During Thursday’s Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, an unexpected moment involving an Edmonton Oilers fan captured significant attention.
This incident occurred at Rogers Place in Canada, just as the Florida Panthers secured the first goal of the game, thanks to center Sam Reinhart.
Despite the potentially disheartening moment for Oilers fans, given their 2-0 series deficit, one particular fan was seen cheering enthusiastically—seemingly oblivious to the fact that the opposing team had just scored.
This peculiar reaction was broadcasted on ESPN, quickly becoming a focal point for amused and bewildered commentary on social media. One X user, Drew Livingston, commented, “LMFAO, Oilers fan too far gone to realize she’s cheering for the wrong team.” Meanwhile, The Funhouse account added to the confusion by asking, “Why was this Oilers fan celebrating the Florida goal?”
Theories abounded as to why the fan cheered. Some speculated that perhaps she was just prematurely celebrating, anticipating an Oilers comeback, which they nearly managed as they tied the game early in the second period.
Others suggested she might simply have been there to enjoy the game atmosphere, regardless of the score.
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Unfortunately for the Oilers and their fans, the initial Florida goal was just the beginning, as the Panthers went on to score three more times, establishing a formidable 4-1 lead heading into the third period.
The Oilers did manage to close the gap somewhat with two late goals, but ultimately fell short of a comeback, adding to the sting of the misdirected cheer caught on camera.
Amidst this, it’s noteworthy that the cheering fan from Thursday’s game wasn’t the only Oilers supporter to have drawn media attention during these playoffs.
Another incident that went viral involved a fan during the Oilers’ Game 5 victory in the Western Conference Finals against Dallas, who became an internet sensation for flashing the crowd.
This fan, identified as Kate by Barstool Sports’ “Spittin Chiclets” podcast, when asked about her actions, humorously attributed them to a mix of minimal food and plenty of drinks, saying, “The handful of Cheezies that I ate all day and the eight Trulys I drank in the first period was definitely inspiring.”
These episodes illustrate the passionate and sometimes unpredictable nature of hockey fans, particularly those of the Edmonton Oilers, who clearly immerse themselves deeply—and occasionally eccentrically—in the excitement of the playoff atmosphere.
