EDMONTON — Connor McDavid recently shared his feelings about the Toronto Blue Jays’ tough loss in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series. The Blue Jays fell 5-4 in 11 innings to the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite leading 3-0 early. They were just two outs away from clinching the championship.
“I felt for those guys,” McDavid said after his own team, the Edmonton Oilers, secured a 3-2 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks. “We know that heartache. The way it happened was gut-wrenching. They made Canada proud, and they should hold their heads high.”
McDavid understands this pain well. The Oilers faced a similar heartbreak when they lost in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2024, struggling to become the first Canadian NHL team to win since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. The Blue Jays also sought a World Series win for the first time since their back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993.
Both teams’ playoff journeys brought excitement to their fans. “Sports bring people together,” McDavid noted. “The Blue Jays had a remarkable run, uniting fans across the country.”
During the Oilers’ game, the Blue Jays’ score was shown on the scoreboard, which added a layer of distraction. “It was strange,” McDavid admitted. “We were all rooting for the Jays. It was hard to focus on the ice with that going on.”
As for his performance, McDavid finished with three assists, including one on Evan Bouchard’s overtime goal. “I found myself watching the Jays game even from the bench,” he said, expressing just how much the game meant to him and his fellow players.
This connection between the Blue Jays and Oilers reflects a larger trend in sports. Fans often rally around local teams, sharing both joy and disappointment. A 2023 survey found that 72% of Canadians feel a strong connection to their home sports teams. This camaraderie plays a huge role in community spirit, something both teams demonstrated throughout their playoff runs.
McDavid’s insights serve as a reminder of the emotional rollercoaster that sports can bring, where highs can quickly turn to lows. In the end, it’s about the memories made and the pride in representing their cities and country.
