How do you cheer for/follow the Flames; Have you changed?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Nasty

I dont think the point was missed... accurate recollection of his experiences as the times changed around the organization

When the guy didn't read the post, hard to say that.

[Brannigans Law]

I don't get excited for wins, and I don't get mad for losses. I'm not expecting them to win like the young guns era, but I'm also devoid of any real short term future for this team. It's actually kinda depressing how sad this era is becoming.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by timbit

Just surprising the management has not realized much sooner how far away this team was/is from being a cup contender. Really sad but still my favorite team.

I have sometimes thought the same thing. My only conclusion is the fear of losing a fan base like they did in the young guns era and will the fans tolerate the time it's takes to a full rebuild of the team. Welcome to the wests version of the Toronto Maple Lleafs

[Mister Yamoto]

I'm gonna just hang in there. The Flames are only a GM and three or four years away from being a good team again.

Also, Hitmen playoffs start Thursday. Hitmen vs. Broncos. I can't wait.

[Freeway]

Covering the team completely changes how you view the games and your emotional investment in them.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

I'm gonna just hang in there. The Flames are only a GM and three or four years away from being a good team again.

Also, Hitmen playoffs start Thursday. Hitmen vs. Broncos. I can't wait.

The Hitmen are alays a great alternative for the Flames missing the playoffs.

[To Be Quite Honest]

I was a massive fan for decades. I would wear my jersey and cheer at the top of my lungs during a game. It didn't matter if I was at the game, at home, or in the pub. I would follow statistics of the league and spend a day planning the pool I was in. I had a lot of fun and I didn't care what anyone thought.

This last year it has completely changed. I pvr the games and jump through them quick. I drink waaaay less beer. I've had 10 in the last 3 months. Heck, I lost 15 pounds! I do get a bit excited when the Flames play really well. I think it's mostly because it looks more fun to be skating, hitting, tick tack toe passing, and scoring. We're not use to the pretty plays. If it's a boring game I'm pretty "meh" about it. I haven't worn my jersey once this season.

I've mentioned it before, but the business of the game has tarnished hockey for me.

[Sakari]

Despite the absolutely terrible play, I have watched every single Flames game this season thus far, and at least 75 of them last year. Hockey IS just a game. Games can be taken very seriously, though. I'm a real fan. I don't have a tear in my eye when the team wins, it's simply a helper for a good nights sleep. When they lose, I'm not actually angered, with a few exceptions.. like the Chicago game, I'm slightly disappointed, but move on thinking about the more important things in life. Come game time, everything goes off, games on, drink in hand, and I'm ready to watch. Why? Because I'm a fan. I think this team has the skill to get absolutely creamed in the first round in the playoffs, and that's plenty. The only thing that can get between me and hockey is girls and family, and if something else wants to give it a try, they can go and see how far that gets them. You can't possibly leave a set of rules that you have to follow to be considered a fan. Regular fans watch the game when they see its on, Hardcore fans know every game every time every date, and they don't miss a game, bandwagon fans are the ones that couldn't name 10 players off the roster. But in the end, they're all fans. We're all supposed to get along. That doesn't really work out here though.

[Bowvechkin]

Moved to Calgary twice during the hockey season. When back home, I scheduled work days off so I could watch certain games. You could say I am emotionally invested. I hate losing, but I hate not winning even more. Would I change this? Never. The Flames have given me an experience not many can say they have had. The day we win the cup will be the best day in my life.

[gargamel]

I'm like a lot of you guys in that I don't get as excited about the wins or as upset about the losses as I once did, but it's hard to say whether that's more a result of my age (31 now) or the fact that the team isn't good enough for the games to be that meaningful. If we make the playoffs this year, will I be just as into the playoff games as I ever was? Who knows, but I'm hoping to find out.

I've given up on rooting for specific results to bring about change because I know we could stink and management could still decide to sit tight, or we could be very good and management could decide to make major changes (yes, I'm still upset about Keenan being fired). We could have the worst record in the league and have the draft lottery screw us, or we could get the #1 pick and then get a guy who has injury problems and never makes an impact.

There are just too many variables to make it worth rooting for anything other than a win on any given night.

[Mass_nerder]

After moving away from calgary a few years ago, I find that I watch fewer games, but I think it has more to do with the ridiculously late game times. I can't justify being up until 1:30 am watching the game. Maybe my attitude would be different if the Flames were a little more successful. I do have to say that I'm not as disappointed when they lose because it gives me hope that the organization will begin to change the direction of the team. Still happy to see a win though!

