4 minute read
Fans and Friends
Orange and Blue Forever for Willingdon Fans
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
The Stanley Cup. The coveted Holy Grail of hockey was bestowed upon the Florida Panthers following their victory over the Edmonton Oilers in game seven of the final series on June 24.
While the defeat was heartbreaking and disappointing for Oilers fans everywhere, loyal supporters of the orange and blue in Willingdon decided that win or lose they were going to celebrate the team’s accomplishment of making it all the way to the final game after being down three games to none, and coming back to win three straight to force a game 7.
With only minutes to go in the third period Florida fans were singing Bon Jovi’s famous song ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ and no divine intervention from the Hockey Gods could change the final outcome. George Kowalchuk, who farms only a mile from the hamlet of 250 people, lives and breathes hockey and was praying deep down for the Oilers to win and would have been a dream come true for him. While it was not meant to be, he will always remain true to the team.
The same goes for Barry Hrynevich, who played hockey in Willingdon, and later coached in Vegreville and Lloydminster. He recalled coaching a C team in Vegreville that made it all the way to Provincials as a big accomplishment and was proud of all the players who put it all on the line for the love of the game.
Barb Campbell, 80 years young, has been an Oilers fan since the team came into the NHL in the 1979-’80 season. Barb said that once the Oilers got on their winning streak she was hopeful they would make it to the playoffs. While earning a spot in the Stanley Cup finals was not something she envisioned, Barb was happy for the Oilers and grateful to be able to attend the Watch Party.
Brain Fodchuk never played organized hockey, but loved weekends in winter, as he played shiny hockey at the curling rink in Hairy Hill. Sporting his Oilers jersey with the Stanley Cup badge that he received for Father’s Day, he will be cheering the team on when the new season begins in early October.
Brian and his wife Karla, assisted Seniors Centre Acting President Monica Rosychuk organize the Watch Party that attracted 16 participants. Karla said the Watch Party was a nice way of bringing people together. Monica said everything was thrown together in a couple of days and all of the snacks were donated by members.
As Monica put it, “Every community needs community spirit.” The Watch Party is one of several events planned in the near future, and she hopes to revive floor curling. The Willingdon Seniors Centre hosts coffee three times a week, monthly bingo and pancake breakfast. Plans are in the works for a Canada Day barbecue and with the addition of eight new members, there will undoubtedly be more good times ahead.
Hockey Fever
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
Around 50 attendees exclaimed, ‘Awe’ and ‘All right’ during the Oilers Watch Party hosted by Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) No. 39 on June 24 at the RCL No. 39 Hall.
The Oilers played versus the Florida Panthers.
During the game on television, a few people commented that viewing this as a community was wonderful.
The final result was Florida won its first Stanley Cup, besting Edmonton 2-1 in game seven, after boasting a 3-0 lead in the title series.
A few Oilers’ fans were crying because if they had won, they would have become the first Canadian National Hockey League team to win the championship since 1993, when the Montreal Canadians beat the Los Angeles Kings. It would also have been the Oilers’ first Stanley Cup since 1990.
