Okay, from now on, I am just going to post the links to my, KP Wee's, Bleacher Report posts on here instead of re-posting entire articles. Enjoy!
(By the way, two mistakes last week - one in the Dallas/Vancouver game where I incorrectly ridiculed Markus Naslund, and another one in the Washington post. I strive for perfection this week.)
1) Hockey Day in Ontario: Sens & Leafs win on Saturday (by KP Wee, Feb 9)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/9092-NHL-Ottawa_Senators-Toronto_Maple_Leafs-Hockey_Day_in_Ontario_Sens_and_Leafs_both_win-090208?just_published=1
2) Canucks lose to Colorado (by KP Wee, Feb 9)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/9099-NHL-Colorado_Avalanche-Vancouver_Canucks-Canucks-Avalanche_Forsberg_should_Now_be_Weary_of_Vancouver
3) Bedard and Mariners (by KP Wee, Feb 10)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/9167-MLB-Seattle_Mariners-What_will_Bedard_s_impact_bring_to_the_Mariners_
The Hockey Farmer / Showing Their Scales
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Caps' rise (and Habs, Flyers), Canucks' fall, New York's championships - on Bleacher Report by me
Instead of announcing it on Overanything, I will just post the links of my articles on here.
See, Trout, I did fulfill my promise and have been posting daily...
This week:
1) Capitals' surprising rise (on Bleacher Report by KP Wee) http://bleacherreport.com/articles/8817-NHL-Washington_Capitals-Surprising_Caps_rise_to_the_top_but_can_they_hang_on_-060208
2) Canucks fall to Florida (on Bleacher Report by KP Wee)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/8714-NHL-Vancouver_Canucks-Dallas_Stars-Stars-Canucks_Vancouver_Falls_Short_Against_Dallas-060208
3) Unlikely New York championships (on Bleacher Report by KP Wee)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/8941-NFL-MLB-New_York_Yankees-New_York_Mets-Top_Five_Unlikely_championships_in_New_York
See, Trout, I did fulfill my promise and have been posting daily...
This week:
1) Capitals' surprising rise (on Bleacher Report by KP Wee) http://bleacherreport.com/articles/8817-NHL-Washington_Capitals-Surprising_Caps_rise_to_the_top_but_can_they_hang_on_-060208
2) Canucks fall to Florida (on Bleacher Report by KP Wee)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/8714-NHL-Vancouver_Canucks-Dallas_Stars-Stars-Canucks_Vancouver_Falls_Short_Against_Dallas-060208
3) Unlikely New York championships (on Bleacher Report by KP Wee)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/8941-NFL-MLB-New_York_Yankees-New_York_Mets-Top_Five_Unlikely_championships_in_New_York
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
First Non-Sports Related Blog here
This site is called "OA2", not "KP's Sports Blog" for a reason. It is meant to have discussions about anything, over anything. Obviously I am the only poster on here, but that's fine.
The topic du jour is about work.
Today we had that "staff meeting" in which Steve had said that we could iron out the issues I brought up with Grace, the school's owner. Hey, who knows, Steve said, perhaps others shared the same thoughts I did too.
But predictably, nothing really came out of this meeting.
See, for over a year, the staff room has been filled with filthy language such as name-calling and racist "jokes". I had avoided the room because I did not want any part of it. Worse, Steve, the director, was part of it. While he did not endorse it, he also didn't discourage it either.
So, during the cold months, I had no choice but to return there to hang out.
And Andrew Claxton was the worse culprit. Andrew called one of my students "Frankinstein" behind his back and took pleasure in the fact that that student was not cool. Of course, Steve let that slide for days.
Andrew was the one who started this "Wizard" comment behind Toby's back when he (Toby) was working here and even after he left. And everyone participated in that nonsense. And Andrew was the one who called people "midgets" and dissed pregnant women/women with children waiting for buses.
And surprisingly, Steve let that all slide.
