The style of hockey that was played by most of the Smyth division and particularly the 80's battle of Alberta was truly as close as you could get watching a war on ice. Every season every playoffs. Their mutual hatred competing against each and for the fans was genuine.
For the all the other fans like myself that grew up in the 80's we were blessed to see those epic battles. The consistent border line hockey insanity is something can't really be compared to hockey of today.
The NHL has evolved to the skill level what it is today but the 80's battle of Alberta had it all and it was can't miss hockey every game they played.
If you don't think that skill level was there then just check out the Flames and Oilers stats player by player top to bottom.If some fans disagree with that they have either forgotten or are just too young to have seen it. You can't fault anyone if they were too young and it is natural for generations to stand behind the notion that theirs is the best.
I guess I'm lucky that I have seen both and was even more lucky to see the greats of the 70's.
Just like my dad was lucky to see the legendary hockey of the 50's and 60's but the true battle of Alberta is a glimmer of what it used to be.
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Last edited by Stay Golden; 08-01-2014 at 12:57 AM.
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