There is a commonly accepted adage out there that never quite sat right with me. Offered during a low point, it seeks to lift the spirits of the downtrodden:
“Things could always be worse.” Often followed with a tangible, “just look at ____.”
And while that may be true, it always felt like an unhealthy view to take on matters.
As if to suggest that by looking at someone else’s greater misfortune, you should somehow feel better about your own. No matter what state of discomfort you find yourself in, there is always someone in worse shape and that should bring some level of comfort.
Worry not poor soul and revel in greater human misery.
Seems kind of morose.
But now, thanks to the Edmonton Oilers, I totally get it.
It is almost Shakespearean what’s happening up north right now. A fine blend of comedy and tragedy, one couldn’t script such a tumultuous mess without entering into the world of fantasy.
Losers of six straight at home, the Oilers enjoyed an offensive explosion last night, falling to the Sharks by a count of 3-1. That goal ended an unthinkable stretch of futility — 214:52 without a goal at Rexall place. Wow. That’s over 3.5 games. 10+ periods. Or nearly seven Nail Yakupov shifts combined.
Speaking of Yakupov, the young Russian has been a non-stop drama reel this season. From poor production, to complaining to the media, to having his agent complain to the media, to completely ignoring the coaching staff, he truly is a special player. And what about that coaching staff? Dallas Eakins looks like he could really use a vacation, and he’s barely a month in to his NHL coaching career. His tenure has been highlighted by his woeful “wont somebody think of MY children” rant and his dejected expression atop the Oiler bench with glazed eyes and stylized haircut.
And maybe the greatest catastrophe of all, the recent signing of Ilya Bryzgalov. The man who panned the city just seven years ago; likening it to the North pole and declaring it -32 in November when he defended Chris Pronger in not wanting to play there anymore. “Can you imagine?… It’s eight months in a year of snow.” He said in perfect English.
Well he’ll no longer need to imagine. He’s going to live it. Just a bizarre turn of events in what has now become standard for a once proud franchise. And while Kevin Lowe is at the helm, there’s little chance it’s changing any time soon.
Just like Nail Yakupov out on one of his shifts.
On The Line
It’s the battle for the basement! The Toilet bowl! The race for last place! We’re a long time removed from the late 1980’s, when these two franchises were enjoying their glory days. Now it’s a battle to see who can end their gory days first. At least the Flames have had a commanding grapple on the season series for a lengthy stretch, save an 8-2 shellacking by the Oilers last April. And with how unthinkably awful the Oilers have been in recent weeks the Flames, losers of five straight themselves, couldn’t possibly drop this one could they? In the words of Bryzgalov, “Can you imagine?”
The Flow
The New Jersey Devils, er… excuse me, the new jersey Flames got off to a torrid start in this one. First shift in and Lee Stempniak, fresh off calling out his teammates, whipped a shot off the post. Just one of many quality chances thrown the way of Devan Dubnyk in the early going. They kept the pressure mounting and finally broke through 12 minutes in when the recently quiet Sean Monahan potted his 8th of the year. Reunited with Jiri Hudler, the pair played a nifty tic-tac in close to open up the left side, and Monahan made no mistake. The rest of the period featured two spirited scraps. First it was Brian McGrattan with an instructional pounding of Luke Gazdic. The Flame enforcer with a nice show of sportsmanship, patting the same head he just finished pummeling to show appreciation for the rookie’s effort. Then it was former Flame Andrew Ference taking exception to a hit and leaving Stempniak a bloody mess, missing tooth and all. That was the only thing the Oilers won all period, as the Flames would exit the period with a 12-4 shot advantage and a lead of 1-0.
The second period was a choppy affair. The teams would trade penalties with neither side doing much with their man advantage. Reto Berra would make one the best saves of his young NHL career to preserve the lead and then late in the period a Dennis Wideman bomb went post-and-in past a screened Dubnyk to extend the Flames’ lead. 2-0 after two. Game over right?
