Game 7- the OIL run ends

I ended up in Edmonton on the night of OILERS game 7. So yes, my mom and I did obtain tickets to the coliseum for the Family Fun Party. The tickets sold out, and so we were 2 of ~15,000. It was nice to be surrounded by others who’d watched this amazing team overcome obstacles this marvellous playoff run. It was nice to be with so many others who were likewise both sad, and proud when they lost.

The OILERS made the playoffs in their 2nd last game of the season. They were the 8th seed in the west and up against the best team in the league- Detroit. Despite their game 1 double OT loss, they beat the Wings- the “best“ team in the league. They moved on to challenge San Jose. Although they were down 2-0 in the series, they rebounded and defeated the Sharks . The next series they not only battled the Ducks- but also a terrible bout of flu. On came the Canes, and late in game 1 they lost their star goalie to injury. Backup Ty Conkin made an unfortunate mistake which cost a goal, and the game was lost. Despite having a difficult season, and although he hadn’t played since March 1st, Jussi Markkanen played very well in goal for the remainder of the series… But still, the Oil were down 3-1 to the Canes. They battled back to even the series at 3. But the Canes didn’t back down and the OIL fell to defeat in game 7. The hometown hero Fernando Pisani who played so great in the series scored the lone goal in a 3-1 loss (however note that the 3 goals included an empty netter). Canes young goalie Cam Ward made a stellar save off Pisani to keep the one goal lead late in the 3rd. The OIL had over come all obstacles, save one. They were crushed. It was no surprise to see very sad faces, and tears. They believed they would overcome, and they fell just short. The cup was “just out of reach”, as the Edmonton Journal put it. Nevertheless, I am so proud of this hockey team.

With the 15,000 I stood and sang “Oh Canada” at the start of the game along with the CBC broadcast, and although Paul L. was not there and it was not a home game, I got the shivers. It was a special tradition the city started. After the game was over, I cheered when the CBC screen flashed the OILERS fan standing behind their bench with the “Thanks Oilers” sign. There were a lot of positives out of the playoffs. The way they lost it was the hardest. They came as close as they could come, but fell short. Yet there is no shame to fail when attempting great things, if you gave it your all. As we walked out of the coliseum, the OILERS fans who had beaten us out were driving by with their flags still up, and their horns honking. They were honouring their hockey team, and their fellow fans in their great city- who had done their country proud. Although it still hurts today to lose it in such a close manner, I am proud of their big run. Well done team, community, and country.

"It's not the critic who counts, nor the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the areana; whose face is marred with the sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs adn comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiams, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause and who, at best knows the triumph of high achievement and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that this place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt

As a shirt sported by many in the City of Champions in the past week states "Loyal to the Oil". Indeed. In the dark years of the mid 1990s, and today.
….