TEMPE, Az. — It was the type of moment generally reserved for Disney flicks.
Twenty of the Calgary Flames’ jersey-clad dads raced down from a private suite and lined up in the bowels of Mullett Arena to jubilantly high-five and cheer their sons as they left the ice following a 6-2 win over the Coyotes.
Beaming players lapped it up.
Following their hockey playing heroes into the dressing room, a celebration unseen outside of playoff clinchers ensued.
Handshakes, hugs, high-fives and belly laughs all around.
The players had every right to be proud, as did their dads.
“That’s a new one for me – a bunch of 60 and 70-somethings, all high-fives, all smiles… I love it – it’s awesome,” said Blake Coleman as father Rusty moved in for a hug.
“It’s something I’ll remember for sure.
“I think they might be more fired up than we are, which makes it fun.”
It hasn’t been the easiest of seasons for the Flames, which has made the successful re-introduction of the Dad’s trip such a rousing success already.
Shortly after six of the dad’s had fun introducing the starting lineup in the dressing room, there was Coleman sending Mikael Backlund in alone to celebrate his milestone evening in style.
A mere 20 seconds after moving into second all-time in Flames games played, the captain kicked off a four-goal period that had everything to do with the men sitting in a suite a mere 50 feet above them.
There was Peter Andersson, taking time out of his coaching gig in Switzerland, looking down with pride as son Rasmus popped in a rebound to score the team’s third goal on just four shots.
Coleman’s dad, who had been denied of his first dad’s trip years earlier when his son was traded by New Jersey hours before the charter was to take off, said it was worth the wait to see Blake pot the Flames’ fourth goal on a night he finished with three points.
There was Tim Markstrom, a retired professional soccer goalie, who introduced his brother as “the family’s second-best goalie,” watching as his sibling made 12 saves in the second period to keep his team ahead 4-2.
Alain Huberdeau stood with pride and hugged his new paternal pals after his son pieced together two vintage assists in the third period to continue his ascent from the depths of his career.
Visa issues prevented Yegor Sharangovich’s father from joining the fun, but he dedicated his hat trick to the man he knew was watching back home in Belarus.
“It’s a hat trick for him,” said the newbie with 17 goals to his credit.
“It’s morning there and I know my parents will be happy watching this game.”
In the spirit of it all, Flames alumni Colin Patterson, who joined the trip with Lanny McDonald, threw his arms around Sharangovich afterwards, offering to be his surrogate father for the night.
This wasn’t just game 42 for the Flames.
It was a rallying point for a team you can bet carried the celebration on in the charter to Vegas afterwards.
“If we win again the dads are staying with us, they aint going home,” Coleman yelled to Backlund in a raucous room.
For the record, both dads said they’re game.
“You always want to play well for your dad, whether you’re a young kid or an NHL player that makes a lot of money, when dad is around the guys tend to play better,” said Huska, speaking a truth every hockey player can attest to.
“Even probably so when they watch on TV, I’m sure there’s phone calls after the game they get from dads as well because they love their kids and they want to see them have success.”
On this night, ten of the Flames’ 18 skaters were rewarded with points their dad’s could stand up and cheer for.
The rest celebrated the win, a second-consecutive six-goal effort from a team that just passed the Coyotes to sit two points back of joining the three-way tie for the final wild card spot in the west.
Plenty of hockey to be played, and letting the dads put a bounce in their step as they enter the dog days of an NHL season was a genius idea by a club that hadn’t had a dad’s trip since before COVID-19.
Just ask Backlund, who had to fight back tears after his beaming father, Jan, gave him a loving smile and pat on the back while he answered questions about a stretch of days he won’t ever forget.
“Very special,” said Backlund, who shared a moment with his young daughter that went viral two nights earlier when she brought him to tears with a pre-game introduction and hug.
“That moment before the last game we’ll always remember, and two bigs wins, and it’s nice to score right off the hop in a big game. It’s been a few good days.”
A congratulatory text from Mark Giordano before the game for passing him on the games-played list was also a nice touch.
“It’s great to have your dad around,” said Coleman.
Truer words have never been said.
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.