City of Champions

Very recently, the sports fans in Pittsburgh have taken to calling themselves by a name that Edmontonians are very familiar with - the City of Champions. But Edmonton has been using that moniker for a long, long time now.

I don't know whether to feel cheated or feel disappointed. The last Edmonton Stanley Cup was back in 90 and Pittsburgh fans count NFL titles whereas Edmonton fans count Grey Cups.

Here's what Pittsburgh has achieved:

• 3 Stanley Cups
• 6 Lombardi Trophies
• Great NCAA tradition
  

Here's what Edmonton has achieved:

• 5 Stanley Cups
• 13 Grey Cups
• Great CIS tradition

So the questions are, who is the real "City of Champions," and can there be two "City of Champions" simultaneously?

Redemption: Oilers score 4 unaswered but lose 5-4

Okay Penguins online webmaster... you didn't win by that much.

I know the criticisms. The Oilers dropped the ball and started slow in another 1st period outing and let the game get out of hand. Falling behind 5-0 is 2.5 times worse than falling behind 2-0, so it is understandable that the Oilers couldn't repeat what they did in Columbus. Just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, when I was about to rip my shirt up and kick some unlucky inanimate object that was nearby... the Oilers woke up.

And then they won me back. To see them come back from 5-0 took a lot of guts.

Maybe they need some red bulls or cold showers or something, but whatever MacT is doing to motivate them before the game, it aint enough. Whatever he said between periods or perhaps the realization that this team finally made that it is leaving Roloson and Garon out to dry on most nights... perhaps that is what woke them up.

Whatever the case, it will be interesting to see how the Oilers fair in New Jersey. It has been an interesting week for both teams: New Jersey lost their goalie god and the Oilers are realising that Garon and Roloson are neither of them omnipotent. Both teams have been average offensively but Edmonton is in the opposite ballpark in terms of defense - giving up 41 goals in comparison to the Devil's 30.

We redeemed ourselves this game. We didn't win, but we sure made them work for it. Hemsky and Gilbert are keeping up the good work (sick goal by Hemmer) and MacIntyre continues to improve his overall game.


And also, if Tambellini is listening: Peckham's a keeper. Now let's get someone who can win a faceoff already!

Punish Crosby

We need a little less love and little more blood and vinegar. No need to fear retaliation... this is their game to lose and the Oilers' to win through hard work. They need to go out and give it some elbow grease.

Theo Peckham is recalled in place of the concussed Smid.

Reel in the chariots. Prepare the war horses. It's Edmonton in Pittsburgh and it's the biggest game for the Oilers this season. We win, we keep up the success on the road trip. We lose... well... the OilersNation folk will be buying PensBlog merchandise for a while, not that it wouldn't be funny either way.

But back to the Oilers... we need to stay at least 2 games over .500 on this road trip to be heading in the right direction, in my opinion.

Also, it would be useful to use this game as a way to rally the troops. We haven't been getting a full 60 minutes from everyone on this team and its time to get everyone on the same page for a common goal - the elimination of the Penguin threat.