[Mony]

I'm immensely proud of this team. Whether we make the playoffs or not - I believe.

There was this guy I knew before the season started who said we'd for sure make the playoffs now that we acquired Hiller. I thought he was crazy, and as it turns out we've been sniffing around the playoffs all year. That speaks to me for how incredible this season has been - this team wasn't supposed to go anywhere and we were supposed to be down in the basement with the McDavid hopefuls, if not the front-runners. I also recall last year my dad saying that if we could turn all those one-goal games into wins, we could make it this year.

I don't think anyone will regret this season, or at least they shouldn't. There will always be people who argue that it would've been better for us to tank and have a chance at McDavid, but it needs to be kept in mind that this remarkable season doesn't happen if the kids don't make leaps in their development this year the way they have, and the veterans don't step up. The 2014-15 Flames will always be remembered for their incredible character in the face of adversity - and while it would be nice to make the playoffs this year to shove it to all the naysayers, it wouldn't stop them from doubting the Flames. They'd just challenge us to make the playoffs a second time next year. The hockey world will not respect us until we become continuous contenders, and we will just have to accept that and get used to it. But being the underdog is fun.

But maybe this team has one more magic trick left. I can't wait to see if I'm right.

Hold your heads up high Flames fans. Our boys went above and beyond the call of duty this year already. Let's just wait and see if they can take the last step.