The Edmonton Oilers can feel the Toronto Blue Jays’ pain.
They just didn’t need to feel it in the middle of their own game.
The Oilers admit they were a little surprised, and somewhat distracted, when Game 7 of the World Series game between the Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers was shown, with sound, on the Rogers Place scoreboard during breaks in play Saturday night.
Players who are trying to focus on their own game against the Chicago Blackhawks probably don’t need to see somebody else’s game being broadcast at the same time, but there it was.
“That was really, really strange,” said Oilers captain Connor McDavid. “Obviously, we’re all on the Jays bandwagon and everyone is wanting them to win, but it’s strange to have it on during the game, listening to the (Oilers) crowd (cheering for a baseball game).
“It was distracting for sure, I’m glad they shut it off in the third.”
Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during NHL action on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in Edmonton.
It was a first for McDavid, that’s for sure.
“It was bizarre,” he said. “I found myself watching the Jays game sitting on the bench, and then listening to the crowd (cheer for another game) while I was on the ice. I was like ‘What just happened.’ It was very strange.”
Even Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch wondered what was going on as he tried to manage Edmonton’s game while trying to ignore the roars of the hometown crowd.
“There were times when it looked like the Jays were going to win, there was cheering, and I thought they had won it. Then they kept on showing the game. I was wondering what had happened, I thought they’d done it.”
Defenceman Evan Bouchard tried his best to tune it all out, but you can’t not watch highlights from Game 7 of a World Series game.
“It was definitely different, but it was about focusing on the game,” he said. “That’s hard to do when you have another game on and the fans are cheering, but we managed to do that and got the win out of it.”
The Oilers know a thing or two about what it’s like to be Canada’s Team, and then to lose a Game 7 heartbreaker. From that perspective, McDavid sends his best wishes to a team he’s been cheering for since he was a kid.
“It was a historic moment,” he said. “I couldn’t be more gutted for those guys. Obviously, we know what that feels like. It’s been a fun run; they gave Canada a lot to cheer about, and they should be very proud of themselves.
“Throughout the summer and the last two months, especially, they’ve really brought people together, and that’s what it’s all about. They should be very proud and hold their heads high. It’s a special group.”
E-mail: rtychkowski@postmedia.com
Related