A quick run-through of the Edmonton Oilers schedule and you’ll notice the usual at first glance.

The heavy divisional start to the season, a long November road trip through the Eastern Conference, and some long homestands in January and February. 

Yup, looks similar…wait a minute. 

When do we see the Flames? Oh, that one’s mid-week…oh that’s a Tuesday in March…

Where is the Battle of Alberta? (double-checks the schedule)

Ignored. 

This is the Saddledome’s last year, and the Edmonton Oilers aren’t a part of it. 

In a big season for our southern rivals, about to say goodbye to their beloved dump, their unique slice of Alberta culture, and their born rivals are ignored.

Why is the Battle of Alberta missing from the Saddledome’s final season?

Look, the Calgary Flames are largely irrelevant to the ebb and flow of the league. 

They’ve committed to the rebuild and are hoping that their collection of prospects will pay dividends in the years to come. I’m sure a Flames fan hopes that coincides with the Oilers struggling.

It’s a sibling rivalry after all. 

But it is a big season for the Flames, one that brings back memories of when the rivalry was one of the best in sports in the 1980s. On Oct. 15, 1983, Calgary........

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