Saskatchewan buzzing about second round of NHL playoffs

Saskatchewan is buzzing about the second round of the NHL playoffs.

After an intense first round filled with tight games and multiple series going to seven games, the field has been reduced to eight teams.

One of the second-round matchups is an exciting one that hasn’t happened in more than 30 years. The Calgary Flames will take on the Edmonton Oilers in a Battle of Alberta.

Seeing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl take on Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk is exciting for any hockey fan, but it’s also good for a local business.

Jerseys with the names and numbers of those four players are flying off the shelves at Extreme Hockey & Sport in Regina, which is managed by Donnie Uhren.

In an interview with the Greg Morgan Morning Show, Uhren said his customers have been excited.

“It’s quite exciting to have a matchup of the Battle of Alberta (and) just having two Canadian teams going at it in the second round of the playoffs. So yeah, we have a little bit of a buzz and a lot of inquiries,” he said.

“The phone has been kind of ringing off the hook to find out what we have for stock in Oilers apparel and Flames apparel, so it’s quite the exciting week.”

It’s a red-hot rivalry on the ice, but when it comes to the fans, which has the edge in supporting their team?

It’s close, but Uhren thinks he’s selling more merchandise for one team.

“Oh, that’s a double-edged sword, because no matter what answer I give, I don’t think I’m going to make everybody happy,” he said. “But I think right now, in my opinion, Calgary’s got a little bit of an edge.

“People have been really excited anticipating this team to develop and to see where they can go. It’s been quite the year for each franchise. So right now, I slowly lean to the Flames side.”

The Flames play Game 1 against the Oilers on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

The other Western Conference matchup will also likely get Saskatchewan people excited.

The St. Louis Blues have a massive task ahead of them: Trying to take down the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche. And two of the players trying to help pull off the upset are from Saskatchewan.

Tyler Bozak is from Regina, while Brayden Schenn is from Saskatoon.

Bozak’s dad, Mitch, caught up with the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Tuesday, the same day his boy was set to play in Game 1.

Mitch Bozak is rooting for his son all the way to a second Stanley Cup: Tyler played on the Blues team that won it all in 2019.

Those are memories Mitch will cherish forever.

“There will be times when you just think of the achievement to be able to do that, just to get through the regular season and then get through the first round and the second round …,” he said. “Off and on, you think about the challenges and how hard it is to get to the final, let alone win it.”

But that’s experience Mitch thinks will serve Tyler and his teammates well.

“I think (Tyler’s) a little more relaxed. It’s kind of like (he’s) been there, done that and kind of knows what you have to do. You can’t let the emotions take over, and I do find him a little more relaxed,” Mitch said.

“I imagine he’s probably stomach churning before the game … That probably hasn’t changed. But I think being a veteran and having gone through it, it does help.”

Tyler Bozak, Schenn and the rest of the Blues will take on Cale Makar and the Avalanche on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.