The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

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This was a tough game to lose, but the outcome in the long run did not matter as we got the placement in the playoffs we wanted.  This is the first time I've been excited about Oiler hockey since before the turn of the century.

How far do you think they will make it in the playoffs? Seems like Colorado has had our (and everyone elses) number ever since they became a franchise.

Colorado; not so much anymore.  Rapid City has them this season.  Hell, even our last game up there we beat them pretty handily (5-1).  This isn't last years or two season's back Oiler squad.  There are some fairly skilled players on the team for this level.

We've also had Mississippi's number this season (our record against them is 7-0-1, granted 4 of those were either in OT or a shootout) which I why I preferred having them as opposed to getting Odessa (whom we would have played had we slipped to 4th).

I predict we will get past MS in the first round.  Depends on who we play in the second round.  If it's Allen, it doesn't bode too well (we're 2-4-1 against them), but they're not unbeatable.  They have a great record sure, but playoffs is a whole different season.

Ouch 7-3 loss. Thats not the way to start!!

Pretty ugly.  The guys underestimated this team I think due to the fact that we've owned them in the regular season.  This is the playoffs, boys.  All bets are off.

I still think we can right the ship.  But they need to send a message tonight with a solid win.  We can beat them in their house, but they need to quit thinking it will be handed to them.

Someone should have dropped the gloves......

The only guy we have that does, other than our elder (Fleck) is Brennan Barker, and he's injured.  Guys tend to not fight as much in the postseason also.

When your getting your donkey handed to you at home....You better do something to spark your team...Play-offs or not.....This one could be over quick.....

Well, the boys played a bit more physical tonight, but still lost.

I've pretty much decided that as long as Lund is associated with this team, I'll not be attending games next season.  Come on AHL....

I did that about 4 years ago.....

Yeah, but it was still hockey, and then they got the affiliation which I thought might help.  Helped the AHL team get a look at our boys and that was about it.  The CHL is in trouble.

Sorry but hockey ended in Tulsa with the hiring of Butch Kaebel....The only reason he had any success was with the last of Garys recruits.....

Now that I agree with.  Real hockey anyway.  I think the CHL is in trouble to begin with; several teams are defecting either to the lower SPHL or the Juniors (NAHL).

Well, if Tulsa ends up making a move, it wont be the AHL because of the proximity to OKC.  So if we do move from the CHL, I'd prefer the NAHL.  It's fun to watch and not expensive (but not cheap either).

The CHL has screwed them-selves.....I bet they have some interesting meeetings very soon.....

Taylor got an earful from me last night.  This season is the last I'll follow them as long as either of those two has anything to do with the club.  He looked dumbfounded when I said it.

And I WON'T watch Junior hockey if it's the only game in town.  We've had pro hockey in this joint for years.

And I disagree about the move to the AHL.  Look at Houston, San Antonio and Austin and their proximity to each other.  Get Wichita in and we would not be much different.

Expansionitis.  When they took in all those teams from the SuHL (Macon, Huntsville, Columbus, Fayetteville NC, ad nauseum) they were doomed.  Started with six and never should have expanded more than 12.  They now have 18 teams of which 16 makes the playoffs.  Even NHL beat writers were making fun of the league.  So was I early on.  Well, I still do.

But doesn't the AHL have a rule about new franchises can't be within 250 miles of each other, or are there other variables involved?  I admit that I don't know the details of the franchise rules.

How can that be the case when San Antonio and Houston are well within that limit?  Hell, Austin is only 80 miles from SA.  That's about the same distance as us from OKC.

It may be a formula of proximity versus market size; something to do with advertising dollars.

I'll add that I hope I'm wrong.  I'd love to have the AHL here.  I was just told early on that with OKC getting an AHL team, that it was not likely for us for a few years because of the size of our markets and our proximity.  I'd be curious what the exact rules are though.
I have no love for the current level of hockey we've seen.

Thinking optimistically, we're going to have to come up with a name for the team.  Wont get the Oilers name.

I think it will depend on what NHL team we wind up being affiliated with.

Proximity and size of markets makes that argument even less valid (not saying you're arguing the point Les, just making mine).  San Antonio and Austin have metro areas around 2 million people.  Houston's MSA is nearing 6 million.  If the AHL is trying to make that argument, just have them look south.  These 6 teams could have their own division for that matter.

Go Oilers!! 1 more win to advance. Hope they get a big crowd Saturday. Seems like they haven't drawn that well in the playoffs so far at home.

Hoss, if they advance who will they play next?

They don't draw well in the playoffs because they don't have the numbers of season ticket holders to pad the number.

Plus, Lund doesn't know how to market for poo.

And the matchup?  Either Texas or Odessa.  Odessa is up on the Brahmas 2 games to 1.  They could close them out tomorrow night.  Either one we get another home ice advantage (if we advance).  Although we saw what that got us in this series.  Home teams haven't won on their ice yet.  Hopefully that changes for us on Saturday.

Should be easier to sell play-off tickets now that all teams are almost gaurenteed a spot....

OK, I was wrong.  they don't use strict bracketing, they re-seed after each round.  It gets complicated.

Our likely next opponent (if we win, not putting the cart before the horse here) will be Bossier-Shreveport if they can beat Arizona tonight (last I checked they were tied and BS was up on Arizona 2-1 in the series) which means we lose home ice advantage.  If by some miracle Arizona comes back to beat them in the series, we have home ice advantage again and will play the winner of the Odessa/Texas series.