Then there was the fact that Andrew--according to James--started this "letter" with the rest of the staff to try and start a movement with Grace. The fact that Andrew and his cohorts are way overpaid seemed to have been lost on all of them.
I had to basically sit down with Grace and point out every reason that they were overpaid. And yes, my numbers are right on because I know what's going on. And yet there they were, trying to get more...despite the fact that the school wasn't in good shape to begin with.
I even countered their "letter" with my own letter to Grace, outlining the facts from above. And also I caught Andrew telling a new teacher that he doesn't bother marking tests and just makes (blah blah) out of the paper.
And I communicated this to Steve before, and his response was typical. That "Wizard" comment was supposedly a rallying point, a good bonding thing because they were all united in their feelings towards Toby.
And on Tuesday, after I ripped Andrew for using the word "Frankenstein" yet again, Steve got me to go into a room for a private meeting. Apparently, I had "to watch what (I) say" because it was not appropriate. The funny thing is--and I use the word "funny" in a sarcastic way--since when was "Frankenstein" appropriate? "Wizard"?
Funny how that works.
So naturally in today's meeting, Cathryn pointed out that there shouldn't be loud radio being played (me), and I countered that I do this to block out the comments that Andrew and Co. make.
No surprise, but Andrew did not once say a word as I outlined my beef. Not a word of acknowledgement that he won't do it again. Nothing. He didn't retract from his statements. No surprise there.
So, basically I was not allowed to play my radio again unless I put on earphones.
Typical.
And one other thing out of Tuesday's private meeting with Steve brought out the fact that he did not appreciate my going to Grace with my concerns. See, the thing is, if he didn't want that, why didn't he deal with it in the first place?
It's obvious that if he was a part of the problem, then wouldn't it be natural to seek a third party?
"Watch what (I) say" - that is so laughable.
Did not appreciate me going to Grace. And yet, when I did a proposal for school activities--on my own volition, without anyone asking me to--and tried to get Steve to read it, his reaction was just show it to Grace. Brilliant.
And don't forget, Cathryn and two others were the ones dissing management after BC Day. They didn't know that BC Day was a stat and when we were paid for it, there they were snickering at how dumb management was, and "let's not tell them (that we were overpaid)". Classy.
The topic du jour is about work.
Today we had that "staff meeting" in which Steve had said that we could iron out the issues I brought up with Grace, the school's owner. Hey, who knows, Steve said, perhaps others shared the same thoughts I did too.
But predictably, nothing really came out of this meeting.
See, for over a year, the staff room has been filled with filthy language such as name-calling and racist "jokes". I had avoided the room because I did not want any part of it. Worse, Steve, the director, was part of it. While he did not endorse it, he also didn't discourage it either.
So, during the cold months, I had no choice but to return there to hang out.
And Andrew Claxton was the worse culprit. Andrew called one of my students "Frankinstein" behind his back and took pleasure in the fact that that student was not cool. Of course, Steve let that slide for days.
Andrew was the one who started this "Wizard" comment behind Toby's back when he (Toby) was working here and even after he left. And everyone participated in that nonsense. And Andrew was the one who called people "midgets" and dissed pregnant women/women with children waiting for buses.
And surprisingly, Steve let that all slide.
Then there was the fact that Andrew--according to James--started this "letter" with the rest of the staff to try and start a movement with Grace. The fact that Andrew and his cohorts are way overpaid seemed to have been lost on all of them.
I had to basically sit down with Grace and point out every reason that they were overpaid. And yes, my numbers are right on because I know what's going on. And yet there they were, trying to get more...despite the fact that the school wasn't in good shape to begin with.
I even countered their "letter" with my own letter to Grace, outlining the facts from above. And also I caught Andrew telling a new teacher that he doesn't bother marking tests and just makes (blah blah) out of the paper.
And I communicated this to Steve before, and his response was typical. That "Wizard" comment was supposedly a rallying point, a good bonding thing because they were all united in their feelings towards Toby.
