The final goal in Rexall Place history belongs to Leon Draisaitl.
With less than two minutes remaining in Wednesday’s game between the Edmonton Oilers and visiting Vancouver Canucks -- with a place in the Auston Matthews sweepstakes on the line -- Draisaitl scored for his 19th goal of the season and to give the Oilers a 6-2 lead.
That would be the final score, as the Oilers closed out Rexall Place in style.
"The energy in the building was phenomenal. It was emotional & important for us to thank our fans." Coach McLellan #FarewellRexallPlace
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 7, 2016
On a night the Oilers organization and their fans celebrated history, such as winning four Stanley Cups in that building, it was the players of that team’s future that provided one final thrill at Rexall.
Connor McDavid scored the winning goal back in the second period and had a three-point night. Taylor Hall hit 26 goals on the season and also recorded a three-point night. Jordan Eberle had two assists and Patrick Maroon scored twice.
This just happened. #FarewellRexallPlace pic.twitter.com/1dAqQK0Q8H
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 7, 2016
Meanwhile, the loss put an end to Vancouver’s three-game winning streak -- their first of the season, which didn’t please a lot of fans now firmly on Team Tank. In two of those three wins, the Canucks benefited greatly from superb goaltending courtesy Jacob Markstrom and Ryan Miller.
Head coach Willie Desjardins didn’t mince words afterward.
