Wednesday, April 16, 2008

 

Oilers DVD to be released

Finally. Thank goodness. The NBA has been producing a dynasty series for a few years now, and it appears the NHL is at last following suit. The best part is, Oilers fans get to determine which games will be on the DVD. Just click on the first link above, and you will have the option of voting for the ten games you'd most like to see. There are 21 options to choose from, and voting ends April 25th.

I can't think of many games that aren't available as options, here. The hockey buff in me suggests both the Miracle on Manchester game and the Steve Smith game, but I suffered through both of those already, so forget it. There is a great Battle of Alberta game that should be on this list, actually. April 23rd, 1988. The Oilers won 4-2, to take a 3-0 series lead over the Flames. It's also the game where Marty McSorley speared Mike Bullard, Tim Hunter ran Grant Fuhr, and Mark Messier elbowed Perry Berezan. Both Berezan and Bullard left on stretchers (video here). Just a vicious hockey game. Maybe we'll get that one in a Battle of Alberta set, eh? Eh? (nudge nudge)

The game I was most excited to see on the list? The May 8, 1990 game against the Hawks. That's the Messier "I'm carrying this team on my back" game. The game I will not be voting for in a million years? The May 1, 2006 game against the Wings. Other than the last four minutes, that game was excruciatingly painful. We had no business winning that one.

Anyway, there are lots of great games to choose from. So many so, in fact, that some damn good ones had to be left behind. Some early games had to be abandoned, along with some Stanley Cup victories. But we carry on. They'd have wanted it that way. Here are my ten choices from the list.

1) April 22, 1984 - Edmonton 7 Calgary 4
2) May 19, 1984 - Edmonton 5 NY Islanders 2
3) May 31, 1987 - Edmonton 3 Philadelphia 1
4) April 21, 1988 - Edmonton 5 Calgary 4
5) May 8, 1990 - Edmonton 4 Chicago 2
6) May 15, 1990 - Edmonton 3 Boston 2
7) April 16, 1991 - Edmonton 5 Calgary 4
8) April 29, 1997 - Edmonton 4 Dallas 3
9) May 10, 2006 - Edmonton 3 San Jose 2
10) June 14th, 2006 - Edmonton 4 Carolina 3

GOILERS!


*glove tap to Abboud and Mustafa for the link*

Comments:

Hey Matt (or anyone),

When was the Messier/Nattress game? Was it in that same series in 88?
 


The habs are doing the exact same thing right now. And both the flyers and penguins already released a dvd of their respective 10 best games.

I guess this is going to be a must for all the franchises (well, at least those which actually have 10 "historic" games to show...)
 


awesome is all i can say. can't wait to purchase my copy. i wonder when they will release the vhs cassette of calgary's one great game?
 


It will be interesting to see how many Oilers and Flames "greatest" games come at the other teams expense. I can think of three "greatest" Flames games off the top of my head, and two come at the expense of the Oilers. The first is the Steve Smith game. The second is the Theo Fluery game in 91.
 


//i wonder when they will release the vhs cassette of calgary's one great game?//



Classic.Please put that on the BofA banner Andy.
 


May 31, 1987 - Edmonton 3 Philadelphia 1

Just thinking about this game makes me choke up. First off, that was an amazing series. Secondly, Gretzky took the Cup and passed it right over to Steve Smith. I can't...write...more...sobbing...
 


I think the Game 7 vs Carolina would be a gem for all :)

Cheap shot I know, but this site is to friendly these days.
 


my most memorable game was the loss to the flames due to the smith "own goal". as a wee lad growing up in calgary (at least at that point, pops was military so we moved every 3 years), i was the only kid in my school who was an oilers fan. i remember going to bed that night sobbing knowing that the next day was going to be a living hell.
 


I think the Game 7 vs Carolina would be a gem for all :)

Cheap shot I know, but this site is to friendly these days.


i'm sure the canucks dvd would rank right up there with the likes of the winnipeg jets or the columbus blue jackets.
 


Just thinking about this game makes me choke up. First off, that was an amazing series. Secondly, Gretzky took the Cup and passed it right over to Steve Smith. I can't...write...more...sobbing...

Emerick's call of this one is a classic: "Here's Anderson over the line, big drive...SCORES!"

Whenever that one is on ESPN Classic, it's a can't miss. The Craig MacTavish lead checking line absolutely shut down the Flyers that night, fully and completely.

