2002–03 Calgary Flames season NHL team season
The 2002–03 Calgary Flames season was the 23rd National Hockey League season in Calgary. A relatively successful start to the season quickly gave way to disaster as the Flames lost 11 of 12 games in a November stretch dropping the Flames out of contention, ultimately failing to qualify for the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.
The season began as the last had ended: with forward Marc Savard and head coach Greg Gilbert in bitter, public feud. After arguing in the media for nearly a year, the Flames finally granted the disgruntled players request, trading Savard to the Atlanta Thrashers .[ 1] Gilbert himself would not last much longer with the Flames, as he would be fired by the club barely two weeks after Savard was dealt.[ 2]
The Flames would quickly find a replacement for Gilbert, announcing they had hired Darryl Sutter shortly before the new year.[ 3] Sutter immediately began shaping the Flames to his own style, and the Flames finished 19–16–8–1 under their new bench boss.
Following the season, the Flames announced that they would not renew General Manager Craig Button 's contract. Sutter took over as GM, carrying the dual roles until the end of the 2005–06 season .[ 4]
Flames mascot, Harvey the Hound , gained widespread publicity in January 2003 following an incident with Edmonton Oilers head coach, Craig MacTavish . With the Flames leading 4–0, Harvey was taunting the Oilers behind their bench. The frustrated coach reached up and ripped Harvey's signature red tongue out of his mouth, tossing it into the crowd. The incident would seem to spark the Oilers, who scored three goals shortly after. The Flames would hold on to win 4–3, however.[ 5] The incident made headlines throughout North America, and led to many jokes, including having many other NHL team mascots arrive at the 2003 All-Star Game with their tongues hanging out.[ 6]
Regular season
The Flames struggled offensively and were shut out a league-high 10 times, tied with the Minnesota Wild , Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins .[ 7]
Calgary finished 12th in the Western Conference , 17 points behind the 8th place Edmonton Oilers.
Final standings
[ 8]
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
Divisions: PA – Pacific, CE – Central, NW – Northwest
Z – Clinched Conference ; Y – Clinched Division ; X – Clinched Playoff spot
Schedule and results
2002–03 regular season[ 9]
October: 3–3–2–2 (home: 1–2–2–1; road: 2–1–0–1)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
1
October 10
Vancouver
3 – 0
Calgary
Turek
17,409
0–1–0–0
0
Recap
2
October 12
Philadelphia
5 – 4
Calgary
Turek
16,750
0–2–0–0
0
Recap
3
October 14
Calgary
3 – 2
Vancouver
Turek
18,016
1–2–0–0
2
Recap
4
October 17
Boston
3 – 3
Calgary
OT
Turek
15,346
1–2–1–0
3
Recap
5
October 19
Calgary
5 – 2
Chicago
Turek
14,034
2–2–1–0
5
Recap
6
October 21
Calgary
0 – 4
Detroit
McLennan
20,058
2–3–1–0
5
Recap
7
October 22
Calgary
3 – 4
Minnesota
OT
Turek
18,064
2–3–1–1
6
Recap
8
October 24
Dallas
3 – 3
Calgary
OT
Turek
14,625
