Hey guys, I was at the game tonight. Please read this in full before you judge. I'm an Oilers fan who grew up in Calgary. Therefore, the majority of live games I've seen are at the dome. I'm a season ticket holder with the Flames, as I've always been partial to them and as a hometown team, how can you not cheer for them?
When the Oil come to town, I show my true colours. I love getting razzed for it and the back and forth with everyone else. Hell, retro jerseys were 25% off tonight. Bought myself a Gaudreau jersey to go with my Iggy, Cammy, Brodie and 2 blanks. Having said that, I did have to hurry my transaction up and then run it out to my vehicle. I felt dirty...
4 rows back from me, a guy with some friends reeeeally started chirping me after the 4-3 goal (no problem at all). As soon as Draisaitl shot the puck into the EN, I stood up and turned around to the guy chirping me hard and smiled, all in good fun. He gestured me off, I turned around. That was it. There were a few other people around who were giving me the gears too, one doofus in particular that seemed quite malicious about it...
As soon as the game ended, said doofus 1 or 2 rows behind this guy I had been bantering with, decides to throw something at me. Hit me square in the back of the head. I turned around and it was verrrry clear he was the culprit. Being a season ticket holder, I told the usher on my way out that he had done so. She advised me to stay near him so she could get security to deal with him. As soon as dingus gets within a few feet of me, he winds up for a haymaker.
Now, I'm a big boy. I can handle myself. I'm 6' 230lbs and although I'm not all muscle, I do not look my weight as I play lots of hockey and am very active. Happened to blow my wrist out last weekend, so I really only have 1 hand at the moment.
I should also mention at this point that my season tickets are through my company, therefore I am representing them when I use these tickets.
So, this 5'6" idiot swings at me like it's the first punch he's ever thrown. I had EVERY opportunity to tune him in and teach him a lesson. Did I do that? No. I grabbed his jersey with my bad hand and ragdolled him for half a minute hoping security would show up. The whole time, Flames/Oilers fans are watching and cheering me on to crush this idiot. I didn't swing once. He threw a couple more wild ones, elbows included and one of the bows knocked my glasses off but didn't hit me otherwise. As soon as I (regrettably) let him go for a moment, he ran so damn fast into the crowd and out of sight that there was no chance of finding him.
I took the high road tonight, as I generally do when it comes to fights. But if that idiot in 216 is on Reddit, just know that what you did tonight was despicable. What if I came from Edmonton or elsewhere? It's a sport. It's a game. I get the emotions. Believe me, I get them. But keep them in check. 99% of us Calgarians have a respect that doesn't tolerate that and a welcoming attitude for opponents fans, albeit with some playful ribbing.
Don't be that guy. Please. If you're on here, know you got off lucky by both myself and security/police. To anybody who reads this; if you see something like this take place, speak up. Don't let any fan feel uncomfortable in our rink, opponent or not.
Otherwise, great game to be at! Really loving the direction the Battle of Alberta is headed in the near future. May not be Death Valley again, but a tiring and difficult province to play in going forward. The future is clearly VERY bright for both teams in Alberta and I cannot wait to see the battles to come. My next game is against the Blues. See you then in my new Gaudreau jersey!!