[News] 10 years later - Flames players comment on 2004 Cup run

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by 4oh3

I actually refuse to watch the playoff run videos. Makes me so sad.

I know right? My brother taped every game of the playoffs on VHS, and then rewatched them for months... I don't know how he could torture himself like that.

[Trojan97]

One of my favourite moments of that whole run was Ville Nieminen being interviewed shortly after the game when he said something to the effect of "we walked into this arena a proud hockey team, and we will leave a proud hockey team", his voice cracking as he says it.

Such a huge mix of pride, sadness, disappointment, I've never felt anything like it as a fan and I doubt I will ever hurt to that degree again. I'll never forget how the city rallied around the team, unbelievable.

[evman150]

On a somewhat unrelated note, how awesome is that Stanley Cup Final logo? Why the hell did they change it to the modern looking atrocity we have now?

[FBI]

I choose to believe the Flames are going to win the cup in my lifetime and it will wipe out these bad memories..

[King Theo]

If I had to pick what playoffs I like better between 89 or the 2004, I would pick 2004. In 89 we were the best team in the league and picked to win the cup all the way.
In 2004 we got into the playoffs in the last week of the season, and played 4 of the top teams in the league. No one though we would do anything. And we were the talk of the hockey world. Almost everyone wanted us to win, (Vancouver did not get that a few years ago).
I love the 2004 cup run, I will watch they games and clips again. Wish we won, but I loved it.

[krynski]

That was an incredible run. I remember the hype and sheer excitement. We were so worse for wear, but we had amazing performance from our call-ups. We had no business being there. Watching those guys make it that far was incredible. Against all odds they made it to the final game. We had a few decent players, but we had an emphasis on "Team". It's not like in 2006 where the Oilers had a Rent-A-Team roster. I don't care who says what, to me, they won it.

[manwiches]

I thought the wounds were healed after 10 years, but reading the players comments, it's like a bandaid was ripped off and salt was rubbed in the wound I thought was healed...

Reading Gelinas' comments brought a jolt of emotion to me. Warrener's comments hit pretty hard too... Cripes, what an amazing year.

One of the proudest, most fun, and exciting moments of my life being a Flames fan. Just as equally though, the ending left this feeling of a really bad breakup that you didn't see coming. Those feelings are present again as I type this.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Why does my bed have onions?

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Wow, I think it just got really smoky in my apartment because both my eyes are watering.

Y'know guys, it's alright to just say "It makes me cry."

[troutman]

Too soon.

[Ozy_Flame]

Don't worry about the tears. Just think of Edmonton and you'll smile.

[jayswin]

You know what I didn't know about the 04 playoff run that I just found out on tv yesterday? That jake gyllenhal and Heath ledger were both heavily invested in our playoff run and were at most of the games together.

Jake also said that it was amazing as a celebrity to be able to drink at the ship and anchor and not be treated like a celebrity because everyone was so crazy into the flames.

It was kind of cool to hear him talk about the flames like they were his team and even expressing a little pain talking about how close we were to winning the cup.

Had never heard any of that before.

[Locke]

It. Was. In.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by AC

This image will always encapsulate the loss for me.

Dean McAmmond, who was injured for the entire playoff run, sitting in his locker stall following the loss.

I remember that Deano always took losing hard.

After one pay per view that year when the Flames lost I watched another Flame being interviewed. I don't even know who was being interviewed as I couldn't take my eyes off McAmmond in the background; devastated by the loss. He was sitting in his locker with his skates off but the rest of his equipment still on. He was staring at the floor just gently nudging a loose skate lace with his big toe. He looked like he had just received awful news. I thought "that is the kind of heart that the Flames need. Someone who never wants to feel that awful feeling again so they'll do anything to make sure it doesn't happen."

If Deano would have played I think we could have won just because of his attitude on the bench. If the Flames would have had a couple more healthy bodies I think that we would be remembering 2004 more fondly.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Don't worry about the tears. Just think of Edmonton and you'll smile.

Sometimes even that makes me cry. Tears of joy.

[H2SO4(aq)]

I knew how this thread would make me feel, and i still clicked it..

Its amazing how much that playoff run has affected me emotionally, I could not even fathom what it must be like for the guys playing in it.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by 4oh3

I actually refuse to watch the playoff run videos. Makes me so sad.

This is where I am with it, but I don't think it's because it makes me too sad, I just don't want to relive it any more.

They were great memories and it was a lot of fun to be a part of, but I want a new one and I don't want to look back on this one.

Sorry to be a porcupine.

[automaton 3]

Hard to believe its been 10 years already.

I only had an opportunity to attend one game of the 1st round series vs. the Canucks, but I'll never forget the feeling in the Dome - just electric. Everyone 100% into the game and cheering their guts out. You could feel the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by nik-

Sorry to be a porcupine.

Don't be. This party needs a porcupine or two

[rubecube]

What made this whole thing worse was having to endure the lockout the year after, then having the 2005-06 team, which looked built for the playoffs, completely crap the bed against Anaheim in game seven, at home, in the first round.

[Howie_16]

I have never had much problem with the non-goal call. There are, however, two things that bug me much more in the Tampa Bay series.

1. The 5 on 3 power play for the full 2 minutes in game 4, and the final score ending up 1-0 simply because of the two penalty calls.
2. The overtime goal is a direct result of Jason Cullimore (I think) kicking his legs out and tripping Chris Simon before he could get the puck out of the zone. This caused a turn over at the blue line, St. Louis puts home the rebound. Kipper actually almost saves this shot but it hits him and deflects up, but not high enough to get over the net.

Finally, we should know that a 2004 WILL happen again. Who knows, it might even happen in 2015...