On the brink of defeat in the American Hockey League Western Conference Finals, it was time for the Oklahoma City Barons to find another gear. Time to awaken to a world where next week is vastly different than this one. You'll either be beginning a chance to hoist the Calder Cup or a chance to hoist a cup of coffee on your back porch with a full off season in your peripheral. The pride with which the Barons have played throughout the regular season, and again in the postseason, warranted at least the opportunity for them to suddenly "get good" against the Marlies. However, Toronto proved to be the better team over the 5 game stretch, and defeated Oklahoma City 3-1 to end the series.

Simply put, when you're beat you're beat. Despite what the twitterers are screaming I'm here to tell you, the Barons looked defeated in all three games in Toronto. Despite being an excellent road team, and playing the first two games at home (where they split the two), they appeared to be gassed. Yann Danis didn't move as quickly as he had in the early rounds. The forwards (minus a few) were skating with led boots, and leaning on long distance shots. The defenders couldn't take care of the puck, and were constantly on their heels. Don't get me wrong. In those three games there were some highlights, but the low lights outnumbered them.

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The Oklahoma City Barons, in the second of three in Toronto, lost last night 3-0 to the Marlies who have proved they are the much better team through four games. Better overall goaltending, better overall scoring, just a better overall team. And this is a tough pill to swallow for Oklahoma City fans because we know this team can play better, we've just seen the ugly side of it. To be honest, the Marlies have scripted a gameplan that has frustrated OKC from the beginning. Their defenders have found a way to keep the puck in front of them even on the PP. Oklahoma City is a "pucks in deep" team that salivates at opportunities directly in front of the net. To combat this approach, the Marlies defenders play less chancy hockey in front of them, and keep the scoring chance box free from wandering Barons players. Dallas Eakins, and the rest of the Marlies coaching staff, should be commended for how they have approached their opponent.

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One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Hoodoo, voodoo, seven, twenty-one, two. Haystack, hoe-stack, hey do the hoe-ta. High boga, low joker, ninety-nine, a zero. Sidewalk, streetcar, dance a goofy dance. - "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8" by Woody Guthrie

If you listen long enough to the words and music of Woody Guthrie you'll notice that the man has two polar opposites to his craft. The timely, though-provoking rabble rouser, and the oft silly funny man. Both sides are equally as entertaining, and both likely bisect his fan base to a degree. But I'd argue that it is in the madness of these two extremes that we find beauty in the songcraft of Sir Woody. Because even at his most serious, he could always slap you in the face with a tongue-in-cheek chorus. And when he was at his silliest, he still made social commentaries that subtly caused you to pause, think and reflect. Only a handful of songwriters can pull this off -- Guthrie is a member of that exclusive club.

Much like the subtle hints found in these classic tunes, the Barons have a double entendre way with which they play the game. Sometimes they fall asleep, letting the opposition run all over them (Game 1). Sometimes they have beautifully drawn-up moments where they seem unbeatable (Game 2). And at other times, they simply try and try and try, but things simply don't look pretty (Game 3). Woven through those moments are players -- young and old -- that carry the responsibility of what happens on the ice. Many are familiar with how to overcome certain situations, while others look to those same faces as students learning how to navigate professional waters. And this is the beauty of the American Hockey League -- even in near disaster the ship can continue to sail. It's that mix of young and old, prospect and veteran that makes for high drama on and off the ice.

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In front of a frenzied Victoria Day crowd in Toronto, the Barons and Marlies continued their quests for the top spot in the West. It was a game that was likely going to be full of emotion. Not only did the teams end the first two games with a win and a loss each, but we also saw a bit of the rough stuff to end the second game in OKC. But Coach Todd Nelson insisted in the pre-game interview that his team was prepared for what the Marlies had coming. "This is a pivotal game, no doubt," said Nelson, "and our guys will be ready to go. I promise." And indeed both teams seemed ready to go.

Oklahoma City came out red hot, driving the puck at Ben Scrivens at a quickened pace. Toronto appeared unable to keep up, but with some really solid goaltending, they overcame an early onslaught. It was the Oklahoma City Barons that would give up the first two penalties of the game. The second, a boarding penalty by Curtis Hamilton, cracked the door on the Marlies power play unit. Toronto would score after hanging on to the puck in the offensive zone very diligently. Care of a Matt Lashoff pass to Philippe Dupuis, the Marlies take an early lead. Lashoff, who has only played two postseason games following a hand injury, looked sharp in the first period. As time expired, it seemed that the first twenty was not without at least one casulty. Nazem Kadri, after taking a hard hit from Cam Abney, was ushered to the dressing room after two or three shifts. Marlies lead 1-0 after the first period.

