Hockey's ultimate rat Brad Marchand took big bite out of Oilers in Game 2
Article content
It was the first time in Oilers history they had ever lost a Cup final game in OT. Jari Kurri (1987 against the Flyers), Petr Klima (1990 triple OT to beat the Bruins), Fernando Pisani (2006 shorthanded to stun the Hurricanes) and Leon Draisaitl in Game 1 Wednesday were all W's until Marchand struck.
You dirty rat…
In between his goals, there was a near-one from the trade deadline steal in the first OT period, when Marchand was robbed by a Skinner pad save, then slid the puck under the goalie and out the other side. And, the face washes, the snow showers in the crease, the fake chicken wing thrown at Leon Draisaitl when the former Boston Bruins' captain skated by both Oiler players.
Even one verbal Tale of the Tape exchange at a face-off where Marchand and fellow smurf Viktor Arvidsson are going at it, with Marchand quite possibly saying, 'I could eat an apple off your head.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
‘He's a battler': Veteran Corey Perry playing key role for Oilers in Stanley Cup final
Mark Hunter remembers pulling Corey Perry aside for a chat. The co-owner and general manager of the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights wanted to make sure his player understood the consequences. 'Grit, hitting people and punching people,' Hunter recalled of the skinny teenager's on-ice approach. 'He was like 160 pounds … 'Seriously Corey, don't be doing that. You might get hurt by somebody.' 'But he didn't want to be pushed around. There was desire to be the best.' Story continues below advertisement Not much has changed. The 40-year-old Oilers winger in his 20th NHL season is playing important minutes and making big contributions as Edmonton sits tied 1-1 with Florida in a Stanley Cup final rematch. Promoted to the team's top line alongside superstar captain Connor McDavid since Zach Hyman suffered a dislocated wrist last round, Perry forced overtime with 17.8 seconds remaining in regulation in Friday's Game 2 before the defending champion Panthers secured a 5-4 victory in double OT. The motivation remains the same as when he played for the Knights. 'To win,' said Perry, who was selected 28th overall by Anaheim at the 2003 draft and won his only Cup with the Mighty Ducks in 2007. 'I love being around the rink, I love being around the guys, I love the competitive fire that's still inside me.' The Peterborough, Ont., product joined the Oilers midway through last season following an ugly end to his brief stint with the Chicago Blackhawks. 1:36 Edmonton Oilers sign veteran forward Corey Perry Signed to mentor an up-and-coming roster, the club terminated his deal in November 2023 after alleging he violated his standard player contract and team policies 'intended to promote professional and safe work environments.' Neither the Blackhawks nor Perry were willing to provide details. Story continues below advertisement Perry apologized for his actions and said he'd started seeking help for alcohol abuse before signing with Edmonton after a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The situation that happened, it happened,' Perry said earlier this week. 'I've dealt with it and I've learned from it. It was unfortunate.' McDavid said Perry's calming presence was for a team that roared back to force Game 7 in last year's final against the Panthers after falling behind 3-0 in the title series. View image in full screen Oilers forwards Corey Perry (90) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, back right, celebrate Perry's tying goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, on Friday, June 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck 'Makes great, subtle, little plays,' said Edmonton's No. 97. 'His gamesmanship, understands the ebbs and flows of the games, the intricacies that not every fan sitting at home understands. He's played in every big game.' Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Perry was crucial in last year's run to the final that ended in heartbreak. Story continues below advertisement 'Allowed the team to settle things down,' said the second-year head coach. 'When he spoke, guys listened because of the respect that they have for him.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "When he spoke, guys listened because of the respect that they have for him." Dale Hunter — Mark's brother and the Knights' head coach who had Perry in London from 2001 to 2005 — said his passion for the game hasn't wavered. 'He's a battler,' said Dale Hunter, who won the Memorial Cup with Perry in his final junior season before the Knights also climbed Canadian junior hockey's mountain in 2016 and again last month. 'He loved hockey, and it's never changed.' The Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP in 2011 with Anaheim has 448 goals and 487 assists for 935 points across 1,392 contests with six franchises over his two decades in the league. He's added 62 goals, including eight this spring alone, and 77 assists for 139 points in 233 playoff contests. Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse said he and Perry, who is in his sixth Cup final and plans to play a 21st campaign in 2025-26, have talked about their past battles. 'We've had some fun moments,' said Nurse. 