Bleacher Report - Articles by M MacDonald Hall

Calgary Flames All-Time: NHL Awards and Trophies

M MacDonald Hall — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:21:34 -0500

For a club with such an up-and-down past, the Calgary Flames have a surprising number of NHL Awards in their franchise display case. Proud owners of sixteen separate trophies, the Flames organisation has had its name or the names of its players engraved on League silver nearly thirty times, heralding fourteen different individual Flames recipients and six team recognitions. In a slideshow heavy on Jarome Iginla content, the current captain's impact on his team becomes palpably apparent. Six separate individual NHL Awards bear his name, and including Calgary's 2004 Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, he has collected at least eight separate NHL trophies. He has led the NHL scoring race, been chosen as League MVP by his player peers, come just the wrong side of the tightest Hart MVP voting in history, been selected best all-around leader by Mark Messier, and received virtually every prize for leadership, commitment, and heart. Most of these honours he achieved before his 30th birthday. Despite a relative lull between Iginla’s numerous nods of the 21st Century and the team’s talent logjam of the 1980s, Calgary’s collection of NHL hardware is impressive. Only a few NHL Award categories have eluded their collection, which the team makes up for with many multiple wins in others. Some are contentious, others clear cut — all NHL Awards hold a prized position in the organisation’s history, through their thirty years in Calgary and back into the ‘70s in Georgia. The three players who won when the franchise was still in Atlanta all came with the Flames in the move to Calgary, so their place in this list isn’t just honorary; each of these men were award-winning Flames, each wore the Flaming C in the Stampede City. Prepare to be amazed at how many NHL Awards and Trophies the Flames have won, all-time. Go on, start the show! Photo: Jarome Iginla, seen here at the start of the 2009-10 season in retro Flames silks. The vintage colours visually place Iggy with Calgary's skilful '80s roster, and his NHL Award recognitions put him with and above the best in franchise history.

Begin Slideshow

Calgary Flames Upcoming Stretch: Rule the Roost, Then the Road Ahead

M MacDonald Hall — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:50:12 -0500

The Calgary Flames will need to continue crushing road competition through their upcoming away stretch, and avoid succumbing to pressure themselves. The team currently holds a gleaming 7-1-2 record when playing away from the Pengrowth Saddledome, but own a surprisingly-sloppy 6-5-0 at home.

With two weeks between tonight’s contest against the Phoenix Coyotes in Calgary and their next home game, the Flames will need to pick up all the wins they can—and keep their road numbers sparkling— to maintain decent overall numbers through their next ten tilts.

Tonight, at around 5p.m. MST, the Phoenix Coyotes would have hit the team bus, headed to the Pengrowth Saddledome for their Wednesday night tilt against the Calgary Flames.

Local players, on the other hand, would’ve made their way to the rink from various parts of the city. Perhaps inspired by the road asphalt flowing beneath, driving separately but thinking one thought:

Bring this one home.

The Calgary Flames play their last home game of November tonight, not returning to the C of Red until the 9th of December, when they take on the Atlanta Thrashers. The club is then slated to stay in the city until their December 11 date with the Minnesota Wild, before shipping back out for two more road riots, matching against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver and the Blues in St Louis.

December’s rear-loaded schedule eventually sends the Flames back to their own barn for six of the seven remaining contests that month. The teeter-totter pitch caused by home/away imbalance over the next few weeks adds extra pressure now , on a team already grasping for consistency.

Heading into the game against the Coyotes, Calgary held a by-the-skin-of-their-teeth 6-5-0 record at the ‘Dome. After that tilt, the Flames calendar sets eight of their next 10 meetings on the road, leaving their currently-pristine 7-1-3 away numbers wide-open.

If they continue their winning ways, the Flames could return to Alberta in mid-December with incredible travel stats. On the other hand, considering their just-over-.500 status at their own arena, if they drop too many in the coming weeks, they’ll expose their already-criticised flaws through an only-just-average record.

There’s nothing terribly worrying about Calgary’s competition over the next few weeks, the most difficult opponents arguably being the League-leading San Jose Sharks and the Northwest-topping Avs. However, the Flames are a team who have faltered at the most unexpected times.

Scouting the opposition and buckling down should give the club few excuses as they embark on this cross-continental jaunt. With the right tools at their disposal, if the Calgary Flames flounder this stretch, head coach Brent Sutter will demand to know the reason why.

Stating the Obvious—Calgary’s Resources Known To All

Jarome Iginla has kept his November fire burning bright, personifying his trademark method of lifting his team by raising his game. One of the NHL’s best players this month, Iginla has also been his club’s most noticeable skater, tagging 12 goals and 14 points in ten November games. It’s not exactly a newsflash: the Flames will continue to sizzle as long as their captain stays hot.

Iginla now leads his team in points, surpassing Rene Bourque, who had sat atop the stats until last Saturday's game in LA versus the Kings, where Jarome grabbed a hat trick and the roster lead. Bourque, a consistent threat to become a break-out player, was placed on the IR with an undisclosed injury last week after the 7-1 drubbing at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks. Fans wait with bated breath for his return.

Luckily for all concerned, local media sources reported Bourque’s presence at Wednesday’s pregame practice; though he didn’t take part in more intense aspects of the workout, his efforts indicate a desire to get back out there as soon as possible.

No one wants to see a repeat of the season-busting interruptions he’s suffered in years past, and in wake of the scoring streak he was on before this most recent bump, Bourque will be gnawing eagerly at his day-to-day status. Set to return by early December, he’ll work to boost team production by hiking his personal data up even further.

Olli Jokinen will have to make the most of the friendly terrain that has been the Flames highway. The Joker’s point-totals are good enough for third overall on the Flames, but include just three goals—the only markers he's recorded in his past 35 regular-season matches, reaching back into last year.

Appreciated assist totals aside, the Finnish centreman will be expected to even out his game on what has so far been steeply-slanted road ice. For the moment, Daymond Langkow has taken up some of the slack, tied with Bourque for second in team goal-scoring, with seven markers and 13 points.

Tying things together, Calgary’s supporting cast remains strong, and as demonstrated early this season, when Flames star names aren’t producing, these guys are ready to play stand-in.

Nigel Dawes, Curtis Glencross, David Moss, Eric Nystrom, Dustin Boyd, and others have filled in the gaps so far, and are relied upon to keep Calgary’s play even as the season goes along. Role-players step up for their specialised ice time, and call-ups are available for depth and substitution.

Calgary’s blueline has also steadied out, and none of the defensemen on the current roster have a negative rating in the plus-minus column—a blinding contrast compared to last year‘s dismal defensive rankings.

It may seem out of place to praise the defensive responsibility of a roster which has allowed so many shots-against, double 3-2 losses to Colorado, plus the 6-5 and 7-1 flub-fests at the hands of Chicago. However, those deflating defeats create a misleading impression, remembering that the two iffy November tilts versus the Avs and the 'Hawks were the only times this month in which the Flames allowed more than two goals-against in regulation.

After a nasty minus-11 recorded last year by Dion Phaneuf, the Flames 2003 first-round choice has pulled back up to a respectable plus-two, matching stalwart Robyn Regehr and risk-taker Mark Giordano ’s current ratings.

Adam Pardy clocks in with a plus-three, while Jay Bouwmeester —whose 12 points to-date put the rearguard on pace to match career highs—sits pretty at plus-eight, second on the team only to forward Curtis Glencross, plus-9.

Calgary’s rearguards must work with their forward ranks to help lower the shot-count against the Flames net, an area easily improved by cranking up fore- and back-checking efforts, especially from offensive skaters.

Goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff has been admirable in net recently and has improved his GAA to a respectable 2.57, down from earlier numbers which rocketed well over 3.00. Back-up Curtis McElhinney earned a morale boost with his win against the Dallas Stars earlier this month, but will need to keep his performances solid if he wants the team to feel confident in relying on his play.

Find the balance

It is two weeks to the day between Wednesday night’s game and their next match-up on home ice. Despite Calgary’s prior reputation as a home-barn team with troubles on the road, this year has been a flip. Working with the schedule they’re playing through right now, they must improve their Saddledome record as the chances arise, and work hard to maintain their newfound stability away.

If the Flames can reassert their home-ice dominance while continuing to roll on the road, they will have finally found the balance they‘ve been building towards—at last, allowing the team to fully utilise the increased production and bolstered bench which GM Darryl Sutter has spent the past few years developing.

If not, they may have to deal with a mirror-opposite season with similar results: wins on the road plus losses at home equals another average overall outcome—not to mention increasingly tired, frustrated Flames personnel.

At least when the team struggled through travel sessions in the past, the Flames gave their local crowd something to cheer for. Despite road woes, it helps keep fans happy when they actually get to see their team rule their own roost. Obviously, it’s time for the Calgary Flames to bring their game home.

Keep your bags packed, boys, but bring back a souvenir.

Other games and scores Flames fans should keep tabs on tonight

What some of the competition is up to:

Flames fans will hope these games are decided in regulation, avoiding extra points being spread around the sardine tin which is the Western Conference.

Edmonton Oilers vs. LA Kings, 7:30 p.m. — It’s natural for Flames fans to want Calgary’s Northwest Division rival Oilers to lose whenever possible. Tonight, however, Edmonton takes on the LA Kings, a team trailing the Flames by just one point in the tight Western Conference race for playoff seeding. With the Oilers just six points distant of Calgary, this one will end with one or the other a bit closer to the erratic Flames.

Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche, 7:00 p.m. — Similar to the LAK-EDM match, this game features a pair of Western competitors; also, a win for either is bad news for Calgary. But someone has to win. The Avs sit just one place and three points above the Flames, while the Preds chase for Calgary’s current fourth-place position, just two points behind.

Chicago Blackhawks @ San Jose Sharks, 8:30 p.m. — The Flames may not be able to catch the much-hated ‘Hawks tonight, dancing three points behind the Central Division leaders. But keeping tabs on this clash of the titans will be worth while to all Western watchers, as first-place overall battles second.

Chicago is on a seven-game winning streak, while the NHL-topping Sharks have yet to lose at home in regulation this season. Will HP Pavilion be enough to topple the high-flying Blackhawks?

If so, the Flames could find themselves that much closer to catching up with their 2009 playoff rivals, who have already scored an embarrassing 13 goals at the expense of the Calgary club. Next to the Division-rival Avs, the Flames are most interested in pulling even with the Windy City’s certified fire-dousers.

Also, Flames fans will recognise Matthew Lombardi, playing in Calgary as a Phoenix Coyote tonight, for the first time against his former Flames team mates.

See Comments section below for post game updates from Calgary vs Phoenix, November 25, 2009

Calgary Flames Next 10 Games (all start-times listed in MST, home games italicised )

November
Fri, 27 Nov 2009    Calgary Flames @ Detroit Red Wings — 5:00 p.m., RDS, SNET-W
Sat, 28 Nov 2009    Calgary Flames @ Columbus Blue Jackets — 5:00 p.m., CBC
Mon, 30 Nov 2009    Calgary Flames @ Nashville Predators — 6:00 p.m., SNET-W

December
Thu, 3 Dec 2009     Calgary Flames @ Phoenix Coyotes — 7:30 p.m., Flames PPV
Sat, 5 Dec 2009    Calgary Flames @ San Jose Sharks — 8:00 p.m., CBC
Mon, 7 Dec 2009    Calgary Flames @ Los Angeles Kings — 8:30 p.m., SNET-W
Wed, 9 Dec 2009    Atlanta Thrashers @ Calgary Flames — 7:30 p.m., SNET-W
Fri, 11 Dec 2009    Minnesota Wild @ Calgary Flames — 7:00 p.m., Flames PPV
Sun, 13 Dec 2009    Calgary Flames @ Colorado Avalanche — 6:00 p.m., SNET-W
Tue, 15 Dec 2009    Calgary Flames @ St Louis Blues — 6:00 p.m., Flames PPV

M MacDonald Hall is a Calgary Flames Featured Columnist, covering hockey ins-and-outs for B|R and syndication.

Enquiries regarding NHL writing or other subjects may be directed to Mac's Bleacher Report profile or email .

Colorado Avalanche Writer Fails Ethics 101, Calgary Flames Uncensored

M MacDonald Hall — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:15:32 -0500

Off Limits | Staff Only

There's an old-school sporting ideal which reserves a right to certain levels of privacy and professional discretion, especially within the insulated bowels and back offices of otherwise public forums. In this day of free-flowing information, what kind of confidentiality lies "down the tunnel"?

The “Edit" Button: Technical, Ethical, or Extinct?

Denver Post columnist and blogger Adrian Dater has raised the ire of the Calgary Flames and local hockey media, and it all started with a twit…I mean, tweet.

Posting a blog following Tuesday night’s game between the Colorado Avalanche and the hosting Flames, Dater also made a backhanded statement of regret for reporting second-hand information regarding Colorado’s Northwest Division foe on Twitter. It was through the social-networking übersite that he disclosed a post-game, behind-closed-doors incident in the Flames dressing room.

There had already been a brief report of agitated voices from the stalls in the Pengrowth Saddledome, explained and accepted as the common post-loss disturbances, which occur in all types of competition. The noisy discourse could not be avoided, but as it obviously was not meant to be broadcast, inadvertent eavesdroppers left it at that.

Then Dater dished the deets. A prolific writer, the author of Blood Feud: Detroit Red Wings v. Colorado Avalanche: The Inside Story of Pro Sports’ Nastiest and Best Rivalry of Its Era (Taylor Trade Publishing, 2006), has made his name as an insider, making no exception when visiting opposing rinks.

Members of the local media had been discussing an argument overheard from the direction of the home team’s coat hooks. Via his web-link, Dater soon relayed the basics he’d heard from Calgary reporters in the scrum room.

It was a no-no. A big one, depending on whom you talk to. This is hockey, where it may seem like anything goes—but in reality, there are serious unspoken codes to be followed, on the ice, in the locker room, and in the press box.

Many of these unofficial rules reflect the need of personal and professional discretion, a privileged responsibility for those granted backstage access to the fastest game on Earth.

Dredging up a scurrilous detail is devilishly wonderful when it’s about someone else, especially a rival. Squelching the muck-filled shoe onto the other foot isn’t as appealing. As a result, mutual respect of information is the standard among pro organisations, as well as the journalists who cover them—those people who are often privy to truly inside information.

When reporters are plainly left out of discussions, regardless of how loudly they may be conducted, there is an unwritten rule against betraying the expectation of confidence within the confines of a private conversation—particularly for strangers to the team.

And so it goes—with great credentials comes great responsibility.

Twittergate Timeline

It honestly began as a “nothing” moment.

Posting live updates and analysis on Twitter during public events has become a common practice. Dater’s game tweets followed the general sports-twit pattern, a nice assortment of the usual interactive, up-to-the-minute content. Through brief postings, he provided updates, answered questions, and occasionally opined. Suddenly, with the game over, the correspondent became visibly more verbose.

He started by simply relating the occurrence of a “shouting match” in the Flames locker room, involving Dion Phaneuf being called “selfish.”

When asked by another user if he had heard the argument personally, Dater initially replied that he had heard some of it himself, but there were others who had heard more. He kept 1,200-plus followers posted, relaying the update that it may have actually been Flames' coach Brent Sutter delivering the heat, rather than a fellow player.

One point was made certain: Phaneuf had been the recipient of a shout-out, definitely not the good kind.

Within an hour, it must’ve been apparent that his initial ground-zero scoop-tweet—a “scoot”, or “twoop”—was causing a backlash somewhere, somehow. A reassertion and slight re-tweak of Dater’s earlier dismissal of personal liability was quickly published in cyberspace. In addition to the denverpost.com blog , he popped the character-count of another Twitter comment, clarifying that he did not hear the commotion first-hand.

Responding to the fuss Calgary’s media made following the unwelcome tweet, Dater wrote in his blog that he had assumed the ruckus storyline was fair game because others were talking about it openly, and although he had not anticipated such an robust reaction, he probably shouldn’t tweet such items.

With an oddly contradictory remark, he mentioned that he had heard a similar row between unnamed Avalanche personnel the prior year, but did not report it; therefore, Dater reasoned, this incident should be no big deal. He wrapped it up with roundabout regret, justly saying that that ought to be the end of it.

The ensuing rancour may be just another example of a puck-mad market blowing things out of proportion. The damage done to the Flames internally and externally should be negligible, Adrian Dater’s tweet will rightly pass as a trifle, but the scars on web source integrity deepen.

A Time and a Place

Much ado about nothing, perhaps, it may even seem like homerish sour grapes for Flames' media sources to appear out-scooped on their own patch. But there are few punches pulled in hockey hotbeds like Calgary, where sports sections feature heavy criticism and overreaction.

Teams are under the microscope, and comments, founded and unfounded, exhaust every plausible storyline—but, in the bounds of that common code.

As Dater himself pointed out, yelling isn’t exactly rare in hockey locker rooms. It happens all the time in any adrenaline-packed activity. Anger and frustration lead to petty comments and harsh criticisms.

Every imaginable kind of fight has broken out amongst teammates, and it is understood that most are a product of the moment. If repeating such things were the norm, there’d be a headline-per-day about alleged league-wide dressing room strife.

Even among the harshest coaches, most carefully consider the critical statements they make to the media, or in public. They may be tearing a strip out of someone, but generally there is a planned purpose behind publicly exposed actions. Those who make inappropriate comments or forget basic respect when broadcasting their opinion tend to lose respect themselves.

During the FAN 960 post-game show, Calgary Flames play-by-play legend Peter Maher made a lone, brief mention of the noise he’d heard in the hallway, thickly veiling any knowledge of intrusive details. Essentially, he stated that there were clearly unhappy folk populating the Flames room after the loss, but that there was no reason to suspect anything other than an isolated incident.

It was clear by Maher’s voice and words that this was all listeners needed to hear, the limit for legitimate reporting in this realm. The Hockey Hall of Fame honouree let interested fans know what all-and-sundry could have known, but set the mark as he subtly left it at that.

When the microphone is turned off, who knows. Dater claimed a waiver of responsibility due to the chatter in the media room, but discussions within the industry are one thing; relating those details for general consumption is another.

It’s accepted that professionally-reported information should either be on the record, independently verified, or at least meet the criteria of the aforementioned back-room code.

Persistence and in-depth fact-finding are admired—telling tales out of turn is no way to get invited back to the circle.

As it turned out, no one in the Calgary sports media, including respected sources for the Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun, or The FAN 960 Sports Radio reported any detail of whatever “locker room incident” took place Tuesday.

Now, everyone is addressing the probable-non-issue thanks to an out-of-towner on the tittle-tattle trail. [See Updates below for a complete follow-up]

Local sources have to file extra reports, fans furiously spread exaggerations, while the Flames themselves will be asked to quash weakly based tongue flap about behind-the-scenes turmoil or trade options. Their responses will in turn spark further baseless blether.

Distractions are expected. Unprovoked instigations are not.

For the Denver Post writer, it was the so-called privileged details and the way in which he chose to share them that have drawn the twitterbug and his offhand comments under fire.

However, Dater neatly turns the blame back onto Calgary media, emphasising that he heard it from the mouths of local press, and that he assumed it would be heavily reported in the city’s headlines by morning. Rather than waiting for confirmation or customary courtesy period, it was up for all to dissect and disseminate immediately, starting with his Twitter feed and spreading into countless conduits of scuttlebutt.

Personal assumptions don’t compare to the given, near-universal assumption of select media confidentiality.

There are a lot of grey areas when it comes to such journalistic confidences, but pros are expected to use experience, not just the benefit of their credentials, in deciding what to share with the world. The public are often ill-equipped in sorting the stuff from the stuff, and responsible sources bear that in mind.

It can also help to be sensitive when treading in someone else’s backyard. In spite of the First Amendment, full disclosure, and freedom of the press, there are times to keep even the juiciest scraps quiet.

Keep it simple—remember The Code. If you don't know The Code, don't fake it. Go learn it.

“Wheat, Meet Chaff. Sort Yourselves Out.”

It was a good piece of gossip, no doubt.

Remember the Cone of Silence, the fictional techno-fart intended to be a soundproof conversation cubby. A Plexiglas muffler came down, secrecy intended, yet anyone who cared to listen could overhear every word. Ridiculously stupid, but the implication of privacy held firm.

On the other hand, who could be blamed for catching a few words?

It’s not fair to act as though Adrian Dater’s foray into Flames coverage was the ultimate sin. He’s not the only journalist to report first, ask questions later. It’s a strategy that has its advantages, and with the blurry, but competitive, bounds of blogging, eye-catching tidbits are coveted.

But while scandal sells, it’s not very well respected—neither is embellishment in a fact-driven field. For hockey, like most modern sports, it’s a dangerous regression to lowest-common-denominator gratification. When Sean Avery directed publicly made comments at Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf‘s personal life last year, the first point made by reputable onlookers was that had the insults been kept private, there would be no issue.

It’s easily argued that the suspension Avery earned showed official reluctance to endorse scandal chasing. The NHL’s version of the Cone is more successful than the Get Smart variety, but it too sometimes goes on the fritz—it is still expected to apply to all levels and branches of the League.

A few weeks ago, a blogster post regarding Washington star Alexander Ovechkin’s recent injury cited a quote from the banged-up star, saying he would be out for an excessively long period. This forced the Capitals organisation to make a public announcement contesting the legitimacy of the information, reasserting the previously released recovery timeline.

The problem wasn’t whether or not the comment had come directly from Ovechkin, but that the details were reported with no confirmation of the validity of the medical information, despite numerous releases contradicting the statement.

For any writer to not question and resolve such obvious conflicts with simple research, confirmation, or editing doesn’t just tarnish the journalistic standard. Disregarding reason in favour of a scoop causes real disruption, wasting time, creating unwarranted noise, stealing precious inches of article space, and piling up an unnecessary mess.

And now, here I am posting even more information about it, much as I did in response to last year’s Avery incident, but once something’s out there, it can’t be taken back. It has to be addressed and analysed by those tasked with team coverage, draining resources that could be focused on more relevant topics.

Something to remember when casually making statements in highly trafficked area of online hockey “news.”

Blogs and social network updates are not journalism, and most aren’t fooled into believing otherwise. But their exponentially increasing influence, especially in “soft” genres such as sports and entertainment, have spawned misuse and misinformation at an alarming rate. Unfiltered thoughts and details have their appeal, certainly, but the ability to broadcast without borders at a moment’s notice is contrasted by a downslide in the basic quality of communication.

Who wants third-rate information, which leads to fourth-rate chatter with no real foundation? How many fans are really interested in that?

The web is already full of unsolicited opinions about sports. If accredited correspondents continue to blur the line between professional and amateur tactics, hockey’s fanbase will be made up of badly-informed fanatics, and enthusiasts who have given up trying to sort through a fast-food menu looking for a meat-and-potatoes meal.

In spite of the media’s position as official informant, hopefully fans are able to recognise for themselves the difference between fact and fiction, gossip and grist, research and rumour.

Next time someone, anyone, wipes up presumably restricted dirt from inside the depths of the Pepsi Center, will they hesitate to power up their iPhone or Balsillie Blackberry? Should they have the right to release hearsay information, on a player’s already-confirmed injury status, squabbles in the locker room, etc?

Up next, Secret Lives of Player's Wives, Post-Shower Underpant Best and Worst, and Staff-Parking Etiquette.

If a professional in the business can't discern what is his business to report, why should an amateur bloggist think twice about posting anything they wish, from any source? It sets a place for an up-to-date tell-all format, more entertainment than substance.

In a strange way, as a blogger, Dater probably did exactly what he was supposed to do. As a journalist, he should have known better. At least, he should have resisted the school-kid urge to be first to spread the most recent gossip from enemy turf.

With great credentials...so on and so forth, etc.

Dater, the Scapegoat?

Poor Adrian Dater, I say. He has and will be vilified by certain members of the sports media for doing what he was sent out to do: observe, report, and if possible, be first to do so.

Slipshod methods, off-the-cuff format, and scandal-mongering have been infiltrating legitimate news sources for a while now. Consumer complaints of wavering objectivity, inconsistent quality, second-rate fact checking, and an inability to clearly express the game to less-informed readers are becoming commonplace.

Mr Dater’s carefree postings could be a glimpse of the downturn, marked for Flames fans because this instance happened at the expense of their team’s privacy.

There will be those, especially in Calgary, who perhaps-unfairly judge him guilty of some sort of assault on journalistic decency—or, at the very least, hockey decency. Those people may first need to reassess the system of accepting lowered standards, which has allowed even professionally published writers to forget the rules.

As for assumptions and hastily worded statements, shaky communication skills can’t be a reassuring excuse for a professional writer.

New updates below! Full quotes, sources, and Twitter feeds also available—considering the @adater account has been deleted by the author. The feed had been publicly visible, but despite that fact—or an early draft of this article including some of the transcript—I decided to give the author benefit of the doubt. Like the blogger mentioned below, who posted on another Dater slip-up, I chose not to reprint casual remarks for public consumption.

See the Comments section below for full updates on this hockey/journalism/blogging cross-interest storyline.

M MacDonald Hall is a Calgary Flames Featured Columnist, covering hockey ins-and-outs for B|R and syndication.

Enquiries regarding NHL writing or other subjects may be directed to Mac's Bleacher Report profile or email.