And on Tuesday, after I ripped Andrew for using the word "Frankenstein" yet again, Steve got me to go into a room for a private meeting. Apparently, I had "to watch what (I) say" because it was not appropriate. The funny thing is--and I use the word "funny" in a sarcastic way--since when was "Frankenstein" appropriate? "Wizard"?
Funny how that works.
So naturally in today's meeting, Cathryn pointed out that there shouldn't be loud radio being played (me), and I countered that I do this to block out the comments that Andrew and Co. make.
No surprise, but Andrew did not once say a word as I outlined my beef. Not a word of acknowledgement that he won't do it again. Nothing. He didn't retract from his statements. No surprise there.
So, basically I was not allowed to play my radio again unless I put on earphones.
Typical.
And one other thing out of Tuesday's private meeting with Steve brought out the fact that he did not appreciate my going to Grace with my concerns. See, the thing is, if he didn't want that, why didn't he deal with it in the first place?
It's obvious that if he was a part of the problem, then wouldn't it be natural to seek a third party?
"Watch what (I) say" - that is so laughable.
Did not appreciate me going to Grace. And yet, when I did a proposal for school activities--on my own volition, without anyone asking me to--and tried to get Steve to read it, his reaction was just show it to Grace. Brilliant.
And don't forget, Cathryn and two others were the ones dissing management after BC Day. They didn't know that BC Day was a stat and when we were paid for it, there they were snickering at how dumb management was, and "let's not tell them (that we were overpaid)". Classy.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Giants' improbable Super Bowl win ends a remarkable comeback season
(Also posted on Bleacher Report by KP Wee a day earlier.)
The New York Giants have stunned the world with a 17-14 triumph over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
Who would have thought? Really, please stand up if you thought at any point of the season that the Giants were going to be crowned champions.
Nobody thought this was possible. Certainly not me.
Remember, in the pre-season, controversy started when former Giant Tiki Barber—who had been critical of head coach Tom Coughlin in the past—trashed QB Eli Manning, criticizing his ex-teammate's lack of leadership during the previous season. Certainly, Barber had been in the Giants' locker room through thick and thin. Surely the criticisms by Barber, the Giants' all-time leading rusher, had to be valid.
Did the Giants have a prayer with a quarterback who couldn't lead or win?
Things didn't get any better at the start of the season; the Giants went 0-2, getting outscored 80-48 by the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. Most thought Coughlin would get the boot sooner rather than later, especially if the G-men didn't turn things around quickly.
Then they had a date with the 2-0 Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, and no one gave the Giants a shot. And worse, after facing the Redskins, New York would face another divisional opponent in the Eagles—who demolished the Lions' defense for 56 points in Week Three—followed by the Jets.
An 0-5 start wasn't out of the realm of possibility.
And even worse? Thanks to the NFL's ridiculous marketing plan and schedule, the Giants then had to travel to London, England to face the Dolphins in Week Eight.
But following the 0-2 start, the Giants didn't quit.
Despite falling behind by two TDs in hostile FedEx Field, the Giants chose to rally.
Against Washington, the Giants came back from a 17-3 first-half deficit, outscoring the Redskins 21-zip thanks to two one-yard TD runs by Reuben Droughns and Manning's 33-yard TD pass to Plaxico Burress.
And the G-men's defense came up big with a dramatic goal-line stand on fourth-and-goal to snuff out a late Washington rally at the Giants' one-yard line.
And with that first win under their belt, the Giants reeled off five straight wins and had a 6-2 record, but most thought it was a mirage. After all, several of those victories came against the worst teams in the NFL (Jets, Falcons, 49ers, and Dolphins).
New York was 6-2, but the class of the NFC East—and the entire conference—was certainly Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, and the 7-1 Cowboys.
Coming off the sextet of wins, the Giants squared off against the 7-1 Cowboys at Giants Stadium on November 11th. Romo, however, threw four TDs—two in the second half to Owens—for the visitors, and the Giants fell 31-20, practically handing the Cowboys the division title.
