'Want to win for the fans': Edmonton Oilers thrive under pressure of hockey-mad city
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All that's missing is a sign that reads, 'Do not bang on the glass, as it scares the reporters.' Or, 'Please don't throw food at the reporters.'
The post-game news conferences, and the fan hulabaloo that surrounds them, is just a sign of how much the Oilers mean to Edmontonians. And it's also a sign of why there's so much pressure on the shoulders of the players who wear the blue and orange.
'I think the pressure is higher than it's ever been,' said Chris Joseph, who played with the Oilers from 1987-1994. 'I think that's because it's such a high-profile game, now. There's so much money at stake. Edmonton has a bit of a history with Cups, the pressure is higher now than it was even in our era, the '80s and '90s.'
Quieting the outside noise
And dealing with the pressure and outside noise is a balancing act. Take current Oilers defenceman John Klingberg, who loves the fact the fans here care so much, but also puts limits on how much he exposes himself to the outside world.
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