'Great for all of Alberta': Flames, Oilers prepare for battle in second round
'Great for all of Alberta': Flames, Oilers prepare for battle in second round
Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk weren't even born the last time the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but they still understand how much the Battle of Alberta means to fans of both teams.
"I've been here for nine years and never even had a sniff at a chance to play (the Oilers) in playoffs, so it's pretty special," said Gaudreau Sunday night, moments after netting the overtime winner in Game 7 against the Dallas Stars.
"I think it's going to be a lot of fun," Gaudreau said. "It's going to be good for the province, a lot of fun for them and for us."
The Flames and Oilers will begin their series Wednesday night at the Saddledome. It will be the first Battle of Alberta in the postseason since 1991. There have been five previous Flames-Oilers matchups in the postseason, with Edmonton winning four of the five.
"It'll be exciting, it's great for all of Alberta," said Tkachuk. "I haven't allowed myself to think too much about it yet, it's too fresh from (Sunday night's OT win)."
VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Several players wearing Edmonton's orange and blue jersey are very familiar with the provincial rivalry.
Oilers' defencemen Brett Kulak grew up in Stoney Plain, Alta., and was drafted by the Flames in 2012.
"Everyone's pumped. I've got friends, family… lots of people who are diehard Flames fans and lots of diehard Oilers fans. They're looking forward to it, and I think we all are," Kulak said Monday.
The last time the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers met in Stanley Cup Playoffs was back in 1991. Derek Ryan spent three seasons with the Flames before signing with their rivals in the provincial capital. He told journalists he fell asleep during much of last night's Flames-Stars Game 7, only to wake up in time to see Gaudreau's winner.
"It's huge. Obviously, the Battle of Alberta is another level in the regular season, and now for us as players and fans in the cities, to have that rivalry exist in the playoffs is something special," Ryan said.
Goalie Mike Smith also played in Calgary before joining the Oilers prior to the 2019-20 season. The 40-year-old netminder said he's confident in his team.
"You have friends on a lot of teams in the league now, but when it comes down to it, you're trying to win a series," Smith said.
"Whether it's Calgary or whoever it is, the job is the same. We're trying to go out there and compete for the ultimate prize."
The last time the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers met during the Stanley Cup Playoffs was back in 1991.The Flames and Oilers each won two games against each other during the regular season.
Puck drop for Game 1 of the second round is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MT on Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada to upgrade Latvia battlegroup to a brigade, boost number of troops
Canada has signed an agreement to upgrade the 2,000-soldier battlegroup it leads in Latvia to a brigade, boosting the number of troops and pledging to lead it for at least the next five years.
Mother forced to spend night sleeping on Toronto Pearson floor because of Air Canada delays
A mother of three children is speaking out after spending a night on the floor of Toronto Pearson Airport with her young kids in a nightmare weekend of travel.
Ontario researchers say they've found what causes long-COVID symptoms
Through the use of MRI technology and spearheaded by researchers at Western University, the cause of long COVID symptoms have been identified for the first time.
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING | Opioid manufacturer agrees to $150M settlement after class-action lawsuit led by B.C. asks for $60B
British Columbia says a proposed $150-million settlement with Purdue Pharma Canada has been reached for the recovery of health-care costs related to the sale and marketing of opioid-based pain medicines.
NEW
NEW | 2 officers undergo surgery, third in hospital after deadly Saanich bank shooting
Police in Saanich, B.C., kept an area near a bank evacuated overnight as they continue to investigate a possible explosive device linked to a deadly gunfight with two suspected bank robbers.
More than half of flights at some Canadian airports getting cancelled, delayed: data
Recent data shows more than half of all flights from some of Canada's major airports are being cancelled or delayed, as frustrations for travellers mount due in part to increased summer travel and not enough airport staff.
Canadians who want a Nexus card will have to travel to U.S. to get it
A Nexus card is supposed to help put low-risk Canadians on the fast track when crossing the U.S. border, but at least 330,000 Canadians aren’t sure when their applications will be processed.
