The Green Men made their first appearance of the playoffs last night as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Edmonton Oilers in a thrilling 5-4 final.
This marked the second game of the entire season for the Green Men, who also showed up to one in February versus the Boston Bruins. That was the first time they had suited up at a Canucks game in eight years.
In typical fashion, they were all over Oilers players who received penalties last night, dancing by the glass for TV cameras to capture. As funny as it all was, the best moment from them came early in the second period, when they held up a sign poking fun at Evander Kane.
“Evander… What’s the parlay tonight?” the sign read.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 9, 2024
As many remember, Kane was investigated by the NHL in 2021 for allegedly gambling on games, including his own. The claim was made by his now ex-wife, Anna, who has since had numerous questionable incidents of her own, including being kicked out of an Oilers game in Detroit earlier this season.
The NHL did not find evidence that Kane had gambled on any NHL games, including his own. That said, he admitted that he had a problem, and while betting on hockey wasn’t the issue, his gambling played a part in having to declare bankruptcy while still a member of the San Jose Sharks.
As you can imagine, Canucks fans had quite a laugh when the sign was shown.
— Aavco Cup (@AavcoCup) May 9, 2024
$50 says that’s Anna Kane behind the sign
— Supreme Cardinal 🦅🔺 (@91YoungCardinal) May 9, 2024
That’s actually pretty good.
— X – Scrub64 (@Scrub64) May 9, 2024
@bradyc097 😂😂😂😂
— Ian (@hockeyguy199) May 9, 2024
The way he’s playing it’s under 3 shots and over 4.5 turnovers
— Jimmy Heater (@JimmyGambles15) May 9, 2024
Oilers fans didn’t find it as humorous, however. They instead reminded Canucks fans that their head coach, Rick Tocchet, pled guilty to gambling charges over a decade ago.
— BURGER BARON🍁 (@Burger_Baron) May 9, 2024
Do they know who their coach is
— Stony (@StonyOil) May 9, 2024
Shouldn’t they ask Tocchet as well??
— Brad (@oilersfan071973) May 9, 2024
ask Rick Tochett
— Frustrated Incorporated (@thy_only_Jordan) May 9, 2024
Several Oilers fans were quick to point out that they flashed the sign at the wrong guy, as it was Connor Brown, not Kane, in the box.
That would be really funny if it was actually Evander right there
— Horvat4Hart 🐐🏆 | NYI/NYM (@horvat4hart) May 9, 2024
That’s not Evander Kane , Chris
— William (@realwilliam59) May 9, 2024
I don’t think they know what Evander Kane looks like. https://t.co/yQlyjRkIvB
— Baggedmilk, Oily Boy 🍹 (@jsbmbaggedmilk) May 9, 2024
Despite this series only being one game in, there is already plenty of bad blood between the two fan bases, particularly online. It should make for some great entertainment the rest of the way, in a matchup that feels like it could go the distance. Game 2 will get underway tomorrow night with puck drop set for 8 pm MT.
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