Calgary Flames beat Dallas Stars in playoff Game 1, fans thrilled

The Calgary Flames did not disappoint their fans on Tuesday for Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

It was a sellout crowd at the Saddledome, where Elias Lindholm scored the game’s only goal for the Flames, leading them to a 1-0 win against the Dallas Stars.

The C of Red came alive for the victory, with fans leaving the arena thrilled with the team’s performance.

The last time Flames fans were able to see a playoff game in person was during the 2019/20 NHL season.

“This was my first NHL game ever — just crazy, it was nuts,” one fan at the Saddledome said. “The people out here, are here to support Calgary and every player out there, and it was nuts man, it was crazy to see it live, I never thought I’d be able to get the chance.”

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“Absolutely vibrant in there,” another fan said. “Everybody was just trying to go. Insane crowd.”

Fans celebrating along the 17th Avenue SW Red Mile were on their best behaviour, with police reporting no incidents. Businesses along that stretch of road count on the success of the Flames to bring people in.

“I think this is great for the city, this is what we needed, it’s been a long time coming,” a Flames fan said.

Lindholm scored on a power-play early in the first period and goaltender Jacob Markstrom stopped all 16 shots he faced for his second career playoff shutout.

This was the Flames’ second playoff win at home since 2015.

The Flames lead the best-of-seven playoff series 1-0, with Game 2 set for Thursday in Calgary.

Games 3 and 4 will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

–With files from Gaby Rios and The Canadian Press