| Rod Phillips last year? [message #433041] |
Tue, 12 August 2008 10:36  |
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 all_oil
Messages: 585
Registered: July 2006
Calder Trophy Winner
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Well another slow day in Oiler land so I was cruising around the usual blogs and I thought that this merited a thread. Over at Oilersnation Robin Brownlee wrote a pretty good piece on what might be Rod Phillips last year as Oilers play by play.
http://www.oilersnation.com/index2.php/2008/08/11/the-skippe r-sails-on/
I think it doesn't matter who you are, all Oiler fans have listened to Phillips almost give himself a hemmorage every game. The guy is a great broadcastor, and is the definite voice of the Oilers. Growing up I remember listening to him calling the games and it offers a lot of good memories or sitting around with family around the radio.
Any good stories when it comes to Rod Phillips? I'm sure I'm not the only one that has his voiced wrapped up all sorts of Oiler memories.
http://www.jeanshortsandbaggedmilk.com "
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MrOiler
Messages: 871
Registered: March 2006
Location: Calgary
Rocket Richard Trophy Winner
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You have to love the man's passion for the Oil.
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Dekes
Messages: 548
Registered: October 2006
Location: Vancouver
Calder Trophy Winner
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My favorite (although I'm a little sketchy on the details) was when the Oil were playing Dallas about 6-8 years ago. Laraque squares off with one of their young guys tryiong to make a name for himself and proceeds to beat the crap out of him.
Rod screams during the commentary "Savage beating, it's a savage beating!!"
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cableguy
Messages: 1547
Registered: December 2005
Location: Victoria, BC
Broke The 1000 Point Mark
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Not too many guys have called bigger games and bigger goals than Rod. Gretzky's 50th in 39, Gretzky's 1851st point, 5 cups, he'd be a fun guy to sit down with and talk to about his best Oiler memories.
One of the best is his call of Marchants game 7 OT goal against Dallas, I remember being able to call a number the Journal had set up the next day so you could listen to the clip over and over again. Magical. 
Not Winnin' for Mackinnon
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NetBOG
Messages: 1168
Registered: January 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Goaltender's Nightmare
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I don't want to start a war because I have a lot of respect for the guy but it's already past time for him to step down.
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cableguy
Messages: 1547
Registered: December 2005
Location: Victoria, BC
Broke The 1000 Point Mark
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| NetBOG wrote on Tue, 12 August 2008 12:25 |
I don't want to start a war because I have a lot of respect for the guy but it's already past time for him to step down.
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Fair enough, why?
Not Winnin' for Mackinnon
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Superintendent
Messages: 1850
Registered: March 2006
Location: City of Champions
Broke The 600 Goal Mark
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| cableguy wrote on Tue, 12 August 2008 12:27 |
| NetBOG wrote on Tue, 12 August 2008 12:25 |
I don't want to start a war because I have a lot of respect for the guy but it's already past time for him to step down.
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Fair enough, why?
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Rod could do this job for 5 more years if it only amounted to calling goals and fights. I have a hard time listening to Rod's general game play-by-play. He doesn't seem to recognize opposing players quickly, stumbles over his words, is slow to catch the play, etc...I didn't realize how challenging it was until I got an XM radio and could listen to other team's broadcasts. While many of the other guys do not do as good a job celebrating a goal or coming up with a catchy phrase from time to time, they were far superior in the accuracy of their call and could really give you a mental image of the game (whereas with Rod I sometimes can't tell which end of the ice they are in).
Rod's a great guy and it's been a helluva ride...but in a game as fast as hockey and with so many players on each side...it's tougher on an older broadcaster (unlike in baseball and football where there's lots of time between the action to collect thoughts).
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Oh what a save by Eddie Mio!!!
Let's see, Oilers vs the Penguins, after Semenko beats Kim clackson for about teh 3rd time in the game all hell breaks lose. Rod: "They should call out the police!"
Rod was the perfect announcer for the perfect team and perfect time period in the early 80's.
If Rod ends up retiring and Bryan Hall is still calling Eskie games I'll hurl.
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all_oil
Messages: 585
Registered: July 2006
Calder Trophy Winner
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| Beerfish Revisited wrote on Tue, 12 August 2008 13:48 |
Oh what a save by Eddie Mio!!!
Let's see, Oilers vs the Penguins, after Semenko beats Kim clackson for about teh 3rd time in the game all hell breaks lose. Rod: "They should call out the police!"
Rod was the perfect announcer for the perfect team and perfect time period in the early 80's.
If Rod ends up retiring and Bryan Hall is still calling Eskie games I'll hurl.
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Listening to Eskimo broadcasts are painful. Brian Hall is the worst announcer ever, but God does he love his ribs.
I'm wondering who will take over for Rod, should he step down. I definitely hope it's not Hall or even Morley Scott. Neither of those two do it for me when I listen to the radio.
http://www.jeanshortsandbaggedmilk.com "
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Jets Fan
Messages: 283
Registered: June 2007
Location: Edmonton
AHL Goal Scoring Machine
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| Beerfish Revisited wrote on Tue, 12 August 2008 13:48 |
Oh what a save by Eddie Mio!!!
