Near the end of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, as the Oilers continued to pile up empty net goals in their 5-1 victory, the in-house DJ at Rogers Place queued up Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and 18,000 fans rose to their feet to sing along.
It was the second time in as many games in Edmonton that Twain’s voice helped close out an emphatic victory. Now, as the Oilers prepare for Game 7 against a Florida Panthers team that watched a 3-0 series lead combust, it’s hard to argue anyone has been as important to Edmonton’s comeback as the Canadian country star.
If La Bamba is the Oilers’ victory song, then Shania’s 1997 smash hit is their warning siren and it all started ahead of Game 4 at Rogers Place.
With Edmonton one loss away from watching the Panthers lift the Cup on their home ice, Twain showed up for a packed pregame concert that the NHL said was the largest it’s ever hosted. It sure seemed to be the perfect release for a fanbase that hadn’t exhaled in two months.
No better way to get the party started than with @ShaniaTwain! 🤠 #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: ABC & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/8HWrBY57U0— NHL (@NHL) June 16, 2024
Shania Twain concert was fun. #StanleyCupFinal #Oilers #Panthers pic.twitter.com/VO6oF5gIkP
— Derek Van Diest (@DerekVanDiest) June 16, 2024
The Oilers went on to throttle Florida in Game 4 and avoid an embarrassing sweep with an 8-1 victory. Rogers Place celebrated accordingly — with more Shania.
Started the night singing Shania.
Ended the night singing Shania. pic.twitter.com/EKUKmLTt1k— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 16, 2024
Twain even visited the locker room after Game 4 and celebrated with the team.
Shania stopped in to congratulate the Oilers on their win! 🎉
Game 5 is tomorrow night, the Panthers are up 3-1
✍️: @TheAshleyGreco
🎥: ShaniaTwain/X pic.twitter.com/FVV9e2GKcZ— Kingston’s MOVE 98.3 (@Move983) June 17, 2024
That sustained the Oilers on their trip back to South Beach, where they successfully dragged the Panthers back to Edmonton with a thrilling 5-3 victory in Game 5.
Which brings us back to Friday night at Rogers Place for Game 6.
Shania didn’t perform, but her presence was in the arena as the Oilers again played the start to “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” only for the crowd to finish off the chorus.
Her impact on the series at this point is undeniable.
Edmonton Oilers after hearing Shania Twain perform "Man, I Feel Like a Woman" During the pregame of game 4: pic.twitter.com/IZSbVrQXDu
— Resident Hockey Nerd (@TallGlassesGuy) June 22, 2024
If the Oilers win on Monday, Shania should get a ring. https://t.co/LoSCWmQ7wn
— Ivan Corriher (@IWCorriher) June 22, 2024
The Oilers are 3-0 in the Stanley Cup Final and have outscored the Panthers 18-5 since Shania came to town pic.twitter.com/7imRO59HLh
— Mike Commito (@mikecommito) June 22, 2024
Sure, the Oilers could say the reason they bounced back in the series is because Stuart Skinner turned into a brick wall while Connor McDavid went full McJesus in Games 4 and 5, but we all know the truth.
Shania saved the Oilers from a sweep. She just might be strong enough to finally bring the Cup back to Canada, too.
