Oilers’ Top 5 Moments in the Saddledome

2026-27 marks the final season the Calgary Flames will play at the Scotiabank Saddledome as they await the arrival of their new arena. The Saddledome opened in 1983 as the Olympic Saddledome, in preparation for the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. Over its 43-year history, it has gone through four names: the Olympic Saddledome (1983-1996), Canadian Airlines Saddledome (1996-2000), Pengrowth Saddledome (2000-2010), and Scotiabank Saddledome (2010-Present).

The Edmonton Oilers have a losing record in the Saddledome, going 46-70-2, with seven ties in 125 regular-season games. The Oilers also hold a slim 8-7 record in 15 road playoff games. Despite the lack of overall success, they have made history, reached milestones, and created significant headlines in that building.

The Battle of Alberta has been an NHL staple, creating an intense atmosphere. As we say goodbye to the Saddledome, let’s look back at the Oilers’ top five moments in that building.

Craig MacTavish vs. Harvey the Hound

This is the most light-hearted moment on this list. On Jan. 20, 2003, things got heated in a Battle of Alberta game. The Flames were leading 4-0 in the third period before tensions boiled over. Flames mascot Harvey the Hound leaned over the glass taunting the Oilers’ bench, which irritated head coach Craig MacTavish. MacTavish then reached over, grabbed the mascot’s foot-long red tongue, ripped it right out of his mouth and threw it into the crowd.

Harvey continued to antagonize the bench, prompting several players to squirt the mascot with water, before security ushered him away. This bizarre moment seemingly sparked the team as Edmonton scored three quick goals in under four minutes to cut the deficit to 4-3. Unfortunately, the comeback bid fell just short. Despite the loss, this was a famous moment in the long history of the Battle of Alberta.

Oilers Spoiled the Saddledome’s Grand Opening in 1983

The first regular-season game at the Saddledome was on Oct. 15, 1983, between Calgary and Edmonton. Jari Kurri scored the first goal in the Saddledome just 1:51 into the first period. Glenn Anderson, Wayne Gretzky, and Ken Linseman also scored for the Oilers. The road team spoiled the party, defeating the Flames 4-3, despite being outshot 41-31. Grant Fuhr stopped 38 shots for a .927 save percentage (SV%) in the victory.

Wayne Gretzky’s 1988 OT Winner

In Game 2 of the Smythe Division Final on April 21, 1988, Gretzky played the hero in the Saddledome. Calgary took a 2-0 first-period lead, and had a 3-1 lead early in the second period. Edmonton stormed back to tie the game before trading goals in the third period and forcing overtime.

With Mark Messier in the penalty box, The Great One took Kurri’s pass and skated along the left-wing wall before ripping a slap shot upstairs, over Mike Vernon’s glove for a shorthanded overtime winner. The Oilers took a 2-0 series lead. They eventually swept their nemesis, en route to a Stanley Cup championship after sweeping the Boston Bruins. They had an incredible 16-2 playoff record that season, and were voted the fourth-greatest NHL team in history. Those were the days.

Goalie Fight in 2020

In a chaotic Battle of Alberta game on Feb. 1, 2020, there was a goalie fight between Oilers’ Mike Smith and Flames’ Cam Talbot. With 24 seconds left in the second period, Talbot got into it with Oilers forward Sam Gagner after the winger poked at the covered puck. Tempers flared, and Smith skated to centre ice waiting for Talbot to answer the bell. He did, and both goaltenders fought, landing some heavy blows in an entertaining tilt. Smith landed some more shots before knocking Talbot to the ground.