Hockey Day in Canada is here — a day for Canadians to celebrate the game we love as our favourite teams go head-to-head. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the event.

The Calgary Flames are set to face the Winnipeg Jets in this year’s edition of the annual celebration. Last year, the Flames matched up against the Tampa Bay Lightning, marking the first time in 24 years of Hockey Day in Canada they had faced an American-based team.

With 24 previous Hockey Day appearances, how have the Flames fared on this special day?

The Flames have performed well compared to their Canadian counterparts. In 24 games, Calgary holds an 11-7-5-1 record — yes, the one is a tie. With 28 points, the Flames sit second all-time in Hockey Day in Canada points, two points ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Vancouver Canucks lead overall with 30 points.

In the inaugural Hockey Day in Canada in 2000, Marc Savard’s overtime tip-in against the Edmonton Oilers secured the Flames’ first win in this extra-special edition of the Battle of Alberta. The Oilers answered back in 2001 with a 3-1 victory. These games were the first of six Flames-Oilers matchups during the event’s first 10 years. The Flames hold a 5-1 record in those games, outscoring the Oilers 19-11. Interestingly, the rivals haven’t faced each other on Hockey Day in Canada since 2010.

With no B.C. rival for the Vancouver Canucks to play, the NHL has seemingly defaulted the Flames as the Canadian geographical rival of the Canucks. Since 2010, the two teams have faced off 11 times in 14 years, with the Flames leading the series 5-3-3. Their most recent meeting, in 2022, saw Jacob Markstrom stop all 15 shots for a shutout, while the late Johnny Gaudreau netted the OT winner with a slapshot from the slot. Notably, the 2003 Flames-Canucks matchup marks the only time a tie has ever been recorded in Hockey Day in Canada.

This year’s clash with the Jets will be the second time these two teams have met on Hockey Day. Winnipeg edged out Calgary in 2018 with a 2-1 shootout win. TJ Brodie scored the Flames’ lone goal, while Mike Smith stopped 34 of 35 shots. Calgary will aim to even the series this time around.

The Flames have faced the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators only once each on Hockey Day, losing both matchups. The only Canadian team they’ve yet to face is the Toronto Maple Leafs. Could this matchup happen in the coming years?

Hockey Day in Canada has produced countless memorable moments for Flames players and fans alike.

Owen Nolan’s two-goal game against the Oilers in 2008 is a standout. Though Nolan played only one season in Calgary, he knew that when the Oilers come to town, it’s time to step up your game.

In 2010, Jarome Iginla stole the show in a 6-1 win over the Oilers, tallying two goals and two assists. Dustin Boyd chipped in with two goals and an assist of his own.

In 2016, Jonas Hiller turned aside 34 of 35 shots, and Mikael Backlund notched a goal and an assist as the Flames defeated the Canucks 4-1.

Last year, Rasmus Andersson led the way with a goal and two assists in a 6-3 win over the Lightning. Flames fans hope Andersson can replicate that performance this year against the Jets.

Every year, Hockey Day in Canada delivers unforgettable moments for hockey fans. This year should be no different. The Flames will aim to extend their success on this day as they look to bounce back from consecutive losses to the St. Louis Blues. It won’t be an easy task against Connor Hellebuyck and the first-place Jets, but it promises to be another exciting chapter of Hockey Day in Canada.

Do you have fond memories of Hockey Day in Canada? Share them with us in the comments below!