And Grabia, your top ten pretty much lines up with mine, although I'm tempted to vote for more obscure games (such as the Game 1 and 3 1984 finals games - Fuhr's great night and the legendary goal by Messier on Billy Smith).

Some tough choices on that list, coupled with three "WTF" selections (both 2006 games against Detroit, and the 7-5 game against Colorado - if you're going to put that one on there, why not that 12-9 shootout with Chicago from the mid-80's?"

And when (i.e. if) they do this for the Flames, the Steve Smith game in 1986 is going to out-poll the 1989 Cup clincher. Book it.
 


WOOOO! FALMES IN SIX.
 


my most memorable game was the loss to the flames due to the smith "own goal". as a wee lad growing up in calgary (at least at that point, pops was military so we moved every 3 years), i was the only kid in my school who was an oilers fan. i remember going to bed that night sobbing knowing that the next day was going to be a living hell.

How old were you at the time? It wouldn't have been an issue if you were past grade 6, since most Calgarians don't actually graduate elementary school....

Ba-zing.
 


The Canucks DVD will consist of the time Roger Neilson waved the towel, a tribute to Stan Smyl, one of their wins against the Rangers in the '94 final, and the press conference announcing the Luongo trade.

In other words, it will be shorter than the coming attractions on the Oilers DVD set.
 


The Canucks DVD will consist of the time Roger Neilson waved the towel, a tribute to Stan Smyl, one of their wins against the Rangers in the '94 final, and the press conference announcing the Luongo trade.

What, no footage of the Riot on Robson or the emotional standing ovation tribute for Todd Bertuzzi at the 2004 regular season finale?
 


although I'm tempted to vote for more obscure games (such as the Game 1 and 3 1984 finals games - Fuhr's great night and the legendary goal by Messier on Billy Smith).

I was shocked Game 3 wasn't an option, but I guess you can only list so many. Plus, I don't actually remember if that whole game was good, or just the undressing of poor Gord Dineen.

I'd assume there would be a highlights segment to go along with these games, so that lots of other memorable moments are captured. Another one that sticks out to me is from the first Cup loss, when the players (Coffey?) sat in despair in the doorway of the bench. Those comeback games against the Jets in 89/90 stand out to me, too.
 


Good point with the Detroit game Andy - I can think of a few other big Oiler victories that are best left as Youtube hi-lite clips.

I ordered the Canucks "Top Ten Practices at Burnaby 8-Rinks". It was only on VHS unfortunately.
 


I was shocked Game 3 wasn't an option, but I guess you can only list so many.

Look again Andy - it IS an option.
 


Duh.
 


I haven't looked at the list yet, but I will be voting for May 1. Last hockey game I ever watched with my dad and all.

I also voted in the Canadiens one. Some good shit there I wouldn't mind watching again.
 


You left out a few of my favorites. The Miracle on Manchester and the Steve Smith games, obviously. The Islanders sweep in the finals in 1982 (with bonus footage of Billy Smith receiving the Conn Smythe Trophy). The first game of that 1981 series with LA where the Kings won something like 10-8. SCF 2006 Game 7. Oilers-Flames April 1, 2008.

You're right, there are a lot of gems to choose from.
 


Cool. Way more than 10 great games on the list, and the list itself is far too short. Here's my choices:

Oilers 6 Habs 2 (1981): Oilers go from upstart to dynasty-in-the-making in four days. My first choice would be Game 1 of this series, a 6-3 spanking of the mighty Habs right in the Forum as the youthful Oilers pay their respects to the 22 Stanley Cup banners over their heads by re-defining firewagon hockey.

Oilers 7 Flyers 5 (1981): Perhaps the greatest and most dramatic of Wayne Gretzky's records. A defining moment in the history of the game and the Oilers' place in it.

Oilers 7, Flames 4 (1984): Trailing 4-3 midway in the secound, Oilers take their game to a new level to snuff the persistent Flames. I leave the building confident that there's not a team in the league could stop us that spring.

Oilers 1, Islanders 0 (1984): Two weeks later Oilers prove it by beating the Islanders at their own game, and in their own building, in an exceptionally hard-fought game featuring great goaltending by both Grant Fuhr and Billy Smith.

Oilers 5, Islanders 2 (1984): What remains the most recent Stanley Cup Final rematch deserves a second look. Gretzky scores his 99th and 100th goals of a dominant season to break it open early, then lifts the Stanley Cup for the first time.

