Edmonton Daily Digest — March 3, 2026

Comeback win in OT at home! Leon Draisaitl had 2 goals and 3 assists and Evan Bouchard scored the overtime winner as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Ottawa Senators 5-4 on March 3, 2026; Edmonton (30-24-8) rallied from a two-goal deficit, Connor Ingram made 17 saves and Linus Ullmark had 32. This was Edmonton’s first home game in a month and a big morale boost — Draisaitl matched Jari Kurri with 1,043 franchise points and notched his 301st multi-point game.

Neighbours alarmed by "rooming house" infills near U of A. Residents in Belgravia and McKernan say newly built infills are being rented by the room — sometimes by the day or hour for $35–$65/night — despite plans showing four-plex zoning; councillor Michael Janz wants more landlord accountability and the city is preparing a report on lodging-house rules. Folks worry about parking, garbage and safety, and some online ads were removed after questions from reporters.

Bettman tours Calgary’s new $1.2B events centre amid World Cup bid talk. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman praised the Victoria Park arena project as a future “economic engine” and acknowledged Calgary and Edmonton have a joint bid for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey (February 2028); Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has offered $15 million if an Alberta city is chosen. Bids are being evaluated and organizers expect a decision in a few weeks.

Iran war oil-price jump could help Alberta, Saskatchewan budgets. Crude topped about US$73 early Monday and was roughly US$74.83 by Tuesday afternoon; University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe says every US$1 rise equals about $680 million to Alberta’s bottom line, so sustained low-70s oil could meaningfully shrink Alberta’s projected deficits (Alberta had forecast WTI at US$60.50). Officials including Richard Masson, Finance Minister Nate Horner and Premier Danielle Smith say higher prices would help, but warn pump prices and inflation could rise for everyday Canadians.

Alberta minister optimistic on ER doctor plan — not blaming physicians. Hospitals Minister Matt Jones says he’s hopeful talks will yield the promised triage liaison physicians (a $20-million, two-year budget to roll roles out in nine hospitals) but the Alberta Medical Association’s president, Dr. Brian Wirzba, says delays stem from government process and contract issues (pay, admin burdens, liability). If talks stall, short-term fixes could include more nurse practitioners or extra ER funding — and people worried about long ER waits want quicker action.

Two people dead in Calgary; carbon monoxide suspected. Police were called shortly before 1:30 a.m. to the 900 block of Rundlecairn Way N.E. in Rundle on March 3, 2026, and found two people in a detached garage; firefighters measured about 300 ppm of CO inside (a potentially lethal level). One person died on scene, the other later in hospital; the Alberta medical examiner is investigating and officials remind everyone to have working CO detectors.

Same suspect tied to Toronto and Vaughan killings — a 19-year-old from Edmonton. Police say the Feb. 7 killing of 37-year-old Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar at Woodbine Shopping Centre and the Jan. 26 slaying of 65-year-old Sergio Lopes in Vaughan are linked; investigators want 19-year-olds Isaiah Thomas Badger (Edmonton) and Jacob Wallace (Mississauga) on first-degree murder and arson charges. A black SUV used in the shootings was found on fire; police ask the public not to approach the suspects and to call 911 with tips.

B.C. orders inquest into Tumbler Ridge school shooting. Chief coroner Dr. Jatinder Baidwan announced an inquest into the Feb. 10 killings in Tumbler Ridge, where Jesse VanRootselaar killed two adults (including her mother and an 11-year-old half-brother) and five pupils plus a teacher’s aide before taking her own life; a jury of five to seven people will be part of the process and a date hasn’t been set. Families and MPs have called for answers about mental health, gun access and other issues (OpenAI had flagged the shooter’s ChatGPT account last June), and the inquest aims to make recommendations to prevent repeats.