1986 Game 7 Flames vs Oilers

[FanIn80]

Since Bingo is doing the All-time Jersey polls, this might be a good time to post this. It's the full game 7 from the '86 playoffs. I figure more than a few of these guys will be listed in polls, so for those that haven't seen them play (or just want a reminder), here's your chance.

This isn't my video, so no credit to me for any of this stuff. I just simply went looking for old game footage to watch for my own enjoyment. This one's too good not to share though!

[troutman]

Vernon was 23.

[FanIn80]

^^ And a rookie. And like 5'3" (maybe 5'5" in skates)!

So many great stories from that run...

Edit: Also, totally forgot about Shannon being a colour guy back then. (Or, at least, I think that's Shannon.)

[troutman]

Maybe it was Gary Dornhoefer?

[Azhouse]

Awesome. That was the epitome of the good guy Flames (Lanny, MacInnis etc) vs. the evil Oilers led by a gum chewing smirking Glen Slither (oh and the entire future brain trust of the organization).

[DT77]

Originally Posted by troutman

Maybe it was Gary Dornhoefer?

Yep, Gary Dornhoefer for sure. To this day, Don Wittman's voice gives me goosebumps. He called so many great Flames games in his day. This one and Game 6 vs. Detroit in 2004 being my two favourites. 18 years apart... wow.

It's a shame the rest of the games from this series aren't on Youtube. This game, while an absolute gem, is just the pinnacle of what was likely the best seven games of hockey I'll ever see.

[calgaryred]

Originally Posted by DT77

Yep, Gary Dornhoefer for sure. To this day, Don Wittman's voice gives me goosebumps. He called so many great Flames games in his day. This one and Game 6 vs. Detroit in 2004 being my two favourites. 18 years apart... wow.

It's a shame the rest of the games from this series aren't on Youtube. This game, while an absolute gem, is just the pinnacle of what was likely the best seven games of hockey I'll ever see.

Agreed game 3# and the Gretzky meltdown after Sheehy gets under his skin is priceless. Still remember Gretzky screaming from the Oilers bench and Sheehy blowing him kisses.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Every time I hear someone use the old line about "Players from the 80s wouldn't be able to handle today's NHL", it makes me want to elbow them in the head 40 feet from the play, and give them a solid two-handed slash while they're getting up.

Gretzky takes 2 knee-on-knee hits in the first period of this game.

The only call is an offside, against him.

[Tyler]

[FireGilbert]

Awesome thanks. The only time the Flames ever beat the Oilers in the playoffs and it takes a god like performance from Vernon and one of the oddest game winners ever.

Where does this rank on the list of all time playoff upsets? The Oilers were the two time defending champions and finished 30 points ahead of the Flames in the standings while winning the season series 6-1-1. They were also the 13th best team ever (by points %) and it was the year Gretzky was unstoppable getting 215 points.

[Aeneas]

Ahh, as an old guy, I remember it like it was...maybe not yesterday, but a couple years ago.
Still hate the Oilers.
Otto and Macoun were my favourite players then, great to watch this game again.

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Awesome thanks. The only time the Flames ever beat the Oilers in the playoffs and it takes a god like performance from Vernon and one of the oddest game winners ever.

Where does this rank on the list of all time playoff upsets? The Oilers were the two time defending champions and finished 30 points ahead of the Flames in the standings while winning the season series 6-1-1. They were also the 13th best team ever (by points %) and it was the year Gretzky was unstoppable getting 215 points.

The Flames really came on strong toward the end of that season. I think it was the last regular season game against the Oilers that they totally dominated and won 9-3, and they carried that domination into Game 1. Despite all the firepower, the Oilers were lucky that the series went to 7 games. Johnson played Lemelin instead of Vernon in game 6, and Reggie "let 'em in".

[Howie_16]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

The only time the Flames ever beat the Oilers in the playoffs and it takes a god like performance from Vernon and one of the oddest game winners ever.

The Flames were the only team to beat the Oilers when The Whiner and his Cokehead Cronies were at the top of their game, and they had almost accomplished the feat two years earlier.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

Ahh, as an old guy, I remember it like it was...maybe not yesterday, but a couple years ago.
Still hate the Oilers.
Otto and Macoun were my favourite players then, great to watch this game again.

I believe I went in your backyard after Steve Smith scored, as I was too nervous to watch the rest of the game. You might have joined me there too.

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by troutman

I believe I went in your backyard after Steve Smith scored, as I was too nervous to watch the rest of the game. You might have joined me there too.

That was a nerve racking experience. That and 1989. Building Flames shrines before every game, the incredible tension watching (or not) and then joyous trips to the airport!

Cool story or not: I still hate the Oilers. Yesterday in Kelowna I was introduced to a friend's neighbour. He told me he was high up in the Oiler organization, CFO or something. My friend said that I was from Calgary...the guy (I had immediately forgotten his name) said something like,"ewww Calgary"

I responded with great maturity, "yes Calgary, where all the trees sway to the north because Edmonton sucks"

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Obviously hadn't watched such a game in a long time. Some things stuck out to me:

1) Lanny was really really strong. Not just strong on his skates, but I'd never noticed how physically strong he was. He's straight-arming guys left and right.

2) Otto is a lot more skilled with the puck than I remember.

3) Risebrough goes from docile to out-of-control-berserker face in 0.2 seconds.

4) All videos need more Bearcat.

5) Anderson was really and truly my most hated Oiler. Skating style, smug face, all of it.

[Finger Cookin]

1:17.24, if you're curious.

http://youtu.be/ROgabZaw7Ag?t=1h17m24s

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Azhouse

Awesome. That was the epitome of the good guy Flames (Lanny, MacInnis etc) vs. the evil Oilers led by a gum chewing smirking Glen Slither (oh and the entire future brain trust of the organization).

As someone who wasn't in Calgary at the time and watched the BOA from an outsider's perspective, I found your comment interesting.

My perspective as an outsider was that most (outside Alberta) viewed the Oilers as the talented, star-studded good guys, and the Flames as the big, bad bullies.

Not saying I did, just that that was my general impression from most fans.

And yes, Sather's smirk... hated it.

[Puppet Guy]

Still the best playoff series I've ever seen.

[GirlySports]

I vaguely remember this game. My dad had a bunch of people over.

When Steve Smith scored there were still 15 minutes left... the longest 15 minutes ever.. nobody thought the Flames could hold the powerful Oilers for the rest of the game.