Calgary Flames Daily: Facing the Ducks, Matt Stajan’s 1000th game

It’s game day but I’m no longer excited (sorry). The Calgary Flames face the Anaheim Ducks as Matt Stajan plays his 1000th NHL game.

I have a feeling the Calgary Flames will be playing excellent in their remaining games since the pressure is somewhat off now since they’re like 95% not making the playoffs. The Flames will be playing the Anaheim Ducks tonight, a team who are also battling for a playoff spot. I’m thinking that the Flames and their fans alike would like nothing more than to destroy the Ducks’ playoff hopes.

Tonight is also a special game for veteran Matt Stajan. He’s playing in his 1000th game, over half of those spent with the Flames. With his 1000th game being a big topic of conversation today, you can’t help but focus on his emotional penalty shot goal following the unfortunate death of his son.

Matt and his wife Katie lost their infant son four years ago. Of course, Matt took some time off and in his third game back, he got a penalty shot goal against the Edmonton Oilers and pointed to the sky.

Related Story: Throwback Thursday - Matt Stajan's emotional penalty shot

Does anybody else still cry watching that? Yes? Ok good, glad we’re all on the same page here.

Via Calgary Sun:

“Honestly, the biggest thing for me is just I’m proud,” Stajan said. “It’s an accomplishment I’m proud of, and it really makes you look back at your career and all the people who helped you accomplish getting to where I am. Yeah, you have to do a lot alone and you need to have the drive, but you need the people supporting you behind the scenes, people to talk to. So to share it with my wife and my family and my teammates and all the coaches I’ve had throughout the years, management … That’s what it is all about.”

While Stajan hasn’t exactly had the most offensively-gifted career with the Calgary Flames, he still somewhat holds a special place in many Flames fans hearts. Including his teammates!

“I was actually a big fan of his, back when I was a Leafs fan. It’s pretty cool how things come full circle,” said 21-year-old left-winger Sam Bennett, Stajan’s neighbour in the home locker-room at the Saddledome. “He’s one of the guys I’ve looked up to for my entire time here and he’s really taken me under his wing since my first day here. So to see him be able to have a career like he’s had and to reach that milestone, it’s really incredible and I’m really happy for him.”“I’ve had a couple of guys tell me two months ago how many more games he needed,” said Flames bench boss Glen Gulutzan. “That shows you the importance he has in our locker-room.”

Stajan’s contract ends at the end of this season and I can honestly say that I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I wish nothing but the best for him if it’s no longer with Calgary.

Flames Tweet of the day

Brad Treliving is me on any given day.

Hockey Tweet of the day

Some links surrounding the Flames

Were the Calgary Flames sunk by bad play or bad luck this season? (Sportsnet).

Five things to know before the Flames host the Ducks (Calgary Sun).

Flames centre Stajan soaked up — then shared — veteran know-how on path to major milestone (Calgary Sun).

Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL

It’s all on the line as St. Louis Blues take on Boston Bruins (FanSided).

NHL agrees to new goalie interference procedure (CBC Sports).

NHL Power Rankings: 31 Billboards Outside Your City, NHL Edition (Sportsnet).

Next: The case for trading prospects

That’s all in today’s Flames Daily!