Flames’ Matt Stajan honors late son with penalty shot goal (Video)
Earlier this month, the unthinkable happened to Matt Stajan and his wife, Katie: their newborn son, Emerson, died shortly after childbirth.
After taking a break from the team to grieve with his family, Stajan returned to the Calgary Flames' lineup last Tuesday. Three games after re-joining his teammates, the center got back on the scoresheet.
Curtis Glencross said he told Stajan that he had a good feeling about Saturday night. He was right. During Calgary's 8-1 rout of the Edmonton Oilers in the final "Battle of Alberta" of the season Stajan recorded four points, with his biggest one coming via a second period penalty shot:
"Our bench cheered so loud, I think everybody was pushing each other to hug him when he came to the bench," said Brian McGrattan.
After Emerson's passing, the Flames told Stajan he could take the rest of the season off. But he wanted to play, using hockey as a way to help him move forward.
The goal was Stajan's 11th this season, his most since he tallied 19 during the 2009-10 campaign
"That one means a lot. It's obviously not been easy," said Stajan afterward. "That ones for the little guy."
"We'll move on now, but I'll remember that one forever."
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