Battle lines drawn as Flames and Oilers get ready for epic series
The last time the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers faced each other in the playoffs was way back in 1991.
Most players on either team weren't born or have no recollection of that Battle of Alberta because they were too young.
Flames defenceman Michael Stone said he's starting to feel the excitement in the city.
"Well I mean I had people waving at me on my way in today so haven't had that in a while," he laughed.
"I haven't been to the second round since my first year in the league so this is real exciting for me. Especially being the Battle of Alberta. I've been in this city long enough to know what that means."
BRINGING THE PROVINCE TOGETHER
Flames coach Darryl Sutter said the Battle of Alberta is important for the province. In the world according to Sutter, a resident of Viking, Alta., which is located pretty much halfway between Edmonton and Calgary, there are three things that bring (Alberta) people together.
"Sports, church and music. Think about it," he said.
"What this is doing for Alberta right now is bringing people together," Sutter said. "They might cheer for the Oilers. They might cheer for the Flames. Big deal, it's a sport. It's what it's about, it's the best thing ever. Like for the NHL what more could you ask for?"
GREAT ONE PICKS THE FLAMES
The Battle of Alberta is generating a lot of interest outside the province as well. Before the playoffs started, former Oiler legend Wayne Gretzky, now a TNT hockey analyst, picked the Flames to win this series and that must have generated a couple emails to TNT from Edmonton.
Flames forward Milan Lucic weighed in on the Great One picking the team he once picked apart when the Battle of Alberta was more of an annual event.
"I'm sure they don't like it but you know he's just giving his expert opinion," Lucic, who was traded by the Oilers to the Flames said.
EXCITING TIMES
For players it's hard not to get excited with what's happening in the city. Fans have been waiting a long time for the Flames to advance in the playoffs. This is only the second time the Flames have advanced past the second round since 2004. Elias Lindholm said the team felt the love after beating Dallas in Game 7 on Sunday night.
"I think the NHL did half of the bench and up top and the Red Lot so I watched that a couple of times. Yeah it's exciting and it's fun. Fun to see so many people supporting us."
BE READY FOR PUCK DROP
Obviously the Flames were able to enjoy beating the Stars, but goaltender Jacob Markstrom said it's time to start focusing in on the Oilers.
"It's going to be fun," Markstrom said.
"It's going to be wild in the crowd but at the same time we've got to be composed and play our game."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.