When
it was first announced that Atlanta, Georgia would have an
NHL franchise starting in 1972, many hockey observers thought
that a team based in the southern United States was a ludicrous
and foolish move. And they were right - to a point. They finished
near the bottom of the league in attendance each year, and
never won a playoff series during their eight seasons in Georgia.
In 1980,
a soft economy in Atlanta caused the team to be sold to interests
in Calgary, and the Atlanta Flames became the Calgary Flames.
In their first year in Alberta, led by Kent Nilsson's 49 goals,
the Flames won their first two playoff series (a sweep over
the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round and a seven-game
victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round)
before bowing out to the Minnesota North Stars in the semi-finals.
By 1986
the Flames had landed Doug Riseborough, Lanny McDonald, Dan
Quinn and goalie Mike Vernon. They beat the Vancouver Canucks
in the first round, beat the Edmonton Oilers in the second
round on Steve Smith's fluke goal into his own net in the
seventh game, and also won in seven games over the St. Louis
Blues. They were no match for the Montreal Canadiens in the
finals, losing in five games. However in 1989, they won the
Stanley Cup against the Canadiens allowing veteran captain
Lanny McDonald to end his career with a Stanley Cup celebration.
This victory was especially significant in that it marked
the only time that an opposing team won the Stanley Cup on
the Canadiens' home ice.
After
seven consecutive seasons out of the playoffs, the Flames
returned to glory in 2004, surprising the hockey world by
defeating all three Western Conference division champions
to become the first Canadian team in a decade to advance to
the Stanley Cup Finals. The Flames' first victim was the Northwest
Division winners, the Vancouver Canucks, in seven games. Then,
they shocked the Central Division champions and President's
Trophy winners for the best regular-season record, the Detroit
Red Wings, in six games. After eliminating the Pacific Division
champs, the San Jose Sharks, in six games in the Western Conference
finals, the Flames earned a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals
to face the Tampa Bay Lightning. The series went to 7 games,
with the Flames suffering a controversial non goal in game
six at home. After winning game 6 in double overtime, Tampa
Bay Lightning went on to hold the Flames to only 7 shots in
the first two periods in game 7. The Flames went on to a late
surge, but it was too little too late as they lost game 7
on June 7, 2004 by a score of 2-1.
Founded: 1972
Formerly Known As: Atlanta Flames 1972-1980
Arena: Pengrowth Saddledome
Uniform colours: Home: Red with Black, White
and Yellow trim; Road: White with Red, Yellow and Black trim;
Alternate: Black with Red, Yellow and White trim
Logo design: Home: A black "C"
with white flames; Road: A red "C" with yellow flames;
Alternate: A "horse head" with flaming nostrils;
Assistant captains' "A" on jersey is a miniature
Atlanta Flames logo
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