There have been some extraordinary moments that have shocked fans throughout the years. Iggy, Gio, fight night, and Stajan’s goals are just a handful of the unforgettable Calgary Flames moments.
Let us explore the Calgary Flames’ top 10 most memorable moments.
Shivery Shutout (February 20, 2011)
The Montreal Canadiens applied significant offensive pressure as the weather turned against them, but Miikka Kiprusoff kept them off. Most fans remember the 2011 Heritage Classic at McMahon Stadium for two reasons:
- Awful weather, which dropped to about minus-25 C with the wind-chill factor.
- Kiprusoff’s outstanding performance in the home crease.
The Finnish goalie adapted to the circumstances and made 39 saves to record the NHL’s first shutout. He made a lighthearted comment about swapping his water for hot chocolate. The Flames’ 4-0 victory honoured the team’s devoted fans with goals from Rene Bourque, Anton Babchuk, and Alex Tanguay.
500 (January 7, 2012)
A few of Jarome Iginla’s goals in Calgary during his record-breaking stint as captain and face of the organization were worthy of inclusion in highlight reels. Mikko Koivu of the Minnesota Wild deflected Iggy’s pass to Curtis Glencross into the net, making him the first player in NHL history to record 500 goals. Although this bank shot proved crucial for Iggy, its success was entirely due to chance. At 34, Iginla became the 15th player in NHL history to have 500 points for a single team.
The Trade (March 27, 2013)
The night the Calgary Flames dealt Jarome Iginla will be remembered for a long time. It was a whirlwind from learning that he would be a healthy scratch against the Colorado Avalanche to learning that a deal with the Boston Bruins had been consummated to knowing that Calgary’s all-time leading scorer had been sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Flames fans will remember this, even if it isn’t the best thing. To put it gently, the comeback was a massive disappointment. Kenny Agostino, Ben Hanowski, and first-round pick Morgan Klimchuk appeared in 27 games for the Flaming C but only scored twice.
Fight Night (January 18, 2014)
Two seconds after the opening faceoff, a full-line fight erupted between the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks, putting a harsh light on the traditional Hockey Day in Canada celebrations. The Flames and Canucks heavyweight lineups cast a shadow over the festivities, with Bob Hartley leading a squad that included Brian McGrattan and Kevin Westgarth. During the first interval, Canucks bench coach John Tortorella dashed into the other team’s locker room corridor. The Flames and Canucks rekindled their rivalry in a violent game in which they combined for 204 penalty minutes.
Emerson’s Goal (March 22, 2014)
This is Flames’ most inspired work in the last decade, with no competition. Members of C of Red expressed their condolences to Matt and Katie Stajan after the loss of their infant child Emerson in 2014. Shortly after returning to the lineup, Stajan was granted a penalty shot. Stajan’s team triumphed by a landslide at what became known as “The Battle of Alberta” at an Edmonton stadium. He completed a flawless deke to his backhand and lifted his hand triumphantly to the sky. This must have sent chills down the spines of folks around the province. After the event, Stajan said, “That one’s for the little boy.”
Johnny Hat-Trick (December 22, 2014)
Who could forget when Johnny Gaudreau scored the game-winning goal? The 2014-2015 Flames were having a difficult December and seemed to be on the verge of losing their ninth consecutive game right before the Christmas break. This kept bettors in $1 deposit casino (Canada) at the edge of their seats. The Flames were down the Kings 3-0 going into overtime in Los Angeles. Still, the sensation’s natural hat trick won the game. Mark Giordano, who was out with an injury at the time, summed up the situation after that “Johnny Hockey turned the show on.” Despite Giordano’s absence, the Flames halted an eight-game losing streak and qualified for the playoffs.
Find-A-Way Flames (April 25, 2015)
They’d acquired the nickname “Find-A-Way Flames” because they proved their knack for staging exciting comebacks that night. The Flames allowed three goals to the Canucks in the first ten minutes of Game 6 at the Saddledome before displaying more of the tenacity that has become one of their defining characteristics, much like how players are drawn to the popularity of casinos with low stakes and their thrill, giving them the chance to turn their luck around and win big. After rallying to equalize the game early in the second and then overcoming another deficit in the third, Matt Stajan scored the game-winning goal with little over four minutes left in regulation to send his team through to the next round.
Thank-You Iggy (March 2, 2019)
After such a star-studded sendoff, Jarome Iginla’s (12) jersey deserved to be elevated to the Saddle Dome rafters. The audience cheered, and Iginla smiled as they did. Many waves of applause, statements from former teammates and friends, and a video montage of Iginla’s career highlights while wearing the Flames jersey and trousers were all heard. Lanny McDonald, another franchise star and fan favourite, aptly summed up what made de Iginla so remarkable when he remarked, “When it got hard, he got better. When things became dire, he got stronger. Ignore his placid attitude at your peril.”
Best in West (March 31, 2019)
This is more of a seasonal celebration than a remembrance of any particular day. With their win in San Jose, the Flames claimed the top seed in the Western Conference for the 2018-19 season. Calgary last won a regular-season championship over 30 years ago. His Flames squad finished 50-25-7, largely thanks to career-best achievements from players like Nny Greau, Mark Giordano, Sean Monahan, and Matthew Tkachuk. Their enthusiasm did not carry over to the playoffs, as they were eliminated following a five-game series with the Colorado Avalanche.
Norris Nod (June 19, 2019)
Mark Giordano began the decade as a member of the second unit defence. He’s more than just the Flames’ workhorse; he’s also their emotional leader. In June 2019, Giordano was eventually acknowledged as the NHL’s most excellent defender at the 2019 Norris Trophy presentation in Las Vegas, Nevada, after years of being the league’s best-kept secret. Although 35 years old, Calgary’s captain received first-place votes in all but six.
Conclusion
Throughout the years, the Calgary Flames have presented fans with some spectacular moments. These moments have gone down in hockey history and will be remembered for centuries. We can only hope that as the playoffs advance and new stars emerge, these moments continue to capture the attention and applause of fans all across the globe.
