While it might not have been the most ideal season for the Calgary Flames in terms of their results, it certainly was an exciting year of NHL hockey full of ups and downs, twists and turns, trials and tribulations. And if you’re a Calgary Flames fan reading this because you’re an avid reader of this site or just reading the article, it’s hard to imagine the end result being any better.

Despite blowing a 3-0 series lead, the Florida Panthers are the Stanley Cup champions, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in game seven by a score of 2-1. It was an epic game and, objectively speaking, an epic series that will be remembered for years to come.

After Sam Reinhart scored the eventual game-winning goal, thanks to some questionable defence on the rush by the Edmonton defenceman Brett Kulak, they sat back for almost the entirety of the third period, attempting to stave off the lethal Oilers offense. And they did just that, not allowing Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, or any of their other weapons to find the back of the net despite a couple of scramble plays in front caused by loose pucks and rebounds.

The buzzer sounded, the gloves and helmets were thrown, and the Panthers became Stanley Cup champions for the first time in their history, but it was more than that. Flames fans were afforded the opportunity to watch Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Ryan Lomberg all hoist Lord Stanley.

The highlight of the night, though, which my colleague Ryley Delaney here at FlamesNation has already touched on, was Matthew Tkachuk’s shoutout to Calgary in a post-game interview. His cheeky look before he says it might be my favorite part of the video. He certainly knew what he was doing.

So, not only did the Flames’ biggest rivals lose a tightly contested game, but a player who brought tons of incredible memories to young and old Flames fans alike gave a shoutout to those who still support him all the way up in Alberta. There’s no better feeling than watching your team hoist the Stanley Cup, but watching your favourite team’s former players (who left or were moved on good terms with the fans and organization) win the whole thing is a special experience in itself.

While it is disappointing that the NHL season is officially over, the good news is that there are only a few days before the off-season festivities kick off. The NHL Awards will be held on June 27, and the NHL Draft will occur in the following two days. Then, free agency opens on July 1, and it sounds as if the Flames are willing to make some noise there as well.

The Flames didn’t come out of this season with a Cup, and it doesn’t seem as if they’re going to be close to that echelon for a few years, but the good news is that for Flames fans everywhere, they can look back on this season as disappointing for their team but overall pleased with how everything ended in the grand scheme of things.