Ontario increases amount landlords can raise rent by highest level in a decade
Ontario is more than doubling the maximum rate a landlord can raise a tenant's rent next year – marking the highest rent increase guideline in the province in a decade.
NATO calls Russia its 'most significant and direct threat'
NATO declared Russia the 'most significant and direct threat' to its members' peace and security on Wednesday and vowed to strengthen support for Ukraine, even as that country's leader chided the alliance for not doing more to help it defeat Moscow.
Edmonton
-
Chains stolen in armed jewelry store robbery may be for sale online: EPS
Charges have been laid after an Edmonton jewelry store was robbed at gunpoint.
-
Man dies after being hit by train in Leduc
A 50-year-old man is dead after he was hit by a train in Leduc on Wednesday morning.
-
Talus Dome covered in spray paint
The silver balls, located on Whitemud Drive near Quesnell Bridge, appeared to have been vandalized with yellow graffiti.
Vancouver
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING | Opioid manufacturer agrees to $150M settlement after class-action lawsuit led by B.C. asks for $60B
British Columbia says a proposed $150-million settlement with Purdue Pharma Canada has been reached for the recovery of health-care costs related to the sale and marketing of opioid-based pain medicines.
-
U.S. hikers want to give 'big thanks' to mystery Good Samarians from Vancouver
A pair of U.S. hikers want to thank two Good Samaritans from Vancouver who came to their aid during a hike in California.
-
Cadavers needed: B.C. university dealing with decline in donation
It's not the typical type of donation sought, but the University of British Columbia is in need of particular items: cadavers.
Atlantic
-
LIVE NOW
LIVE NOW | Memorial service today for RCMP Const. Heidi Stevenson, killed in N.S. mass shooting
An RCMP officer who was among 22 people killed in the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting is being remembered today during a regimental memorial service in Halifax.
-
Mother forced to spend night sleeping on Toronto Pearson floor because of Air Canada delays
A mother of three children is speaking out after spending a night on the floor of Toronto Pearson Airport with her young kids in a nightmare weekend of travel.
-
Woman charged with accessory to murder in Halifax shooting
A second person has been charged in connection with the murder of a man in Halifax in March.
Vancouver Island
-
NEW
NEW | 2 officers undergo surgery, third in hospital after deadly Saanich bank shooting
Police in Saanich, B.C., kept an area near a bank evacuated overnight as they continue to investigate a possible explosive device linked to a deadly gunfight with two suspected bank robbers.
-
Rare lightning storm over Vancouver Island captured by photographers
Two northern Vancouver Island photographers captured some stunning images of a passing lightning storm this week.
-
2 suspects killed, 6 police officers injured in shooting at bank in Saanich, B.C.
Six police officers are in hospital with gunshot wounds and two suspects have been killed following a shooting at a bank in Saanich, B.C., on Tuesday.
Toronto
-
Ontario increases amount landlords can raise rent by highest level in a decade
Ontario is more than doubling the maximum rate a landlord can raise a tenant's rent next year – marking the highest rent increase guideline in the province in a decade.
-
Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez finishes cancer treatment
The voice of the Toronto Blue Jays has completed his cancer treatment and could head back to the broadcast booth as soon as next month.
-
OLG reveals where winning Lotto Max ticket for $70M jackpot was bought in Ontario
Someone in Ontario is waking up $70-million richer after Tuesday's Lotto Max jackpot was won by a single ticket holder in the province.
Montreal
-
LIVE AT 11:30 A.M.
LIVE AT 11:30 A.M. | Ahead of summer festivals, Quebec health officials warn of rising COVID-19 numbers
Ahead of the hustle and bustle of festival season in Montreal, Quebec health officials are asking people to stay vigilant amid rising COVID-19 numbers.
-
WATCH LIVE AT 1:30 P.M.
