WAYNE’S WORLD
Wayne Gretzky had all the talent in the world. He was also
superstitious. He used baby powder on the blades of his
sticks. This made sure the puck wouldn’t stick to the tape.
Gretzky also had a thing for Diet Coke. He would guzzle one
or two cans before games and between periods.
FOGGY VISION
Edmonton played the Boston Bruins in the 1988 Stanley Cup
Final. The Oilers won the first three games. Game 4 was in Boston.
Something weird happened that night. The city was having a warm
spring. It was 27 degrees Celsius (80º F) in the arena. The heat
settled over the ice. It created a fog. This made it difficult to see the
puck. Officials stopped the game several times. Players had to skate
around to break the fog up. It worked. But then the power went
out. The game was officially suspended. The teams moved back to
Edmonton for a new Game 4. There, the Oilers completed the sweep
with a 6–3 victory.
CROWDED BOX
The Oilers could have held a team
meeting in the penalty box on
February 28, 1990. They were called
for an NHL-record 44 penalties
against the Los Angeles Kings.
WILD NIGHT
On December 11,
1985, the Oilers
beat the Chicago
Blackhawks 12–9.
The game’s 21 total
goals tied an NHL
record.
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