go FLAMES go!!!!

DjDoubleLP · Post by **DjDoubleLP** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:03 am

Quote, originally posted by slbpsi63 Â»that is the humor I was looking for!!! thank you!!! Cow tipping sucks......not as easy as it looks.Sorry for the response before....bygones be bygones?

VibeChick · Post by **VibeChick** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:12 am

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»Isn't Calgary big on Cows though? It is "cowtown". I don't think us born and raised city folk engaged in much cow tipping though. I have heard stories though....

VibeChick · Post by **VibeChick** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:16 am

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»Do not want to upset anyone, MAD Cow, I mean upset people is not what we want here. Did you just call me a mad cow?

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:20 am

Quote, originally posted by DjDoubleLP Â»What? Have you even BEEN to Canada?? I hate to break it to you but we don't sit around in parkas all year round and hope the igloo does not melt away while using out dog sleds to get around the town. wow! and i thought people only thot that about us alaskans! LOL

VibeChick · Post by **VibeChick** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:23 am

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»No No.. I said don't have a cow man. Ok good, I don't know if I could stay mad long enough to kick your (removed) in 3 weeks

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:24 am

no, not snow MOBILES, but snow machines! you can get shot up here if you use the wrong term! LOL (learned that really quick!)and actually, lots of sled dogs here. my neighbor used to race them too. besides, alaska is home of 2 of the largest most grueling sled dog races in the world: the iditarod and the yukon quest!

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 7:37 am

Quote, originally posted by dsegundo Â»Frankly i don't care who wins this year but most of the Calgary fans are moaning over nothing....The hit on Lecavalier deserved a major & suspension for two reasons: And what the hell was Stillman'(removed) on Nilsson in Game 1? Let's see, Stillman left his feet, elbowed Nilsson's head into the glass/runner and left Nilsson bleeding from the ear requiring stitches.Thanks for the contribution. You might want to catch up on the context of the current discusion and the foundation of the complaints you're debunking before you jump on in the future.Noone is claiming that Niemenen did nothing wrong. He hit Lecavalier from behind, no question. However, the 5 min. major and accompanying match penalty was imposed AFTER Lecavalier faked a more severe injury than what occured. The fact that the rules apply to only one team and not another, and that the NHL is so easily manipulatable by a player's playacting and the team's campaigning.Hey, good on Lecavalier for making the most of a minor hit. Nice loose chinstrap, seeing Niemenen coming, dropping like a rock... I don't blame him for a second for doing what it took to preserve the win for his team. Do I respect him for it? Of course not. Do I blame the officials and the disciplinary committee for differential treatment of the teams? Absolutely.

