33 years ago yesterday, on October 15th, 1983, the Calgary Flames played the “Battle of Alberta” in the inaugural game at what was then known as the “Olympic Saddledome.” With 2026–27 as the “farewell season” of the now-Scotiabank Saddledome, the Calgarians are feeling all kinds of emotions. Some are upset, some are excited, but almost everyone feels a little nostalgic. It’s only fitting that on the anniversary of the inaugural game at the Dome, we count down the top 10 most electric moments in the Saddledome’s history.
You’ll see throughout the list that I’m very biased toward the more recent moments, and I attended a few. This countdown reflects my personal opinion; if you disagree, that’s okay. This is my personal top 10 Saddledome moments.
There are plenty of moments to choose from, but since this is a hockey-centred website, we’re keeping our picks hockey-related. So if you’re a massive concert fan or a Calgary Roughnecks fan, the best I can do is an honourable mention under our rules. If you want to make your own list that includes non-hockey events, go ahead, but ours will be hockey-exclusive.
#10 Lanny McDonald Scoring The First Ever Goal In The Saddledome
Lanny McDonald is typically remembered for a different goal he scored wearing the flaming C. He scored the insurance goal in Game 6 of the 1989 Stanley Cup Final in Montreal. That goal is still featured in highlights to this day as one of the most iconic moments in Flames history.
However, McDonald forever engraved his name in Flames history multiple times, including six years earlier. On October 15th, 1983, Lanny McDonald scored a power play goal. It was the first goal ever scored in the Saddledome, becoming an iconic moment in the city’s history as well as the arena’s history. It’s not even Lanny’s most iconic moment in a Flames uniform, but it still makes the list.
#9 Sweden Wins The 2012 World Juniors
For decades, the Swedes have been among the best in the world at producing high-quality hockey talent. One of the most iconic moments in Swedish hockey and World Juniors history happened in the Saddledome. For many years, Sweden was almost like the Buffalo Bills of recent years. Dominant in the regular season or, in this case, the round robin, just to lose in very dramatic ways in the playoffs.
However, in 2012, the roles were reversed. Sweden beat Finland in a shootout in the semifinals to set up a dramatic showdown with the Russians in the Gold Medal Game. Ottawa Senators draft pick Mika Zibanejad scored the OT winner for Sweden in a 1–0 win over Russia. And Sweden won their first Gold at the World Juniors since 1981.
#8 Calgary Hitmen Win 2010 WHL Championship On Home Ice
I’m biased toward more recent events because of my age. Fun fact: the 2010 Hitmen playoff run is one of my first memories as a hockey fan. I was six. The Hitmen went 52–17–3 that year, finishing with the best record in the league. They were led by L.A. Kings pick Brandon Kozun with 107 points in 66 games, and Washington Capitals pick Joel Broda with 39 goals in 65 games.
As the number one seed in the Eastern Conference, the Hitmen beat the Moose Jaw Warriors in seven games, the Medicine Hat Tigers in six games, and the Brandon Wheat Kings in five games en route to the finals, where they would take on the number one seed in the Western Conference, the Tri-City Americans.
After winning three of the first four games, the Hitmen returned to the ‘Dome with a chance to close out the series in Game 5. They did exactly that, winning 4–1 and earning themselves a spot in the Memorial Cup. Future Flame Michael Stone scored two goals in the clinching game, and Martin Jones was named Finals MVP. I remember being in the building for Game 5, and it was unbelievable; they set off fireworks inside the Saddledome! It was unreal; in my opinion, definitely a top-10 moment.
#7 2015 Round 1 Game 6 vs. Vancouver
In 2015, the Flames made the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Taking on the Vancouver Canucks in the first round, the Flames brought a 3–2 series lead back to the Saddledome for Game 6. However, a Game 7 seemed inevitable early; the Canucks jumped out to a 3–0 lead.
You could hear a pin drop in the Dome after the first period. But the Flames brought it back in the second with three goals. Yet, they were still trailing 4–3 going into the third. Early in the third, Jiri Hudler scored for Calgary to tie it 4–4 and set the table for one of the most electric Flames moments in recent memory.
With 4:17 remaining in the period, Matt Stajan scored to give the Flames their first lead of the game. The Flames added an empty-netter and went on to win 6–4, advancing in the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
#6 1989 Round 1 Game 7 vs. Vancouver
In 1988–89, the Flames were dominant! They won the Presidents’ Trophy and were the number one seed in the Campbell Conference entering the playoffs. Their reward was a date with the Vancouver Canucks in round one. With a 43-point gap between the teams, people thought this would be an easy series for Calgary.
The Canucks gave the Flames everything they had. Forcing Game 7 in the Dome. Former Flames Head Coach Terry Crisp to this day describes this game as “dodging a bullet.”