Let's see, Oilers vs the Penguins, after Semenko beats Kim clackson for about teh 3rd time in the game all hell breaks lose. Rod: "They should call out the police!"
Rod was the perfect announcer for the perfect team and perfect time period in the early 80's.
If Rod ends up retiring and Bryan Hall is still calling Eskie games I'll hurl.
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I totally agree with the above comment
Sorry but Bryan Hall is long past his sell by date
Rod should go too
Both have had great broadcasting careers but they should not go on for ever
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Oilertime
Messages: 674
Registered: October 1999
Location: Fort Saskatchewan
Alternate Captain
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I remember ages ago the Oilers were in Hartford and kept trying to get the puck out of the zone to no avail, so Rod added his insight: "Why don't they ice the damn thing?" Just the pure frustration in his voice made it hilarious.
https://twitter.com/Reggie__11
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Oilerfansince87
Messages: 1246
Registered: May 2007
Location: South Alberta
Consistent 100 Point Scorer
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Calling Mick Magoo a egomaniac jackass a couple years ago during the Dallas/ Phantom hand pass debacle was hillarious.
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jadrain
Messages: 584
Registered: March 2006
Calder Trophy Winner
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Ah, Rod hanging them up will be a sad day. He's been part of the fabric of the franchise forever. I don't care if he gets a bit addled these days, particularly late in the season as he starts to wear down. I'll never, ever get tired of listening to him call the Oilers. When he missed his first game a couple of years ago I was worried as if it was a family member (severe nosebleeds, it turned out).
The most telling moments were sometimes when he thought the mike was off. When Matheson was doing colour with him they messed it up all the time. One night they were giving one of the score and win (or whatever the equivalent was) prizes to lady called (this is phonetic, no idea how it was spelled) "Irma LaDouche." All by the book, just the facts, congratulations Irma. Then they go to commercial. They think. Mike still broadcasting. Rod: "Irma La DOOOOUUCHE!" Matty: "Hee hee hee." Rod: "Ho ho ho."
Another live mike at commercial aside: Colour dude (forget which one): "Boy, they're really jumpin' tonight." Rod: "Holy SHEEPs**t!"
Okay, those maybe weren't so telling. But the one I've remembered best was from some time in 1989 or 1990, when they went to commercial again, but for whatever reason the mike stayed live and the commercial didn't play. Play resumed before they came back (I was watching on tv and listening to Rod for the play by play). Kurri broke out. Apropros of nothing, noone listening, just private in the booth, Rod breathes "C'mon, Jari..." as Kurri skates up the ice. Some generally meaningless mid-season game and he's willing the Oilers on as he watches.
The guy lives it. Never heard a jaded word out of him. I hope we start climbing again as a franchise, and that it's exciting enough that he sticks around for the one last ride.
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MyBestGuess
Messages: 2924
Registered: March 2004
Hall of Fame Candidate
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| all_oil wrote on Tue, 12 August 2008 10:36 |
Well another slow day in Oiler land so I was cruising around the usual blogs and I thought that this merited a thread. Over at Oilersnation Robin Brownlee wrote a pretty good piece on what might be Rod Phillips last year as Oilers play by play.
http://www.oilersnation.com/index2.php/2008/08/11/the-skippe r-sails-on/
I think it doesn't matter who you are, all Oiler fans have listened to Phillips almost give himself a hemmorage every game. The guy is a great broadcastor, and is the definite voice of the Oilers. Growing up I remember listening to him calling the games and it offers a lot of good memories or sitting around with family around the radio.
Any good stories when it comes to Rod Phillips? I'm sure I'm not the only one that has his voiced wrapped up all sorts of Oiler memories.
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I don't think there is a greater Oiler fan than Rod Phillips. He says the things we're thinking - the highs, the lows, the excitement, the frustration, rippng refs, praising and chastising players (in a fair way) - I don't see how Rod will ever be replaced.
Thinking back, it's hard to beat his call on Hemmer beating Regehr in January 07 and the "doo doo" comment!
Here's a YouTube video we've all probably seen but it pretty much summarizes Rod Phillips.
Just as much as his goal calls, I love his fight calls. Holy crap, how many times I've almost driven off the road listening to Rod call a fight or hit or goal.
I also like back in the day how frustrated he'd get with Boris Mironov at times.
Oilers Goal Horn
http://skreemr.com/link.jsp?id=6B5D44535654
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Cementhead
Messages: 133
Registered: June 2006
Location: New Westminster
AHL Regular
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Damn that was a beautiful goal. Rod will be hard to replace. I hope to hell it isn't Morley replacing him.
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MyBestGuess
Messages: 2924
Registered: March 2004
Hall of Fame Candidate
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| Cementhead wrote on Tue, 12 August 2008 16:06 |
Damn that was a beautiful goal. Rod will be hard to replace. I hope to hell it isn't Morley replacing him.
