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Thousands of Edmontonians descended on Rogers Place Friday evening to watch the Oilers take on the Los Angeles Kings in Game 3 of the NHL Playoffs.
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After a 6-0 blowout for the Oilers on Wednesday, fans had the opportunity to take part in a watch party for the game, viewing the battle from the arena’s scoreboard for $5 per ticket.
According to Tim Shipton, spokesman for the Oilers Entertainment Group, by 5:30 pm, 11,600 tickets were sold while it was expected more than 12,000 tickets would be purchased by game time.
Decked out in orange and blue face paint, Trevor Savage attended Friday’s game with his two kids. He said he was “amped up” for the game.
“It sucks that it’s not here, but we’re here celebrating.”
Savage also had an extensive Oilers tattoo sleeve on his right arm, which he said is his pride and joy.
“I got to add to it this year though, hopefully this year it happens,” he said. “I got it signed by a couple of Oilers, I need it signed by ‘Cujo’ (Curtis Joseph), so Cujo get to town so I can get your signature.”
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Tina Duncan and Christie Pederson were also decked out for Friday’s game, wearing orange and blue wigs and face paint. They said they were on a high from Wednesday’s win.
“Can’t go wrong with an Oiler win, especially with Smith in net, he’s been so amazing,” said Duncan.
“I’m looking forward to losing my voice again tonight,” added Pederson.
The pair also have the ritual of not wearing the same jersey if they wore it on a night the Oilers lost.
“I wore (Zach) Hyman on Game 1 and we lost and I was here, so now I’m wearing Kane cause he’s on fire,” Duncan said.
Pedersen has been rotating her jerseys between Kane and Leon Draisaitl.
“They’ve been winning every time I wore those,” she said.
Anil and Janelle Maharaj brought their son Jaiden and daughter Maya to watch Game 3 at Rogers Place. Anil Maharaj said he’s “super excited” because during the last playoff run the Oilers had, his kids were too small to attend.
“Now they’re at the age where I really wanted to bring them to get the excitement and feel what it’s like,” he said while sporting an orange flag with the word “Loilty.”
“1978 I was born, since ’79 I’ve been a fan.”
He said his own game day ritual is to wear as much Oilers gear as possible.
“You buy it all year long so you need time to wear it,” he said.
Net proceeds from tickets for away games go to the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation.
The Oilers once again take on the Kings in LA on Sunday at 8 pm