'He's been so important for this group – the experience and all the big moments that he's played in.' Perry, who had 19 goals and 11 assists in 81 games in 2024-25 while averaging just under 12 minutes of ice time, said getting ready each summer — especially the short ones after long post-season runs — is an increasing challenge. Story continues below advertisement 'You try to give your body some time to rest,' he said. 'But you're also like, 'Man, we've got to be back in camp in six weeks.'' These are good times for Perry. His seven-year-old son, Griffin, is a staple around the Oilers, including at NHL media day before the start of the Cup final. He's also been through some tough times. Apart from the contract termination in Chicago, he was bought out of the final two years of his long-term deal with the Ducks in June 2019 for salary-cap reasons. 'The highest of highs and some pretty low moments,' he said. 'I use that as motivation.' Mark Hunter said players — their desires and priorities — often change with age. Story continues below advertisement But not Perry. 'They lose that gleam in their eye,' Hunter said. 'If you watch him, there is excitement, passion, desire, loving the moment. It's hard to find at 40. People don't usually have that, but he does. 'Makes him special.' –with files from The Canadian Press' Daniel Rainbird
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘He's a battler': Veteran forward Corey Perry playing key role for Oilers
EDMONTON – Mark Hunter remembers pulling Corey Perry aside for a chat. The co-owner and general manager of the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights wanted to make sure his player understood the consequences. 'Grit, hitting people and punching people,' Hunter recalled of the skinny teenager's on-ice approach. 'He was like 160 pounds … 'Seriously Corey, don't be doing that. You might get hurt by somebody.' 'But he didn't want to be pushed around. There was desire to be the best.' Not much has changed. The 40-year-old Oilers winger in his 20th NHL season is playing important minutes and making big contributions as Edmonton sits tied 1-1 with Florida in a Stanley Cup final rematch. Promoted to the team's top line alongside superstar captain Connor McDavid since Zach Hyman suffered a dislocated wrist last round, Perry forced overtime with 17.8 seconds remaining in regulation in Friday's Game 2 before the defending champion Panthers secured a 5-4 victory in double OT. The motivation remains the same as when he played for the Knights. 'To win,' said Perry, who was selected 28th overall by Anaheim at the 2003 draft and won his only Cup with the Mighty Ducks in 2007. 'I love being around the rink, I love being around the guys, I love the competitive fire that's still inside me.' The Peterborough, Ont., product joined the Oilers midway through last season following an ugly end to his brief stint with the Chicago Blackhawks. Signed to mentor an up-and-coming roster, the club terminated his deal in November 2023 after alleging he violated his standard player contract and team policies 'intended to promote professional and safe work environments.' Neither the Blackhawks nor Perry were willing to provide details. Perry apologized for his actions and said he'd started seeking help for alcohol abuse before signing with Edmonton after a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. 'The situation that happened, it happened,' Perry said earlier this week. 'I've dealt with it and I've learned from it. It was unfortunate.' McDavid said Perry's calming presence was for a team that roared back to force Game 7 in last year's final against the Panthers after falling behind 3-0 in the title series. 'Makes great, subtle, little plays,' said Edmonton's No. 97. 'His gamesmanship, understands the ebbs and flows of the games, the intricacies that not every fan sitting at home understands. He's played in every big game.' Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Perry was crucial in last year's run to the final that ended in heartbreak. 'Allowed the team to settle things down,' said the second-year head coach. 'When he spoke, guys listened because of the respect that they have for him.' Dale Hunter — Mark's brother and the Knights' head coach who had Perry in London from 2001 to 2005 — said his passion for the game hasn't wavered. 'He's a battler,' said Dale Hunter, who won the Memorial Cup with Perry in his final junior season before the Knights also climbed Canadian junior hockey's mountain in 2016 and again last month. 'He loved hockey, and it's never changed.' The Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP in 2011 with Anaheim has 448 goals and 487 assists for 935 points across 1,392 contests with six franchises over his two decades in the league. He's added 62 goals, including eight this spring alone, and 77 assists for 139 points in 233 playoff contests. Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse said he and Perry, who is in his sixth Cup final and plans to play a 21st campaign in 2025-26, have talked about their past battles. 'We've had some fun moments,' said Nurse. 'He's been so important for this group — the experience and all the big moments that he's played in.' Perry, who had 19 goals and 11 assists in 81 games in 2024-25 while averaging just under 12 minutes of ice time, said getting ready each summer — especially the short ones after long post-season runs — is an increasing challenge. 