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Calgary Flames: New fan? We’ve got you covered!

By Ramina Shlah

CALGARY, AB - APRIL 19: The Calgary Flames salute the crowd after being defeated by the Anaheim Ducks in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on April 19, 2017 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - APRIL 19: The Calgary Flames salute the crowd after being defeated by the Anaheim Ducks in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on April 19, 2017 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /
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14 October 2016: Calgary Flames Left Wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Edmonton Oilers Defenceman Darnell Nurse (25) gets in a fight during an NHL Hockey game between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Jose Quiroz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
14 October 2016: Calgary Flames Left Wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Edmonton Oilers Defenceman Darnell Nurse (25) gets in a fight during an NHL Hockey game between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Jose Quiroz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Rivalries

Today, we’ll be talking about three enemies of the Calgary Flames. One of them isn’t so prominent right now, but two of them are in full force.

Vancouver Canucks

This is a rivalry that’s been alive for a while, but over the last two years, not so much. These are two of the big Pacific Division rivals. And we can’t forget about this iconic moment between the two teams with a line brawl two seconds into the game and resulted in 188 PIM in just the first period.

The Flames and Canucks played each other in the first round of the playoffs in 2015, where the Flames won the series 3-2 in an exciting comeback win in game 6 on home ice. However last year, the Flames and Canucks both didn’t do well and this past season, the Canucks also failed to qualify for the playoffs.

This upcoming season, it doesn’t seem like they’ll be making it again, and the rivalry isn’t exactly in full force right now. So let’s get on to the fun stuff.

Anaheim Ducks

This rivalry goes way back. I basically grew up with this deep, ingrained hatred for the Ducks. Ryan Kesler? No thank you.

I mean.. this past season they may have broken an NHL record for most consecutive losses with 24 at the Honda Center.. but you know. It’s whatever. But yes, it’s true. The Calgary Flames have not been able to win in Anaheim in the regular season since 2004 and in the playoffs since 2006. The last two times that the Flames have made the playoffs, they’ve been beaten by the Ducks. In 2015 in the second round and this past season, they were swept in the first round. But again, it’s whatever. We don’t have to talk about that.

Related Story: Flames broke a record - but not a good one

This rivalry has existed for a while but it’s really been more prominent in the last few years when the Flames have been doing better than they were in previous years. Will the Flames finally be able to win at the Honda Center? We may have some good news:

Will this be the year that the Flames can finally win at the Honda Center? Looks like we’ll have to wait and see.

Edmonton Oilers

Ah, the infamous Battle of Alberta. This is one of the most prominent rivalries in the entire NHL. Everyone knows about the Battle of Alberta. It was especially active in the 1980s when the Oilers and the Flames were two of the best teams in the league.

Lately, it hasn’t been super active since the Oilers haven’t made playoffs in ten years and were generally at the bottom of the league. But last season, both teams finally made the playoffs for the first time in a while. And both of these teams are projected in being two of the best in the Pacific Division this upcoming season.

I know I said that my hatred for the Ducks was deeply ingrained, but the hatred for the Oilers goes way deeper than that. I’m pretty sure I was saying “I hate the Oilers” in my mom’s belly.

Will we be seeing the first Battle of Alberta in the playoffs for the first time since 1991? Let’s all cross our fingers. Or maybe not because someone’s bound to get killed in that case.

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