The hometown hockey heroes that polarized Cape Breton in 1989
Local boys were in Stanley Cup final that pitted Montreal against Calgary
They were cheering in Calgary. They were cheering in Montreal. And they were cheering in Cape Breton.
In May 1989 — the last year that two Canadian teams made it to the Stanley Cup finals — the Calgary Flames and the Montreal Canadiens were facing off for the opportunity to hoist the Cup.
To the east of both, a smaller drama played out in two Cape Breton towns.
"Cape Breton has two native sons playing in this year's Cup final," explained CBC reporter Paul Withers.
Flames defenseman Al MacInnis hailed from Port Hood, population 600.
"They used to brag about being home to the warmest waters in Eastern Canada," said Withers.
Now, with MacInnes, the town had something else to be proud of, and a plaque inside the arena attested to it.
Bringing the NHL home
"Sometimes you think the NHL is a different world," said one of MacInnis's neighbours, watching the game at a local pub. "In a small town like this, when you have a guy playing, it just brings it a little closer."
Canadiens winger Mike McPhee, meanwhile, called River Bourgeois home — and the town was behind him all the way.
"It's mayhem as Montreal puts one in," said Withers as fans were seen and heard cheering in a tavern.
At McPhee's parents' home, his dad Stan wore a Habs sweatshirt and watched calmly as mom, Monica, became animated by the play on the screen.
"It's a real thrill to see him on TV," Stan said.
Over at the MacInnis place, Withers judged Al's parents to be "more restrained, but no less proud" of their son.
But they cheered happily when Calgary scored, and the report cut away to Stan's chagrined headshake.
"On this night, things would improve for Stan McPhee," said Withers. "Montreal went on to win, but they play again tonight, and you can be sure they'll be going through it all again."
In the end, Calgary won the 1989 Stanley Cup.
