The Edmonton Oilers are once again in the depths of a deep playoff run. They have just beaten the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference final and like much of the Edmonton region, St. Albertans are celebrating and tuning into the games at the various bars and restaurants around the city.
For many people, game night means gathering friends or family and heading down to a pub or restaurant to watch the game. For Troy Marchak, owner of Crown and Tower Neighbourhood Pub, it's been great for business.
"We're full every night for the games," Marchak said. "It's really fun, everybody is really into it. During the regular season, we get a good turnout, but the playoffs are a whole different story. Everybody is so involved. They score a goal, the whole place just erupts. It's like a little atmosphere of being at the game."
If you want a table at Crown and Tower on game night, chances are you'll have to make a reservation. In addition to the game, Marchak said they also offer giveaways with items like tickets to the game, jerseys, and other "game day swag."
It's a similar story at Dicey Reilly's, the front of house manager Kristen Yates told the Gazette.
"It's been wonderful. The pub is full and busy. We have great specials that people are taking advantage of, so that's great for our business," Yates said. "For most of the games we've been completely full, especially on the weekend."
These watch parties won't be the only way for St. Albertans to get out with friends and family to watch the games much longer. On May 26, council passed a motion to host outdoor watch parties at Servus Place, should the Oilers advance to the final.
During the special meeting, St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron had said that one of the things that stopped the city from hosting watch parties in the past was that it would take away from local businesses.
It's not necessarily something that these restaurants are particularly worried about.
"I don't really think it will be problematic for us," Yates said. "I'm sure there are people that will go there, but especially when games are on the weekends we're not able to accommodate everybody coming in. So I think it's a great community event for our city."
"I don't think it will affect me at all," Marchak said. "It's a family-friendly event, and here you have to be 18 and over to get in. I don't see that being a problem for my business."
Likely speaking for many hockey fans around Alberta, Marchak hopes the Oilers can keep going all the way to the Cup.
"It definitely adds something to the business and to the city. It's just a really fun time and everybody is so into it that it just adds another element of excitement," he said.
