Flames eliminated from the playoffs after ‘improbable season’
Posted May 11, 2015 6:36 am.
Last Updated May 11, 2015 1:53 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
If Calgary Flames fans were told at the beginning of the season their team would make it to the second round of the playoffs, many probably wouldn’t have believed it, but most of them would have taken it.
The Flames fell 3-2 in overtime Sunday night in Anaheim, falling out of the Stanley Cup playoffs, but the season was far from a failure, especially when you consider none of the experts had Calgary making the playoffs, let alone making it to the second round.
Flames fans are obviously disappointed over the result, but no one is mad at the players or the coaches: this is a team that captured the hearts of Calgarians.
Even after the heartbreaking loss that eliminated their team, fans on the Red Mile proudly reflected on a great season.
One fan said he is looking forward to next season even though he is disappointed about the loss.
Boomer from Sportsnet 960 The Fan’s morning show says while Sunday night’s game will sting for a while, this has been an unbelievable season.
“I can’t recall a year where I’ve seen a team continue to come up against big teams and find a way, they just continued to find a way,” Boomer said.
He adds it was all house money this season and it will be interesting to see what happens in the off-season in terms of attracting free agents to the team, because Calgary hockey is back on the map.
Columnist Eric Francis gave his thoughts on whether this season was a “one-hit wonder” or if the Flames are poised to do it again.
Back in September, Francis was one of those writers who had the Flames battling for the basement this year, but says he saw enough from the team this year, that he has no reason to believe they can’t do it again.
With such a young group of players at the team’s core, he says the future in Calgary is a bright one.
“(Sean) Monahan is only going to get better, Sam Bennett is going to be a very big star in the National Hockey League — he may end up being the best player they have on their team,” he said. “People are in love with Micheal Ferland. He can’t play that game all year long, but he’s a nice addition. Lance Bouma — I just want to know how they’re going to pay all these guys.”
In fact, Francis says the Flames are faced with some tough decisions this off-season, adding he thinks centre Mikael Backlund and Goalie Kari Ramo are likely on their way out.
