Edmonton Oilers return to the scene of their greatest heartbreak
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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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Winnipeg Free Press
24 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
NASCAR's Mexico City race: Daniel Suarez balances racing at home with uncertainty over contract
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CTV News
36 minutes ago
- CTV News
Oilers likely making a change for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. Who starts in goal is a mystery
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Edmonton Journal
2 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Oilers fan from Down Under lands in Florida, then Edmonton for Cup final
Shane Pask flew from Australia to Sunrise for Game 4, then will be flying and busing to Edmonton for Game 5 Shane Pask made the long journey from the twin cities of Albury-Wodonga, Australia to Sunrise, Fla., to see his favourite sports team take on the Florida Panthers in Game 4. On Friday, he will take a couple of flights to get to Calgary, then jump on a bus for Edmonton, all to ensure he'll be at Saturday's Game 5 at Rogers Place. Photo by Shane Pask flew from Australia t Miami, Fla. — If you're at Edmonton's Rogers Place for Game 5 and hear a distinctly Australian accent, chances are you've met Shane Pask. Pask made the long journey from the twin cities of Albury-Wodonga, Australia to Sunrise, Fla., to see his favourite sports team take on the Florida Panthers in Game 4. On Friday, he will take a couple of flights to get to Calgary, then jump on a bus for Edmonton, all to ensure he'll be at Saturday's Game 5 at Rogers Place. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'It's been unreal,' he said. 'I wanted to try to get over to this last year, but I had family commitments and work commitments. I couldn't go and I was kicking myself, and my wife said this year, 'you can't miss out on the opportunity twice. You've just got to do it.'' He said when the Panthers and Oilers looked destined for rematch, it was as if the world was sending him a message. 'It's been one of my lifelong dreams to go to a Cup and see the Oilers.' So. how does a guy living in a city of about 100,000 people, halfway between Canberra and Melbourne, become an Oilers fan? When he was young, he first experienced hockey through the PlayStation. He loved the speed of the game. And then he watched a few games. And, of course, the most famous hockey player in the world was Wayne Gretzky. Later in life, he spent a year living in Vancouver, but there was no way he was switching his allegiance to the Canucks. Essential Oilers news, insight, opinion and analysis. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I was, like, this game is unreal,' said Pask. 'The speed that it's played at, the toughness of it, and I've just followed it every year since. I like all the snow sports.' When the Oilers play at home, the games face off at about 10 a.m, in Albury-Wodonga. So, if it's a Saturday night game, Pask is spending his Sunday morning cheering on Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse. We have to mention Darnell Nurse, because he's the favourite player of one of Pask's sons. He has four kids, and he's spread his Oilers fandom to them. When he gets back to Australia, he's going to have a lot of stories to tell. 'I've never been to Edmonton, so I'm looking forward to getting out there and checking out the actual city, as well. I don't think there's a better time of year to be there. I hear the crowd noise is out of control. I'm in.' He said hockey's popularity in Australia is building, there's a few local teams now. But, living in a place where it's so hot all of the time, it's hard for an ice sport to really take hold. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But, he has a couple of friends who are also hard-core NHL fans. 'I've got a couple of mates who like it, there's this one mate who's right into it, but he's a Rangers fan, so he's not that much of a mate, really. But when the Rangers played L.A. in the Cup a, he flew over and when he got back he told me, 'mate, you've got to do it, it's the best ever. 'Rangers lost for him, but hopefully Oilers can come back and win it for me. Last year, when they had their backs up against the wall, that's when they really dug in and fought back to level the series. Hopefully they do more than come back and level it this year.' 'Backs up against the wall.' 'Dug in.' He's already got the hockey lingo down pat. 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