Thousands of hockey fans were expected to flock to Edmonton’s downtown core – either at Rogers Place or at any number of crowded bars – to take in the Oilers first playoff game in more than ten years, and officials were ready.

At Rogers Place alone, thousands of fans will be in the building for the team’s first playoff game in this arena – while many of the fans paid for tickets to sit in seats, and more than a thousand fans will be watching the game on TV screens in Ford Hall.

As part of a pilot project for the game, the Oilers have sold between 200 and 250 $80 ‘concourse passes’ to fans, who want to be in the playoff atmosphere, but will watch the game on screens inside the building.

Those tickets are prompting some concerns from fans.

“It’s going to be a nightmare, I really truly believe,” fan Cheryl Stewart said. “The concourse has been a problem right from the beginning.

“I just think the safety issues are going to be huge as the drinking goes on.”

The Oilers Entertainment Group doesn’t anticipate any problems.

“What we’re really concentrating on is how do we get more and more Oilers fans a chance to be part of this and in Rogers Place?” Stew MacDonald with the Oilers Entertainment Group said.

At establishments around Rogers Place, officials have been preparing for this game for weeks, including at Denizen Hall, across the street from the arena.

“I’ve been running around all day, but I’m really excited and excitement trumps anything else,” Matt Kinal, general manager of Denizen Hall, said Wednesday. “We’re just really stoked to be here, part of this playoff run.

“I want to make a million dollars out of it,” Kinal said, laughing.

Like other establishments in the area, Denizen will bring in extra staff, offer drink specials and will have a DJ – later this week, bringing in rapper Cadence Weapon.

The first two games of this round will be played in Edmonton, but the next two are set for San Jose.

On Wednesday, the Oilers Entertainment Group announced a watch party at Rogers Place for game 3 – the game will be shown on the arena scoreboard.

The Orange Crush Road Game Watch Party is scheduled for Sunday, April 16 at 8 p.m., reserved seating is $5, and proceeds will benefit the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation.

Doors at the arena will open at 7 p.m. Tickets for this event will go on sale Thursday, April 13 at 2 p.m. on the Edmonton Oilers website.

With files from Bill Fortier and Shanelle Kaul