I was watching 'Independence Day' earlier and I was thinking, do we have a pilot that would go into an alien ship's tractor beam to save the world? In context of the Oilers the question is actually 'do we have a player who would sacrifice himself in order to save the team?'
I think the easy answer is yes, obviously the team blocks shots and we have a few guys that are willing to step in when our skill guys are getting pushed around. But then there have also been a few incidents this season that simply weren't taken care of, and I'm sure you can think of a few yourself.
It's no secret that the Oilers have lacked a certain motivation that up until this season had always been found in the Oilers game. Even at the tail-end of the 06/07 season I still watched all of the games, and I have been this season too, but I've been watching them for a different reason; in 06/07 we were playing with heart and the team showed up to every game. Now I'm watching because we may actually win, and the team is in the mix for the playoffs, and I'm noticing, as I'm sure most of you are, that the heart that has always been beating relentlessly on the Oilers' jersey sleaves has seemingly taken a vacation.
The team has shown flashes of their brilliance at multiple points throughout the season, but rarely has it been consistent. Most times it only lasts for a single period, let alone a whole game or a few games together.
The Oilers take on the Minnesota Wild tonight at Rexall Place, and that building has been terrible this season. I've attended six games within the last few months, and the only one that was enjoyable was fan appreciation night against the Thrashers. Yes, the team has to show us that they want to play and that they want to be in the playoffs, but we as fans have to show that we want them to play for us, and we want them to be in the playoffs, and that we support them. Quit with the 'boo'-ing at Rexall, unless it is at the referees or the opposing team. I'm tired of hearing Rexall punish the Oilers. Cheer and chant with wild abandon, because we're lucky we have a team. We are lucky we get to cheer on the Oilers every second or third night, and if we don't come to appreciate that then I don't think we deserve an NHL team.
Perhaps we can return that 'heart' that's been on missing for about 90% of the season thus far.
As Always: Go Oilers Go!
Posts
1 comment:
The transformation the Oilers have gone through from the late 90's team of bangers, crashers, and underdoggian victories to the post-lockout team of small, skilled, and soft players has a lot to do with their lack of motivation I think. The Oilers wake up in physical games and our perception of their motivation goes up as a result. If players like Stortini and Jacques can stick in the lineup, they will create chances on the ice and energy on the bench and in the stands. They could be our darkhorse players in these final 7 games. I don't want to see Reddox and Pouliot again until Stortini and Jacques stop bringing the pain.
I was at a London Knights game shortly after Tavares was traded to the Knights from Oshawa. The atmosphere was amazing; the power went off halfway through the second period and the entire time we were in the dark, the crowd cheered and did the wave. Even when the team was losing, anyone with sagging spirits couldn't help but be buoyed by the fans cheering relentlessly beside them. The Knights ended up winning the game in a shootout and it was the best live hockey experience I've had as a fan in ages...
Here in London, the fans seem to cheer regardless of the action on the ice. From what I've gathered from 3000 miles away, it seems that Oilers' fans cheer because of what happens on the ice. If the scoring lines can score, the energy lines can create energy, and the defense can defend, the fans will wake up. Right now, we've got 1 of 3 with the energy lines producing. Most fans expect 3 of 3 every night.
The fans here in London know that they're cheering for young kids and that a harsh reaction could really take them down a lot. The team in Edmonton is similar in that they have a bunch of young kids... maybe a little more patience and understanding is in order?
That being said, we were told at the start of the season we'd be challenging for the division lead. Oops.
Post a Comment