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I'm the meanest man that ever had a brain, All I scatter is aches and pains. I'm carbolic acid, and a poison face, And I stand flat-footed in favor of crime and disgrace. If I ever done a good deed -- I'm sorry of it. - "Mean Talking Blues" Woody Guthrie

Woody was a mean man. Mean with his lyricism. Mean with his poignancy. He was one wicked songwriter. The man that referred to his guitar as a weapon, had a seedy past -- one that he was seemingly proud of -- but he also realized the mean talk came with a price. Metaphorically speaking, the last game between the Barons and Marlies was even keel, until the mean talk, carbolic acid, and poisonous face appeared in the final three minutes of a lopsided OKC victory. Tanner House can appreciate that sentiment.

It's Victoria Day in Canada which means that summer is quickly apporaching for those in the Great North, and that playoff hockey is inching closer and closer and closer to an end. But before that end arrives, there is a lot of hockey to be played as the Oklahoma City Barons travel northward (via a chartered jet) to Toronto to face the Marlies in Game 3 of the AHL Western Conference Finals.

We discovered that the Marlies are a good team. They have offensive weapons, solid goaltending, defensive pairings that rival the best in the entire league, and the ability to be outplayed in the exact same fashion with which they themselves play. As fans, and followers of the game, we recognized how even these two opponents were. After all, they split both regular season games, two seasons in a row. And again, in the postseason, the stakes get higher, but the split continues.

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I like to think that the Oklahoma City Barons found a heart. That Tanner House suddenly decided it was time to crash the net. That Teemu would use his extra hand to stiff arm opponents. That Taylor Chorney remembered which team he played for. That the coaching staff mustered the courage to admit they were handed an embarrasing defeat, and change what went wrong. That Yann needed to be stingy. To question the heart of a team is to question the individuals on that team, and the very root of who they are professionally and maybe even personally. And to say that the Barons found their heart, after getting lambasted for three straight periods on Thursday evening, is exactly how I'd describe the 5-1 rebound punishing the Barons put on the Toronto Marlies. My, what a difference 24 hours makes.

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There's a long black cloud a hanging in the sky, Honey. There's a long black cloud a hanging in the sky, Baby. There's a long black cloud a hanging in the sky. Weathers gonna break and hells gonna fly. Baby, sweet thing, darling.

"Black Wind Blowing" - Woody Guthrie

Game one was an apparition for Oklahoma City. As they stared down a two goal deficit to end the first period in game one, the reflection in the mirror was not something they liked. And it got uglier. Three goal deficit to end the second, and a five goal to end the third. The ghostly image in front of them was, as the Woody Guthrie song mentions, a black wind blowing. Blowing fiercely enough that it embarrassed the Barons. But did it ignite a change or a run for cover tendency? Game two is tonight -- we will know soon.

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There's no denying how good the Oklahoma City Barons have been this season. Young NHL prospects, strong veteran presence, AHL-best goaltending, first place in the Western Conference, a birth in the West Finals of the Calder Cup Playoffs - yet none of those things were even visible last night in downtown OKC. The Marlies crushed the Barons 5-0 out of the gate. The Barons seemingly had no answer for the multi-talented Marlies. Game one is over, but we learned a lot about each team.

I mentioned in the game preview that I thought both teams would come out slow, kind of sluggish, taking the wait-and-see approach towards sizing up the competition. Indeed the Barons somewhat did that. With only one sizable scoring chance in the first five minutes, via Mark Arcobello to Tyler Pitlick, the Marlies took an early lead.

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To the rich man´s bright lodges I ride in this wind. On my good horse I call you my shiny Black Bess. To the playhouse of fortune to take the bright silver An gold you have taken from somebody else

And as we go riding in the damp foggy midnight You snort, my good pony, and you give me your best. For you know, and I know, good horse ´mongst the rich ones. How oftimes we go there an unwelcome guest

"Unwelcome Guest" Words by Woody Guthrie; Music by Billy Bragg

As Woody wrote and Billy tuned, an unwelcome guest can be a pain, in almost every circumstance. Welcome to Oklahoma, Toronto (and your subsequent entourage). We love our Canadian brothers and sisters, but for a few weeks -- the blue leaf is that unwelcome guest.

The Oklahoma City Barons and the Toronto Marlies will meet this evening in the downtown Cox Center for what will only be the fifth time these two teams have played in the last two years. With NHL counterparts that are content (if that's even the word to use) to use their farm system to eventually better their big league squad, the stakes will be high in this matchup. Both Brian Burke and Steve Tambelinni will be in attendance which makes things even more captivating. Will they meet awkwardly in the Pizza Hut line? Will they complain about the lack of Canadian beverages? Will they be able to catch a glimpse of a future that they hope is on the horizon? You have to think that this is a game of high watchability because, quite frankly, there's a lot riding on the future of some of these players. Teemu Hartikainen, Tyler Pitlick, Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner, etc, etc. -- players that are waiting in the wings, proving their value, and possibly landing a roster spot in the nearest of futures.

