1985–86 Calgary Flames season
The 1985–86 Calgary Flames season was the sixth season in Calgary and 14th for the Flames franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL). It was a banner season for the Flames, who overcame a franchise record eleven game losing streak to finish 2nd in the Smythe Division and captured the franchise's first Clarence S. Campbell Bowl as Campbell Conference champions. In doing so, they became the first Calgary team to reach the Stanley Cup Finals since the Calgary Tigers in 1923–24. The Flames season ended at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens, who defeated Calgary in five games in the final.
| 1985–86 Calgary Flames | |
|---|---|
Campbell Conference champions | |
| Division | 2nd Smythe |
| Conference | 2nd Campbell |
| 1985–86 record | 40–31–9 |
| Home record | 23–11–6 |
| Road record | 17–20–3 |
| Goals for | 354 (2nd) |
| Goals against | 315 (14th) |
| Team information | |
| General manager | Cliff Fletcher |
| Coach | Bob Johnson |
| Captain | Lanny McDonald, Jim Peplinski, and Doug Risebrough |
| Alternate captains | Vacant |
| Arena | Olympic Saddledome |
| Average attendance | 16,762 |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Hakan Loob (31) |
| Assists | Al MacInnis (57) |
| Points | Dan Quinn (72) |
| Penalty minutes | Tim Hunter (291) |
| Wins | Rejean Lemelin (29) |
| Goals against average | Mike Vernon (3.39) |
The season began with the departure of franchise leading scorer Kent Nilsson who was sent to the Minnesota North Stars in a trade. Rookie goaltender Mike Vernon emerged as the team's top goaltender and Joe Mullen was acquired in a major trade midway through the season. Gary Suter captured the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie while also being named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. Additionally, Suter was the team's lone representative at the 1986 All-Star Game. Hakan Loob captured the Molson Cup.
The Flames upset the heavily favoured Edmonton Oilers in the Smythe Division final to end the Oilers' hopes of winning a third consecutive championship. The series winning goal was scored into his own net by Oilers rookie Steve Smith. As Smith collapsed to the ice, Flames players celebrated the difference maker in what would finish as a 3–2 Calgary win. Smith's error remains one of the most legendary blunders in hockey history.