Real cup was already won

A Flames fan shares what it was like on a night at a pub in Calgary

by Kate Kennedy

So often during the NHL playoffs, we're told that, for Canadians, seeing the Stanley Cup brought home is the ultimate goal. This is what sets us apart, it's what motivates Canadian players more, and it's what the fans want most dearly, it's repeated to us over and over.

I had no reason to doubt this until Game 4 of this year's final between the Tampa Bay Lightening and the Calgary Flames. I watched all games at my local pub in Calgary, Woody's Tap House. Here is where I have paid homage for so many years. I always sat in the same chair at the same table always adorned in my same blazing red Flames jersey because I was terrified of jinxing the team during their glorious run this spring.

In the midst of the frenzy prior to the very crucial game four, I took a moment to look over the crowd at Woody's. It was a sea of red. Voices were loud. People were excited. Waitresses were running back and forth as hyped as anyone.

Once the game began, every hit, every pass, and every shot was argued about and celebrated noisily. The flow of the game rushed back and forth and back and forth. We watched breathlessly as our beloved underdog Flames fought with all they had. It felt like we were able to give them more to fight with on some unknown level by being here, and by being so caught up in their drama.

But on this night, the Flames failed, losing one to zero. At the final buzzer, the crowd at Woody's fell silent and despondent.

But only for a brief moment. Out the corner of my eye, I saw something waving from the stage at the front of Woody's. Someone had unfurled a huge Canadian flag. Slowly, one by one, everyone in the bar stood, and even the staff stopped moving. On the huge TV screen, the Flames players were slow to leave the ice after a minor post-game punch-up. In unison, we all broke out in a stirring rendition of the Canadian national anthem.

I looked to my left at an elderly gentleman. He has come to every game. He always sits alone to cheer on his Flames, and has done so through all the recent years they never even made it to the playoffs. He was saluting the flag, and I saw two tears run down his face.

It was then that I realized that this was my hockey moment, this is what Canadians are all about, this was the pride and adoration we all felt for our team and for our country. Even before they ultimately failed to hoist the Stanley Cup in game seven, I had already decided the Flames had won my cup.

Thank you Calgary Flames for a magical spring.

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