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Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith and Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk exchange words (Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)

The Night the Goalies Threw Down: Smith and Talbot Re-Ignite the Battle of Alberta

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Jul 31, 2025 12:35 PM ET

If you’ve followed the Edmonton Oilers or the Calgary Flames, you know the Battle of Alberta isn’t just another matchup—it’s personal. The rivalry has been burning since the 1980s, and every few years, it flares up in a way that reminds fans why this one still matters.

On February 1, 2020, in Calgary, it wasn’t the star forwards or bruising defensemen who stole the show. It was the goalies. Mike Smith (former Flames’ netminder) and Cam Talbot (former Oilers netminder)—two veterans, two competitors—dropped the gloves and went toe-to-toe at center ice. In one unforgettable moment, they turned a regular-season game into a piece of hockey history that fans talk about to this day.

Flames and Oilers Tensions Boil Over in a Heated Season

Leading up to that night, the 2019–20 season had already given us a taste of the old-school Battle of Alberta. There was the now-infamous Zack Kassian vs. Matthew Tkachuk showdown—a collision of personalities and playing styles that set the tone for the game. Hits, chirps, bad blood—you could feel the rivalry getting real again.

So, by the time February 1 rolled around, fans on both sides were already on edge. The game in Calgary was physical from the puck drop. Then, late in the second period, the powder keg finally blew.

Center Ice Mayhem: Two Alberta Goalies Stepped In

With under a minute left in the second, a scrum broke out in front of the Flames’ crease. Gloves hit the ice. Players tangled up. But nobody expected what came next. Smith skated to center ice; he wasn’t coming to break things up. He was communicating with Talbot. Talbot received Smith’s message. They met at center ice, dropped their masks, squared up, and threw fists like it was 1986. Chaotic. Electric. Incredible.

The crowd in the Saddledome exploded. Both fanbases—whether in the rink or watching from home or a neighbourhood pub—knew they were watching something special. There wasn’t a clear winner in the fight, and that honestly didn’t matter. What mattered was the emotion, the intensity, and what it meant to each team, each organization.

Dallas Stars’ Justin Dowling scores on Calgary Flames goalie Cam Talbot (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

Smith hyped up the Oilers’ bench on his way off the ice. Talbot, despite the loss, earned major props for standing in there and showing heart. As the two goalies skated off the ice, TV commentator and former Oiler Louie DeBrusk (from ice level between the benches) stated, “This just keeps getting better and better!” Both goalies were tossed from the game, and both became legends that night.

Postgame Respect All Around and a New Chapter in a Classic Rivalry

After the game—which ended in an 8–3 Oilers win—the goalie fight was all anyone could talk about. Social media went into overdrive. Former players, broadcasters, and fans couldn’t believe what they’d just witnessed—the Battle of Alberta—raw and real.

Goalie fights don’t happen much anymore—the game has changed. But that’s what made this one so special at the time. It reminded everyone why the Battle of Alberta is still one of the best rivalries in sports. That night in the Saddledome wasn’t just about a fight—it was about pride. About two teams that refuse to back down. About fans who live for these moments.

Whether you wear the copper and blue or support the “Flaming C”, the game played on February 1, 2020, was one to remember. And no matter which side you’re on, we can all agree: the Battle of Alberta is real.

[Note: I’d like to thank Brent Bradford (PhD) for his help co-authoring this post. His profile can be found at www.linkedin.com/in/brent-bradford-phd-3a10022a9]