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Somehow, the Wednesday morning alarm in Edmonton wasn’t so harshly loud.
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The pot seemed to work a little swifter and drizzled out coffee a little more tasty and, for that matter, a little more snappy. And the day? It just began much with a little more swagger — a little more potential.
So if you are an Edmonton Oiler fan, chances are — and, to be perfectly clear: we’re not even thinking of a parade route — Wednesday wasn’t a bad day.
Three wins in a row. New coaches, new energy and new — dare we even think it — hope. This isn’t a hockey observation. Nor a sports study.
It’s interesting, especially in these days when feeling about something positive has been a rarity, to take note of the prudent progress.
A quick Google search reveals how a ripple effect of a professional sports franchise joyfully runs, and boosts, a civic culture.
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Meet Daniel Wann. He’s a professor in Murray State University in Kentucky who oversees a research centre on the psychology of sports fandom. Four words is an attention-grabber and plays into this subject.
“Very psychologically healthy activity” is how Wann captures what it means to be a sports fan.
The connection between like-minded fans is a good thing too, says Wann.
The Edmonton Elks have had a long-standing tradition in the southeast corner of Commonwealth Stadium.
Just before an Elks home game kickoff, the 13th man flag is jettisoned up the pole. It most certainly defines Elks fans who lend encouragement — last season not included, perhaps — when the hometown boys score a touchdown, a field goal or make a defensive play.
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From a sheer economics point of view, fans are the ones who keep a professional sports franchise afloat through purchasing tickets, sponsorships or merchandise.
Yet there’s another type of fan experience that has an emotional value that, frankly, has a priceless admission. We’ve seen it here in living colours over the decades with Grey Cup championships and Stanley Cup skates.
In recent memory there was the experience of spring of 2017 when the Oilers fought their way to Game 7 of the second round of the Stanley Cup final, losing by a single goal.
It was a great experience — and, even the Oilers came up short, the environment of coming together with a common goal builds great community spirit.
Like so many things we haven’t had, we miss getting together. We miss community.
But, goodness sakes, we need those gatherings and getting together.
It’s especially challenging since the finish line yet to be painted. Perhaps we have to take little victories and build on them.
The Oilers will try to extend their three-game unbeaten streak Thursday. If they do, it will not be another hockey win, it will give Oiler fans another reason to smile … and an enthusiastic reminder every tomorrow brings new opportunities.
