This cache is part of the GBD Puzzle Playoff Series. Please make a note in your on line log of which spot you signed in the official cache log so it is easier for me to keep track of the points - also please make sure to replace the container securily back in it's hiding spot -Thanks

The Final Battle

To solve this puzzle you will need to read this description carefully and pay close attention to detail. Then use the final video clue to solve the mystery coordinates to The Final Battle.

The Battle Of Alberta is a hockey rivalry between 2 teams and their passionate fans. The Edmonton Oilers from Northern Alberta and the Calgary Flames from the South Western part of the province. The rivalry dates back to the early 1980's and was at it's height in the late 80's and early 90's when both teams were dominant forces in the NHL.

Back in those days Alberta hockey fans were divided fairly clearly with the North supporting the Blue and Orange while down South just about everyone bled Red and Yellow. So generally speaking if you lived in the cities of Edmonton or Calgary you were usually surrounded by your fellow loyalists so everyone was pretty happy with each other. However if like me you lived in a town that happened to be near that middle ground between North and South then you would see the fans rivalry at it's highest levels. I believe this is why my self and a lot of the friends I grew up with in that town to this day display a fierce dislike for the supporters of the opposite team.

We have continued on into our middle ages scoffing and ridiculing the other side for who they choose to support with a deep and passionate disregard for their feelings or anything that would be considered humble, noble or in good taste. At some level we know it's all just for fun but try remembering that when the other team just lit yours up for 4 straight goals in the 3rd period to finish off a big comeback win and everyone you know from the other side is calling you up texting you and rubbing it in your face ... that doesn't feel like it's just for fun and you can't wait until next time when surely it will be you stomping all over their poor beaten down souls. We act this way unapologetic with a keen cocky sense of pride in our barbaric view of fan loyalty ... but that is what makes The Battle Of Alberta a real battle.

The teams have had a hate on for eachother for as long as the fans and they get up for playing eachother in a big way filled with animosity and desire. They play hard to own and not be owned by the enemy and this deep ingrained disdain was forged in the 80's and early 90's during a run of playoff series that provided the hockey world with some of the most exciting and feircest hockey ever played. That disdain has been passed down from generation to generation of Oilers and Flames players and it burns inside them to this day. 

The true Battle of Alberta has and always will be when the teams meet in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a series. There have been 5 of those series played.

The first was in 1983 this one is one the Flames would like to forget as the fast talented crew from up North slaughtered them in a big way with many double digit scores.

A year later in 1984 Flames coach Badger Bob Johnson had his team a little more prepared for the overwhelming Oilers but they were still too much for Calgary to handle and the Oilers won the series in the 7th game.

Two years later in 1986 the teams would find themselves in another 7th game and this time the Oilers did themselves in by scoring on their own net late in the game to give the Flames their first series win in the Battle of Alberta.

Move another 2 seasons ahead to 1988 and the Flames had grown into their own dynamic offensive powerhouse and for the first time the Oilers were the underdog in the series as the Flames had owned them all through the regular season ... but the Oilers had something to prove ... that the Flames victory in 1986 was an undeserved fluke .... and prove it they did with a one sided 4 game sweep of the Flames on the road to their 4th Stanley Cup.

The teams never saw each other again in the playoffs until 3 seasons later in 1991 where a lot had changed the Flames had managed to win their own Stanley Cup in 1989 and the Oilers were coming off winning their 5th championship the previous season (the first without #99) who had been traded to LA after that 1988 cup win. This set the stage for what is considered by many to be the greatest series of hockey ever played and also the toughest, dirtiest and most violent series of all time.

In game one at Calgary the Oilers struck first with a 3-1 victory on goals by Petr Klima, Craig Simpson and Esa Tikkanen. The Flames lone marker was from Al MacInnis.

In game 2 the Flames roared back with their own 3-1 win at home on goals by Doug Gilmore, Paul Ranheim and Gary Suter. The Oilers lone strike was by Adam Graves.

Game 3 up in Edmonton was a close 4-3 contest won by the hometown Oilers on goals by Glen Anderson, Charlie Huddy, Joe Murphy and Esa Tikkanen. The Flames answered with goals by Joe Nieuwendyk, Joel Otto and Gary Roberts.

Game 4 up North The Home team opened it up and skated to a 5-2 win putting a strangle hold on the series with goals by Kelly Buchberger, Craig MacTavish, Mark Messier and 2 from Esa Tikkanen. The Flames answered with markers from Sergei Makarov and Joe Nieuwendyk.

Game 5 back in Calgary seemed to be just what the Doctor ordered for the Flames who managed a 5-3 victory on goals from Al MacInnis, Ric Natress, Joe Nieuwendyk and a couple from D-man Carey Wilson. The Oilers scorers were Glen Anderson, Adam Graves and Mark Messier.

Game 6 back up in Edmonton and the Oilers were looking to close the deal but Calgary had different plans after a 1-1 tie in regulation with goals from Paul Ranheim of Calgary and Craig Simpson of Edmonton it was Theoren Fleury who lit the overtime lamp and sent the series to a 7th and final game with Fleury sliding and spinning all over the ice at Northlands Coliseum the stage was set for a game that took place exactly 25 years ago right here in Calgary, actually right at the posted coordinates for this cache and it was in my opinion the greatest game of hockey ever played ... The Final Battle

Game 7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa3_3vwcD-8

N 51° ??.??? W 114° 0?.???

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