The puck drops at 7pm Central, and can be watched via Leafs TV/Rogers as well as the normal radio and live streaming outlets. It's also the first time that the Oklahoma City Barons have had to step out of the Western Division in these Calder Cup Playoffs. I delicately mentioned the struggles that Barons had against teams outside of their division. More after the break.

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It's been quite some time since a large amount of Maple Leafs' hockey was played in the state of Oklahoma. As a matter of fact, from the years of 1973-1976 the Oklahoma City Blazers farmed for the Toronto based NHL team, and featured some names you might recognize. Names like Jim Harrison - who played for the Bruins, was shipped to Toronto, followed by Edmonton. Somewhere in that timeline this Alberta native played 43 games in Oklahoma City. There was also Claire Alexander -- a defenseman from Ontario who spent the better part of three seasons in the minors of Oklahoma with skeds in Toronto thrown in for good measure. Nicknamed "The Milkman", he too would land a spot with the WHA Edmonton Oilers towards the end of his career. Then there's Pat Boutette, a Minnesota U - Duluth grad that was a feisty right winger. He had a ten year NHL career including time in Toronto, Hartford, and Pittsburgh. But it all began with 147 games in Oklahoma City, and nearly as many points in that span. And finally Oklahoma City welcomed Tiger Williams, the scrappy second round draft pick who was considered "too small" and "poor at fighting" who later on would prove the world wrong by earning nearly 4,000 penalty minutes in his pro career. And the most in NHL history. While in OKC he earned 202 penalty minutes in under 40 games.

Woven deeply in the hockey culture in Oklahoma is a of thread blue and white. And as strange as it might sound, it feels like a bit of a homecoming for the Marlies, as they head to Oklahoma City to face the Barons in the AHL Western Conference Finals.

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When it comes to professional sports in the Oklahoma City area, no one unfurls a trombone parade quite like Mick Cornett. Pegged as "the face" for luring and launching the Oklahoma City Thunder in Bricktown, it's hard not to like Mick as a person. Most overlook his politics, and embrace him as the staunchest leader of the pro sports mantra in the unlikeliest of NBA markets. It wasn't always that way. As a matter of fact, in a pre-Katrina world, it was Mick that partially led the charge for an NHL team to hit this city square in the eyes. And for good reason. The hockey history in this state was pretty solid. Good attendance, loyal followings, and even good play on the ice resulted in the Central Hockey League being a permanent fixture in Oklahoma City for quite some time. Not to mention the history of other franchises and leagues playing in this city. But the pro sports gods had a completely different idea. Long story short, the city of OKC is NBA mad. Tickets sell, the team is good, everyone is happy. But suddenly Mick has become the Dr. Phil of mayors. Qualified to comment on making a downtown great, but really a person that was blessed by circumstance and chance.

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Game five between Oklahoma City and San Antonio was bound to be heated, anxious, and desperate. And indeed, at times, this one was wildly entertaining because of those things. Although the Barons needed an overtime session to finish off the Rampage in three straight games, thanks to the Mark Arcobello and Ryan Keller show, and a very good power play, the Barons won in regulation 4-3.

The game began with a very good pace. But then both teams slowed slightly, kept pushing, and eventually it was the Barons that hit the scoreboard first. With less than two minutes left in the first period,the Barons found themselves on their first power play of the game. Philippe Cornet digs the puck out of the corner, and shuffles the puck to Dylan Yeo on the boards. Yeo then passes it to Ryan Keller on the high right side. Keller takes a high quality slap shot that ricochets off Jacob Markstrom, and is put back in my Mark Arcobello. The goal was registered with 4 seconds left in the first period. The Barons head to the locker room with a 1-0 lead.

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The last three games between the Rampage and Barons have gone into overtime. If you haven't been paying attention, those OT games have greatly favored the Barons (hint: all three of them to be exact), and one player in particular with the initials CVV. As we eyeball Game 5, again in San Antonio, the Barons have a chance to end the series, meet the Marlies in the West Finals, and further put their stamp on a remarkable American League season.

I'll take the time to rewind the clock about 24 hours because Game 4 was an interesting monster. On paper, the Rampage should have won that game. They outshot and outchanced the Barons through two periods, but were stoned by Yann Danis on a consistent basis. That's the Yann we've come to know and love and cherish.

