Last night, 3 days before main training camp opens, the Oilers Rookies faced off in their annual grudge match against the University of Alberta Golden Bears. The Bears had won the last 5 in a row and it was obvious from the outset that the Oilers coaches and scouts had played the pride card with their boys before the game. Consensus in the press box was that this team of Rookies was working much harder on the ice than past groups in an effort to achieve a victory.
In the end, a 6-3 decision for the Oilers Rookies went into the books. I have a few observations which I'll give point form:
- As far as scoring for the Rookies went, Troy Bodie had two, Frederick Pettersson had two, Jonas Almtorp had one and Patrick Thoersen rounded out the scoring.
- Devan Dubnyk was phenomenal in goal. He made every single first shot save in the game with 3 rebound goals getting by him. He made 27 saves overall and looked right at home in goal. I'm really excited about this kid...
- Rob Schremp was held off the score sheet but was an instrumental factor in the offensive game for the Rookies. He was a quarterback on the powerplay in every sense of the word, directing traffic and calling out plays vocally. He had an 'A' on his chest last night and earned it with his leadership on the ice.
- Theo Peckham, a young defenseman for the Oilers, had a huge game. He had a couple bone-rattling bodychecks, was solid in his own zone and picked up an assist to boot. He's one to watch down the road.
- Alexei Mikhnov was alright but didn't show enough to me last night. His puck control in tight spaces was impressive and his ability to create plays was also evident. But, the fact of the matter is, he had 3 wonderful scoring opportunities and was unable to bury any of them. In one case he was in all alone and shot it directly into the goaltenders midsection. He needs to bare down a bit more...he'll be given every opportunity to make the club, but he needs to find his touch in main camp.
Full props to Dylan Stanley of the Bears who, in a 2nd intermission shootout, outdid Rob Schremp. Schremp tried a move where you pick the puck up on the blade of your stick and reach it around your neck like a lacrosse shot and put it top corner...Schremp's ended up nowhere near the net but Stanley put it top shelf. It brought the crowd to its feet and was clearly the most exciting moment of the night.
The Oilers fly out to Grande Prairie tomorrow afternoon and main camp starts on Friday. I'm told that 8 veterans will make the trip to Winnipeg for the exhibition game on Sunday...not sure of the specific names yet.
Tonight on Inside Sports on 630 CHED in Edmonton...Oilers Head Coach Craig MacTavish live at 9:05.
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