To the Point
JASON PETERS
To be honest, I was a little worried.
I was concerned that the National Hockey League lockout was going to end and that the three brightest stars of the Edmonton Oilers were going to get called back up to the big club. Of course, the lockout didn't end, and still hasn't. The NHL and the National Hockey League Players' Association seem content to flush yet another season down the toilet as they argue about how to divide the money that we, the fans, faithfully deposit into their coffers.
The way it's looking now, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall could remain with the Oilers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons, all year. But I was just relieved they were still with the Barons last Saturday night when Oklahoma City skated in Abbotsford against the Heat, the farm team of the Calgary Flames.
We were in the seats for the sold-out game.
When I say we, I mean myself, my wife Jana, our kids Will and Meg and our good friend, Andrea. We were seven rows off the ice, in perfect position to see both Barons' goals in a 2-1 overtime victory. Hall scored the first one from an impossible angle on a third-period power play and, after the Heat got an equalizer, Eberle set up rising-star defenceman Justin Schultz (formerly of the B.C. Hockey League's Westside Warriors) for the OT winner. Eberle gained the zone, made a curl on the right boards, and found Schultz in the high slot for a one-time snapper that zipped under the crossbar behind Heat goalie Danny Taylor.
Decked out in our Oilers jerseys, we leaped to our feet in celebration. So did three-quarters of the 7,000 fans in the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre. Really, the atmosphere was that of an Oilers home game, complete with 'Let's go Oilers' chants throughout the course of the evening.
Afterward, still vibrating with excitement, we went for a walk around the concourse. And who did we find signing autographs for a group of kids and parents? None other than Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins and Barons defenceman Colten Teubert. Quite the thrill. Had this been an NHL game, we would never have gotten that close to them. Will and Meg got autographs, I got pictures, and we all headed back to our hotel feeling very lucky to have shared in the experience.
For a few years now, Jana and I have been wanting to take our kids to an NHL game but the price tag has been prohibitive. Seeing the Barons and the Heat cost us just $27 per seat and the calibre of play was excellent -- not far off NHL standards. In fact, I've seen live NHL games that weren't anywhere near as entertaining, as millionaire players went through the motions of just another night on an endless schedule. The game we saw on Saturday was full of the passion that can only come from players who are still trying to make it to the bigs.
Even without guys like Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins and Hall on the ice, I'd go back to Abbotsford to see an AHL game anytime. The Heat's next home dates are Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 against the Hamilton Bulldogs, who are affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens and feature former Vancouver Giant and Team Canada forward Brendan Gallagher. For fans interested in local content, Prince George's Brett Bulmer and the rest of the Houston Aeros will be in Abbotsford March 1-2.
Maybe the NHL will be back this year, and maybe it won't. But, it's not the only pro hockey option.
If you feel like taking a road trip, you'll see what I mean.