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The Oklahoma City Barons did it again. They scored late, overcame San Antonio scoring even later, and won out in overtime thanks to another Chris Vande Velde goal. After a Monday to Thursday layover between games, the Barons and Rampage seemingly returned to their roots -- low scoring, low shooting, a defensive struggle. It was only a matter of time before one defense afforded the opposing offense a sizable chance to score. Fortunately for Oklahoma City, it was San Antonio that broke down first, and it cost them the game.

Two full periods of defense with a few good chances, mainly favoring the Rampage, led to a finale that was seemingly inevitable. Both teams combined for 36 shots in the first two periods with nothing to show for it on the scoreboard. But then the third period began, and it felt like a whole new game. 23 combined shots, two late period goals, and some goaltending heroics were in order.

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What a difference two games and a change of scenery makes. The San Antonio Rampage and Oklahoma City Barons usually play low scoring, low shooting, and last minute winning types of games -- or at least they have for the better part of two regular seasons. So the first two games of the Western Semi's of the Calder Cup were an anomaly. And as is so typical in playoff hockey, at just about every level, predicting a games outcome is an exercise in stupidity. And the Barons and Rampage did just that in game three as the Oklahoma City Barons score in the first 90 seconds of the game, and didn't score again until the Chris Vande Velde overtime high wobbler.

With the first two games now a distant, but exciting memory, the Barons travelled to San Antonio for the first of three consecutive games. And the wildly entertaining offenses we saw in Oklahoma City from both squads, were put on hold slightly as the defense and goaltending took control.

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I've got a long ways to travel
I've got a long ways to travel
I've got a long ways to travel
Before I ever get home

Takes a rocking chair to rock
Rubber ball to roll
Black-haired woman to satisfy my soul

I've got a long ways to travel, I thought that you knowed
I've got a long ways to travel
I've got a long ways to travel
Before I ever get home

- "Long Ways To Travel", Woody Guthrie

Eight or so hours down I-35 into Texas is a less than entertaining trip. By car or bus it's exhausting, flat, and boring. By air it's tedious. Anyway you slice it, the Barons have a long ways to travel, albeit closer than most AHL posts, but still a long ways.

But it would have seemed even longer had the team not found beauty in a last minute goal in regulation, and a fabulous overtime period in game two of the Rampage vs. Barons behemoth of a series.

After nearly losing in regulation, and watching Magnus Paajarvi emote as Superman with nine seconds left, the Oklahoma City Barons find themselves staring at a tied second round series, but with three straight games in San Antonio beginning this evening. It will be another hard fought game, with very little time to leave your seat, grab a snack, or do any type of dawdling. The scoring has been high, fast, and in bunches. Both defenses have, at times, been unrecognizable but efficient. Fans, writers, and coaches all predicted this series to be low in goal totals, and tight through the third period. And perhaps one of those things we actually got right.

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With two minutes left in regulation, Magnus Paajarvi did something we have yet to see the young Swede do while on the farm. Sure he's had moments of greatness. With speed that blows competition away, and stick work that few minor league players possess, but tonight he found a new level. Those two minutes, that rounded out regulation, found the Barons down a goal, but gifted with a 6 on 4 chance (via a penalty and Danis to the bench). As those in the Cox Center held their breath, Magnus took over. He took a perfect pass from Bryan Rodney, wound up, and fired a shot from near the right face-off dot; scoring a goal with less than ten seconds left in regulation. In overtime, he continued his spasm of awesomeness. It was a night that Magnus got good, really good.

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This piece of land that I stand on
Is my battlefield and home;
My plow and my hoe is my gun.
Clothes don't make no difference at all
We are workers and fighters all;
My uniform's my dirty overalls.
- "Dirty Overalls", Woody Gutrhie

It's time for the Oklahoma City Barons to get a little dirty. Not goon-like, but in-the-trenches dirty. Grab game two by the horns, dig in, and wrangle that beast known as the steer into the ground. It's sometimes not pretty, and sometimes it costs you, but in the end sometimes hard work and grit gets it done.

To say that the second game of a seven game series is a "must win" is probably a little overzealous. Instead I'll refer to it as a "win now or else" situation for the Oklahoma City Barons. After losing the first game of their Western Conference semi-final against the San Antonio Rampage, where they had a two goal lead at two different times in the first half of the game, the Barons will need to address some things...or else.

When the game was finished the Rampage were the ones who owned the two goal lead, and a little bit of swagger going into the second game of the series.

The Barons gave up four straight goals with little to no answer in terms of rebounding their offense to combat the Rampage onslaught of scoring. But in a system where defense is key, it was the Barons' blue line that is responsible for that first game loss. Yann Danis, usually unshakable, was tested constantly with the crowds that gathered in front of his net. But he didn't get much help from his defenders, who were unwilling to keep those Rampage forwards from hanging out in Danis' crease. And so the game went from bad to worse as the time on the clock expired.