2–3–2–1
7
Recap
9
October 26
St. Louis
4 – 3
Calgary
OT
Turek
14,538
2–3–2–2
8
Recap
10
October 31
Buffalo
0 – 3
Calgary
Turek
14,822
3–3–2–2
10
Recap
November: 3–9–1–1 (home: 1–4–1–0; road: 2–5–0–1)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
11
November 2
Colorado
4 – 4
Calgary
OT
McLennan
17,448
3–3–3–2
11
Recap
12
November 4
Calgary
4 – 2
NY Islanders
McLennan
12,316
4–3–3–2
13
Recap
13
November 5
Calgary
3 – 2
New Jersey
McLennan
12,315
5–3–3–2
15
Recap
14
November 7
Calgary
0 – 1
NY Rangers
OT
McLennan
18,200
5–3–3–3
16
Recap
15
November 9
Calgary
0 – 3
Florida
McLennan
14,794
5–4–3–3
16
Recap
16
November 11
Calgary
1 – 2
Atlanta
McLennan
10,501
5–5–3–3
16
Recap
17
November 14
NY Rangers
2 – 1
Calgary
McLennan
16,386
5–6–3–3
16
Recap
18
November 16
St. Louis
1 – 0
Calgary
McLennan
15,505
5–7–3–3
16
Recap
19
November 19
Detroit
5 – 0
Calgary
McLennan
10,061
5–8–3–3
16
Recap
20
November 21
Edmonton
3 – 1
Calgary
McLennan
17,660
5–9–3–3
16
Recap
21
November 23
Chicago
1 – 3
Calgary
Turek
15,826
6–9–3–3
18
Recap
22
November 26
Calgary
2 – 7
Boston
Turek
13,582
6–10–3–3
18
Recap
23
November 27
Calgary
2 – 4
Washington
Turek
13,532
6–11–3–3
18
Recap
24
November 29
Calgary
2 – 7
St. Louis
Turek
19,326
6–12–3–3
18
Recap
December: 5–6–3–0 (home: 1–3–2–0; road: 4–3–1–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
25
December 1
Calgary
2 – 4
Detroit
Turek
20,058
6–13–3–3
18
Recap
26
December 3
Calgary
2 – 1
Colorado
Turek
18,007
7–13–3–3
20
Recap
27
December 5
Minnesota
1 – 1
Calgary
OT
Turek
14,118
7–13–4–3
21
Recap
28
December 9
Calgary
2 – 1
Vancouver
Turek
18,422
8–13–4–3
23
Recap
29
December 12
Carolina
4 – 3
Calgary
Turek
14,528
8–14–4–3
23
Recap
30
December 14
Colorado
3 – 1
Calgary
Turek
17,192
8–15–4–3
23
Recap
31
December 15
Calgary
3 – 3
Vancouver
OT
Turek
18,422
8–15–5–3
24
Recap
32
December 17
Calgary
3 – 0
Nashville
Turek
10,216
9–15–5–3
26
Recap
33
December 19
Calgary
0 – 3
Columbus
Turek
17,230
9–16–5–3
26
Recap
34
December 21
Calgary
0 – 2
Pittsburgh
Turek
12,571
9–17–5–3
26
Recap
35
December 23
Calgary
3 – 2
Minnesota
Turek
18,568
10–17–5–3
28
Recap
36
December 27
Toronto
4 – 3
Calgary
Turek
18,014
10–18–5–3
28
Recap
37
December 29
Anaheim
2 – 4
Calgary
Turek
16,922
11–18–5–3
30
Recap
38
December 31
Montreal
1 – 1
Calgary
OT
Turek
18,159
11–18–6–3
31
Recap
January: 6–7–1–0 (home: 5–3–1–0; road: 1–4–0–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
39
January 2
Tampa Bay
1 – 4
Calgary
Turek
14,881
12–18–6–3
33
Recap
40
January 4
Minnesota
2 – 3
Calgary
Turek
15,974
13–18–6–3
35
Recap
41
January 7
Calgary
4 – 2
Colorado
Turek
18,007
14–18–6–3
37
Recap
42
January 9
Ottawa
1 – 0
Calgary
Turek
16,058
14–19–6–3
37
Recap
43
January 11
Columbus
7 – 2
Calgary
Turek
14,827
14–20–6–3
37
Recap
44
January 13
Calgary
2 – 4
Montreal
Turek
20,630
14–21–6–3
37
Recap
45
January 14
Calgary
2 – 3
Toronto
Turek
19,290
14–22–6–3
37
Recap
46
January 16
Nashville
2 – 2
Calgary
OT
McLennan
14,621
14–22–7–3
38
Recap
47
January 18
Los Angeles
1 – 2
Calgary
OT
Turek
16,675
15–22–7–3
40
Recap
48
January 20
Edmonton
3 – 4
