GENE'S BLOG: Poti, Patty, perfect ice and pasta

Hello, everyone in Oil Country. Another week has gone by and we continue to monitor the coronavirus. It's made the world different but hopefully you are meeting the challenge and most importantly staying healthy.
I had fun doing an Oilers mailbag last week, so why don't we try it again this week? Here we go!
@neena_newin on Twitter asks... What's been your all-time favourite game to work?
Neena, that is a great question. Covering all the wins in the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs was a blast, but I think this stands out as my favourite game to work because I was actually hosting the game. The 1998-99 season was my first as the host of Oiler games. Back then it was A-Channel and it was my dream job.
Late in the season, like in the final week to 10 days, Edmonton beat the Sharks in San Jose and Tom Poti scored the OT winner. It put them into the playoffs. I was new and as I did the post-game interview with Tom the team was so pumped and kept yelling at him, "we're going to the show, we're going to the show." As an Edmonton kid, I felt like an actual Oiler and was swept up in all the excitement and it really stands out for me as a great memory.
@nreithmeier on Twitter asks... The old barn was generally regarded as having the best ice in the NHL, how does the new one compare?
Nick, interesting question and I like it. What went on at at the old building was like Leonardo da Vinci with the Mona Lisa. What they did with the ice was a work of art, from Dan Craig who started it and the countless other ice-crew experts who continued it. There is no way to replicate what happened on the corner of Wayne Gretzky Drive and 118 Avenue, but there are other great, historical paintings.
We may not know them like the Mona Lisa, but as proven by this season's NHLPA poll that ranked Rogers Place as the second-best ice in the league, the players are noticing what's happening at the corner of 102 Street and 104 Avenure. It is a hard-working group of icemakers who have crafted the right formula for success in the new building.

@rc_cola45 on Twitter asks... If you could bring back one still active former Oiler, who would it be?
Cammie, that is a challenging one because I have to rack my brain to think of all the former Oilers who are still in the league. There are a lot of them, but when I think about it, the guys who come to mind are Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano and Pat Maroon. Sam and Andrew to me kind of work as a pair. Started together with the Oilers, were part of the kid line with Robert Nilsson.
I literally watched them grow up and then to see them depart was tough. Can't forget Pat Maroon who is a genuine person. He's had some professional and personal challenges along the way and has battled to get to his spot as a Stanley Cup champion. Also, the only pro athlete I've made cry. Well, actually his son made him cry as he watched Anthony celebrate his goal with the Oilers in his hometown of St. Louis.
Maroon emotional as son watches him score in hometown
@playfairab on Twitter asks... What's a good pantry staple or quarantine recipe?
Mamma Mia, what a question to ask! Definitely the most tasty query so far. Oh boy, during this 'pause' I have spent more time with my family and with my fridge. Like Connor and Leon go to the net, I've been going to the fridge. When I'm there I like a lot but I would say pasta is my favourite. I just love it. All kinds and my wife who is German but cooks like an Italian makes homemade pasta bellissimo.
Also, homemade sauce brings back memories from when I was a kid. My mom would make the sauce and also homemade bread. One lathered on top of the other was a perfect match. To this day, like my mom, my wife makes an incredible sauce. Sometimes she makes it with meatballs or pork chops or Italian sausage. It's one of the reasons we've been married almost 23 years.
Thanks for all the great questions, Oilers fans!
Keep them coming with
#AskGene
on Twitter and comments on Facebook.