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CaptainCrunch · 05-31-2024, 05:29 PM

1985-86

Why do people call the Oilers the Dynasty that never was, a term that raises hackles with Oiler fans? Because while they won 5 cups in 7 years, they didn't win the legendary 3 in a row. While they in that period were absolutely a elite team, they don't compare to the Canadians teams that won 5 and 4 cups in a row, nor that Islanders team that won 4 in a row.

In 1985-86 there was every reason to believe that the 2 time Stanley Cup Champion would be adding a 3rd cup to their trophy case. This Oilers team was probably stronger then the previous 2 teams and was even more tempered by their Stanley Cup wars.

Gretzky set an all time record with 163 assists and 215 points and won another Hart Trophy. Paul Coffey had ascended and finally had a Norris Trophy season. With their powerful scoring machine and Glenn Sather behind the bench the Oilers rolled over the league on their way to a 56-17-7 record and seemed as close to unbeatable as a team could be.

The playoffs started simply enough. The Oilers rolled over the Canucks in round one as the Oilers crushed the Canucks in a 3 game sweep outscoring the Canucks 17-5.

The Oilers moved on to face the Flames who had finished second in the Smythe Division. Calgary had finished 30 points behind the Oilers. The Flames had gone through several changes in the season, all aimed at beating the Oilers if they should meet them.

Gone was Kent Nilsson, the talented but uncommitted forward. He was sent to Minnesota in a trade that would eventually give the Flames Joe Nieuwendyk. In February the Flames shipped Eddy Beers, Charlie Bourgeois and Gino Cavallini to the Blues for Terry Johnson, Joe Mullen and Rik Wilson. Then the Flames picked up tough guy Nicki Fotiu from the Rangers, and on the same day picked up John Tonelli from the Islanders for Steve Konroyd and Richard Kromm. If the Flames weren't going to beat the Oilers in a scoring derby, they would at least be able to beat the Oilers up.

At the same time Bob Johnson became obsessed with strategies to beat the Oilers and play mind games, including putting college goalies in Oiler Jerseys to get the Flames used to scoring on the Oilers net.

The Oilers weren't impressed with the Flames, but then again the Flames weren't all that impressed with the Oilers and they showed it in game one in Edmonton where the Oilers had won 18 straight playoff games. As the Flames dominated winning 4-1.

In game 2 the Flames tried to play with the Oilers and ended up losing a 6-5 game in overtime. But the Flames came out on Saddledome ice and put in a disciplined victory where they outplayed the Oilers and won 3-2 victory.

Game 4 was a brawl, 196 minutes in penalties were called, The Flames lost the fights and on the scoreboard and allowed Gretzky to get loose and score a hat trick leading the Oilers to a 7-4 victory.

The Flames then did the impossible, they returned to Edmonton and made the Oilers play Flames hockey and the Oilers dropped a 4-1 game and headed back to Calgary facing elimination.

In front of a raucous believing crowd the Flames jumped out to a 2-0 lead on two second period goals in a minute and a half, but the Oilers dominated the rest of the way winning 5-2 setting the stage for a historic game 7 on Edmonton Ice.

The Flames started jumping out to a 2-0 lead. But the Oilers rallied to tie the game before the end of the 2nd period setting the stage for history.

The Oilers dynasty died on the back of a unheralded rookie defenseman. Steve Smith was a late replacement for Lee Fogolin who was a injury scratch. At 5:14 of the third period, Smith picked up a Perry Berezan dump in and took a step to his left to fire a pass across ice and through the crease in a epic blunder. The puck bounced off the back of Grant Fuhr's leg and into the net. Smith crumpled to the ice in shock and dismay as the Flames celebrated. Berezan who had returned to the bench on a line change never saw the puck go in.

Oiler fans point to bad luck and a fluke ending their dynasty. But the Oilers had more then half a period to tie the game, and it should have been "Super easy, Barely an inconvenience" with their offence. But the Oilers lost their composure. They had a few chances, but the Flames shut the door and when they made a mistake Mike Vernon was there. In the last minute of the game with the Flames trapped in their zone Jari Kurri with a chance at a sure goal passed the puck.