And Giants Stadium turned out to be home-field disadvantage, as New York then fell embarrassingly to the Vikings (a 41-17 meltdown to a 4-6 squad) and Redskins (a 22-10 defeat at the hands of a 6-7 team) and dropped to 9-5.
Both were huge blows to the team's morale: in the Minnesota debacle, Manning threw four interceptions, three of which were returned for TDs, while in the defeat against the 'Skins, the Giants also lost tight-end Jeremy Shockey for the season with a broken left fibula.
Still, the Giants were playoff-bound after a big come-from-behind victory at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Week 16, beating the Bills 38-21 under terrible weather conditions. The Giants survived a 14-0 first-quarter deficit and put the game away with three TDs in the wind and snow-filled contest.
Then came that epic Saturday night game against the mighty Patriots in Week 17. With a playoff spot clinched, the Giants elected to play their starters in an attempt to thwart New England's dreams of a perfect 16-0 season and to prevent the Pats' duo of Tom Brady and Randy Moss from setting individual records.
With seemingly the entire world watching (trying to witness history by the Patriots), the Giants showed everyone that they had game. New York took a 28-16 lead but eventually lost 38-35—allowing the Patriots, Brady, and Moss to set records during the contest.
Still, despite that effort against the Patriots in the season finale, not many expected big things from the G-men in the playoffs.
While some thought New York could beat an unimpressive Tampa Bay Buccaneers team at Raymond James Stadium in the Wild Card round, naysayers pointed to Bucs' QB Jeff Garcia's 2-0 playoff record against the Giants. After all, Garcia had led the Eagles to a playoff victory against the Giants a year ago and had engineered a remarkable 24-point comeback—the second-largest come-from-behind win in NFL playoff history—while with the 49ers in the 2003.
And Manning had never won a playoff game, and Coughlin had never won one with the Giants.
Nonetheless, the Giants handled the Bucs and moved on to Irving, Texas to face the NFC's top seed, the Cowboys. No one gave the Giants a chance against the Cowboys team that had already shredded New York's defense twice during the season.
However, Manning again proved his critics wrong with two touchdown passes—both to Amani Toomer—and no interceptions, and the Giants clinched the game when R.W. McQuarters intercepted the Cowboys' Romo with seconds remaining. The Giants had a 21-17 win and were moving on to the NFC title game in Green Bay.
And next in Wisconsin, the 13-3 Packers were supposed to be the better team, and had two other intangibles going their way: a legend in Brett Favre playing in legendary Lambeau Field.
The entire country seemingly wanted to see a New England-Green Bay Super Bowl because of the media and fans thought that seeing Favre going up against the Patriots would be a compelling story.
But the Giants didn't pay attention to all that.
The Giants intercepted Favre when it mattered, and despite Lawrence Tynes' two missed field goals, managed to pull off an overtime upset victory to vault themselves to the Super Bowl.
Starting out 0-2? No problem. The Giants made it to the playoffs.
Facing the number one seed in the NFC Divisional round against a team that had already beaten them twice? Well, the third time was the charm.
Going up against a three-time MVP in the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay? No biggie; they picked him off twice and won the game.
And then knocking off arguably the greatest team in NFL history, the previously 18-0 New England Patriots with aspirations to become just the second team ever to finish a season undefeated.
People laughed when Burress predicted the 14-point underdog Giants would win the Super Bowl during media week.
This extra week between the Conference title games and Super Bowl was supposed to hurt the Giants more than the Patriots. After all, the Giants' momentum was supposedly going to be hampered by this unnecessary bye week.
Brady and his record-setting offense were supposed to walk all over the Giants.
For three quarters in Super Bowl XLII though, the Giants' defense came up huge against the Patriots. The Giants then took a 10-7 lead in the fourth quarter, seemingly ready to deny the Pats their dream of perfection.
