‘I’m torn’: Kraken’s Canadian contingent having allegiances tested in ALCS

The Regina native has always supported Canada’s only Major League Baseball team. Eberle is also captain of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.

And that makes the American League Championship Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners tricky viewing.

“I’m actually torn,” Eberle said Saturday morning. “I’m a western Canadian. Seattle is closer to me and they have more Canadians on the roster than Toronto does … it’s a win-win. I’d love to see the city of Seattle move on to the World Series. I’d love to see the Jays move on.”

The Mariners scored five runs in the eighth inning Friday to top the Jays 6-2 and take a 3-2 lead in the ALCS. Game 6 goes Sunday at Rogers Centre — just down the street from Scotiabank Arena where the Kraken faced the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. Game 7, if necessary, would be Monday.

• Watch the Blue Jays in the ALCS on Sportsnet

  The Toronto Blue Jays will face the Seattle Mariners in Game 5 of the ALCS with a chance to take their first lead of the series on Friday at 6:08 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT. Catch the game on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+.

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Kraken defenceman and Toronto native Jamie Oleksiak said he remains a Jays fan despite getting caught up in Seattle’s run on the diamond. The hulking blueliner was in attendance when the Mariners beat the Detroit Tigers in 15 innings last week to advance to the franchise’s first ALCS since 2001.

“I’m always cheering for the Jays,” said Oleksiak, who watched Friday’s game with his family. “I’m happy either way, I guess … it’s been competitive and entertaining.”

Like many Jays fans, he tried to put on a brave face after an ugly bullpen implosion in Seattle roughly 12 hours earlier pushed Toronto to the brink of elimination.

“Still some series left,” Oleksiak said.

Fellow defenceman Vince Dunn, who grew up in Mississauga, Ont., said he’s been conflicted watching the Mariners, who have never played in a World Series, and the Jays go toe-to-toe in a compelling matchup.

“The Mariners not ever having won a championship, it’s maybe something that you’re hoping for and can rally around,” he said. “The teams in Seattle are pretty supportive of each other. I can only do my part and support them as well. 

“Whoever wins, it’s a happy home for me.” 

• Watch Hockey Night in Canada on Sportsnet

  Watch Hockey Night in Canada on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ all season long. This Saturday, catch the Maple Leafs vs. the Kraken, the Canadiens vs. the Rangers, the Jets vs. the Predators and Flames vs. the Golden Knights.

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First-year Kraken head coach Lane Lambert — an associate with the Leafs last season — said his support is firmly planted in the Mariners’ corner.

“It’s crazy,” said the Melfort, Sask., product. “Both cities, I was just in one and (now) in Seattle. I’m a homer. It was a heck of a game (Friday) night.”

A member of the Kraken since the club’s inaugural 2021-22 season and named the second captain in franchise history last October, Eberle has grown to appreciate his adopted city’s passion for its teams, including the NFL’s Seahawks and the Sounders of Major League Soccer.

“I love Seattle sports fans,” he said. “But I know how the Jays fans are, too.”

Eberle is also keenly aware the team that advances from the ALCS will face a potential buzz saw with the Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers already waiting after completing their sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series.

“It’s gonna be awesome,” Eberle said. “But either way, they’re gonna have their hands full.” 

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