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Speedy -Todd Marchant
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The best team in the NHL; no question about it. The Oilers began their
first season in the NHL (from WHA) in 1979-80. They found themselves
in their first Stanley Cup final in 1983 against the New York Islanders,
only 4 years after they joined the league. They have won five Stanley
Cups since then (in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990). The Edmonton
Oilers is the only team in the history of the NHL to win a Stanley Cup
within 5 years since it joined. In 1984, the Islander
Dynasty ended, and a new (and last) Hockey Dynasty was borned : the
Edmonton Oilers. I think the Oilers in the 80's is the best hockey
team in all time. Some people may want to argue
on that point, but no one can deny the magical things the Oilers had
accomplished in the 80's. The Edmonton Oilers has the best playoff
record in the NHL, and the Oilers holds the record for most goals in
a season of a team - 446 (1983-84). When Wayne Gretzky produced the
records for most goals (92, 81-82), most assists (163, 85-86), and
most points (215, 85-86) in a season, he
did it as an Edmonton Oiler. The Oilers have produced legends
and hall
of famers like : Glen Sather, Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey,
Glenn Anderson, Jari Kurri, Grant Fuhr, Bill Ranford ... etc. just
to name a few.
What I like the most about the Oilers is that it is in Edmonton.
There is no better hockey town like Edmonton, Alberta. Hockey actually
matters to Edmontonians, and the Oilers is as close to community owned
sport club as there are. If the people of Edmonton didn't step up before
the deadline of 1998, the Oilers would be moved to Houston. Nothing
would be the same if that had happened. Players praise how great the
fans are, how the team is like one big family, how they share a lot
of things
then just the games ... etc. The players get together after practices
to eat a hearty lunch. Everyone roots for each other. Edmonton is
the City of Champions, that inlcudes the fans and the teams.
The Edmonton Oilers now is, of course, very different than the Oilers
in the 80's. We don't have the number one star of the league, let alone
having two full lines of the all-star team like the old Oilers. But
I still love the Oilers, and more than ever. Now everyone has to work
hard, and everyone has to produce. But isn't that the spirit of sports ?
When they do well, there are just so much more to celebrate. It is a
team of hearts and souls. One day, we will prove that
we can do it again. Do it without the big salaries; do it without big
stars; do it without the support of our own goverment. They will do it
with their speed, their energy, their tenacity, and they will do it
together.
My favorite player is C/LW Todd
Marchant. His stirring playoff 7th-game-OT-SH-breakaway
goal on Andy Moog of the Dallas Stars in 1997 will
forever be deposited in the memory banks of every Oiler fan. I love
just about every one on the team though. Captain Bucky represents the
spirit of the team. Rosey, Mike Grier is strong AND fast. BoBo Mironov
just cannot be stopped. Hamrlik is so dependable. Rem "the gem"
Murray always manages to surprise you. Smyth just keeps driving to the
net. Dougie has so many nifty moves. McSortley keeps the fights
going. Laraque shows size matters. Coach Ron Lowe is simply great.
Slat, the GM, makes all the savvy deals. Essensa proves that he got game.
How can you not love everything about the Oilers?!Go Oilers Go !!!