Originally Posted by ThisIsAnOutrage
McDavid and the Oilers take it right to the edge as Anaheim grabs 3-2 series lead
"When the Abyss stares into Connor McDavid (1g, 1a, 2pts, -1), Connor McDavid stares back."
Such were the words of the Edmonton Oilers' General Manager, Peter Chiarelli, upon arriving back at Edmonton International the morning after an aching 4-3, double-overtime plundering by the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. "He's still getting his first taste of the playoffs and the injuries, tough calls, and hard stretches that a team has to play through to win. You can't ask more from your Captain at 20," added Chiarelli.
Before fielding any further questions about the game, which saw the Oilers' squander a 3-0 lead with less than four minutes to go, Chiarelli was addressed by unabashed, 4-and-a-half year old Tabitha DeMarquez. "Mister Chiarelli, why won't Collie McDoggy wake up this morning?" asked the littlest McDavid fan, her tiny arms overloaded with an eerily silent puppy-sized pet carrier.
Unable to break away from the gaze of the child, Chiarelli gently lifted the carrier from her arms, and just once reached in to stroke the still, furry form wearing a hand-knit, blue and orange #97 sweater. "Oh, I think he's just tired from cheering his little heart out, sweetie. Everything will be fine...just fine... You'll see," stated Chiarelli before locking eyes with the girl's father and wordlessly handing the carrier back. "Did you hear that, daddy? Collie McDoggy is going to be okay now!" said Tabitha.
Further questions about how the Oilers were planning on handling Ducks' forward Ryan Getzlaf, who has posted ten points in the five game series so far, were cut off by Chiarelli, who, after searching the crowd for a friendly face, stated only, "Hold me, Gene."
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