2 weeks Ago By Cam Tait
Article content Just win, baby. I apologize, profusely, for bringing such a jarring trio of words into this most hallowed and sacred weekend, Easter, where the Christian faith — of which I am a most proud servant — celebrates new life. New hope.
Yet, the Al Davis battle cry to rally his Los Angeles Raiders in the 1980s mightily circles around another sport, hockey, at this time of year, with just as much reverence, it-ain’t-over-until-it’s-over attitude and raw gusto. Are you ready, Edmonton? Best buckle up. We’re about to get on a spring roller-coaster, with more ups and downs than an Ardrossan farmer assaulting a field for the first time this spring: a harrow and a plow behind his John Deer.
Thank goodness those tractor air suspension seats. The Oilers are taking their final day, contemplating their fate by their Los Angeles hotel’s pool, Sunday, before the go button is engaged. The Stanley Cup playoffs await.
Can we handle the heat? Here’s a quick web search. Did you know high-stakes games can make you ..
. ho–y? Research shows lines aren’t the only thing changing. Big games trigger release of adrenalin, cortisol, and testosterone, leading to — oh, my — increased heart and off-the-charts emotional stress.
OK, then. Moving on. It’s so much more fun being part of a community watching the Oilers in the postseason.
We have lots of opportunities for that. Oilers watch parties for away games at Rogers Place with ticket prices going to the Edmonton Oilers Foundation, gathering in the (Joey) Moss Pit, restaurants and bars, in person at Rogers Place, and in countless watch parties, from Belmead to Beverly, from Ellerlesie to Eastwood, and all Edmonton companies. And we all need to have a few — operative words being “a few” — wobbly pops, a burger or pizza, snacks, perhaps a cab ride home, and if cousin Charlie is in town — that private guy, you know — someone might need a hotel or motel room.
Research says in last year’s playoffs, a booming slap shot came into the Edmonton economy, bringing $179 million in the first three rounds. Then, much of the hockey world — media, scouts, team management teams, and transplanted Edmontonians who have moved away but come home when something big is happening in Edmonton — descends on our town. And added another $98 million in the finals.
It’s beyond impressive. But there are two things which are even more remarkable. Going back to the psychology piece of this journalistic journey, research says when the home team wins, the citizens have increased self-esteem.
I mean, we feel a part of the team, even though we have never taken a shot nor shift, don’t we? Sure do. Fifty-fifty draw. Ever hear of it? The Oilers 50/50 draw was out of this world in the playoffs, totalling $27.
5 million, including a record setting $21.6 million in Game 7 — a road game for the Oilers. That meant the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation received $13.
75 million to help charities including the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Ben Stelter Foundation and Kids with Cancer Society. Consider that, with the increased self-esteem of Edmontonions, the Oilers winning in the Stanley Cup playoffs is, simply, priceless..
