It’s been 187 days since Matthew Tkachuk played in the Scotiabank Saddledome, the longest stretch of games he’s been away from the dome since the start of his NHL career.
He played in 431 games with the Calgary Flames before he requested a relocation that lead to a large trade with the Florida Panthers in the offseason. The biggest debate going into his first game back at his former home venue was should the fans boo or cheer when he hits the ice?
In their first meeting this season, Tkachuk was very much in opponent mode, not showing any favoritism to his former team. He scored once and when asked if his lone goal in that game had more meaning against his former team, his answer was simple. No.
Matthew Tkachuk returned to Calgary for his first game at the Saddledome.
Most notable was his shootout attempt against Jakob Markstrom, which appeared to be a little personal.
Love the stare down by Markstrom after this glove save on a Tkachuk slapshot. pic.twitter.com/vlSPBU2ZUT
— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) November 20, 2022
Jakob Markstrom made a huge save and glared his way down to the bench. Markstrom has not shied away from the comments about his former All-Star’s leaving the team this past summer stating he believed the team was in a better place with their new roster additions.
In his first game back to the Saddledome, he very much got the “Traitor Treatment.” Every time he touched the puck, the rink was filled with boos from the stands. Was this a surprise to him? Actually, not.
Tkachuk, on whether he was surprised by the boos:
— Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) November 30, 2022
"Not really. I’ve basically seen them do it to multiple guys that used to play here throughout the league. Passionate fans here."
Despite the booing, there was still a moment of appreciation and thanks for the former alternate captain. Very early in the game at the first media timeout, he was given a very respectable tribute that was followed by cheers and applause from his former fanbase.
It is a competitive market and Flames fans do not have a short memory. Just ask them what happened in 2004…
Fans heckled him a little bit and even started a “Huby’s better” chant toward the end of the game. This type of fan dynamic shouldn’t last too long. Tkachuk played a respectable game that didn’t have many of his little antics that get under the skin of his competitors.
He didn’t score and didn’t do anything in his return to Calgary that was overly newsworthy. A couple of bumps into former teammates and linemates that were treated with a respectful pat on the back.
Tkachuk was among three former Flames that hit the ice in Tuesday’s game. Sam Bennett and Ryan Lomberg also joined him in a familiar venue.
The Flames beat the Florida Panthers in this game 6-2 with former Panthers players making a better showing against their former team. Jonathan Huberdeau picked up a goal and an assist and MacKenzie Weegar earned an assist on the night as well.
These teams have completed their season series and will only play each other again this year if they both make it deep in the playoffs to the Stanley Cup Finals.