I could go on and on about how cheap the win was against the Flames tonight but nobody would care. Tampa Bay (and Florida) exists in America’s wang where nobody gives a damn about hockey so covering those games is pointless.
Nonetheless here is a quick run down of the game:
1) Rene Bourque lost after one shift after taking a cheap shot to the head. I will say it AGAIN, the NHL is a JOKE of a professional league because it’s the last sport that PERMITS and ENCOURAGES shots to the head (and thus decreasing the careers of players). The hit Bourque took was clean–he was smoked by a player coming out of the box–but the lack of respect on ice and no head shot rule means a clean hit is not only unpenalised but you lose players. Bourque didn’t return.
2) Kotalik threw a nice hit on the ice, but apparently nice hits (this wasn’t even that ‘hard’) need to be ‘punished’. Kotalik had his first fight, yes a fight, as a Flame, but was thrown out of the game for not having a tie down. I don’t understand that stupid rule either if someone instigates a fight and you don’t have a tie down…. I digress.
3) The same suspects don’t score, Iginla namely, Langkow, Higgins (since NY), and so on.
4) Defensively the Flames are looking slightly better giving up fewer shots and goals. The only problem is, they don’t score. So part of the equation is better, but the scoring part, the reason why we dumped Phaneuf, is in need of a tune up.
Next up Ottawa. Calgary did not gain any ground on Colorado or Vancouver as both teams won their games (and have games in hand).
The 2004 rivalry between the two teams was conspicious and it is my conviction that the hit on Bourque as well as the penalty call on Kotalik was a deliberate attempt on the part of TB (trash bins), to get valuable players out, which raises a significant concern – The refs had again gone haywire as you indicate and surprising NHL is ignoring all the seriousness where it should actually be warranted.
Undoubtedly, the Flames had played extremely well in the first and second period, but after losing two players, I will stick up for their lack of performance in the third.
With regards to the Phaneuf trade? Only heaven knows why it happened.
It is terrible that there wasn’t anything called for that cheap shot on Bourque. I can guarantee that he has suffered a concussion, and who knows how long he will be out. I’m really getting pissed off with our players getting taken advantage of when they are in a vulnerable position. I feel for this team, and I like you anar am still saddened by the Phaneuf trade…
I share your feelings about that cheap shot on Bourque… and this hasn’t been the first time it has happened to Bourque. As far as I can see, TB had all the intentions of injuring our players look at Giordano for example. Sometimes I wish that NHL could do something about these hits on the head. Suprisingly, high sticks and serious hits on Flames players are never taken seriously but unintentional hits are…..Bravo!!
With regards to the Phaneuf trade, we can only be sorry for the decision but unfortunately cannot do anything to reverse the outcome.
Let’s hope the Flames can come up with some outstanding performance and stelllar goaltending……