The Flames won and moved on to face St Louis in a series that might have cost the Flames the cup as the Blue wore the Flames down in a grinding 7 game series. By the time the Flames got to the Finals against the Canadians they had nothing left. They fought valiantly but fell in 5 games, it just wasn't their time yet.

For the Oilers they faced a tough summer of change. Allegations of complacency, partying and drug use followed them though the break.

Trivia

Due to the Oilers offence 5v5 the NHL adopts a rule allowing substitutions on 6on6 play in the event of coincidental minors.
The Hall of Fame inducts 5 including Gerry Cheevers, Bert Olmstead and Jean Ratelle.
Toronto picks Wendel Clark with the first pick in the draft.
NHL Entry Draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_NHL_Entry_Draft
On November 19th 26 year old Flyers star goalie Pelle Lindbergh is killed in a car accident.
On Dec 11, the Oilers beat the Hawks 12-9 setting a record for combined goals in a game.
On Jan 2 Mike Bossy joins the 500 goal club, 22 days later he joins the 1,000 point club.
On march 9th Buffalo's Gil Perreault scores his 500th goal.
The Oilers win the regular season title 56-17-7 record, Wayne Gretzky sets a record for points with 215.
Wayne Gretzky sets a record with 163 assists.
The Oilers score a astounding 426 goals. Jari Kurri scores 68 and Glenn Anderson puts up 54.
Calgary finishes a distant second in the Smythe Division, Joe Mullen is acquired mid season and leads the Flames with 44 goals.
Chicago takes the Norris division title with a 39-33-8 record.
Detroit finishes dead last in the Norris as Steve Yzerman misses 29 games to injury.
Quebec wins its first Adam's division title with a 43-31-6 record. They are lead by Peter Stastny's 122 points and Michel Goulet's 53 goals.
The Canadians with Guy Lafleurs retirement place second in the Adams lead by Matts Naslunds 110 points and with rookie Patrick Roy in net.
The Flyers overcome the death of Pelle Lindbergh to go 53-23-4 and take the Patrick Division.
The Devils improve to 28 wins but still finish in the Patrick division basement.
Mario Lemieux finishes second in scoring with 141 points.
Jari Kurri leads all goalscorers with 68 goals.
In the playoffs the Leafs shock Chicago in a first round sweep, while St Louis slips by the Stars 3-2 in the Norris semifinals.
In the Smythe Edmonton squashes the Canucks 3-0, Calgary sweeps Winnipeg.
In the Adams Hartford stuns Quebec 3-0 while the Canadians continue to dominate the Bruins with a 3-0 sweep.
In the Patrick the Rangers knock out the Flyers 3-2 while the Caps hand the Islanders their first opening round loss in 8 years in a 3-0 sweep.
In the Norris finals the Blues need 7 games to beat the Leafs.
In the Smythe the Flames shock the Oilers with a 7 game upset.
Montreal gets past Hartford with a overtime win in game 7 in the Adams.
The Rangers take the Patrick crown beating Washington in 6.
Calgary outlasts St Louis in 7 games in the Campbell Conference. Montreal pastes the Rangers in 5 in the Whales.
In game 1 of the finals the Flames thrash the Habs 5-2 when McDonald and Dan Quinn break the game open in the 3rd period.
Montreal wins game 2 3-2 when Brian Skrudland scores 9 seconds into overtime.
In game 3 in the forum the Habs beat the Flames 5-3.
In game 4 Montreal rookie Claude Lemieux takes a bite out of the Flames as he scores late in the 3rd period in a 1-0 win.
The Flames fall behind 4-1 in game 5 but rally to make a game of it, but lose 4-3 as the Habs win their 22nd cup.
Rookie goalie Patrick Roy wins the Conn Smythe.
Wayne Gretzky wins his 7th straight Hart Trophy.
Mario Lemieux wins the Lester B. Pearson award.
Mike Bossy wins his third Lady Byng.
Rangers goalie John Vanbiesbrouck wins the Vezina.
Calgary rookie defenseman Gary Suter wins the Calder Trophy.
Paul Coffey breaks Bobby Orr's record with 58 goals wins the Norris Trophy.
Boston's Charlie Simmer receives the Masterton.
Troy Murray wins the Frank Selke trophy.
Glen Sather wins the Jack Adams.
Luc Robitaille of Hull wins the CMJ Player of the year.
The Guelph Platers win the Memorial Cup.
Michigan State beats the snobs from Harvard to win the NCAA title.
Harvard's Scott Fusco claims the Hobey Baker.