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 8:33 am

Quote, originally posted by slbpsi63 Â»Tampa hasn't been the only team complaining about the mugging your team has been putting on in the playoffs. Vancover, San Jose and Detroit all were very vocal about your boarderline thugish play.Is that right? I'd welcome some citations on that. Personally, I'd ask Gauthier and Lyndman about their playoff-ending injuries suffered in the Vancouver series, or perhaps Lombardi could comment on the concussion he suffered at Hatcher's elbow.If you're buying all the rubbish the media is chucking around about the Flames being a team full of bullies with nothing better to do that pick their opponents' teeth with the sharp edge of their sticks, you might want to watch a game. The physicality in each series the Flames have been in has been matched on both benches.Quote, originally posted by slbpsi63 Â»The one game that in the series that you tried to skate with the lightning ended in a 4-1 romp that made the Flames look like a bunch of sore losers. Game 1 was lopsided due to tampa being exhausted from the Philly series, not becuase you out skated us. Again, I'm astonished at this news flash. In all the interviews I read of Tortorella and all the Tampa players after Game 1, I don't recall a single time exhaustion due to the Flyers series was offered as an excuse. Everything seemed to revolve around lack of preparation - that and being outskated to every loose puck.Now, let's talk about this crap where you claim the Flames can't skate with Tampa. You can't play a two-deep forecheck without being able to skate fast enough to lay a hit on Tampa's very young and mobile defence corps. You can't create one-on-nothing or two-on-one short-handed opportunities (how many have the Flames had in this series - 5 in one game alone?) without being able to skate. Tortorella seems to have a healthy respect for the Flames' speed, even if you don't:Quote Â»"I think we want to shore up some of the turnovers we had in the neutral zone," he said. "I think that's what Calgary and most teams feast on, is if you're not clean getting the puck in or making plays through that neutral zone. Their quickness and their players have, during that Game 3, at times created quite a few chances..." (from NHL.com I'd put Donovan up in a race against anyone on Tampa any day - and give them a healthy head start. Every other knowledgeable hockey person sees this series as a match-up between the two fastest teams in the league. One just happens to know how to play tough defence.Home ice advantage? I'll take the Flames' 9-3 league-leading road playoff record. How about another stat - Iginla is #2 on the +/- list with +12 - and +9 on the road. Lecavalier, on the other hand, is -1 for the playoffs overall and at home. The St. Pete's ice can't be much of an advantage for Tampa if they're *so* much faster that the Flames, and we now know that the fans can only coordinate their efforts in the stands if they're given white shirts by the organization. Quote, originally posted by slpsi63 Â»Actually I hope we win the cup in Calgary, so you can see a respectable hockey team hoist the cup You're lucky you included that wink. Regardless of anything that can be said, both teams are respectable by virtue of their accomplishment reaching the final. One team just happens to be a lot more fun to root for.

DjDoubleLP · Post by **DjDoubleLP** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 10:54 am

Ahh........the rath of Keely. I LOVE IT!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:30 pm

WHOO HOOOO!!! Flames win game 5!!!!

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:59 pm

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe Â»wow! and i thought people only thot that about us alaskans! LOLWell americans know as much about canadians as canadians do about the state of Alaska... we all seem to live under ice and snow all year.AND GO FLAMES, awsome OT goal.

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 1:41 pm

All I can say about that game (ok, you all know I lie, I'll say much more if someone goads me into it ) is that it was fantastic. End to end, both teams with magnificent changes, both goalies playing top-notch games, good officiating. It's been established without question now that Calgary can not only skate with Tampa but Tampa can clutch and grab with Calgary - and good on 'em. I think Tampa had the edge on the forecheck, particularly in the third period - they gave the Calgary D (Leopold and Regher in good part) absolute fits.The difference? Iginla refused to lose. +2 on the night, +14 for the playoffs, 6 shots, 30:54 ice time (highest on the team).This city is going absolutely nuts!!!!!!!

VibeChick · Post by **VibeChick** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 2:23 pm

Quote, originally posted by Keely Â»This city is going absolutely nuts!!!!!!! No kidding!! I was driving around my neighborhood honking and yelling tonight....and so was everyone else - for a good couple hours after the game. People were honking, turning their car alarms on, screaming, yelling....even setting off fireworks. So cool to see everyone out on their front lawns and street corners...and the traffic!! Even the side streets were jammed!! It's awesome!! Definitely something to experience! The energy in this city is so contagious, even if you weren't a fan before, you are now!

Celtic_Curse · Post by **Celtic_Curse** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 2:35 pm

Good game!! Lets go to 17th!!!!

DjDoubleLP · Post by **DjDoubleLP** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 5:26 pm

Quote, originally posted by Celtic_Curse Â»Good game!! Lets go to 17th!!!!I will be there with my video camera on Saturday.

russ257 · Post by **russ257** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 9:07 pm

i say iginla needs a better playoff beard its looking a little weak

slbpsi63 · Post by **slbpsi63** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 9:20 pm

That was a great game last night. Both goalies look like freaking magicians. Series isn't over yet. I had a bad feelig for the turnout when Kiprsoff had that 1 in a million save on Modin in the 1st period. that was the difference in the game. All of the other saves made by each goalie were spectacular, but that one is the save of the series.

