Friday, December 15, 2006

Denver Boot



Some notes on tonight's game:
1- If you had shown me the game with the goals taken out (just the end to end play and the shots on net) I couldn't have told you which team should have or would have been the winner. At least four of the goals were ugly and could have happened to either team.

2- Hemsky seems alright - even after taking a pretty solid hit into the boards. We'll know soon what effect it had. He was pretty tentative, but still showed a few little dipsy-doodlies. His interview with Principe was pretty funny when Gene asked him if the sore shoulder would affect his shot and he said something to the effect of "I don't shoot anyway, just pass." The punchline was there somewhere but lost in his Czech accent and mumble.

3- First powerplay line for The Avs in one of the Colorado powerplays was Sakic with standout rookies Paul Stastny and Vojtek Volski (spelled wrong on purpose - save the corrections). MacT never lets his rookies take any shifts with any chance of scoring. Then again, our rookies aren't Wolski or Stastny. Pouliot did get some PP time.

4- Pouliot is the real thing. He'll find a way to stay with the Oilers if he keeps doing many things right as he has been. He leaves Toby Petersen and Laddy Smid behind as the last Oilers to go goal-less. Mikhnov and Jacques have only played a combined ten games, so we'll have to leave them off the no-goal list at least until they've hit double digits in games played individually.

5- And how about Matt Greene's first NHL goal? It was Thursday night but when I saw the replay, the teammates were pretty pumped. I'm guessing that Greene is very well-liked by his teammates. Stoll seemed happier than Greene, who was probably pretty stunned himself. That goal and the top shelf deke by Jason Smith in the playoffs in spring show that even the so-called stone hands blueliners in the NHL are still damn good hockey players.

6- How did I always assume that Ian Laperriere was not such a great, genuine person? Probably because he's pesky on the ice and has played with the LA Kings and Colorado against the Oilers. The guy seems like the real deal. He loves hockey and seems to love people and is an interesting interview. Check out his fan site. There's some neat bits in it. His mixture of grit, scoring potential and leadership would make him a great Oiler. But I suspect Colorado know what they have.



TRIVIA QUESTION:
Listening to Ray Ferraro doing colour commentary reminded me of how good a player he was and what a career he had. He was one of those unsung yet well-respected players and he adds to the broadcasts.
Peter Loubardias is a very OK play-by-play guy (he calls the game without too much aplomb or phoniness and seems to do his research) and is a nice guy but he is cursed with that bubble-caught-in-his-throat voice that sounds like he's trying to eat his own neck.
Ferraro and Kevin Quinn are a better team. Loubardias...meh. Doesn't hurt the game.
Anyway.........

Which two current Oilers were teammates of Ferraro during his much-travelled career?

First answer in the comments looks smart, wins nothing.

10 comments:

Lowetide said...

I'll guess Staios and Roloson. Great post btw.

young d said...

Lowetide is half right.
Staios and Ferraro were teammates in Atlanta.
One more.

She said...

Reasoner -in St. Louis.

Art Vandelay said...

Ferraro does a radio spot on the local AM gabfest in Vancouver. He's excellent because he doesn't regurgitate the mainstream b.s., he engages his brain. Plus, he's talking to a West Coast audience from the perspective of an Oilers color analyst, so he doesn't veer into blatant homerisms like most broadcasters. If I were CBC, I'd be looking at this guy.

young d said...

When Ferraro was in St. Loo, Reasoner was still with Edmonton.

Still one more.

Art Vandelay said...

MacT on the Rangers.

young d said...

True. And he is considered a current Oiler by being the coach, but I'm thinking roster players on the team.
Here's a hint.
This player was drafted by Florida. He also played with Ferraro in Atlanta.

Slip Kids said...

Gotta be Tjarnqvist, right?

(excellent obscure trivia question btw)

Art Vandelay said...

You're 'thinking' roster players? I'm going to have to consult my solicitor on this one. I want the prize.

young d said...

It was indeed Daniel Tjarnqvist.
I'm awaiting the Vandelay Industries company counsel to call.
I'll fight you on this, Art.