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It was the type of game that no one saw coming. We all knew it was possible, but no one expected it. With the season series being a typically low-scoring, but offensively scintillating endeavor, the first game of the San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City Western Conference semi-finals was an offensive battle from the drop of the puck.

There's no denying that both teams are solidly stacked defensively, and both have the goal-tending goods to further barricade the net.. But when the horn sounded for the end of period three there were 10 goals scored including three on the power play.

In front of a 2833 people on a Thursday night in Oklahoma City, the San Antonio Rampage defeated the Barons in a wildly entertaining game, albeit in a 6-4 losing endeavor for OKC.

Things began as expected in this one. The first five minutes of period one were a "feeling out" type of chess match by both coaches and players. As the two teams guaged the line matchups, it seemed that early on this one would be quick and spirited. The early statement from San Antonio came from newcomer Quinton Howden, recently signed after playing in Moose Jaw, nearly beats Danis. Moments later Drew Shore goes stick side on Danis, and solidly nails the post. On the other end of the ice, Josh Green had two really strong chances to score in front of starting Rampage goaltender Jacob Markstrom. And from that point forward it was like a ping-pong match. One great scoring threat after another.

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It's gameday in Oklahoma City. After a week's worth of waiting, the Barons welcome the San Antonio Rampage with white knuckled fists in what will be a fun Western Conference semi-final in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Why? Because these two teams have quick legged offense, and sturdy consistent defense. Despite both teams having different levels of success during the regular season, these two are nearly mirror images of each other. On the Rampage side, you have a potent offense, solid but young goaltending, and a disciplined defensive core. On the Barons side, you have NHL-caliber offense in spurts, veteran goaltending, and young defensive prospects galore. And I'm thoroughly convinced that the Rampage record would have been better if it weren't for call-ups at the worst time during the home stretch of the season.

The key difference between these two teams is depth. The Barons can roll three and sometimes four scoring lines. From Antti Tyrvainen to Ryan Keller -- there is a chance to score on almost every shift. Likewise, even in the loss of Colten Teubert, the Barons have defensive stoutness that is nearly unmatched in the minors. Goaltending depth also favors the Barons. Yann Danis, named goaltender of the year by the AHL, is backed up by David LeNeveu who might get consideration as a starting minor leaguer next season. LeNeveu has a good record against the Rampage, albeit slightly skewed based on whom the opposing netminder for San Antonio was during that stretch, and is great in relief if it were to come to that.

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"Waiting at the gate, we are waiting at the gate.
Smoke and fire just boil and roll from that dark and deadly hole,
While the miners' kids and wives wait at the gate"
-Woody Guthrie

Woody Gurthrie's song entitled Waiting at the Gate was inspired by the mining days of his youth. A day when you walked to a gaping hole in the earth, stepped away from the light into the dark, and prayed that you'd come out at the days ends. I've always admired the work being done by miners around the world because I see the necessity in the job, but also the dangers that come along with it. But the song's chorus deals with those relatives that paitently wait at the gate, hoping to see their loved ones emerge from a dangerous mine that has been known to cough a brave soul up now and again. The song and story end as you'd expect. The mine blows, funerals ensue, but still the waiting goes on. Waiting, and waiting, and waiting. At that gate, for the next massive explosion.

Guthrie's tune was purely of real life events and partially allegorical. His life was a constant waiting game. Waiting for things to get better, pushing for things to get better, but eventually things always had a way of ending in ruins. This is what made the troubled singer so great - he wasn't afraid to vent.

I don't take mining lighlty, but as we continue the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs in Oklahoma City, we've done our share of waiting -- a week's worth of waiting. And it's just a matter of time before the offensive burst between these two clubs burns bright, although it may not produce many goals. It's time for the second round of the Calder playoffs in OKC. Will you Fear the Steer?

It took a desperation shot, in two overtimes, in the fifth and final game of the San Antonio vs. Chicago series before someone clinched a spot in the second round. The unlikeliest of the unlikely scored that goal. Five and a half minutes in, defenseman Roman Derlyuk netted a left side shot around the Chicago Wolves goaltender to seal the deal. After only scoring two goals all season, his third one was the most important. And thus goes the season for the San Antonio Rampage. Unlikely, but capable.

The Oklahoma City Barons had a different outcome in their first round. Dominating the first two games, tapping the brakes in the third, and then finishing strongly in the fourth. Defeating the Houston Aeros was about offensive muscle, but defeating the Rampage will be of a different mode.

