Oilers Looking Pretty Slick

The Oilers continue to play some slick hockey and today was no exception. In a game that went down to the wire, the Oilers lost a 5-4 decision to the St.Albert Thunder. Even though the Oilers don't receive any points for today's game, they do take a lot of positives with them into the next game.

First positive note goes to Jesse Frederickson. Jesse broke loose today with a 4 point game and scored two great goals and assisted on the other 2. His determination and natural leadership helped motivate a tired team that was double shifted all game. He rightfully won the Heart and Hustle award.

"Looks like Jesse Frederickson has taken a page out of Fernando Pisani's streaky scoring book and showed us once again why we selected him in the draft." said coach Bruce Gneze earlier today in a press conference. "His four point performance was great to watch and we look forward to seeing a lot more of these as the year progress's." He also stated "Jesse is a free agent next year so we anticipate his game going to whole new level as the season progresses."

Second positive goes to Chris Zalitack. Chris played like a veteran today and looked extremely comfortable on the ice. With great positioning and some fast thinking, he managed to pick up two points and won the Source For Sports Player Of The Game award.

Third, Drew Morison. Not only did Drew keep his goal scoring streak alive and popped in a couple more beauties but he also continues to be one of the Oilers best back checkers. His defensive game is as solid as his goal scoring and he is always a threat on both ends of the ice.

The fourth positive goes to the entire team. Everybody skated hard, moved the puck well, played positions and contributed in one way or another. The Oilers have a young team with a number of players only in their first or second year of hockey. Each game they play is better and smarter then the last. As the season progresses, I don't think there will be a team in our league that we can't beat on any given Sunday. As far as today's game goes, it's really difficult saying we lost because we weren't outplayed, we were simply outscored. Great job Oilers. Keep doing what your doing and the wins will come.

Painting Some Team Spirit

This weekends game is going to be a tough one as the flu takes it's toll on the oilers line up. With only 9 players expected to dress tomorrow, the boys will have to dig deep and come together as a unit.

Meanwhile, in the Bonner home, we have been renovating Owens room with new floors and painting the walls with The Oilers cooper and blue. Originally, Owen was going to miss practise and the game, as he is staying in Edmonton this weekend, but he insisted on playing and said "I never want my team to loose again and I never want to miss a practice or a game!".


It will be great to see our team play their hearts out, win, loose or draw.
On another note, Kaden and his dad donated an Ales Hemsky Autographed Oilers Cap to be given out as a reward. At this time the coaching staff isn't sure what they will use it for but someone on our team will be taking it home soon.


This has nothing to do about hockey really, but my wife does have street hockey pads on for her knees. Also, the clothes I have on came from the closet of Coach Bruce Gnenz. His wife did some "house cleaning" the last time he was out of town. I don't know if he noticed they were gone or not. He does now. This shirt is rather snug on me.

Oilers Vs Bulldogs - Video Highlights

The Oilers snapped a 4 game losing streak today by defeating the Bulldogs, 5-4. It was a fast paced game and both teams played the best hockey I've seen this season.

The heart and soul award for the Oilers went to the goalie, Andrew Palladino. He gave his team the opportunity to win and came up with the big saves when needed. Matt Dejanovic won the Source for Sports Player of The Game Award. Once again, he had a solid game and was awarded with another goal, his third of the season.

Cody Dejanovic skated hard every shift and created a few chances. He even broke up a few with some great back-checking and if that's not enough, he set a goal up with some nice corner work.

Levi Hansen was on fire today and scored a goal and picked up an assist.

Owen "Gator" Bonner keeps making his home on D. Once again, he broke up a couple of plays and blocked a handful of shots. He continues to get better every game.

AJ Hambly was steady as a rock out there and lead by example. He made a ton of good plays and played a tight game.

Kaden Wilson banged home a rebound for his 4th goal of the year and Matthew Belsham drew an assist on the play. They are both tied for the second spot on the Oilers scoring with 4 points each.

Drew Morison extends his scoring streak to 5 games as he picked up two more goals. The first one was a beautiful spin-a-Rama backhander that the Bulldog Goalie had no chance on. Then with only a minute thirty left in the third, Ryan Gnenz flew in off wing and tried to jam the puck in from a tough angle. He picked up his own rebound and threw it back into the slot and it landed on Drews stick and he flipped it high and over a sprawling goalie to score the game winning goal.

“All the guys played their positions so well." said Coach John Frederickson in a post game interview. "They are really listening in practice and it shows. I had a good feeling about this game, it’s the TSN turning point for the St Albert Oilers. Andrew P’s goaltending was stellar, and Ryan G helped out on a couple of key goals, looks like he’s got himself in the running for the Heart and Hustle award. This team deserves a celebration two Saturdays from now at Servus Place.”

All in all it was a great team effort and there wasn't a single player that didn't contribute to the win. Well done boys. Keep playing as a unit and the wins will keep coming.

Coach John Frederickson
was very happy with
today's win

Get Ready For The Bulldogs

The Oilers game on Sunday is against the Bulldogs who are 3 and 1. This will be our toughest match to date.
Its going to be a great game and I am pleased to let all of you know it will be videotaped and highlights will be up later Sunday evening.

Best of luck to both teams, Play safe and have fun.
DMB

Feel Free To Leave Comments

Hi everyone.
I know this blog gets a lot of visitors from everywhere. From family and friends of the Oilers team as well as some of the teams we play against. I just want you to know your welcome here and feel free to leave messages and comments.

If you want to post a comment, simply click comment under the article. A new window will appear (pop ups may need to be enabled), and in that window check the box that says "other" and leave a name and comment. Then hit publish

That's it.

Cheers
DMB

Double Trouble

The Oilers continue to come together as a team and in spite of a 4 game losing streak, there is signs of hope. The Twins took turns in net as Lucas played goalie in a 10-2 loss last week and Andrew played Goalie this past weekend.

Against the Chiefs, the Oilers lacked discipline and fell apart defensively and created very few chances offensively. The Chiefs were relentless in their attack and Lucas made some great saves and was one of our best players. Our top scorer Drew scored two more goals and kept his streak alive. He was rightfully awarded the Heart and Soul Reward as he had a ton of great scoring chances but was robbed by a hot goalie on a few occasions.

"The loss was the worst of the season" said a parent. "We need to get back to basics and come together as a unit."
The coaching staff must of felt the concern and managed to secure extra ice time for practice. The team focused on clearing the zone, playing positions and working as a team to move the puck up ice. It paid off as we faced off against the Predators on Sunday. In spite of the score, the Oilers played the best hockey of the season and the fans were treated to a glimpse of what is too come.

In net, we found a solid goal-tender in Andrew. He faced down some crazy barrages and made a ton of incredible saves. His hard work and sharp net minding won him the Source for Sports Player of the Game award.
On defense, we found a solid stay at home defenseman in Owen who stood his ground and broke up some scoring chances. Levi also proved to be a great D man and looked like a little Bobby Orr. He pinched in a lot and the Predators had trouble clearing their zone with him on the blue line.

Lucas was like a Tasmanian devil out there and played his heart out every shift. Both him and his brother are sure-fire winners for the Rookie of the Years awards and they both get stronger and stronger every game.
On offense, Kaden dazzled the crowd with two brilliant goals and is destined to be one of the leagues top scorers.
Matthew D was awarded with a goal and continues to play like a moose on skates.
Jesse racked up a couple of points and is leading the team in assists.
Ryan G played like a bee buzzing around honey and did everything but score.

"Although the scored showed otherwise" said Coach Bruce Gnenz in a post game interview. " I felt it was our best outing as far as positional play, passing and general effort. If we continue to play in the same disciplined fashion over the next few months we will be experiencing alot more succes in the win column. I felt our best players were the un noticed ones. Owen Bonner was stellar on defence and really cut down on the amount of breakaways this game. Defence is in his blood. Also, Ryan Gnenz made some great passes and really played his postion well. Its only a matter of time before he gets not only one goal, but a whole pile. Our goalie, Andrew Palladino was second to none in net. The season is just starting and as our players progress we will continue to be stronger and more successful."

All in all, the team was a team for the first time this season. With three players out of the line up, fatigue took it's toll and we lost the game in the third period.
For the first two periods, it was anybody’s game and the boys all played smart hockey with a lot of passion.

On a personal note, the team’s prayers go out to the Morison Family in their time of grief.