First Game

Bill Ranford, Boston Bruins
Daren Puppa, Buffalo Sabres
Brian Bradley, Calgary Flames
Gary Suter, Calgary Flames
Brett Hull*, Calgary Flames
Adam Oates, Detroit Red Wings
Petr Klima, Detroit Red Wings
Bob Probert, Detroit Red Wings
Shayne Corson, Montreal Canadiens
Kirk McLean, New Jersey Devils
Craig Wolanin, New Jersey Devils
Scott Mellanby, Philadelphia Flyers
Craig Simpson, Pittsburgh Penguins
Jeff Brown, Quebec Nordiques
Cliff Ronning*, St. Louis Blues
Wendel Clark, Toronto Maple Leafs
Dave Lowry, Vancouver Canucks
Jim Sandlak, Vancouver Canucks

Last game

Tom Lysiak, Chicago Black Hawks
Mike Rogers, Edmonton Oilers
Mario Tremblay, Montreal Canadiens
Bob Nystrom, New York Islanders
Pelle Lindbergh, Philadelphia Flyers
Denis Herron, Pittsburgh Penguins
Don Edwards, Toronto Maple Leafs
Marian Stastny, Toronto Maple Leafs
Jiri Bubla, Vancouver Canucks
Dan Bouchard, Winnipeg Jets

