Calgary Herald

Big Eagles fan Gaudreau predicts Super Bowl win

- WES GILBERTSON

It’s a good thing Johnny Gaudreau is a fan favourite in Calgary.

Otherwise, there might have been a few noise complaints filed as the Flames’ all-star left-winger — a proud and apparently passionate fan of the Super Bowl-bound Philadelph­ia Eagles — watched Sunday’s NFC Championsh­ip.

“I have a ton of neighbours in my condo and I’m sure a lot of them aren’t too happy with me screaming the entire game and howling the entire game,” Gaudreau joked to Flames TV after Monday’s morning skate at the Saddledome. “But it was an exciting game. I’m really happy and proud for them.”

The 24-year-old Gaudreau hails from Carneys Point, N.J., just south of Philly on the opposite side of the Delaware River.

One of his chums from back home is visiting, so he had company as the Eagles stomped the Minnesota Vikings in Sunday’s pigskin semifinal, rolling to a 38-7 triumph and setting a date with legendary quarterbac­k Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

Gaudreau will likely have a few friendly wagers riding on that Feb. 4 showdown.

The 2014 Hobey Baker Award winner made plenty of friends in New England during his three seasons with the NCAA’s Boston College Eagles and has been exchanging chirps with his former linemate Kevin Hayes, now skating for the New York Rangers.

Gaudreau’s partner-in-production at the Saddledome, sharpshoot­ing centre Sean Monahan, admitted before Monday’s matchup against the Buffalo Sabres that he also prefers the Patriots and would be rooting against his good pal.

“Going to school in Boston, the whole school was Pats fans,” Gaudreau said. “I’d always hear about Tom Brady and the Pats. All of my buddies text me from Boston, always giving me a hard time saying the Pats would never lose to the Eagles. Now, we get a shot to prove that.”

Gaudreau has never been shy about sharing his love for the Eagles on social media and, just in case anybody was unsure, made his rooting allegiance­s crystalcle­ar with Monday’s getup.

He was wearing a logoed pullover, a matching hat and arrived for morning skate with an Eagles backpack slung over his shoulder.

Thankfully, he still had his voice after several renditions Sunday of the Fly, Eagles Fly fight song.

“Now, I get to watch them in the Super Bowl,” Gaudreau said. “They’ve never won it, so hopefully this is their shot right here.”

It should be no surprise the early betting odds favour the Patriots.

After all, they are the NFL’s defending champions.

After all, this is ho-hum territory for Brady and curmudgeon­ly head coach Bill Belichick, who’ve led their squad to five Super Bowl titles in 16 seasons.

After all, the Eagles’ hopes are on the shoulders of backup quarterbac­k Nick Foles, at the controls since Carson Wentz suffered a season-ending knee injury in midDecembe­r.

“I still had faith in him,” Gaudreau said of Foles. “He’s playing well right now. Hopefully, they can keep going.”

Hopefully, his neighbours don’t mind the racket on Super Bowl Sunday.

“I’m just predicting a win,” Gaudreau said. “I don’t really care about the score. Just a big win.”

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Johnny Gaudreau

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