Giant Slayers!

Amazing! I had the opportunity to attend my first NHL playoff game, and a pivotal game in the series, with the Oiler's having the opportunity to upset the #1 seeded Detroit Red Wings, owners of the Presidents Trophy (best team in the NHL regular season). Edmonton's theme for these playoffs was "Get Electric" and WOW, was that building ever electirc tonight! I've been to many a regular season game but have never experienced the intensity and energy created by the fans in Rexal Place tonight. From ten minutes prior to the puck drop and the start of the game the place was jumpin' and LOUD! How loud was it, you ask? One anouncer on the radio likened it to standing next to the engines of a 747! It was so loud it drowned out the anouncer on the loud speakers and made his voice sound like a whisper! The actual game was an emotional roller coaster. The first period the Oil came out strong outshooting the Wings and playing physical. The second period was completely awful with the Oil continuously turning over the puck all over the ice and taking penalties. The Wings capitalized on the Powerplay and the Oil escaped the period down 2-0 (it easily could have been 5-0). Then the third period arrived and Oh Boy, I haven't witnessed a more exicting 20 minutes of hockey in my life. The Oilers came out and played like they were possessed with Pisani bringing them within a goal on his first of the game and a PP marker. Pisani then scored the tying "highlight reel" goal and the place went nuts. "I haven't seen anything like that," said Edmonton goalie Dwayne Roloson."The place erupted. It was unbelievable." The Wings then pulled ahead 3-2 and the place went quiet for about 30 seconds. After that the Oil continued to press and forced the Wings to take a penalty. On the ensuing powerplay Hemsky tied it up on a goal that went upstairs to be reviewed. After a few minutes the goal stood and the place went crazzzy again. I was elated and thinking to myself that this game was destined for OT, when, with just over a minute left in regulation the Oil were in the offensive zone. At this point everything seemed to go into slow motion and the puck was on Samsonov's stick. I saw him driving to the net and a caught a glimpse of Hemsky out of the corner of my eye cruising to the front of the net and I knew a split second before, that it was going in the back of the net. It was the "give and go" and Hemsky burried the puck behind a helpless Manny Legace. Clutch! It won the game and clinched the series 4-2. I'm sure the roaring chants of "Manny...Manny...Manny" directed at Legace didn't help his confidence. Overall, a great game and an amazing experience.

One more thing. To all you poolies (and supposed Oiler fans) who selected Red Wings to your fantasy team thinking they were going to go all the way....Bwaaahahahahaa! RazzzzZzzzZzzzZ!