Article content
The fur flew off Rogers Place Friday when local sports mascots attempted to take the (mechanical) bull by the horns.
Article content
At the end of the friendly and fluffy competition, Louie from Oil Kings proved that the lion is also the king of the rodeo.
Five of Edmonton’s mascots competed in mechanical bull riding competition prior to the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Canadian National Finals this weekend. Louie was joined by Hunter and Punter of the Edmonton Oilers, Spike of the Edmonton Elks and Stinger, the mascot of the city’s elite Canadian basketball league team, the Stingers.
“They were very entertaining and everyone gave a good effort,” said Zane Lambert, a professional bullrider from Ponoka, who hosted the event. “They got on a mechanical bull and had a fun little competition. Louie ended up winning for the Oil Kings and it was a fun afternoon. “
Article content
Lambert said Hunter was a close second in the competition, but the five could use a little more practice.
“I think they have a lot of work to do, but they definitely entertained me,” Lambert said with a laugh.
PBR Canada National Finals at Rogers Place this weekend
Lambert was the PBR Canada champion in 2013 and 2017 and is competing for his third title this weekend. He added that he is excited to compete at home in front of an Alberta crowd.
“It feels great. We’ve been to Rogers Place once before for a Global Cup and we had a lot of fun here that year,” Lambert said. “It was just a great crowd and I was looking forward to the same kind of atmosphere and crowd this year.” .
Lambert said the best bulls and top 25 riders from across Canada will be in action competing in the event which he claims is the highest quality production the PBR can have.
The PBR Canada National Finals are at Rogers Place starting at 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Reference-edmontonjournal.com