But once again, most thought it was déjà vu when Brady hooked up with Moss with three minutes left. It was the same duo that provided the fourth-quarter go-ahead score for the Pats in Week 17. This was exactly what New England had been doing all season long.
But the Giants again rallied, as they had all season, and when Manning found Burress in the end zone with under a minute left for the winning score—they were world champions.
Who would have scripted this?
That's why games are decided on the field.
The Giants proved that in 2007-08.
The New York Giants have stunned the world with a 17-14 triumph over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
Who would have thought? Really, please stand up if you thought at any point of the season that the Giants were going to be crowned champions.
Nobody thought this was possible. Certainly not me.
Remember, in the pre-season, controversy started when former Giant Tiki Barber—who had been critical of head coach Tom Coughlin in the past—trashed QB Eli Manning, criticizing his ex-teammate's lack of leadership during the previous season. Certainly, Barber had been in the Giants' locker room through thick and thin. Surely the criticisms by Barber, the Giants' all-time leading rusher, had to be valid.
Did the Giants have a prayer with a quarterback who couldn't lead or win?
Things didn't get any better at the start of the season; the Giants went 0-2, getting outscored 80-48 by the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. Most thought Coughlin would get the boot sooner rather than later, especially if the G-men didn't turn things around quickly.
Then they had a date with the 2-0 Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, and no one gave the Giants a shot. And worse, after facing the Redskins, New York would face another divisional opponent in the Eagles—who demolished the Lions' defense for 56 points in Week Three—followed by the Jets.
An 0-5 start wasn't out of the realm of possibility.
And even worse? Thanks to the NFL's ridiculous marketing plan and schedule, the Giants then had to travel to London, England to face the Dolphins in Week Eight.
But following the 0-2 start, the Giants didn't quit.
Despite falling behind by two TDs in hostile FedEx Field, the Giants chose to rally.
Against Washington, the Giants came back from a 17-3 first-half deficit, outscoring the Redskins 21-zip thanks to two one-yard TD runs by Reuben Droughns and Manning's 33-yard TD pass to Plaxico Burress.
And the G-men's defense came up big with a dramatic goal-line stand on fourth-and-goal to snuff out a late Washington rally at the Giants' one-yard line.
And with that first win under their belt, the Giants reeled off five straight wins and had a 6-2 record, but most thought it was a mirage. After all, several of those victories came against the worst teams in the NFL (Jets, Falcons, 49ers, and Dolphins).
New York was 6-2, but the class of the NFC East—and the entire conference—was certainly Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, and the 7-1 Cowboys.
Coming off the sextet of wins, the Giants squared off against the 7-1 Cowboys at Giants Stadium on November 11th. Romo, however, threw four TDs—two in the second half to Owens—for the visitors, and the Giants fell 31-20, practically handing the Cowboys the division title.
And Giants Stadium turned out to be home-field disadvantage, as New York then fell embarrassingly to the Vikings (a 41-17 meltdown to a 4-6 squad) and Redskins (a 22-10 defeat at the hands of a 6-7 team) and dropped to 9-5.
Both were huge blows to the team's morale: in the Minnesota debacle, Manning threw four interceptions, three of which were returned for TDs, while in the defeat against the 'Skins, the Giants also lost tight-end Jeremy Shockey for the season with a broken left fibula.
Still, the Giants were playoff-bound after a big come-from-behind victory at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Week 16, beating the Bills 38-21 under terrible weather conditions. The Giants survived a 14-0 first-quarter deficit and put the game away with three TDs in the wind and snow-filled contest.
Then came that epic Saturday night game against the mighty Patriots in Week 17. With a playoff spot clinched, the Giants elected to play their starters in an attempt to thwart New England's dreams of a perfect 16-0 season and to prevent the Pats' duo of Tom Brady and Randy Moss from setting individual records.
With seemingly the entire world watching (trying to witness history by the Patriots), the Giants showed everyone that they had game. New York took a 28-16 lead but eventually lost 38-35—allowing the Patriots, Brady, and Moss to set records during the contest.
