had no offensive result in the first.
Clearly, Vancouver had a better response to the Oilers battle plan in this game. Edmonton were pushed back time and time again, though they did manage to limit the shots on Khabibulin. The defensive lock was picked again, however, by Kyle Wellwood who combined cleverly with Edler to gain space and beat Khabibulin. When the gate had first been opened, the enemy poured in. First Daniel Sedin added a gritty power play marker with a rebound goal, then Gratton, to everyone's surprise, added his second of the game. Head coach Constantine pulled Khabibulin and Hiller replaced him. Insult was followed by injury in this case, when Laich suffered a knock shortly thereafter. Edmonton were coming apart. Vancouver added yet another goal before the intermission.
The teams exchanged goals in the third, but the emotional gap between the respective teams was evident as Moore was given a game misconduct for a blatant charging on Kaberle mid-way through the final frame. Vancouver's players were enjoying their hockey immensly, moving the puck for fun, while Edmonton's dogged resistance was an epiphany of futility.
Post game: "I hope the boys take a moment to savour this feeling, because it is so much worse than the fatigue of a long PK, the pain of a blocked shot or the drain of a second or third overtime period" said GM Kowalski, appearing devastated by the performance of his team. It was clear from the start that Vancouver had prepared better for the second game than the first and were almost undeniable in their pursuit for goals. At least that is how it must have felt for the fleeing Oilers.
Scoreboard
1st Period:
VAN - Samuelsson (D. Sedin, Salo)
VAN - Gratton (Salo, Burrows)
2nd Period:
VAN - Wellwood (Edler, Hodgson)
VAN - D. Sedin (Schroeder, Kesler) PP
VAN - Gratton (Bernier, D. Sedin)
VAN - Kesler (Edler, Hannan) PP
3rd Period:
EDM - Hemsky (Tangradi, Gagner) PP
VAN - Kesler (D. Sedin, Schroeder) PP
Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
MIS: Moore (EDM, charging, 3rd period)
INJ: Brooks Laich (EDM, shoulder contusion, 2nd period)
Lines:
Tangradi - Laich - O'Sullivan
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Axelsson - Cogliano - Moore
Moreau - Falardeau - Brule
Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Grebeshkov - Yonkman
Khabibulin
(Hiller)
Oilers edge Canucks in game 1
Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks 2-1 (1-0, 0-0, 1-1)
The Oilers went into their first playoff game since game 7 in Raleigh in 2006 without winger Ryan O'Marra who was suffering anterior knee pain. Gilbert Brule took his place on the 4th line. The Canucks were clear favourites for the series based upon their play in the regular season and not least the Sedins, Luongo and a solid defensive corps including Tomas Kaberle, Alexander Edler and Christian Erhoff.
The two teams went at it with vigor from the start, but the Oilers were down six shots to one after ten minutes of play, despite having worked two full power plays. Vancouver payed the price of their belligerence with five blocked shots in that span, energizing both the bench and the fans. Daniel Sedin came awfully close to solving the Oilers penalty kill in the Canucks first man advantage of the game, but his shot rang off the post and out. Just when it looked as if the teams would take a goalless experience into the locker room, Edmonton's power play struck oil - as Ales Hemsky was found alone at the back door by Tangradi, and the Czech winger could score easily. Nonetheless, the Canucks had dominated the play in the first.
The second mimiced the first by its physical nature. Even though the Canucks were clearly the more aggressive team, the Oilers held their ground well and enjoyed a few power plays as a result of Vancouver's hazardous style. At the end of the period, however, it was the Oilers and Nolan Yonkman who lacked discipline. Yonkman's reaction to a roughing call earned him a ten minue misconduct. Edmonton were still holding on to their lead at the second intermission.
Evenius wrote "The crowd gives the leader new strength." When the venomous fangs of the Oil sunk into Canuck-flesh for the second time of the game - the poison delivered by Axelsson - the fans went temporarily silent, and the Vancouver leaders had to summon strength from within. Edmonton had limited the home team's shots to 19 when seven minutes remained, quite impressive considering the Canucks put up 10 shots in the first. The speed of Cogliano, Hemsky, O'Sullivan and others kept producing chances off the rush as Vancouver desperately attempted to balance the game. Bernier was finally able to spark hope with four minutes to go, and the race for an equaliser was on in full scale. Surprisingly, it was the Oilers who commanded play after the 1-2 goal, taking better control of the puck, stretching their opposition by making excellent long passes. A mere second before the whistle, Penner actually hit the post, so Edmonton was closer to increasing their lead than Vancouver were to closing it.
Post game: "I am proud of our defensive game, of Khabibulin's cool presence and most of all of our puck management when the game was on the line. There was leadership beyond the years from most of our guys out there today" remarked head coach Constantine in the post-game interview. Hockey experts were equally impressed as Constantine with the manner in which Edmonton denied Vancouver passing- and shooting lanes for the entire game. "We expect an even tougher game in two days" said captain Ethan Moreau, "they will be re-doubling their effort not to fall two games behind for sure".
Scoreboard
1st Period:
EDM - Hemsky (Tangradi, Gagner) PP
2nd Period:
-
3rd Period:
EDM - Axelsson (Cogliano, Moore)
VAN - Bernier (Zuccarello Aasen, H. Sedin)
Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
- MIS: Yonkman (EDM, 2nd period)
Lines:
Tangradi - Laich - O'Sullivan
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Axelsson - Cogliano - Moore
Moreau - Falardeau - Brule
Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Grebeshkov - Yonkman
Khabibulin
(Hiller)