Flames fall against Townsend Tigers in 42nd annual wheelchair floor hockey classic

The Calgary Flames took on the Townsend Tigers at Alberta Children's Hospital Friday in their annual wheelchair classic.

The Calgary Flames continued a longstanding sporting tradition at the Alberta Children’s Hospital on Friday afternoon.

Captained by Mikael Backlund, the Flames took on the Townsend Tigers for the 42nd annual wheelchair floor hockey game.

As always, it was a fun but competitive match as the Flames went up against kids who are under care at the hospital.

One competitor was 17-year-old Elijah Owens, playing in the annual game for the first time.

“Oh, I think it’s going to be awesome to get back into hockey because this year, due to my injury, I’m not able to play hockey,” said Townsend.

“So just being able to play with them and get my hockey feels like it’s going to be wonderful.”

The Flames have never won the annual game, with the Tigers emerging victorious once again at the Ed Whalen Memorial Gym.

“This helps normalize their experience at the hospital,” said Alyson Dutchak, a child life specialist at the hospital.

“It adds lots of fun to an otherwise difficult journey for some of the kids.”

Despite their defeats in the gym, everyone agreed that the Flames are still winners in the eyes of everyone at the hospital.

With files from CTV’s Glenn Campbell