WATCH LIVE AT 1:30 P.M. | More arrests after fatal shooting of 15-year-old Meriem Boundaoui
Montreal police states more arrests have been made in connection with the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Meriem Boundaoui.
-
Quebec announces 3,000 social and affordable housing units
With the housing shortage hitting hard, Quebec announced Wednesday the construction of 3,000 social and affordable housing units, with the contribution of partners.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa broadcaster, entrepreneur Mark Sutcliffe running for mayor
Longtime Ottawa entrepreneur, broadcaster and author Mark Sutcliffe is running to become the next mayor of Ottawa.
-
Motor vehicle control zone comes into effect around Parliament Hill
A multi-block vehicle control zone is in effect around Parliament Hill, meant to prevent a second occupation of downtown Ottawa by protesters associated with last winter’s 'Freedom Convoy' movement.
-
Three dead, police watchdog called in after Ottawa stabbing
Ontario's police watchdog is investigating after Ottawa police officers shot and killed a man and injured a woman while responding to the stabbing deaths of two women.
Kitchener
-
Motorcyclist sustains life-threatening injuries in Kitchener crash
Two people have been transported to hospital after a crash on Ira Needles Boulevard in Kitchener.
-
Family of Black 4-year-old removed from school by police sues Waterloo Catholic board
The family of a Black four-year-old who was removed from school by police has filed a lawsuit against the Waterloo Catholic District School Board seeking $1 million in damages for what they says is the board's discrimination and negligence.
-
27-year-old identified as Hensall crash victim
Rodgerville Road near Hensall, Ont. is closed after a fatal crash.
Saskatoon
-
2 arrested following heavy police presence in Saskatoon neighbourhood
Saskatoon police say an investigation is ongoing, amidst a large police presence on Avenue J South between 21st and 22nd Street West.
-
Saskatoon Transit to end COVID-19 mask requirement
One of the longest-running measures of the pandemic was lifted during Monday's city council meeting.
-
'A big, wild experiment': Saskatoon sidewalk piano strikes a chord
A piano along Broadway Avenue store is striking a chord by giving anyone a chance to share their joy of music.
Northern Ontario
-
Ontario gas prices set to drop, but it may be short-lived
Ontario drivers should get a break at the pumps this weekend as the provincial government slashes its portion of the gas tax.
-
Sudbury’s Junction East budget now projected at more than $98M
City council in Sudbury gave the Junction East project its approval at Tuesday night’s meeting. The community hub will include the city’s main library, art gallery and multi-cultural-folk arts association under one roof at a cost of $98.5 million.
-
OLG reveals where winning Lotto Max ticket for $70M jackpot was bought in Ontario
Someone in Ontario is waking up $70-million richer after Tuesday's Lotto Max jackpot was won by a single ticket holder in the province.
Winnipeg
-
Conditions report outlines Manitoba’s flood risk, forecast for summer months
Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre has issued its 2022 Summer Conditions Report, calling for a higher than normal risk of flooding on most major lakes and near-seasonal temperatures.
-
Largest inflatable theme park opening in Winnipeg
Canada’s largest inflatable theme park is set to open in Winnipeg next week.
-
Two in hospital after scooter and vehicle collide in St. Boniface
Two people were taken to hospital in critical condition late Tuesday afternoon after vehicle and scooter collided in St. Boniface.
Regina
-
Mandatory sprinkler systems in new residential builds, Regina road upgrades on city council agenda
Mandatory fire sprinkler systems in new residential builds and the Arcola Avenue corridor study are some of the items on Regina City Council’s agenda for its Wednesday afternoon meeting.
-
Death investigation underway after body found on Rae Street: Regina police
A death investigation is underway after a man’s body was found on the 1200 block of Rae Street early Wednesday morning, Regina Police Service (RPS) said in a release.
-
Man not hurt after being robbed of his groceries: Regina police
A 36-year-old man was not hurt after he was approached by a man with a knife and robbed of his groceries south of downtown on Monday, the Regina Police Service (RPS) said in a release.