Boston Pizza honouring free pizza promise despite Oilers Game 7 loss

As the ‘Sunshine State’ celebrates the Stanley Cup victory, the weather matches the mood in Edmonton.

“I feel horrible right now, I don’t know what to do. I’m lost, I have no purpose,” said an Edmontonian CityNews spoke to.

“Honestly I thought this was going to be our year for the Oilers, I thought this was going to be it and I’m disappointed to say the least,” said another.

“It hurts, we teared up a little bit. A lot.”

“I mean, I think it’s a good mix of pride considering we got this far and then obviously there is the side of disappointment so a little bittersweet.”

It was a disheartening end to the playoff madness in Edmonton, and while the Oilers losing Monday night’s game was hard to stomach for many, Boston Pizza says they’re still giving out 30,000 free pizzas to grieving hockey fans.

The company had originally promised free pizzas if the Oilers ended Canada’s 30-year Stanley Cup drought. But decided to ‘make it rain’ anyway and wash away some of the grief fans are feeling.

Coming up short can be hard to stomach. That’s why we’re still giving away 30,000 free pizzas in Edmonton. Because adding another year to the 30-year drought might just go down easier after a slice…or eight. ???? pic.twitter.com/Fmb2y5WLpN

— Boston Pizza (@bostonpizza) June 25, 2024

“Since the playoffs began, we’ve encouraged Canadians to team up for the win and with the Game 7 win on the line, we decided to bet it all on Edmonton with the promise of 30,000 small pizzas,” said Niels van Oyen, director of marketing for Boston Pizza International.

“We’re amending that promise today, we’re going to give 30,000 pizzas to grieving hockey fans instead, and while we can’t make it rain hot pizza on parade day, like we were hoping to do, grieving fans in Edmonton and in other parts of the country can be on the lookout for these coupons.

“So we will have a Boston Pizza delivery truck making its way through Edmonton on Wednesday, tomorrow, to distribute some consolation coupons redeemable for a small pizza. And then additionally, Edmontonians can also head down to Boston Pizza ice district tomorrow afternoon between 2-4pm to grab their free small pizza coupon.”

Edmontonians won’t be the only ones able to cash in on the free pizza. Van Oyen says select BP’s will be handing out coupons across Canada.

“As you know, we have Boston Pizza restaurants from coast to coast and we saw fans fill our sports bars for over a month now, so we want to make sure not only in Edmonton, but beyond the borders of the city, we’re surprising some lucky guests with these free small pizza coupons as well. So the best way to get your coupon is to Boston Pizza and enjoy your meal, and you might just receive a special coupon surprise at the end of your visit,” said Van Oyen.

“We’re so lucky to have such great guests and such passionate fans. Over the course of the playoffs we have seen our sports bars filled with fans, cheering for their favourite teams, and as the playoffs went on, cheering on the remaining Canadian teams.

“We are so appreciative of all of our guests and all of our fans for choosing to watch the game at Boston Pizza and supporting our local franchise, so we wanted to do something to give back to these loyal fans and we think that free small pizzas as a small consolation prize is the perfect way to do that.”

But despite the disappointing loss, fans are still loyal to the oil, and optimistic for what next season has in play.

“Our boys are going to bounce back from this loss, they’re going to regroup and we’re going to come back stronger next year,” said an Oilers fan.

Another adding, “I think next year is our year if Nuge and McDavid stay with us, we will get the cup next year.”