Sorry to interrupt the blitz of comments with an actual post, but duty calls.
The Curious Case of Ian Keserich: It was a surprisingly quick fall for Keserich, who was expected to be the team’s No. 1 goalie but instead was waived after an 0-3 start with some other ugly numbers (4.03 GAA, .840 SP). What happened? Two theories:
1. Keserich told me during training camp that he was trying “some new things” he learned from a goalie coach during the summer. Perhaps he picked up some bad habits.
2. He has an injury.
Whatever, Keserich simply isn’t the player he was last season when he made some spectacular saves and kept the Thunder in several games. I am no expert when it comes to evaluating goaltenders, but I can say that Keserich seemed to lose sight of the puck more than most goalies during his short stay this season.
I’m pleased that Keserich was picked up by Tulsa. For one, the Thunder plays Tulsa approximately 42 more times this season and Keserich’s presence will add a little juice to the rivalry. And two, Keserich seemed like a good guy. He faced a barrage of shots last season, seldom got any offensive support, but he always shouldered the blame for Thunder losses. It’s good when guys like that get chances to continue their careers.
A Blog Category of Staggering Genius: I am calling this new addition “If You’re Not _______, You Should Be.” Here goes. If you’re not watching “Friday Night Lights,” you should be. The TV series, based on a compelling book, is slumping a bit in Season 5 — the football scenes are becoming too unbelievable and I fast forward through the Jess-Vince scenes — but it’s still solid TV. With all due respect to Coolidge, Salami and Coach Reeves, the first season of “Friday Night Lights” was the best sports show in the history of TV. If you like sports, you owe it to yourself to check it out. What does this have to do with hockey? Not a thing. I just wanted to let you know that if you’re not watching FNL, you should be.
Tonight’s Game: Coach Kevin McClelland can be hard to predict, so I have no idea who starts in net tonight. As McClelland said, newcomer Peter Delmas wasn’t sent here to observe, so I am guessing he gets the start. Then again, Marty Magers and Marc-Antoine Gelinas are both 1-0 against Missouri. Thoughts?
Keserich Revisited: I have covered the Thunder for nine seasons, and I would rank Keserich as one of the biggest disappointments. Top 5 maybe. Jeff Petruic probably leads the list, followed by a host of guys who played the previous two seasons. Keserich’s situation reminds me a lot of Stephen Wagner. He was the No. 1 heading into the 2002-03 season but lasted just seven games (1-5-1) before he was waived.