When you think of the best Battle of Alberta games you look back to the 80s and 90s. All the hits, trash talking, jaw dropping goals, and bench clearing brawls makes this rivalry special. Games between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers are always fun to watch and one of the most entertaining match ups every year.
With all the young talent in Alberta, it is inevitable that this match up will be back to what it once was. For a long time, the feud between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers has not been as competitive. This past season was the first time the Oilers and the Flames both made the playoffs in the same year since 2006.
Competitive
To be honest, Alberta has deserved better for a long time. The Calgary Flames have made the playoffs three times in the last nine years and the Oilers twice in the last eleven years. They have had some good regular season battles in that time but two teams in 24th and 26th place playing each other isn’t all that exciting.
It will be nice to look forward to a matchup where it’s not a battle for the draft lottery. But baby steps…. first they both need to prove that they can make the playoffs consistently.
Young Talent for the Flames and Oilers
The Flames and the Oilers both have players that other teams would kill for. We get the privilege of watching Johnny Gaudreau and Connor McDavid go head to head for a long time. As a Flames fan, it is a blessing and a curse to have to go against McDavid 4 times a year. He is a fun player to watch until your team has to play him. Even though Oilers fans may not admit it I’m sure they feel the same way about Gaudreau.
Antagonizers
Part of what makes this rivalry so special is the hatred they have for one another. You can always expect pushing, shoving, and lots of talking between the whistles. In the battle of Alberta, there is no shortage of pesky antagonizers on both sides of the puck.
Calgary has Matthew Tkachuk and Edmonton has Milan Lucic. I was not expecting Tkachuk to come into the NHL last year and be the tormentor that he is. Don’t get me wrong, I love it. He is the type of guy that you love to have on your team but hate to play against. He scores, hits, and isn’t afraid to get in your face and tell you what he thinks about you. Lucic has been a tough guy since his days in Boston and hasn’t changed a bit. He makes you look twice before going in the corner to get the puck and punishes you if you do.
Summary
Santa if you’re reading this all I am asking for Christmas this year is a Flames and Oilers matchup in the Playoffs. With the season fast approaching Alberta has a lot to look forward to. The future looks bright for both franchises and hopefully the start of a new era in Alberta.
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