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By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Figured I’d get some work in before relaxing and watching the BCS championship between Florida and Oklahoma.

Josh Patterson is skating with the team again. Of course, he can’t do much, but he’s moving fine. He’s going to be a big addition once he gets back.

Doug Sauter sat out this practice and watched it from the stands. Chris Dashney was running things today. Sometimes a change in the voice you hear is even better than a rest.

Andy Franck is going to start Saturday vs. Tulsa. With that in mind, he took a lot of extra practice today. Dashney kept asking if he wanted to stop, and Franck kept saying he wanted more.

Robin Gomez was looking OK in practice. Trainer Wade Sundbye said Gomez is still day-to-day, but then again, aren’t we all?

Here’s what you have to look forward to this weekend: Saturday’s story will focus on Tulsa goaltender Kevin St. Pierre and how he has played lights out against the Blazers but not so much against the rest of the league. Monday’s Insider is report card time. Midseason reports on the forwards, defensemen, goaltenders and coaching.

Sauter’s official prediction for tonight: OU 41, Florida 31. That would be a pretty good game if that’s the score.

10:20 - Texas 5, Blazers 4, OT. Wild ride tonight. Sure Blazers fan would have liked a win but earning a point vs. Texas is nothing to be ashamed of. See if Murfitt and Lambert can keep playing as well as they did tonight.

9:40 - To overtime we go at 4-4. Chad Hinz had a singular great effort to give the Blazers the lead with six minutes left. Texas received a penalty shot with 3:24 to go and Justin Kinnunen made the most of that. I don’t know if this is the best game I’ve seen, but it’s had the most momentum shifts. And that always leads for some fun, right?

9:20 - We’re tied with 9:44 left. D.J. Jelitto and Ted Vandermeer combined to tie the game up six and a half minutes into the third.

Texas hasn’t had many opportunities, and the Oklahoma City pressure is back. Ted Vandermeer is the biggest surprise of this team, IMHO.

8:42 - Spoke too soon. While the first period displayed all that went right for the Blazers in the early part of the season, the second period illustrated everything that is going wrong right now.

After scoring two goals in the first, the intensity and the crashing of the net was not there and Texas scored three times to take a 3-2 lead into the final 20 minutes.

Tough period for Reagan Leslie, who had a turnover at the blue line that Texas cashed in for a shorthanded goal. The Brahmas scored two goals within 30 seconds of each other. Another Texas goal deflected off Leslie. And he had to serve a 10-minute misconduct for Groenestege.

Tempers also flared up when Matt Quinn of Texas took out Stacey Bauman with a shot. Tyler Fleck was quick to defend his teammate but received the penalty for it.

The team is struggling, received a couple of bad breaks but has to put it behind them. Just can’t let it fester. A growing trend, at least to me, is Oklahoma City, I don’t want to say gets content, but stops attacking after it scores a couple times. The foot is off the gas pedal type thing. That’s what happened tonight. At least, so far.

In other action, Colorado is up 1-0 after the first vs. Rapid City.

7:47 - Maybe Simon Lambert and Jason Murfitt want to shut me up. No, no, I’m not taking any credit for that first period, but both Lambert and Murfitt played with passion and intelligence again.

The Blazers are up 2-0 after the first period.

Lambert scored on the very first shot of the game. Hockey is a weird game like that. You have more than 40 shots with plenty of solid chances and only one goal one night and then score on your first shot in the next game.

Sauter has Lambert, MacDermid and Murfitt as the line, and they are working beautifully right now. There is pressure at the net. So much so that Oklahoma City had two goals called off because of hand passes.

Murfitt scored on a PP with four minutes left. And if Murfitt or Lambert didn’t score the goal, they got the assist as both have a goal and an assist.

Oklahoma City played its strongest period in more than a week. It’ll be interesting to see if they can keep up the intensity. Doug Groenestege stopped nine shots.