Wrong. First it was the young bucks, Hall and Eberle connecting on a 3 on 2, top corner past Reto Berra who was clearing guessing on the release on the shot and looked quite foolish in the process. Then it was a lucky bounce. Yakupov looking dangerous entering the zone would find Ganger, whose shot was tipped and floated over a clueless Berra before being swatted in by Ales Hemsky on the doortstep. Uhoh, tie game. Then the backbreaker. David Perron would catch Berra leaning off his post and bank a shot in off the shoulder to give the Oilers their first lead of the game, and probably the month. The Flames mustered some decent opportunities but would be unable to beat Dubnyk in the late-going. The Flames would score however on their own net, as Stempniak swatted in a dangerous puck into the empty cage to seal the victory for the Oilers. The 4-2 victory was Edmonton’s first since November 5th, ending their drought at five games, while extending Calgary’s winless streak to six. Oi vey!
Three Stars
- David Perron: He got the game winner and forced the insurance marker by Stempniak on his own goal.
- Sean Monahan: Only his second point in eight games. But it was a beauty goal, and one of five shots on the night, deserving of some accolades that have been hard to come by recently.
- Devan Dubnyk: Waiting for the bench when Bryzgalov finishes his conditioning stint, the lanky tender put it a solid effort turning away 33 of 35 shots.
Big Save
Reto Berra with a nimble pad save in the second off Sam Ganger. After allowing a juicy rebound Berra overshot his post on the recovery slide, but was able to kick out his left leg to spoil an empty net for Ganger and watch as the puck bounced wide fortuitously.
Big Hit
Late in the first Lee Stempniak lowered his shoulder and absolutely rocked Andrew Ference in the corner. Ference, who hadn’t yet reached the puck, took exception to the jolt and dropped the gloves, harassing a hesitant Stempniak into a fight. The Oiler captain would destroy Stempniak in the tussle, leaving him bloodied and missing a tooth. Haven’t seen a guy that messy after a scrap in a long time.
The Goat
Reto Berra. Had a pretty quiet first two periods, and looked shaky in the third when the heat was turned up. The backbreaker was the third goal, cheating off the post and burned by an alert David Perron. After an incredible NHL debut knocking off the Blackhawks in Chicago he has been pretty dismal, at least statistically speaking. 1-4-1, 3.65 and an .882 save percentage. He’ll have to do better with his opportunities if he wants to stay in the NHL.
Mr. Clutch
For just under four minutes of ice time tonight. Brian McGrattan was extremely effective. You have to wonder though if that ice time would be better allocated on a prospect trying to earn a spot in the majors. But if McGrattan’s presence does protect the Flames young forwards and let them play without fear than you’ll hear no complaining from me.
Odds and Ends
Ilya Bryzgalov made his AHL Oil Baron debut on Friday night, and it was not a successful one. He would allow five goals on 24 shots in a 5-4 loss to our very own Baby Flames, the Abbottsford Heat. The rematch Saturday was better however, as Bryzgalov made 25 saves in a 4-1 victory. He won’t be the answer in Edmonton, unless the question is what else can go wrong for the Oilers this season? … Tough night for Lee Stempniak. Rings the post his opening shift. Gets his bell rung by Ference, losing a chicklet in the process. And buries an own goal to seal his team’s fate. Still have to respect his words for the team entering tonight’s contest, and the performance he delivered. Not bad for a guy who was still supposed to be sidelined with a broken foot. Admiring his leadership thus far. … Squandering a 2-0 third period lead to the lowly Oilers, and now losers of six straight including three at home, yes it’s certainly bleak times for these young Flames right now. Fans were prepared for these bleak days as the season began but that promising start probably tweaked some expectations. They are who we thought they are, and wins will be hard to come by as they continue to slip below .500. Still entertaining hockey.
Next Up
The Flames take a mini break from their home stand and head east down the #1 to take on the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, November 18. Puck drop 6 pm on Sportsnet West.
Lines (To Start):
Cammalleri – Monahan – Hudler
Baerstchi – Stajan – Stempniak
Galiardi – Backlund – Jones
Bouma – Colborne – McGrattan
Russell – Wideman
Butler – Brodie
Smid – Smith
Berra