Oilers 8, Flyers 3 (1985): Second Cup win is a laugher of a game noteworthy for a large number of spectacular goals by the good guys. Paul Coffey, flying through those playoffs and setting defence scoring records that still stand, punctuates it with the Cup-winning goal.

Oilers 3, Flyers 1 (1987): The first SCF G7 in 16 years, and the only one to be played in Edmonton. As in 1984 against Calgary, Oilers let a 3-1 series lead dissipate and trail early in Game 7, but turn on a display of hockey brilliance that overwhelms a stalwart opponent. Jari Kurri notches the Cup-winner, while Glenn Anderson is outstanding on the NHL's biggest stage.

Oilers 5, Flames 4 (1988): In the rematch of the infamous Steve Smith series, Oilers come from two goals down to force overtime, then win it on Gretzky's shorthanded slapper that is a stake to the heart of the Flames. Get out the brooms.

Oilers 4 Hawks 2 (1990): One of the most dominant individual performances I have ever seen, as Mark Messier wills the Oilers to victory and the Hawks into submission in a series-turning performance that highlights the last Cup run.

Edmonton 4 Dallas 3 (1997 G7): The highwater mark of a pretty lean decade and a half, a new generation of Oilers complete a mammoth upset of the rising Stars. Todd Marchant's OT winner off a Doug Weight feed would prove to be a memory that served Oilers fans well during subsequent, far less satisfying meetings with Dallas.

Oilers 3, Sharks 2 (2006): Perhaps the most complete team effort of many during the 2006 playoff run, Shawn Horcoff's goal, Dwayne Roloson's save (off Cheechoo), and Ryan Smyth's teeth all make headlines as the Oilers turn the tide against the Sharks.
***

Count 'em up, that's 11, and that's without Steve Smith's gaffe at the end of another seven-game Battle of Alberta, or Esa Tikkanen's OT heroics that decided yet a third, or Petr Klima's transition from benchwarmer to OT hero in the longest game in SCF history, or ... or ...

So when is Volume 2 coming out?
 


Thanks for giving me another reason to look forward to the end of summer. You are all bastards!!!!
 


This comment has been removed by the author.
 


My write-in ballot for DVD bonus material: Georges Laraque's improbable hat trick against L.A.
 


Mike W: I remember that one; an alcohol soaked Monday night;)

AG: Is it just me and you or does anyone else get super-pissed that Mess's win in Chi in '90 gets glossed over?

I know it wasn't as sexy as saying something on Broadway, but still c'mon on!!
 


Top 5 are the Stanley Cup winning games. Those are easy. The other 5 are harder picks.
 


The 1990 Messier Chicago game, the 1990 Cup clincher and the 1984 clincher plus the 1-0 game would have to be included I'd say.

Also, G6 SCF 2006 would be on my list and I'd like the Marchant OT winner game too.

How many is that?
 


wait, these are all games the oilers won. I want to see the one where Fleury scores a goal in OT and slides on his knees.

Oh well, I will buy this anyway.
 


You left out a few of my favorites. The Miracle on Manchester and the Steve Smith games, obviously. The Islanders sweep in the finals in 1982 (with bonus footage of Billy Smith receiving the Conn Smythe Trophy). The first game of that 1981 series with LA where the Kings won something like 10-8. SCF 2006 Game 7. Oilers-Flames April 1, 2008.

You're right, there are a lot of gems to choose from.


Those will all be used to fill out the Flames DVD, from what I've been lead to believe.
 


This is a great idea. What would really be spectacular is if they rounded up the players/coaches to do commentary tracks as well.
 


Bullard getting poleaxed should DEFINITELY be on there as an extra, along with the Lights-Out SCF game in Boston. I voted for:

Earthshaking '81 Habs upset
50 in 39
'84 finisher
'85 finisher that literally killed Lindbergh
'87 finisher (fuck you Hextall)
Messier pwns Hawks
Klima
ET in OT '91
Marchant vs Stars
Pisani's SCF-saving SH
 


I want to see the one where Fleury scores a goal in OT and slides on his knees.

Don't worry. You'll get the next game, where Tikkanen scores the overtime winner, and knocks out the Flames.

Does no one have an answer on the game when Messier elbowed Rick Natress? Bruce? LT? Cosh? David? I figured one of us old-timers would have it by now. I'd also like to know what game it was where Risebrough tore the Oilers jersey up with his skates while sitting in the penalty box. Anyone? I guess I finally need to give in and go buy that Battle of Alberta book.
 


The Nattress game was G2 of the 1991 opening round, April 6. 3-1 Flames. I think that was the game.
 