5:45 - The team is loose, if nothing else. Went down to talk to trainer Wade Sundbye about being named the trainer for the all-star game. And instead, we all got a kick out of Sundbye showing me and several members of the team a photo of associate coach Chris Dashney at the 1999 All-Star game. That was the last time Sundbye was at the game.

I think it’s good the team is loose. They’re still showing emotion when it comes for game time. But this shows they’re not dwelling on everything too much.

The converse of that, of course, is that they don’t care enough to get emotionally invested in what’s going on. I simply refuse to believe that.

Not because I wearin’ the colors or anything, but it’s because it’s what I really believe.

With that said, we’re about an hour away from the game. It’s hard to believe Texas has more points than the Blazers right now because Nov. 23 was arguably the most impressive game. Oklahoma City was up 7-1 before allowing two third-period goals that just made the score a little closer but not competitive in a 7-3 win vs. Texas.

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Space constraints won’t allow the whole story to make the paper Wednesday. There will be a brief summary in the paper. Here is the full thing:

Oklahoma City may still eventually be home to an American Hockey League franchise, but it won’t be the future home of the Philadelphia Phantoms, Express Sports president Bob Funk Jr. said. Express Sports owns the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League.

Philadelphia plays in the Wachovia Spectrum, which is being demolished after this season. The original plan was to keep the team close either somewhere else in Pennsylvania or New Jersey before a new arena was built.

But with the struggling economy, no city has been able to produce anything and Philadelphia Flyers president Peter Luuko said the Phantoms franchise will most likely have to be sold in a press release two weeks ago. Flyers management also said later that week that a buyer is interested but would not disclose who the buyer is.

“We don’t have any interest at this point,” Funk said about the Philadelphia team. “We’re not looking in that direction. We’re still working on our franchise.”

Express Sports went through major changes in its front office in November to try to improve its financial situation. Five members were either released or resigned, including former chief executive officer Brad Lund.

The changes are going well, Funk said.

“We are starting to see things turn around,” Funk said. “I’ve been very impressed with the way the staff has handled the changes. They are being developed in new areas and have become strong leaders.”

Funk said he acknowledges that attendance is down this season, but he feels a fresh marketing approach will help in the long run.

The Blazers are averaging 6,028 fans per game this season, the best in the CHL but down from the average of at least 8,000 in the last several years. Oklahoma City plays Texas on Wednesday and will try to break its three-game losing streak and its five-game winless streak at the Ford Center. The Blazers are 0-4-1 in their last five home games.

Looking at the Blazers’ recent skid, the passing hasn’t been crisp, but I don’t know how you can actually verify that.

But watching the early games from what Oklahoma City is doing now, there is a difference that everyone can recognize.

That has led to a lot of dump-and-chase. If you know me, I’m actually a fan of the dump-and-chase. But you can’t do the dump and then not the chase. And that’s what it feels like the Blazers have been doing lately.

They dump it into the zone, but then don’t crash the net. Then again, that’s just my opinion.

And problems with Tulsa are baffling. The Oilers have nine wins entering tonight with three of them against Oklahoma City and one real head-scratcher at Colorado.

As for a preview to Wednesday’s game vs. Texas, Robin Gomez is still going to be out. I’ve only seen the shot he took Friday once. If anyone can send along another link to it, much appreciated.

Also, Doug Groenestege will get the start in net. But the way the team is playing (right now), it doesn’t really matter.

Until Oklahoma City can muster some offense, it’s going to be another long night.

The team is still playing hard. The effort is there. But there has to be something tangible as to why the Blazers can’t find the net.

Texas comes to town. And Texas may have been the sight of the biggest meltdown this season where Oklahoma City blew a 3-1 lead in the third to lose 4-3.

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Hope you get/got a chance to read my piece today about the troubles Oklahoma City has been going through.

There are some disturbing trends right now, but head coach Doug Sauter has said repeatedly how many times he enjoys being with this group of guys.

With three more home games left in the first half of the season, some of those guys might be playing for their jobs, who knows?

