The Battle of Alberta

Overview

The term "Battle of Alberta" is used to describe (mostly) the rivalry between the NHL's Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames, although it is sometimes used for when the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos and the Calgary Stampeders play.

The "Battles" started in 1983, when the Oilers first met the Flames in the playoffs, and continued on to 1991, the last time they met eachother in the playoffs (usually in the Smythe Division finals, although the 1991 matchup was in the first round).

Year by year

1983

In the first battle of Alberta, the Oilers mauled the Flames in five games, outscoring them 35 - 14 - yet the Flames managed to win one game.

1984

In 1984, the Oilers first were taken to seven games by the Flames, but won the seventh game (and once again outscored the Flames 33-27)

(Note: The two teams did not meet in 1985 - though the Oilers faced the Winnipeg Jets, who had beaten the Flames in the first round)

1986

The 1986 battle of Alberta was one of the more colourful versions with niether team winning consecutive games - and the series again went to a seventh game. In this, with just under five minutes left, Oilers defenceman Steve Smith accidently shot the puck off of his teammate - and Oiler goalie - Grant Fuhr, scoring in his own net, giving the Flames both the lead and their first series win.

1988

In the 1988 edition of the battle of Alberta, the Oilers swept the Flames (the first time they had done so) in four games, in a series that is best remembered for Wayne Gretzky's shorthanded overtime goal in game two.

(The teams did not meet in 1989, as the Oilers lost a best of seven series to the LA Kings, who then lost to the Flames - and in 1990, the Kings beat the Flames in the first round and then lost to the Oilers in the second round)

1991

In the final battle of Alberta, the Flames lost a seven game series to the Oilers on a game seven overtime goal by Esa Tikkanen - and although the Flames lost, most remember this series for Theo Fluery's overtime goal in game six (and his sliding across the ice on his knees celebration shortly thereafter).