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Loyal in L.A.: Die-hard Oilers fans go the distance for playoff run

Click to play video: 'Edmonton Oilers fans head to L.A. for Games 3 and 4'
Edmonton Oilers fans head to L.A. for Games 3 and 4
With the series now tied at one game apiece, the Edmonton Oilers are now off to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4 and it looks like many fans will be heading across the border with them. Nicole Stillger has more – Apr 20, 2023

The Bertrand family had plans to go to Mexico for an April vacation, but that changed when Cole and Logan saw the Edmonton Oilers would be facing the Los Angeles Kings in the playoffs.

“(We) convinced mom not to go to Mexico and rather, go cheer the team on,” said Logan.

“I’m most excited to be cheering on our team in a different arena,” said Cole.

“It’s gonna be awesome — gonna make some new enemies, maybe, in L.A.,” added Logan.

“I’m hoping we’ll sit next to some. Hopefully I don’t get in a fight.”

Cole and Logan Bertrand are heading to Los Angeles to cheer on the Edmonton Oilers in round one of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Global News

Logan said he’s hoping to run into some fellow Oilers fans — something that the president of the Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) said is likely.

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Stew MacDonald said he has heard from many fans looking to head south to cheer on the team.

“The one thing we know about Oilers fans, especially when it gets to the playoff time, distance is kind of irrelevant to them,” he said.

WestJet confirmed all its direct flights from Edmonton to Los Angeles are virtually sold out for Thursday and Friday, and in the last week bookings for flights to LAX with a Calgary layover are up 60 per cent.

Click to play video: 'Hockey hype heats up in Edmonton as Oilers tie series'
Hockey hype heats up in Edmonton as Oilers tie series

Not only are Edmontonians willing to travel to support the team, but fans from all over the country are descending on Rogers Place for playoffs, MacDonald said.

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“We have some that reside outside of the prairies (who will) fly in for a few games a year – we’re usually seeing those folks at playoff time as well.”

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A girl with an amazing record of philanthropy was gifted a trip to see the game by the Ben Stelter Fund.

“This is going to be so much fun, the girls are really excited,” said Cathy Eklund, mother of Cecily and Norah.

Cecily has fundraised nearly $100,000 for kids with cancer after she was diagnosed with brain cancer four years ago. She reached her goal of raising $30,000 for the Ben Stelter Fund for her 10th birthday last month.

Click to play video: 'Young Alberta cancer survivor recognized for giving back while fighting disease'
Young Alberta cancer survivor recognized for giving back while fighting disease

“Cecily raises a lot for the Ben Stelter Fund just because she wanted Magical Experiences for other children,” said Eklund.

“We never did it with the expectation to have an experience ourselves, so this is honestly just such a blessing.”

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The girls didn’t even find out until the day before the trip, said Eklund.

“I was really excited,” said Cecily, sporting a jean jacket with Evander Kane’s name and number.

Cecily Eklund is going to Los Angeles to watch the Edmonton Oilers playoff game against the Kings. Global News

And Eklund said there may be some other fun times awaiting them in Los Angeles.

“I think there’s going to be some amazing surprises happening,” mom grinned.

Sisters Cecily and Norah are excited to see the Oilers face off against the L.A. Kings. Global News

Game three is Friday in Los Angeles (630 CHED, Face-off Show at 6 p.m., game at 8 p.m.).

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