The Stanley Cup Finals was either the best or the worst of hockey, depending on whose side you were on. Many NHL fans were sad that the Florida Panthers prevented a Game 7 reverse sweep, but none more so than the players on the Edmonton Oilers. Months after the team left for their summer activities, a video from their locker room surfaced on social media. As the festivities and celebration continued in the background, the Oilers sat in stunned silence for several moments before getting up to put away their game attire.
Though the loss coincidence is too much to ignore, it does not seem appropriate to attack Corey Perry, nor any other Edmonton Oilers player, for their reaction to the loss. The Stanley Cup is arguably the most coveted trophy in sports, let alone for hockey players. Going in and missing the win by one goal is a tragedy that most of these players will live with for the rest of their lives. Hopefully, with the fire under them from a near win last season, they will prevent this from becoming the case.