Nine games into the 2002/03 NHL season things don’t look all that rosy for the Edmonton Oilers. Just two wins in those nine starts isn’t going to get it done in the tough and tight Western Conference. One of the biggest problems right now is there slow starts. Six times in nine games the other team has scored first. Down 3-1 to both Anaheim and Dallas, at home, the Oilers rallied to beat the Mighty Quackers 4-3 and managed to get the Stars to extra time before losing in O.T. That’s 3 of a possible four points, but that’s doing it the hard way. It’s exciting for the fans, but that will catch up with you in a big hurry.
Late October was homecoming time around Skyreach. Lets just say both former Oilers went home with puck eating grins on there face. First it was former captain Doug Weight and his St.Louis Blues on October 24th. Weight had a goal and an assist as the visitors won 2 to 1. Then on October 28th, Bad Billy Guerin returned to Edmonton for the first time since being traded to Boston a couple of years back. Weight’s best pal Guerin also had a goal and a helper as his new team, Dallas, prevailed 4-3 in overtime.
Both lads were named first star for there efforts. Both were booed by the home crowd, both seemed to understand. “It was great”, said Guerin. “I got booed because I scored and I got booed because we won. I consider myself fortunate after talking to Dougie. They were easy on me.”
I’m not so sure booing these two former Oilers standouts is right. But if it is, as most believe, a sign of admiration and respect, than so be it. I mean, they don’t boo Jim Dowd when he returns with the Minnesota Wild. Weight and Guerin gave a lot to the City of Champs, and both really would like to still be playing here, “if the price was right”. If the Oilers weren’t a small market team in a big market league.
Both guys loved it here. Both loved playing in a market where hockey is number one, making them always accountable for their actions on the ice. Guerin told me he was hoping the Stars plane got snowed in so he could stay longer.
Miroslav Satan returns with the Buffalo Sabres in early November. Maybe it’s not such a good idea to boo him. The last two former Oilers who returned to boos liked it, loaded up, and left.
Ron Rimer
11.3% 
87.0% 
