Oilers fans make trip back to Florida for winner-take-all Game 7
The chance of seeing Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers hoist the Stanley Cup over their heads was just too good to pass up.
While thousands of Oilers fans will watch the nerve-racking Game 7 on TV in Edmonton – outside Rogers Place, at a sports bar or in the comfort of home – some fans wanted to witness the moment in person.
So they hopped on a more than five-hour flight – from YEG to FLL – before making their way to Sunrise, Fla., for Monday’s do-or-die contest at Amerant Bank Arena.
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CityNews caught up with some of them on Sunday.
READ: Edmonton Oilers defeat Panthers 5-1 to force Game 7 in Stanley Cup final
One fan in particular bought his ticket to the Sunshine State before the Stanley Cup final even began.
“We booked our flights as soon as they beat Dallas in Game 6,” the fan told CityNews. “So we booked flights that night, refundable, and then tickets (to the game) we probably got a week after that.”
This fan was decked in the perfect blend of Florida-appropriate Oilers gear: a tropical, floral shirt with Oilers logos.
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“The weather in Edmonton isn’t usually good enough to bust it out,” he joked. “So getting to do a road trip like this, thought definitely should wear it.”
The Game 7 clash looked unlikely a week ago when the Oilers fell behind 0-3 in the Stanley Cup final.
Edmonton wants to become just the second NHL team to overcome a three-game deficit to win the Stanley Cup, and end Canada’s 30-year championship drought in the process.
Back in Alberta, Oilers fans were not lacking confidence ahead of the biggest hockey game of their lives.
- “I think everyone’s going to be downtown watching the game.”
- “I’m not going to work, it’s gonna start very early. It’s Oilers day tomorrow.”
- “It’s gonna be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We’re gonna be thinking about this for the rest of our lives. I’m gonna be telling my kids, grandkids all about this… After the 8-1 win, you just know we’re coming back and winning this.”
- “I’m very, very excited. This is going to be the greatest event in all time.”
- “They’re the comeback kids.”
- “Mind blowing. I just want them to win the whole way, but it’s so hard to believe they could do it. It’s so exciting. They’ve come so far.”
- “This is historic. It’s exciting and for Oilers fans there’s nothing better.”
- “This is the first time I’ve witnessed them reaching the finals. There’s a real buzz around the city, it’s really good to see.”
–With files from Darcy Ropchan and Hiba Kamal-Choufi
