Each year, the excitement mounts as I count down the days until the Flames season opener. However, after last night’s game, I think I am going to skip future season openers, and count down to the second game of the season.

Let’s face it, with the exception of a portion of the first period, the Flames were dominated by the Canucks last night and the final score was reflective of this. But really, should I be so surprised that the Flames lost their season opener? In the past 14 seasons, the Calgary Flames have marked a “W” in the win column only once in their first game.  In Kiprusoff’s 5 attempts in a Flames uniform he has 5 straight losses.

This team seems to be cursed when it comes to season openers:

Season            Score     Outcome     Opponent
2008-2009         6-0              L              Canucks
2007-2008         3-2              L              Flyers
2006-2007         3-1              L              Oilers
2005-2006         6-3              L              Wild
2003-2004         4-1              L              Canucks
2002-2003         3-0              L              Canucks
2001-2002        1-0              W             Oilers
2000-2001         4-3              L              Red Wings
1999-2000         5-3              L              Sharks
1998-1999         3-3              T              Sharks
1997-1998         3-1              L              Red Wings
1996-1997         3-1              L              Canucks
1995-1996         3-3              T              Lightning
1994-1995         3-3              T              Jets

Saturday, luckily, is a new day and a new game. A different Flames team must show up to the Saddledome in order to regain their confidence. In the past, Kiprusoff has been known to bounce back “big-time” after significant losses - this is one trend that I hope will continue.

As I stand up to see outside my cubicle listening to “Times Like These by the Foo Fighters”, I see a glimpse of Spring. Spring usually means one thing in Canada, PLAYOFFS. And as I sit back down I look at the Flames upcoming schedule and I get butterflies in my stomach. When I see that we play the Oilers, Wild, and Canucks, I think to myself “We have 3 Game 7’s in a Row”.

Like game 7 (againts the Canucks) in the first round of 2004 playoffs, we were in overtime in the enemies building. Score you live, get scored on you die. Somehow we found the courage, strength, and heart to score and live another day (we should have signed Gelinas). Can we do it again - 3 times in a row? Yes, I think we can. But if we do, every single player on that bench must take a good look in the mirror and say “Yes, I have prepared myself my whole life for this situation” and come out and leave everything on the ice.

No matter if you feel like you legs are going to give, knowing that blocking a shot will mean a nasty bruise tomorrow or getting a your ass kicked in a fight (I want to see someone like Lombardi dropping the mits and showing heart).

There will be minimal room for error tonight as we face a very desperate hockey team. We know that the Oilers will come out hard in their own barn to start the game; we need to be ready, steal the momentum early, and here is the kicker….finish strong! something that the flames have struggled with all season closing games. I hope tonight the boys show up for 60 minutes, if they do that I think we can start planning for a playoff drive. So no more excuses, no more clichés just go out there and get the job done!

GO FLAMES GO!