Oilers getting gift from troops

The Edmonton Oilers are getting a symbolic and touching gift from Canadian soldiers stationed in Afghanistan.

While the city of Edmonton waits with bated breath to see if the team can comeback from the setback of a loss in the first game of the final, Canadian troops in Afghanistan are hoping a small gesture will lift the spirits of the players.

A flag from Afghanistan is headed to the team, signed by everyone from frontline soldiers to payroll clerks and even by some of the wounded troops.

The hope is that the Oilers will accept the good luck gift during a home game.

"I want to see the Cup in Canada," Capt. Nelson Peters told CBC News. "I want to see it in Western Canada so…there are hopes."

Edmonton may have started the Stanley Cup final on a down note, but their mere appearance in the championship round is a big morale boost to Canadian soldiers. More than 2,300 are serving in Afghanistan right now.

Dozens of soldiers stationed in Kandahar, where the main Canadian base is located,are not only using this final to cheer for the Oilers, but using it as a diversion from the long days of duty, the constant dirt and the violence in the area.

"It's a pleasant distraction for people here," said Master Cpl. Rob Scott. "You have something to talk about other than Afghanistan."

It's clearGame 1 of the Stanley Cup final was important to soldiers who jammed Canada House to watch Edmonton play the Carolina Hurricanes at 4:30 a.m. local timeTuesday morning.

These moments are rare and a big deal for many frantically rooting for the Oilers and their surprising Stanley Cup run. After all, most of these soldiers call Edmonton home.

"It's basically just to keep our minds off the rocket attacks, the firefights…the ramp ceremonies, even if it's just for a little while...it makes us think of home," said Master Cpl. Ardis White.

However, the hope for all Edmonton fans took a severe hit Monday night as the Oilers blew a three-goal lead to lose 5-4 and will be without arguably their best player for the remainder of the final.

Goaltender Dwayne Roloson, whose brilliant play has been the catalist for Edmonton's success, suffered a season-ending knee sprain in the loss to Carolina.

The play initially looked harmless, but the results were devastating.

With only 5:54 remaining in the game, Edmonton defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron knocked Carolina's Andrew Ladd into Roloson, who was pinned against the right goalpost.

Roloson was helped to the dressing room in obvious pain and Oilers coach Criag MacTavish delivered the grim news after the game.

The Oilers will now depend on goalies Ty Conklin or Jussi Markkanen to lead them the rest of the way.

Since Edmonton traded for Roloson last March, Markkanen and Conklin have spent most games watching from the bench for good reason.

Both goaltenders had save percentages under .900 during the regular season and the position is mostly to blame for the Oilers nearly missing the playoffs all together.