This Is Awesome And Touching

I'm not one to cheer for the Edmonton Oilers, but I have to admit that they're battling in games and winning when most would have written them off. Tonight's overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues are one of those games where the Oilers might not have been given any chance in the past, but they found a way to win tonight even without playing their best hockey. That's the sign of a maturing team, and while that's been said for the past decade it seems to be happening this season with the kids and veterans blending together.

However, today's article isn't going to be some Mark Spector Oilers story, though. This is about Patrick Maroon and his reaction. Maroon scored a goal tonight for the Oilers with his wife and son in the crowd. You may not know this, but Maroon lives in Missouri in the off-season, so he doesn't get to see his son a lot during the season when he's with the Oilers. Sportsnet's Gene Principe decided to show Maroon his son's reaction to his dad's goal, and I gotta say that Maroon's emotional response in seeing his son cheering for his dad tugs at the ol' heart strings.

If that didn't melt the ice around your heart, I'm not sure what will. That's a dad who loves and misses his son during the season seeing his boy's joy for his dad's accomplishment. Folks, this is one of those moments that makes hockey, and sports in general, so great. I'm glad Gene Principe showed Patrick his son's reaction, and kudos to ending the interview to let Maroon have his moment. That's professionalism, kids.

The fact that the Oilers won is a footnote on a great story like this. With Christmas approaching, Patrick will get to spend some time with his son, but as most fathers will tell you it's never enough time. When Patrick looks back on his career after retiring, I'm sure this will be one of those moments that will never fade into the many highlights he's experienced.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!