Yesterday Fitz and I went to see the Oil Kings play. They are in a playoff position in the Western Hockey League. So Oil Kings, not Oilers! Got it? Got it.

We took the LRT downtown, Fitz loves that. And he did NOT want to sit down on the train. No, he wanted to stand and hang on all the way. It’s about a 20 minutes ride. I would have been happy to sit, but would I let him down? Nope. We stood…then we walked – he knows the way now and was quite happy to keep up the “come on Grandpa” all the way.

We went to the Oilers store, but came out none the poorer. Wow that stuff is expensive. A puck, used in a game, which the Oilers won, with the puck in question having been shot in the net by none other than McDavid was selling (in a nifty $1.50 plastic case) for $1500. Okay, who has that much money?

We arrived early and grabbed our seats just three rows off the ice right by the penalty boxes with pop, popcorn and the like in hand. It was warm up time. One of the players through a puck over the glass to one of the kids. I should have also asked for one if they are worth $1500.

As the game was about to begin – a small children’s choir appeared to sing O Canada. We all stood as requested and taking off our hats got ready for the meekly sung O Canada. I remember wondering if the crowd would sing loudly – some 10,000+ strong – considering what has been happening politically in this country.

As the music began much to my surprise and amusement can a bellowing Fitz’s O Canada, We stand on guard for thee… and it was as if he stirred the crowd for now people around us began to pick it up and sing too. He continued – right on key (most of the time) singing with gusto every word to the end! And then he added some lively woops and howling to add to the sentiment. I was amazed. I was thrilled. He gives everything he does full effort.

The cameras were scouting the crowd for enthusiastic fans and I wondered if we might get on the big screen – we did not – but that didn’t keep Fitz from being a lively fan in our section. I laughed at four boys – probably around 10 or 11 years of age who took their shirts off for the camera! They got the attention they were hoping for.

And the Oil Kings won. We were rewarded with a game that went into overtime, then had a shoot out. Final score was 3-2! And at Fitz’s request I took a picture of the jumbotron!

Here’s a bit of fun that they had during the second intermission. I took the video of the remote control cars they raised on the ice. Another bit of fun.