Przepiorka debuts Friday…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
(there is the newest Blazer, Eric Przepiorka, in his Swedish team uniform from earlier this season. Photo by Gunnel Persson)
Forward Eric Przepiorka is going to make his Oklahoma City Blazers debut this weekend, but I won’t get to see it (more on that later).
Przepiorka shouldn’t feel too out of place as he’s been teammates with D.J. Jelitto in the past in the ECHL and was roommates with Andy Franck last year in Youngstown.
Franck said he didn’t really see it coming, but the two exchanged text messages last week about the possibility. He, as well as the rest of the team, might have a little more pep in their step this weekend. First Josh Patterson coming back and now this.
Asked Doug Sauter after last night’s game what Przepiorka will add:
“A point a game,” he said, with a smile. It’s almost like Oklahoma City has pulled a fast one on the rest of the league to get such an impact player at this time.
Right now, all the majority of the guys know is Przepiorka (really not that hard to spell in all honesty) is a scorer, a sniper.
Sauter said he has an all-around game and will be on the PPs and the PKs. I’m extremely interested to see how he does what he does. He’s only 5-9 and 180 pounds, but he’s produced wherever he’s gone.
He led his Swedish team, the Olofstroms Steelers, with 30 goals, 28 assists and 58 points. The goal tally was good for second in the league.
At Youngstown, he was a beast as well with 25-42-67. Ironically enough, he’s the third American on the team, and he’s already been teammates with the other two Americans.
But talk about being thrown into the fire with weekend dates vs. Mississippi and Rocky Mountain. It’ll be interesting to see if the RiverKings decide to maybe rough him up a little and try to get in his head.
Rocky Mountain activated Aaron Davis (who I’ve felt was the spark in their turnaround), so it might be a genuine 4 vs. 5 playoff preview Saturday. Of course, the Blazers are still fighting for the second or third spot, trailing Bossier-Shreveport by two points and Mississippi by five.
Other thoughts
- Sauter said the team must keep its focus. Blazers PK saved the day in the third with that 5-on-3 late in the game. Oklahoma City had four guys in the box at that point. Did say he likes the physicality the team is showing the last couple of weeks. Good strong, aggressive hockey. Always tough to find the right balance between physical and dirty/stupid penalties.
- Gave the team the day off to rest up and get mentally prepared for Mississippi. Brian Passmore injured his left knee, status uncertain.
- Doug Groenestege will get the start. He’s now 18-5-3.
- Sure you know, but in case you don’t, Blazers clinched a berth last night. Even in defeat, they would have as Rocky Mountain put it on Rapid City.
- It’s fun as a writer when the big games live up to the hype. Both of the SO wins against Bossier-Shreveport have been two of my favorite games of the season. I love a good game, love a good story and love when both happen on the same night.
- Tried to do video of the shootout but did not turn out that well. However, the video with Justin Sawyer should be up shortly.
- Bob Hersom will be covering the team for the better part of the next two weeks. This weekend I’ll be at HS wrestling at State Fair Arena and next weekend I will be at state basketball. Can’t be at two places at once, and it’s tough when you cover both beats. I have arranged with Sauter for nightly calls as well.
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Comments
Mark,
Where did I say that? You need to check your facts on what I wrote from a few posts ago. And Prez isn’t a D-man, but a FORWARD. And he will be a point per night guy. This is the type of person, that this team has needed for along time!
Under Gearing Up For a Huge Week you said “even if the Blazers had a pure goal scorer.” That was your sentence, right? DJ is here for scoring, Vandemeers here for scoring, Hinz is here for scoring. Then you rambled on about the defenses. Assists and goals- one usually don’t happen without the other. Some fans act like we have a bunch of guys skating around on the ice that have a ton of assists but nobody has any goals. Guess what? They don’t give out assists unless someone SCORES! On the other hand nobody in any league anywhere has 50 goals and 3 asists. Is this the type of guy you think is a pure goal scorer?
