WESTLOCK — There’s a buzz of anticipation across Alberta today, including here in Westlock, thanks to the phenomenal playoff run and comeback by the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Oilers are preparing to face the Florida Panthers in Game 7 tonight at the Amarant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL. starting at 6 p.m. The winner will bring home the Stanley Cup.
“There is a lot of excitement. I think people are really excited for tonight and we all will be glued to the television as much as possible,” said Apollo Pizza owner, David Truckey. “This is the seventh watch party we’re holding this playoff season. Each time we’ve had more and more people coming to watch (the game) in (the restaurant).”
Westlock's Boston Pizza will also be airing the game tonight and noted busy crowds as well throughout the playoffs.
Truckey said there's been a high number of take out orders on game days, during the playoffs as well as Westlock residents host their own watch parties or attend home parties with friends and family.
“It’s been a very busy playoff season for sure,” he added.
The Town of Westlock also decided to postpone its council meeting planned for tonight until July because of the highly-anticipated playoff game.
Westlock mayor Jon Kramer said the decision was made after receiving several requests from residents who were going to make presentations.
“We still have a group of us showing up just to go through the process of doing it (postponing the meeting). We had our public hearing scheduled for tonight and (those) folks had made the request to do this later and the same with our delegation,” said Kramer.
“At the end of the day the whole process is to serve the community well, and we figured ramming through all the business tonight isn’t going to serve people well, then we better figure out a plan B,” he added with a chuckle. “We usually only have the one meeting in July, but council was happy to book (July) the 15th in. Most of us are going to be around so we’ll make it work.”
