The Calgary Flames won just one game in their three-game road trip to California. But what really stank was their game against the Anaheim Ducks.
The Calgary Flames played one of their Pacific division rivals, the Anaheim Ducks, at the Honda Center on Sunday evening. An arena that has had a curse on the Flames for over a decade. And now, it still holds.
The last time the Flames won a regular season game in this arena was on January 19, 2004. Sunday marked the 24th consecutive loss in this building.
Why this game, number 24, was special in particular, was because it marked the day the Flames would either break a curse, or break an NHL record.
We actually put out an article earlier today about everything you need to know about this curse and I was slightly optimistic. Wrongfully optimistic, unfortunately.
Related Story: The Decade Long Curse of the Honda Center
Before this game, the Calgary Flames were tied for an NHL record with the Pittsburgh Penguins for most consecutive losses in one building, with 23 (For those wondering, it was Pittsburgh in Philadelphia). Based on what I’ve already said, sorry for the spoilers, but they broke that record.
Nobody knows what it is. Is it the California heat? Is Disneyland distracting them? Who knows.
Something notable about this game, however, is that rookie Matthew Tkachuk got into his first NHL fight. I mean, I’m a little surprised to be honest that his 12th NHL game finally marked that first fight. Since he basically gets into scrums in every game. But good on him. I like him and I’m glad the Flames management and coaching staff saw the same potential that I see.
The Flames did battle pretty hard though, especially in the first period.
They had 12 shots alone in the first period for a total of 26 shots. There was also quite a bit of roughing in the game as well. Lot’s of angry players. Hits were 25-23 in favor of the Flames. Mikael Backlund got a roughing penalty. Not something you see everyday, but hey. I’m not complaining.
You know, I was actually looking forward to this game and here’s why. The Calgary Flames had a horrendous game against the LA Kings the night before, and already two minutes into the game against Anaheim, they looked like a much better team.
However, they got out-power played, out-penalty killed, and out-scored.
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Looks like this wasn’t the year of breaking all the curses. Leonardo DiCaprio may have finally won an Oscar this year and the Chicago Cubs may have won the World Series for the first time in 108 years. But looks like the Flames will have to wait for their chance to break the curse of the Honda Center.