GLENCROSS, GAZDIC ON THIS YEAR’S BATTLE OF ALBERTA
By: Stephen Lylyk, RP Show Intern
Throughout history there is a specific set of sports rivalries which stands apart from the rest. These rivalries are referred to by a certain nickname when discussed in the sporting world.
The Battle of Alberta is one such rivalry; a feud which started in the 1980s between in-province foes the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames.
Both teams developed a fierce loathing of their opposition.
As Legendary Calgary Flames player Tim Hunter once put it on The Rod Pedersen Show, “I hated every single guy on the Oilers, cause they all hated me.”
The feud would culminate in a fierce 1991 series where Edmonton Oiler legend Esa Tikkanen’s OT winner in game 7 led to an Oilers victory.
While the memories of the 80s rivalry would remain through the years, ’91 would prove to be the last series between the provincial rival. Until 2022.
In the 2022 season the surprising Edmonton Oilers would upset their division rivals the Calgary Flames in 5 games advancing to the Western Conference Finals.
The significance of beating Calgary was not lost on Oiler head coach Jay Woodcroft as he exclaimed in his post series interview, “To do this against your archrival and close them out in their building, we will enjoy it.”
Both the Oilers and Flames look to remain strong heading into the 2022-23 NHL season.
The Flames had an active offseason replacing key players such as Johnny Gaudreau, and Matthew Tkachuk with new faces. With the new faces comes a new sense of excitement as Flames Alum Curtis Glencross exclaimed on the Rod Pedersen show Thursday.
“There’s excitement for the new guys in town,” said Glencross. “Those guys are excited to be here too and they want to be here. They’re going to be a fun team to watch this year.”
On the other side of the province the Oilers look to build off their surprise conference finals appearance. While new goaltender Jack Campbell will be a welcome addition, the key to the Oilers is what it has been for years.
As Oilers Alum Luke Gazdic explained on Thursday’s RP Show, all eyes will be on franchise stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
“You can’t really be depending on those guys for everything,” emphasized Gazdic.” “However the skill is unmatched in the NHL especially after adding Evander kane to that team the offense is fun to watch.”
While both fanbases in Alberta appreciate their teams success there is a sense of appreciation for the re-emergence of their historic rivalry.
“We didn’t really have that battle of Alberta feeling after the 80s,” shrugged Glencross. “It’s nice now to have that back in Alberta. It’s great for the province it’s great for the economy. Everyone’s excited for it.”
Current members of the Oilers and Flames also understand the significance of the rivalry. Prior to the 2022 playoff series Oilers forward Derek Ryan had this to say about a playoff edition of the Battle of Alberta.
“It’s huge. The Battle of Alberta is another level in the regular season. And now for us as players and fans and the cities, to have that rivalry exist in the playoffs is something special.”
The edition of the Battle of Alberta for the 2022-23 season is set to take place on Saturday October 15th at Rogers place in Edmonton.
(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV and WQEE Radio. Call your cable provider to subscribe. You can also watch on YouTube Live, or listen 24/7 at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive)
