CALGARY, Alberta — In a heartfelt and emotional evening, the Calgary Flames secured a 3-0 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. The match unfolded against the backdrop of a touching pregame tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau, showcasing the bond of family and friendship within the sport.
Rasmus Andersson and Kevin Bahl both contributed power-play goals for Calgary, while goaltender Dan Vladar made a significant impact with a 16-save shutout. Yegor Sharangovich added an empty-net goal, and Mikael Backlund stood out with two assists to enhance the Flames’ performance.
For Columbus, goalie Elvis Merzlikins managed to stop 19 of the 21 shots directed his way, yet it wasn’t enough to keep the Flames at bay.
Prior to the game, Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were commemorated in front of an emotionally charged crowd. Members from both teams donned jerseys featuring Gaudreau’s name and his iconic No. 13 as a sign of respect, with the Gaudreau family present to witness the tribute. Tragically, the brothers lost their lives in a cycling accident caused by a vehicle in New Jersey on August 29.
Johnny Gaudreau, who dedicated eight seasons to the Flames before spending two seasons with the Blue Jackets, was fondly remembered. His father, Gus, participated in team practices in the days leading up to the game.
Throughout the tribute, the Saddledome echoed with chants of “Johnny,” and cheers of “Johnny Hockey” rang out as the Flames established a 2-0 lead in the third period.
Regarding the game dynamics, the Blue Jackets failed to challenge Vladar adequately, managing only 16 shots throughout the match, with a mere three attempts in the second period and limited opportunities in close proximity to the goal. They also incurred four penalties, compared to just one for the Flames.
On the other hand, the Flames demonstrated resilience in the face of the emotional atmosphere, returning to form faster than their opponents. They maintained discipline in their play, spending substantial time in the offensive zone.
A pivotal moment of the evening occurred when Andersson, a close friend of Gaudreau, acknowledged his family seated in a box at the Saddledome after scoring.
In a noteworthy statistic, the Flames marked their sixth consecutive home win, the first such streak since the 2021-22 season. This achievement highlights their potential as they aim to match or even surpass the franchise record of 11 home victories from the 2015-16 season.
Looking ahead, the Blue Jackets are set to face the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, while the Flames will welcome the St. Louis Blues to town on the same day.