It was a very emotional night for both the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets. On the night of the Flames 13th home game of the season, they hosted the Blue Jackets for the first time since the tragic death of former Flames superstar Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew.
With the entire Gaudreau family in attendance, the Flames put on a full sixty-minute effort, Dan Vladar got his second shutout of the season, and the Flames picked up their 13th win.
It was all about Johnny
The entire hockey world, the Blue Jackets organization and the Flames organization have gone through a lot since the passing of the Gaudreau, and tonight they honoured him for the second time this season, but tonight was extra special as the Gaudreau family made their first trip back to the Saddledome since April of 2022.
The Flames put on a beautiful video tribute for Gaudreau, and they had the Gaudreaus come onto the ice for the ceremonial puck drop as Mikael Backlund and former Flame and best friend of Gaudreau, Sean Monahan took the draw. Both teams came together at centre ice for the puck drop and it was a really touching moment as they honoured their lost teammate one more time this season.
It still does not feel real at this point, and I don’t think it is something that I or anyone will really get over. The emotions that came over Monahan pushed me over my breaking point and seeing the family all back in the Saddledome was something really special as they are considered royalty around Calgary. I really wish they were back here under different circumstances.
Finally, the Flames would name Johnny the first star of the game tonight and Backlund and Rasmus Andersson would both come out on the ice with Johnny’s father, Guy. A perfect ending to a truly special night.
And the first star of the game, Johnny Gaudreau ❤️ pic.twitter.com/p6FTAbbecp
— NHL (@NHL) December 4, 2024
Gaudreau’s former teammates put on a show
If this game wasn’t already emotional from the beginning, it became even more so as the game went on. It was only right that Rasmus Andersson would open up the scoring on a perfectly placed slap shot, and of course, it was assisted by Backlund. Andersson sought out the Gaudreaus in the seats for his signature staredown, except there was no taunting here. He pointed right up to the sky after he scored knowing that Johnny was looking down on him tonight. Backlund would later score on a deflection shot by Andersson. It would have been poetic, but it was called back after the play was deemed offside.
MORE RASMUS! pic.twitter.com/zBgXofjmpo
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) December 4, 2024
However, Backlund and Blake Coleman would get assists on Yegor Sharangovich’s empty netter to seal the victory. All three skaters who played with Gaudreau in his last year as a Flame picked up points tonight, you cannot draw up a better script.
Vladar, who was also on that 2021–22 team, picked up a shutout tonight. He seemed a little shaky to start the game, but he really settled in and made some huge saves. Wearing his new mask dedicated to both Johnny and Matthew, he played one of his best games of the year.
Sometimes, you really cannot make things up. Tonight was one of those nights.
Back in the win column
It has felt like forever since the Flames won a game, but this was the perfect night to get back into the win column.
I cannot even begin to imagine how tough this game was to play for both sides, I cannot imagine how tough this game was for Monahan, and I cannot imagine the emotions running through the Gaudreau family as they were back for the first time since Johnny scored his 100th point of the season back in 2022.
We will always love you, Johnny. We will always remember all the great times you gave us when you were a member of the C of Red, and we will never forget you or Matthew. You and your family will always be a part of the Flames family. Thank you to the Gaudreau’s for sharing Johnny with us, and thank you Johnny for being who you were for us.