05-31-2024, 05:29 PM	#196
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	1985-86 Why do people call the Oilers the Dynasty that never was, a term that raises hackles with Oiler fans? Because while they won 5 cups in 7 years, they didn't win the legendary 3 in a row. While they in that period were absolutely a elite team, they don't compare to the Canadians teams that won 5 and 4 cups in a row, nor that Islanders team that won 4 in a row. In 1985-86 there was every reason to believe that the 2 time Stanley Cup Champion would be adding a 3rd cup to their trophy case. This Oilers team was probably stronger then the previous 2 teams and was even more tempered by their Stanley Cup wars. Gretzky set an all time record with 163 assists and 215 points and won another Hart Trophy. Paul Coffey had ascended and finally had a Norris Trophy season. With their powerful scoring machine and Glenn Sather behind the bench the Oilers rolled over the league on their way to a 56-17-7 record and seemed as close to unbeatable as a team could be. The playoffs started simply enough. The Oilers rolled over the Canucks in round one as the Oilers crushed the Canucks in a 3 game sweep outscoring the Canucks 17-5. The Oilers moved on to face the Flames who had finished second in the Smythe Division. Calgary had finished 30 points behind the Oilers. The Flames had gone through several changes in the season, all aimed at beating the Oilers if they should meet them. Gone was Kent Nilsson, the talented but uncommitted forward. He was sent to Minnesota in a trade that would eventually give the Flames Joe Nieuwendyk. In February the Flames shipped Eddy Beers, Charlie Bourgeois and Gino Cavallini to the Blues for Terry Johnson, Joe Mullen and Rik Wilson. Then the Flames picked up tough guy Nicki Fotiu from the Rangers, and on the same day picked up John Tonelli from the Islanders for Steve Konroyd and Richard Kromm. If the Flames weren't going to beat the Oilers in a scoring derby, they would at least be able to beat the Oilers up. At the same time Bob Johnson became obsessed with strategies to beat the Oilers and play mind games, including putting college goalies in Oiler Jerseys to get the Flames used to scoring on the Oilers net. The Oilers weren't impressed with the Flames, but then again the Flames weren't all that impressed with the Oilers and they showed it in game one in Edmonton where the Oilers had won 18 straight playoff games. As the Flames dominated winning 4-1. In game 2 the Flames tried to play with the Oilers and ended up losing a 6-5 game in overtime. But the Flames came out on Saddledome ice and put in a disciplined victory where they outplayed the Oilers and won 3-2 victory. Game 4 was a brawl, 196 minutes in penalties were called, The Flames lost the fights and on the scoreboard and allowed Gretzky to get loose and score a hat trick leading the Oilers to a 7-4 victory. The Flames then did the impossible, they returned to Edmonton and made the Oilers play Flames hockey and the Oilers dropped a 4-1 game and headed back to Calgary facing elimination. In front of a raucous believing crowd the Flames jumped out to a 2-0 lead on two second period goals in a minute and a half, but the Oilers dominated the rest of the way winning 5-2 setting the stage for a historic game 7 on Edmonton Ice. The Flames started jumping out to a 2-0 lead. But the Oilers rallied to tie the game before the end of the 2nd period setting the stage for history. The Oilers dynasty died on the back of a unheralded rookie defenseman. Steve Smith was a late replacement for Lee Fogolin who was a injury scratch. At 5:14 of the third period, Smith picked up a Perry Berezan dump in and took a step to his left to fire a pass across ice and through the crease in a epic blunder. The puck bounced off the back of Grant Fuhr's leg and into the net. Smith crumpled to the ice in shock and dismay as the Flames celebrated. Berezan who had returned to the bench on a line change never saw the puck go in. Oiler fans point to bad luck and a fluke ending their dynasty. But the Oilers had more then half a period to tie the game, and it should have been "Super easy, Barely an inconvenience" with their offence. But the Oilers lost their composure. They had a few chances, but the Flames shut the door and when they made a mistake Mike Vernon was there. In the last minute of the game with the Flames trapped in their zone Jari Kurri with a chance at a sure goal passed the puck. The Flames won and moved on to face St Louis in a series that might have cost the Flames the cup as the Blue wore the Flames down in a grinding 7 game series. By the time the Flames got to the Finals against the Canadians they had nothing left. They fought valiantly but fell in 5 games, it just wasn't their time yet. For the Oilers they faced a tough summer of change. Allegations of complacency, partying and drug use followed