So I spent the weekend talking to my son about the playoffs.
He's 5 and this is really the first year he's understanding and getting into following a sports team as opposed to watching the puck or ball on the screen. His team is the Calgary Flames. He doesn't understand the difference between leagues, the other day he came home saying that a classmate told him the Eagles are the best team, and he was saying no the Flames. For the record the Eagles are the local QMJHL team.
I recently found my 2004 Playoff CD, so we were listening to it in the car. The first track is the Chris Cuthbert Gelinas OT goal against Vancouver. So I was explaining to him how it was my favourite sports moment ever. Then why it was.
I also talked to him about how the playoffs work (Four Rounds, like Four Levels in a video game). Then that the Flames lost in the final level. He kept going on about how the Flames just kept getting better, and now are the best team in all the land.
I tried to prepare him for a Game 7 loss, because... well...
He just kept correcting me that the Flames were the best team in all the land.
Period.
It dawned on me that this kid has no idea what sports heartbreak is, or that it even exists. It's unfathomable.
Yesterday, due to sheer laziness I wore one of my Flames ball caps all day rather than comb my hair (yay weekends).
When the little guy was putting his pjs on, he took the hat off my head and wore it on his own head. Refused to take it off. Fell asleep with it on.
After putting him to bed I went to grab a beer to watch the Pens/Rangers game before our own Game 7.
Went to the cupboard and reached for a glass.
Generally I use a shaker style pint glass. A stylized version of this one:
But the Flames each game this series I used that one. Game 6 I made sure to use my Willi Becher glass (also from the Breton Brewing Company) as the Flames won each game I use that. However, that didn't work Friday night.
So I debated which to use, and opted for a hand made ceramic mug that the Breton Brewing Company gave to its Mug Club members this year. I'm not usually a fan of it, but figured "if this is the last game, what the hell".
Watched the Pens/Rangers until start time. Watched the first, then popped a melatonin and went to bed.
Alas, the 11pm start times, with a young child, and work doesn't allow for me to stay up late anymore.
At about 12:30 went to the bathroom, crawled back in bed and as I reached for my phone my wife says "did you check the score?" I replied "about to now." She said "it's tied 2-2". I thought great. To my shock, was out cold again.
Not sure when I woke up again, again to the bathroom (beer and Gatorade before bed isn't a great combination) when I got back my wife asked the same thing. Then informed me that the Flames won 3-2. I checked my phone to confirm.
Woke up extra early to put the highlights on to watch with my son.
When he saw the Red Lot erupt he jumped up and waved his hands in the air.
If we make the finals, and
if I convince my wife to let me use points to go, and
ifwe have enough points to go, and
ifI get the time off work, and
if relatives are in town, and
if we can stay with them, and
if... and
if... and
if... I think I'd be happy with the Red Lot even if we don't get tickets.
Man I still can't believe that OT winner went in, I can't believe Gaudreau shot it from that angle, I can't believe Ottinger was beat on a clean shot, I just can't believe after the series they had that they were able to pull it out.
Flames were the better team, but a hot goalie can take you to the finals and even win it.
I stopped and started this post a few times. So hopefully it's coherent.
TL;DR can't wait for the ATL