Calgary
Turek
17,832
16–22–7–3
42
Recap
49
January 23
Phoenix
7 – 1
Calgary
Turek
14,865
16–23–7–3
42
Recap
50
January 25
Detroit
1 – 4
Calgary
Turek
18,028
17–23–7–3
44
Recap
51
January 28
Calgary
3 – 4
Phoenix
Turek
14,619
17–24–7–3
44
Recap
52
January 29
Calgary
1 – 4
Dallas
Turek
18,532
17–25–7–3
44
Recap
February: 2–6–3–1 (home: 0–1–2–0; road: 2–5–1–1)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
53
February 4
Anaheim
3 – 2
Calgary
Turek
14,110
17–26–7–3
44
Recap
54
February 6
Chicago
2 – 2
Calgary
OT
McLennan
16,027
17–26–8–3
45
Recap
55
February 7
Calgary
4 – 3
Edmonton
Turek
16,839
18–26–8–3
47
Recap
56
February 9
Calgary
2 – 4
Colorado
Turek
18,007
18–27–8–3
47
Recap
57
February 12
Calgary
3 – 4
Anaheim
OT
McLennan
11,612
18–27–8–4
48
Recap
58
February 13
Calgary
2 – 4
Los Angeles
Turek
17,539
18–28–8–4
48
Recap
59
February 15
Vancouver
2 – 2
Calgary
OT
Turek
18,252
18–28–9–4
49
Recap
60
February 17
Calgary
3 – 5
St. Louis
Turek
19,522
18–29–9–4
49
Recap
61
February 19
Calgary
1 – 1
Dallas
OT
Turek
18,532
18–29–10–4
50
Recap
62
February 20
Calgary
1 – 4
Nashville
McLennan
10,842
18–30–10–4
50
Recap
63
February 23
Calgary
4 – 2
Phoenix
Turek
14,241
19–30–10–4
52
Recap
64
February 24
Calgary
2 – 5
San Jose
Turek
17,311
19–31–10–4
52
Recap
March: 8–5–2–0 (home: 5–3–1–0; road: 3–2–1–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
65
March 1
San Jose
3 – 4
Calgary
Turek
17,575
20–31–10–4
54
Recap
66
March 5
New Jersey
4 – 5
Calgary
OT
Turek
16,106
21–31–10–4
56
Recap
67
March 7
Calgary
2 – 0
Chicago
Turek
14,702
22–31–10–4
58
Recap
68
March 8
Calgary
3 – 2
Columbus
OT
Turek
18,136
23–31–10–4
60
Recap
69
March 11
Edmonton
5 – 2
Calgary
Turek
17,714
23–32–10–4
60
Recap
70
March 13
Toronto
3 – 4
Calgary
OT
Turek
18,064
24–32–10–4
62
Recap
71
March 15
Calgary
2 – 3
San Jose
Turek
17,496
24–33–10–4
62
Recap
72
March 16
Calgary
2 – 2
Anaheim
OT
McLennan
16,726
24–33–11–4
63
Recap
73
March 18
Calgary
4 – 1
Los Angeles
Turek
17,470
25–33–11–4
65
Recap
74
March 20
Washington
4 – 1
Calgary
Turek
15,827
25–34–11–4
65
Recap
75
March 22
Nashville
1 – 1
Calgary
OT
Turek
16,628
25–34–12–4
66
Recap
76
March 24
Phoenix
0 – 2
Calgary
Turek
16,685
26–34–12–4
68
Recap
77
March 27
Dallas
1 – 2
Calgary
OT
Turek
16,533
27–34–12–4
70
Recap
78
March 29
Columbus
6 – 4
Calgary
Turek
16,007
27–35–12–4
70
Recap
79
March 31
Calgary
0 – 3
Minnesota
McLennan
18,568
27–36–12–4
70
Recap
April: 2–0–1–0 (home: 1–0–1–0; road: 1–0–0–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
80
April 2
San Jose
2 – 2
Calgary
OT
Turek
14,207
27–36–13–4
71
Recap
81
April 4
Los Angeles
1 – 2
Calgary
OT
Turek
17,003
28–36–13–4
73
Recap
82
April 5
Calgary
4 – 1
Edmonton
Turek
16,839
29–36–13–4
75
Recap
Legend :
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Tie (1 point)
Overtime loss (1 point)
Player statistics
Scoring
Position abbreviations: C = Centre ; D = Defence ; G = Goaltender ; LW = Left wing ; RW = Right wing
† = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flames only.
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flames only.
