[TheScorpion]

Watching the pre-game of Game 6 against the Lightning makes me sad. Not even because they lost, really... I was 4 and I didn't know any better.

No, it's the atmosphere, seeing Ron and Don, hearing Beazley announce 'Kiprusoff' and 'Iginla', and even seeing guys on the team who I grew up with by playing video games from a few years ago. Even in 2010, my most-frequented video game was my copy of NHL 2004, even over 09 and 10. It was such a terrific game, and I still am nostalgic about the Saprykins and Oliwas on that team even though I wasn't around to witness it. That's what makes me sad... I wasn't there for such a cool thing, and now that it's happened already, I feel like the city might have trouble re-capturing that magic.

Now, playoff ticket prices are through the roof, Sportsnet can't figure out how to properly broadcast games, and I feel like I'll never see this sort of atmosphere again. I don't know why exactly I feel this -- I mean, the Flames could go on a crazy run this year too -- but for some reason it just feels like it won't be the same. But maybe there will be new surprises in store, and it'll be amazing, and the Red Mile will surge again. But, I feel like part of what made '04 special, and again, I wasn't there, is that it was the first playoff appearance in ages and the first run of the 21st century. Maybe I'm way off-base, but I feel like a possible '17 run won't be as fresh.

I don't know. I'm almost 17 and the Flames have made three playoff appearances since I started following them in 2008, so maybe it will be fresh.