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Calgary Herald

'Home away from home': Edmonton Oilers fans flock to Trolley 5 to watch Stanley Cup Final

Article content Waitstaff hustled to find seats for their customers, but people were patient, jovial even. Dressed in orange and blue jerseys — the colours of the Edmonton Oilers — it was shaping up to be a promising night. Article content Article content It's the first game of the Stanley Cup Final and the Oilers are set to play against the Florida Panthers. For longtime fans of the Oilers, this marks an especially emotional milestone — and the best place in town to celebrate? Trolley 5 Brewpub. Article content Article content 'It makes you feel like you're home,' Heather Johnstone said. Article content Article content Having grown up in Edmonton, Johnstone said she has always been an Oilers fan and brought her friends Dominique Mellafont and Jordan Aravena into the fold recently. The three sat in a corner on the first floor of the pub, all wearing Oilers colours, snacking on wings and beers. Article content It was Aravena's idea to watch the game at the pub, having watched the playoffs there a month ago. 'It was just full of energy,' she said. 'Like nothing you've ever seen before in a bar. Everyone's cheering, everyone's friends with each other. Just unbelievable energy.' Article content For Johnstone, the idea of watching the game at a bar surrounded by other Oilers lends a nostalgic comfort to the experience. 'It gives Oilers fans confidence to come out,' she said. 'I don't usually wear my jersey out there, unless I'm surrounded by other Oilers. Article content Article content 'We're like a family.' Article content Article content Trolley 5 has in recent years become an unofficial haven for Oilers fans in a city renowned for its loyalty towards the Calgary Flames, the Oilers' longtime rival. With reservations made more than two weeks out, the pub is often packed on nights when the games are on, with goers boldly dressed in their jerseys, cheering the team on on televisions hanging from every corner. Article content Walking into the pub Wednesday would find waitstaff wearing the jerseys and blue pom poms placed on the tables for customers on the upper floor. Article content Pub owner Ernie Tsu wore his own jersey and cap. He's a fan of both the Oilers and the Flames, he said. 'I was born and raised in (Calgary), but I love my province, it's as simple as that.'