Yellowknife (May 31/06) - For the first time in 16 years the Edmonton Oilers will be going to the Stanley Cup finals, and Yellowknife fans are showing their pride.

Watching cars drive up and down Franklin Ave., it seems every third vehicle has one or two Oiler flags rippling in the wind.

At Headgear, Yellowknife's sports jersey outlet, Calgary Flames fan Troy Hayward (assistant manager, left) wipes an imaginary tear from his eye while brother Trent (shop owner and Edmonton fan) enjoys the moment. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

"Those were hot in demand," says Trent Hayward of Headgear, which ran out of the car flags several days ago. "But we've ordered more for the finals."

Jerseys and hats with the Oilers logo are also hot items, and Trent's brother Troy says the shop is selling an average of 10 pieces a day.

"And I don't mind selling them, so I don't have to look at them," adds the Calgary Flames supporter, who's been constantly ribbed by brother Trent, a diehard Oilers fan, since Calgary got knocked out in the first round.

Trent says with two American teams squaring off in the final three years ago, the interest in team paraphernalia was not the same back then.

"It would've been better if more Canadian teams went further this year," he says.

For those with the money and time to spare, the ultimate hockey trip would be a chance to see a Stanley Cup final game in person.

By early Monday afternoon, Irene Golchert, an agent at Top of the World Travel and Tours, said she had fielded more than 20 calls asking about Edmonton travel packages for the Stanley Cup.

"We sent people away for the last two rounds," says Golchert of the air/hockey ticket deal for approximately $1,080. "This one will be more expensive and there's already been a lot of interest already."

"Hockey is as Canadian as drinking beer," proclaims Gold Range bartender Wain Dempsey, showing off his brand new Oiler's sweatshirt. "And I'm getting ready for it."

The downtown watering hole has been regularly rolling out a projection screen to show playoff hockey.

"By the time it gets to the fifth or sixth game people want to come out, be with their friends and make some noise."But the Cup finals - there's always big crowds."