Some games get circled on the calendar the day the NHL schedule comes out. In the Lakeland, Oilers against the Flames is always one of them.

Cold Lake is about three hours from Rogers Place and a full day’s drive from Calgary, but on rivalry night the distance doesn’t seem to matter. Jerseys come out at work and school, kids argue about it between shifts at minor hockey practice, and by puck drop half the living rooms in the region are tuned to the same game.

Here’s a look at why the Battle of Alberta still means so much around here, and how Lakeland fans get ready for it.

The History of the Oilers and Flames Rivalry

The Oilers and Flames have been at each other since the early 1980s, when two young franchises in the same province turned into two of the best teams in hockey at the same time. They met in the playoffs again and again, and every series left a mark.

Older fans still wince at the 1986 playoffs, when an Oilers defenceman accidentally put the puck into his own net in Game 7 and sent Calgary through. Edmonton went on to win five Stanley Cups between 1984 and 1990, while the Flames claimed their own in 1989, and both sides have been reminding each other ever since. After a long quiet stretch, the rivalry flared up again in 2022, when the teams met in the playoffs for the first time in over 30 years and the Oilers won the series in overtime.

Oilers and Flames Fans in the Lakeland

The Lakeland is closer to Edmonton than Calgary and sits inside the Oilers’ regional broadcast area, so most of the region bleeds blue and orange. But it’s far from unanimous. Families posted to 4 Wing arrive from all over the country, some locals grew up cheering for Calgary, and more than a few households are split down the middle.

That mix is part of the fun. On rivalry night in the Lakeland, there’s almost always someone in the room cheering for the other team. It’s the same community spirit that fills the stands for local junior hockey, where the Pontiacs show what community means well beyond the rink.

Hosting a Rivalry Game Night

For most fans here, the best seat for the Battle of Alberta is at home, surrounded by friends, family and a table full of food. A few habits make the night run smoothly.

Agree on the house rules before the game, especially if your guests don’t all wear the same colours. Make it a potluck so the host isn’t stuck in the kitchen during the third period. And keep the stakes friendly: the losing side does the dishes, or wears the other team’s jersey to the next meeting.

On the technical side, sort out the TV well before puck drop, especially if you’ve switched to an IPTV subscription or a new streaming setup this season. If you’re on an acreage or out at the lake, check your internet speed in the evening, when connections are busiest, and plug your streaming box straight into the router if the Wi-Fi is spotty in the rec room. Logging in ten minutes early beats scrambling during the anthem.

Where to Watch Oilers vs. Flames

Most Oilers and Flames games air on Sportsnet, which handles regional broadcasts for both Alberta teams and is also the NHL’s national broadcaster in Canada. The catch is that some national games are streaming-only, with Monday night games on Sportsnet+ and Wednesday night games on Prime Video, so it pays to check the schedule a day or two ahead.

Some Lakeland households skip the app-juggling altogether with an IPTV Canada service, which delivers live TV channels over the internet into a single app on the TV, much like flipping through a cable guide. If that appeals to you, confirm the sports channels you need are actually included, go with a licensed provider you can reach when something goes wrong, and take an IPTV free trial on a regular game night before the big one.

Making the Trip to Edmonton

Watching at home is great, but nothing matches being in the building when the Flames come to town. From the Lakeland, a game at Rogers Place makes for a manageable day trip or an easy overnight in the city, and plenty of local fans make the drive at least once a season.

If you’re going, buy tickets early, since rivalry games are among the hottest of the year, and keep an eye on road conditions for the trip home. A late finish followed by a dark winter highway is best handled with a full tank, a thermos and no rush.

Why the Rivalry Still Matters

Teams change, players come and go, and some seasons the rivalry burns hotter than others. But every time the Oilers and Flames meet, the Lakeland tunes in, the arguments start and the bragging rights go back on the line.

Whichever side you’re on, rivalry night is one of the best reasons there is to fill the living room and turn up the volume.