'No way we're cheering for the Oilers': Flames fans react to Game 5 loss
Calgary Flames fans are still coming to terms with a playoff series loss to the Edmonton Oilers Thursday night in a game that saw both controversy and heartbreak following a Connor McDavid overtime goal.
Kaylee Nowosiad attended almost every single Calgary home game during the postseason. She says that the better team won, but she still can’t bring herself to cheer on the Oilers moving forward.
"I support McDavid, but it’s just against everything I stand for as a Flames fan to cheer for the Oilers, I just can’t," she laughed.
"Obviously, we thought we had a team that could go a little bit farther, especially against Edmonton," Nowosiad said. "It was a great season and it was a great series, so we can't be mad at how far we went."
Edmonton took the best-of-seven series in five games and won four of those contests in a row to send the Flames home, but not everyone agrees with the result.
A goal scored by Blake Coleman gave Calgary the lead late in the third period, but it was called off by referees who deemed it was directed in by a kicking motion.
Die-hard Flames fan Daya Kramer is convinced that the goal should have never been overturned.
"We won that game in regulation. I was pretty choked about it," he said. "It just feels like a less aggressive blow of what we saw in the 2004 playoffs."
"We’re not cheering for the Oilers," he added. "I’ve already ordered a Nathan Mackinnon jersey so get bent McDavid!”
The series is now a thing of the past, but one Flames fan still has a permanent memory tattooed onto his leg.
Eric McComish got a "Calgary Flames 2022 Stanley Cup Champions" tattoo back in November of last year when the season began.
He was convinced his team would make it all the way, but it wasn’t the result he wanted.
"Flames, I love you always, no matter what, but I will have to chop off my leg if you lose,” McComish jokingly wrote on his Instagram page.
"GG (Good Game) Oilers. Please no interviews at this time as I’m grieving."
BATTLE OF ALBERTA BRINGS MUCH-NEEDED BOOST TO BUSINESS
Regardless of who fans supported in the Battle of Alberta, there was no question that bar and restaurant owners were the ultimate winner throughout the series.
According to new data from payment provider Moneris, both Calgary and Edmonton food and drink spending increased roughly 30 per cent in both cities near the arena on game days compared to non-game days.
In Calgary, spending on food and drink was up 33 per cent at venues near the arena, and 12 per cent overall across the city.
Harry Dimitriadis, who owns Jameson’s Pub on 17th Avenue, says the Red Mile brought forth a huge boost to his business and a much-needed recovery following two years of COVID-19 restrictions plaguing sales.
"People were going nuts, we were turning away hundreds of people for games because everyone was super excited," he said.
"We’ve pretty much canceled Saturday night now after the Flames lost. A lot of people were planning on game six. but it is what it is. I think we're going to see some action with the playoffs though and quite a few other fans in Calgary, because we still support Alberta teams."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.