As a Flames' fan, you win some and you lose some. Hell of a season playing right on the margins all year long, and being one of the best teams since the 4Nations break. Just came within a hair of making the playoffs, and that truly sucks. Just a bounce here, or a different decision on a 50/50 video review there may have been enough to just edge out the Blues.
Hey, Blues went on a hell of a run. It isn't like they don't deserve to be there. WIld clung on desperately to their spot, so you can't take it away from them either. You could say that there were 9 deserving teams this year, but there is only 8 spots. That's why they have the tie-breakers.
I don't really think that the "West vs East" argument holds much water. The West competes with the West for those spots, and vice versa. It is what it is. Everyone knows that these thing can happen.
As a Flames fan, all I can say is that this was one unexpectedly enjoyable season. No idea what happens next season, but this was a fun ride! Sucks it ended, but that's life. I am curious. They had the ability to surprise a few teams - they have been playing playoff hockey since the 1st game of the season. Vegas would probably have crushed them as they just seem to have Calgary's number. Every other team they probably would have put up a fight at least, but with the right match-up, they MIGHT have squeaked by a team. They play hard, and have a surprising amount of grit now and resilience. Not an easy match-up this year for anyone (unless you are Vegas as mentioned.. sigh).
Best 8 teams made it to the playoffs in the west. Flames missed out by a hair, but those are the rules and I don't think they need to be changed. Congratulations to those teams finishing ahead of Calgary and good luck to you all.