'You try to give your body some time to rest,' he said. 'But you're also like, 'Man, we've got to be back in camp in six weeks.'' These are good times for Perry. His seven-year-old son, Griffin, is a staple around the Oilers, including at NHL media day before the start of the Cup final. He's also been through some tough times. Apart from the contract termination in Chicago, he was bought out of the final two years of his long-term deal with the Ducks in June 2019 for salary-cap reasons. 'The highest of highs and some pretty low moments,' he said. 'I use that as motivation.' Mark Hunter said players — their desires and priorities — often change with age. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. But not Perry. 'They lose that gleam in their eye,' Hunter said. 'If you watch him, there is excitement, passion, desire, loving the moment. It's hard to find at 40. People don't usually have that, but he does. 'Makes him special.' — With file from Daniel Rainbird in Rimouski, Que. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Carson Hocevar living the dream back home in Michigan as aggressive, headline-grabbing NASCAR driver
BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) — Carson Hocevar grew up 80 miles west of Michigan International Speedway, where he attended his first race at the age of 5. As a kid in Portage, he dreamed of becoming a NASCAR driver that people talked about. The 22-year-old Hocevar got his wish. He knocked Ricky Stenhouse Jr. out of last week's race at Nashville and his aggressive style has created a buzz in a sport that traditionally has young drivers trying to find the line between aggressive and reckless driving. 'It's cool to be talked about,' Hocevar said Saturday, a day ahead of the FireKeepers Casino 400. 'Obviously, you want to be talked about maybe in a different light. 'But I mean, at least they're talking, right? And, I think that's big for me.' Hocevar called Stenhouse earlier in the week to discuss their contact on Lap 106 of 300 at Nashville, where Stenhouse was bumped from behind and sent into a wall. Both said the conversation was productive. 'I don't think he crashed me on purpose,' Stenhouse said. 'But I think he was super impatient. 'We've never had any issues. He's had plenty of issues with other people.' Hocevar, in his second full Cup season, was behind only winner Ryan Blaney at Nashville to match the career-best, second-place finish he had earlier this year. At the race in Atlanta, several drivers complained about Hocevar over the radio or some addressed their concerns face to face in pit lane. Blaney, who got turned by Hocevar in the final stage of the race, and Ross Chastain confronted him in February. Chastain sounded frustrated that Hocevar, who drives the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, has not appeared to learn from his mistakes. His latest move was reckless, Chastain said. 'Yeah, 47 spun off his front bumper,' he said. 'Been there, done that.' Blaney has, too. 'You can say you're sorry all you want, but if you don't learn from them and make a change, then everyone thinks you're lying,' Blaney said. A new wrinkle NASCAR's 'In-season Challenge' will begin seeding drivers Sunday and at the following two races in Mexico City and at Pocono. The results will create a field of 32 drivers, who will race for a $1 million prize over a five-race competition starts June 28 at Atlanta. Single elimination will reduce the field to 16 in Chicago, eight at Sonoma, four in Dover and the final two on July 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The NBA has had success with a similar format. 'It's like the March Madness bracket,' said Blaney, whose No. 12 Ford finished first last week at Nashville. 'You want to do well to seed yourself against an easier opponent. 'It could be big. It could grow. I think it's a great idea. Why not try it? You're still going to have racing. It's just going to be a race within the race between all the guys.' Pressing priorities Denny Hamiln is prepared to leave his No. 11 Toyota behind this weekend to join his fiancé, Jordan, who is due to give birth to a baby boy — their third child — at any time. Hamlin, who is also juggling his role as the co-owner of a team suing NASCAR, said he would skip next week's race in Mexico City if necessary to witness the birth of his boy. Hendrick's drought Hendrick Motorsports has won a record 316 Cup races, but hasn't finished first at Michigan in more than a decade. Jeff Gordon's third win on the track was the team's ninth and that was way back on Aug. 17, 2014. 'It's just kind of surprising because I don't feel like it's a track that we struggle at by any means,' said Kyle Larson, who drives the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick. 'Every time we've been here, we've been one of the fastest and up front. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'It's not a track like Nashville, where where we struggle.' Odds and Ends Larson at +300 is the betting favorite to win Sunday, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, followed by points leader William Byron (+375), defending race champion Tyler Reddick (+500) and Christopher Bell (+550). ___ AP auto racing:
