Season Report

[JotaC007]

The Edmonton Post:

I finish the season with a good record. Edmonton will finish 1 or 2 on the West. We are very proud of our players but

they are somes ????????????

Bill Ranford was good in a majority of games

Manson: Wins the MVP on Edmonton team

Kravchuk: Some ups and downs.

Corson: big???? Some games he was spectacular and other he really suck!!!!!

Simpson: Same like his friend Corson

Klima: Play well all season

But they prove that they cand wins games!!!

It will be hard on the playoff, our goal its to be on the Stanley Cup Final

Good luck to others players!

Go Oils Go

[The Deer]

Le Journal de Quebec

English Version though.

Overall it's been a successful year for sure so far, the team is 22-10-0 and more often that not found a way to win those one-goal games that coulda gone either way......... could make a big difference in the team's final standing. Our goal right now is to have a great stretch drive and really get into a groove and comfort zone for the playoffs. As much as it's been a successful year, the team has had a few very bad games, and did go through a few stretches where they weren't playing well (sometimes winning in spite of themselves), and down the stretch (not only in the season games but in exhibitions) we're looking to really work out whatever kinks are remaining in our game so that we're ready and confident to compete as well as possible in the playoffs, because to come out of the East, you're going to have to be at your VERY best.

We're currently in a pretty heated race with Boston for the third playoff seed in the East, and in order to get it there isn't too much room for error down the stretch. It hasn't helped that we've lost both of our head-to-head games vs the Bruins so far this season but we can't dote on that anymore. Our goal is to manage to stay ahead of Boston and keep the #3 seed, that's for sure.

Individual thoughts:

Hextall: Has been spectacular in some games and very bad in others. Goaltending has been boom or bust for this team so far.......... overall the team's goals against could be a little better, especially when compared to other teams with similar records. There have been a few games where the offense has bailed the Nordiques out. That said, there have been some games where our goalie has been lights out. With practice and more practice, we believe we can get Hextall playing consistent come playoff time.

Duchesne: Good year offensively, but has been in and out of the lineup at times, often replaced with Adam Foote. Asking for a little bit more stability from him defensively.

Lesyschyn (sp?): Has been the Nords' best Dman, not a huge threat offensively but seems to make sure his goals are big ones. Has been the team's best body checker.

Nolan: A bit hot and cold, but overall has probably been doing better than the left wing on most teams in the league. Overall we're satisfied.

Sakic: Although he's pretty horrible defensively (can't seem to hit anyone ever), he is the MVP, TIME AND AGAIN he comes through with the huge goals for this team, just like in real life. And if he gets the puck in a certain spot at a certain angle and just shoots it, it seems to go in almost every time. Mario is about the only other guy in this game I find that applies to....... maybe Roenick as well.

Sundin: Very lazy and often very guilty of trying to do too much himself, and pretty inconsistent, but when he's on, WATCH OUT, and I mean watch out. In his "on" games he's owned that top shelf glove side. A big powerful right shot who just needs to learn to bring it every game.

Overall, this team noticeably plays much better when they MOVE THE PUCK.............. every game we lose it seems to be because we're holding onto the puck too long........... shouldn't be on a guy's stick for more than a couple of seconds unless he has a wide-open lane. Move that puck around quickly and success will come. And we do better when we actually make a concerted effort to have the forwards play defense........... it's so easy to just go right to the defense control, but if you do that, you're already conceding that the other team has beaten three guys! Have the forwards be accountable, and THEN let the D take care of things if that fails.

Moving the puck and finishing hits, even on guys without the puck, when we do those things the rest seems to take care of itself.

And CREATIVITY, it's so easy for our team to find a move that works and then become too reliant on it. Against one opponent in particular, ALL of our signature moves were eventually solved. We must pass it around quickly and figure out new ways of scoring all of the time.

Anyhow, that's our 2/3 season report! Once I get a new controller, see you guys down the stretch drive.