Calgary in Contention for 2028 World Cup of Hockey Hosting Duties
Calgary has emerged as a potential host city for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly scheduled to visit the city. According to reports from Sportsnet's Eric Francis, the officials will meet with Calgary Flames ownership and tour the Scotia Place construction site on Monday, March 2, 2026, to assess the progress of the new arena.
The city is on a short list to host four international teams for round-robin play, while a European city would host another group of four national squads. This development adds to the excitement surrounding the new rink, set to open ahead of the 2027 NHL season, as international hockey gains momentum with events like the recent 4 Nations Face-Off and Winter Olympics in Italy.
Three Key Takeaways from Flames' 3-2 Shootout Loss to Ducks
In a closely contested game on Sunday, March 1, 2026, the Calgary Flames fell to the Anaheim Ducks in a shootout, with goals from Kevin Farabee and Yegor Sharangovich not enough to secure a win after Cutter Gauthier tied the game in the third period.
- Tough as Nails Performance
Late in the second period, Flames defenseman Kevin Bahl took a 112 km/h shot directly to the face, forcing him to leave the ice briefly. Despite a sizable cut above his lip, Bahl returned for the third period and played a crucial role, ranking third in ice time for the night. As trade rumours swirl around teammates, Bahl's resilience underscores his importance as a core piece for the Flames moving forward.
- Cool as Ice Goaltending
Flames goalie Devin Cooley was a standout performer, stopping 34 of 36 shots in his first game since February 4. His sharp play, combined with solid performances from Dustin Wolf in recent post-Olympic contests, highlights goaltending as a strong suit for the Flames, providing a silver lining in the loss.
- Game Highlights and Implications
The Flames played a competitive game, with power-play opportunities and defensive efforts keeping them in contention until the shootout. This loss, however, adds pressure as the team navigates the season, with hosting prospects for the World Cup potentially boosting morale and fan engagement in the coming years.
