Last week, with the NHL All-Star break in its full glory, many of the regular Oilers writers from the north graced the Cox Center with their presence and always cheery demeanor. The Edmonton Sun’s Terry Jones, SportsNet another, and a few other curious folk in need of something to talk about. For as bad as the Oilers have been for nearly three seasons, their farm team has become a minor league juggernaut. Thus the All-Star festivities in Ottawa seemed un-important to most Oilers fans. Jordan Eberle was the one bright spot, able to play and represent the city, but even that is almost a footnote to the weekend.
The sudden success of the Barons, in this their second year of existence in Oklahoma City, has forced the media to look long and hard and often at how a minor league team can soar while the NHL team is a bore. I’m here to tell you, that this Barons squad is not without its imperfections. The late period “fade” is something the coaching staff is trying to correct in the latter half of the season. The lack of power play scoring to begin and end games is improving, but still lumpy. At this point, I’m just nitpicking, but for the right reasons. As someone whom watches more minor league hockey on a weekly basis than that of the major league variety, I like to think that I know a thing or two about this Oklahoma City squad. So as the Edmonton writers enjoyed a really good steak, some warmer weather, and FINALLY a couple of wins in a row, I too ponder the success in the “A” and the failures in the “N”.