them though the break. Trivia Due to the Oilers offence 5v5 the NHL adopts a rule allowing substitutions on 6on6 play in the event of coincidental minors. The Hall of Fame inducts 5 including Gerry Cheevers, Bert Olmstead and Jean Ratelle. Toronto picks Wendel Clark with the first pick in the draft. NHL Entry Draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_NHL_Entry_Draft On November 19th 26 year old Flyers star goalie Pelle Lindbergh is killed in a car accident. On Dec 11, the Oilers beat the Hawks 12-9 setting a record for combined goals in a game. On Jan 2 Mike Bossy joins the 500 goal club, 22 days later he joins the 1,000 point club. On march 9th Buffalo's Gil Perreault scores his 500th goal. The Oilers win the regular season title 56-17-7 record, Wayne Gretzky sets a record for points with 215. Wayne Gretzky sets a record with 163 assists. The Oilers score a astounding 426 goals. Jari Kurri scores 68 and Glenn Anderson puts up 54. Calgary finishes a distant second in the Smythe Division, Joe Mullen is acquired mid season and leads the Flames with 44 goals. Chicago takes the Norris division title with a 39-33-8 record. Detroit finishes dead last in the Norris as Steve Yzerman misses 29 games to injury. Quebec wins its first Adam's division title with a 43-31-6 record. They are lead by Peter Stastny's 122 points and Michel Goulet's 53 goals. The Canadians with Guy Lafleurs retirement place second in the Adams lead by Matts Naslunds 110 points and with rookie Patrick Roy in net. The Flyers overcome the death of Pelle Lindbergh to go 53-23-4 and take the Patrick Division. The Devils improve to 28 wins but still finish in the Patrick division basement. Mario Lemieux finishes second in scoring with 141 points. Jari Kurri leads all goalscorers with 68 goals. In the playoffs the Leafs shock Chicago in a first round sweep, while St Louis slips by the Stars 3-2 in the Norris semifinals. In the Smythe Edmonton squashes the Canucks 3-0, Calgary sweeps Winnipeg. In the Adams Hartford stuns Quebec 3-0 while the Canadians continue to dominate the Bruins with a 3-0 sweep. In the Patrick the Rangers knock out the Flyers 3-2 while the Caps hand the Islanders their first opening round loss in 8 years in a 3-0 sweep. In the Norris finals the Blues need 7 games to beat the Leafs. In the Smythe the Flames shock the Oilers with a 7 game upset. Montreal gets past Hartford with a overtime win in game 7 in the Adams. The Rangers take the Patrick crown beating Washington in 6. Calgary outlasts St Louis in 7 games in the Campbell Conference. Montreal pastes the Rangers in 5 in the Whales. In game 1 of the finals the Flames thrash the Habs 5-2 when McDonald and Dan Quinn break the game open in the 3rd period. Montreal wins game 2 3-2 when Brian Skrudland scores 9 seconds into overtime. In game 3 in the forum the Habs beat the Flames 5-3. In game 4 Montreal rookie Claude Lemieux takes a bite out of the Flames as he scores late in the 3rd period in a 1-0 win. The Flames fall behind 4-1 in game 5 but rally to make a game of it, but lose 4-3 as the Habs win their 22nd cup. Rookie goalie Patrick Roy wins the Conn Smythe. Wayne Gretzky wins his 7th straight Hart Trophy. Mario Lemieux wins the Lester B. Pearson award. Mike Bossy wins his third Lady Byng. Rangers goalie John Vanbiesbrouck wins the Vezina. Calgary rookie defenseman Gary Suter wins the Calder Trophy. Paul Coffey breaks Bobby Orr's record with 58 goals wins the Norris Trophy. Boston's Charlie Simmer receives the Masterton. Troy Murray wins the Frank Selke trophy. Glen Sather wins the Jack Adams. Luc Robitaille of Hull wins the CMJ Player of the year. The Guelph Platers win the Memorial Cup. Michigan State beats the snobs from Harvard to win the NCAA title. Harvard's Scott Fusco claims the Hobey Baker. First Game Bill Ranford, Boston Bruins Daren Puppa, Buffalo Sabres Brian Bradley, Calgary Flames Gary Suter, Calgary Flames Brett Hull, Calgary Flames Adam Oates, Detroit Red Wings Petr Klima, Detroit Red Wings Bob Probert, Detroit Red Wings Shayne Corson, Montreal Canadiens Kirk McLean, New Jersey Devils Craig Wolanin, New Jersey Devils Scott Mellanby, Philadelphia Flyers Craig Simpson, Pittsburgh Penguins Jeff Brown, Quebec Nordiques Cliff Ronning, St. Louis Blues Wendel Clark, Toronto Maple Leafs Dave Lowry, Vancouver Canucks Jim Sandlak, Vancouver Canucks Last game Tom Lysiak, Chicago Black Hawks Mike Rogers, Edmonton Oilers Mario Tremblay, Montreal Canadiens Bob Nystrom, New York Islanders Pelle Lindbergh, Philadelphia Flyers Denis Herron, Pittsburgh Penguins Don Edwards, Toronto Maple Leafs Marian Stastny, Toronto Maple Leafs Jiri Bubla, Vancouver Canucks Dan Bouchard, Winnipeg Jets YouTube Video YouTube Video YouTube Video YouTube Video YouTube Video YouTube Video YouTube Video YouTube Video YouTube Video YouTube Video __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!