As we turn our attention to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, the stakes get a little higher and the series gets longer. After a quick first round, five game kick-off, the second round becomes seven games, and a reseeding of teams from highest to lowest. This places the Toronto Marlies against the lower seeded Abbotsford Heat, and the Oklahoma City Barons against the lower seeded San Antonio Rampage; where opponents are met with a warm reminder to always 'Fear The Steer'.

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I'm gonna get bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger!
I'm gonna get bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger!
I'm gonna get bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger!
I'm gonna get bigger I'm gonna get bigger
I'll be just as big as you or bigger
-Woody Guthrie

So here we stand. Two games to one in a series that began with the Oklahoma City Barons demonstrating their fetes of strength against the seemingly inferior Houston Aeros. The stranglehold that OKC had on Houston throughout the regular season seemed to be copacetic with what was occurring during the postseason. Nine to one in the goal department. 85 to 34 in the shot department. And a handful of other statistical domination talking points to fill an entire hour's worth of discussion. But a desperate team is a dangerous team. Whether you find yourself watching NHL Playoff hockey or Olympic bobsledding -- a team that is on the brink of defeat has a way of fighting back. Or as Coach Todd Nelson said after Game #3 in Oklahoma City, "a wounded animal is the most dangerous and unpredictable".

After an undisciplined game on Sunday evening in front of a small crowd at the Cox Center, the Barons took to the ice the following day to wrinkle out the creases so to speak. Not to be taken lightly, at the coaches call-in show following that defeat, Todd Nelson further compounded the situation by saying, "We just need to be a better team. We know we can be, we just have to choose to do it." He continued, "Houston didn't do anything different when compared to what we saw in the first two games. It was our team that made the critical mistake of not playing hard. You give up 47 turnovers, you play poorly on the power play, things aren't going to work out for you. We just need to be a better team."

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There was a time when minor league hockey, or really any small market sporting event for that matter, was content with being strictly radio accessible. Play-by-play and color commentary were a thing that people championed, and in some regards still do. It's truly a gift to be able to communicate such a quickly moving sport to the masses who are not presently seeing the game, and just might be 800 miles away from any rink. But radio was then, and this is now.

There's no denying the world that we live in is technology "heavy". The fact that I had to write that sentence seems archaic in nature. We are so ensconced by our techy world that we can't imagine living life without such luxuries. This isn't a rant on why people should try to live without Facebook or why I shouldn't check my email at the dinner table. Instead it's a launching point for a discussion that involves making sports more accessible to the masses.

I've watched, for nearly two seasons, almost every Oklahoma City Barons game via the Neulion/AHL partnership that birthed AHLLive.com. It was intended to be a place where good-hearted hockey fans could watch their local teams play at home, away, or a combination of the two. It's expensive, but worth it if you can't make it to the games. But long before I subscribed to this streaming service, I remember a time when watching a local Oklahoma hockey team play was just a matter of flipping on my television. You see, long before the Oklahoma City Barons existed, the Oklahoma City Blazers had established themselves as the dominate hockey team in the revised Central League. But their dominance in minor-minor-minor league hockey wasn't just on the ice, but also in the advertising department. Part of that solid advertising campaign hinged on broadcasting Oklahoma City Blazers vs. Tulsa Oilers hockey via the local Cox Channel. Dubbed the "Turnpike Series" because of the Kilpatrick Turnpike which connects OKC to Tulsa, these rivalry games were always fun to watch, and they were always readily available for me to digest while on my couch.

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You better get ready, brother!
You better get ready, sister!
You better get ready,
'Cause you know you've got to fight!
You better get ready, brother!
You better get ready, sister!
You better get ready,
'Cause you may be called tonight!
-Woody Guthrie

Dominate is the best way to describe the Oklahoma City Barons in the first two games of the opening playoff round against Houston. They've out shot, out scored, out goaltended, out skated, and out hit Houston for two straight games. And as the short best-of-five series heads to Oklahoma City, you better get ready because the first round likely ends tonight.

How dominate has this OKC team been? Look no further than the Barons heavy "recap" via the American Hockey League's morning press release:

"Oklahoma City returns home with a 2-0 series lead over Houston and three chances to close it out at the Cox Convention Center, beginning this evening with Game 3... The Barons have extended their regular-season dominance of the Aeros into the Calder Cup Playoffs, posting 5-0 and 4-1 wins at Toyota Center and outshooting Houston by a total of 85-34... Oklahoma City is now 9-0-0-1 vs. Houston this season, outscoring the Aeros by a 35-13 margin... Yann Danis has allowed only one goal in the series, a Cody Almond attempt at 3:48 of the third period in Game 2... Barons rookie Hunter Tremblay has 2-1-3 and a league-best plus-5 rating through the first two games... Houston was 6-6 on the road during last year's run to the Calder Cup Finals."