As for the poll, that will be the least of the Blazers’ worries. On with the show…

Power Poll

1. Colorado (1) (24-6-1): The Eagles are so good that you ignore some of their head-scratchin’ losses. A win at Oklahoma City and a loss vs. Wichita in the same week? Andrew Penner might be the best goaltender in the league.

2. Odessa (2) (22-9-3): Dominic Leveille is the only 50-point scorer right now in the league. Close up shop in the first half with two games vs. streakin’ Arizona.

3. Texas (5) (20-9-3): No longer just the Boneman’s darlings. The Brahmas have won four in a row to grab first place after a convincing win against Laredo. Go through the NE division to end first half.

4. Mississippi (6) (20-11-0): They’re not first place in the standings, but after back-to-back solid outings against Oklahoma City, RiverKings shouldn’t be denied. Physical play sets tone.

5. Laredo (4) (19-9-3): Bucks have scuffled here lately trying to replace Darryl Smith, who was called up to the AHL. Only 1-3-2 in last six games.

6. Blazers (3) (19-9-4): After watching three games last week, this is about where the Blazers stand. What will it take to ignite the spark once again for this team? All-star break can’t come soon enough.

7. Bossier-Shreveport (7) (18-11-2): Well, the brawl saw its consequences and now MudBugs just need to get their focus back. David Pszenyczny is my new favorite name. Us Polish studs need to stick together.

8. Arizona (10) (16-17-2): Here come the Sundogs. Last year’s champs are starting to round into form and ride the league’s longest current winning streak at five.

9. Rocky Mountain (8) (15-14-3): Through no fault of their own, Rage drop a spot. Four-game stretch could give much second-half confidence to the team.

10. Rapid City (NR) (11-13-7): After seven straight OT/SO losses, the Rush finally got one by beating Rocky Mountain on Sunday. All-star Rich Hansen still paving the way. Rapid City starts six-game homestand this week.

Best of the rest: 11. Corpus Christi; 12. New Mexico; 13. Rio Grande Valley; 14. Wichita; 15. Tulsa; 16. Amarillo.

Edit at night with POW/GOW. POW is Justin Kinnunen of Texas/GOW Marco Emond of Arizona.

8:40 - Arizona 3, Blazers 1, final. A tough penalty call on Jason Seerey late in the game leads to an Arizona PP goal in the final minutes and an empty-netter closes the show. Oklahoma City will be back at practice Monday morning.

As for what you can look forward to, I have an analytical piece coming out tomorrow about what has changed since the Blazers were 14-1-2. Some noticeable drops, but other than not being able to score, it’s tough to pinpoint one thing. More on this in the upcoming week.

To reiterate what several players and coaches have told me, the front office moves and the AHL possibility has done nothing with the current group on the ice. I know it’s among the first things fans think, but to a man in that locker room, it’s not an issue from what they’ve told me.

6:37 - He may be the lone bright spot this weekend, so it was only fitting Jason Seerey score the tying goal with just over a minute left in the second period.

A natural defenseman, he’s doing the best he can in an uncomfortable spot. Franck let an easy one get in. To be honest, I don’t even know how it ended up getting in.

Seerey was one of the stars of last night’s game despite not doing anything you would find on a stat sheet. But since returning from a neck injury, he’s been playing hard.

Passmore is playing hard, too. He is 17-5 tonight on face-offs and has had the most consistent scoring opportunities so far.

Blazers have twice as many shots right now and maybe can build off getting a lucky break on that deflection. If the Blazers can’t pull this out, it will be the first time this season where Oklahoma City has not won at least one game during a week where it’s played multiple games. Entering the final 20 minutes, the Blazers are 0-2-1 this week.

5:45 - That may be the quietest crowd I’ve heard for a first period yet. It’s a broken record as Oklahoma City dominated the shots department but not the scoreboard. We’re scoreless through the first.

