Dive deep into hockey history, and you’ll find that the inventor of the slap shot is Eddie Martin, who played for the Halifax Eurekas of the Colored Hockey League near the beginning of the 19th century.
Martin is long gone, but the “cannonading drive” (as coined by the late, great Danny Gallivan) still gets the fans out of their seats. In Edmonton, we have the “Bouch Bomb,” thanks to Oilers’ defenceman Evan Bouchard, who regularly cranks 90 km/h-plus blasts at opposing goalies.
And, now we have a restaurant named for Martin’s invention — and it’s in the 104th Street spot, a quick skate away from Rogers Place, that used to be home to Northern Chicken.
With a name like “Slap Shot,” you’d expect to find all the pub fare you’d associate with sports bars — chicken wings and nachos. Yes, Slap Shot has those, but there are some less-expected shared-snacking items that are worth the try, from chicken kebabs to “protein bites.”
Now, “protein bites” kinda sounds like something gross you’d eat out of a snack pack after working out at the gym — but this is a highlight of what Slap Shot has on offer. You get a choice of chicken or fish; the chunks are grilled and then coated in what the menu calls “Himalayan spices.” It looks like a yellow curry, and there is a hint of heat, and then, almost a nutty background to it all? I ordered the fish — which was light, flaky bassa. The chunks literally fell apart on the fork — and, yes, melted in my mouth. It made for a far more interesting snack than yet another plate of bar nachos. With a cold beer, you’ve got something here.
Slap Shot opened this past week, so it means that it’s really about being ready for the next hockey season. But, you don’t need a game to be on in order to enjoy decent bar food, right?
Slap Shot Restaurant and Bar
Downtown | 10184 104 St NW, Edmonton | 780.962.6024 | slapshotrestaurantandbar.com
