'Battle of Alberta' Memories: An intense rivalry is renewed
NHL Battle of Alberta fans were spoiled in the 1980s and 1990s.
The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers met five times in the playoffs: 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1991.
The Oilers won every series, except for 1986, which was the year the Flames went on to the Stanley Cup final where they lost to the Montreal Canadiens.
For many fans, the playoff games between the QE II rivals were among the most intense, exciting games they have ever seen.
CTV Calgary's Darrel Janz remembers Game 6 in the 1984 series especially well.
Janz was the public address announcer at the Saddledome that night. When the Flames' Lanny McDonald scored the winning goal in overtime, to tie the series at 3-3 and force a Game 7, Janz could hardly be heard by the fans.
"It’s the loudest I’ve ever heard the Saddledome crowd," Janz says. "I finally gave up waiting for the crowd to calm down, so I just announced the goal. While the crowd couldn’t hear what I was saying, they knew what I was saying, so they got even louder."
Janz says 20 minutes after the goal, hundreds of people were still in their seats, cherishing what Janz says was, up until that point, the biggest Flames victory over Edmonton ever.
"It was the first time they showed they could compete with Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Coffey, Fuhr and company," Janz says.
In a post-game interview with CTV News that night, Lanny McDonald agreed it was a major breakthrough.
"The guys feel we deserved that seventh game and I think we worked hard enough and proved that we definitely belong, more than belong, in this series and we've got what we want," said McDonald.
CTV News Calgary has been showing some "Battle of Alberta Memories" from our archival tapes during the 2022 edition of the Flames-Oilers playoff series. Many fans of a certain age will recognize the game highlights, interviews and celebrations along Electric Avenue that followed Flames victories.
Keep watching this webpage, and CTV News at 6, for more Battle of Alberta Memories.
Flames-Oilers Postseason History
- 1983 division finals: Oilers win 4-1
- 1984 division finals: Oilers win 4-3
- 1986 division finals: Flames win 4-3
- 1988 division finals: Oilers win 4-0
- 1991 division semifinals: Oilers win 4-3
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Heavy snow, freezing rain warnings hit parts of Canada, expected to last throughout Monday
Significant snowfall and heavy rain hit parts of Canada on Sunday and the weather system is expected to continue into Monday morning and throughout the day.
BoC expected to lower interest rates again, with odds leaning toward larger cut
Financial markets and forecasters are betting on another jumbo interest rate cut from the Bank of Canada this week.
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 has hit 25 days
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 workers has hit 25 days.
Celebrities spotted at Taylor Swift's final Eras Tour performance in Vancouver
Taylor Swift fans from around the world gathered in Vancouver on Sunday to witness the final performance of her massively popular Eras Tour, including a few celebrities.
Government faces third Tory non-confidence vote ahead of potential fiscal hurdle
The Liberals are set to face a third Conservative non-confidence vote today, but the government is likely to survive with the support of the NDP.
U.S. should be concerned about illegal immigration from Canada: Canadian survey
More than 80 per cent of Canadians believe the flow of illegal immigrants from Canada to the U.S. is a concern, according to a new survey.
Jay-Z denies allegations he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old in 2000 with Sean 'Diddy' Combs
A woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by Sean 'Diddy' Combs has amended her lawsuit to include allegations that she was also assaulted by Jay-Z at the same party.
Taylor Swift ends record-smashing Eras Tour in Vancouver, after glittering global run
Taylor Swift took the stage for the final time on her record-smashing Eras Tour, watched by tens of thousands of delirious fans in Vancouver's BC Place arena and by millions on livestreams around the world.
Syrian prime minister says government is still functioning but foreign and domestic challenges loom
Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers are still working from offices in Damascus after rebels entered the capital over the weekend and overthrew President Bashar Assad. Streams of refugees crossed in from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future.