1993–94 Calgary Flames season

NHLTeamSeason
Season=1993–94
Team=Calgary Flames
Conference=Western
ConferenceRank=2nd
Division=Pacific
DivisionRank=1st
Record=42–29–13
HomeRecord=25–12–5
RoadRecord=17–17–8
GoalsFor=302 (3rd)
GoalsAgainst=256 (11th)
GeneralManager=Doug Risebrough
Coach=Dave King
Captain=Joe Nieuwendyk
AltCaptain=Al MacInnis
Joel Otto
Arena=Olympic Saddledome
Attendance=19,325
GoalsLeader=Gary Roberts (41)
AssistsLeader=Al MacInnis (54)
PointsLeader=Robert Reichel (93)
PIMLeader=Ron Stern (243)
WinsLeader=Mike Vernon (26)
GAALeader=Mike Vernon (2.81)
DivisionWin=Yes

The 1993–94 Calgary Flames season was the 14th National Hockey League season in Calgary. It was a season of change across the NHL, with the leagues divisional and playoff formats modernized. The old Smythe Division was retired, with the Flames joining the new Pacific Division, of the Western Conference, as the NHL aligned itself with the other major sports leagues in naming divisions by geographical titles. The change angered fans, who preferred the traditional convention, which honoured the game's past builders. [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/hockey/nhl/01/18/values.debate/index.html A question of values] , sportsillustrated.com, January 18, 2007, accessed March 4, 2007]

Realignment also led to significant changes in the playoff format, as the top eight teams in each conference now qualified for the post-season, rather than the top four in each division. Under the new format, the top team in each division was guaranteed a top two seed, and declared the divisional champion, as opposed to having to win two playoff rounds to capture the division title. Thus, the Flames became the first Pacific Division champions, and the second seed in the playoffs. They would face the second place Vancouver Canucks in the playoffs, rather than the fourth place Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, who failed to qualify under the new system. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1272/is_n2582_v122/ai_14716426 Hockey's revised roadmap] , USAToday, reproduced by findarticles.com, November 1993, accessed March 4, 2007]

The playoffs would end in another bitter disappointment, as the Flames blew a 3–1 series lead, losing the last three games in overtime to the Canucks, [All-time playoff results, "2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide", pg. 220] who would eventually go onto the Stanley Cup finals before bowing out to the New York Rangers. [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/features/si_stanley_cup/1994/ SI Flashback: Stanley Cup 1994] , sportsillustrated.com, accessed March 4, 2007]

Two Flames represented the Western Conference at the 1994 All-Star Game: Forward Joe Nieuwendyk and defenceman Al MacInnis. [All-star selections, "2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide", pg. 22]

Prior to the season, Calgary lost two players in the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft, as the Florida Panthers selected defenceman Alexander Godynyuk 13th overall, and centre Brian Skrudland 32nd overall. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim did not select any Flames players.

Regular season

eason standings

December

Overall: 5–7–2; Home: 4–3–1; Road: 1–4–1

March

Overall: 6–5–2; Home: 3–1–1; Road: 3–4–1

Player stats

katers

"Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty Minutes"

Free Agents

Draft picks

Calgary's picks at the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, held in Quebec City, Quebec. [ [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/teams/dr000043.html Calgary Flames draft history] , hockeydb.com, accessed February 25, 2007]

Farm teams

Saint John Flames

The 1993–94 American Hockey League season was the first for the Flames top minor league affiliate as the new expansion team was created in Saint John, New Brunswick. The Flames posted a respectable 37–33–10 record in their first season, good enough for second in the Atlantic division. They fell to the Moncton Hawks in seven games in the first round of the playoffs, however. [ [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=AHL1941&season=1994&leaguenm=AHL 1993–94 AHL playoffs] , hockeydb.com, accessed March 4, 2007] Cory Stillman led the Flames with 35 goals, while Mark Freer lead with 86 points. Jason Muzzatti was the starting goaltender, posting an 26–23–3 record with a 3.74 GAA in 51 games. [ [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0002601994.html Saint John Flames player stats] , hockeydb.com, accessed March 4, 2007]

ee also

*1993–94 NHL season

References

*Player stats: "2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide", pg 118
*Game log: "2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide", pg 137
*Team standings: [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/nhl19271994.html 1993–94 NHL standings] @hockeydb.com
*Trades: [http://www.hockeydb.com hockeydb.com] player pages