Game 7 came down to overtime. In OT, Mike Vernon–who, in my opinion, should’ve won the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP–made an amazing save on Stan Smyl on a breakaway to keep the Flames’ season alive.
But wait, there’s more! In double OT, Joel Otto scored the series-winning goal. In today’s NHL, that goal likely would’ve been called back for goalie interference. But Otto scored anyway, sending the Saddledome into a frenzy and starting a 12–3 run through the rest of the playoffs en route to the Stanley Cup.
#5 Theo Fleury’s Dramatic Flames Return
Theo Fleury is one of the best players in the history of the Flames. He played for the Flames from 1988–89 until 1998–99. On September 17, 2009, a 41-year-old Theo Fleury returned to the Flames lineup for a preseason game against the New York Islanders. He returned from a six-year hiatus from the NHL due to “personal struggles.”
All eyes were on Fleury that night, and the outcome was unbelievable. The Flames could’ve sold it to Disney for a movie, and people would’ve said it was unrealistic. The game came down to a shootout, and of course Theo shot in the shootout because the crowd chanted his name the whole game. Not just that, he scored the shootout-winning goal for the Flames; it was his final game in a Flames uniform.
#4 Jarome Iginla’s 500th Goal
Jarome Iginla, in my opinion, is undoubtedly the best Flame of all time. I’ve never been a big Flames guy, so that goal song they used to play for him is still stuck in my head and still gives me nightmares to this day. In January 2012, against the Minnesota Wild, Iginla scored his 500th career goal in front of a packed Saddledome crowd. His goal stood as the game-winner in a 3–1 win.
For Flames fans of a certain age, this has become a “where were you when?” type of moment because of his undeniable talent and popularity. Iginla still stands alone as the all-time leader in goals and points for the Flames. He is one of four players to have their jersey number retired. If you ask any Flames fan old enough to remember, they’ll tell you where they were for Iginla’s 500th.
#3 1988 Winter Olympics
The Saddledome was built as part of Calgary’s bid to host the 1988 Winter Olympics, so it’s impossible to have all these iconic moments in the Dome and leave the Olympics out. Without Calgary hosting the Olympics, the Saddledome along with these moments wouldn’t exist. Enough said!
The Saddledome hosted not only hockey but also figure skating. You can still see iconic photos of the Dome from the Olympics on the arena walls to this day. Most notably, Brian Boitano won gold in Men’s figure skating for the Americans on the Saddledome ice.
#2 Johnny Gaudreau’s Game 7 OT Winner
In 2021–22, the Flames finished at the top of the Pacific Division, having the number two seed in the West going into the playoffs. The Flames faced the Dallas Stars in the first round. If it weren’t for a superhuman performance by Stars goalie Jake Ottenger, who posted a .952 save percentage throughout the series, it likely would’ve been over in five games.
Nonetheless, Game 7 at the Dome was unbelievable, with a very emotional finish. The Flames had over 60 shots in game 7 and none bigger than Johnny Gaudreau’s game-winner in overtime. Many thought 2022 would be the Flames’ year, but they ended up losing in Round 2. The Gaudreau goal has become even more iconic with the tragic passing of Johnny and his brother Matthew in 2024. This goal serves as an iconic moment and a kind of goodbye for Flames fans, as Johnny signed with Columbus in the 2022 offseason.
Due to Johnny’s Jerome Iginla-esque impact on the Flames and the fans, this goes down as one of the most iconic moments in Flames history.
#1 Martin “The Eliminator” Gelinas In The 2004 Playoffs
Everybody old enough to remember vividly recalls the Flames’ 2004 run to the Stanley Cup Final. Martin Gelinas scored three series-winning goals throughout that run. (Possibly scored a fourth, depending on who you ask.) Had Gelinas’ no-goal counted, the Flames likely would’ve won a second Stanley Cup and would’ve been number one on this list. However, it didn’t, and Tampa Bay won, so Martin Gelinas takes the number one spot with his OT winner to eliminate Detroit in the ’04 playoffs.
As the one seed in the West, Detroit was the team to beat. However, Calgary brought a 3–2 series lead back to the Dome for Game 6. In the final minute of the first overtime period, Gelinas scored to give the Flames a 1–0 win and the series win. Gelinas also received a tremendous honour that night, a TRIPLE “Yeah Baby!” from the late, great Peter Maher. It’s gone down as one of the most memorable and iconic goals not only in Flames history but in Saddledome history.
The Saddledome has delivered so many iconic moments and created memories people will never forget. Enjoy every last moment with the Saddledome this season. Once it ends, the Dome will be nothing but nostalgic moments like this.
