Restaurants and pubs around Medicine Hat, busy with Oilers playoff run

“It’s been incredible actually and it’s, obviously the further they go, the more people want to come out because they didn’t think it was really going to happen,” Harty said.

“We don’t get Canadian teams in there too often that make it to the finals and now they came back from this big deficit and tonight they’re going to do it,” he added.

“It could be any Canadian team in there and I’d be rooting for them, but since it’s my team, I’m rooting even harder.”

Ashley Boles, co-owner of The North Sports Bar and Grill in Crescent Heights also an Oilers fan, is confident in her team.

“It’s been so exciting in here,” Boles said.

“Everybody’s so pumped for them to bring the cup back,” she added.

“There hasn’t been a reverse sweep in like 81 years. I think even if you’re not an Oilers fan, people are just so excited for it.”

Craig Van Maarion, co-owner of Dayz Off Pub, you guessed it another Oilers fan, said their phones have been busy.

“Well, we’re expecting a full house. We’re about three quarters booked up right now, so we’ll probably fill up,” Van Maarion said.

“It’ll be a great time for everybody involved, and there’ll be lots of cheering, a great fun atmosphere,” he added.

“Hopefully the Oilers can bring the Cup back to Canada. It’s good for all the sports bars and it’s good for business, and everybody comes out and has a good time and cheers.”

Harty has noticed the same with The Scoreboard.

“We’re getting lots of phone calls .We need to put lots of tables aside. Last Tuesday, which is a slower nights of the week, we were full in there. We didn’t expect that, but the people are coming out,” Harty said.

“Friday was amazing, especially with summertime. There’s lots of people have things to do, graduations, everything, but it’s bringing the people out.”

Rob Taylor, owner of the Mainliner Pub might not show the same affection for the Oilers as the other pub owners interviewed, but has got on board with the Oilers for their run.

“I’m from Ontario, so I’ve been a Toronto fan, I’m still cheering for the Oilers though,” Taylor said.

“Hopefully people get out, support local and get out there and have some fun with your friends and, and whatnot and cheer on the Oilers.”

Boles has noticed even non-hockey fans getting into the games.

“People, they’re just super excited,” Bowles said.

“Even if you’re not a hockey fan, people are just, it’s just the atmosphere is so fun. There’s been a lot more people coming in.”

Harty said the atmosphere is great in the pub during the games and having the place full of fans cheering on the team he supports is huge.

“It means everything, especially if you can’t even be at the game,” Harty said.

“The atmosphere in there makes you feel like you’re at the game. It’s so loud, everybody cheers, just like you’re at the actual hockey game.”

Wherever you are watching the game Monday night.

There is going to be a lot of people eager to see if the Oilers can bring the cup back to Canada for the first time since the Montreal Canadiens won in 1993.

Three years earlier in 1990 the Oilers hoisted their last championship.

by Jesse Gill

Restaurants and pubs around Medicine Hat, busy with Oilers playoff run

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