I was in Calgary with my GF (now wife) for the start of the Vancouver series. We watched the first few games at various pubs in Banff.
My wife who is English got into hockey for the first time on that trip and took an instant and unprompted hatred towards Canucks fans. She even shouted at a couple of them who were celebrating a goal like it was a game 7 OT winner - that came later in the series.
One night, I'd stupidly booked a table for the 'Eden Experience' at the Rimrock while a game was on.
Our waiter (best ever as it happens) overheard me talking about the hockey - I'd only uttered a sentence. While serving one of the courses, he said, 'I hope you don't mind me interrupting but the Calgary Flames have just scored to make it 2-1'. The news was delivered in the way you'd expect of Coleman from Trading Places, even though the waiter/sommelier was from Winnipeg.
By game 6 I was back in London but lived out the best part of the next two months on Mountain time. I went straight from watching OT in Game 7 to work that morning.
During the Detroit series I was in Barcelona (gf's birthday) and had to get updates on the internet. Quite a few people (tourists) recognised the shirt and were wishing me well. The best one was while getting coffee one morning, a fellow Canadian wished us well for game 6 and did I know where to watch a game?
I felt great telling him that it had finished a couple of hours ago and he started shouting across Starbucks to his mate that THE FLAMES ARE IN THE SCF!!!!!!
It was a wonderful time - I can't believe how much I remember about every aspect of my life while the Flames were on that run.
I don't think that can be replicated, nor would I want that. I just want whatever new experience is to come our way, because with this group of players to build upon, something will happen and when it does, it'll be special in its own unique way.
Just as 2004 was.
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