Watching the pre-game of Game 6 against the Lightning makes me sad. Not even because they lost, really... I was 4 and I didn't know any better.
No, it's the atmosphere, seeing Ron and Don, hearing Beazley announce 'Kiprusoff' and 'Iginla', and even seeing guys on the team who I grew up with by playing video games from a few years ago. Even in 2010, my most-frequented video game was my copy of NHL 2004, even over 09 and 10. It was such a terrific game, and I still am nostalgic about the Saprykins and Oliwas on that team even though I wasn't around to witness it. That's what makes me sad... I wasn't there for such a cool thing, and now that it's happened already, I feel like the city might have trouble re-capturing that magic.
Now, playoff ticket prices are through the roof, Sportsnet can't figure out how to properly broadcast games, and I feel like I'll never see this sort of atmosphere again. I don't know why exactly I feel this -- I mean, the Flames could go on a crazy run this year too -- but for some reason it just feels like it won't be the same. But maybe there will be new surprises in store, and it'll be amazing, and the Red Mile will surge again. But, I feel like part of what made '04 special, and again, I wasn't there, is that it was the first playoff appearance in ages and the first run of the 21st century. Maybe I'm way off-base, but I feel like a possible '17 run won't be as fresh.
I don't know. I'm almost 17 and the Flames have made three playoff appearances since I started following them in 2008, so maybe it will be fresh.
__________________
Need a great deal on a new or pre-owned car? Come see me at Platinum Mitsubishi — 2720 Barlow Trail NE
The Following User Says Thank You to TheScorpion For This Useful Post:
The looks on the players faces on the bench - so intense! They were just absorbing the crowd's energy.
Don't remember who, probably Rhett, describing it on the Fan one day. Said his whole body felt numb. Like it was a total overload of goosebumps and emotion. I can't imagine how tough those first few shifts would be.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Cecil Terwilliger For This Useful Post:
Was fortunate enough to attend all the home games in that run. The atmosphere in that building from the Detroit series onward is something I've never experienced in my life again. Would love for nothing more than to get to experience it again. Gives me goosebumps watching that clip all over again. Although there has never been such a loud eruption in that building as there was in game 6 against Detroit when Gelinas scored that goal.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Patek23 For This Useful Post:
That is the greatest post in cp history. Thank you so much.
If I could thank that post 100 times I would. I've been waiting 13 years to experience that again.
Thankfully I have that game in good quality. It must be from that DVD set of 10 best Flames games in history. All the other games I have from those playoffs are VHS transfers, and many of which don't have any of the pre-game stuff at all.
Funny I have that set but I didn't think they included any pregame. Maybe I'll have to bust em out and watch a few before the playoffs. Is it possible I had it all this time and just never noticed? Either way, thanks again. I friggin love that clip.
The go Flames Go chant was so crazy in 2004 that they let the crowd go on for a bit until the national anthem. Gosh I missed Chris Cuthbert and the CBC coverage then.
"C of Red"
During the Flames' run to the Stanley Cup Finals of 2004, most of the Flames fans attending the hockey games at the Saddledome wore a red jersey with Calgary's flaming C on it.[43] Sales of the Flames red home jersey, introduced at the start of the 2003–04 campaign, were so strong during the playoffs that manufacturer CCM stopped production on all other team jerseys in order to keep up with demand of Flames uniforms.[92] The team set a league record for sales of a new uniform design.[96] The tradition of the C of Red dates back to the 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Oilers. Oiler fans were donning hats promoting "Hat Trick Fever" in their quest for three straight Stanley Cups. Flames fans countered by wearing red. In the 1987 playoffs against Winnipeg, the Jets responded to the C of Red by encouraging fans to wear white, creating the "Winnipeg Whiteout".[97] During Flames games when "The Star-Spangled Banner" is sung, fans shout the words see and red to signify the "C of Red" theme.