Goaltending
Awards and records
Awards
Milestones
Transactions
The Flames were involved in the following transactions from June 14, 2002, the day after the deciding game of the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals , through June 9, 2003, the day of the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals .[ 16]
Trades
Players acquired
Players lost
Signings
Draft picks
Calgary's picks at the 2002 NHL entry draft in Toronto, Ontario .[ 58] The Flames had the 9th overall pick, however opted to drop down one spot to 10th via a trade with the Florida Panthers .
Farm teams
The 2002–03 season would be the tenth, and last, season in New Brunswick , as the Flames bought out the local ownership's share of the team following the season and suspended operations. The "Baby Flames" finished 32–41–6–1, last in the Canadian Division, and out of the playoffs. Robert Dome led the team with 27 goals and 56 points. Dany Sabourin and Levente Szuper split goaltending duties for the Flames.
The Chiefs finished the 2002–03 season with a record of 28–33–11, finishing fifth in the Northwest Division, failing to qualify for the playoffs.
Following the season, the Flames announced they were switching affiliations to a new expansion team, the Las Vegas Wranglers .
See also
Notes
^ Drury wore number 37 through March 11.
^ Berube wore number 16 in his first 14 games.
^ In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.[ 32]
References
^ Flames ship Savard to Thrashers , cbc sports, November 15, 2002, accessed December 7, 2006.
^ Flames face Avs minus Gilbert , cbc sports, December 3, 2002, accessed December 7, 2006.
^ Flames find their man , cbc sports, December 29, 2002, accessed December 7, 2006.
^ Calgary Flames Executive Archived 2007-01-17 at the Wayback Machine , calgaryflames.com, accessed December 7, 2006.
^ Pyette, Ryan, MacTavish leaves Harvey the Hound speechless [usurped] , London Free Press , January 23, 2003.
^ Francis, Eric, The uncivil war , Calgary Sun , September 21, 2003.
^ "2002-03 NHL Schedule and Results" .
^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2009). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2010 . Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 162.
^ "2002-03 Calgary Flames Schedule" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved November 24, 2022 .
^ "2003 NHL All-Star Game Rosters" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved August 29, 2024 .
^ "NHL - 2003 YoungStars Rosters" . ESPN.com . January 18, 2003. Retrieved December 21, 2022 .
^ Hanlon, Peter; Kelso, Sean (eds.), 2010–11 Calgary Flames Media Guide , Calgary Flames Hockey Club, p. 143
^ "GAUTHIER NAMED RECIPIENT OF THE 2002-03 RALPH SCURFIELD HUMANITARIAN AWARD" . Calgary Flames . April 3, 2003. Archived from the original on April 17, 2003. Retrieved December 22, 2022 .
^ "2002-03 NHL Debuts" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved October 13, 2024 .
^ "Berube reaches 1,000 NHL games" . Calgary Flames . October 13, 2002. Archived from the original on December 5, 2002. Retrieved December 22, 2022 .
^ "Hockey Transactions Search Results" . www.prosportstransactions.com . Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ a b c "Draft Day Transactions" . TSN.ca . Archived from the original on August 8, 2002. Retrieved November 28, 2022 .
^ a b "FLAMES ACQUIRE GOALTENDER JAMIE McLENNAN FROM MINNESOTA" . Calgary Flames . June 22, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "Curtis Joseph traded to Flames" . Toronto Maple Leafs . July 1, 2002. Archived from the original on August 5, 2002. Retrieved November 9, 2023 .
