As Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final gets underway tonight, the Town of Cochrane is showing its pride and support for Alberta’s team on hockey’s biggest stage.
Though geographically closer to Calgary, the town raised the Edmonton Oilers flag at The Station at Cochrane Crossing to cheer on the Canadian contenders as they take on the Florida Panthers.
“It’s been several decades since a Canadian team has brought home the Stanley Cup,” said Coun. Morgan Nagel. “Even though we’re much closer to Calgary than we are to Edmonton, we want to show our support regardless — it’s not only a Canadian team, but an Albertan team as well.”
Members of Town Council and local residents turned out wearing Oilers jerseys for the flag-raising ceremony. The gesture, Nagel noted, reflects more than just hockey spirit.
“I think our community, our province, and our country — now more than ever — need something to bring us together,” he said. “Hockey is exactly that. There’s going to be fans in Florida chanting ‘U.S.A! U.S.A!’ so we better match that.”
The Oilers will host the Panthers tonight at Rogers Place in Edmonton for Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.