[the crispy badger]

Been around since 1986 through the up and downs, I like most people here were emotionally invested as a teen and through my 20's and never missed a game but in my 30's, I don't get upset if I miss a few in a row as real life has grabbed me by the jewels and I need to invest more time in my job and family

...also like massnerder the games start here at 1030 pm and thats time better spent with the future Mrs Badger.

[Psytic]

I think that by complaining on the forums and being negative people think that it might get noticed by the right people and might cause the team to wake up and make the right changes. Whether that makes any sense or not its like group therapy for some to come on here and bitch and get their frustrations out about the team.

I think that those that are on a crusade to make everyone come to the conclusion that this team is garbage think that if there is a fan and media consensus than sooner or later management has to notice and do something. As we have seen management have their own opinions regardless.

Personally I tend to be on the computer multitasking now so that if a game is going down hill I can quickly turn my attention to something else and not feel like I wasted a couple hours of my life. I am not nearly as emotionally invested in the Flames at all. when Canucks fans used to make fun of them I would defend them tooth and nail. Now I just agree, 'yea they suck' but I still like them anyway.

[Erick Estrada]

I remember in the 80's staying up until 11:30 on a weekday evening just so I could see hightlights of a Flames vs Nordiques game and it would usually end up very brief 30 second clip of 3 or 4 of the 10 total goals scored that night. Decades later I'm still just as big a fan and aknowledge just how things have changed over the time as it's all Flames 24/7 now with all the games televised, highlights all night, Fan 960 talking Flames all day, CP discussing Flames all day. It's way better now for sure but at the same time it's a lot more taxing being a fan as during bad times you are reminded every day about the problems. We discuss here then maybe an hour later the 960 guys are talking to Duhatschek about what the Flames should do. Taking a step back is never a bad thing as I for the most part have stopped posting during games because it can get exhausting especially during losses. Bottom line is as a fan you should do what works best for you wether it's posting or not posting, feeling glass half full or half empty, creat threads to fire the GM or create threads to appreciate the GM, just don't take things too personally. It's what makes being a fan what it is.

[StrykerSteve]

I'm cheering for a win, but now I don't mind if it's a loss because a high draft selection would be nice too.

Used to hate losing with a passion.

Feels good man.

[DuffMan]

from the gmg's response

Originally Posted by DuffMan

I agree for the most part. Celebrate the wins, enjoy the victories. But as far as the losses go, I can live with them some of the time, except for when they don't put in the effort. They're fkn millionaires ffs doing something they love for a living. They all live great lives, beautiful houses, beautiful wives, beautiful vehicles, good retirement in their 30's etc. etc. And when they can't put in some effort to entertain the fans that pay their salaries, it gmg's and I will vent. If they get beat by better or luckier team is one thing, but not putting in the effort pisses me off.

I usually don't get too upset about the coaching, the GM, Bouwmeister, Stajan, Comeux, etc etc as long as they are putting in the effort.

wait, am in the FOI forum? gawd I hope so.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Inbetween girlfriends last summer I was briefly seeing a girl who got upset when I told her "hockey is just a game". I kinda laughed and said.. well it is... when she replied "No, hockey is a way of life" I ended it shortly after what was an, average at best, handy jay. Sure it didn't help she was a Canucks fan but man, take a step back.

handy jay?

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

handy jay?

A tug

[Henry Fool]

I can't really pretend to care too much about wins or losses this season, but being a hockey fan is about more than just the moment. I don't particularly feel the need to whip myself up to express support for a team that I never had any faith in. Nor do I feel the need to introspect what kind of fan that makes me or theorize about what kinds of fans other people are.

At this point I don't blame anyone expect the management. Waiting for the direction of the team to change. The current situation is awful for the fans because there is no hope for success in the immediate future and at the same time there is uncertainty about how the management sees their team, and frustration is a justified reaction to that.

I think if you feel that you have to turn off part of your brain to support your team like you think a proper fan should, then the management is probably doing a very bad job.

One thing to keep in mind is that on the internet people express their thoughts quite strongly. From posted comments I wouldn't conclude anything about how the team affects people's lives.

[FlamesAddiction]

I'm far less emotionally invested than I used to be. A big part of it is living out east now and not being surrounded by Canuck and Oiler fans. When the Flames lose, I never have to hear about it from anyone.

Plus, I just don't have the time to invest anymore. I still try to make it to one live game a year.