On June 7, 2004 it'll mark 20 years since Flames fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in game 7. Ending their iconic run to the Stanley Cup finals. Down below are videos from fans retelling the life before, during and after the run to the finals.
PART 1- The Dark ages
From 1997-2003 the Flames missed the playoffs for 7 consecutive
seasons. Bringing the morale of a city that hoisted a cup just 15 years
earlier, with no salary cap the Flames couldn't compete.
Along with the lack of playoff appearances after 1996. Since winning the cup in 1989, the Flames got out in the first round for 7 consecutive years. Despite having incredible teams they just couldn't get it done. In 1998, the Flames even released the now infamous "Blasty" horse jersey to attract fan involvement.
Things reached an all time low in the summer of 2000 when the "Save the Flames" Campaign was held to generate ticket sales. Owners of the team said if 14 thousand season tickets weren't sold, they may move the team.
PART 2- The Run
However, that all changed in that fateful Spring of 2004. All of a sudden, everyone knew who the Flames were again. In one of the last games of the season the newly acquired Kiprusoff and Calgary's hero Jarome Iginla came through.
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At first the Flames seemed under matched. With the constant playoff disappointments as mentioned before, fans were expecting the same result. of a 7- Game series. Despite the Canucks putting up a fight and even fans throwing jerseys, the Flames came out on top and the Red Mile was on.
Calgary truly changed over one summer. The people coming together saved the Flames.
The Aftermath: 2004-2009
After 2004, The Flames were poised to make another run. Due to the 2005 lockout The Flames never got a chance to properly take a shot at the cup again. Stopping their momentum. They had great teams from 2006-2009. But once again the team struggled to make it out of the first round.
2006- Northwestern Division Champs. 46-25-11. Lost in 7 games to Anaheim Ducks in the first round.
2007- 3rd Northwest. 43-29-10. Lost in 6 games to the Detroit Red Wings in the first round.
2008- 3rd Northwest. 42-30-10. Lost in 6 games to the San Jose Sharks in the first round.
2009- 2nd Northwest. 46-30-6. Lost in 6 Games to the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round.
Final part- the 2010s and the future of the Flames
After 2009 the Flames went on to miss the playoffs for 6 years, until 2015. From then on the Flames missed and entered the playoffs sparingly, with varying degrees of success. Despite rebuilding with stars like Sean Monahan, Johny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. That era ended and the Flames are looking to finally build a team through the draft.
The question is will Craig Conroy be able to succeed?
Thank you to- Dan Stephenson and Blake McCullough for giving me their time and allowing me to interview them. As a fellow Flames fan it was pleasure to hear their stories.