Last night actually marked a turning point in my views on atmosphere. I've always been a bit 'chicken and egg' about whether great crowd support creates great play, or vice versa. Team come out hard, we support them, etc etc.
Not any more. We simply have to find a way to get going early, every game, and that's down to us, I now firmly believe. You always read Coaches and players talking about feeding off the crowd but by God, was that true last night. I was at the rink early by usual standards, and there was an incredible, positive vibe everywhere, and through everyone I spoke to. It was weird, a calmness in the face of real adversity that you don't see often.
Every single one of our big game players showed up on the same night. The cohesion, the support, the teamwork - it was a complete performance and, other than the fact the 2006 game was for the trophy, eclipsed that epic night in the WNIR for me.
What I love is that while some Clubs have played down the CC in the past - like some Premiership teams with the FA Cup - we have always made a point that it means a lot to us. After our recent past, nothing will ever trump the feeling of the 2015 CC final win in Sheffield for me - it was a perfect day - but occasions like last night take decades to come around for most Clubs. I agree with what JD has already said online - last night in the third it truly felt like being back in 93 or 94 when we were in our original pomp.
This is a special time to be a Devil and seeing the entire fanbase, organisation, volunteers, everyone - 100% united for the last few years is a joy that I cannot adequately express.
We are the envy of the League, and I hope we all manage to take a pause once in a while, and drink it in. Nothing is perfect, but the feelings I had leaving the arena last night were pretty damn close.
Well done, Red Army. That was an incredible performance by our 6th man.