The Edmonton Oilers are back in the Stanley Cup final, to the delight of fans as far north as the Arctic Circle and even those as far away as the Philippines.
Oilers fans ignored gray clouds and rain Monday morning to invade the team’s store at Rogers Place in the downtown core.
They bought jerseys, caps, sweaters and anything else that had the team logo.
Reece Santos decided to go for a Dylan Holloway vest.
His love for hockey comes from his father, who came to Canada at the age of six from the Philippines, and fell in love with the Oilers during their 1980s glory.
“My whole family plays hockey,” Santos said. I coach hockey now, so it’s a big part of my life. »
Calgary resident Gil Spanglet traveled to Edmonton with his nine-year-old daughter Olivia to watch the Oilers eliminate the Dallas Stars on Sunday night and book their ticket to the final. He then stayed in town to buy products on Monday, but several items were out of stock.
Thousands of fans gathered downtown Sunday night outside Rogers Place to honk their horns, celebrate, wave bright orange pom poms and chant “we want the cup!” ”, after the Oilers’ victory in Game 6 against the Stars.
At the same time, Oilers fans celebrated under the midnight sun with a parade of at least 50 or more cars, trucks and ATVs, driving down the gravel streets of Inuvik, Northwest Territories.
“Some people had to stop and wait at intersections to let the convoy pass, then simply decided to join in,” shared parade organizer Donovan Arey.
The Oilers’ last appearance in the Stanley Cup final dates back to 2006. The Edmonton squad lost in seven games against the Carolina Hurricanes.
This year, the Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings in five games in the first round, only to eliminate another Canadian team, the Vancouver Canucks, in seven games in the next round. The Oilers then defeated the Stars.
On game nights, thousands of fans gather to watch and celebrate outside the arena at the “Moss Pit.” This name is given in honor of a former equipment assistant, Joey Moss, who died in 2020 at the age of 57.
Stand on a street corner in Edmonton these days and within minutes you’ll see a car drive by with a little Oilers flag.
On match nights, many fans wearing their jerseys are seen around the city.
The first game of the final between the Oilers and the Florida Panthers will be played Saturday at Sunrise.
The last time the Oilers won the big honors, the Panthers didn’t exist yet.
Danny Mendes was just a kid at the time, now 47 years old. Mendes traveled from Vernon, British Columbia, to watch Sunday’s game against the Stars.
He remembers the days when he watched Oilers stars, such as Wayne Gretzky, practice on the ice at the West Edmonton Mall.
“I didn’t even know who all these players were,” Mendes said. They had signed something for me. I think I threw it away. Can you imagine what that’s worth? »
“I love the Oilers,” he added. I don’t miss any matches. This is my team. »