“It’s nice to see people happy and excited about something. It’s been a pretty rough time over the last two years”
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Excitement continues its rise in Edmonton, as Oilers fans filled Churchill Square outside city hall over the lunch hour Tuesday, raising spirits before the Edmonton Oilers, with a two-game lead, face off for Game 4 against the Calgary Flames.
A sea of orange-and-blue-clad fans rallied for about an hour beginning at noon, hearing from former players, council members, and waiting for their shot at one of two game tickets. Fans will return to watch the 7:30 pm game on a big screen in the square Tuesday, starting at 6 pm
Five-year-old fan Emery Marshall, who won a ticket, was excited he would soon be seeing his favorite team play in person for the first time. His message from him to the Oilers: “Here we go!”
His mother, Teresa Marshall, was “speechless” her son won a ticket. She said they will have to pick up some more Oilers fan gear before puck drop.
“I did not think we would be so lucky — especially a playoff game,” she said.
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The Edmonton Police Service warned Tuesday to expect “significant” congestion for both drivers and pedestrians Downtown due to the game. After the final buzzer sounds in Rogers Place, officers will be controlling traffic in several areas, including 102 Street and 104 Avenue and 101 Street and Jasper Avenue.
EPS encouraged motorists to avoid the area or seek alternate routes if possible. They also warned against hanging outside vehicle windows or parading in front of Rogers Place after the game, saying there would be increased traffic enforcement “to discourage unsafe activities.”
At the noon rally at Churchill Square, former Oilers defenseman Ladislav Šmíd said the Oilers fans give the players energy: “Thank God the Oilers have the best fans in the league, and this doesn’t get much better than that.”
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Šmíd said he hates predictions but he hopes Oilers will use their home advantage.
Star Wars’ and Oilers’ fandom converged in the outfit Tyler Mike wore outside city hall — a cardboard Mandalorian helmet he built and painted in orange and blue to show support. The Baby Yoda also carried had his face painted in the team’s colours.
“(I want to) show the pride, how much I love the Edmonton Oilers and the city, and put Calgary Flames fans to shame,” he said. “Some of their outfits were kind of lackluster last game.”
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said he’s glad to see people coming together to celebrate the team.
“It’s nice to see people happy and excited about something. It’s been a pretty rough time over the last two years,” he said.
His prediction: “The Oilers are going to win, obviously.”
Sohi was beaming as he read out a proclamation dedicating May 24, 2022 “Let’s Go Oilers community rally day” in Alberta. He plans to watch the game in Explore Edmonton’s box with other dignitaries.
—With files from Madeline Smith
