stanleyCup

To Oilers fans everywhere...

There's much to say but I couldn't say it any better than Dr.Seuss and the Journal's Jim Matheson..........

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - ​Dr. Seuss

I'm sure all the Oilers and Predator players have had varying degrees of butterflies and thoughts of the people and games that have brought them to the game tonight. The game will have some of the best hockey players in the world on the ice. Their emotions will probably go up and down during the game and reach a peak when the final buzzer rings.

The winning team will be over the moon, ecstatic, liking the official handshake, skating with Stanley, hugging each other, hooping & hollering, filled with joy and some with accompanying tears and finally the official presentation, interviews and photos with the team, the dressing room and summer with Stanley.

The losing team will be stunned, totally dejected, disliking the official handshake, hugging and commiserating with each other, minds replaying what ifs, couldas, shoudas & woudas, players filled with sadness and many with accompanying tears, watching the official presentation, interviews, the dressing room and summer.

When thinking of this post I was reminded of a sign that hung in our Saskatchewan village curling rink circa 1954-58 and it spoke to me then and is remembered to this day. To the best on my remembrance the sign read "When the GREAT SCORER comes to mark about your name, HE writes -- not that you won or lost -- but how you played the game."

Have a great game and GO OILERS GO!

GO OILERS GO! The Oilers did it! They completed the comeback from a 3-0 deficit and will now play the Florida Panthers on Monday in game 7 for the Stanley Cup. In addition to what they've done on the ice what they've done off ice is even more fantastic. The first round of the playoffs brought on the first symptoms of hockey fever and it continued to grow and spread with every game.By the time the final round against the Panthers began it reached fever pitch and when the come back started it became a hockey fever pandemic. Honking horns and cheers were even heard in our normally quiet neighbourhood. In addition to hockey fever this Oilers run is creating memories that will be talked about for years. GO OILERS GO!

Hopefully the Oilers will get some rest healing for their tired bodies over the weekend and take it to the house in Tampa on Monday. GO OILERS GO!

Last night I watched not only the game but I also watched the commentary after the game. There's no doubt that it was a team win but there's also no doubt that it was led by Connor McDavid. Connor McDavid's game has risen to another level and it is a privilege to watch him and his contagion on the team play out. The Oilers are one game away from evening up the series and playing game seven for the Stanley Cup.GO OILERS GO!

We don't have to wait long because Game 6 is guaranteed to be a barn burner with fans rockin the joint and the two best hockey teams in the world taking it to each other on the ice Friday. And don't forget the thousands who will gather at Ice District Plaza and those who gather around the country for watch parties to cheer on the Oilers. GO OILERS GO!

The Oilers are the talk of the town and a sense of tentative optimism is building around the city. There are Oilers colors everywhere and you can feel the excitement growing. It will all peak at puck drop Friday with a loud & long GO OILERS GO! Hopefully we'll go through it all for the biggest excitement of all, game seven of the Stanley Cup on Monday. GO OILERS GO!

The OIlers have taken a 3-2 lead in the NHL Western Conference semi finals and now need one more win to begin play for the Stanley Cup. Tonight will be the 100th game of a long season and the all important Game 6 against the top-seeded Dallas Stars.

There is no doubt that Rogers Place and the surrounding watch parties in the Ice District will be rocking as they cheer on the Oilers. The Edmonton Downtown Business Association estimates between 30-40 thousand fans iwill gather in and around Rogers Place for tonight's game. Whether or not you plan to join them, wear your jerseys, fly your color and cheer the Oilers on to victory!

The road to the Stanley Cup is said to be the most difficult of any professional sports league. The Oilers begin their semi final round tonight which is long on the playoff road and one of the questions apart from the teams is will they gain Canadian support? It been 31 years since a Canadian team has last won the Stanley Cup so the OIlers hope is many fans of the 5 other Canadian teams will jump on the Oilers wagon and and join a joint cheer. So if you're a fan of another team how about joining the cheer......1..2...3 GO OILERS GO!!!