Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2008-09 Calgary Flames Review

Calgary Flames left wing Curtis Glencross (20) is 1 of 3 players remaining from the 2008-09 playoff series versus the Chicago Blackhawks. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The word “playoffs” is beginning to get bantered around in Southern Alberta. With our Calgary Flames currently sitting 4th in the Western Conference, only 3 points out of 1st place, some of that conversation is warranted. Instead of arguing the who-what-where-when-why the Flames are in the position they are in, I’m instead going to go back in time and review the 2008-09 Calgary Flames. 2008-09 was the last time our beloved Flames made the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The 2008-09 season marked the NHL schedule makers return to every team playing each other at least once during the season. I still can’t believe that for three years the NHL decided to try the NFL style schedule and have selected divisions left off a teams schedule. At least they fixed the problem.

Another problem with the NHL in 2008-09 was Sean Avery. On December 5th, 2008 (ironically almost exactly 6 years ago) Avery was suspended by the NHL for some, ummm, interesting comments about Dion Phaneuf’s personal life. That would be Avery’s final game with the Dallas Stars.

As for our Calgary Flames, here are the main points from the Wikipedia page covering the 2008-09 season:

"“…at the start of November, losing five games in seven, including a pair of 6–1 losses to the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks that led head coach Mike Keenan to cancel a planned mini-vacation for the players. The cancellation appeared to be a turning point in the season, as the Flames recorded a mark of 15–4–3 following the loss, including a dominating 5–2 victory over the Sharks at home.”“(Jarome) Iginla reached numerous personal milestones throughout the season. He recorded his 400th career assist in an early season game against Colorado. He represented the Flames at the 2009 All-Star Game, his fifth appearance, and recorded his first All-Star goal. On March 1, Iginla surpassed Theoren Fleury’s franchise record of 830 career points as part of another five point night against Tampa Bay, a game where he also scored his 400th career goal.”“Injuries became a serious concern for the Flames entering March, as Mark Giordano (shoulder surgery), Rene Bourque (high ankle sprain), Todd Bertuzzi (knee surgery), Brandon Prust (concussion) and Daymond Langkow (hand) were all on injured reserve to start the month. Looking to improve the team, Sutter completed two significant deals at the March 4 trade deadline, acquiring defenceman Jordan Leopold from the Colorado Avalanche and centre Olli Jokinen from the Phoenix Coyotes.”“The Flames were forced to play their final games of the regular season with as few as 15 skaters, below the normal 18, as the team lacked available salary cap space to call up replacements without sending other players down to their minor league affiliate.”"

Here is the Wikipedia coverage of the Calgary Flames playoff series versus the Chicago Blackhawks.

"The Chicago Blackhawks finished the regular season in second place in the Central division with 104 points and thus entered the playoffs as the fourth-overall seed in the Western Conference. The Calgary Flames earned 98 points during the regular season to finish fifth-overall in the Western Conference.Chicago won the series over Calgary, four games to two… Martin Havlat scored the game-winning goal 12 seconds into overtime to win game one for the Blackhawks, 3–2.Then in game two, Chicago overcame a 2-goal deficit by scoring 3 goals in the second period, including a pair from Jonathan Toews, to win 3–2.When the series shifted to Calgary for game three, David Moss scored two goals to help the Flames earn a 4–2 victory.In game four, Calgary scored six goals, including two by each of their top stars Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen, to win 6–4.The Blackhawks responded in game five by exploding to a 5–1 victory, going up 3-0 after one period with goals from Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp, and Kris Versteeg, and limiting the Flames to 20 shots on goal.Chicago defeated Calgary by a score of 4–1 in game six to win the series, with Patrick Kane providing the early game winner and goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin stopping 43 out of 44 shots."

HERE is a link to the 2008-09 Calgary Flames player statistics. I suggest checking it out just to jog your memory of the some of the names on the list.

If anybody has any personal recollections they wish to share about the 2008-09 season, please share them below in the comment box.

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