We are all watching the Flames this season, but the question is - why?

[BigT112]

#1

[Matty81]

1. Its kind of like a sadomasicistic addiction for me after the last 20 years with one rewarding season but I figure, I could be addicted to something that actually harms me physically like drugs instead of just damaging my sanity, pocketbook and emotional balance so I just go with it.

[Inferno]

The Flames could go 0-82 every year and I'd still follow them. As critical as I can be when they play bad I'm as loyal of a fan as you can get.

[memphusk]

The Calgary Flames owe me nothing.

#1. Always has been, Always will be.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

#1, #2, #3 and #5 for me


....although I realize #2 is reeaaaally unlikely haha.

exactly this.

[craig.caulks]

Originally Posted by Inferno

The Flames could go 0-82 every year and I'd still follow them. As critical as I can be when they play bad I'm as loyal of a fan as you can get.

It's a bit strange when you think about it. If your favourite restaurant starting serving garbage food you'd stop going. If your wife/gf was a constant disappointment you'd move on. But for some stupid reason we commit our souls to professional sports teams no matter how poorly they treat us.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by craig.caulks

It's a bit strange when you think about it. If your favourite restaurant starting serving garbage food you'd stop going. If your wife/gf was a constant disappointment you'd move on. But for some stupid reason we commit our souls to professional sports teams no matter how poorly they treat us.

Because for die hard fans it's not what you are, it's who you are. Being a die hard fan is part of our identities.

[craig.caulks]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Because for die hard fans it's not what you are, it's who you are. Being a die hard fan is part of our identities.

Probably not something we should really be proud of.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by craig.caulks

Probably not something we should really be proud of.

I can't speak for anyone else but I am proud of who I am. Sure I might be a tad (read: a lot) hockey/Flames obsessed, but it's better than the other addictions I see in my family.

[craig.caulks]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I can't speak for anyone else but I am proud of who I am. Sure I might be a tad (read: a lot) hockey/Flames obsessed, but it's better than the other addictions I see in my family.

I didn't say you shouldn't be proud of yourself. But it isn't tough to see that we put a ridiculous amount of importance on watching people play a sport. When you see fans wish for injuries to other players, you know it's gotten bad.

Where else in life do we tolerate incompetence so unquestioningly? Maybe government.

[djsFlames]

I hope people realize 03/04 was precisely a case of #2.

On paper they had no business going where they went.

Darryl knew just how to coach in the playoffs, that has been proven.

But Hartley's also a winner.

And I trust in him if he can get this team going the way it has in 8 of its 9 games played so far. And I believe in the possibilities, despite knowing full well the chances.

I was brought up on a sub average Flames team in its dark ages, and taught to like it, and believe in it. And became a diehard despite having any personal memories of its success. (Just some early playoff exits in the mid 90s before Theo left). And every year I came in with the idea that anything is possible. That run in '04 just about proved it to me.

So you'll always find me perhaps not having the highest expectations cause I now know the game and the league more than well enough to know when the deck is stacked against you, but Never ruling out the possibilities. Because you simply cannot, cause a lot of times the team/s you're expecting to win it beforehand don't end up being the one to do it: Carolina, Anaheim, LA.

And, Realistically, that thought has to enter the equation as well.

So if you're a diehard, and the sky is the limit to you, then let it be so. And don't give a damn what the pessimists think.

[kenk-la]

#1, #2, #3 (although they're not my hometown team), #5, and even #7 (as there is potential for a turn around/this could be the last season in Calgary for both Kiprusoff and Iginla).

I got tickets to this game tonight as the next time the Flames are in town the potential is there for the team to not have Kiprusoff and Iglina, so I wanted to go tonight just in case they never play again at Rogers Arena in a Flames uniform. I wish Kipper played tonight, oh well.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by craig.caulks

I didn't say you shouldn't be proud of yourself. But it isn't tough to see that we put a ridiculous amount of importance on watching people play a sport. When you see fans wish for injuries to other players, you know it's gotten bad.

Where else in life do we tolerate incompetence so unquestioningly? Maybe government.

You also continue loving your family even when they screw up in life. It's not about tolerance, its unconditional love. It's that way with the Flames too, even when they make you angry you still love them.

[Karl]

#4 and the first part of #3.

[craig.caulks]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

You also continue loving your family even when they screw up in life. It's not about tolerance, its unconditional love. It's that way with the Flames too, even when they make you angry you still love them.

That's kind of my point. You are now comparing your family and unconditional love with your area professional hockey team.

Now of course there are probably lots of "die hard" fans who don't cut their family the same slack. Men will cheat on their beloved wives but they would not dare cheer for another team.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by craig.caulks

That's kind of my point. You are now comparing your family and unconditional love with your area professional hockey team.

Now of course there are probably lots of "die hard" fans who don't cut their family the same slack. Men will cheat on their beloved wives but they would not dare cheer for another team.

I'm not sure I see what your point is. Clearly its not the same type of love as loving family, I am just saying its similar in the sense that it's unconditional.

I would also suggest that most die hard fans do watch other teams and do cheer for some of those other teams. So your analogy doesn't really fit.

[Travis Munroe]

Always want to win. A loss somewhat ruins the night but a win makes my night. + If we lose enough I can finally get off the lower bowl season ticket wait list so it's all a positive for me!

[edn88]

1,2,3,5, and 7

[Fire Park '71]

8 more losses should just about dash any hopes of the playoffs. They are not winning the division. Squeaking in, is the only hope. Hope and the Calgary Flames, now that's a top shelf, marketing ploy.

[DuffMan]

#2.