Week of February 14, 2007, Issue #591
FRONT
In The Box
David Young and TB Player / inthebox@vueweekly.com
In case you missed it, the Oilers are on a seven-game road trip. And, in case you missed it, this trip will likely spell the difference between having a crack at the playoffs and requiring a miracle to get in. The trip started with a 3-0 loss in Boston on Tuesday. Six more games follow (Buffalo, Toronto, Ottawa, Columbus, Detroit and Minnesota) and the Oilers return just in time for the Feb 27 trade deadline and Mark Messier’s jersey retirement ceremony. Exciting, no?
The poop
I’d always been curious if Joffrey Lupul (being a palindrome) was one of many or one of few NHL players with palindromic surnames. So I pored through the NHL record book, scanning the names of all current and former NHL players. The only other two players I found: Joel Otto—former Flame and Gary Lupul—former Canuck. It’s really not that bloody interesting, but it took a long time to figure out. DY
Damn you, schedule person
After this seven-game road trip, the Oilers will spend four games at home followed by three on the road. Then they will have six games at home and then six more games on the road to finish the season. Ten games are against Northwest Division rivals and five of those are against Minnesota. Yay. This is fun. DY
Unleashed in the East
Remember when the Eastern Conference was a tight-checking, defensive-minded beast that would trap the life out of everybody? Well, nuh-uh, not anymore. The East has scored 150 more goals than the West, and nine out of the top ten point leaders are from the East. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that they get to play the Flyers so often ... TB
Ugly
The ugliest rumour floated around last week, was quickly quashed and has once again reared its ugly head. Internet know-it-alls continue to suggest that Kevin Lowe is going to make a deal that would bring Derian Fucking Hatcher to Edmonton. Did I mention the word ugly? This had better be a rumour. Then again, if the Oilers are eliminated from playoffs too quickly and this is true (I doubt it) it might be useful to have someone in an Oilers uniform the fans can boo and taunt freely with no guilt. DY
Now let’s reunite the Oilers with the playoffs
This will be the first year that the REAL Van Halen (with Diamond Dave) and The Police will both be touring since 1984. The Police last played Northlands Coliseum (that’s what they used to call Rexall Place, kids) on August 29, 1983 and the REAL Van Halen last played Northlands on April 28, 1984. Then the Oilers won their first Cup in May of 1984. Something’s gotta help. I fear the combined egos of Sting and David Lee Roth and my warm feelings of nostalgia won’t. DY
Letter to the Oilers from Dave’s wife Heather
Miss the playoffs. Thanks. HH