At least one die-hard fan in the valley was happy when Canada’s last remaining team in the Stanley Cup playoffs was knocked out, when the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Montreal Canadiens on May 24.
Arndt, 44, is one of few true Flyers fans in the valley, and this year has proven to be one of the most excited in the team’s recent career.
“We are far and few in Drumheller,” laughs Arndt, who has closely watched his beloved Flyers since the tender age of 5, when he lived in northern Manitoba.
His basement decorated with flags, jerseys, cups, pictures, and even a replica stadium which hosts his team, he will now watch as the Flyers take on the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals.
Among his possessions, the most prized is the vintage Bobby Clarke necktie from the 1970’s.
The Flyers were the first non-Original Six team to win the Cup, with back to back titles in 1973-74 and 1974-75, which Arndt still remembers fondly.
The Chicago Blackhawks took game one of the seven game series on May 29, with a nail biting win of 6-5, but Arndt has his bets on Philly winning in six.
“I don’t want to see Chicago get swept… I might be going on a limb saying it’ll be in six games, but it will be a tough series for the both of them.”
On the cover of the May 19 edition of The Mail, one of the valley’s loyal Canadiens fans was profiled, Marcel Augey.
Arndt said that a few years ago when the Flyers and Habs played against each other in the playoffs, he made a bet with Marcel’s father Chris for dinner with the wives if their respective teams won. Arndt won then, and again last week when the Flyers knocked them out.
Dinner has yet to be bought.