See how Flames fever has swept Calgary through reader photos

Flames fever has swept Calgary, and rec rooms across the city are turning red in support of their favourite NHL team. We asked readers and listeners to show us their Calgary Flames spirit through photos.

Heading into the playoffs, Calgarians are ready to support their team.

Pamela Fieber · CBC News · Posted: Apr 15, 2019 5:53 PM EDT | Last Updated: April 15, 2019

Meghan Kanz and her horse display their love of the Flames. (Submitted by Meghan Kanz)

Flames fever has swept Calgary. The jerseys are out, and mementos are proudly on display. Last week, we brought you the story of Flames superfan Chris Payne and his southwest Calgary basement shrine, which he calls the House of Red.

On Friday, we asked readers and The Homestretch listeners to show us their Calgary Flames spirit, through submitted photos, for the chance to win a jersey signed by forward Matthew Tkachuk.

And Flames Nation responded.

Today, we bring you a selection of reader-submitted photos from Flames fans. The captions on each photo explain what the fan wanted to tell us — sometimes it's self-explanatory, sometimes it has a great story that reveals a long history of Flames fandom.

Our winner, Jasper de Groot (see final photo), was chosen in a random draw of all entries.

This is a picture of the scrapbook that my best friend I made that very first season. (Sue Finnis)

Flames fan Sue Finnis sent in this photo of a scrapbook she made at age 13, the year she became a huge fan.

"Now, I may not have a Super fan cave but I have loved this team passionately since Day 1," she wrote in her submission. "My parents were both English, so I didn't grow up watching a lot of hockey. I distinctly remember at dinner one night my Mum said, "Oh that new hockey team is starting tonight, should we watch the game? We did, and well for me it was truly love at first sight. I was 13 at the time. This is a picture of the scrapbook that my best friend I made that very first season. Other fans may have more Flames stuff but nobody loves them more than I do."

We were just driving home and the kids heard about your Flames contest. They are the Calgary Flames' biggest fans! Vivienne Jackson & Sydney. (Shauna Greer)

These Calgary kids heard about the contest on The Homestretch while, you guessed it, driving home. They took the time to gather up their Flames paraphernalia and show their support.

For his submission, Jeff Etzkorn showed us a cherished ticket stub from Game 11, Flames vs. Detroit, in 1981, alongside a signed photo of right winger Willi Plett.

Jeff Etzkorn saved his ticket from a 1981 game, Flames vs. Detroit. (Jeff Etzkorn)

Flames fan Lincy Mathew is proud of her annual tradition, a Christmas tree resplendent with Calgary Flames ornaments — not to mention the spread of Flames-related gifts under the tree.