It is nice to see Cam Doull back. He’s been out with strep throat this weekend.

While Oklahoma City didn’t score, the approach is better tonight. I think part of the problem has been the quest to find the perfect shot/play. Just get it out there and see what happens. It seemed that was the plan of Brian Passmore in the first.

There’s no shame in scoring off the rebound. As a proponent of 4-on-4 hockey, I enjoyed the first period. Several off-setting penalties.

Not much intensity though. You add a couple of disappointing outings with a team that there is no natural rivalry against, and this is what you get.

Both sides look a little sluggish so far. Blazers will start with a PP for 51 seconds.

4:05 - Can Oklahoma City salvage something from this week? Blazers welcome the defending CHL champions to the Ford Center. Arizona is coming in hot, winning its last four and have a very respectable 9-9 record on the road.

You look at Arizona’s goaltenders, and you’d think today might be a good day for Oklahoma City’s offense. But there have been times before during this last month where those same sentiments were echoed, but it didn’t happen that way.

With a five-game homestand, the Blazers have to start to get the train back on track before heading to the road. We’re about an hour away. Personal note, love these 5:10 start times. Purely selfish reasons, don’t have to worry about deadline.

10:05 - Mississippi 2, Blazers 1, final.

8:40 - Mississippi dominated the first 10 minutes. Blazers controlled the puck the final 10 minutes. And when all is said and done, it’s tied 1-1.

RiverKings scored on a power-play. Groenestege faced heavy fire during the opening minutes and stopped a breakaway attempt among others.

Since the goal, Oklahoma City has dictated play. Bill Vandermeer has had a couple more nice chances while Jason Seerey had a great opportunity as well.

Arizona and Bossier-Shreveport are still scoreless through two periods. And in your shocker of the night, Wichita is up 5-2 vs. Colorado late in the second.

7:50 - Chad Hinz scores with 21.8 seconds left in the period to give Oklahoma City a 1-0 lead after the first. It seemed to awaken a dead crowd.

Maybe dead crowd is the wrong word. I would say more on-edge than anything. Groenestege only faced four shots. No team really dominated play, but the Blazers were able to make a play where lately they’ve been falling short.

Bill Vandermeer is still playing with that fire as it seems like him and Hinz don’t want to go home with another defeat. Also of note in the first period is Oklahoma City holding a 14-8 advantage in the face-off department.

Arizona, tomorrow’s opponent, is scoreless with Bossier-Shreveport after the first period.

7:05 - That’s about as spirited I’ve heard Ben Buckland yet. I thought he was going to blow a gasket the way he was trying to pump up the crowd. Tonight has a different feel to it, even at the smallest levels.

6:30 - As expected, Doug Groenestege is getting the start tonight. Oklahoma City is going to down a man tonight as both Robin Gomez and Cam Doull are out. Doull has been battling illness this weekend.

Very interested in the crowd numbers tonight. It’s nearly 70 degrees outside, so it’s possible families want to spend the night outside as opposed to watching hockey. Team still looks like it is in good spirits.

5:55 - Tonight may be the biggest gut-check of the season for Oklahoma City. Coming off a 6-2 whipping, the Blazers face the very same team in Mississippi.

And with tonight’s game, Oklahoma City starts a five-game homestand. So maybe some home cooking is just what the team needs.

We shall see.

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

The entire thing couldn’t run in the paper, so here is the complete transcript of everything.

