Canada Unites Behind Edmonton Oilers in Stanley Cup Final
As the Edmonton Oilers take to the ice in the Stanley Cup final, a sense of national pride has swept across Canada, with many fans rallying behind the team as a symbol of Canadian unity. The Oilers’ success has brought the nation together, with seven Canadian teams competing in the NHL, but when it comes to the playoffs, most fans tend to support whichever Canadian team progresses furthest.
According to the BBC, this year’s final series has seen the Edmonton Oilers christened, by elimination, Canada’s team. "I think it’s just like, we need a cup as Canada," said Ms Duggan, a Canadian fan, in an interview with the BBC. "A lot of Canada is cheering for Edmonton."
The Oilers’ quest for the Stanley Cup has taken on added significance amidst heightened tensions between Canada and the United States, sparked by a testy trade war. The international rivalry came to a head during the winter’s 4 Nations Face Off, when US President Donald Trump made repeated jabs at Canada, calling it the "51st state". The comments sparked a strong reaction from Canadian fans, who booed the American national anthem during the game, and saw three fights break out on the ice during the first nine seconds of one game.
As the BBC reports, Canadian comedian Mike Meyers appropriated the hockey term "elbows up" as a rallying cry for Canadian sovereignty, shortly after Canada won the 4Nations. The slogan was even adopted by Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose hometown team is the Edmonton Oilers, during his election campaign.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has personally called the Panthers, who play about an hour away from his estate Mar-A-Lago, to offer his support. Despite this, temperatures between the two countries appear to have cooled, Ms Duggan told the BBC. However, she added that a Canadian win wouldn’t be a "cherry on top". "We’re not going to be bullied," she said, adding that she thinks "most Canadians know that most Americans are good people".
The sense of national pride and unity behind the Edmonton Oilers has been building, with many Canadians eager to see their team succeed on the world stage. As the BBC notes, a Canadian win would be seen as a triumph for the nation, and a symbol of its resilience in the face of international pressure. With the Stanley Cup final set to captivate audiences around the world, Canada will be watching with bated breath as the Edmonton Oilers take on their opponents in the quest for hockey’s most coveted prize.
The strong sense of community and national identity that has developed around the Edmonton Oilers is a testament to the enduring power of sport to unite people and transcend international borders. As the team battles it out on the ice, Canadians from coast to coast will be rallying behind them, hoping to bring the Stanley Cup north of the border and celebrate a hard-won victory.
Canada’s interest in the outcome of this series will undoubtedly reflect on national TV viewing figures. As reported by the BBC, Canadian fans will be cheering their team on.
