On the 10th anniversary of Alex Burrows’ goal that sent the #canucks past the #Blackhawks and brought relief to an ever-tortured Canucks fan base, I remember a unique experience I had as @provincesports editor: an unusual call from @fr_aquilini ...

After the Canucks had blown their 3-0 lead in the first round, the Blackhawks tying the series in Chicago, my cell phone rang. It was Francesco. I didn’t even know he had my number. He was in Chicago, sounded like he was outside, and it was late. I just listened.

Francesco was both worked up and calm. He acknowledged that the Canucks were on the verge of making the kind of history you don’t want to make, but he pretty much promised that they’d come home to Vancouver and win Game 7.

Then came the most interesting part, in hindsight: Knowing how much fun Canucks fans were having in the streets night after night, he said he hoped people would respect the Game 7 result, win or lose. That they would behave properly.

I had chatted with @fr_aquilini three or four times in my career before that, but that night he was both very upset and incredibly clear-headed. Funny how he saw the potential for danger; we all should have.

The following day, we assigned someone to do the rah-rah “Canucks owner calls the paper, backs his boys” kind of story. I recall the piece never acknowledged his hopes for calm, respect and class.

So that’s my unique memory related to the Burrows goal: my unexpected call from Francesco Aquilini. Plus the pictures of @strombone1 at the bottom of the celebration pile, looking like a squashed bug. Used it for months on the much-missed @provincesports 24/7 live chat.