HFNHL Play-offs: Oilers vs. Ducks

[CopperAndBlueGM]

HFNHL Oiler's fans have certainly been lighting up the call-in lines at local sports talk station WERD ... too bad the Oiler players couldn't have lit the goal lamp as much the other night. Most callers were voicing their general displeasure with the Oilers game one performance but others were already demanding a change in goal for game 2.

While the Oiler's opened the game with the first goal that was the last fans had to cheer for as the Ducks went on to score five unanswered goals to soundly trounce Edmonton. You would have to go back to the mid season (5-0 loss to the Flames) to find a game where the Oilers had been beaten so soundly. It was also the second worst outing, in terms of save percentage, for starter Chad Johnson. If anyone had foolishly believed that the Oliers 5-0 regular season record vs. the Ducks would translate to an easy first round match-up they certainly aren't now.

At this mornings practice coach Julien was preaching patience as he highlighted areas where the team had performed well like they had out-hit the Ducks and been committed to defense with 20 blocked shots. He went on to confirm he had confidence that Chad would bounce back though he remained elusive as to whether Johnson or Pavelec would get the start in game 2.

Either way Oilers fans are not just concerned about their own goal tending but also that of the opposition's. Jonathan Quick had a mind boggling record of 1 shutout for every 8 games played this HFNHL season and they will have to figure out a way to get to him if the Oilers have any hope of turning things around in the series.

Stay tuned.

Click to read more...

 

[Regal Beagles]

Meanwhile in Anaheim, fans are outraged by the dirty Oilers injuring Kris Russell. Hopefully the popular D man can return shortly in the series.

The other story line was how angry the team appeared heading into the rink. One security guard notes a player furious with the "lack of respect" league prognosticators were giving them in this series. The Ducks of course won the toughest division in the HFNHL, and perhaps their attention faltered down the stretch while suffering some injuries.

The rope line led by Captain Jonathan Toews was exceptional and fourth line came with 2 goals from Kyle Brodziak. The late season rest paid off as Jonathan Quick was money in the nets.

Rumours are swirling about how the Ducks will adjust their D in light of the Russell injury. But they may just slide in Zach Redmond into the second pairing.

 

[CopperAndBlueGM]

Series tied 1-1

Game two saw the HFNHL Oilers steal one largely on the back of Chad Johnson's 31 saves as he bounced back from a sub-par performance in Game 1. Having earned a split in Anaheim the team looks forward to returning to the more friendly confines of Rexall Place.

While it was hardly a dominant performance with the Ducks out hitting the Oilers, blocking more shots, and absolutely dominating the Oilers in the faceoff circle for the second straight game, the Oilers still managed to mount a balanced consistent attack over all three periods and in the end they came out ahead 3-1.

Despite GM Larsen trying to stir up a fake controversy over Russel's injury in game 1 (real reason is he hurt it while blocking a shot) the series hasn't had a nasty element to it yet. Both teams have played a disciplined game with only eight penalty minutes combined between the two teams over the two games and that's how GM Niece hopes it will go.

Either way GM Niece recognizes they were lucky to steal one and with Chris Russel returning for the Ducks (after nursing his bruised pinky finger back to health) he has promised some tweaking to the lineup for game 3.

 

[CopperAndBlueGM]

... notes a player furious with the "lack of respect" league prognosticators were giving them in this series.

Last I checked, excluding our picks, 10 of 15 picked Anaheim to win in the pool. Clearly the Oilers are the underdogs in the eyes of Joe Public.

 

[Regal Beagles]

Series tied 1-1

Game two saw the HFNHL Oilers steal one largely on the back of Chad Johnson's 31 saves as he bounced back from a sub-par performance in Game 1. Having earned a split in Anaheim the team looks forward to returning to the more friendly confines of Rexall Place.

While it was hardly a dominant performance with the Ducks out hitting the Oilers, blocking more shots, and absolutely dominating the Oilers in the faceoff circle for the second straight game, the Oilers still managed to mount a balanced consistent attack over all three periods and in the end they came out ahead 3-1.

Despite GM Larsen trying to stir up a fake controversy over Russel's injury in game 1 (real reason is he hurt it while blocking a shot) the series hasn't had a nasty element to it yet. Both teams have played a disciplined game with only eight penalty minutes combined between the two teams over the two games and that's how GM Niece hopes it will go.

Either way GM Niece recognizes they were lucky to steal one and with Chris Russel returning for the Ducks (after nursing his bruised pinky finger back to health) he has promised some tweaking to the lineup for game 3.

The Ducks are very confident heading into game three as they plan to show up to the correct venue, Rogers Place.

 

[CopperAndBlueGM]

The Ducks are very confident heading into game three as they plan to show up to the correct venue, Rogers Place.

LOL. The Oilers, and the Finance team, very much look forward to moving to the 18,000 seat capacity Rogers Place for the 2017/18 HFNHL season but for now they remain (in the HFNHL) in the smaller Rexall Place.

All that said your statement about the Ducks being the ones to show up was somewhat prophetic ... a mere 21 shots on net by the Oilers in game 3

 

[Regal Beagles]

HFNHL Ducks Insider - After a big win in game three, the Ducks seek a stranglehold on the series with a win in game four despite being in enemy territory. Quick was exceptional despite facing limited shots. The Ducks top line appears frustrated by Chad Johnson's outstanding play. The Ducks depth in the third and fourth lines have been stepping up, which has probably garnered the interest of the numerous Las Vegas scouts monitoring the series. The big question is will Kris Russell return for game 4?

 

[CopperAndBlueGM]

HFNHL Oilers on the Brink

A tough heartbreaking OT loss puts the HFNHL Oilers on the brink of elimination.

The game was very balanced in almost every respect except one - goal. Yet again Jonathon Quick frustrated the Oilers as he now boasts a very frustrating .953 save percentage vs. the Oilers over 4 games. It goes without saying that unless Quick falls apart the possibility of a comeback is nearly unimaginable for the Oilers faithfull.

 

[CopperAndBlueGM]

The Oilers find a solution. His name is Paul Stastny.

Paul was a man possessed scoring all four goals to keep the Oilers slim hopes alive.

Unfortunately the team also announced that goalie Chad Johnson, who himself had a great showing in game 5, is fatigued and is questionable for game 6.

 

[Regal Beagles]

Congrats. High scoring team dried up at wrong time.

Off to the traders lounge for the offseason.

 

[CopperAndBlueGM]

Congratulations to the HFNHL Ducks for a great season, GM Roy Lawsen for building a great team, and all due respect for a brutally tough series.

In a first round that saw 4 of 8 series go the full seven games the Ducks vs. Oilers series needed overtime to settle things.

The hero for the day in Edmonton is Andrew Cogliano. Having already assisted on the other two Ducks goals he saved the best for last scoring in OT - his first goal in the entire series!

Linemate Paul Stastny, hero of game 5 when he had all 4 goals, was again a factor as he assisted on all three Edmonton goals including setting up the game winner.

In a tough series that saw some highs and lows the one strong constant was the Oilers PK unit. Even though the series was cleanly played with few penalties for either team the Oilers PK unit only surrendered one goal in the series.