Calgary Flames NHL Hockey: Pieces Fall into Place, New Pattern Emerges

M MacDonald Hall — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:57:26 -0500

One week and three games into their November 2009 schedule, the Calgary Flames have radically improved their statistics, responding well to coaching criticism. The team took on the New York Rangers at the Pengrowth Saddledome Saturday night, skating away with a 3-1 win, Calgary's third straight victory.

Following a pair of at-home losses to end October, the Calgary Flames had a few days off before hitting the road for a tough back-to-back set in Dallas and St Louis, trailed closely with a return flight home to meet the New York Rangers.

Head coach Brent Sutter took full advantage of the preceding lull, using it to shake up his players.

The team’s so-called "time off" featured physically intensive practice, group lectures, and a few one-on-one chats for those deemed in need of a prod. An already tough week made tougher, Sutter’s discipline was a necessary action, intended to provoke an even more necessary reaction.

So far, it’s worked.

Rather than looking tired or belligerent under pressure, the Flames chose to benefit from their coach’s hard but well-meaning words. As expected, most have responded by stepping up their game accordingly, and already there are striking differences between October and November.

No shock here: Jarome Iginla leads by example

After exemplifying the slow starts with which he is known to struggle, captain Jarome Iginla has picked up his production and is back on pace, putting three goals and an assist in the twin road tilts against the Stars and the Blues.

It was the third time this year he’d recorded points two games in a row and, with his goal Saturday against the Rangers, is now in his best streak this season. Three games, three wins—five points for Iginla, six for the team.

Just a week ago, Iginla’s numbers looked faded, and somewhat misleading.

Twice in October, he recorded a 100.0 shooting percentage, but these were just three shots in total and account for all but one of his goals that month. His highest single-game shot total so far this year is five, a respectable number tossed at the opposition’s net on three separate occasions. These counted for little, however; each of those three games were Calgary victories which saw a total of 14 Flames goals—Iginla contributed just one of those despite his 15 overall snipes.

Accused of over-passing and under-shooting, when he targeted the puck himself it seemed less liable to go in than when he held himself to one or two attempts at the twine.

That didn’t mean less was more. Unbelievably, according to NHL statistics, Iginla failed to register a single shot in Calgary’s deflating 3-1 Halloween loss against Detroit. His most significant stat on the night was a minus-2 rating.

The source of Sutter’s frustration was clear and, obviously, so were his words of wisdom when he delivered them to the team last week.

Iginla is rapidly catching up to his normal numbers, currently sitting second in team scoring with 14 points, three points behind overall leader Rene Bourque.

It remains unfortunate that post-ringer Olli Jokinen has yet to match his captain’s output, but the Finnish winger's varied numbers at least serve to highlight Iginla’s remarkable talent and professionalism. Not only has Jarome responded efficiently to voiced concerns over his own game, but he continues to look for opportunities to help still-struggling team-mates, setting up Jokinen and others to succeed as often as possible.

Calgary's No. 12 is a leader who knows how to rise to responsibility.

Iginla’s second goal Wednesday night against Dallas sealed the match for the Flames in overtime, his first game-winner of the year; with a beautiful straight-in tally from in front of the New York net Saturday, he nabbed his second clincher of the season in a three-game span.

After a grand total of four markers through twelve outings in October, he now has the same number of goals in just three matches.

Teamwork and goaltending "net" big rewards

Against Dallas, things looked rocky when the Flames started off the night taking penalty after penalty.

That all ended midway through the second period, when Brendan Morrow was awarded a penalty shot on goaltender Curtis McElhinney after an Adam Pardy foul. The young Calgary back-up—already shouldering the heavy burden of starting in place of a flu-ridden Miikka Kiprusoff—stood his ground and turned aside the Dallas sniper to keep the game even at nil all.

Just a few minutes later, Jarome Iginla would open the scoring with his first of the evening to take a 1-0 Flames lead they would carry into the third. Calgary didn't take another call the rest of the night.

Responsibility begets responsibility.

McElhinney came up big against the Stars, halting 38 of 40 pucks launched his way. Kiprusoff returned the next night to face the Blues—after his fever broke—and stood on his probably-aching head, allowing just a single goal on 31 shots. Only one other puck would slide by him Saturday against the Rangers, further lowering his GAA to a respectable and much more comfortable 2.68.

In the words of Rangers coach John Tortorella after the game, “Kiprusoff’s the difference.”

As the anchor to Calgary’s game, Flames goalies are expected to be the difference. Kiprusoff, as the workhorse starter of a top club, is one of the primary players targeted by high expectations to perform at his very best, night after night.

As a team, they have held up well and hopefully there are no more storms to weather. They dropped two at home, took public and private wrist-slaps from head coach Brent Sutter, then went out and promptly won back-to-back games on the road.

Hopefully it's a harbinger of more positive efforts to come.

Those two road wins were incredibly significant for the Flames, even more so if they can keep such efforts up. Back-to-backs have been badly lopsided for the Calgary crew—last season, the roster managed just one double-win in eleven tries. This year they had two end-to-end pairings in October, earning just one win in four games.

The set to start November may have been close-fought and not taken until overtime, but the Flames showed a lot of team strength after their brow-beating to earn road points in a rare double event.

As an added bonus, they also managed to smother the opposition in the overtime frames, keeping both the Stars and the Blues off the shot-sheet for a combined 4:15 minutes of extra time.

As each player works to improve his game, overall outlook brightens. Team numbers have evened out, balance is becoming more evident, blocked shots are again a Calgary staple, etc. The Flames have tidied their record from a reasonable 7-4-1 to an admirable 10-4-1, pulling themselves just ahead of near-chasing conference and division rivals in the overall standings.

Premature, perhaps, to call it a pattern after only three games and a few points; but in light of the staggered results of their first twelve, there is reasonable room for optimism if Calgary's new designs unfold as planned.

No time like the present

Relatively early in the season, Sutter decided not to wait in voicing concerns. When the club started slipping in the closely-competitive Western Conference battle, he put his men through their paces and spoke his message clearly—and probably loudly.

By addressing players and problems both separately and as a group, he tasked the Flames with more balanced responsibilities: those undertaken as individuals, those confronted as a cohesive team unit.

As flickered-out Jack O’Lanterns decay, the fog lifts on previously clouded Flames statistics.

Having seen the competition, and knowing how quickly the regular season drains away, experienced coaches and players realise there is no sand to waste getting it together. Fifteen games down and a couple in hand, now is as good a time as there can be for the Calgary Flames to find the rhythm that will carry them through the year.

Calgary Flames Check-Up: Sutter Steps In, Slumping Flames Feel The Heat

M MacDonald Hall — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:26:52 -0500

The Calgary Flames landed flat to finish off their recent five-game home stand with a pair of back-flops on Pengrowth Saddledome ice. This ostensibly talented team needs to tighten up if they want to avoid progressing to belly-flops, evermore painful and embarrassing.

This particular edition of Flames analysis is going to be a short one, for two very good reasons.

Firstly, I’m sick. Second, I’m tired of typing the word “consistency”. Sick and tired.

Bugs and snakes—they both bite

Fans are happy that the virulent ‘flu bug striking living rooms and locker rooms alike hasn’t [reportedly] ravaged the Flames like it has others, but worry at an ailing record and jaundiced performances persist.

Personally, I watched Wednesday night’s tilt against the Colorado Avalanche feeling as lopsided as the stat sheet, which leaned in Calgary’s direction in every way but the score. Saturday’s Halloween 3-1 fright-fest failure versus Detroit saw none of the media-predicted punch-ups, but after forty I felt like my number had been taken by every bruiser on the ice.

A few days earlier, the well-rested Calgary Flames were in a fantastic position to validate their position as a top-rated team. Opportunities arose to make a mark on the Northwest Division, take advantage of games-in-hand over close-following rivals, record a dominant home record, and pack away extra baggage before hitting the road for their first proper taste of the jam-packed schedule. By the end of the week, the Canucks sat a point ahead in seventh place, the Flames were being chased for eighth by the Oilers, and I was looking for new and exciting places to vomit.

Is it coincidence that I started feeling so poorly the night Calgary dropped an important divisional contest, or that symptoms seemed to get worse as Saturday’s regressive collapse played out in front of me?

Of course it’s coincidence! Let’s not be ridiculous—I just like to indulge the superstitious hockey freak in me every now and then.

Neither I nor the Flames were as bad as all that, nothing terminal or permanently debilitating. But that doesn’t stop an over-reactive tailspin when it’s painfully obvious, despite best intentions, that they are not performing at their best.

At the moment, the Calgary Flames have at least four contenders for Team Canada’s entry at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics: Jarome Iginla, Dion Phaneuf, Robyn Regehr, and Jay Bouwmeester. Each of these is under the microscope, watched closely by a city of expectant fans and a nation of rabid critics. While the defensemen hold their own, Rene Bourque’s team-leading numbers and premature discussion of Olympic considerations give rise to deeper-than-usual scrutiny of Calgary’s offensive stars and their performance this year.

Time to get well

It’s way too early in the season to feel like I’m repeating myself. Flames head coach Brent Sutter obviously feels the same—Calgary post-game media scrums have been less than warm lately, Sutter baulking at being forced to call out some of his best men before October was even over.

The message? Calgary’s elite and experienced players need to step it up, whether that means scoring more goals, assists, or simply increasing the regularity of game-changing performances.

Complaints that the Calgary Flames rely too heavily on secondary scoring are absurd this soon in the season. Building and developing a well-rounded, multi-dimensional team with steady contribution from all players is one of the most enviable achievements in sports. This isn’t the grievance. At the moment, all eyes are on big guns like Iginla, Olli Jokinen, and Miikka Kiprusoff to meet reasonable expectations and bring their numbers up to standard to deliver the core strength they are there to provide.

It’s not the first time Iginla et al. have taken their time out of the gate. It has been made clear, however, that slow starts will not be tolerated this time around. The situation must be remedied, and repairs can be more easily made if underlying issues are fully understood.

So what’s going on? Over the past few weeks, this matter has been argued and discussed at length around the hockey circuit.

One credible possibility is the reversion in coaching style. While Calgary’s star members have been largely left to their own devices in recent seasons, head coach Brent Sutter is well renowned for the strict and egalitarian expectations of his methods. Younger, more coachable players are eagerly taking advantage of a system which gives them space to perform, an opportunity already reaping riches for less-experienced skaters in Calgary’s ranks. On the other hand, the arrival of new expectations and hewn-in-stone structure is a new obstacle for marquee types accustomed to creating tether-free ice of their own accord. Their niche is being redecorated.

Comments by Hockey Night In Canada's Kevin Weekes last Saturday lend credance to these suspicions. As a former Devil backup under Brent Sutter in New Jersey, Weekes knows his concrete system first-hand, and aptly described the struggles of high-calibre skaters under seemingly-stringent conditions. Fortunately for Calgary, if this is the cause of their scoring strife, it‘s a soluble problem. Many of their members also have previous Sutter experience of some type, and once comfortable within the new routine and reacquainted with heightened discipline, most Flames are talented and professional enough to thrive within any system.

As for the present, Calgary already has points from all but two of their skaters, and only four men remain without a goal. These numbers include Aaron Johnson and Jason Jaffray, youngsters who have played just three games combined.

This leaves just two regulars sans a marker, and none sit pointless. No other Northwest Division team comes close in terms of spreading the points around their roster, a great advantage for the Flames as the season progresses and their scorers get on track. The defensive corps have been recording good stats, and there is no reason to expect experienced players up front will do anything but improve their play.

Once the dreaded “consistency” word disappears as an issue, there can be plenty of optimism about the long-term chances of the Calgary Flames.

Chin up, boys—It’s a matter of perspective!

A quote on the Calgary Flames website has Jarome Iginla responding to criticism by addressing the positives the team has thus far achieved, while also attempting placate media concerns by adding, “I think guys are working to get better and we know Brent’s talked about [that],” and ending with the comment, “We need to get better and we think we’re capable of that.”

Think? I know I’m being pedantic, taking Iginla’s wording too literally. However, as a statement of assurance and recognition of the underachievement of star skaters to this point, it doesn’t relay confidence, or even pragmatism, as well as it should.

The Flames captain may be right when he says, “As a team, it’s been a solid month. We’re still making adjustments.” Calgary has done quite well in some areas, improved on others, and have direction to help them get even better.

But coaches want to hear statements of progressive intent and result, not just hope and reflection; they also want to see those intentions realized, night after night.

The Flames have a roster in which there should be no doubt—perfectly clear to objective observers— this club hasn’t come close to reaching their potential. They may recognise this, but it’s time to embody that promise and find confidence in consistency.

“Guys are working to get better…and we know we’re capable of that.”

Hit the highway, and hit it hard

So far, the Flames have had it relatively easy, logging very few air miles and avoiding extra wear-and-tear with plenty of time off between games. Having been told by their coach to shape up, the Flames ship out for back-to-back away games in Dallas and St. Louis midweek. They then head home for a single on Saturday, before getting back on the road for the rest of the week—three games between 10-14 November, with another two-in-a-row set capping off the road trip.

