by Shinichi Nakagawa

When I was in Sydney this February, my old colleague Rob Brooks (from UNSW) told me I should go and see an NHL game, specifically an Oilers game, so finally, I did! I went with Totoro (my older son), and it was our first time at Rogers Place. It was such an exciting night.

Before the game, my new colleague Kim Mathot kindly lent us two Oilers T-shirts. They were very orange and very cool; we looked like real fans. The whole place was full of people wearing Oilers fancy jerseys, shouting and cheering even before and throughout the game.

The game was close, 2-2 until the third period. Then suddenly, the Oilers scored again and again! Every goal made us elate and the stadium shake. Everyone was yelling, jumping, clapping. There was so much energy, and the final score was 4–2.

It was very Canadian, at least that is what I thought, with cold drinks, loud music, and parachuting pizzas. Maybe not always polite, yet very polite.

I still don’t understand the rules very well (icing?), but it was a lot of fun. Totoro and I had a great time and bonded via Oilers, which I first thought was “Eulers” after the famous mathematician Euler [pronounced: oy-lr]!?!? – how wrong I was!

(photos by Shinichi Nakagawa)