(Edmonton) Kris Knoblauch got a first-hand look at how crazy the city of Edmonton is about the Oilers’ playoff run, thanks to a mix-up with his car keys the night they clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.
Knoblauch had to walk home and in doing so, he walked through a cheering crowd, a scene he called “chaos.” The excitement has only grown since his team, which trailed 3-0 in the series against the Florida Panthers, forced a sixth home game, which will be played Friday night.
“You see the excitement, the flags everywhere, people driving with Oilers flags and their gear all over town, even when it’s not game day,” Knoblauch remarked Wednesday. “You can see it means a lot to the city. »
It means a lot to generations of fans, some old enough like Darin Winder to remember the Oilers’ five-championship dynasty from 1984 to 1990, a glorious stretch that helped decorate the arena heights with banners of blue, orange and white.
Winder, 55, grew up in nearby Camrose and attended the old Edmonton Gardens with his father when the Oilers were in the World Hockey Association before joining the NHL. He also witnessed the 2006 run to the Cup final, which ended with a seven-game loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Oilers’ two consecutive victories over the Panthers have fueled hope throughout Alberta.
“It’s a magical ride,” Winder said. ” Let’s go. Let’s go. Now we have a real chance, don’t we? Two matches is possible. »
The odds remain slim, but since last week, supporters have been placing “BELIEVE” signs in downtown windows, and there is no shortage of support to see history made.
“It’s just amazing to see how the fans have come together,” said Shawn Belle, a retired defenseman from Edmonton who played a handful of NHL games for his hometown club.
“Knowing that the fans are so supportive of you, that they want to see you win and that you’ve really electrified a city, it feels like it’s a little bit of a responsibility for you to show up every day and give your best because you know they are giving their best and they paid tons of money to watch you play, which brings out the best qualities in players. »
From Connor McDavid’s heroics that put him in contention for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the best player in the playoffs to Stuart Skinner’s play in goal, the Oilers have brought out the best in the city that lives and breathes hockey.
After the Oilers’ 8-1 victory saved them from a sweep, the city was flooded with people honking horns and playing the team’s victory song, “La Bamba,” in the streets.
When asked before the series what he liked best about life in Edmonton, McDavid said “the passion of the fans. »
“They understand the game,” he said. “A long history of great teams and great players who have been there. A fantastic fan base. »