Steve Ott will likely be skating for the Stars Wednesday night, setting him loose to get under the skin of Jarome Iginla—exactly the type of thing which could wake the Calgary captain and his cohorts up. Still holding games-in-hand over all four Northwest rivals, the Flames hope to hit their stride as they are flung head-first into the full-speed pace of the 2009-10 NHL schedule.

Make hay while the sun shines, and all that.

Calgary Flames Schedule (MST), 1-14 November 2009

Wed, 4 Nov 2009     @ Dallas Stars — 6:30 p.m., TSN
Thu, 5 Nov 2009    @ St Louis Blues — 6:30 p.m., flames.nhl.com
Sat, 7 Nov 2009    vs. New York Rangers — 8:00 p.m., CBC
Tue, 10 Nov 2009    @ Montreal Canadiens — 5:30 p.m., RDS, SNET-W
Fri, 13 Nov 2009    @ Buffalo Sabres — 5:30 p.m., SNET-W
Sat, 14 Nov 2009    @ Toronto Maple Leafs — 5:00 p.m., CBC, NHLN-US

All games also broadcast on The FAN 960 and www.fan960.com . For more information, check out the Calgary Flames Official Web Site or NHL.com

Avalanche-Flames: Colorado Apt Test for Calgary Flames, "Good" Not Good Enough

M MacDonald Hall — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:16:16 -0400

The Calgary Flames attempted to rub out the competition Wednesday night at the Saddledome. Star scorers Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen looked to ease criticism of top-line scoring as each nabbed a marker within 1:10 of the opening faceoff. Instead, the Flames dropped the lead, losing their first game against the Colorado Avalanche, 3-2.

When the Western Conference-leading Colorado Avalanche arrived at the Saddledome Wednesday night, they presented the a unique challenge to a talented Calgary Flames team plagued by bad habits.

The result? A two-goal lead—and three-game Calgary winning streak—sacrificed in favour of Colorado’s extraordinary season start in a 3-2 loss for the home side.

The Flames carved a franchise at-home record for fastest two goals to start a game with a pair of markers in the first 70 seconds. Yet despite Calgary giving up another early lead and the Avs firmly earning their two points, it was a tricky tilt to grade.

The Avalanche came into the season as a flat-out non-contender, bravely tackling the year with a seemingly-depleted roster and the gaping vacancy left by legendary leader Joe Sakic’s retirement. The Flames looked forward, confidence boosted by offseason tweaks and upgrades, primed and predicted to challenge some of the best.

Despite a punishing amount of road time to start 2009-10, Colorado has taken the league by storm and surprise, already shooting down expected high-flyers such as San Jose, Vancouver, Boston, Detroit—and Calgary.

On the other side, the Flames have done about as well as expected: posting a winning record, revealing flashes of brilliance, but shadowed by lingering bad habits.

With all their on-paper prowess and undisputed ability, the Calgary Flames have only to unburden themselves of nagging negative patterns—blown leads, inconsistent efforts, poor penalty kills, unpredictable struggles against lesser opponents or important rivals—to sustain themselves among the best in the league.

Facing the obviously well-oiled Avalanche promised to be a worthy test of Flames discipline and skill: not only are the Avs a franchise on a meteoric rise holding one of the most elite-looking records in the NHL, they're also an underdog division foe Calgary was in danger of underestimating.

Well, the Flames did give up a multi-goal lead. They did go on to lose, to a Northwest rival, no less. They did succumb to some of their weaknesses. But for once, in spite of appearances, that wasn’t the whole story.

This was a contest of contradictions. On the scoreboard, Colorado had the momentum after 20 minutes with two unanswered goals to knot the game; on the score sheet, however, the statistics were decidedly tilted in Calgary’s favour.

Both sides boasted a perfect penalty kill, had an equal number of takeaways, and the Avs blocked only six shots more than the homers; otherwise, every column came up Calgary.

After poking two quick holes through Craig Anderson, currently one of the best goalies in the league, the Flames looked to physically pressure Colorado into folding—in a rare fightless Flames match, the team instead went to work with 20 registered hits.

Showing disciplined physicality, Calgary played the body but took just two minor penalties through 60 minutes.

Continuing to threaten offensively throughout the game, team passing looked clean and set-ups cycled well. Miles ahead in shots, Calgary shredded the biscuit a total of 67 times—32 on net, 19 blocked, and another 16 whizzing wide—however, the disc only made it through twice.

The Flames were impressive in giving up their fewest shots on goal this season by far, allowing only 14 pucks to get at the net—good for their shots-against numbers and defensive rating, bad for goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, whose GAA progressively suffers, having made only 11 saves on the night.

The team’s skaters blocked a solid 13 shots, cutting potential Colorado chances in half with steady defensive work, particularly on the PK, which was able to stop the competition from putting plays together with the man-advantage.

Individual Flames seemed on track as the educated eyes of Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman watched from above. Headliners Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen notched Calgary’s goals, Rene Bourque showed a lot of zest, and Robyn Regehr lengthened his four-game point streak while recording a plus-1 on the evening.

Sounds like a lot of positive for a 3-2 loss. It is. Obviously, it’s what the Flames didn’t accomplish which set the tone.

Wednesday night’s game against Colorado was a unique opportunity for the Flames to prove themselves on many levels. Battling the unquestionable momentum of a now-key Northwest rival, they had a chance to display their well-paid, highly-rated talent and stake a symbolic claim on the division with a win.

Calgary was also presented with an immediate chance to address at least one of the team's niggling concerns—giving up easy, early leads.

Though managing a sturdy effort through most of the game, including numerous scoring chances and solid pressure, there were times when the presumably well-rested home team looked less enthusiastic than the ostensibly road-weary visitors.

The rocketing Calgary hit totals died away after 40 minutes, and there were instances when Flames skaters had the option to take play hard into the corners, but veered off.

Despite the inflated shot totals the team managed to accumulate, openings for others were not taken; at the opposite end of the rink, there were at least two occasions where the defending side were frozen in their tracks by the footwork of sleek-skating Avs.

The Avalanche ought not be slighted credit in their fourth consecutive win, as the Flames have now seen first-hand the elements which have helped Colorado to the top in October.

Outside Anderson’s panic-free actions in net and Wojtek Wolski’s speedy, skilful verve, it was not an overly-flashy performance by the visitors, but patiently effective.

After giving up two goals on three shots and head coach Joe Sacco's time-out, the Avs remained calm as they worked to knot up the score.

Lesser-known players were given confidence-building roles in key situations, lending balance to a seemingly thin-picked roster.

Add an underestimated rushing defense, steady determination, and a dash of luck, the crew from Denver have earned their enviable 10-1-2 mark thus far.

A dicey game to grade, it was a tough contest for all involved. The Flames weren’t completely outstripped in this contest, as they have been in past lose-the-lead defeats.

Pervasive issues of inconsistency and perceived lack of control have seemed difficult to overcome for this team, clouded by a heavy sense of inevitability come game-time—Calgary has either seemed like an elite, unstoppable squad destined for the win or a rattled group of unfamiliar amateurs scrambling to keep up with NHL competition.

There are still distinct signs of the negative patterns dogging Flames, but Calgary’s first tilt against the Avalanche of 2009-10 showed improvement by avoiding another wild downward spiral.

However, considering the ground which could have been gained on multiple fronts, this is more than just a disappointing outcome. No matter how much the Flames tried or how competently the Avalanche earned their victory, it's not good enough.

With a well-fought, well-deserved win against Colorado, Calgary would have made an important statement—looking forward to the next test, the team will at least gain something from this improved version of failure.

Through the contest, the Flames looked like the better team on paper and on the ice—hard to call that a “bad” game.

In the end, they lost, having given up an early two-goal lead at home—tough to call that a “good” game.

It’s still difficult to accept this as a “good loss”, despite evidence to that effect. Criticism of top line scoring seemed dispelled with Iginla and Jokinen’s record-fast tallies, but with the team again faltering after a rapid show of dominance and huge advantage in shots, the critics will return.

The Flames are going to be upset and frustrated by this 3-2 defeat, but will also use it as a learning experience to benefit from moving forward. Simple lack of out-and-out embarrassment cannot be considered an accomplishment for a club like Calgary, and they know it.

The team now gears up for Colorado’s mirror opposite, as the underachieving Detroit Red Wings, 2009's Western Conference Champion, visit Saturday to finish out the Flames’ five-game homestand.

Calgary Flames Take on the 2009-10 Season: Fresh Start or Proven Formula?

M MacDonald Hall — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:43:56 -0400

Retro silks flow with contemporary talent as Dion Phaneuf and the 2009-10 Calgary Flames meet the season head-on. Will team history help, hinder, or be a non-factor as they work for future success?

The Calgary Flames intend to be much more than a flash in the pan in 2009-10. Recent years have averaged out as numerical successes and critical failures, leaving the team and its fans tantalized by great potential, yet frustrated by incomplete follow-through.

There have been concerted efforts to solidify the club’s updated play while retaining enviable aspects from days gone by, and as the franchise celebrates a collection of anniversaries—30 years in Calgary, 29 seasons in the city, and 25 years based in the Saddledome—there’s hope that time is finally on the side of the Flames.

Local fans have taken to willing the spirits of their favourite teams-of-yore to return to the ice. Some may remember well-hidden highlights stretched between Calgary’s three Cup runs, but few are looking to strip spare parts from 1996-2000 and no one wants to recapture 1998-99.

Followers from the Flames’ fledgling days in Calgary yearn for the '80s, an era which featured some of the organization’s most complete rosters, two trips to the Stanley Cup Final, a pair of Presidents' Trophies, and ownership of hockey’s most coveted hardware to round out the decade.

Younger groupies cling to the Cinderella effort of 2004 which saw a Darryl Sutter-directed underdog squad, inspired by the determination of newly-appointed captain Jarome Iginla, blue-line stalwart Robyn Regehr, and a nearly-unknown Miikka Kiprusoff rise as the first Canadian team to make the Finals since 1994.

At this point, everyone should be looking forward.

Retro colours and the brief but inspired return of former Flames prodigy Theoren Fleury are glimpses of Calgary’s glorified youth. Leading today’s Flames with hockey heritage and current-day experience, the team’s third Coach Sutter, Brent, strengthens his family’s link with the team.

And under the gaze of original owner Harley Hotchkiss, who has stuck by his investment through 30 turbulent years, Calgary aims to be inspired, but not distracted by team legend, as they work on building their own legacy.

A Taste of What They’ve Got

Trying to create a world-beater, an organization can’t dwell on the past, but must learn from it and move forward—an endeavour Flames management has been constantly refining.

Since competing clubs also learn—especially in this age of intensified video analysis—attempts at replicating old rosters or techniques often fail. That much was evident when rival teams spent 2005-06 figuring out Calgary‘s tried-and-true methods. Moving too far from proven ideas can also be difficult, reflected by disturbing blips in Calgary’s plus/minus ratings, netminder GAAs, and shots-on-net.

Confident in their built-up roster, Flames staff are now focused on ironing out the wrinkles in team play, not only getting the best out of every individual, but developing true cohesion. Confidence doesn't mean they don't recognize room for improvement.

Bearing this in mind, the team is in a good position, possessing the right ingredients. Core players relied on since the lockout remain central, with the likes of Iginla, Regehr, Kiprusoff, Dion Phaneuf, and Daymond Langkow well aware of expectations. 2004 playmaker Craig Conroy seems like he never left his red sweater.

Recent reliables, such as David Moss, Eric Nystrom, Mark Giordano, Dustin Boyd, Adam Pardy, Brandon Prust, and Curtis McElhinney, were all with the organisation before the lockout and represent Calgary’s long-term plan for balancing on-ice responsibility, adding depth by transforming young players into seasoned Flames.

Behind the bench, ‘04 call-up Dave Lowry serves as assistant coach, former Flames netminder Jamie McLennan joins in as goaltending coach, and Rob Cookson stands as the only remnant after the department's summer clear-cut.

Newer additions to the roster aim to secure all areas of the ice as Flames territory. Recently enlisted slicksters like Olli Jokinen and stud rearguard Jay Bouwmeester help complete their respective departments and send a clear message of the team’s growing star-power.

Rene Bourque and Curtis Glencross were picked up last year and already have integral spots on the team, while anticipated draftees and long-term prospects are now hitting stride and ready to test the big leagues. For extra grit, heart, and boosted scoring, look no further than the team’s role players and emerging talent, brought in to solidify the ensemble.

The revamped bench bears the fresh but uncannily familiar features of Brent Sutter, a slightly different voice delivering a reliable message, backed by assistant coach Ryan McGill and his four years experience coaching Flames AHL affiliates.