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I'd take Peter Loubardias and do you know who else calls a great game? Team 1260's Bob Stauffer. I turned on the dial during the CIS finals this spring and heard him call the Bears final. He's actually really good - loads of emotion & personality just like Rod. He's not Rod at this point, but honestly aside from the guy in Buffalo and Pittsburgh Stauff would be my guy of choice at this point, seriously. I know some people hate Stauff, but he does call a wicked game IMO. Greggor might also do the job well too (listening to his calls of Rush games).
Oilers Goal Horn
http://skreemr.com/link.jsp?id=6B5D44535654
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MrOiler
Messages: 871
Registered: March 2006
Location: Calgary
Rocket Richard Trophy Winner
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I hope they don't hire some PC announcer when it's Rod's time to step down. An Oilers' broadcaster should be a homer. And don't give me the "professionalism" argument. Who cares about a fair called game? This isn't the CBC.
I want a guy screaming his head off and shaking his fist at the refs - just a couple notches below Stampede Wrestling. 
[Updated on: Tue, 12 August 2008 17:30]
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Oil Tycoon
Messages: 1158
Registered: March 2006
Location: Welland, Ontario
Goaltender's Nightmare
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Living in Ontario, I didn't grow up listening to Rod on the radio, but only recently when we got our internet hook up. I have to say that I really enjoy his calling the game. I will never forget the call when Stefan missed the open net and Hemmer went on to score the tying goal with 2 seconds left. Rod went ballistic, but in a good way.
He's certainly not in the Hall of Fame by accident. There are so many broadcastors out there, but very few match the emotion and intensity of Rod. We as Oiler fans are lucky to have him call our games.
If he does retire, I wish him well, and wouldn't it be great if his last called game was one where the Oilers are hoisting the Stanley Cup? Hey a man can dream.
That being the case, Rick Generette from the Sabres would be the only guy I would say could match Rod. I hear him a lot down here in St.Catharines.
Rod rules! 
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abootzky
Messages: 215
Registered: October 2002
Location: slightly east of Edmonton
AHL Goal Scoring Machine
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It's too bad a lot of you are too young to have heard Rod at his best on a nightly basis. I'm not sure how technically sound Rod's description of the action on the ice ever was, but he's always been damn entertaining. Back in the Oilers' WHA and early NHL days Rod was much more of a loose cannon (in a good way) than in recent years producing countless politically incorrect/hilarious on-air moments. The goal and fight calls are legendary to us Oiler fans but I really enjoyed it when his sense of humour would come through. For example, I remember Rod and colorman Ken Brown talking on the air about a guy who had mistakenly knocked on their hotel room door the night before. Rod, using a perfect Chinese accent, quoted the guy as saying, "Did anyone here order Chinese food?". I thought Brown was going to piss himself laughing. My most recent favorite came when the Oilers were playing in Vancouver in the '90's. Rod grew increasingly infuriated as he described how the Canucks' Gino Odjick had run Doug Weight from behind and punctuated the call with "GINO ODJICK IS A MORON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!".
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Bigfan
Messages: 80
Registered: August 2006
First Year Camp Failure
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Well, I guess it had to happen eventually. But it will be the end of an era.
I've been following the Oilers since the days of the Alberta Oilers in the WHA. For me, Rod's voice is inextricably linked with the Oilers. It will take time to get used to someone else's.
But he is now a shadow of his former self - and he's not the only one.
We tried for a bit a drinking game during broadcasts - where we would have to take a drink every time Rod said 'In across the line'. A variation on the game with ol' Windbag for the Eskimo games with 'Ball on the far left hashmarks'. We had to stop after a couple of games ... Not my favorite memory of a Rod broadcast moment - but that's because I don't remember a thing 
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G-Star
Messages: 286
Registered: January 2007
Location: Fort Sask
AHL Goal Scoring Machine
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Rod is been gargantuios (mind the spelling) as a caller of the Oilers. I've been travelling my whole life from Fort Mac to Edmonton and every game growing up we listened to on the radio with the fam, countless hours of laughs and excitment. Rod made a 1-0 Oil vs Wild game sound exciting (who does this?). I can't wait to get home and watch the highlights after listining to Rod because of all the gargantiuan and spectacular plays he describes, only to go home and see the highlights weren't anything special. Rod has expanded my vocabulary and spoiled me for years, I just assumed that was the energy all people calling games used, whatever Rod chooses to do he did Edmonton very well and deserves a good retirement.
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oilfaith
Messages: 396
Registered: March 2006
Location: Edmonton
Starter Out Of Camp
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I remember years ago when my kids were still kids... I took them to get autographs at the players entrance after a practice. They had their Oilers Books (Hockey Knights I think) and Rod was walking by. I pointed him out and the kids ran up wanting him to sign their books. He was genuinely shocked... he said are you sure you want ME to sign these? I said ABSOLUTELY! He was so humble about it. What a nice man. I am thrilled that we have his siggy along with all the others inside those books. I will miss him terribly when he retires.
"Puttin' on the foil coach!" - Hanson Brothers
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