Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
This is it Flames fans. The last game is here. It’s been a fun ride this season as we’ve watched the guys progress better than most of us could have imagined.
The Canucks are coming off a 5-2 loss against the Oilers last in Edmonton, after Ryan Smyth‘s final game. I must say this about Vancouver – they earned my respect last night when the team came back onto the ice to pay respect to Smyth as he took one last skate on home ice. Good on ya, Canucks. And congrats to Ryan Smyth on being a fun part of our Battle Of Alberta for so many years!
With a record of 35-35-11 and 81 points, the Canucks will not be heading into the post-season to make a cup run this season. With a record of 35-39-7 and 77 points, the Calgary Flames will not be making a run for the cup either, but these two teams are on completely different levels this year.
While the Flames got better and better this season, exciting the masses and making us proud to be Flames fans again, the Canucks started out well but lost momentum somewhere along the way, therefore not making playoffs. The Flames are in the midst of their rebuild and their future looks bright. The progress they’ve shown through the worst of times has given new hope to Flames fans with each passing game. They’ve played with grit, with heart, and with an effort that has been missing for many years.
They are a team, a group of friends, and a pride among Flames fans from around the world.
I will miss watching this team once the season is done. It feels good to see the future looks so bright so quickly. #ProudFlamesFan #Heart
— FLAMES Drinking Team (@Rayner_JJ) April 10, 2014
This has been one of, if not the most entertaining full season of #Flames hockey! A ton of credit due to Bob Hartley and his staff.#AllHeart
— Ferrel Hedberg (@HATTYSnHOMERS) April 12, 2014
And as a last hoorah, the Flames will put Johnny “Hockey” Gaudreau and Bill Arnold on the bench for tonight’s game. I’m sure they will look a little shaky and might even make some mistakes, but, for me, this is not going to make one bit of difference when it comes to my excitement. This just another step in the rebuild and I think it’s a huge step forward for the team to have the the NCAA powerhouse team of Gaudreau and Arnold on the third line with Paul Byron. Stats aside, just watching these two in action is like watching hockey-magic happen.
In what could possibly be Mike Cammalleri‘s last game as a Calgary Flames player, tonight’s projected lineup has T.J. Brodie and T.J. Galiardi out as Mark Cundari is paired with Mark Giordano. Johnny Gaudreau and Bill Arnold will take their places on the third line. The starting lineup has Sean Monahan centering Curtis Glencross and Joe Colborne. The EnergyLine is in tact with Lance Bouma centering Kevin Westgarth and Brian McGrattan.
Always entertaining, forever in our hearts, and giving us hope for next season, I’m sure the Calgary Flames will not back down in their game tonight in Vancouver.
GO FLAMES GO!