Attaboys. Mark my words! We will, as Vancouver Canucks fans rub it in your faces in 7 years, after our probable 6 years straight of Stanley cup victorys starting next year :)
Seriously though, i'm pissed that Nonis got the axe! It makes it even more perplexing after chucklin over Lowes gaffs and blunders over the last 5 years.
And finally, Vancouver won the cup once, unfortanetly there is no video. Only a wooden totem pole describing the action and results.
 


The Nattress game was G2 of the 1991 opening round, April 6. 3-1 Flames. I think that was the game.

LT: That sounds right. That game was an absolute war of attrition.
 


Nuckels:

A daguerreotype of the last (and only) Vancouver Cup champion can be found here:

http://tinyurl.com/6lexnx
 


I honestly have to ask:

What the fuck is this game doing on the list?

March 22, 2008 - Edmonton 7 Colorado 5
The Oilers see a 4-1 lead erased in the third period by the Colorado Avalanche but continued to battle and ultimately pulled out the win in this pivotal game from the team's amazing 2008 stretch run. Rookie Sam Gagner had the first multi-goal game of his NHL career.


Seriously?
 


What the fuck is this game doing on the list?

Hey, we're building something together here. :)

I honestly don't know. Baffling.
 


The Risebrough jersey-shredding was Jan. 2, 1986 in Calgary. McSorley bumped Reggie Lemelin and Risebrough went toe-to-toe with him and (predictably) came off much the worse. Final score in the game, 4-3 Oilers.
 


The Risebrough jersey-shredding was Jan. 2, 1986 in Calgary.

Correct, that was one of 7 straight Oiler wins over the Flames that season, until Calgary won the finale (on the last day of the season) 9-3. Then in the playoffs, well, you know.
 


If this is about a DYNASTY, why are games from 2006 and 2008 in the mix?

There should only be games from 83-84 to 89-90. Those where the 'dynasty years'.

i may even include the 83 finals as the 'birth of the dynasty'. Anything after 1990 just does not qualify as dynasty.
 


Awildermode: I would maintain the dynasty lasted from the birth of the franchise in 1979 (if not a little before that) to 1992. The growth years were very exciting, and events like sweeping the Habs in '81 or stomping the Flames 10-2 and 9-1 in the first Battle of Alberta in '83 were building blocks upon which the still-maturing champions eventually stood. The Oilers set the league scoring record three times before they won their first Cup, but surely all of that is part of the team's legacy. As are Wayne Gretzky's amazing records, many of which were set while he and his mates were impossibly young.

Oilers won two more Smythe Division crowns after their last Cup, playing two memorable series in '91 against Calgary and LA (including 5 consecutive OT games)in a valiant attempt to defend their title. In the ten seasons 1982-92 the Oilers raised 22 banners to the ceiling; since then, one. So that is a pretty definitive back end date to the Dynasty.
 


What the fuck is this game doing on the list?

March 22, 2008 - Edmonton 7 Colorado 5


PJO: That's a marketing stunt to try to include the "modern" Oilers. It might be attractive to new fans of the team, or to pie-in-the-skyers who see what happened this season as the seeds of the Next Dynasty. As seen through the lens of history obviously it doesn't come close to standing up, but if folks with a good feeling about the current direction of the teams choose this example as one game of the ten, well, so what? I don't think it will win any polls.
 


i was at that game. it was a decent way to spend an afternoon getting drunk, it is definitely not a high water mark for this franchise. GOILERS 4 LIFE!!!!
 


Like, are you effing kidding me? No Mike Bishai?!!!?
 


Don't forget, some of these are already on Gretzky's box set, Ultimate Gretzky, which has 4 or 5 games. The 50 in 39 game is on there, don't recall the other ones.
Let's not double up, we want more games. Doubles are good for hockey cards, not DVDs.
 


My vote? May 30, 1985:

1)Turn 10
2)Celebrate decade with party at Bullwinkle's
3) Blow out candles on Oilers cake
4) Go home, watch Oilers destroy Philly and win Stanley Cup
5) Finish cake
 


'85 finisher that literally killed Lindbergh

CC: Oilers actually drove Lindbergh from the nets partway through Game Four. Bob Froese finished that one up and was hung out to dry for the entire 60 minutes of the 8-3 finale as the rookie coach Mike Keenan displayed the earliest evidence of his mastery at rotating goaltenders. And that's what probably killed Pelle.
 

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