You won’t find many hockey fans in Calgary who are cheering for the Edmonton Oilers in these playoffs.
The rivalry between Calgary and Edmonton dates back more than a century, ages before the Flames and Oilers were ever a twinkle in anybody’s eye. When it comes to sports, politics, or anything else remotely competitive, the two cities just don’t like each other.
Sure, some folks are more diplomatic about the rivalry than others. But when it comes down to it, the Battle of Alberta is as fierce as it gets. Some hockey fans in Canada might be cheering for the Oilers to end the nation’s Stanley Cup drought. Very few of them are in Calgary.
Fittingly, representatives for the Calgary Tower, which dominates the skyline of Alberta’s largest city, felt the need to pre-emptively put out a statement on Sunday explaining why the iconic landmark will be lit up in blue and orange — AKA, Oilers colours — on Monday evening.
Just to be totally clear, the Calgary Tower will be lit Blue & Orange on Monday, June 10 for Action Anxiety Day – and for no other reason whatsoever.
We’ve got love for our neighbours to the north and all across this province, but no. Never.
— Calgary Tower (@TheCalgaryTower) June 9, 2024
“Just to be totally clear, the Calgary Tower will be lit Blue & Orange on Monday, June 10 for Action Anxiety Day – and for no other reason whatsoever,” read the message posted from the Tower’s official Twitter account. “We’ve got love for our neighbours to the north and all across this province, but no. Never.”
The Calgary Tower regularly lights up in different colours related to various themes, events, and causes. It often shines red and yellow lights during Flames games, and it also features a torch on its roof that is occasionally set ablaze (particularly during the Olympics).
In this case, the Tower will be lit up in Oilers colours for Action Anxiety Day, which raises awareness about anxiety disorders, on the same night that the Oilers take on the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.
The Tower has been in operation since 1968, adding a revolving restaurant in 1985 and the LED light shows in 2014. It is widely beloved by Calgarians and is considered an iconic part of the city’s skyline.
The Oilers will look to even their series against the Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL on Monday at 6:00 p.m. MT.
