Normally, Calgary Flames throwback Thursdays are fun. But today, let’s look at a time Flames fans will remember for decades.
Hello Calgary Flames fans and welcome to another edition of Throwback Thursday! The segment we here at Flame for Thought bring you on Thursdays about something that happened in the past, whether that was last season or 25 years ago.
Today, it won’t be so fun. We’re going to talk about a time that was over a decade ago but Flames fans are still angry about this. And they’ll be angry about this for more decades to come. I mean, are you even a true Flames fan if you’re not still angry about this?
A moment so controversial that it’s number 2 on SportsCentre’s top 10 most controversial hockey moments. I think you already know what this is about. It’s game 6 of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals. It’s between the Calgary Flames and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
You’re already dreading this, I know.
It’s June 5th, 2004, game 6 of the SCF. The Flames are up in the series 3-2. One more win and they get just their second Stanley Cup in franchise history. It would be their first cup in 15 years. It’s the third period and the score is tied at two a piece. There’s a little less than seven minutes left of the game.
And what happens?
Martin Gelinas scores! A shot that deflects off his skate and after looking at the play a couple more times, it seems that the puck crosses the line! The team is cheering, the game is at the ‘Dome and the fans are going nuts! Everyone is losing their minds! The Flames are less than seven minutes away from winning a Stanley Cup on home ice.
I’m sorry, but you all already know what’s coming.
It was ruled no goal. And that’s it.
"“It wasn’t until I was walking out with my dad out of the rink that he was able to see it live, saw a couple replays and obviously believed it was in.” Steve Montador says in an interview (link)."
You already know how this story goes, but Marty St. Louis would score a goal in double overtime and the Lightning would win game 7 and win the Cup. You can’t help thinking “what if?” What if that goal counted? Even Gelinas said after that he felt they were robbed of winning a Cup.
That means that 40-year old Jarome Iginla wouldn’t be on such a quest for the Cup right now. And it may be his last season, or who knows, he may be announcing retirement in a couple of days. Retirement with no Cup to his name. Man, are there onions around me or something? I have tears in my eyes for some reason. MUST be some onions.
I know I may be biased, but come on! That was in! Sometimes, I can still hear chants of “it was in” in my nightmares.
Next: Grading the Flames Off-Season Moves
If Iginla does go his NHL career without winning a cup, but joins Flames office after retirement, just imagine this: The Flames win a cup. Iginla, Conroy, and Gelinas all win a cup with the Calgary Flames.
Man, those damn onions…