Q&A with former Express Sports chief executive officer Brad Lund
The minor league hockey world was stunned when former Express Sports chief executive officer Brad Lund resigned in November after 16 years of being part of the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League.
After a month of staying out of the picture, Lund and Express Sports have agreed on his settlement (neither side will comment on the terms) and Lund has broken his silence.
Q: What led to your resignation?
A: I always told myself that as long as I was enjoying what I was doing, I would keep working. For the last nine months of my tenure, I wasn’t happy. I didn’t have the zest for the job, and I didn’t always look forward to coming to the office every day.
Q: Was there one particular issue that triggered everything?
A: There wasn’t one issue. This job requires your full attention, and it was best for both sides to part ways. There were some internal issues that I don’t want to get into.
Q: What has the last month been like for you?
A: I’ve really enjoyed myself the last 30 days. It’s the first time in my life where I’ve been in a situation where I didn’t have to work, but I’ve stayed busy. The number of calls from the hockey world has been incredible, very flattering. It’s been that support that has me believing I still belong in ice hockey.
Q: With that said, what are your future plans?
A: It’s always been my dream to operate an expansion franchise from the ground up in a new arena and a new market. You don’t have to clean up anybody’s mess and you get to start fresh. There are two options right now in the CHL as both Allen, Texas (suburb of Dallas) and Independence, Mo. (suburb of Kansas City) have expansion teams set to play next season. I’ll know a lot more in the next 30 days. I think the Colorado Eagles have shown this model can work (Colorado is located in Loveland, a suburb of Denver).
Q: Is there anything that could keep you in Oklahoma?
A: It’s tough because I’m proud to be from Oklahoma. Tulsa is my hometown, and I’ve had great success here. I’m in no hurry to make a decision. It’s something I’ll have to think long and hard about and talk about with my wife. But it’s not a question of what my next job will be but rather what city will I be in.
Q: What is your opinion on the potential of Oklahoma City being the home of an American Hockey League tem?
A: I can’t really comment on that. It wouldn’t be fair. What I will say is that Oklahoma City will have professional hockey for a long time. As to what league and what team, that’s not for me to say.
Q: Did the way things ended with Express Sports change your opinion of your 16 years?
A: Not at all. I had the greatest job in minor league sports for 16 years. The fans here proved all the skeptics wrong. The experts thought we would be gone after one season, but it’s those cold Tuesday nights against no-name opponents and you see thousands of people there that make you realize how special Blazer fans are.
Q: Any chance of working with the Tulsa Oilers to keep you in Oklahoma?
A: Tulsa is a great franchise, and they have great people running things there. Right now, no spot is available. Like I said, Tulsa is my hometown, but it’s not possible right now.
Q: Let’s stroll down memory lane. Your proudest moment?
A: You would think it would be the championships, but it’s really the success of the staff. Before I left, the average tenure for the personnel was more than 10 years. I surrounded myself with good people and great employees. There wasn’t a week that would go by where I wouldn’t have someone talk about how great the staff was.
Q: And on the ice?
A: It’s funny. It’s the gut-wrenching losses that you remember more than the championships. That first one was just a blur. I still have good memories from the second one, but it’s the losses where you learn the most about the team. I always felt we lost with class, and that’s something to be proud about.
I’ll remember the sellouts at the Myriad and State Fair Arena. How there used to be two columns worth of ads in The Oklahoman with people looking for Blazers tickets.
Q: Can you believe you were there 16 years?
A: It’s really something. I started July 1, 1992, and if you would have told me I would still be here in 2008, you would have had pretty good odds in Las Vegas. I think the Blazers are one of the best sports stories in the state’s history. I have no regrets about my time here.
Q: Be selfish for a minute. Your greatest professional success?
A: For me, it will always be the merging of the Western Professional Hockey League and the CHL in 2001. The two sides wouldn’t talk to each other about anything, and it took us a couple of weeks to iron out everything.
Q: Toughest moment?
A: Easily when the whole thing with Kansas City and the IHL. It was an ugly battle, but one I’m glad we won. It wasn’t just physically and mentally tough, but it cost me friendships.
Q: What’s the one thing you’ll miss the most?
A: The excitement of game day. I loved going to the games all the time. I just loved the atmosphere.
Q: Any chance we’ll see you in the CHL front office?
A: I’ve been contacted twice in my tenure about something like that. But for me, it’s about the team environment. I like being a part of something and going through the ups and downs with the club.
Q: Have you been to a Blazers game since? Do you plan on going to one again?
A: I haven’t really paid attention lately. Sometimes I’ll pick up the paper and realized the team played, but I’ve really followed from a distance lately. Right now, I don’t think it would be fair to go to any games. I don’t want to be the focus. The focus should be on the team.
Q: What about Christmas?
A: With the Blazers always playing on Christmas, I never got to go anywhere. This year, at the last minute, we decided to take a trip. My wife (Irma) is from Honduras, so for Christmas this year, we went to Tegucialpa, Honduras for five days. It was great.

