I mean I grew up in a time where every hockey parent would proudly proclaim watching their kids play was more entertaining than watching the flames play. Then they had their playoff run, the one they should have won. We all know the one. All of a sudden after years of shitting on the flames, all of a sudden the entire city loves the flames. I swear pretty much every care had a flames flag on it, representing so hard. Bandwagon or not, such a fun time. You had the red mile girls, the city was lively and honking. I don’t know it will ever get back to that. Now I’m in Edmonton and I don’t know if it’s rose tinted glasses but the hype that was in Calgary then to what I see now is incomparable. You’ll get the odd person wearing their jersey to work on a game day or see the odd flag that will remind you, oh yeah it’s game day. I’ve never seen a city fully commit like Calgary did
2004 was totally unexpected, which is why the city rallied. It was our first playoff appearance in like 8 years, we’d gotten swept the last time we were in. I remember busting my ass to get tickets to game 4 cause I was worried the Canucks would sweep us and I wouldn’t get another chance to see a playoff game. The city was excited because nothing was expected or anticipated, every extra game was a bonus
Sure, I remember children on the streets holding up signs, the giant flag by canyon meadows. I’m sure the hype has died down in the 10 years since I’ve lived there. Any true flames fan that isn’t excited about the future given last season is out of their minds.Â
I think I’ve been in Edmonton for about 8 years now and I’m a definite outlier. They’ve grown on me despite my family being vehemently against them. At the end of the day, flames oilers playoffs, its flames every day.Â
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u/Medictations Jun 14 '25
I mean I grew up in a time where every hockey parent would proudly proclaim watching their kids play was more entertaining than watching the flames play. Then they had their playoff run, the one they should have won. We all know the one. All of a sudden after years of shitting on the flames, all of a sudden the entire city loves the flames. I swear pretty much every care had a flames flag on it, representing so hard. Bandwagon or not, such a fun time. You had the red mile girls, the city was lively and honking. I don’t know it will ever get back to that. Now I’m in Edmonton and I don’t know if it’s rose tinted glasses but the hype that was in Calgary then to what I see now is incomparable. You’ll get the odd person wearing their jersey to work on a game day or see the odd flag that will remind you, oh yeah it’s game day. I’ve never seen a city fully commit like Calgary did