The Edmonton Oil Kings are close to delivering the city of Edmonton their second championship in three seasons. Game Six begins in a few short minutes, and gives us a chance to scream and yell and celebrate the beautiful game in our town.

There was a time in this fair land when championship teams could be found on every street corner. Over at Northlands, giants skated opponents out of the rink and beat them in the alley on the way to Stanley. Down the street, Warren Moon’s spiral cut through the north wind like a rocket, and Earl Grey’s mug spent a generation in our town.

For many years, our town has seen tough times. We argue ourselves in circles about the NHL team, like a dog chasing it’s tail. It would be hilarious if it weren’t so damn sad, and one wonders if some of us will see a turnaround in our lifetime.

A community like ours, isolated and alone, produces entrepreneurs and loyalty in equal measure, and both are legion. Tonight, we have a chance to celebrate our Oil Kings, teenagers who play the game for pennies and are delivering 50 wins a year like it’s no big deal.

Bless you boys, you bring joy and happiness to our town.

Beat Portland. Godspeed.