Think back to the beginning of October, a recent snow storm was fresh and the memory in the Calgary Flames were questionable to move past 12th place in the Western Conference. Nobody knew how a team with out any superstars were performed. Would Johnny Gaudreau be able to play against players nearly twice his size? Sean Monahan, the 20year old centre, have a sophomore jinx? With Jiri Hudler put up any points?

All the talk was how Edmonton was due for improvement, how Vancouver was going challenge for the Cup, and how LA was going to repeat their Stanley Cup performance. But after 81 games he only thing that matters is the points (not the wins, obviously in the 3 point loser system), and when you count the plates the Edmonton Oilers are losers, Vancouver barely got into the playoffs, and the Los Angeles Kings are out after tonight’s hard-fought loss against the Calgary Flames.

Yes, I’ll Calgary Flames have return to the Stanley Cup playoffs years earlier than anybody expected. Even with their captain of the lineup for 18 games now, the team has exceeded everybody’s expectations including the hometown fans. Now we get to watch them, only after year two of a REBUILD, make a run for the Stanely Cup.

And you know what? After their recent play, and the fact they look STRONGER as time goes by, they may have a chance to even knock off the Canucks.


Nobody thought the impossible would be possible but the players believed. Gaudreau somehow as managed 24 goals in anyone games. Jiri Hudler now has 30 goals and is in the top 8 in NHL scoring. SEan Monahan, the future captain for the Flames, he has 31 goals. Our top line is a top line.

Tonight, despite playing a much bigger and nastier of Los Angeles team Calgary found a way. Come flying out the gate, despite having week first periods in the past, they proved that they can play a solid game when everything is one the line. Eat your hearts out CORSI stat lovers, this team defied all the odds.

Chalk up some solid goaltending and a defensive game that kept all offensive chances on the outside, well you have a game plan that will give the flames a chance to be anybody on any given night. There’re times when they seem to be running around, the second period for example, but the team has proven itself after nearly a full season that it can weather the storm and come on ahead. When people start believing? When will the car flags come out? When will the pundits start believing?

We have no choice but to believe now! The Calgary Flames have made the playoffs, the first time since 2008. Now we get to see this team is capable of and you know what? Fast can be more excited at the opening round is against another then rival #1 the Vancouver Canucks.

GO FLAMES GO

Notes:

No lance Bouma, he sat on after of her body injury supper last game after blocking a shot. Saturdays afternoon game against the Winnipeg Jets isn’t mean nothing gate which could mean Sam Bennett and Tyler Wotherspoon will get in the lineup. That’s even more exciting for flames fans. Joni Ortio since behind the bench despite having a high ankle sprain. Tonight solo play by David Jones who is asserting himself on the ice, also Michael Ferland took Bouma’s place on the second line and didn’t look out of place.

(And for the record, Jarome Iginla and Mike Cammalleri, you guys chased money and you won’t even taste the playoffs!)