Matt Flindell and Cory Conway are both devoted Vancouver Canucks fans, but deep down they were also pulling for their close friend and former schoolmate Matt Irwin to have success with the San Jose Sharks.
With the Sharks sweeping the Canucks in the first round, Flindell and Conway — the latter remains next-door neighbours with the Brentwood Bay product — are hoping their pal can bring Lord Stanley’s Cup to the Island this summer.
“It would be something special if he could help bring a Cup to San Jose and maybe even have the opportunity to have a beer or two out of it next door,” said Conway.
“My family is made up of Canucks fans. I don’t like to see them lose, but it’s nice to have friends like that playing on the biggest stage so it doesn’t make it that tough to pick who I will support from this point on.”
The Sharks, after sweeping the Canucks in four games, faced the Los Angeles Kings in the opener of Round 2 on Tuesday.
“Definitely, growing up I’ve been a Canucks fan, but I’m not heart-broken to see them lose,” added Conway.
Flindell actually visited with Irwin, a NHL rookie, in San Jose last month and has known him since Grade 1. All three attended Keating Elementary, Bayside Middle School and Stelly’s Secondary and graduated together.
“Drove down to San Jose in the middle of April and watched them play Los Angeles and Minnesota,” said Flindell. “We hung out after the first game and poolside at the hotel the next day. The kid treated us to dinner.”
Flindell admitted it was strange watching his friend compete against his favourite team.
“It was conflicting to start, but you quickly realize it would mean more to you to see him win instead of the Canucks. To see the Cup back in Victoria would be amazing.”
The two still keep in touch.
“I talk to him once in a while. I talked to him after the first Vancouver game. He looked a little nervous for it, but I didn’t want to bother him too much,” Flindell said with a chuckle, opting now to keep in touch on Facebook.
