Edmonton Oilers return to the scene of their greatest heartbreak
And, now, after splitting the first two games of the 2025 Cup final at Rogers Place, the Oilers are back in Sunrise, Fla. Back in the place where they shed their tears.
Is there an emotional hangover?
Defenceman Mattias Ekholm said it's fitting that the team is back in Florida in June.
'It's obviously for the right reasons,' he said. 'It feels good.'
And he said players can't hide from the strong emotions that the Cup brings.
'That's what this is. That's what everybody feels. Everybody cares in there. This is what everybody wants, it's the ultimate.'
The Oilers played in Florida in late February, losing 4-3 as part of a four-game swoon that followed the Four Nations. But the trip to South Florida allowed the Oilers to exorcise a lot of the demons. They used that same dressing room.
It's no longer time to look back, said Ekholm.
'And I think everybody is so focused, it doesn't matter what room we walk into,' said Ekholm. 'We just focus on the task at hand.'
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