The Samuel De Champlain Bridge in Montreal is set to display an unusual appearance on Wednesday evening.
For Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday, the bridge will be illuminated in orange and blue, showing support for the only Canadian team left in contention, the Edmonton Oilers.
Martin Chamberland, the bridge operations director, is aware that this decision might not be universally popular in Montreal, a city deeply devoted to the Canadiens. However, he stated that national pride was the primary motivation for the choice.
Interviewed by the Montreal Gazette, Chamberland explained his reasoning was based on national pride. “It`s for Canadian pride, to support a Canadian team, to support Canada in general,” he was quoted as saying, adding that “having a little bit more of Canadian pride is I think a good thing.” He noted that while some might object, most feedback has been positive.
The Oilers are aiming to be the first Canadian team to clinch the Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens achieved it in 1993.
Chamberland mentioned the bridge would display the Oilers` colours for all Stanley Cup Final games, except for Game 2 on Friday, which had a prior lighting commitment.
He also indicated this practice would continue in the future, with the bridge being illuminated in the colours of any major Montreal sports team or another Canadian NHL team reaching a championship final.
However, there`s one specific Canadian club that might cause Chamberland to hesitate.
Chamberland confessed that a different Canadian team might have given him pause, specifically mentioning the Maple Leafs. He contrasted this with his ease in making the decision for the Oilers. Recalling the CN Tower being lit in Montreal`s colours during the 2021 final, he felt a reciprocal gesture was appropriate, even if illuminating for the Leafs would likely face more opposition. Despite expecting potential backlash, he stated the policy would remain consistent even for the Maple Leafs.
Neville Woodall