Interesting Season

Comments

Bryn Griffiths

Interesting season for the local NHL squad. But based on my comments of exactly one year ago, I guess we’d have to say it was successful. Wouldn’t you??

I was all over the Oilers at this time last year, for becoming somewhat “Calgary” in their analysis of the 2001-2002 NHL season. What do I mean by “Calgary”? That’s my loving term for anytime a fan or team in our town gets too happy with its success, especially when there’s ZERO reason to. It’s that all too willing acceptance of mediocrity and a sad disease that affects many a team and fan to the south of us.

Last April there was a certain degree of satisfaction coming from some members of the Oilers, plus their fans, based on their season. I was stunned. Why? They never accomplished anything in my eyes. They’d turned “Calgary” on me.

But this past season was a reasonably solid effort by the team, and as usual, they tried hard to make life miserable for the top seed in the West, The Dallas Stars. Took the hated rivals to six games in another fun and frantic series. So based on my feelings from last spring, this season was a step in the right direction.

But wait a minute. This time around, the fans have their snarl back demanding more from their hockey team, the players weren’t happy with the way things ended and the Oiler management seem far more bitter about the conclusion to the season.

No more pouting, no more trying to put a positive spin on a lackluster campaign, no more players trying to hide from the media… this is the way it used to be here. The focus is on winning the Stanley Cup, not just making the playoffs anymore. Last year I was shocked at the “Calgary” attitude creeping in and I mentioned it, much to the anger of fans and some members of the Oilers. Fair enough. But all I wanted was that old “City of Champions” swagger back. I think it’s coming back… and I love it.