There have been other early exits but this one ranks right up with the worst, says Edmonton Oilers defenceman Sheldon Souray.
The day after the mercurial Oilers were officially eliminated from the playoff race, the players returned to the practice ice to prepare for their final two regular season games.
They play Calgary in a back-to-back set that starts Friday.
?I don?t think it matters if it is Calgary or some other team. It?s tough,? Souray said. ?You want to maintain your level of professionalism but today is a tough day. It?s an accumulation of two months of disaster.
?We?ve tried to maintain a positive attitude around here the last couple of weeks because we had to. We still had a glimmer of hope. But it?s tough even when you expect to make the playoffs with four games left and other teams to lose. We had control of our own destiny a few weeks ago.?
The Oilers had been in a playoff spot as recently as March 27.
?We haven?t been in a position like that in a long time. I thought we had the experience and firepower to get it done,? Shawn Horcoff said. ?The main focus now has to be on each individual to go home this summer and get ready for next year. We definitely have the talent. It?s just a matter of maturing ? and for all of us to take another step forward next year.?
?Everybody is overcome by disappointment today,? said coach Craig MacTavish. ?We have to give that a chance to run its course then we?ll try to get a game plan going.
?I seldom get caught in the moment but I am caught there now. I?m going to need a day, at least, to be able to give myself a broader perspective than what I could share today.?
Oil drop ? Goaltender Jeff Deslauriers will get the starts against Calgary. He has not started a game since Nov. 30.
The day after the mercurial Oilers were officially eliminated from the playoff race, the players returned to the practice ice to prepare for their final two regular season games.
They play Calgary in a back-to-back set that starts Friday.
?I don?t think it matters if it is Calgary or some other team. It?s tough,? Souray said. ?You want to maintain your level of professionalism but today is a tough day. It?s an accumulation of two months of disaster.
?We?ve tried to maintain a positive attitude around here the last couple of weeks because we had to. We still had a glimmer of hope. But it?s tough even when you expect to make the playoffs with four games left and other teams to lose. We had control of our own destiny a few weeks ago.?
The Oilers had been in a playoff spot as recently as March 27.
?We haven?t been in a position like that in a long time. I thought we had the experience and firepower to get it done,? Shawn Horcoff said. ?The main focus now has to be on each individual to go home this summer and get ready for next year. We definitely have the talent. It?s just a matter of maturing ? and for all of us to take another step forward next year.?
?Everybody is overcome by disappointment today,? said coach Craig MacTavish. ?We have to give that a chance to run its course then we?ll try to get a game plan going.
?I seldom get caught in the moment but I am caught there now. I?m going to need a day, at least, to be able to give myself a broader perspective than what I could share today.?
Oil drop ? Goaltender Jeff Deslauriers will get the starts against Calgary. He has not started a game since Nov. 30.
