DENVER -- Half a season in the NHL had Liam Reddox thinking he could suddenly be a goal scorer in the minor leagues.
It turns out, things don't always work out that way.
Reddox, 23, was called up on Saturday as a reinforcement with six regulars out of the Edmonton Oilers lineup.
With just four points with the Springfield Falcons so far this season, it was a promotion based on history more than merit.
"I was really surprised to get called up," said Reddox. "After our game (Friday) our assistant coach told me that coach (Rob) Daum wanted to speak to me.
"I was under the impression it wasn't going to be a good thing. But it was nice to hear that I was going to get an opportunity to come back up here."
The Oilers recalled both Reddox and Ryan Potulny for last night's contest.
The pair injected some much-needed jump to a team struggling, having lost six of their previous seven going into last night against the Colorado Avalanche.
"I thought both of them really gave us a lift (last night)," said Oilers head coach Pat Quinn, following a 5-3 victory.
"Both of them are honest, pay attention to detail, they work hard every shift. Maybe they don't have the skill level of other players, but what they bring is that intangible side to the game that is as important as skill if you ask coaches around the league."
Last season, Reddox played 46 games with the Oilers, scoring five goals and adding seven assists.
So far in Springfield, the Oilers' fifth pick -- 112 overall -- in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft has three goals and an assist in 13 games. Last night he picked up an assist.
"I was playing on the top two lines for the first couple of weeks and I think I was trying to be something that I wasn't," Reddox said. "I was playing out on the perimeter a little too much and I had a few talks with coach Daum about getting back to basics and doing the same things that I do up here."
Potulny, meanwhile, had three goals and five assists in 14 games prior to his callup.
Last season, the native of Grand Forks, N.D. led the Falcons in scoring with 38 goals and 24 assists for 62 points in 70 games. Last night, he scored his first goal of the season and picked up an assist on the Oilers second goal.
"It felt great to get out there, be able to produce and help the team win," Potulny said. "Any time you can come up and do that, it feels good."