Still, despite that effort against the Patriots in the season finale, not many expected big things from the G-men in the playoffs.
While some thought New York could beat an unimpressive Tampa Bay Buccaneers team at Raymond James Stadium in the Wild Card round, naysayers pointed to Bucs' QB Jeff Garcia's 2-0 playoff record against the Giants. After all, Garcia had led the Eagles to a playoff victory against the Giants a year ago and had engineered a remarkable 24-point comeback—the second-largest come-from-behind win in NFL playoff history—while with the 49ers in the 2003.
And Manning had never won a playoff game, and Coughlin had never won one with the Giants.
Nonetheless, the Giants handled the Bucs and moved on to Irving, Texas to face the NFC's top seed, the Cowboys. No one gave the Giants a chance against the Cowboys team that had already shredded New York's defense twice during the season.
However, Manning again proved his critics wrong with two touchdown passes—both to Amani Toomer—and no interceptions, and the Giants clinched the game when R.W. McQuarters intercepted the Cowboys' Romo with seconds remaining. The Giants had a 21-17 win and were moving on to the NFC title game in Green Bay.
And next in Wisconsin, the 13-3 Packers were supposed to be the better team, and had two other intangibles going their way: a legend in Brett Favre playing in legendary Lambeau Field.
The entire country seemingly wanted to see a New England-Green Bay Super Bowl because of the media and fans thought that seeing Favre going up against the Patriots would be a compelling story.
But the Giants didn't pay attention to all that.
The Giants intercepted Favre when it mattered, and despite Lawrence Tynes' two missed field goals, managed to pull off an overtime upset victory to vault themselves to the Super Bowl.
Starting out 0-2? No problem. The Giants made it to the playoffs.
Facing the number one seed in the NFC Divisional round against a team that had already beaten them twice? Well, the third time was the charm.
Going up against a three-time MVP in the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay? No biggie; they picked him off twice and won the game.
And then knocking off arguably the greatest team in NFL history, the previously 18-0 New England Patriots with aspirations to become just the second team ever to finish a season undefeated.
People laughed when Burress predicted the 14-point underdog Giants would win the Super Bowl during media week.
This extra week between the Conference title games and Super Bowl was supposed to hurt the Giants more than the Patriots. After all, the Giants' momentum was supposedly going to be hampered by this unnecessary bye week.
Brady and his record-setting offense were supposed to walk all over the Giants.
For three quarters in Super Bowl XLII though, the Giants' defense came up huge against the Patriots. The Giants then took a 10-7 lead in the fourth quarter, seemingly ready to deny the Pats their dream of perfection.
But once again, most thought it was déjà vu when Brady hooked up with Moss with three minutes left. It was the same duo that provided the fourth-quarter go-ahead score for the Pats in Week 17. This was exactly what New England had been doing all season long.
But the Giants again rallied, as they had all season, and when Manning found Burress in the end zone with under a minute left for the winning score—they were world champions.
Who would have scripted this?
That's why games are decided on the field.
The Giants proved that in 2007-08.
Horcoff's loss crippling for Oilers
Center Shawn Horcoff of the Oilers apparently will miss the rest of the NHL season.
Word is that Horcoff, who will have surgery on his left shoulder this week in effect ending his season, aggravated the injury during the NHL All-Star game over a week ago.
Horcoff, who was on pace to top 30 goals for the first time in his career, seemed destined to set career highs in goals (22) and had an outside shot at surpassing his high in points (73) until this setback.
According to media reports, Horcoff first sustained the shoulder injury on October 12. And the Oilers' leading scorer had been putting off surgery throughout the season.
But hearing word that a premier player (Horcoff leads the team with 21 goals and 50 points in 53 games this season) had to miss the rest of the year--perhaps crippling his team's playoff chances--thanks to an injury suffered in a meaningless mid-season game that no one takes seriously must make fans cringe.
Even if you don't root for the Oilers, you can't help but feel their pain. Unless of course, you are a Flames fan.
