What causes a rivalry?
In many cases it comes down to geographical, political and economic differences between clubs.
The Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks rivalry has been revived this year in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 11 years, and finds its roots in the aforementioned topics and history between the two teams.
Separated by the lofty peaks of the Rocky Mountains, Salmon Arm falls roughly halfway between Vancouver and Calgary, the two largest cities in Western Canada.
Vancouver is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the peaks of the Coast Mountains and forests, and Calgary sits at the base of the foothills on an expanse of flat prairie.
Salmon Arm is home to many expats from both cities and, as a result, the allegiance to both teams is prevalent in the community.
On the surface there appears to be more Canucks fans in town, thanks in large part to geography.
“Because we’re in B.C. it’s like the Canucks are the hometown team in a way. They are the only team in the province so you have to cheer for them if you live in B.C.,” says Canucks’ fan Jeff Smith.
As soon as the Canucks secured a post-season ticket, fans started pulling out the car flags and other assorted of memorabilia.
However, if you look close enough you will find the trademark “flaming C” and colour red standing out like a sore thumb against the blue and green of the Canucks fan gear.
Flames fans are not afraid to show support for their team in a Vancouver-centric fan base.
In the past week, Flames fans have been seen proudly supporting their team’s first trip to the post season since 2009, displaying team colours, wearing jerseys, shirts, etc.
At the Bastion Carnival last Friday, Tiffany Loewen, whose family relocated to Salmon Arm from Calgary last October, was the only one in a Flames jersey.
A born-and-raised Calgarian, Loewen said she is a huge Flames fan who had to show her support – even if it made her stand out in the crowd.
One resident on Okanagan Avenue has even hung a Flames flag on the outside of their house.
Fans of both teams have been seen intermingling and poking fun at each other in a friendly manner at community events over the past week.
Even Bastion Elementary School has joined in on the lighthearted fun.
Bastion’s vice-principal Paul Rosman has taped over the school’s bus lane and kiss-and-go lane in front of the school with Flames or Canucks fan lanes signs.
While there is no animosity between fans in town, it’s a different story on the ice. Games two and three have ended in line brawls, with either losing team looking to “send a message.” (Hockey talk for sore losers.)
Emotions have even boiled over to fans attending the games.
A few unruly fans were involved in a brawl in the concourse following game two at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
The first-round series will shift back to Vancouver on Thursday evening for game five.
