Stanley Cup: The 7th Man

When Carolina head coach Peter Laviolette said the crowd does not make a difference apparently did not anticipate the decibel level at Rexall Place. Here it is from the horses mouth and you decide if it is lip service "I think when you get to this point, I don't think that buildings are going to play into it that much" commented Laviolette. From the drop of the puck to one minute before the end of the third, the fans roared at an unprecedented level. When Paul Lorieau sang the national anthems the noise shook the very foundation as they bellowed both the US and Canadian anthems.

If you did not have the pleasure of attending game three well the television would not have done the atmosphere justice. It was so out of control that I as I sat beside one of my colleagues Mike Brophy from the Hockey News nether one of us could speak to each other. We were like the goofy ad from Bell telecommunications they run up in Canada with the two beavers watching the hockey game on their cell phones with heads sets on screaming at each other What! Huh!

The entire media row that encircles the rink with the crowd right behind us caused everyone to look around in amazement at the energy level. If the energy could in the building tonight could have been harnessed, they concern for global dependence on fossil fuels would be over.

After the game the comments seem to be polar opposite of coach Laviolette who was adamant is does really matter.

However, Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish had a completely different spin on it as he actually had to stop for a brief moment to contemplate the answer "I will attempt to describe it, They have given us a lift when we needed it and they have been supportive of us through this playoff run; gave us the energy when we needed it against San Jose, gave us the energy in the third period against Detroit in Game 6 when we were down a couple" referring historically when the crowd made the difference.

"So it's important. There is no secret, as a player you get energized by the emotion in the building. When so many people are so solidly behind you, you want to make sure that you are playing your best hockey. You get an adrenaline rush from it" mentioned MacTavish.

It came as no shock to Raffi Torres who has seen this all playoffs long "They are just non stop out there and the other guys try to say that stuff does not bother them but when we play in their building it matters," commented Torres. The rugged fan favorite gave kudos to the fanatics in oil country "The crowd went crazy from the opening minute to the final minute and when you are under the influence that helps too" chuckled Torres.

The situation is even unique for netminder Jussi Markkanen who must stand there all game long and get blasted in the back of the skull by the noise "Oh, it definitely helps. We have seen it before and it has carried us and helped carry us through the bad moments. We're definitely going to need that on Monday" stated Markkanen.

Even the longest serving Oiler Ryan Smyth who played his 64th playoff game in the Blue and Bronze is not surprised by the support and understands the role it plays "They fed off their fans in Game 1 and 2 and obviously we want to feed off our fans in 3 and 4 here and it's important, but hey the fans can help us out."

Finally, a Carolina Hurricane Corey Stillman commented on the great Oiler fans but was quick to put his hopeful spin on the matter "Obviously they have great fan support. On the way to the rink today, I don't know if they were having a parade or something, we passed all the vehicles and a police escort on the way to the rink. It was fun, it is exciting. Hopefully we can spoil that parade."

So which is it, the crowd does not make a difference or the fans make all the difference in the world, well I think Laviolette may have lost this battle. If fans do not make the players perform to a higher level why in some cases they are referred to has the seventh man!