Oil Insider – Play-off edition

[Rink Rat]

The Oil began today, what they hope is the road to the 2006 Cup.

The Oil hit the ice this morning with great anticipation of the first round match up with the Canucks. Today’s practice was fairly light, as special teams seemed to be the focus. The Power play looked awesome as Vinny, Iggy and the machine can really move the puck around, and the late addition of Ricci adds some good grit to the PK line.

Gary Roberts was removed from the IR and participated with the team today, so we expect he will be a go for Thursday game 1 in Edmonton.

Ray Emery was called up from the Roadrunners to experience the play-offs at the CPHL level, Ray is not expected to see any game time.

[Rink Rat]

Oil Insider – Player Interwiew


OI – today’s guest is none other that Martin Brodeur, leader of the Oil team.. Welcome Martin.

Martin: Thanks for having me

OI: So first congrats on another stellar season between the pipes. Destroyed the win record with 53 this year.

Martin: Thanks, ya we had a good year in Edmonton

OI: OK thoughts going into the first round match up with the Canucks?

Martin: its going to be a good series, we feel we match up good against Vancouver. Biron is a great goalie over there; he is one of the reasons they are here. We will have to get a lot of shots on him and create traffic, because if he can see it chances are he will stop it.

OI: What shooter in Vancouver gives you the most trouble, if any at all?

Martin: ha, well most of the kids at this level can shoot he puck, in Vancouver I guess Dvorak has that quick release that if you are not on your game he will beat you. I think he has 40+ goals this year.

OI: Rink has referred to the Oil as a one-horse team, referring to you as the horse. How do you, if at all, cope with that type of pressure?

Martin: Ha…. Ya he tells me that all the time too. As soon as our contract talks ended in mid season, he told me he just cleaned off enough room for three cups on his mantle. Is there any extra pressure though, not more than any other goalie entering a playoff series.

OI: Again, Martin congrats on an outstanding season. 53 wins just may be a CPHL record for a while. And congrats on your nomination for the Mike Vernon and the Lanny McDonald Award. And best of luck in your upcoming series with Vancouver. Its been a pleasure watching you this year and we look forward to watching Martin in the 2006 CPHL play offs.

Martin: Thanks for having me.

[Rink Rat]

Oil news.

Rumors swirled around Edmonton this morning as Hawk GM Notoepik was in attendance for this mornings practice. Rumors swirled thinking there were discussions of player movement, but instead Notoepik was just here to support and cheer for the Oil.

If there is any other closet Oil fans like Notoepik who would like to jump on the Oil bandwagon.


Feel free to call for your free jersey.. (yours is in the mail Becky)

[Sylvanfan]

If you're in the Stanley Cup final, you might want to use Emery exclusively. He damn near saved the series for us last year. I believe he owes KG a handfull of hair and two packs of smokes as a result.

[Rink Rat]

Thanks for the advice Syl.

Emery is saving the Sens in th NHL ...... so maybe?

Jersey is in the mail

[KevanGuy]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

If you're in the Stanley Cup final, you might want to use Emery exclusively. He damn near saved the series for us last year. I believe he owes KG a handfull of hair and two packs of smokes as a result.

Man...I was furious those couple gams. Every time he won a game it ruined my day. I believe Cheese would be able to vouche for my numerous long winded rants about Ray Friggin Emery.

[Sylvanfan]

Yeah, and I was tickled pink about having Martin Broduer lose two OT games to Garth Snow.

[KevanGuy]

Heh, good times. Remember Syl, back in the day when your team didnt suck? Ahhhh, the good ol days.

[Rink Rat]

Oil prepare for Vancouver


On the day before the Howe Conference begins its story. Edmonton is in a buzz, as they prepare to host in this years Howe opener.

The Oil continue to fine tune before the play-offs with a 90-minute practice at he Rexall place, followed by an afternoon of game films. Once again special teams seemed to be the focus, as the penalty kill unit prepared for the Canuck power play.

If today’s practice was any indication of tomorrows line-up, it would appear newly acquired Iggy will start on the first line up front with Lecavalier and Morozov, accompanied by Hamrlik and Leetch on the Blueline and of course Brodeur between the pipes.


Oil news:

With the addition of Gary Roberts to the line-up, Tomas Plekanec was re assigned to the Roadrunners of the AHL.

Stephen Weiss continues to nurse a wrist injury and will likely be a scratch for the Vancouver series as he remains on the Oil IR.

[notoepik]

Thanks for the jersey Rat. It arrived in the mail today.

I put it on a scarecrow and stuck it out in the yard. Pigeons are pooping on it as I type.

[Rink Rat]

Oil news.

Iggy is hitting his stride in Edmonton. 2 games: 2 even strength goals, 1 PP goal, and 2 assists for 5 points

Morozov continues to hammer Vancouver with 6 points to lead all CPHL scorers.

Vinny 2 goals 3 assists, leads all centers in points.

After 2:

PP – 25%
PK – 87.5%
GF/G – 5.50
GA/G – 3.00

Martin: .889 Sa% - 3.00 GAA. More importantly…… 2 wins.

News out of the Oil camp suggests Stephen Weiss would be lost for the entire play-off run. This was bad news for the Oil as Weiss brings some jump to the line-up. Stephen’s wrist will be re-assessed during the off-season. Weiss signed for three years is expected to be a big part of the Oil next season as he has proven to be top penalty killer for the Oil this season.

[Rink Rat]

Oil report


Oil go through light workouts today, keeping the focus on special teams. Ray Emery manned the pipes during shooting as Martin was given the day off to rest. With out an opponent at this time, practice was kept to a basic level emphasizing on the little things.

Jamie Wright played alongside mike Ricci for most of the practice on the PK drills, speculation is Jamie may see some ice next series on the PK.

Brian Leetch did not practice today. “He was held out for precautionary measures, regarding a possible upper body injury”.

Newly acquired Iggy remains on the top line today with Morozov and Lecavalier. The trio was held to only 2 points combined in the last two games after combining for 16 points in the first two games.

On the same note the second line of Doan, Zherdev, and Samsanov showed signs of coming to life.