"Oilers are the second-best hockey team": Mattias Ekholm's wife Ida offers comfort to Oilers fans after Stanley Cup dreams shatter
Mattias Ekholm's wife shares touching open letter with Oilers fans (Instagram/@ibjornstad)
The Edmonton Oilers' dream of clinching the Stanley Cup came to a devastating end yet again, this time in Game 6 against the Florida Panthers. With a 5-1 loss sealing a 4-2 series defeat, the heartbreak ran deep — not just among players and fans, but also within the families who've stood by through every exhausting moment.
Mattias Ekholm
's wife praises Oilers Nation with raw, emotional letter after crushing Stanley Cup loss
Amid the emotional wreckage, one voice quietly stood out — not from the locker room, but from the sidelines. Ida Björnstad, wife of Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm and a respected Swedish sports journalist, took to Instagram to deliver a deeply moving message that resonated far beyond the final score.
'As you might know, I'm a writer, and I love to put my thoughts into sentences and stories,' Ida began, in a post that felt more like a journal entry than a public statement.
'Most of my texts stay with me. This time, though, I would like to share some words with you.'
Her post was more than a show of support; it was a heartfelt window into the emotional toll a Stanley Cup run takes on not only players but also their families. Ida's perspective came not as a reporter, but as a partner who's been living the ups and downs of the season behind closed doors.
'I know how much hockey means to the Canadian people, and I understand that the people in Edmonton are heartbroken today, including our family,' she wrote, capturing the collective disappointment that enveloped the city after the Oilers fell short again.
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She went on to highlight the intense mental and physical demands that playoff hockey imposes: 'Throughout the playoffs, many things are happening behind the scenes. Boundaries are being pushed in the most demanding way, both physically and mentally. For the players and their families, everything is about maximizing the chances of winning.'
Despite flashes of brilliance from Edmonton — including two hard-fought overtime wins — the Panthers controlled much of the series.
Edmonton was behind for a record-setting 255 minutes and 49 seconds and was outscored 28-17 overall. Game 6 saw Florida dominate early, with the Oilers unable to find their rhythm again.
Still, Ida chose to focus on the positives. 'For two years in a row, we have made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Oilers are the second-best hockey team in the world, and we have fans who support this team in both good times and bad. There is so much to be proud of and thankful for.'
And in her final thought, she reminded everyone of the bigger picture: 'As much as it hurts when you lose, this is a journey we will look back on one day, reflecting on the highs and lows and understanding that everything made sense.'
As the Oilers now prepare for a pivotal offseason, Ida's message offers something rare — a sense of grace and perspective in the face of loss, reminding fans why they fell in love with this team in the first place.
Also Read:
Wayne Gretzky loved Panthers' Cup win over Oilers but also admits one part didn't sit right
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
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