The impressive menu Calgary presents has grown stale in the mouths of fans due to a lack of dessert in June. With all the ability available, this is the moment to earn their five-star rating and erase lingering concerns over consistency, defensive responsibility, and general balance to make the absolute most of their well-stocked larder.

Forget History and It Bites You—Spend Too Much Time Peering Back and You’ll Slam into a Wall

The past is gone—time has retired skaters from the ice and countless rule changes have transformed the game and its players from those vaunted pre-lockout versions. Calgary’s fanbase has spent the last few years listening to repeat statements about identity, philosophy, key cogs bolstered by well-tailored tweaks, and management’s confidence that the team can and will excel.

These are well-intentioned scraps of encouragement to a mass of fans whose earnest and anxiety causes selective memory loss, blocking any recall of a seven-year postseason absence, stars forced to flounder in a boggy lack of support, regular threats to relocate the team—issues now conveniently dismissed as dead and buried.

The recent flood of marquee names and their improved point-totals have re-branded Calgary as a desirable big-name destination, with exploding expectations and dwindling patience firmly in tow.

Despite the fact that the 2004 playoff push, which made this influx possible, was the result of hard-working, heart-fuelled over-achievement from lesser-known names, there are still those who easily ignore historic rough patches and forget the back-breaking effort it took to pull the team from the mire.

Upgrades, disappointments, and contradictions cause understandable confusion, but it’s no excuse for taking anything for granted. The best teams dig deep to earn their place in history, and it’s down to the Flames to do the same. For everyone else, there’s nothing left to do but trust the system and see what happens.

Can the Calgary Flames re-learn discipline under the tutelage of their no-nonsense head coach and regain consistency at both ends of the ice? Will this season’s roster come together as a unit to maintain and control all key elements for continued success? And finally, along with other uncertainties, what kind of Flames team will lead fans forward into April? The hockey world waits for their answer.

Ten games down in Calgary’s assorted-anniversary season, it’s time to put generational debates to bed and let the chimera do whatever it’s going to do—then we can judge. There are 72 regular season games left to perfect this experiment, but the Flames won’t want to wait. Check back regularly as we analyze their efforts through the season and beyond.

2008 NHL Recap & Review: Snapshots of a Puck-Scuffed Year

M MacDonald Hall — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:14:45 -0500

The NHL entered its 91st year with the start of the '08-'09 season, and have now played out most of what remained of the year 2008. The last twelve months have again been filled with hockey thrills and chills, far too many to count. Every fan has a personal mental highlight reel of their favourite moments...please feel free to share! As the sun sets on 2008, Bleacher Report looks back at the biggest and best sports moments of the year, and the hockey world provided plenty of those. Take a look at some of 2008's defining moments in hockey, and find out how much you remember about the last year. Post your thoughts about the last 365 days of hockey below, start the show and bask in a year's worth of hockey memories.... Photo: The Detroit Red Wings clinch their eleventh Stanley Cup with a win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, spring, 2008.

Begin Slideshow

Hockey Gear Review: A New Kind Of Blade Tape, and a Contest For B/R Hockey Fans!

M MacDonald Hall — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:19:43 -0500

This article includes a contest to win a "new" kind of hockey tape with customised team art for an entire roster, set up just for Bleacher Report ...a "thank you" to B/R members, writers, and staff. If you don't play hockey right now, it's a good excuse to start! [See Page 3 for more contest details, or just follow the contest link.]

~Vancouver-based equipment firm Blade Pro Products turned personal hockey dreams into an industry reality. BladeTape co-inventor and company president Richard Findlay has found partnerships with the likes of Brian Burke, Willie Mitchell, and Chris Mason on his way to making his own mark on the game with a new kind of hockey tape. [Photo: Wild-man Nick Schultz and former Canuck/current Pen Matt Cooke collide on the ice. Both players use BladeTape.]~

Over the next twelve months, we will be testing and reviewing as much hockey equipment as possible, keeping fans and players up-to-date on some of the game’s best innovations. More than that, I hope to give something back to our passionate hockey community, many of whom either play or would like a reason to start. In this instalment, a review of a new kind of hockey tape, and a contest for B/R’s hockey readers and writers to win enough customised BladeTape for an entire team to try!

Like the rest of the modern world, technology in hockey is always changing, and it can be tough to keep up. In this case I did some research, tried the product, asked random players what they thought, had others test it, and luckily gave myself an excuse to spend a bit more time playing hockey. I also interviewed the inventor, who kindly tolerated my endless questions and provided answers to all of them.

If you’ve ever played hockey or been a serious fan of the sport, you’ve probably nursed a secret wish to somehow impact the game. Visions of scoring the OT game-winner in Game 7 of the Cup Final are the norm, but well out of reach for most. But while we can’t all be NHL idols, it is possible to influence hockey from the dry side of the boards. Sports writers find a way to do it through reporting; others invent new ways of looking at the game.

I play neither well enough nor often enough to worry much about details like the tape I slap on my stick, but when I learn of any “new and innovative” type of gear it gets my attention. In this case, I found the product I was reviewing could be handy to anyone with a hockey stick, and it’s uses cover virtually every type of hockey.

BladeTape came to my attention when I noticed players with an odd-looking accoutrement on the blades of their sticks: a pair of long rubber stickers, one on each side, sometimes plain, sometimes coloured, and occasionally with pictures. Having taped countless hockey sticks over a growing number of years, I had never seen anything like it, and thought at first it was no more than a fashion statement, a new way to pimp your stick. After some digging I found that there was more to it than that. As a player the tape met a lot of my equipment needs, as a hockey buff I saw how it was already making an impact on the game, and as a writer I saw a story which illustrated one of the ways ‘average people’ can affect the bigger picture.

St Louis netminder Chris Mason's customised tape. "I tried BladeTape this summer and after the first time with it on the ice I knew I wanted to use it," was one of Mason's comments. "...Its performance is unbelievable."

Taping up has long been a part of the pre-game ritual in hockey. Ostensibly intended to grip the puck, deaden the impact of passes, and possibly even help protect the stick, it’s a small but integral part of game preparation. Blade Pro president and BladeTape inventor Richard Findlay believes he has improved on virtually all aspects of traditional cloth tape with a rubber-based replacement.

What is it, who uses it?

The tape alternative is comprised of two cross-hatched thermoplastic rubber stick-ons, one for each face of the blade. Peel-and-paste forms are applied to each side, leaving a small gap along the bottom edge. The exposed blade edge creates less friction along most playing surfaces. The raised texture grips the puck, it’s quick to attach, and the rubbery material helps cushion impact while being waterproof, “self-healing”, lightweight, and durable. The maker stands behind the durability of the tape and states on the labelling that it lasts up to fifteen games, often more, producing less waste and reducing frequency of application.

It’s an interesting list of properties which might sound like hype if it weren’t for the impressive list of supporters the product has already gained. Toronto Maple Leafs President and GM Brian Burke is a minority partner. Vancouver Canucks defenseman Willie Mitchell and St Louis Blues goalie Chris Mason are faces of the product, while the company website lists a raft of pro players and teams from the NHL, AHL, WHL, QMJHL, Varsity, etc. who use (or have used) BladeTape.

Canada took gold at the 2008 IIHF Division 1 inline Championships. BladeTape would have been used at the game.

BladeTape is applicable to ice, floor, roller, and road hockey and is used by a wide range of players and leagues. It apparently doesn’t mark up floors or walls, and the lack of tape on the bottom edge means the stick moves more smoothly along most surfaces. It is popular among the indoor hockey community and is affiliated with a number of related professionals and organisations, including Peter Dale of USA Clinics and IamAHockeyPlayer.com, the Canadian National Inline Hockey Association, rollerhockeymonkey.com, North American Roller Hockey Championships, and the OMRHA.

How did it measure up?

When I began my own limited testing in October, I found the tape easy to apply, and personally liked the way I was able to lift and manage the puck with the rubber grip. The difference of the exposed blade on the ice took a moment to get used to, but gave a smoother feel. On lacquered surfaces (floor hockey) it mimicked the glossy feel one normally has on the ice, rather than the friction which can occur with cloth. I haven’t had to change it yet, and my stick blade is still in good condition. A small slash to the tape was mended easily when I smoothed it back into position with my hand, and looks solid, almost new. My experiences confirmed BladeTape’s claims.

As with any new product, there are questions and concerns. In the course of my research and review, many people asked about various elements of the tape, so I turned around and asked more questions.

The biggest worry I heard from people was in regard to the exposed bottom edge of the blade. With traditional hockey tape, the blade is covered in overlapping layers top to bottom, heel to toe, and it is often thought that cloth tape helps protect the blade.

In street hockey there is no doubt that the bottom of a blade will be eaten away by gravel and asphalt. On the ice, skate blades make nicks and slush eats at materials. Since BladeTape’s design features a 3mm gap along the bottom edge of the blade, some wonder how this affects the life of the stick. As the pile of worn-out sticks in my garage can attest, there’s not much that will stop a wood or plastic blade from being torn to shreds on the tarmac; when I play street hockey I usually use an old stick with duct tape on the bottom (replacing it every ten minutes), or simply leave it alone (it’s that futile).

However, in ice, floor, and indoor roller hockey, with composite or wooden sticks, evidence has been gathered which suggests there may be benefits to keeping the bottom of blade exposed.

Anecdotal evidence gathered suggests conventional tape may actually cause damage to wooden blades over time, since the fabric holds moisture close to the blade for prolonged periods unless constantly changed. A third-party control group using wooden and other two-piece sticks confirmed this; wet tape led to softened lacquer, swelling and cracks, etc. Empirical evidence has also been cited which evidently shows that “the absence of tape on the bottom the blade does not significantly alter stability of the blade.” The company recommends wiping the stick blade dry along with your skate blades after a game, or for dedicated folks two coats of marine lacquer on the bottom edge of will fully protect wooden blades.

The bottom of the blade on most synthetics should be able to stand normal wear and tear without any extra protection during its product life-expectancy. Indeed, Findlay reports that his company hasn’t received a single email complaint about composite bottom-edge failure, and says that it simply hasn’t come up as an issue.

People I spoke to who had used the tape and the testimonials I read generally gave positive reviews of BladeTape. I was so inundated with good feedback that I was almost concerned I wasn’t getting all sides of the picture. A few remained unconvinced; some didn’t want to mess with their life-long hockey kit, others simply relished the ritual of the twenty-minute stick waxing. This is the usual pattern when new things hit the stage, but as team-mates start using different gear, developments progress, and more independent reviews appear, it seems a greater number of players are giving new technologies a try.

Another hockey tradition, jury-rigging will always have a place in how players adapt their gear, but that’s how rubber hockey tape came to be in the first place: a bicycle tube slapped on a stick. Finding the best personal fit is the most important thing, and so testing lots of options usually helps. Many people like to keep BladeTape and traditional tape on hand for different uses.

Pittsburgh Penguin Matt Cooke says he likes the feel of the new tape: "I find I can control spinning pucks a lot easier with BladeTape over conventional tape...[it] makes my composite blade more like a wood stick because it softens the feel." Photo: Getty Images

So why is this a hockey dream made reality?

Richard Findlay has played hockey all his life. Eventually becoming a landscaper by trade, it would be fair to say he assumed his life would go on without ever working in pro hockey. It was through continued play and passion for the game that he eventually found his unexpected place in the hockey industry.

Vancouver rearguard Willie Mitchell is the face of BladeTape, but NHLers such as Minnesota's Nick Schultz and San Jose Shark Jody Shelley also play with it. Use in the big leagues helped make Richard Findlay's NHL dreams come true.

Detailed further in the company website’s “Tale of the Tape”, Findlay recounts the myriad ups and downs along the way to realising his own hockey dream. He developed the idea at the side of a rink, using an old bike tire section on his blade and discovering unique benefits. Properties were refined, a prototype built, and production rights sought. Early efforts were scrapped when a similar patent for a rubber cricket bat sleeve from 1896 was discovered; legally, the inner-tube inspired hockey-sock wasn’t different enough for Findlay to use it as his own. Piles of work, results, and refinements were shelved, occasionally dusted and reviewed over the next decade. In 2006 the work was revisited, the technology and design studied, and more improvements made, resulting in two adhesive thermoplastic pads: an original inventive step. After all that, Findlay was told that in his time away from the project, he had been beaten to the punch by an inventor in the US. “Everything I had was already patented.”

Believing fiercely in his hockey tape design, Findlay was unwilling to let more than a decade’s worth of dreams go to waste. He contacted the Pennsylvania-based patent holder, who was impressed by the Canadian’s work on the project and passion to bring it to life. Already a successful inventor, the man in PA was unable to give the tape his full attention, and after much discussion felt Findlay was dedicated to the job. A few signatures and a cheque or two later, and the whole ball of wax was owned by Findlay, though he insists of being labelled “co-inventor” in deference to the Hershey-related originator.

