Calgary Flames Top Ten Best Highlight Videos of All Time
By Ramina Shlah
Number 2 – Matt Stajan Emotional Penalty Shot, 2014
Get your tissues out, we’ve got another emotional one.
In 2014, something tragic happened to Calgary Flames forward and veteran, Matt Stajan. Him and his wife, Katie, had an unfortunate family emergency where their newborn son had passed away. Matt Stajan of course took a leave of absence, but decided to join the lineup again.
Of course, the team wanted him to take as much time as he needed.
Via Calgary Herald:
"They said straight out to me, if I take the rest of the year off, that’s fine — ‘Just do whatever you need to do.’ Sitting down with my wife (Katie) the last couple weeks — and obviously going through what we’ve been through — we talked. It’s about moving forward and taking steps. Obviously, we’re always going to remember and it never gets easy. But you’ve got to move on and . . . this is another step forward. I want to play. Nothing’s going to change anything. I want to get right back into game action. That’s what hockey players do. That’s the plan. I’m excited to get right back at it."
After missing eight games, Stajan rejoined the Flames. And then something inspiring happened.
On March 22nd, 2014, the Flames were playing a game against the Edmonton Oilers (I feel like we’re mentioning them a lot today). During the second period, Matt Stajan gets clipped during a shot attempt and people thought the Flames were going to get a powerplay. But Stajan ends up getting a penalty shot.
He takes his shot and he scores. And right after he scores, he points to the sky as somewhat of an honor to his son, and the entire bench is praising him for that goal. They’re all giving him pats and words of encouragement.
The Flames ended up winning 8-1 and Stajan had three assists that night. He earned the second star of the night.
It was a heartwarming game and showed us all that there are bigger things in life than just sports.