Lund respectfully refused to comment on rumors of him being forced out of the Blazers or about the AHL possibility or about the terms of his settlement. I would like to thank Lund for his time to talk with me. Believe me, it was a long but very worthwhile conversation. And as he indicated, I’m sure this is not the last we’ll hear from Lund.

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

As much as I want to say Happy New Year to everyone, I’m just glad 2008 is over. Thank you, now let’s move on and leave that pitiful year in the dust.

2009 can get started in the right way, namely a Chicago Blackhawks win vs. the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.

No Detroit team is going to come in and beat a Chicago team in our backyard. I don’t think so.

As a Chicago boy, it’s great to see the ‘Hawks doing well. I would say again, but it’s been a LONG time since I could say that.

This is great publicity for hockey as you have two natural rivals that everyone knows playing in what I think is the greatest sports environment in the world.

Detroit ended Chicago’s nine-game winning streak on Tuesday with a 4-0 thumping. The two are No. 1 and No. 2 in the Central Division.

So if you’re burnt out by college football, tired of watching another Monk marathon on USA, hockey is on at noon on NBC in what should be a real treat. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews have given me a reason to be pumped again, whoo hoo.

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Some version of this story will be on NewsOK later tonight.

Fleck earns all-star nod
By Robert Przybylo
Staff Writer

Oklahoma City Blazers defenseman Tyler Fleck remembers his first all-star game in 2004. Regarded as one of the best body checkers and defensemen in the game, Fleck was a little out of place in the timid affair.

But with the 2009 Central Hockey League All-Star game using a different format, Fleck will feel right at home as he was announced as one of the reserves for the game Wednesday.

Fleck joins goaltender Andy Franck and head coach Doug Sauter as the Blazers representatives for the game Jan. 14 when a group of CHL All-Stars will take on the host Colorado Eagles.

“It’s going to be different, and I’m looking forward to it. We’re going in with the mindset of we want to win this game,” Fleck said.

The format dates back to the “Original Six” days of the National Hockey League when the defending Stanley Cup Champions would play a group of all-stars from the other clubs in the league.

Fleck has scored one goal with six assists this season and is third on the team with a plus-eight rating but scoring is not his No. 1 priority. Serving as the team leader and defending the goal always come first.

“I believe he’s the best defenseman in the league,” Sauter said.

Fleck will turn 30 on Jan. 20, but this season he has shown that in a young man’s game, the nine-year veteran still has some good mileage left in him.

“The individual accomplishments are nice to look back on when your career is over. Whether I get picked or not, I still feel I have to prove myself every time I’m out there,” Fleck said. “There are a lot of young and fast guys out there now. It’s definitely an honor.”

Tulsa forward Jeff Christian was among the other reserves selected.

… …

I went 5-for-6 as it goes to the balloting. The only one I voted for who didn’t make it any capacity was Laredo’s Jeff Bes.

My forwards were Christian and Rich Hansen of Rapid City. My defensemen were Sam Ftorek of Amarillo and Russ Moyer of Odessa. And of course, Andy Franck was my goaltender.

Congrats to all who made the team.