DjDoubleLP · Post by **DjDoubleLP** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 10:31 pm

I agree. That was the best game of the series so far. End to end action......and the goalies were spectacular. And that one save that Kipper made in the first, WASN'T EVEN LOOKING was unbelieveable!I can't WAIT for Game 6 tomorrow night. Calgary is going to be nuts!

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:26 am

Quote, originally posted by slbpsi63 Â»That was a great game last night. Both goalies look like freaking magicians. Series isn't over yet. I had a bad feelig for the turnout when Kiprsoff had that 1 in a million save on Modin in the 1st period. that was the difference in the game. All of the other saves made by each goalie were spectacular, but that one is the save of the series. I guess you're right when you look at the result of the game, but Khabibulin's kick save on Iginla's one-timer in the first period was the save of the game. If he scored that would have been 2-0 and a pretty intimidating lead. Instead, Tampa were able to tie it up late in the 1st (and we know those goals in the first and last minutes of the period are always back-breakers) on the power play, and it was anybody's game up until that overtime winner.Odd that we should be arguing in favour of each other's keepers, isn't it?

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:39 am

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»Also, Khabibulin let in a soft goal last night on Iginla's shot, that game should of been over in regulation if the cards fell that way ofcourse. Tampa played very sloppy, did not handle the puck the greatest and were offsides more than a million times where they had odd man rushes. I am surprised the game even went into OT, Calgary should of put Tampa away big time last night and didn't.And the odd man rushes Calgary had with 1 D left on numerous occasions in the 3rd, OH MY... I don't know, I think that's a pretty harsh view of the goal. It was savable, but it was a pretty amazing shot when you consider the placement, velocity and timing. I don't think either keeper was absolutely spectacular as both let one savable goal each, but they also made more big stops when needed - particularly Khabibulin, stopping 33. He literally kept Tampa in the game, and gave them a chance to win.I think both teams turned over the puck a lot, Calgary in their defensive end and Tampa in the neutral zone (it was Lecavalier's turnover in the neutral zone in overtime that prevented a line change and directly led to the goal). Tampa had several odd-man rushes of their own.... up and down hockey, pretty amazing!Of note: Fraser and Watson have been pulled from their officating duties for Game 6, being replaced by McCreary and Walkom who called Game 5. The Flames are 6-0 when McCreary is on the ice during the playoffs.

DjDoubleLP · Post by **DjDoubleLP** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 1:13 am

Quote, originally posted by Keely Â»Of note: Fraser and Watson have been pulled from their officating duties for Game 6, being replaced by McCreary and Walkom who called Game 5. The Flames are 6-0 when McCreary is on the ice during the playoffs.NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 1:36 am

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»From what I heard, the ratings for TheWeatherChannel the other week when there were bad storms have bene higher than the Finals this year, which is terrible.Bad calls by refs, bad comments by coaches, and bad decisions by Bettman. that's because it's not on network TV! i wanted to watch the game but i'm not going to Hooters to see it and i don't have cable/satellite TV. when it's football or basketball season, that's on FOX, or NBC, or ABC, or CBS.... even golf is on! if they'd have more then just the all star game on, i'd definitely have watched! instead, i gotta get everyone else to watch it for me and then tell me when they score while i look up the game on espn.com

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 1:38 am

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»This is what some of the Wings fans think about that call.Hmmm.... let's see.... nope! I don't care what some Wings fans post on some other forum!Speaking from an official's point of view, getting appointed to the big games is an earned reward, not a right. McCreary's done a better job over more big games than Fraser has, simple as that. Does this benefit Calgary? Perhaps, if you consider the impact the bad calls have made in the games - determining Game 4 outright - and believing there's a bias there. Sutter's comments after Game 4 were much less about the on-ice crew (2 min. versus 5 min. penalty) than they were about the Disciplinary Committee in New York suspending Niemenen. He didn't accuse Fraser and his partner for being biased against the Flames - he accused the big-wigs at the NHL. And that's why Bettman's going to fine Sutter once the series is over. Had the comments been about the on-ice officials, he would have been fined immediately.We all know that it's just as likely that if Fraser and Watson were on duty in Game 6, the tables would turn (as things just even out this way) and a bad call could cost Tampa the chance to go home and play Game 7. Instead, Chief of Officiating Van Hellemond (who makes all the decisions regarding the officiating crews, not Bettman), has decided that he's got to have his best two referees out there - so the players can decide the game - exactly as it should be.Tampa fans should be just as happy as Flames fans at this announcement.