The advent and growing popularity and availability of one-piece composite sticks gave the product new life. Composite blades tend to be more bouncy and stiff than wooden ones, often making the puck more difficult to control, especially when received with force. Since two of the main features of the rubber tape are shock absorption and improved puck handling, the advent of the boisterously-bladed one-piece stick helped BladeTape get a foot in the door.

Findlay listened to all the tape and stick-related concerns of hockey players. Ragged tape which needed to be fixed mid-game, wet fabric and stick blades, poor puck control with composites, constantly taping and re-taping along with the amount of waste generated by doing so made the list. Once he felt he had the answers to such questions, BladeTape hit the market.

They also developed a few related products, including Grip/TipTape, which is used on the shaft as grip and on the top and toe of the blade to prevent water or gameplay damage; and Goalie BladeTape, specifically designed for goal-sticks with net-keeping needs in mind. They also found ways to ensure colours and images stay sharper, longer.

The effort paid off. Starting with smaller leagues, youth hockey, and rec teams, the new tape started to spread. Brian Burke’s involvement led to greater NHL exposure, as well as a feature by Ron MacLean on Hockey Night In Canada during the 2007 playoffs; MacLean is still seen regularly with well-used BladeTape on his stick. The product was also the focus of a full review on The Score (video link), and the endorsement of various hockey players and professionals hasn’t hurt either.

BladeTape is an officially licensed NHL product, which means it is available with team logos, and approved by the League. They currently print the emblems of 20 NHL clubs, and are working on including the remaining ten teams. The “green” implications of less wasted tape were instrumental in securing rights to use Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic designs. BladeTape is also available in a range of colours and is customisable, allowing teams and players to add their own images, logos, sweater numbers, etc.

Richard Findlay is proud of the little details he's put into BladeTape. He hopes his hockey dreams can help other players in every form of the game. [Photo insert: Jason Payne, The Province, 2008]

Although affiliation with NHL players et al. has been fantastic, it's the involvement with 'grass roots' hockey which Findlay says his company finds most gratifying. Mr Findlay, his partners and staff are easy to contact, and they report regular calls from across the country from teams, players, parents, and coaches. It is the feedback from everyday people they appreciate most, and their site features testimonials from every variety of player.

Conclusion?

As with any athletic or performance equipment, product choice is personal. There is no universal right or wrong hockey kit, only personal preference. I’m not here to tell anyone what gear to use; I don’t write advertisements or jingles, and there is nothing that makes me more uncomfortable than selling things. I am here to keep the hockey community informed about anything that affects the game they love and in many cases the game they play. BladeTape is one such item, and brilliantly illustrates how it can be the simplest things which make the biggest impact. Considering the benefits I experienced, the chance it could help a person’s game, and the reasonable cost of an initial trial purchase given the length of time it lasts, BladeTape is well worth a try!

What do you think? When it comes to hockey tape, “What are YOU playing with”, and why? How much energy do you put into choosing or maintaining your hockey gear? Please feel free to ask any questions, or add your thoughts.

Want to put it to the test yourself? Here’s a chance for you and your team to try it, and tell the hockey world what you think. A random draw will win one Bleacher Report hockey reader (or writer) with a ½ Team Custom Pack, enough, they say, to last the roster (including goalie) the rest of this season. Customised artwork will also be added. Drawing will take place New Year’s Eve (31 December, 2008). Enter the contest before then! If you don't play hockey, you can tell your friends who do, or use it as a reason to start playing yourself!

What kind of hockey equipment would YOU like to see reviewed next? M MacDonald Hall is Bleacher Report's Calgary Flames Community Leader and NHL Columnist, and is always open to new ideas and suggestions. Drop a note on Mac's profile, or send an email if you have any comments or questions.

The Much Beleaguered Avery Incident: Why We're Still Talking About It

M MacDonald Hall — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:37:56 -0500

Sean Avery is making headlines again, and the recent "sloppy seconds" incident has become an all-consuming topic of discussion for fans and media. Is all the attention necessary, or does it just fuel sensationalism?

Sean Avery has done it again. With a single calculated act he once more managed to overshadow the game of hockey with attention-seeking antics, and this time it has resulted in his indefinite suspension from the NHL.

Following a morning skate at Calgary’s Pengrowth Saddledome before Tuesday’s Stars-Flames match-up, outspoken Dallas forward Sean Avery went out of his way to gather a herd of cameras, voice recorders, and other media before reciting an obviously rehearsed message:

***SEAN AVERY'S COMMENT 2/Dec/2008***

"I'm really happy to be back in Calgary. I love Canada. I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about, but enjoy the game tonight."

It was clear Avery entered the room intending to make the comment. Gasps and murmurs could be heard from Dallas players and other bystanders as he made his statement, and a reporter asked afterwards: "Is there going to be more of that on the ice tonight?" Avery simply walked out the door.

He waited for TSN and other big-name cameras to arrive before starting his message. The intention was too transparent for the NHL's liking.

Calgary-born actress Elisha Cuthbert has been dating Flames d-man Dion Phaneuf since early 2008, and was previously involved with NHLers such as Montreal’s Mike Komasarik and the aforementioned Avery. Cuthbert and not-so-subtle Sean went their separate ways in 2007, but the former 24 starlet has long been associated with the game. The actress has stated that she "loves hockey players", and once had her own blog on www.nhl.com. Her interest in hockey players has become infamous. This is not the first time the Avery/Cuthbert/Phaneuf triangle has had publicity, and is not the only love-fiasco in the current Grate One’s life; Avery ex Rachel Hunter is engaged to LA King/former Edmonton Oiler Jarret Stoll.

The NHL believes Sean Avery’s confrontational comment contradicts their bylaws:

***NHL PRESS RELEASE-2/Dec/2008***

"Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery has been suspended indefinitely, pending a hearing with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, in accordance with the provisions of NHL By-Law 17 and Article 6 of the NHL Constitution for conduct 'detrimental to the League or game of hockey,'.... The suspension was imposed following inappropriate public comments, not pertaining to the game, made by Avery earlier today."

The NHL statement was made just hours after Avery's announcement.

Though just one of many inflammatory Avery incidents over the past few years, it was the “sloppy seconds” remark coupled with such apparent premeditation and publicity that pushed this one over the edge. Had these comments been made privately in the locker room, or been chirped down the boards in a game, consequence may have been limited to an altercation on the ice. Had Avery used different language, it would be just another charged comment. The image-inducing connotations of the phrase “sloppy seconds” used in public to describe someone outside of hockey has now been defined as “the line”, and Avery it’s pioneer.   No one expects pro-players to be angels, but even today it's considered poor taste and bad sportsmanship to publicly call out an ex or a fellow player and make blatantly obscene references.

Of course, the NHL and the Dallas Stars also want to protect themselves, as each has been working tirelessly to revitalise public image. This is what happens when Avery mixes things up: fans watch to see how far his team will distance itself, or cover for him. The Stars have already made statements condemning his conduct, including the comment that had the NHL not suspended Avery, the team would have.

    "This [Dallas Stars] organisation will not tolerate such behaviour, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so."

The Stars are already battling through a disappointing first-quarter, and the League cannot afford to have any preconceptions of barbarity in hockey cemented in the minds of the public.

Overall, the official response from NHL professionals has been in support of the lengthy suspension. Team-mates have denounced Avery for his display of public classlessness, as has the League, the Stars organisation, and the media. Dallas players Mike Modano and Marty Turco were particularly vocal, as were many of Phaneuf’s Calgary team-mates. Flames forward Craig Conroy, quoted by local media, was critical of his former LA team-mate but not surprised, and felt Avery’s attempts at “humour” had finally gone too far:

   “He probably thought it was funny and the League, the Dallas Stars and nobody thought it was funny…. If he would have said it on the ice, who cares? To say it in the media is uncalled for and uncalled for for her.”

   "Unfortunately, you don't know what the right words are when ignorant comments are made, such as that this morning,” was Turco’s comment to media following the eventual 3-1 Dallas victory at the ‘Dome. The floundering Stars worked through the media scrutiny and recorded their first pair of back-to-back wins this season.

The main targets of the verbal assault were tight-lipped; Phaneuf, a typically private man, made a short statement to local news sources:

   “I thought it was a very distasteful comment and the league took action, and I definitely agree with the way they took action.”

Cuthbert’s people did not return the media's calls, and have not yet responded to the incident.

There has been so much coverage that most of these facts were common knowledge within hours of Avery's strangely rehearsed blunder. There are few new ideas or opinions left to explore. At this point, the attention the incident has garnered is bigger than the event itself.

Even with the disrespectful nature of the comment and media support of the NHL’s decision, this suspension will remain extremely controversial. After just a few hours it had already been debated and disseminated in the media and sports-bars of North America. There's disagreement, dissent, and a feeling of disgust, in either Avery, the NHL, or the situation. One thing is certain, this single incident has caused more excitement among fans and media than anything else in hockey this year.

Indeed, I was hesitant to file my own article, as the floodgates have opened and sports pages are already overwhelmed with comment and opinion on this one irrelevent occurence. The sheer quantity of conflicting perspectives changed my mind, as there are too many opinions to ignore. It seems everyone has something to say about it.

Some say the suspension is a personal retaliation by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman for Avery’s past criticisms of his office, or that this was simply the latest and worst of Avery’s ever-mounting pile of public infractions. Many feel the reprimand was a long-time coming, while many others believe it’s an overreaction that could lead to other things, such as further censorship and personality-stifling. Fans on either side of the argument wonder if justice wouldn’t have been better served by allowing him to play and accepting his punishment on the ice.

The validity of the suspension will be called into question when scrutinised and compared against other incidents when punitive action did not occur and arguably could have. There have been other negative moments in NHL history, including many involving Avery. There have been cases of name-calling, bias, physical altercations, public displays, scandals, and much, much more. His contentious tactics during last year’s post-season, in which he distracted goaltender Martin Brodeur in an unsportsmanlike fashion, resulted in an historic mid-playoff rule adjustment often called “The Sean Avery Rule”. Though Avery did not face discipline for that incident, Don Cherry would comment:

"I've known this kid since he was about 16 years old; Once a jerk, always a jerk.”

This time it was the public involvement of outsiders, seemingly evident sexism, and disrespect towards women which is virtually without precedent. Of course, suspension for comments made off the ice also appears to be a first, and League priorities will be called into question in light of the severity and haste of the sentence. Regardless, Gary Bettman is not one to be pushed around and told he is wrong, so expect either heavy justification or dead silence from the Commish’s office.

The next edition of this debacle will be seeing what kind of resistance Avery and his people put up, before and after the official hearing. This is a man who likes to push boundaries. Increasingly, he has ramped up his provocative nature, and fans and professionals alike have for years watched to see what outrageous stunt he would pull next. More people know Avery for his outlandish behaviour than they do for his skill at the rink, an effect which the NHL has abided until now. To what extent was his brand of character good or bad for hockey, as a business, entertainment, cultural obsession?

Far too many questions surround this so-called "issue". Were Avery's comments intended for shock value, a pre-game psych-out? Does he still have hang-ups about Cuthbert, is he a true misogynist, or was it simple trash-talk? Or did he honestly not realize how bad his words would sound or how the NHL would react? Perhaps the brash, obnoxious persona he puts out is the REAL Sean Avery. Could he have finally hit self-destruct mode?

“You’ve got to think eventually he’d cross that line and I guess he did this time,” was the response from Daymond Langkow.

Was the NHL too hasty or extreme in their response, or did they wait too long to rein Avery in? No one seems sure what specific element they are reacting to. Are feminist folks too sensitive, are macho males too insensitive, or is the appearance of correctness the real driving force? Why didn't they suspend him sooner, why did they suspend him at all? Few of these questions seem to have an answer and even fewer have been fully and officially explained. People won't stop talking until definitive information is revealed. Less spin, less sensationalism, more fact.

The Outrageous Avery will not continue travelling with his team, and shall remain in the doghouse spotlight as he awaits his hearing with Bettman and NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell. The first part of the NHL 'trial' will be held Thursday in New York. Sean Avery’s actions are of little surprise in light of his myriad previous infractions, but the ramifications of this one have already been momentous. Avery was expected, even encouraged to stir the pot, but he kept stoking the fire too. Eventually, he made things too hot, and now the scent of singed hair lingers. And there is more to come.

There are so many facets to this particular controversy, various reasons why the issue won’t die easily. Sexual references, involvement of non-NHLers, premeditation, reaction, and intent come together to make up a hockey-gossip’s wet dream (pardon the phrase). Issues regarding standards of conduct and personal freedom have already arisen. The usual contradiction remains, that the deluge of media attention has brought heightened public focus to an innately private issue. Jarome Iginla’s statement to local media may sum the common official reaction up best:

“I don’t think it’s entertainment when you’re trying to insult other people….”

TSN video coverage of Sean Avery's media statement of 2 December 2008.

MY OPINION?

