Now That Was A Disappointing Outcome. - Eternal Allegiance

Nanny · 06-07-2004, 01:00 PM

Calgary Flames lost the Stanley Cup Finals to the East Coast Champs, Tampa Bay Lightning with a score of 2-1. And being a Calgary fan, you'd think I'd be disappointed in my team. Well, I'm not. Not in the least bit. I, being a Calgary fan, am disappointed in Calgarians.

For the last two months, speculations and accusations flew around the city of Calgarians "jumping on the bandwagon", to which many denied. Calgarians and Canadians alike have been flooding shops across the country to find some red Flames gear, so they could become a part of the "C of Red".

After every game, Calgary would go out and celebrate their victories on 17th Ave, more famously known as the Red Mile. To the outsiders, it was a city showing support for their team. From my standpoint, it's always been just one big excuse to party.

And what disappoints me most of all, is that this evening, once they lost, 95% of the "Flames fans" were commenting "Oh, I should burn my shirt, I should return my jersey, and rip up my flag". And I just thought 'What the fuck?'. These people called themselves fans just an hour ago.

Other comments made were "How embarrassing, the Flames can't even win" (excuse me? How do you think a team gets to the finals? by losing?). "I'm now ashamed to be part of the C Of Red". (Really? Then you were never really part of it in the first place.) and things of that nature.

And to me, they have absolutely no right to be disappointed. The Calgary Flames worked their asses off to get to where they did. And as far as I'm concerned, the main reason the flames lost was due to biased officials. I can count on two hands the opportunities the refs had to penalize Tampa Bay, yet they overlooked it. However, everytime Calgary even breathed wrong, someone was shipped off to the box for two regulation minutes.

The Calgary Flames worked hard, they beat all odds, and made it farther than almost any Calgarian could've imagined. They deserve the proper appreciation. They put Calgary back on the map, as far as I'm concerned.

The Flames did all the work, and for whatever reason, these people seem to think they could've done better. Well, good on ya, if you believe that. But it's all about the boys.

Tomorrow, I'm proudly wearing one of my many red Flames t-shirts in support of how proud I am of my guys. I will not be jumping off the bandwagon. I've held my spot here for 19 years, and I don't intend on giving it up. But, now that the Flames are not the Champs, I'll have much more leg room.

GO FLAMES GO!

P.S. Congratulations Tampa Bay on your well deserved Victory. Enjoy the success that you've earned.

astrocamel · 06-07-2004, 01:10 PM

I so agree with you. You aren't a true fan if you stop liking them when they lose. I think it's awesome that Calgary got as far as they did. I personally lost some interest in hockey this season (I don't know why...probably because I didn't go to any games) and didn't watch much of the finals but I was impressed with both Calgary and Tampa Bay.

NDD · 06-07-2004, 01:41 PM

Yeah, I flipped over to ESPN after RAW and saw some highlights. I was wondering how you would take it. But it's good to hear that your pride lives on. That's a refreshing reaction to see. Except for the part about blaming the refs. I've always thought that was a cheap excuse for a loss.

astrocamel · 06-07-2004, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NDD
Except for the part about blaming the refs. I've always thought that was a cheap excuse for a loss.

It can be a cheap excuse but at times the reffing does suck terribly.

NDD · 06-07-2004, 03:00 PM

That's very true, Lana. Of course I can't decide for myself whether or not the officiating was any good in this game since I didn't watch it.

Basta · 06-08-2004, 12:44 AM

welcome to the wonderful world of bandwagon fans.... dont worry aboot them too much because if you guys had won, they wouldn't enjoy it as much as someone who has always stuck through a team...

it was a great series, and a million times better than last year's defensive bonanza.... im glad two teams that actually dont mind playing offense made it to the finals

Lenghthen · 06-08-2004, 04:35 AM

Well Brandon, if it makes you feel better, no one here in the U.S was expecting the TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING to win. After Calgary beat the Wings', I was SO positive that they would win the cup. But yeah, be proud of them, they played great.

Nanny · 06-08-2004, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NDD
Except for the part about blaming the refs. I've always thought that was a cheap excuse for a loss.

But this time, its true. I, myself, am not a fan of people blaming refs, but this past series, I really have been. It seemed as though Darryl Sutter was right. The NHL didn't want Calgary to win. There were some obvious offenses that should have been called. They let a lot of Tampa's penalties slide. But, that was in the past. Had the game been five seconds longer, I'm sure we could've won.

But, win or lose, both teams did excellent. Somebody had to lose, and neither of them really deserved it. So, good on Tampa!