Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Mavs....

Now that Blogger has had brain surgery, and seems to have recovered, maybe I can get a post or two up here...

The Edmonton Oilers, my home team, for those who aren't aware, have been soundly flogged in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals. The big blow, though, is that they lost game 1 AND the no. 1 Goalie, Dwayne Rolloson, to a torn ligament in his right knee as the result of a goal-side collision.

Replacement goalie Jussi Markanen didn't fair much better behind a team that lost 5-0 in the second game.

Good story here with good pictures...

Now the series returns home to the arena where the sweaters of some of the greatest hockey players ever to strap on a pair of skates hang: Gretzky, Kurri, Lowe, McTavish, Messier, etc.

The question now appears to be: can home ice bring a win in game 3? If not, it's pretty much over. There have only ever been two teams to climb back to win a seven game series in the Finals, being down 3-0 to start the series. Now it's a must-win game. The Oilers already are without home-ice advantage, and the hot goalie, and climbing back into the series would be a tough mark to make, down 3-0 after tomorrow night's game. So, we canucks, and those who care for us, wait with baited breath, and crossed fingers, downing a couple of Molsons in honor and just for good luck, hoping against hope that the Oilers can make it 2-1, winning a game in the Finals for the first since the Glory Years, when those hanging sweaters had bodies in them, and they swirled the rink like no other team had done prior.

Go Oilers. For Craig McTavish and the City of Edmonton, if not for yourselves. Go.

On a similar note, I watched most of the NBA finals' first game last night. The way Jason Terry was there to capitalize on every Heat mistake was impressive to me. The Mavs climbed and clawed their way out of a 10 point deficit to win the first game at home. No big deal. What's interesting to me is that the owner, Marc Cuban, took the time to write several blog entries before, during and right after the game. Interesting to read his game-time thoughts and processes. Say what you like about Marc Cuban, but you have to hand it to him for having passion, the excitement of a school-boy, and enthusiasm for the game. This will also be an interesting series.