Flames-Oilers billboard feud results in over $30,000 donated to charity

Flames-Oilers billboard feud results in over $30,000 donated to Calgary charity

The Battle of Alberta is known for bad blood, but this latest feud between fans of the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers is giving everyone all the feels.

In response to what he called a series of “dangerous” hits from Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk, Oilers forward Zack Kassian took matters into his own hands on Saturday. Kassian pummelled Tkachuk, and was suspended two games by the NHL for fighting an unwilling combatant.

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Flames fans then began raising money to put Tkachuk’s face on a billboard in Edmonton as a troll tactic. Calgary radio station CJAY92 got in on the action, offering to pay for the costs.

That allowed Mohamed Elsaghir, the Flames fan who started the fundraiser, to donate the money raised (currently more than $8,000) by fans to ALS research instead.

Oilers fans responded.

In honour of Kassian, Oilers fans donated money to Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids, a Calgary-based charity that “connects and inspires people to take meaningful action to feed and care for kids.”

But what started as a $25 donation by an Oilers fan named Sam quickly snowballed, as a number of other fans in Edmonton quickly followed suit.

Hey #Oilers twitter, I have a challenge for you:

In response to Flames fans buying a billboard, I’ve decided to donate to one of their local charities in honour of @zkassian9! I chose @BrownBaggingIt so that kids can get a proper meal and grow up to be tougher than Tkachuk. pic.twitter.com/q83tmNeNND

— Sam (@SamInYEG) January 14, 2020

W. Brett Wilson, an entrepreneur and philanthropist according to his Twitter profile, then took it to another level. He offered to match up to $10,000 for Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids as well as $5,000 to an Edmonton charity of Sam’s choosing (she chose YESS).

I can’t celebrate what @zkassian9 did. But cause is worthy & one I volunteer for already.

So I will match – up to $10k – whatever @EdmontonOilers fans can do for @BrownBaggingIt by noon Friday.

And give $5k to an EDMONTON shelter to be chosen by @SamInYEG #BabyItsColdOutside https://t.co/obiwQvUInj

— * W. Brett Wilson * (@WBrettWilson) January 15, 2020

Wilson then offered to fly Sam to Nashville, with two tickets to a Predators game (Wilson is an investor with the Predators), if fans could raise $20,000.

They did.

I will be there Friday for $10k.

If we can get the total donated by @SamInYEG’s efforts to $20k for @BrownBaggingIt – I will arrange a trip to Nashville w/ two tickets for any season game for the @PredsNHL for #Sam for keeping it all so real. And right. And so Canadian. https://t.co/jtMLm4zgPT

— * W. Brett Wilson * (@WBrettWilson) January 16, 2020

But it doesn’t stop there.

ATB Financial has also stepped up, offering to donate $2,500 to each of The ALS Association and Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids.

Oh my goodness!!! @atbfinancial thank you SO MUCH!!! 🙌😍🤯.

With our updated total of $24,000 PLUS $10,000 from @WBrettWilson, PLUS $2,500 from @atbfinancial we're at $36,500.

THAT'S ALMOST $44,000 right!!?? https://t.co/pMhHeyNGbv

— BB4CK-Brown Bagging (@BrownBaggingIt) January 16, 2020

Confused? Who cares, what a great turn of events.

#Oilers Fans THIS is what you are supporting.
Truly, no matter where you are, who you cheer for, or what you feel about this, you are helping us feed kids.

That's something everyone deserves to feel great about.@SamInYEG @WBrettWilson @tanyakyyc pic.twitter.com/sIxPqvkXaE

— BB4CK-Brown Bagging (@BrownBaggingIt) January 16, 2020