April 30th, 1986 - Where were you?

[The Professor]

Watching in the basement with my family. Probably playing knee hockey between plays like everyone else. We had a popcorn popper that would make the TV go fuzzy whenever it ran.

I remember jumping up and down in ecstasy after the goal, and literally running around the room as the clock wound down.

[Rejean31]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Grade 4. All the kids were Oiler fans in Cochrane in those days. It was awesome to be able to give it to em. Yes, it was his birthday. Yes, everyone yelled SHOOT for years afterwards.

That Tim Hunter pic really shows how much joy that team took in beating those dickbags.

Not true at all. I have lived in Cochrane my entire life and while there were some Oiler fans in Cochrane during the Oilers heyday, I would say that the majority of kids were Flames fans.

[Rtown]

Geez, been lurking here for over 10 years and THIS was the thread that finally made me sign up.

Quick tale of a "conversion"

I was 9, and like a lot of kids of that day was a huge Oiler fan (didn't grow up in Calgary). I remember getting excited about a 3rd cup, only to have the hopes dashed by Steve Smith. I remember sitting in front of the TV in tears, having my Grandma trying to console me saying "they'll get em next time" (not understanding playoff hockey) I remember replying in between sobs "no they won't there is no next time!!!"

Anywho fast forward a couple weeks to the finals and my mother, who was a huge Habs fan was trying to get me to convert. I hated the Habs with a passion, there was no way in hell I was gonna cheer for them, so I thought, maybe I'll cheer for these Calgary guys to spite my own mother, I mean if they beat the "might Oil" they couldn't be that bad right?
Finally, fast forward a few months to Nov '86. We were in Calgary visiting relatives and my uncle had season tix. He asked my Dad if we'd ever been to an NHL game before and neither of us had, so my uncle gave up his tix to me and Dad and I got to go to my first NHL game, Flames vs Canucks. Been a hardcore Flames fan ever since.

So thank you Steve Smith, had you never scored that (in)famous goal, I might still be cheering for the no goodness to the north. (blech)

Sorry for such a novel for my first post, look forward to talking Flames with you all.

[TheOnlyBilko]

Watching the game at my sisters house in Marlborough. My whole family was there as well as many friends of our family. I was only 12 but remember it very well. There was about 20 people in my sisters living room. When Smith scored the goal, my big (6'5" 225lb) older brother (he was about 20) picked me up and "threw" me up in the air. I actually hit my head on the roof. After the game I remember the entire neighborhood was outside on their front lawns and on the street. I mean literally everyone was outside in Marlborough walking around and celebrating, it was actually surreal to see. Life and times were way different back then. The Flames meant everything to this city. Families would sit down and watch ALL the games together, it would be a real big event.

[your_dad]

Up in Fort McMurray visiting my relatives there who are big Oiler fans. My dad was drinking their tears.

[activeStick]

I was 6 so probably sleeping... pretty lame

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by Dion

For years after that poor Steve Smith would have to edure catcalls of "Shoot! Shoot!" from fans at the Dome whenever he had the puck.

Even when he played for us!!! (It was me yelling from the stands...but in a loving way)

As for the original game, like many here, I was about 7, watching with my Dad. I didn't really comprehend what had happened, but my Dad (a converted Leafs-fan who grew up in the original six era, but became a Flames fan because of Lanny's move here) was going nuts. My child-fandom knew it was significant, but his reaction emphasized it.

(Dad/Mom are from MB-moved to YYC in '76. Dad was a Leafs fan as a kid. In the 70s, Dad hated Ballard for treating Sittler and McDonald the way he did. Ditched the Leafs. When Lanny came to Calgary, Dad was sold on the Flames. Thank God, all this happened, otherwise I could've been raised a Leafs...<choke> Fan....<gasp> <puke>...)

[Five-hole]

I was too young for this, but the first Flames memory I can vividly remember is beating Lemieux and the Penguins 10-3. I was at the game and my hands hurt from clapping from all the goals. I was 8.

I guess it was in 88-89 (good year, I hear): http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/t...id=43&sid=1989

[Inferno]

I was 4 1/2 years old. Doing what? I don't know. It was still a couple of years before I became a Flames fan. Before that I think I was just a fan of certain players but didn't really cheer for any team.

[Thor]

I was 13 and watching in my basement, I totally lost it when that happened and was soooo happy. I remember watching sports at 11.30 on channel 7 and bathing in the glory of that night, I had such a hard time falling asleep.

[Roast Beef]

10 and watching it live on TV.

[Bootsy]

I was 7 and got to stay up to watch it with my parents and siblings. I remember getting yelled at by my dad because I was singing Nah Nah Nah Hey Hey Hey Goodbye during the last faceoff in the flames end with like 4 seconds left and he was so certain I was going to jinx it.

[OzSome]

I worked in the daytime so I decided to watch the game along with the regular customers at the restaurant bar where I was working at. Actually the day before we served Mike Vernon, Colin Patterson, Jamie Macoun and Perry Berezan late lunch the day before. Those guys can eat!! We all wished them well and told them I hope they beat the Oilers. The always smiling Vernon even said yes we will.
That was a wild game. everyone at the bar was just sitting on their hand quiet and very anxious. Once Steve Smith scored on his own net, we were all jumping, screaming for joy. Then we were all standing up watching the clock wind down. Once the clock turned to 0:00, we were all high-fiving each other then we went to celebrate somewhere else. It was awesome!!

[Reggie Dunlop]

I watched it on TV, then afterwards got into my car and listened to the post-game radio show. Drove downtown and honked my horn.

[JBR]

Watched at home like most Flames fans but the next day was the best..

Kicked out of my Chem 30 class by GreaserFan teacher after I refused to remove my jersey. Walked to 7/11 to pick up a copy of the Sun and read in the library.

Remember the old, cruddy Flames jersey. White, no numbers and I had to buy the front logo separately and have my mom sew it on the front. Odd

[saskflames69]

at the old family acreage outside Grande Prairie, watched the game on TV with my dad, uncles, grandpa and older cousin Ty, all hardcore Oiler fans except for my parents hadn't even met yet and I didn't exist.

[Stay Golden]

I remember my Dad had invited a few friends over. We all watched the game together, that playoffs is probably where my crazy hockey superstitions began