My initial reaction wasn't disgust at Avery's remarks or surprise at the League's reaction, but something like, "Woah...this is crazy...what's going to happen next?" It surpassed any grating of teeth at Sean's crass comment, or any indignation over the NHL's possible overzealousness. Not so much angry or emotional, I was caught in disbelief at the actions of Avery, the League and the media. The comment, the coverage, all seemed so unnecessary, if not avoidable.

For the record, I don’t think I have an opinion on this issue anymore. I resent sexism and anything that shows disrespect to anyone, but at the same time I use as many distasteful terms as anyone. I don’t usually publish these remarks, yet I can respect the people who say what needs to be said, or things others are unwilling to say. I may dislike individual content, but it's not up to me to decide where the line is drawn for anyone else; I can only draw my own.

I have no interest in the personal lives of others, so I have no idea if Avery’s words were warranted, justifiable, or malicious, and I don’t really care about public squabbles. (I did think it was funny, when I saw a sign at the game reading "Avery is Horrible", I thought it would be more apt if it said "Avery is Whoreable". Tsk, tsk.)

As a person, am sickened by a double-standard that makes Cuthbert "sloppy seconds" and Avery a "rebel"; realise I still don't understand what goes on in the minds of the NHL's offices; I wonder about all the aspects of this overblown fiasco, and yet really couldn't care less. As a writer, I hope to keep an unbiased front at the very least, provide as much information as possible, and let the readers make up their own minds. It's tough to take it seriously when all around are either too casual about one aspect or overbearing about the other. Distractions like this which masquerade as newsworthy make it difficult to focus on the facts, sports, or the game of hockey, subjects I am ostensibly here report. Worse, it distracts onlookers from more important current affairs.

If this is so important to media and onlookers, what does that really say?

From the moment the story first came down the wire I scoured the net to find not more detail on the incident, but public opinion. Responses covered the full spectrum, and soon became repetitive. We all the know the details, we all know our own minds; we know what WE think should be done. It's what WILL happen that is news; the rest is just personal opinion. I want to report a little of both, helping others keep a pulse on the ups and downs of the overblown hockey-related story of the year. There are too many points-of-view on this to limit an article to just one opinion, and it's too much of a non-event to take very seriously.

And the media keeps reporting it....

I hope people can preserve their dignity, their right to free speech, exercise healthy (but not excessive) discretion, refrain from bigotry, and remain entertaining. Right now Sean Avery’s comments about Elisha Cuthbert and Dion Phaneuf are considered a "major event" within my sphere: hockey, sports, Flames. Realistically, I’m more interested in the fallout….

Take a look at the comments below for updates, more information, and to find out what your fellow fans think about this hot-button topic.

What do YOU think? Do YOU think the NHL responded appropriately? Which Sean Avery moment do YOU find most memorable? Do YOU think Avery will play in the NHL again? Are YOU sick of hearing about this, or think it’s all been blown out of proportion?

This incident is getting a LOT of attention. Here’s YOUR chance to put in your two cents.

The 'descriptive' remarks men make about women are truly hurtful and insulting to most people, though often intermittently. There are things women say to or about men which sting guys deeper than the ladies will ever realise. We've all said and done things we aren't proud of, it's part of life. Doesn't make it right, doesn't make it wrong. Everyone (male, female, NHL staff) should feel free to express themselves, but use discretion when doing so, and make an effort to think outside themselves. Think how you'd feel if it was your wife, sister, mother, daughter, or girlfriend being described like that publicly. Then again, imagine using a turn-of-phrase which to your ears doesn't sound so bad...I remember saying "slut" instead of "whore" in a junior-high school play, and the teacher went white. I couldn't see the difference; if "whore" was okay, why wasn't "slut"? No excuse, but lesson learned. I guess the rule of thumb is that a barstool sewer-session or a girl's club-night out is one thing...things turn grey when it starts going further than that, for anybody. Good luck!

M MacDonald Hall is the Bleacher Report Calgary Flames Community Leader, and will be adding to the NHL department over the summer. Future Flames articles include a breakdown of Calgary’s playoff performance in the 21st Century, roster changes and information, and Flames-specific trivia. M’s Bleacher Report archive includes an assortment of Flames/NHL articles.

M also writes on various other topics, sport and non-sport related. Enquiries regarding NHL writing or other subjects may be directed to M’s Bleacher Report profile or via email.

NHL Northwest: Ups, Downs, Unknowns of the League's "Toughest Division"

M MacDonald Hall — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:46:19 -0400

(Above: Jarome Iginla and Sam Gagner battle in Alberta) The Calgary Flames are projected to top the NHL’s Northwest Division, but what will rival underdogs have to say about that?

In a league of Cinderella performances and unexpected failures, the Northwest Division epitomises the unpredictable elements of NHL hockey. The past few years have treated fans of these teams to tight, nerve-wracking standings and bitterly heated rivalries. Talented rosters inexplicably fail and unlikely heroes emerge all over the league, but in the Northwest even the slightest stutter or improvement by one squad can hugely affect each of the other four clubs. In such a tight division, every team is a potential dark horse.

Last year the Northwest continued their tradition of subtle superiority, but will soon be in for a slide. Though universally considered one of the toughest divisions in the league by experts, it is often underrated by casual observers because none of its teams boast extravagant point-totals. Intense divisional competition and “point-snatching” lead to lower but more closely-knit standings.

In 2007-08 only ten points separated the team in first place from the two tied for last (MIN-98 pts; COL-95 pts; CAL-94 pts; VAN and EDM-88 pts) in what was the tightest division in the NHL. If analyst forecasts are correct this year won’t be much different, and each club has unique intangibles which will guide them through a tough season and hopefully give them an edge.

Many are predicting the Calgary Flames to rule the roost in '08-'09, still possessing some of the top talent in the West. Issues with chemistry and regularity led to major forward subtractions (Alex Tanguay, Kristian Huselius, Stephane Yelle, Owen Nolan), but GM Darryl Sutter balanced losses with younger, less-expensive replacements like Mike Cammalleri, Rene Bourque, Curtis Glencross, and Todd Bertuzzi, while retaining an enviable core.

Physicality with a gung-ho/flash style is a Calgary hallmark, re-solidified in recent years with increasingly gifted players and dedicated team focus. Progressively worrying consistency issues have called this identity into question however, and other teams have learned to take advantage of Flames who now fail to adapt. Can Cammalleri, Bourque, and Glencross finally reach their potential within the team's talented roster, and if so, how will the team adjust?

The addition of new faces will inevitably alter Flames identity, but there will be no bigger question-mark than Todd Bertuzzi and the baggage he carries. Will the support of well-respected captain Jarome Iginla help him re-integrate into the top of the League?

Star goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff has been questioned in recent years for his slow starts and baffling inconsistencies, issues which are beginning to overshadow the astounding acrobatics he still performs. Skater performance and reaction often reflects goaltender confidence and consistency. If Kipper does not regain his trademark reliability, the Flames in front of him will change their style and lose that important go-get-’em aspect of their game which has stemmed from an unwavering confidence in their Vezina-winning netminder.

These factors, along with Calgary’s unpredictability (and occasionally disastrous predictability) are the Flames’ most prevalent "unknown" elements. If they can find consistency though, watch out! They could take doubters by surprise, since many "outsiders" grossly underestimate their now-considerable depth.

The Vancouver Canucks are anticipated to be at the bottom of the standings again, but their offensively-depleted roster will provide fresh players a legitimate chance at promotion. With so many leaders lost (Trevor Linden, Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison) and such a decline after the Sedin twins’ projected point-totals, there will be a lot of roles to fill.

Roberto Luongo, Vancouver's star goalie and now their captain, will have a lot on his plate and will need to play well to hold his team up through the year and down the stretch. But goaltending isn't the question for the Canucks; how well can the rest of the roster come together to balance the team at the other end of the rink?

New additions like Steve Bernier, Pavol Demitra, and Kyle Wellwood are expected to fit seamlessly into the Canucks system and to some extent replace outgoing skaters. Players with past and present potential will need to exploit this golden opportunity to carve their own niche in the “rebuilding” team. On the blueline, Kevin Bieksa will have the most responsibility so far in his NHL career. Those who were once the focus of high expectations, such as Ryan Kesler, Taylor Pyatt, Matt Pettinger, Wellwood, and Bernier have a chance to overcome personal hurdles and make a real difference to their team. Vancouver’s season outcome may well depend on it; if they want a come-from-nowhere rally they will need 110% effort from their entire cast.**

In Minnesota it could be time for sophomore centreman James Sheppard and other youthful players to join the Wild’s top scorers. Coping with their roster’s facelift, St. Paul’s finest young talent will have more room to advance this year. Many are well integrated into the system and have already found franchise success: seven of Minnesota’s original eight 1st Round draft picks are currently valued members of the team, including captain-in-waiting Mikko Koivu. Many also hold hope for newly acquired possible call-up Corey Locke.

A returning Andrew Brunette has a chance to revamp his game as second banana to oft-injured Marian Gaborik, while many of Minnesota’s other summer additions possess quality potential not yet fully realised (Marc-Andre Bergeron, Marek Zidlicky, Antti Miettinen). Veteran leader Owen Nolan will undoubtedly make an impact in the locker room, but how another move late in his career will affect his play remains to be seen.

How well will a Division-title-defending club adapt to recent changes? How will the youth respond in this strict environment? The Wild can be incredibly stable, and players on this squad know their roles and how to play them. Their frustrating-yet-dryly entertaining style of play, together with new step-up role-players give Minnesota a chance to surprise the critics once again.

In a somewhat predictable Colorado squad it may be the goaltending department which provides the biggest surprises. Peter Budaj and Andrew Raycroft are set to start the season for the Avalanche, but Jason Bacashihua could capitalise on any failings. Raycroft will have a chance to answer the consistency questions which have shadowed him since his Calder-winning season, and Budaj should improve with the departure of Jose Theodore. Will the Denver-based backstops respond or flounder under such responsibility? How long coach Tony Granato’s patience will last is a story which may yet dramatically unfold.

The Avalanche’s scoring sources are no surprise (Joe Sakic, Ryan Smyth, Paul Stasny, Milan Hejduk), though there will be youngsters like Wojtek Wolski and TJ Hensick who will improve enough to be regular contributors. Darcy Tucker may seem like a fish-out-of-Toronto, but the gritty and emotional spark-plug could flourish in pressure-free anonymity. Can the Avs aging roster keep up the pace and glory of years past?

This group is being counted out early this season, but include many skilled players and have shown in the past that they have the character to battle steadily forward. They can give other Northwest squads trouble game-to-game; watch for possible upsets by the Avs.

Saving the best (if most hated) dark-horse team for last, the Edmonton Oilers have high hopes despite what detractors say. Their young-guns stepped up in an injury-plagued 2007-08 and gained invaluable confidence and experience. If Robert Nilsson, Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano, and Tom Gilbert build on last year’s successes, hopefully they haven’t tipped their hands too much and still catch the competition unawares. They may help their team indirectly as well: while the name Gilbert Brule may sound familiar it has rung hollow in the NHL, but he could find renewed inspiration among other young and developing talent.

The Oil will be the division’s most promising underdog, carrying last year’s end-of-season momentum and a young lineup full of potential breakout performances into 2008-09. There is also just enough veteran experience to shore up any slip-ups, especially on the back end. Freshly-acquired Erik Cole and Lubomir Visnovsky (and to a lesser extent, Jason Strudwick) will join old familiars and help shape the new dynamic. Can the Oilers' experienced reliables help newcomers and youth find Edmonton's old magic spark?

If the team receives depth production, and depending on how the goaltending situation plays out between Dwayne Roloson and Mathieu Garon, the Oilers could cause competitors fits this year even if they don't top the standings.

The rest of the NHL should always be wary of Northwest teams. Because divisional rivalries and point-pilfering are so rampant in the upper corner of the continent, these survivalist clubs realise their best chance for “free” points is away from familiar terrain. Many underestimate these teams, an advantage they all share. Physical and fast, Northwest crews can throw even the best organisations for a loop.

As in all of hockey most of these issues affect every team to some degree, though every one relies on its own unique and often unexpected qualities. Each could fail or succeed depending on endless factors. There may be no arguing with the predictions, but there is an unofficial Northwest Division credo worth remembering: Expect the unexpected, and like the weather, if you don’t like it wait five minutes.

** If Mats Sundin does miraculously appear in Vancouver then the team’s structure could change dramatically, but for now it’s safe to assume the Canucks will remain status quo.

Northwest Division Abbreviation Legend:
CAL - Calgary Flames
COL - Colorado Avalanche
EDM - Edmonton Oilers
MIN - Minnesota Wild
VAN - Vancouver Canucks

Thanks to DLH for the fresh perspectives and fantastic support. Photo credit: C. De Neve, Calgary Herald. Article syndicated through CBS Sports.