Mark,
I know what I wrote,but you didn’t finish my entire sentence. You ask anyone, this team doesn’t have a pure goal scorer. That’s until now, no one has the numbers like Prez has put up in the last 2 seasons. Oh here is my WHOLE quote!
“even if the blazers had a pure goal scorer. That person would be the target of intense pressure from the defense of the opposing team”
Scott, I do agree that we need him as a point per night guy. But do you know that we currently have 2 great players that are less than 5 points from producing 1 point per game? Bill and Chad.
Also you need to read my posts before babbling. I never said he was a defenseman. There were posters that said he’s not a pure scorer. And then you said “even if…” What in sam’s heck would you call a guy who has a point per game? An enforcer or a role player. Both answers are wrong. He is a scorer.
Mark and Scott –
Didn’t both of you guys have your panties in the same wad when Hinz came to town? Little disapointing to see that Scott now thinks Hinz isn’t a goal scorer but love the cat fight between the 2 of you! I don’t care who the guys is, I just hope he can help us win in regulation!
Mark – I thought I was crazy…I sure am glad someone else noticed Edmonton being there! I am very curious to see what the boneman finds out about that! I seen them with a step stool….heck, they may have been here to pick Leslie up! (ha,ha)
I was pumped the Hinz was back in OKC. And I know I am gonna catch hell for this, but I was glad to see Marty go. It would be nice if Edmonton would help out, and find a way to get the AHL here.
All I’m saying is that everyone thought Hinz was the answer for the team and now everyone thinks Prz is the answer. This team is full of talent, we have the best coaching staff in the league…it all comes down to how well they play together….strippers don’t dance for free! One guy doesn’t make or break a team (even though Mark blames Leslie for every loss)! I hope he is a perfect fit and we win from here on out….but that is a lot of pressure to put on 1 guy.
PS – I would love to see an AHL team here and so would every other true hockey fan out there! Hell, maybe they will bring Leslie back with them!
Hinz did add a different element to the team. I wish he would score alittle more, but what is done is done. Hopefully Prez will be a good fit for the team. Remember now the team can bring in a couple of amatuers from the College or juniors ranks.
Texas seems to think the AHL is coming to them. I spoke with someone from the Houston Aeros about it. Not saying they know for certain either but it sounded like they already have the location picked out in Texas. They were probably here scouting coaches or players or management.
Well the Stars are “SUPPOSE” to start their AHL team next year in Austin. But no one is selling them(Dallas)a AHL franchise.
How do you guys even know I’m telling the truth about Edmonton being here on Wednesday? Sometimes I just like to post things to get you guys started.
Just kidding, I wanted the Boneman to to verify it. Is he under a gag order? Or does he not know? It is one or the other I will tell you that!
PrZ is fast. He can get the puck to the net easy. I already can see the tendency of the opponents to whip him. He doesn’t fight back… just smiles real big. There is nothing wrong with smiling real big in a fight imo… it adds charm to the game, but; on that note he will be in dyer straights on the IR list. Another thing wrong with that is the D taking penalties for you. You know he will be at the net and the opponents won’t be able to stop themselves from enforcing stuff and then our D will start fighting which puts them in the penalty box. Well, he’s come this far. You can’t get this far without having dealt with some blows. He obviously knows how to defend hiimself. Anyhoo… Keep smiling, PrZ
Scott, I don’t get it when you say this guy here is not a scorer. Boneman even says he’s a scorer/ sniper type guy. Coach Sauter expects him to be a point per night type guy. And from his stats he doesn’t seem like stay at home defenseman. And I don’t think he would be a great enforcer from his size. Do you justify your thinking because he has a bunch of assists everywhere he goes? Those assists could be shots that the goalie had trouble controlling and could lead to goals. My opinion is that a true scorer will ALWAYS have many assists.
Boneman, no comments about Edmonton being in town last night?