^ "CALGARY FLAMES ACQUIRE FORWARD LADISLAV KOHN FROM DETROIT" . Calgary Flames . September 11, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "FLAMES ACQUIRE FORWARDS CHRIS DRURY AND STEPHANE YELLE" . Calgary Flames . October 1, 2002. Archived from the original on June 18, 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "FLAMES ACQUIRE FORWARD RUSLAN ZAINULLIN" . Calgary Flames . November 15, 2002. Archived from the original on August 4, 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ a b "FLAMES MAKE TWO TRANSACTIONS - ACQUIRE MOTTAU FROM RANGERS & FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS" . Calgary Flames . January 22, 2003. Archived from the original on April 6, 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "FLAMES ACQUIRE DEFENCEMAN ANDREW FERENCE FROM PITTSBURGH" . Calgary Flames . February 10, 2003. Archived from the original on June 20, 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ a b c "FLAMES MAKE THREE DEADLINE MOVES" . Calgary Flames . March 11, 2003. Archived from the original on June 19, 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "CALGARY FLAMES SIGN FREE AGENT FORWARD MARTIN GELINAS" . Calgary Flames . July 2, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ a b "FLAMES SIGN FORWARDS MARTIN SONNENBERG & DARCY VEROT" . Calgary Flames . July 9, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ a b "Flames sign minor leaguers" . TSN.ca . July 11, 2002. Archived from the original on August 7, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "FLAMES SIGN FORWARD ROBERT DOME" . Calgary Flames . July 17, 2002. Archived from the original on October 24, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ a b "CALGARY FLAMES SIGN CRAIG BERUBE" . Calgary Flames . September 9, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "CALGARY FLAMES SIGN FORWARD DARREN LYNCH" . Calgary Flames . September 27, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "NHL FREE-AGENT LIST" . Daily Herald . July 2, 2002. Retrieved December 1, 2022 .
^ "NHL - Red Wings sign goalie Joseph to three-year contract" . ESPN.com . July 2, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR THURSDAY, JULY 11+" . UPI . July 11, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ Grossman, Evan (July 19, 2002). "ISLES INK DEFENDER AND LW" . New York Post . Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "Thrashers Agree to Terms with Michael Garnett, Paul Flache and Dallas Eakins" . Atlanta Thrashers . July 23, 2002. Archived from the original on August 6, 2002. Retrieved December 1, 2022 .
^ "MURRAY RETURNS TO SPRINGFIELD" . Springfield Falcons . August 1, 2002. Archived from the original on January 18, 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "+SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 12+" . UPI . August 12, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 . Buffalo Sabres -- Signed left wing Jason Botterill
^ "Flames goalie Vernon retires" . UPI . September 13, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ Kay Whitmore at Hockey-Reference.com , retrieved December 7, 2022
^ "Rangers Claim Ronald Petrovicky In NHL Waiver Draft" . New York Rangers . October 4, 2002. Archived from the original on August 13, 2004. Retrieved November 6, 2023 .
^ "Admirals Sign Defensemen Wilford and Henry" . OurSports Central . October 9, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "ST. JOHN'S MAPLE LEAFS SIGN DWAYNE HAY" . St. John's Maple Leafs . November 27, 2002. Archived from the original on December 14, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "Panthers send Valeri Bure to Blues" . UPI . March 11, 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "CALGARY FLAMES SIGN FORWARD ROB NIEDERMAYER" . Calgary Flames . June 17, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "Flames sign Kobasew" . TSN.ca . June 28, 2002. Archived from the original on August 7, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "Flames ink Johansson" . TSN.ca . July 15, 2002. Archived from the original on August 15, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR TUESDAY, JULY 16+" . UPI . July 16, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 . Calgary Flames -- Re-signed left wing Jamie Wright.
^ "CALGARY FLAMES SIGN FORWARD CHRIS CLARK" . Calgary Flames . July 19, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ a b "CALGARY FLAMES SIGN DEFENCEMEN TONI LYDMAN AND ROBYN REGEHR" . Calgary Flames . August 1, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "CALGARY FLAMES SIGN DEFENCEMAN DENIS GAUTHIER" . Calgary Flames . August 3, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "CALGARY FLAMES SIGN FORWARD STEVE BEGIN" . Calgary Flames . August 9, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "CALGARY FLAMES SIGN FORWARD MATTHEW LOMBARDI" . Calgary Flames . August 21, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "Flames strike deal with Iginla" . TSN.ca . September 6, 2002. Archived from the original on November 3, 2002. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "LADISLAV KOHN" . TSN.ca . Archived from the original on June 26, 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2022 . 12-Sep-02: Re-signed by the Calgary Flames.
^ a b "FLAMES SIGN FORWARDS SHEAN DONOVAN AND CHRIS CLARK" . Calgary Flames . May 28, 2003. Archived from the original on August 4, 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ "FLAMES SIGN DEFENCEMAN ROBYN REGEHR" . Calgary Flames . June 5, 2003. Archived from the original on June 19, 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2022 .
^ 2002 NHL Entry Draft results Archived 2006-05-02 at the Wayback Machine , nhl.com, accessed December 6, 2006.
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