2009 CHL All-Star Reserves
Position            Player                         Team/Appearance
Forward            Travis Clayton            Bossier-Shreveport/7th
Forward            Daymen Rycroft         Rocky Mountain/2nd
Forward            Chris Richards           Corpus Christi/6th
Forward            Jeff Christian             Tulsa/3rd
Forward            Dominic Leveille       Odessa/3rd
Forward            Jason Duda               Wichita/4th
Forward            Louis Dumont            Mississippi/1st
Defenseman    Aaron MacInnis         New Mexico/1st
Defenseman    Russ Moyer               Odessa/1st
Defenseman    Tyler Fleck                 Oklahoma City/2nd
Defenseman    Nicolas Dumoulin      Rio Grande Valley/1st
Goaltender       Sebastien Centomo   Laredo/3rd 

10:10 - Colorado 4, Blazers 3, OT. A stunned crowd here at the Ford Center.

9:30 - We’re in overtime. Colorado scores two goals in the final eight minutes and once again, the Blazers can’t finish the deal. Crowd has had the life sucked right out of it. Very interesting five minutes coming up.

8:40 - Blazers couldn’t keep up that energy forever. And sure enough, Colorado turned the tide in the first 10 minutes of the period and tie it up.

Ironically enough, it was a Colorado PP that got Oklahoma City going as Tyler Fleck came as close to a goal as you can with a thudding shot off the post.

It looked like all the world we would go into the third period tied at 1, but a great individual effort by Ted Vandermeer gives the Blazers a 2-1 lead heading into the final period.

He juked and jived and scored with 1:01 left in the second period.

Is this the most important third period of the season? Tough to say, but it would do a bunch for the confidence of the team if Oklahoma City can hold on to this one.

Tonight has been what Doug Sauter loves to preach — everyone contributing. Oriel McHugh had a great stick deflection as Colorado had a clear shot at the net. Fleck is playing as strong as I’ve seen this season.

Let’s see what period No. 3 has in store.

7:48 - So, when is a 1-0 lead not satisfying? Not too often, but I’m going to venture to say Oklahoma City is hoping it could have found another goal or two in what was one of the most complete periods for the Blazers this season.

The energy was there in those first 20 minutes. And the scoring chances were a-plenty. Oklahoma City outshot Colorado 15-5 and had a handful of realistic “ooh” moments.

Murfitt said he was pumped, and he showed it in the first period. He was skating like a free man and had a couple nice shots. Cam Doull had a nice takeaway that led to another good scoring opportunity.

And as for that rumor that maybe Groenestege was hurt. Well, he hopped over the bench to come out, so yeah, don’t take too much stock in what I say (as you know already).

I think you could have predicted this first period especially after the third period at Texas on Saturday. The key is to keep that energy for 60 minutes. That’s not going to be easy, especially vs. a great team like Colorado.

Andrew Penner was the No. 1 star in that period. It took a near Herculean effort for the score to only be 1-0, but that’s exactly what the Colorado goaltender did.

Tulsa, in its first game under interim coach Taylor Hall, is down 1-0 early in the second to Bossier-Shreveport.

6:32 - Might we have a late scratch? Doug Groenestege did not react well to a routine shot, dropped his stick and went straight to trainer Wade Sundbye. Andy Franck is now taking all the warmups. Groenestege has returned. Was it an equipment thing or something more? Interesting start to the night.

6:15 - I feel a little more excited tonight. Something about seeing the team the quality of Colorado has to get the juices going, right? Anyway, able to talk with Andy Franck before the game to ask him about being selected to the All-Star team.

Franck has not played his best lately to which he only blames himself. He’s fine, didn’t come back too soon or anything like that.

Maybe this will be a Carlos Marmol case. For those that aren’t diehard Cub fans, Marmol was selected to the All-Star game this last season when it was very iffy if he deserved it. However, he pitched well in the game and then all the sudden was lights out in the second half.

Also had a little chat with Jason Murfitt. He said he is pumped about tonight because even though he has played the last two games, he hasn’t really been himself. The knee is coming along, but he’s ready to go and to start playing like he used to.

Don’t quote me, but I think Jason Seerey might be your scratch tonight. He’s got a neck problem, and no need to rush something like that.