Down 3-0 in the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers were likely looking for some extra confidence and inspiration wherever they could get it.
A source for Warren Foegele on Saturday night appeared to be Kobe Bryant.
Ahead of a do-or-die Game 4 for the Oilers on Saturday, the forward donned a T-shirt with an image of the late basketball legend. However, it wasn’t just any image.
In 2002, Bryant wore Wayne Gretzky’s No. 99 Oilers jersey prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets.
An iconic photograph was taken of Bryant, and it’s the image Foegele chose to display on his chest prior to one of the biggest game’s of his career yet.
The Lakers went on to sweep that series 4-0 to earn the franchise’s 14th NBA championship and third consecutive NBA championship.
The Oilers, on the brink of being swept by the Florida Panthers, will have to complete a reverse sweep in order to win their first Stanley Cup since 1990.
So, it’s safe to say they’ll have to channel their inner Mamba Mentality in order to have a shot at getting the job done.
Tune in to the ongoing Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
