the final battle of alberta of the year
Here at Keener Jerseys, the Battle of Alberta is always a big deal, and this weekend’s edition should be a doozy.
The bad blood between these two teams dates back to the 1980s, when the Flames and Oilers were two of the best teams in the league. Every Stanley Cup Final from 1983 to 1990 featured one of these two squads. This is quite possibly the most bitter rivalry the sport has ever seen — yeah, even more than the Leafs-Habs or Wings-Avs. There, I said it.
Don’t believe me? Well, I’ve gathered some pretty convincing evidence to make my case. So, if it would please the court, I submit to you all the awesomest moments that make Alberta’s Uncivil War the best on-going quarrel in hockey.
exhibit a: gretzky's snipe
You had to know that the Great One was going to make an appearance on this list at some point. Gretz scored 230 points against the Flames during his career, the most against any single team except for the Canucks (239). But, of all the goals and all the assists Wayne amassed against the Flames, the most legendary has got to be his short-handed OT laser to the top corner in the 1988 Smythe Division final against the Flames in Calgary.
Legend has it, after that goal, as the zamboni driver was heading onto the ice, Wayne told the driver not to bother cleaning the ice, and just to take the ice out because their season was over. One of the only times anybody had heard any sort of attitude from the usually humble 99.
If one thing in this life is certain, it’s that number 99 sure did love scoring on his provincial rivals.
exhibit b: craig mctavish vs harvey the hound
When it comes to the Oilers-Flames feud, it isn’t just the players that get riled up. It’s the coaches and even the mascots, too.
In January of 2003, the Oil found themselves down 4–0 to the Flames heading into the third period, and the Calgary faithful were feeling it. Ever the troublemaker, Flames mascot Harvey the Hound took it upon himself to taunt Oilers coach Craig McTavish.
Well, McTavish wasn’t having it, and when Harvey leaned over the glass, Radish reached out and pulled out Harvey the Hound’s tongue, before throwing it back into the crowd. Apparently, MacT wasn’t going to take his licks lying down.
After that the Oilers scored three straight, but it wasn’t enough, and after the game a triumphant Harvey the Hound returned to the ice with an even bigger tongue!
Gritty and Harvey aren’t so different, after all!
exhibit c: eberle's epic first nhl goal
The pressure cooker of rivalries like the BOA can produce a lot of diamonds. Players often rise to the occasion — like a fresh-faced Jordan Eberle did back in 2010.
Eberle scored one of the sickest first NHL goals ever, on a third period short-handed semi-breakaway, finishing with a dangle and a deke against Flames great, Miikka Kiprusoff.
You’d be hard pressed to find a finer first big league tally. What a dagger!
There are good “welcome to the NHL” moments, and then there is THIS.
exhibit d: theo fleury's o.t. pick six
The first round playoff series between the Oilers and the Flames in 1991 was an intense battle for the ages. Mark Messier’s brutal elbow to Rick Nattress’ head sums up the tone of the series pretty succinctly.
So, with emotions on high, the stage was set for one of the most iconic goals in NHL playoff history, when the Little Engine That Could, Theoren Fleury, intercepted a Mark Messier pass and broke away from the pack in overtime to score the game six winner, evening the series at three.
The celly has become even more recognizable than the goal itself, which just goes to show how much emotion gets poured out onto the ice every time these two teams meet.
There are a lot of legendary goal celebrations, but this one has to be top five.
exhibit e: risebrough destroys mcsorely's jersey
It’s no McTavish vs. Harvey the Hound, but Doug Risebrough and legendary tough guy, Marty McSorely gave us a pretty good show in the 1986 edition of the Battle of Alberta.
The Oilers were up 4–1 on the hometown Flames in the middle frame, tempers flared, and a huge line brawl ensued. During the melee the Flames’ Doug Risebrough squared off with McSorely, one thing led to another, and Marty lost his hockey sweater.
After the dust settled, Risebrough grabbed McSorely’s tarp and took it to the penalty box with him.
“I throw it on the floor, and start cutting it up. And I’m thinking ‘Gee, I didn’t do a very good job, I don’t see any marks.’ Well, when I held it up, the light comes through it and I’m thinking ‘Holy s–!’ Well, I give it to the guy in the box, he tosses it to (McSorley) and he goes ballistic.”
Oilers coach Glen Sather was none too pleased about the incident either, and he demanded that Risebrough pay to replace the hockey jersey. Risebrough called Sather the next day to apologize, and according to Risebrough, Slats found the whole thing amusing in retrospect, and just laughed it off with Risebrough.
Ah, sportsmanship.
Gloves dropped! Chaos everywhere!
exhibit f: steve smith's own-goal
Exhibit F for “Fail”. Easily the biggest moment in Battle of Alberta history came in game seven of the 1986 Smythe Division finals.
With the game tied 2–2 in the third period, Oilers defenseman Steve Smith accidentally banked the puck off the back of goalie Grant Fuhr’s leg and into his own net. It would be the eventual series winning goal.
The funny thing about this goal, though, is everybody seems to remember it happening in the dying seconds of the game, but there was actually 15 minutes still to play. Just one of the many Mandela Effects in hockey that I’ve noticed over the years.
my prediction:
This year the Oilers look like the better squad and they lead the season series 2–1, but all bets are off when it comes to the Battle of Alberta. Historically, the Flames have the best B.O.A. all-time record at 144-132-19-6 (W-L-T-OTL), but the Oilers have the better head-to-head playoff record (23-12).
The real winners here truly are the fans. For all we know, we could see the Calgary Zamboni driver fight the Oilers’ equipment managers- it’s not much of a stretch.
If I had to predict a winner, I have to go with McDavid and the Oilers. They’re just better than the Flames this year.
If you liked this article and you want to see me gloat/concede on my prediction, sign up for the 4 Shots with Keener newsletter. It comes in hot right to your email inbox every Friday, and it’s always full of weird and wonderful takes on hockey jerseys and hockey culture.
See you next week!