Would Horcoff's season have been extended longer if he hadn't participated in the All-Star game?
That is debatable.
Horcoff may well have aggrevated the injury at another point during the season.
But surely he could have suited up for at least a few more games--helping the Oilers get some valuable points in the standings--had he not dressed for the Western Conference against the East in Atlanta on January 27th.
There have been some who have suggested in the past--most notably Bob McCown from Prime Time Sports--that the NHL just scrap the annual All-Star contest, and it is injuries like this that just make you wonder why the league even bothers.
Is there any meaning to the All-Star game, which unlike baseball's mid-summer classic, does not guarantee the winning conference an extra home game in the Stanley Cup Final?
Why didn't the Oilers, knowing that Horcoff already had a bad shoulder, demand that he skip the game in the first place?
Why on earth did Horcoff even bother attending, instead of joining others (including Sidney Crosby, Henrik Zetterberg, Dany Heatley, Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur) who chose to incline the invitation for various reasons?
Obviously, Horcoff doesn't have the elite status as the other all-stars who missed the all-star weekend, but losing him does not bode well for a struggling Oilers club from here on out.
Now, it will be a tough road for the Oilers, who are tied for 13th place in the Conference with a 23-26-5 record and 51 points, on the fringe of playoff contention being 8 points back of 8th-place Nashville.
Without Horcoff, the Oilers will probably be battling to stay out of the basement of the entire league instead of battling for a playoff spot.
Los Angeles is last overall in the league with 45 points, followed by Tampa Bay at 47.
A devatasting blow to the Oilers indeed.
Word is that Horcoff, who will have surgery on his left shoulder this week in effect ending his season, aggravated the injury during the NHL All-Star game over a week ago.
Horcoff, who was on pace to top 30 goals for the first time in his career, seemed destined to set career highs in goals (22) and had an outside shot at surpassing his high in points (73) until this setback.
According to media reports, Horcoff first sustained the shoulder injury on October 12. And the Oilers' leading scorer had been putting off surgery throughout the season.
But hearing word that a premier player (Horcoff leads the team with 21 goals and 50 points in 53 games this season) had to miss the rest of the year--perhaps crippling his team's playoff chances--thanks to an injury suffered in a meaningless mid-season game that no one takes seriously must make fans cringe.
Even if you don't root for the Oilers, you can't help but feel their pain. Unless of course, you are a Flames fan.
Would Horcoff's season have been extended longer if he hadn't participated in the All-Star game?
That is debatable.
Horcoff may well have aggrevated the injury at another point during the season.
But surely he could have suited up for at least a few more games--helping the Oilers get some valuable points in the standings--had he not dressed for the Western Conference against the East in Atlanta on January 27th.
There have been some who have suggested in the past--most notably Bob McCown from Prime Time Sports--that the NHL just scrap the annual All-Star contest, and it is injuries like this that just make you wonder why the league even bothers.
Is there any meaning to the All-Star game, which unlike baseball's mid-summer classic, does not guarantee the winning conference an extra home game in the Stanley Cup Final?
Why didn't the Oilers, knowing that Horcoff already had a bad shoulder, demand that he skip the game in the first place?
Why on earth did Horcoff even bother attending, instead of joining others (including Sidney Crosby, Henrik Zetterberg, Dany Heatley, Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur) who chose to incline the invitation for various reasons?
Obviously, Horcoff doesn't have the elite status as the other all-stars who missed the all-star weekend, but losing him does not bode well for a struggling Oilers club from here on out.
Now, it will be a tough road for the Oilers, who are tied for 13th place in the Conference with a 23-26-5 record and 51 points, on the fringe of playoff contention being 8 points back of 8th-place Nashville.
Without Horcoff, the Oilers will probably be battling to stay out of the basement of the entire league instead of battling for a playoff spot.
Los Angeles is last overall in the league with 45 points, followed by Tampa Bay at 47.
A devatasting blow to the Oilers indeed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
