The Battle of Alberta is off to an incredible start.
The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers kicked off their Round 2 NHL Playoff series Wednesday evening. The Flames won by a 9-6 score in a wild back-and-forth affair at Scotiabank Saddledome.
While Game 1 didn’t feature any major fights, it did feature plenty of chirping. The trash-talking was at an all-high time in Game 1 of the Battle of Alberta. The most notable chirp came from Flames’ forward Matthew Tkachuk on Oilers’ forward Evander Kane.
Kane has had gambling issues throughout his career and filed for bankruptcy in January 2021. After Kane and Tkachuk got into a scrum Wednesday, Matthew took a shot at Kane’s money troubles.
Kane started chirping at Tkachuk, prompting the Flames’ forward to deliver a personal blow. “You want some money?” Tkachuk asked Kane.
The cameras also showed Tkachuk and Kane continue the chirping in the penalty box. Tkachuk appeared to tell Kane “You poor bastard. You poor bastard.”
Personal chirps are often off-limits during the NHL, but nothing is really off the table in the Battle of Alberta. The two teams hate each other and aren’t afraid to say anything to get under each other’s skin.
Kane’s money issues are well-known in the NHL, so this likely isn’t the first time he’s heard the chirp from an opposing player. Kane signed a one-year deal with the Oilers worth $750,000 in salary and $625,000 in signing bonus back in January. Despite the contract, Kane’s still believed to be significantly in the hole.
Kane failed to get on the scoresheet Wednesday, while Tkachuk scored his first career playoff hat trick to propel Calgary to victory.
If Game 1 is any indication, we’re in for an absolute treat with the Battle of Alberta in Round 2.