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 1:56 am

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»It really was not an amazing shot because Khabibulin should of had it, he clearly miss read the play and went down early.Okay, fine. Khabibulin sucks. Are you happy now?Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»And Calgary outplayed Tampa in the entire 3rd period and Overtime, they should of had the game hands down. Sloppiness on both teams, especially by Calgary for not putting the final nail in the coffin.Wow, the Flames just can't win for winning with you, can they? Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»From what I heard, the ratings for TheWeatherChannel the other week when there were bad storms have bene higher than the Finals this year, which is terrible.In the U.S., of course. They don't care about hockey, they sure as hell don't care about the Flames and Floridians don't give a hoot about the Lightning. Guess what? The ratings in Canada have been stellar. CBC's broadcast of Game 1 had the second-highest viewership in Canada of all playoff games in history, second only to the 1994 Game 7 in the finals between Vancouver and New York.Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»Bad calls by refs, bad comments by coaches, and bad decisions by Bettman. Bad calls by the refs when? In Game 5? Nope, not buying that one. I don't hear anyone from the Tampa or Calgary teams even hinting at having an issue there. Modin's high stick in the first was very obvious; Warrener's hold in the third much the same. Each team scored off those power plays. Bad comments from coaches? Whatever. Sutter spoke his mind in a very calculated, deliberate way. This is the first time in the entire playoffs where he's said anything critical of anyone other than his own players. He's not the first to employ the "us against the world" tactic - Gretzky pulled out the same line in the Olympics and it galvanized the Canadian team all the way to a gold medal. Nobody calls Gretzky a whiner now - he's simply a champion.Bad decisions by Bettman? I'll go with that on the Niemenen suspension, but he probably had as much to do with that as he does with assigning the referees - absolutely nothing.

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 2:08 am

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»Check it out Keely, there are quite a Calgary Fans there who participate in the threads because it is hockey related, not really Wings Related, but your loss. I guess other Calgarians and fans care. You completely miss the point - yet again. There's opinions all over the map, Rob. I could pull out links to all kinds of forums and articles all over the internet, but none of them would be in and of itself PROOF of the statement you posited, which is that changing the officials is a bad decision.I'm sure there's Calgary fans posting on Wings forums, Lightning forums, LPGA forums, Discovery Channel forums.... I don't give a **** when it comes to meaningful discussion and debate. Show me some expert opinion and that would have at least SOME persuasive value. Show me stats from which you can draw conclusions about trends. Show me quotes from people with first-hand information and direct access to the FACTS. Then you've got something that I'm interested in.That's what debate is about - logic and persuasion. What I'm saying is that the opinion of some other people somewhere else on the internet lacks both for me, therefore I don't care. Got it?

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 2:16 am

Its just a game, lol you all take this way to seriously. Worse then Iraq debates lol. chill yo

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 2:23 am

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»Thought we were keeping the Canada vs. US out of this thread? But you are right, in a view from Canads, the ratings were high, from the view from the Good US of A they are at an all time low.Your statement referred "the ratings", as if there's only one ratings that count. I clarified that ratings are diametrically opposite in the two countries. Hard to do that without saying "Canada" and "USA" - should I have referred to Country #1 and Country #2? Should I have refrained from opining on why it might be that the ratings are so different?Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»You have to becareful on putting words into my mouth, I never said game 5. I just said bad officiating, I have referred to the entire playoffs.Once again you are making assumptions. From my understanding, both coaches have made comments that have been uncalled for and Campbell will take care of them after the Cup was won.Not talking about the call on pulling the refs, he does not have too much control over that unless he made a strong suggestion to another person to make a change and I see that happening. Bettman needs to change things in the league big time because I want the NHL to be around for many years to come. He expanded the league too much, too fast. That is what I meant by my comments.Well, that changes a lot. Note that on each of my replies I left a question mark afterwards, clearly indicating I didn't know what you were getting at. Given the context of the thread, particularly the subject matter of your posts, I don't think my assumptions were wildly unfounded. Thank you for clarifying.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 2:28 am

good grief guys! just put some boxing gloves or get on the rink! geeze!rob, i love you man, but honestly you know you can't be posting all kinds of negative stuff about a hockey team in the regional forum in a thread titled go team go!maybe THIS thread should be deleted! LOL

