The two points added to the standings was the last thing anyone was talking about following the Calgary Flames’ 3-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets last night.
Tuesday was arguably the most emotional night in Flames history, as the organization paid tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau with his family in attendance.
An emotional ceremonial faceoff with the Gaudreau family, the Blue Jackets, and Flames ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rSi8yZHiXg
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 4, 2024
In fitting fashion, it was a few of Gaudreau’s longtime Flames teammates who played big roles in this one. Rasmus Andersson was one of those individuals, breaking the scoreless affair in the second period with what wound up being the game-winning goal. Immediately after scoring the goal, he pointed to the box that the Gaudreau family was sitting in.
RASMUS ANDERSSON BREAKS THE ICE IN CALGARY! pic.twitter.com/v8XJdtnAbz
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 4, 2024
“There’s so much emotion going through your body,” Andersson said. “They know I love them. Me and my family will always be here for them. It was just very emotional scoring.”
Another who had a significant impact was Mikael Backlund. The Flames captain appeared to have his team’s second of the night, though it was eventually called back following an offside challenge.
What wound up being the biggest moment of both Andersson and Backlund’s evenings, however, came following the game, where they accompanied Guy Gaudreau onto the ice after Johnny was named first star.
A little speechless: Johnny Gaudreau was just named the First Star of the night, and was represented by his father Guy on the ice. #CBJpic.twitter.com/BmozH3JvwM
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 4, 2024
“Very special to win tonight in front of the whole Gaudreau family,” Backlund said in an interview featuring himself, Guy and Andersson. “That was so exciting when Razzy scored, too. That was a great moment that I’ll always remember. We were so excited to have them here and share this night with them.”
Guy Gaudreau, Mikael Backlund, and Rasmus Andersson with a beautiful post game interview ❤️
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/WLlySSgaS8
— FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) December 4, 2024
To cap it all off in fitting fashion, Guy helped show what makes him and the Gaudreau family so extremely well liked.
Immediately after stepping foot on the ice, he headed to the Flames dressing room to congratulate each and every player on the big win. He praised them for playing in the very difficult circumstances, and, in a hilarious moment, took a second to poke fun at them for their well-noted scoring issues this season.
“You guys are special for working hard, as hard as you did, putting three goals in the net, that’s unusual,” he said with a grin.
Game puck for Papa Hockey ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BZXxUTyMHO
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) December 4, 2024
While Guy and the entire Gaudreau are going through unimaginable hardship, this night clearly meant a lot to them. Calgarians should feel very proud of the big role they played in that.
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