Many Saskatchewan fans have flocked to Edmonton to take in Game 7 in Oiler country. (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)

By CKOM News Staff

Sask. fans hopeful Edmonton Oilers win Stanley Cup in Game 7

Jun 24, 2024 | 4:08 PM

Fans across Saskatchewan are eagerly anticipating Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday as the Edmonton Oilers face the Florida Panthers at 6 p.m.

Edmonton has a golden opportunity to bring home a sixth Stanley Cup for the first time since 1990. The team had a dynasty run in the 1980s when Wayne Gretzky led the team to four Cups in five seasons.

Across Saskatchewan, lifelong fans have soaked up the nerve-wracking series, with the Oilers losing the first three games of the best-of-seven before rebounding with three wins of their own.

Regina’s Joelene Zakaluzny is in Florida for tonight’s game.

“They’re going to win the cup,” she said in a previous interview with 980 CJME. “It’s going to be great for the whole community of Edmonton and everybody is cheering them on. For a Canadian team to win it’s going to be awesome.”

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Fishing Lake resident Rod Zwarych decided to carve a giant Oilers logo into his lawn to support his team

“I kind of stole the idea. A friend of mine sent me a picture of somebody in I assume Edmonton who had done it and he said you should do this on your lawn. My lawn just happened to be the right length – so I thought I’m a big Oilers fan so I’m going to show what kind of fan I am,” he explained.

Saskatoon’s William Dmytrow made an eerie prediction for an Oilers Stanley Cup win as his yearbook quote when he graduated from Centennial Collegiate in 2018.

“What if I predict the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup? I just picked a random date and did not think twice about it and here we are,” he said.

Viewing parties and how to watch Game 7

The Oilers may not be home for Game 7, but the Roger’s arena is packed with fans, prizes and an alumni autograph session. 650 CKOM’s Brent Bosker is in the stands to watch the historic night in NHL history.

Outside of the arena in the Moss Pit is where 650 CKOM’s Shane Clausing is stationed.

Jamie Nye and The Green Zone are hosting a Game 7 viewing party in Regina at the Acre 21 Boston Pizza.

Viewers at home have several options for watching the televised game tonight, which starts at 6 p.m. in Saskatchewan. Streaming service Fubo TV has the game for free, as does CBC. SportsNet and ESPN will carry the game live.

Saskatchewan connection to the Edmonton Oilers

There are 24 Canadian-born players on the team, including four from the Prairies.

Imperial, Sask. is the hometown of Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. 980 CJME’s Daniel Reech is in the community for a viewing party at the local rink.

Knoblauch took over the team’s bench boss in November after the Oilers hit a low point in the season. His father, Robert credits his son’s coaching expertise from time spent at the University of Alberta playing under Rob Daum.

“Kris noticed that the players played better and learned better when the coach was calm behind the bench,” Robert said in a previous interview.

Imperial, Sask. is the hometown of Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. (Town of Imperial/Facebook)

Edmonton Oilers 50-50 draw

Fans could see a record-breaking 50-50 jackpot on Monday night. As of 3 p.m., the total was over $12.5 million. Hopeful winners must be in Alberta to purchase a ticket for the 11 p.m. draw on Tuesday.

The Oilers hold the record for the highest NHL jackpot with a $14.2 million raffle awarded in August 2020.

Which teams won the Stanley Cup since the Oilers last victory?

2023: Vegas Golden Knights, Coach Bruce Cassidy
2022: Colorado Avalanche, Coach Jared Bednar
2021: Tampa Bay Lightning, Coach Jon Cooper
2020: Tampa Bay Lightning, Coach Jon Cooper

2019: St. Louis Blues, Coach Craig Berube
2018: Washington Capitals, Coach Barry Trotz
2017: Pittsburgh Penguins, Coach Mike Sullivan
2016: Pittsburgh Penguins, Coach Mike Sullivan
2015: Chicago Blackhawks, Coach Joel Quenneville
2014: Los Angeles Kings, Coach Darryl Sutter
2013: Chicago Blackhawks, Coach Joel Quenneville
2012: Los Angeles Kings, Coach Darryl Sutter
2011: Boston Bruins, Coach Claude Julien
2010: Chicago Blackhawks, Coach Joel Quenneville

2009: Pittsburgh Penguins, Coach Dan Bylsma
2008: Detroit Red Wings, Coach Mike Babcock
2007: Anaheim Ducks, Coach Randy Carlyle
2006: Carolina Hurricanes, Coach Peter Laviolette
2005: n/a
2004: Tampa Bay Lightning, Coach John Tortorella
2003: New Jersey Devils, Coach Pat Burns
2002: Detroit Red Wings, Coach Scotty Bowman
2001: Colorado Avalanche, Coach Bob Hartley
2000: New Jersey Devils, Coach Larry Robinson

1999: Dallas Stars, Coach Ken Hitchcock
1998: Detroit Red Wings, Coach Scotty Bowman
1997: Detroit Red Wings, Coach Scotty Bowman
1996: Colorado Avalanche, Coach Marc Crawford
1995: New Jersey Devils, Coach Jacques Lemaire
1994: New York Rangers, Coach Mike Keenan
1993: Montreal Canadiens, Coach Jacques Demers
1992: Pittsburgh Penguins, Coach Scotty Bowman
1991: Pittsburgh Penguins, Coach Bob Johnson
1990: Edmonton Oilers, Coach John Muckler

More to come…

With files from Canadian Press.