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 2:36 am

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»All of the experts at one time were amateur's, so why don't their opnions count? Because it's only the BEST amateurs that become experts - those that are smart enough, skilled enough, articulate enough, educated enough, experienced enough.... shall I go on?Some people are interested in what everybody thinks, and good for them. Perhaps if I had all day to surf around and read everything, shifting through acres and acres of amateur opinion to find something useful, I'd do so. However, I kinda have limited resources in that respect, so I focus my energy more.In spite of that, I do care about a limited number of amateur opinions - I've spent hours reading and responding to posts on this thread, because I know several of the people here and I care what they think, and I hope they care what I think too. I just don't have more time than that to spend on it.Can we just ditch this whole thing - I imagine that everybody's rather sick of this exchange. Back to the topic of the thread, which is, if we need reminding....go FLAMES go!!!!!!!!!

ArcsVibe · Post by **ArcsVibe** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 3:09 am

One more to go

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 3:26 am

when's game 6? saturday yes???

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 3:29 am

Quote, originally posted by ArcsVibe Â»One more to go I was wrong with it being in 5 games but hopefully you'll be right Sam and it will be 6 eh? Flames win

DjDoubleLP · Post by **DjDoubleLP** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:09 am

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe Â»when's game 6? saturday yes???Yup!! And I will be in Calgary for that game.GO FLAMES GO!!!!!!!!!

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:58 am

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik Â»I was wrong with it being in 5 games but hopefully you'll be right Sam and it will be 6 eh? Flames win Hmmmmm.... I know someone else who picked Flames in 6. Now, I'm not going to mention any names, but..... DJ, you have some kind of timing, lucky dog!

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 1:16 pm

Oh surely it wasn't you!?

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 3:41 am

Well, I'm not one to toot my own horn....Here we go gang, it's game day. Still trying to get tickets, but if not I guess watching it on a 55" plasma won't suck at all! I was out this morning and Flames flags and jerseys are in full effect, lots of honking, tension in the air.

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 8:08 am

I'll be watching - got my beer all ready! My bf, unfortunately won't - he's flying to England tonight. So I guess its the cats and I watching the Flames take the cup!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 9:42 am

come on flames!!!!!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 10:20 am

dammit! they scored! come on flames! you can do it!!!!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 10:51 am

holy crap this game is edge of your seat!!!! i must say both teams are playing with all their heart out there! but....GO FLAMES!!!!!

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 11:23 am

I left during first intermission to take my boyfriend to the airport. I get back during second intermission and its tied at 2! Geesh! I missed all the goals - but hopefully I'll see the most important one - the one that wins it for Calgary!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 12:43 pm

i think i've chewed off all my nails! this is so nerve racking! now going into 2nd OT! come on flames!!!! going out so i can't watch the 2nd OT. ugh! will wear red in support and make the fam call me with news... good or bad.

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 12:53 pm

ah darn!!!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 12:56 pm

#@$!(&*^%%!%#@!!!!!

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 1:32 pm

My only comment is "what the hell was that?"

