THE CAPTAIN GOES SHARK FISHING
Oilers centre Connor McDavid celebrates his third-period goal, his first career playoff goal, in Game 2 of their series at Rogers Place on Friday night against the San Jose Sharks. The Oilers won 2-0 on goals by Zack Kassian and McDavid.
Two hours before the puck dropped for Game 2 of the firstround playoff game of the Oilers versus the Sharks, chants of “Let’s go, Oilers!” began at Rogers Place, armed with plenty of advice for the home team.
The wave of orange-clad fans was undeterred by snow, rain and a loss in the series opener against San Jose in Game 1 at home and knew just how the team has to improve.
Jordan Ostafichuk, 16 and dad Dean Ostafichuk braved the soggy weather in blue-and-orange face paint. The family had a pre-game gathering to paint Easter eggs at their home in St. Albert when the elder Ostafichuk was dared to break out the face paint.
“They said you’ve gotta do you bald head and it went from there. My daughter started it and I finished it off. Every time I look in the mirror I kind of scare myself.”
For his son, who started watching hockey at age 11, having a winning team is a new experience.
“I haven’t really watched hockey and had the Oilers win really,” Jordan said. “Right now it’s really exciting to have them winning.”
Both felt the home team would be less jittery with a playoff win.
Scott Hartman came out to Ford Hall dressed to the nines in a custom Oilers jersey complete with a fibre optic fringe.
He blamed the Oilers loss in the first playoff game against San Jose on inexperience, saying you could see the jitters.
“I think that adrenalin dump has passed, they are ready to refocus and put their head up before they pass, communicate and get back to the hockey that they know,” Hartman said.
Edmontonians Alyssa Cancian and Amy Doroshenko won their way into the Molson Canadian Hockey House Party in Ford Hall, excited to share some Oilers playoff memories of their own because they were too young to appreciate the last time.
Cancian said she believed McDavid was targeted in Game 1 and said the team shouldn’t let that deter them. It should be a team effort, she said.
“People just want to get behind
People just want to get behind a good team, and we want to see them win. We want to be the city of champions again!
a good team, and we want to see them win. We want to be the city of champions again!”
There was plenty of action away from the shiny new arena as well.
Denizen Hall on 103 Avenue had a secret weapon this playoff season. So far, the bar has been playoff headquarters for Edmonton poet laureate, rapper and Connor McDavid evangelist Cadence Weapon, according to general manager Matt Kinal. Weapon, also known as Roland Pemberton, performed at the bar on the first night of the playoffs and scored tickets to Friday’s game from a fan. Word was he planned to perform his ode to the young Oilers captain post-game if the team came away with a win.
Fans filled the arena waving foam fingers and metallic orange streamers as orange light coated the bowl.
Alberta country star Brett Kissel performed the Star Spangled Banner before Robert Clarke belted out O Canada, swimming in a sea of orange fans who took over the anthem.
From the moment the puck dropped just before 8:45 p.m., chants of “Let’s go, Oilers” echoed throughout the arena.