Edmonton's ICE district is living up to its name this playoff season as the city continues to contend with a winter that refuses to end. However, playoff fever is in the air, and that is not stopping Oilers fans from enjoying themselves.
Game 4 Festivities Proceed Despite Snow
Tickets for the Game 4 watch party inside Rogers Place are on sale for $10, with net proceeds benefiting the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation. The free Ford Tailgate Party in the ICE District Plaza and the Play Alberta Fan Park is also a go, but fans must sign up for a LOILTY rewards membership to gain entry.
Tailgaters are encouraged to dress warmly, as temperatures are expected to drop to -8 C tonight, with a wind chill of -11 C. Winds could gust up to 15 kilometers per hour.
Oilers Aim to Bounce Back
The Oilers are hoping to reverse their fortunes in Anaheim after a disappointing 7-4 loss on Friday. Should they secure a win, the series will be tied 2-2, guaranteeing fans at least a Game 6. Tickets for Game 5 and a potential Game 7 are already on sale.
Street Sweeping Halted by Lingering Snow
Edmontonians may be forgiven for being fed up with the snow, as the city limps toward the fifth month of the year and residents still brush snow off their cars in the morning. Heavy snow combined with warmer weather has created slick road conditions, forcing city staff to pivot from street sweeping back to snow blading.
Street sweeping began on April 20, and workers managed to clean a portion of the road network. However, with a fresh coat of snow, there is nothing to sweep. According to Environment Canada, the worst may be over, with temperatures predicted to rise to 8 C on Monday and soar above 20 C by Thursday.
Resumption of Street Sweeping
Once the snow is gone, the city will resume street sweeping. Notification signs will be placed at main entrances of neighborhoods scheduled for sweeping. Residents must park elsewhere between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays to accommodate sweepers. Driveway ramps must also be removed, as they can interfere with sweeping; the city will not take responsibility for damaged ramps left on the street. Officials caution that a neighborhood may take up to five days to fully sweep, and failure to move a vehicle could result in a $250 fine.
Residential street sweeping will be a top priority until June. Sweeping continues at night from June 1 to October.