Mr. Poopypants · Post by **Mr. Poopypants** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 3:08 pm

I am a bitter, bitter man right now. Weird, even though the score should have been 3-2 Calgary and Flames fans should have been dancing in the street, the series goes to 7. GRRRRRR

ArcsVibe · Post by **ArcsVibe** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 10:12 pm

I rushed back from the airport to catch the last period.....damn!It's ok boys, rally around and win it in Tampa!Go Flames GO!!! Great series so far

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 12:51 am

What more motivation did a team need? Every fan was wearing red, they were in their home town, the CUP! was there being polished and prepared for all to see! All of Canada was ready to PARTY!! lolBut... no that was not enough motivation... now its back to enemy territory for the last game where they will not have their fans cheering them from behind the glass... we'll all be back home watching the game and feeling cheated they had to lose on home ground and make the moment incredible.All that being said though.GO FLAMES GO!!! YOU @^#&^ BETTER!!

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 2:08 am

Hang on everyone. I hear words like "bitter" and such, but to be bitter and angry because the Flames didn't win is just excessive and is a short precursor to jumping right off the bandwagon you jumped in on.Mavrik, you seem to think the Flames were unmotivated to win the game last night. I think that's incorrect - I didn't see evidence of a lack of desire out there, just a helluva lotta nerves. The momentum swung wildly with each goal or big hit, but you have to give that Tampa played a better game than Calgary for more minutes of the game. Remember the first overtime - bodies were flying all over the place as both teams scrambled to break up a potential offensive foray... there was a lot of desire, just nerves getting in the way of execution.It's ironic that the more passionate and devoted the fans get here in Calgary, the harder we seem to make it on our team to win.The Flames have been in exactly this position before - they lost Game 6 in the third overtime in the Vancouver series when they had the chance to close out the series at home. They bounced back and won Game 7 in Vancouver. They love being on the road - and I believe they will feel confident going to Tampa.I don't feel "ripped off" that they couldn't win the Cup at home. Is the joy of the victory going to be any less because of where they win? Is the magnitude of what the Flames have achieved this season going to be lessened just because the game happens in Tampa than in Calgary? Did we all say "aww, geez" when Calgary won Game 6 in Montreal in 1989, wishing that instead they could have lost and returned to Calgary to win in Game 7 here? Not a chance.So suck it up. We're getting one more game of hockey between two extremely competitive teams, both with compelling and emotional stories, playing for the biggest prize in their sport (and Canada's game). As a fan of the game, getting to watch a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup final is something I appreciate -AND OUR TEAM'S GONNA WIN!!!!

Mr. Poopypants · Post by **Mr. Poopypants** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 2:28 am

Quote, originally posted by Keely Â»Hang on everyone. I hear words like "bitter" and such, but to be bitter and angry because the Flames didn't win is just excessive and is a short precursor to jumping right off the bandwagon you jumped in on.Mavrik, you seem to think the Flames were unmotivated to win the game last night. I think that's incorrect - I didn't see evidence of a lack of desire out there, just a helluva lotta nerves. The momentum swung wildly with each goal or big hit, but you have to give that Tampa played a better game than Calgary for more minutes of the game. Remember the first overtime - bodies were flying all over the place as both teams scrambled to break up a potential offensive foray... there was a lot of desire, just nerves getting in the way of execution.It's ironic that the more passionate and devoted the fans get here in Calgary, the harder we seem to make it on our team to win.The Flames have been in exactly this position before - they lost Game 6 in the third overtime in the Vancouver series when they had the chance to close out the series at home. They bounced back and won Game 7 in Vancouver. They love being on the road - and I believe they will feel confident going to Tampa.I don't feel "ripped off" that they couldn't win the Cup at home. Is the joy of the victory going to be any less because of where they win? Is the magnitude of what the Flames have achieved this season going to be lessened just because the game happens in Tampa than in Calgary? Did we all say "aww, geez" when Calgary won Game 6 in Montreal in 1989, wishing that instead they could have lost and returned to Calgary to win in Game 7 here? Not a chance.So suck it up. We're getting one more game of hockey between two extremely competitive teams, both with compelling and emotional stories, playing for the biggest prize in their sport (and Canada's game). As a fan of the game, getting to watch a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup final is something I appreciate -AND OUR TEAM'S GONNA WIN!!!! Bandwagon???? PLEASE, if you look back at one of my other posts you will see that I have been a fan for over a decade. Through good times and VERY bad times.