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"There's my new star in heaven tonite tonite There's my new star in heaven tonite I call it fatherly father 'cause it shines so brite There's my new star in heaven tonite" - Woody Guthrie

Indeed, there were a lot of stars that were shining bright in game one in the Toyota Center on Thursday evening. No one, even those that have watched both teams closely, could have predicted a near 50 shot, 5 goal blowout by the Barons that saw Matt Hackett yanked after stopping 30+. To add to the strange predicament, Houston went with new #2 tender, Calgary native and minor league journey man, Mike Brodeur. Yann Danis was magical when he had to be which wasn't very often, but the real stars of the evening were young and aplenty.

One sophomore and four rookies scored for the Barons. Teemu Hartikainen, Tanner House, Tyler Pitlick, Hunter Tremblay, and Anton Lander made game one sizzle with offense. Just too much razzle dazzle for the Aeros to handle, not to mention speed, talent, and agression. Overall, it was a night for a new breed of stars to shine, and shine they did.

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This train is bound for glory, this train.
This train is bound for glory, this train.
This train is bound for glory,
Don't carry nothing but the righteous and the holy.
This train is bound for glory, this train.
- Woody Guthrie

Glory, by definition, is something that requires hard work. Sir Webster has this to say on the matter -- GLORY: High renown or honor won by notable achievements. That "high renown" and "honor" comes with a healthy dose of determination. One step further, the achievement has to be notable. It has to be something with which separates you from the rest of those pushing towards the same thing. And as the Woody Guthrie sentiment above mentions, here's hoping the Oklahoma City train is bound for glory.

It's gameday in Houston. Game one of the first round series (dubbed the "E" series) between the Oklahoma City Barons and Houston Aeros begins this evening at 7 Central. Both teams are limping their way into the postseason, but both are willing to prove that they clearly belong there. Houston will look to play spoiler. Taking out the number one seed is quite the trophy. Yet the Barons have there own case to fill. After a rough and tumble first round playoff series last year against Hamilton that resulted in a seven game losing effort, OKC wants to smack Houston in the mouth as they have done so many times before. One of the best teams over 70+ games has an eye on Calder Cup glory. Time to board the train.

The key component to tonight's game is who suffers the first penalty. We'll get an instant feel for where both teams find themselves on the PP and the PK. The Barons need to get better on the man advantage, but hopefully stay consistent (2nd best in the entire AHL) on the kill. The Aeros will attempt to get both special teams rolling without giving up too many chances for the Barons.

Hackett vs. Danis should be an entertaining one to watch. Both have run through a similar amount of games, but the comparison ends there. Danis is seasoned, and coming off one of the best professional years in his career. Hackett, only in his sophomore pro season, has virtually matched his stats from a year ago. But remember, this kid played all 24 postseason games last year, and played in those games well enough to get his team to the Cup Finals. That's quite the leg up. But the battle will be fun to watch.

My pick to make a difference in this game is quite simple. Teemu Hartikainen has played inspired hockey of late. He's feisty, determined, angry, and poised. His stint with the Oilers has rejuvenated his oomph. He'll no doubt play on the first or second scoring lines because he's found a way to instantly make the Barons better upon returning from Edmonton. Ryan Keller, Josh Green, and Bryan Helmer should all be rested and ready to go. Which is important given their leadership intangibles. Subsequently, we've seen Martin Marincin become consistent and prideful in his play. Don't be surprised if he suits up for game one. He and Alex Plante have made a nice twosome for nearly a week, even in defeat they seem rock solid.

The starting lineups for each squad will be much as we saw them to finish the season. Very few moves have been made or injuries suffered that might alter the starting lines.

Oklahoma City Barons

Magnus Paajarvi - Josh Green - Ryan Keller
Teemu Hartikainen - Mark Arcobello - Tyler Pitlick
Hunter Tremblay - Anton Lander - Philippe Cornet
Triston Grant - Chris VandeVelde - Antti Tyrvainen

Dylan Yeo - Bryan Helmer
Bryan Rodney - Colten Teubert
Martin Marincin - Alex Plante

Yann Danis

Houston Aeros

It's really anyone's guess. With transactions with the wild well into the 50's this season, the Aeros haven't had much consistency. But the likely top line scoring threat will be the three listed below. They've also been none to ice 7 defenders which is rather odd, but out of necessity based on injury situations suffered to this team.

