There comes a point when a team gets tired of getting sand kicked in their faces.

The Edmonton Oilers reached that point Sunday, doing some kicking of their own in a surprising 5-1 win over the San Jose Sharks.

“We want to come out to battle and we’re looking to play hard and we still want to win every game that we’re in,” said Oilers winger Zack Stortini. “This is about pride and character and we have a ton of that in here. It’s just a matter of going out and battling hard each and every night and that’s what we have to do.”

Stortini got the party rocking when he took out Sharks defenceman Dan Boyle behind the

By ROBERT TYCHKOWSKI, SUN MEDIA

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, Fernando Pisani has plenty of experience at this.

While returning from extended stays on injured reserve isn't something any player wants to be well-schooled in, at least Pisani has something to draw from in his latest comeback.

"I was excited; it was a long time coming," said the Oilers winger, who spent more time on the sidelines with his broken ankle - 14 and a half weeks - than anyone expected. "Anytime you're injured you feel like you're an outsider looking in. You want to be out there. You want to be a part of the team. That's probably been the toughest part."

By ROBERT TYCHKOWSKI, SUNMEDIA


LOS ANGELES -- Upon further review, Fernando Pisani is NOT a step away from returning to the Oilers' lineup.

He looked and felt pretty close to getting a green light, and was expecting to play either today in Los Angeles or very soon after that, but as a last precautionary measure before allowing Pisani back the medical staff took an X-ray of his ankle and they didn't like what they saw.

"They weren't completely thrilled with it," said head coach Craig MacTavish. "We won't see him on this trip, barring a miracle cure."

Pisani, who broke his ankle Nov. 17, has been out longer than he'd like, but he knows