[moore4807]

EDM - Since the Boston Massacre, Bonehead and the coaches have stayed pretty constant with the team lines and TOI and the last few games have started to pay dividends. The coaches and players have fallen into a routine and only C Scott Gomez seems unhappy but he holds his tongue and is a true professional. Bonehead makes sure Gomez knows its appreciated and he will get in games. Coach Pauwelyn posts the Oilers special team stats and tendencies on the whiteboard and the team knows its roles.

The first period is pretty even although the Oilers are much quicker overall with their skating. This is causing some pressure and a couple of turnovers, but the team responds in the last 5 minutes of the first by burying 2 goals including a PP goal by LW Fleischmann.

The second period is all Oilers and the team is lucky to only be trailing by one. The shot totals are 4 - 10 for the period and everything that went well in the first period has gone wrong this period. Bonehead notes the first line is -2 and adds five minutes ice time to line 4 from line 1. to combat the flying bodies.

The third period is hard fought and the turnovers and giveaways by the Panthers are the story of this game. A late goal by the Oilers D N Schultz is the GWG and even after a late goal by C Shawn Mattias, it leaves the Panthers on the short end of the scoreboard when the final horn sounds.

Bonehead tells the team that they let this one get away and pack it up and get back to the airport for the next flight, because tomorrow at Calgary is another game.