On Monday, January 23rd, 2023, Johnny Gaudreau made his return to Calgary, playing in the Scotiabank Saddledome for the first time as a member of the opposing team. While no longer on the home side, Gaudreau remained prominent in the memory of all fans in attendance – and I was fortunate enough to be one of those fans. Here are a few key takeaways from my experience at one of the most eventful Calgary Flames games of the season.
I was cheering for Gaudreau all night long, and for those who know me well enough, this comes as no surprise. However, it turned out that I was part of the minority in doing so, as most fans in the building showered Gaudreau with boos every time he touched the puck throughout the entire game. But amidst this unfavourable reaction that provided a clear answer for those who questioned whether or not his return would be well-received, there was a bright spot for Johnny Gaudreau midway through the first period. Despite the bitter end to an unfinished run, the thousands of fans at the Dome rose to honour Johnny Gaudreau’s time as a Flame with a standing ovation as the following tribute played on the energy board: Watch Johnny Gaudreau’s tribute video here.
Beyond the emotional aspect of Gaudreau’s return, the game itself was filled with exciting moments. Milan Lucic, one of the best fighters in the NHL, fought Mathieu Olivier of the Columbus Blue Jackets (and won, of course). Johnny Gaudreau happened to get hooked on a breakaway chance early in the game and was awarded a penalty shot – something that certainly doesn’t happen everyday. Adding to the drama, Gaudreau missed the net and Flames fans erupted into cheers. This kept the game tied at zero. Six goals later, the game was headed to overtime at 3-3. Finally, and most importantly, the Flames finished the job with an overtime winner from Dillon Dube – his first career overtime goal. A fitting end to a battle against the guy who’s tied for most overtime goals in franchise history. Gaudreau finished the night with 2 primary assists, 11 shot attempts, 5 shots on goal, 9 scoring chances, and 3 high danger chances, earning 2nd star of the game. A reminder that he’s still the electric player Calgary once loved.Â
In the end, the Calgary Flames had the last laugh. Until next time, Johnny.
