Sports

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra played an epic tribute to the Calgary Flames

by Mark Teo

For Canadian hockey fans, this spring has been an absolute treat: Five Canadian teams made the playoffs in 2015, and the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames continue on their quest to the Stanley Cup. The latter team clinched a first-round series victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, and as underdogs—the team, at the beginning of the year, was expected to be at the bottom of the standings—the Flames have been continually surprising the NHL, thanks to the emergence of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, and the late-game addition of centreman Sam Bennett. Most impressively, the team’s late-season run has been minus the services of defenseman Mark Giordano, arguably Calgary’s best player.

The mood in Calgary, predictably, is straight-up jubilant. Flames fans took to the Red Mile—a stretch of Cowtown’s busy 17th Ave.—to celebrate the victory, partying until the wee hours of Sunday morning. But as the Flames were putting the final touches on a 7-4 victory, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra were playing a sold-out show only minutes away from the Saddledome.

And during their encore, the orchestra paid tribute to the victorious Flames by hailing Mikael Backlund, Joe Colborne, T.J. Brodie, and Mason Raymond in song. Namely, by unfurling Calgary Flames banners and adapting the cavernous “O Fortuna” to commemorate the team. Listen to the tribute below, via Puck Daddy, as preparation for the Flames’ next opponent, the Anaheim Ducks.

And when you’re done, watch the classic Flames track, “Red Hot,” below.