Patrick Thoresen News

The two clubs are tied for ninth in the West at 54 points, but Colorado has played one fewer game.

Clear the parade route! Make no plans for playoff time! Everything has turned around and is right with the world! Dogs and cats are living together! OK.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The second-best league in hockey is populated by boys on the bubble and older, career minor-leaguers with the odd can't-miss kid.

Giveaways? Oh, there were plenty of those on Fan Appreciation Night. Three 40-inch plasma televisions went out the doors at Rexall Place, as did a bicycle and a $500 gift certificate.

It's been three weeks to the day since the Oilers last played a road game and, as was the case when the team was in Colorado on Nov.

Aside from the usual matters at stake here, like getting back in the win column and playing a divisional opponent, there is the matter of the 2-2 draw in this season series.

DESPERATION: They played the third period with the same desperation they showed in the first six minutes when they outshot the Sharks 8-0. Plus, the Sharks put it on cruise control when they got up 4-1, and only had four shots over a 20-minute stretch.