It’s a spooky time of year and fear of the unknown rules the day.
No one is immune from this scariest of seasons, not even Calgary’s sports teams.
With that in mind, here are a look at what tricks, treats and terrifying tales can be found in the city’s sports scene:
TRICK OR TREAT: Are the Calgary Flames giving us a trick or a treat this season? The early results have been positive for the National Hockey League (NHL) club that finished 24th overall and missed the playoffs in 2023-24. Through their first nine games the Flames have a record of 5-3-1 and are in the mix for a playoff spot. Can they return to the postseason this year?
TREAT: When in doubt, call in the Cavalry. In this case the Cavalry Football Club (FC) of the Canadian Premier League (CPL). With a spirited 1-0 semifinal victory over Forge FC in Hamilton on Oct. 27th, the Calgary soccer squad has advanced to the league championship, which they will host at ATCO Field in Spruce Meadows on Saturday, Nov. 9th. The Forge had not lost a home playoff match to the Cavalry up until now, so this was an unexpected treat indeed.
TERRIFYING: Local football fans should look away. It was a ghastly Canadian Football League (CFL) season for the Calgary Stampeders, who finished with a 5-12-1 record that included eight losses in their final 10 games. The dismal campaign resulted in the Stamps missing the playoffs for the first time since 2004. We can only hope that the losses have not haunted McMahon Stadium and the Stamps teams that will play there in the years ahead.
What sports stories are giving you goosebumps right now? What teams or athletes are causing jump scares when you watch them perform?