BLOG: Harness the energy

EDMONTON, AB - 'We try to delay going onto the ice a few minutes. We're going to get the building whipped into a fever before we get out there.'
Those were the words of former Oilers General Manager and Head Coach Glen Sather, spoken during the 1980s, that were built into the hair-raising pre-game playoff introduction video that played in front of a feverous crowd in Rogers Place as the decibel level rose.
'The fans are going to get the building whipped into a fever before we get out there.'
The air reached electrifying levels as the anticipation also built below the bowl in the Oilers players before they came through the renowned sliding doors of their dressing room and into an environment of pure energy.
Taking to the ice with the deafening cheers of their ravenous support drowning out the voices inside their own heads was a feeling unfelt by the players in over two years of playoffs without fans in the stands, and something that was dearly missing from the post-season experience of years past.
"The excitement you feel in the room, then to get out there and everyone's going crazy, there isn't really a feeling like it," forward Zach Hyman said. "It's tough to say how you're going to react to it, and it's a beautiful part of the game."
"That's Game 1 of the playoffs, and especially after a layoff like the one we've had over the last two years with no fans, that's why you play the game."

Within this incredibly loud and passionate setting came an understanding from the players and coaching staff of the expectation to get off on a good note in Game 1 for themselves and their fans, but the nerves for the atmosphere, admittedly, led to a tempered start.
"Last night was certainly a different atmosphere than what we've been used to in the playoffs. It was a lot of fun. It was amazing, and I thought the energy and the crowd was great," defenceman Tyson Barrie said.
"You could probably see it a little bit in our game early. We were a little jittery and nervous too."

The Oilers were spotted to a 2-0 deficit in the first period before working their way into the game and harnessing the energy of the crowd to their benefit, beginning when Connor McDavid lit the lamp in the final minute of the opening frame with an important goal that led to applause form Oil Country at the intermission with their team down a goal.
It was a 3-3 hockey game in the third period, with the Oilers being fuelled by their fiery fanbase, before one bounce led to the decisive goal from Phillip Danault that meant they'd return back in front of their fans for Game 2 down 1-0 in the best-of-seven series.
In their eyes, there will be no feeling-out period of the game to go through in order to get accustomed to a charged Rogers Place that will bring the same fire on Wednesday night.
"I think we know what to expect now," Hyman said. "It's amazing, and we'll be able to settle into our game and play hockey and get into our structure a little bit earlier. There's nothing like coming out of the tunnel and everyone's going crazy like that. It's awesome."

The bounce-back ability of this team was on display in the regular season, and Game 2 will be the first opportunity to put that into practice in the playoffs after rarely going two games without a victory under Woodcroft.
"It was a great atmosphere, so I think that's different and we're a different team," Barrie said. "We just have to show a little resilience here and bounce back and get this one tomorrow."
Make no mistake, the Oilers players are ready to tap in to that Oilers energy right from the get-go.
"Now that we've played the first game and got everything going, I think we're going to play a lot better tomorrow," forward Jesse Puljujarvi said.