'Don't think you can hide': Increased security planned for Oilers games to deal with unruly fans

Police are promising a greater presence in downtown Edmonton after increased violence around the Oilers arena during this year's NHL playoff season.

Police Chief Dale McFee said although there has been a rise in violence in the area, most fans are there to respectfully enjoy the game and cheer on their hockey team.

"There's a lot to cheer about and we want to make sure that is what we're focused on — the sport, focused on our team, focused on our city to have the best experience possible," McFee said at a media conference at Rogers Place arena on Monday.

Rogers Place president Stu Ballantyne said Oilers fans are "very passionate" and the city is "on the world stage right now, so it's on all of us."

An Oilers watch party in the plaza across from the arena has held thousands of fans over the first round of playoffs, with it reaching capacity on Saturday night. Ballantyne said they are working on a no re-entry policy, similar to that at the arena.

"We have to adapt. We did not expect this volume of people to be here two hours prior to us even opening up our gates," Ballantyne said, adding that fans have been lining up around the block to enter the plaza.

When Ballantyne was asked about the possibility of ticketing the watch party, he said they wouldn't be considering that as an option.

Officers are investigating social media reports of finger biting, a stabbing and barricade rushing after the Oilers won against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday to close out their first-round series in six games.

"I don't want everybody to think that these isolated incidents are the actions of the majority," said McFee. "The majority of people down here have been very good, very respectful … There are some isolated incidents that we'll deal