Justin Fontaine - Jeff Taffe - Jon DiSalvatore

Tune In

The game can be streamed via the iHeartRadio app or via iHeartRadio online by searching for 96.1 KXXY. WARNING: There will be country music. You can also find a lower quality, but more consistent stream via Sports Juice. Simply search "Oklahoma City Barons". If you'd like to watch the game, visit www.ahllive.com for pricing (single game is $9.99).

"All songs in this book are filed in alphabetical order. Put them back the same way and be sure you put them back. Signed, A Desperate Man"

- Woody Guthrie

The great Oklahoman, Woody Guthrie, knew how to seize the moment. He could be brow beaten, busted, and burned yet found ways to be cordially humorous. So when Woody signed an archived record of his works, he wanted to remind the world that now was the time, here was the place, because he was a desperate man.

As the regular season ends, the Oklahoma City Barons find themselves atop the heap of the Western Conference with the almighty number one seed gripped ever so firmly in their hand. The truth is that it wasn't always tightly gripped. There's no denying the troubles that the Oilers farm club had down the stretch. From the beginning of March through April 15th the team went 10-7-2-2, and just barely outpaced the surging Toronto Marlies for the number one overall seed in the postseason. It's mind-boggling to think that a team with so much firepower, defensive toughness, and stout goaltending could struggle so much down the stretch. But remember, this team road it's high horse all season, and winning had become second nature. And while other teams found it necessary to win, the Barons coasted. There was no desperation to their game.

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Woody Guthrie. The embodiment of struggle, heartache, brokeness, strength, vigor, and pain have never been more prevalent in the soul of one man. Born in 1912 into dirt poor surroundings in Oklahoma, Woody lived a life that few envy, but nearly all recognize. A naturally gifted musician, Guthrie would go on to be known as the Dust Bowl Troubador. A man with which the commonality of politics and "right behavior" were off putting. Instead he championed the soul of the America that he loved that was found in the hard working people there within. He didn't care about social graces. He didn't mind ruffling feathers. He was a commoner that cherished every moment in life no matter how difficult or overbearing it became. He was the guy that named his weapon with its purpose by always inscribing This Machine Kills Fascists upon his heavily played guitar. This Land Is Your Land was written solely out of a contentious spirit for God Bless America, because the America Woody lived in was anything but God blessed. In laymen terms, Woody is a legendary voice with a legendary message.

If you've never listened to Woody Guthrie don't miss the opportunity to do so by passing him off as a folksy old-timer. He was the rare breed that spoke boisterously through his music, but quietly led by example. An Oklahoman through and through, he never backed down to his commitments to simply force people to think about what life should be. How the common good effects us all. And how we are to champions of those in need.

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If you've ever attended any type of minor league game you fully understand the gimmicky nature that is the off-ice shenanigans. Whether you're enjoying a chucked puck, a sumo sized smack down, or a puck shooting car winning display of terrible puck handling skills, the minors are full of silly non-hockey related attributes. But slowly my thoughts on the matter have done a complete 180. As a matter of fact, the more gimmicky the better. Because even if I enjoy it, someone in section 420, who's forked over $100 for an evening of hockey entertainment for the first time, probably finds it amusing. Amusing enough that perhaps he'll come again. He'll follow the team online. He'll cry when Teemu Hartikainen leaves Oklahoma City for good (that last one is autobiographical in case you were wondering).

As the world continues to embrace social media and what it means to have an "online presence", these gimmicks have reached a new level of zany. Tweet a picture of your dog, earn a years supply of dog food. Create a unique team sign, tag it in Facebook, and you'll win a suite at the next game. Check into the rink on Foursquare, get a free refill of your choosing. The possibilities are endless, and on the farm in Oklahoma City we've seen a diverse number of them.

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There's no denying the earnest, sincere, and sometimes creepy love that the Copper & Blue writing staff has for the one and only Teemu Hartikainen. The Finn with flavor. The leader of the Cult of Hartikainen. Harski. Harti. HEARTikainen. Regardless of what you call him or how you discuss him fondly in conversation, he's a fun player to watch. In the coming days, you'll find a treasure trove of Barons content here at Copper & Blue, but let's go ahead and unfurl a little jewel of awesomeness.

The Barons will be facing the Houston Aeros in round one of the Calder Cup Playoffs. The last time these two met, this happened to Nate Prosser. Notice the "during" and the "after".

It's the second 5 minute variety fight that the feisty Finn has had in Oklahoma City. Last season it was Bracken Kearns of the San Antonio Rampage that felt the wrath of the Teemu. Let's hope this attitude carries over to the playoffs, and remember to stay up-to-date on all things Barons Calder Cup by bookmarking Copper & Blue (why haven't you done that already?).

First photo courtesy of Steven Christy Photography. Second photo courtesy of Rob Ferguson. All rights reserved. Thanks guys!