BlowbyBlow
Registered User
- Jan 22, 2011
- 3,411
- 0
Not sure hold old you are, but if you lived back then, you would have seen first hand how utterly dominant the Oilers were. When the odds are heavily favouring you, and you get knocked out by your hated rival to boot, it was devastating. This whole city took a long time to get over that.
I will admit it was nearly as devastating in 2006, especially since it could be argued we were favourites with Rollie on a run and having Pronger be superman. But looking back, when nothing was expected, it was the ride that was sweet, and some great satisfaction was still gained knocking out the Wings and the Sharks. There was nothing good that came out of the 1986 playoffs.
The early days to me didn't matter the upset of MTL, first loss to the Isles yea devastating but you knew keep that group together and good things will happen. When your team has a chance to win every year it's not big deal tbh
In 2006 it was a team 15 years removed from a championship the upset of the Stars and Avs were so long removed already and those were first rounds. This was a Cinderella team but they weren't playing a juggernaut. Game 1 was the most devastating loss in Oilers history. I was a season ticket holder at that time, and I know guys in ther 40's, 50's, 60's guys back to the wha days who say that game will always stand in there memory.
The Oilers had a 3-0 lead, and 3 minutes left till they would be going into the third. I can't recall in any sport, in any league where momentum shifted so unbelievably in favour of another team. That building in Raleigh was dead. Then to have the game be 3-3 and that lead evaporate so bad. Have your #1 goalie out of the playoffs. Knowing you probably never ever get this great of a chance. That game should be the 2nd or 3rd example of heartbreak in the dictionary.