To see one of the coolest and most amazing moments in Oiler's history....
Anthem singer unites Canada in song
EDMONTON - With glowing hearts, we see Paul Lorieau's right hand rise.
The Edmonton Oilers anthem singer holds his microphone aloft, sharing O Canada with 16,839 fans who didn't miss a beat and two National Hockey League teams who couldn't help but feel shivers at the sound of one inspirational voice.
The hair-raising clip was broadcast all over television and the Internet Wednesday morning, triggering a flood of media phone calls to Lorieau's Edmonton optical business. The song itself had caused a rush of patriotism and pride at Rexall Place preceding Tuesday's Game 3 of the National Hockey League Western Conference final between the Oilers and Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
Standing at centre ice, Lorieau began the anthem as he has done on average 45 times a year for a quarter of a century. And then he did something he's never done. He let the crowd take over at ''with glowing hearts.''
''Originally I thought I would just let the crowd sing the little bit in the middle,'' Lorieau said Wednesday.
''They did so well, I said 'What the hell' and let them carry on. I kind of had the feeling it's nice to gather the fans around the event. They became part of the spectacle.''
Lorieau held the mike in the air but he also kept singing, in case the fans dropped the ball, or at least the melody. He couldn't afford to get lost in what quickly became a moment to remember.
''You sing with a warm heart and a cold head so you don't get into trouble. I couldn't let emotion overtake me.''
But it wasn't easy, because Edmonton's hockey fans went to the emotional wall in a way Lorieau has not previously experienced. And this is a man who sang for Queen Elizabeth during last year's royal visit.
''Boy, that has got to be the max. No question. Patriotism touches something in all of us.''
That it happened Tuesday was the product of a casual conversation Lorieau had with Edmonton Oilers president Patrick Laforge and marketing vice-president Stew MacDonald at 5 p.m. Tuesday. It was just one hour before the tuxedo=clad Lorieau was due at centre ice and he was having doubts about the wisdom of the plan.
''If it bombs, I bomb. At first I thought, 'Oh boy, 17,000 of them and they can get pretty wild.' ''
LaForge and MacDonald liked the idea of handing over the song to the crowd, but they wanted to let Lorieau make the decision on the fly.
''When we looked at the participation we had gotten from the crowd in the anthem in the past, how it carries itself, it planted a seed,'' said MacDonald. ''We thought if it was appropriate, (Lorieau should) feel free, but it's your judgment call on the ice. You've got licence to do that. We were overwhelmed a bit by the response.''
Canadians all over the country felt the hair rise on the back of their necks.
''At great moments in our history (such as the signing of the Constitution) they get up and sing the anthem,'' said Ken Munroe, a University of Alberta history professor. ''So it's all part of that emotional pride of our country.''
And for Edmontonians, in their hockey team.
''The Oilers possess values we admire ... that sheer determination as the underdog, persevering through sickness. We kind of take on these values ourselves.''
There is no doubt the players shared the reaction with the fans.
''I've never seen anything quite like that last night with the anthem, that was pretty amazing,'' said Oilers defenceman Steve Staios. ''Something you'll never forget.''
© CanWest News Service 2006
Rolo-Son Samurai Warrior
Thanks to Dawn & Dale for having us over to watch the game !
Party Time ! 
This looks great doesn't it !? but it would look better with Edmonton's name in the final !
Game 4
Georges Laraque was one of our "snipers" !
Game 3 
My Beautiful wife Char & Sweet daughter Emma !
The Tone for the Game !
How much really needs to be said here ?
