A week ago, fans of the Calgary Flames had begun the grieving process. The season was over and a long, disappointing off season was on the horizon. Here’s a bit of what SB Nation’s Matchsticks & Gasoline had to say then.
Calgary Fans Hang On To Hope After Coming Back From The Dead
↵
↵It appears that the 2009-10 Calgary Flames have finally learned their diagnosis--an incurable case of mediocrity, terminal inconsistency, or chronic just-plain-not-good-enough-itis--and have been given eight games to live. The premature conclusion of your favourite team's season can be a very painful and confusing time for fans, and can require much guidance from friends, family, the media, and above all--the Flames blogosphere. Before I present you with a selection of reactions to last night's listless effort and the beginnings of what will surely be many eulogies of the 09-10 Flames, I want to take a moment to familiarize you with the five stages of grief.
↵
↵They went on to discuss those five stages -- denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance -- in great detail. But in the time since publishing that writing, the Flames’ fortunes have turned around to an extent. They’ve continued the same mediocre play, but luckily, the Colorado Avalanche have fallen considerably out of favor. Entering Friday night, the eighth-place Avs are just two points ahead of the the ninth-place Flames.
↵↵The corpse still has a bit of life, apparently. Last Saturday afternoon, I wouldn’t have given a nickel for the Flames’ chances at the second season, with a sizable gap forming between themselves and the playoff bound clubs of the West and Calgary’s actual play being what it was. Six days later, not only are they alive, but the team that they’ve been chasing has the air of a team that might just be feeling like they’re in over their heads. Interesting times, indeed.
↵↵And by the wonders of the NHL schedule, these two teams will face off at 9:30 Eastern on Friday night. A loss for the Flames would be devastating, but a win would tie them in points with Colorado. Sure, the Avalanche have a game in hand, but a tie in points means absolutely anything is possible.
See More:
