[The Familia]

I was 18 at the time and just graduated high school the previous spring. As a grad gift, my parents sent me to Italy for a two week tour with some friends that was organized by St. Francis High School. I remember leaving a few days before the playoffs started and being crushed I was going to miss games 1-5 (if it even went that long). I remember using my friends satellite phone and getting updates from my dad. I remember being in the airport in Rome ready to fly home and calling my dad asking what happened in game 5. He replies “get your ass home, they won and can clinch tomorrow!” The whole tour group started a Go Flames Go chant in the airport. It was so cool!

Game 6 I watched at Schanks north and was crushed. Game 7 I had to work and missed the first 2 periods. Instead of missing more game time driving to meet up with friends, I just went home and watched with my family. When Vancouver tied it I lost my ####, threw a pillow, almost broke a lamp and basically ran to the computer room and logged onto CP to vent and basically cry. I lost track of time and a buddy who was on messenger typed “Holy ####” I tuned back in and was watching the handshake line…I missed OT!

That whole spring was magical. Many trips down to 17th. I made a giant Stanley Cup made out of cardboard at my work. It was about 5 feet tall and barely fit in the backseat of my car. The whole Tampa series I brought it down to the red mile and people would tap it, and pour beer and drink from the bowl I mounted to the top. During various aerial shots, you could see the cup floating down a sea of people.

Game 6 against Tampa was a Saturday night and a few of us watched at a buddies house. We wanted to watch the game with minimal distractions and truly soak it in. We had the cup ready to head down to the mile if they won. Alas we all know what happened. Game 7 was the same group of buddies at my house huddled in the basement around a ####ty TV. Same deal as Game 6. After the loss we still went down to the mile. I remember it was packed and was somber and felt a bit like a funeral. Tears were shed. A spring that will never be forgotten or duplicated.