Everybody loves a good comeback story, right? Seabiscuit, The Mighty Ducks, Robert Downey Jr., Kim Kardashian. The list goes on.
Dating back to the 2014-15 season, which happened to be Johnny Gaudreau‘s first full season as a Calgary Flame, the team has been able to string together a number of ridiculous comebacks that have dazzled fans time and time again.
Last Wednesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets was just another reminder of how ridiculously entertaining these types of wins can be. To go from the grips of defeat to the immediate jubilation of a win just simply cannot be matched. In honor of the Flames’ comeback on Wednesday, we decided to turn back the clocks and look at some of the most memorable comebacks since the inception of the comeback kids.
In case the title didn’t give it away, the Flames have strung together a number of memorable comebacks over the years. This is just Part 1 and covers six incredible comebacks over the course of the memorable season. Check back later in the week for the other comebacks over the years!
A huge shout out to Youtuber AC, who does the heavy lifting to compile tons of amazing Flames highlights and content. If you are not subscribed, you are missing out.
2014-15 NHL Season
Devils @ Flames – 11/24/2014
The situation: The Flames were down 3-1 entering the third period, and after trading goals were down 4-2 with 9:35 to go in the third period.
The comeback: The Flames were able to get it to 4-3 when a Dennis Wideman point shot found its way to Jiri Hudler to get the Flames to within one goal with 2:22 left in the period. The fun didn’t stop there, with just five seconds left in the game, a loose puck in front was put home by Curtis Glencross. Madness.
The result: After a bit of a quiet OT, the teams would make it to a fourth round of a shootout where Hudler closed out the party with the only goal. Karri Ramo would make the final save leading to the Flames’ 5-4 OT victory. This is just where the craziness began.
Flames @ Kings – 12/22/2014
The situation: Back when the Los Angeles Kings weren’t in last place in the Western Conference, they jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the game in the final game before the holiday break. The Flames looked lost and completely outmatched.
The comeback: This was the defining moment when Johnny Gaudreau arrived in the NHL. Before this game, Gaudreau was struggling offensively and didn’t quite have a defined place in the lineup. Talk was even had about sending him down to the AHL to develop more.
That all changed in a matter of 22 minutes as Gaudreau would score three straight goals in the game. The first off a juicy rebound on the power play, the next with two minutes left in the game, and the final off Drew Doughty and in with a minute left. Johnny Hockey was here to stay.
The result: With under a minute left in OT, Mark Giordano put together an amazing individual effort to drive in front of the net and sneak the winner past Jonathan Quick.
Bruins @ Flames 2/16/2015
The situation: The Flames faced another three goal deficit as they fell behind to the Bruins in the second period 3-0.
The comeback: David Jones got the party started, Hudler kept it going with two straight goals, including the tying goal with just over five minutes left.
The result: With seconds left in OT, T.J. Brodie put together an individual drive up the right side of the ice and threw a puck on net. The puck fluttered in the air and fell directly on top of the net, and then snuck by Tuukka Rask with a second left in OT to complete the 4-3 comeback.
Flames @ Senators 3/8/2015
The situation: The Flames were getting walked over on Ottawa’s home ice, trailing for the majority of the game. They found themselves down 4-0 entering the final period.
The comeback: Yes that’s right, this was a comeback if you had forgotten. Joe Colborne with 13 minutes left, Kris Russell with eight and a half minutes left, Mikael Backlund with seven and a half minutes left, and then finally Russell again with just over two minutes left to bring the Flames all the way back.
The result: Unfortunately this was the only game on this list the Flames were unable to fully complete the comeback. They fell in a lengthy shootout, but this comeback simply couldn’t be ignored.
Canucks @ Flames – 4/25/2015 – Round 1 Game 6
The situation: You all remember the situation. After yet another three goal deficit, and goalie change, the Flames almost looked like they were heading back to Vancouver for a deciding Game 7. Of course we know that didn’t happen.
The comeback: Micheal Ferland got the Flames back within two goals, part of his monstrous series versus the Canucks. Sean Monahan would get the team back within one, and then Gaudreau would get them all the way back to tie the game at three. That isn’t where this one ends, as the Canucks would add another goal to make it 4-3. Not a problem for the comeback kids, as Hudler would do it yet again in the third period to tie the game back up at four goals a piece.
The result: We know the goal well. Matt Stajan, aka Matty Franchise, would net the loose puck in front of the net leading to the Flames’ first lead of the game. The team would add two empty net goals and secure the series in six games after their most notable comeback of the season.
Ducks @ Flames – 5/5/2015 – Round 2 Game 3
The situation: After suffering two straight losses in the Honda Center (shocker I know) the Flames returned to home ice looking to steer the series in a different direction. Down 3-2 to start the third period, one of the more infamous moments in the series would take place. Another “it was in” situation occurred when Sam Bennett appeared to score to tie the game, but the call would not be overturned upon review. Controversy ensued.
The comeback: Of course people were quick to forget the missed call as Gaudreau scored with 19.5 seconds in the game to legitimately tie the game at three. Hope ensued.
The result: On a delayed penalty in OT, Backlund stepped onto the ice as the sixth man and buried a point shot to win the game 4-3. Pandemonium ensued. Although the Flames would go on to lose the series and end their magical run in 2014-15, this was the highlight of the series that gave the Flames a chance.
What comeback from 2014-15 was your favourite? Let us know in the comments
Stay tuned this week for Parts 2 & 3!
Photo by Todd Korol, Getty Images
