Columbus Blue Jackets @ Calgary Flames: 2024-25 NHL Season Game 24

First and foremost, the Calgary Flames tributes to Johnny and Mathew Gaudreau before and tonight were each presently perfect. The hockey sticks left behind at the memorial being crafted into a beautiful bench that will forever sit in the Flames' stadium and Johhnny's kids and wife being the first to sit upon it. The donation of $0.13 per Skittle left behind in hundreds of bags to the local food bank of Calgary. The Flames inviting Guy Gaudreau to practice yesterday and today, allowing him to use one of his son's sticks. The 13 Warmup jersey raffle. The helmet of Flames Goaltender, Dan Vladar, being donated to auction and the funds going toward the legacy of doing good in these two men's names who should still be here. Keep in mind, this was all done before the beautiful ceremonial puck drop by the parents, sisters, wife, and kids of Johnny and Mathew while supported by Johnny's former team, the Calgary Flames, and his last team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, among a sea of fans in both red and blue. It was beautiful, and I cried so hard I got a headache. I never wanted the Flames and Jackets to share a bond like this, not in my wildest nightmares, but we now do and I know that both organizations will continue to mourn but better their communities and honor both men lost far too soon. 

The first period of this game was spent in the depths of emotion, but eventually, each team focused on the game Johnny and Mathew loved. Zach Werenski appeared to score in period one, but it would be challenged by the Flames and ruled offsides. With no other goals scored in the opening period, the score would remain 0-0 going into period two. 

Period two would prove the breaking point for the Flames as R. Anderson would score his sixth goal this season on the powerplay at 10:14. M. Backlund would have his seventh assist of the season on this goal while N, Kadri would have his eighth. This would be the only goal this period, and the Flames would pull a one-goal advantage into the third period. 

Period three would prove plentiful for the home team. They would have one goal removed for offsides, but still managed to score two more goals this period which would count to their final 3-0 score. The first goal would come at 17:52 and again on the powerplay from K. Bahl and it would be his first goal this season. M. Weegar would have his eleventh assist this season while J. Huberdeau would have his seventh. The final goal for the Flames and of this game would come at 19:40 from Y. Sharangovich and it would be his sixth goal of the season. This would be an empty net goal. M. Backlund would add his eighth assist of the season on this goal while B. Coleman would add his sixth. So, yes, the Blue Jackets would suffer their first shutout of the season, but I can't even be mad. This was the Flames game to win, and they did it for Johnny. 

Also, Johnny Gaudreau being named the First Star tonight and Guy Gaudreau accepting it on the Calgary ice was just the perfect end to this game. The official NHL record will show no First Star tonight and it will remain symbolic, and I don't think it should be any other way. I know we lost, but this is easily the least painful one I've ever written about, and I'm sure ever will. 

Our next game will be on Thursday night as we meet the middle of this road trip. We will travel to Edmonton to face a newly recovered Conner McDavid and his Oilers at 9:00 p.m. 

13 and 21 forever. 





   

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