Man I Hate the Calgary Flames

If there is one thing that drives me nuts in playoff hockey, it is a team that plays like it doesn't deserve to be there. You used to see it a lot back in the old days, when the first two rounds were divisional based (See the Hartford Whalers in the old Adams Division while the Quebec Nordiques were dreadful *Sorry Tristan, it had to be said*). These days though, with "enforced parity", you would think it wouldn't happen right? Well, today, I found out, that was completely incorrect.

The Calgary Flames lost to the Detroit Red Wings 5-1 today, in a game where the Flames basically went out of their way to play as dirty as they could humanly possibly play. Goaltender Jamie McLennan, after only 18 seconds on the ice after replacing Miikka Kiprusoff, slashed Red Wings forward Johan Franzen in the midsection. This action earned McLennan a match penalty and a game misconduct. Also, Jarome Iginla, who I usually have a lot of respect for, earned 2 late penaltys, for aggressive stick work. Iginla said about the stick work (This is a direct quote) "It was really about getting some fights going at that point to keep our energy up and carry some anger into the next game".

Now wait a minute, I thought the whole point of the "new rules" was to get rid of that crap, even in playoff time. To me, that attitude is not only very bush league, but also quite frankly, plain pathetic. Sure, there is nothing wrong with a little emotion, as it is what makes hockey the best sport out there. But, just going out there to pick fights for the reason of simply picking fights, that is plain silly.

You know McLennan will probably get a suspension, though as a backup goalie, I'm not so sure how he could serve a suspension really. 10 games, 20 games, doesn't really matter, as all he has done most of the year is sit on the bench. Lucky for Iginla though, he didn't get in a fight, otherwise, an instigator would have went his way and he could have got a 1 game suspension.

Now, if this isn't evidence that the Calgary Lames don't belong in the playoffs, to be quite frank, I don't know what else I could give ya.

(And for the record, the Colorado Avalanche are the team that deserves to be in the playoffs in the 8th Western seed instead, and their 6-3 drubbing of Calgary on the last day of the season is my proof. But, because of those stupid Seattle... I mean Nashville Predators and of course, the Calgary Lames, they couldn't get in. And to think, if the Avs were in the East, they would have been in 6th and faced the Kansas City... I mean Atlanta Thrashers *Can you say bring out your brooms*)

Editors Note: If this sounded too much like an Avs fan making fun of several hockey clubs, well, that is exactly what it is, and if you don't like it, then think of dancing monkeys and chocolate, and you will be adequately entertained