CBC's Rob Brown: A Canucklehead's confession

If I had to pick one characteristic I love about Calgary, it's that I've always found the people here to be friendly. 

But lately, not so much.

I don't blame them. In fact, I completely understand.

You see, I'm a long-suffering Vancouver Canucks fan and some in Calgary take that a bit personally.

It isn't a good time to be wearing blue, green and white in a city painted red.

The next time you see a wide shot of the crowd at the Saddledome, try and pick out one person who isn't wearing that big burning C.

Calgary is on fire right now. Playoff fever is sweeping every suburb with kids re-enacting Johnny Gaudreau's latest goal and parents making plans to meet at the pub.

I was on 17th Ave. right after the Flames clinched a spot in the postseason. It was a great vibe and the fans deserve it, the team hasn't been to the big dance since 2009.

To be clear, I've been pulling for the Flames for months.

It's hard not to like these guys, they're young, talented, and never give up on a game.

West Coast boy

But now I have to draw the line.

I was born and raised on the West Coast and have had my heart broken by its hockey team too many times to count.

It's kind of like a long marriage. Sure, we've had our tough times but I wouldn't even consider cheating.

I remain loyal, and boy, am I hearing about it — from my brother-in-law and buddies, to my colleagues at work, to the guy at the gas station who took issue with my hat.

The old rivalry has been renewed, and it's awesome.

The first NHL game I saw in person was a classic '80s 'Nucks/Flames tilt at the Pacific Coliseum. It featured not one but TWO bench clearing brawls.

That was during the regular season. The postseason is another beast altogether.

Wherever your loyalty lies, you have to admit these two teams have quite the history of unforgettable playoff hockey.

In 1989 the Flames accomplished what the Canucks have never been able to: they won the Stanley Cup. But it almost didn't happen.

The most difficult and dramatic series of Calgary's playoff run that spring was the opener against Vancouver. Game 7 went to overtime and only concluded in the Flames' favour because Joel Otto kicked the puck in the net!

Sour grapes you say? Guilty. It still stings.

As for the Canucks, arguably the greatest playoff series in its history was 1994's opening round comeback against — you guessed it — Calgary. Who can forget Bure's double OT breakaway? The Canucks would push on to the final that year and lose.

In fact, more often than not, when these two teams meet in the opening round, one of them goes on to compete for the cup. The first time it happened was 1982, the last time 2004.

Will it happen again? Who knows?

But I promise not to take the outcome personally — if you don't.

Rob Brown moved to Calgary in 2013 to anchor the CBC Calgary evening news. You'll be seeing him throughout the Flames opening series right before the start of the game.