Also, discover and discuss what it takes to succeed in hockey, be it in the NHL's Northwest or down in Junior 'B' with Open Discussion. More Northwest and Calgary Flames news to come.

M MacDonald Hall is the Bleacher Report Calgary Flames Community Leader, and is a regular columnist for the NHL department. Future articles include a breakdown of Calgary Flames playoff performance in the 21st Century, prospect news (Parts One and Two are already published), roster changes and information, detailed hockey trivia, game reports, and more. M’s Bleacher Report archive includes an wide assortment of Flames/NHL articles.

M also writes on various other topics, sport and non-sport related. Enquiries regarding NHL writing or other subjects may be directed to M’s Bleacher Report profile or via email.

Calgary Flames 2008 Prospect Development Camp: Boyd, Chucko, Pelech, and Negrin

M MacDonald Hall — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:50:37 -0400

Calgary Flames prospect defenseman Matt Pelech (No.56) works the puck with other members of the development camp's Group "B".

The Calgary Flames 2008-09 training began just a couple of weeks ago with the Prospect Development Camp at the Pengrowth Saddledome. The six day training and assessment camp hosted Flamelings new and old, all eager to prove their worth and earn the best possible placing within the various leagues.

Most will return to their North American junior teams or home to European leagues, or head off to take a roster spot on Calgary’s AHL affiliate, the Quad City Flames. A select few may have a chance to crack into an NHL roster spot at some point in the season as a two-way floater, or hope against hope, earn a full time position with the big club. M MacDonald Hall attended the last three days of camp (24, 25, 26 July 2008) and reports the sights and sounds of the season’s first assessment in a short multi-part series.

Part Two reintroduces a few familiar names to the Flames Prospect Camp, and updates fans and analysts alike as to their progress thus far. Like most prospects, this group's future will rely heavily on "if". If they can put it all together....

One of Calgary’s more promising youths seems not to have lost his trademark speed and hockey sense over the summer months. Dustin Boyd was wearing his No. 41 sweater at the camp, and while he didn’t seem under particular scrutiny his presence at the prospect development seemed out of place.

The 22 year-old is by now familiar to Flames fans after playing 61 games for the big club over the past two seasons. He is also the only prospect camp attendee listed on the Calgary Flames roster, though he is under two-way contract. This fact, perhaps coupled with his somewhat lacklustre freshman/sophomore season may explain his presence at training. After increasingly impressive junior performances and a 66GP-27G-33A-60PT AHL rookie season, Calgary may have expected more than the seven goals and 12 points he tallied last year (16 NHL points in total including 2006-07). Though these have not been confirmed as the reason for his attendance, it seems the only explanation aside from voluntary enrolment.

Despite his slightly disappointing offensive output, Boyd remains part of Calgary’s future because of his all-around game and potential for growth. He was averaging a respectable number of minutes-per-game last year under head coach Mike Keenan, and was considered to be defensively reliable and an added offensive asset. Speed, agility, and hockey smarts round out the Manitoba product’s skill set. If he can put all his tools to work within the big league setting, Boyd will have a sound chance at an NHL future.

Of all the players attending this year’s Prospect Development Camp, Dustin Boyd is the most likely to make the Calgary squad for any significant amount of time in 2008-09. Like everyone at camp, he had the occasional hiccough in practise, but all-in-all the 6’ - 190lber looked ready to go. Working with Group “A”, Boyd would often be paired with fellow talent Kris Chucko, and the two together showed the offensive flair and work ethic which caused them to be drafted in the first place.

Chucko stood out from the rest in numerous drills with an impressive scoring touch and excellent hand-eye co-ordination. He potted various “good” goals in one-on-one and two-on-one training, and generally worked well with team-mates in add-on scrimmages. Though the Burnaby, BC native has had offensive success in the past, it has not been his greatest strength in recent years. He nabbed 87 points in 53 games in the BCHL just before his 2004 NHL draft, but hasn’t broken the 30 point mark since. His dedication to his on-ice training at camp suggested Chucko is aiming to improve his game.

In one instance, the aggressive 6’2” winger spent a great deal of what seemed to be his own time working on his puck-tipping skills. Standing at the side of the net as another prospect ripped point-shots, Chucko looked calm yet focused as he made contact with a notable amount of rubber. The fact that he was practising with an empty net may make the feat may seem less inspiring, but it was a good challenge and absorbing to watch. Other skaters took turns giving it a try, yet none worked nearly as long or had a fraction of the success rate as the right-handed Chucko.

All said, the commitment to continuing development reflects well on the 22 year-old, and the camp helped to highlight many of his hockey qualities. What wasn’t on display, however, was his trademark style of play: physical. His smooth hands may help his game, but it’s his body that drives him to the net and opponents to the ice. He can power through a lot whether it’s working the corners or shaking a tenacious checker, and he has been known to fight well above his weight category.

Unfortunately, the question of discipline has come up in the past. Unnecessary penalties and poor positioning have cost his team before. Hopefully, rededication to his greater goal will help to centre the potential power forward and help him progress as high as he is capable of going, sooner rather than later.

Two more familiar faces from prospect camps past were defensemen Matt Pelech and John Negrin. Pelech has the potential to be called up to Calgary at some point in the event of injury, and the WHL-bound Negrin is developing so well he could be there soon enough himself.

Known mostly as a sound defensive-defenseman, Matt Pelech had a breakout offensive record in 2006-07 with the OHL Belleville Bulls before returning to form for his rookie AHL season with the QC Flames last year. Though he will probably spend 2008-09 in Quad City developing his professional game further, the 6’5” - 227lbs rearguard possesses a promising skill-set that will serve him well at higher levels - if he can become more consistent and thoughtful with his in-game decisions. It is plausible that this deficiency was partially responsible for his multiple OHL team trades.

Not always the most noticeable member of Group “B”, the Toronto-born Pelech will need to stand out in his second year of AHL play. When he did step up well in camp, it was his girth and power that really defined his presence on the ice. His size and strength will help him immensely to make an impression on Calgary staff, but he must avoid injury. The season before his draft (2005), Pelech suffered from a broken jaw on two seperate occasions after a pair of fights, resulting in an abbreviated 31-game year for the defenseman. Staying in play is the only way to get ahead in this game, and his increased on-ice discipline should aid in that effort.

Youthful John Negrin, on the other hand, shone brightly amongst the relatively experienced Group “B”. Certainly not known for offensive prowess, Negrin displayed a smooth, all-around style as he manoeuvred his 6’3” - 194lbs frame through the trials. Passing and stick handling were clean and capable and his overall presence was conspicuous.

More impressively, he seemed eager to accept the instruction of development coach Wayne Fleming during point-shot drills (among others) and competently incorporated the advice into his play.

Bound for his final WHL season with the Kootenay Ice next year, Negrin should have a good opportunity to continue his development and solidify his game.

In his short WHL/BCHL career the West Van product has tallied only five regular season goals and four playoff points. However, last year saw Negrin set personal highs for games-played, assists, points, PIM, and post-season appearances, and with the skill displayed at camp he will look to improve further in 2009. His on-ice discipline seems to be well tuned, as Negrin had the least number of regular-season penalties amongst defensemen at prospect training.

If Calgary’s 2007 3^rdround draft pick exhibited anything in the week’s training, it was potential. Negrin’s superior skating ability, puck control, and size were demonstrated up and down the ice. His overall defensive capabilities are also reputedly well-rounded, and he was placed in many high-pressure situations last year with the Ice. If he can use the upcoming season in Cranbrook to further improve his offensive strength, Negrin may find himself very well positioned for a positive hockey future.

Vital Statistics - Dustin Boyd, Kris Chucko, Matt Pelech, John Negrin

Dustin Boyd (LW/C) ~ 6’0” - 193lbs. Born: Winnipeg, Manitoba - 16 July, 1986. Shoots: Left. 2007-08 Regular Season Stats: Calgary (NHL) GP-48 G-7 A-5 Pts-12 PIM-6 -also-Quad City (AHL) GP-18 G-2 A-7 Pts-9 PIM-4 Best Season: 2005-06 Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) GP-64 G-48 A-42 Pts-90 PIM-34

Kris Chucko (RW) ~ 6’2” - 200lbs. Born: Burnaby, British Columbia - 13 March, 1986. Shoots: Right. 2007-08 Regular Season Stats: Quad City (AHL) GP-80 G-15 A-15 Pts-30 PIM-38 Best Season: 2003-04 Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) GP-53 G-32 A-55 Pts-87 PIM-161

Matt Pelech (RD) ~ 6’5” - 227lbs. Born: Toronto, Ontario - 4 September, 1987. Shoots: Right. 2007-08 Regular Season Stats: Quad City (AHL) GP-77 G-3 A-6 Pts-9 PIM-141 Best Season: 2006-07 Belleville Bulls (OHL) GP-58 G-5 A-30 Pts-35 PIM-171

John Negrin (LD) ~ 6’3” - 194lbs. Born: West Vancouver, British Columbia - 25 March, 1989. Shoots: Left. 2007-08 Regular Season: Kootenay Ice (WHL) GP-71 G-1 A-41 Pts-42 PIM-68 Best Season: 2007-08 Kootenay Ice (WHL) [see previous]

More Flames Prospect News, Coming Up…

Analysis of prospect goaltenders Matt Keetley, Kevin Lalande, Leland Irving, and James Spratt; introductions to freshly drafted Flames prospects including Spitfire RW Greg Nemisz, SoCal C Mitch Wahl, and Swedish D Alexander Deilert; a look at the newly acquired LW Kyle Greentree‘s first Calgary camp; overview and wrap-up of the 2008 Calgary Flames Prospect Development Camp. Plus, a comprehensive listing of on-ice participants at this year’s Calgary Flames Prospect Development Camp.

Also read up on the previous chapter, filled with more Flames prospect news.

Part One: Calgary Flames 2008 Prospect Development Camp - Back to Backlund, Ryder Riding High! focuses in on Mikael Backlund, Daniel Ryder, and a sample of the atmosphere created by a fresh sheet of ice, literally and figuratively.

For more information on some of the players present at this year’s camp, follow the links to Calgary's 2008 NHL Draft, and stay tuned for further instalments of this series on the Calgary Flames 2008 Prospect Development Camp. To read about the summer changes to Calgary’s roster, check out Calgary Flames Roster News: Old Flames, New Faces - Sutter Shakes It Up

~*The author is endlessly appreciative of the community and fan support from the Calgary Flames organisation. Thanks for providing the opportunity to share Flames fever with the remotest corners of hockey fandom.*~

M MacDonald Hall is the Bleacher Report Calgary Flames Community Leader, and will be adding to the NHL department over the summer and throughout the 2008-09 season. Future articles include a breakdown of Calgary Flames playoff performance in the 21^st Century, roster changes and information, and Flames-specific trivia. M’s Bleacher Report archive includes an assortment of Flames/NHL articles.

M also writes on various other topics, sport and non-sport related. Enquiries regarding NHL writing or other subjects may be directed to M's Bleacher Report profile or via email.

Calgary Flames 2008 Prospect Development Camp: Back to Backlund, Ryder Returns

M MacDonald Hall — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:38:52 -0400

Prospective Flames Mikael Backlund and Alexander Deilert make time for a game of keep-away after an on-ice training session at the 2008 Prospect Development Camp.

The Calgary Flames' 2009 training began just a few weeks ago with the Prospect Development Camp at the Pengrowth Saddledome. The six-day training-and-assessment camp hosted Flamelings new and old, all eager to prove their worth and earn the best possible placing within the various leagues.

Most will return to their North American junior teams or home to European leagues, or head off to take a roster spot on Calgary’s AHL affiliate, the Quad City Flames. A select few have a chance to crack into an NHL roster spot at some point in the season as a two-way floater, or hope against hope, earn a full time position with the big club. M MacDonald Hall attended the last three days of camp (24, 25, 26 July 2008) and reports the sights and sounds of the season’s first assessment in a short multi-part series.

Part One focuses in on Mikael Backlund, Daniel Ryder, and a sample of the atmosphere created by a fresh sheet of ice, literally and figuratively.

The days were hot but the Pengrowth Saddledome was typically, wonderfully cool. A light sweater and a cup of coffee was the antidote to the unwavering chill that rose from the ice surface, erasing any memory of the heat wave outdoors. The building itself felt like a shell, empty and quiet save for the sounds on the ice.

Thirty hopeful hockey prospects made up the week’s roster: four netminders, eight defensemen, and eighteen forward skaters. Separated into Groups “A” and “B” and wearing red and white sweaters, the players’ energetic nature brought the hollow ‘Dome to life as each sought to make the impression of a lifetime.

Present at various times were Calgary’s top staff, though most of the on-ice work was carried out by the trainers and assistant coaching team. GM Darryl Sutter spent most of his time in the office, but would appear periodically to appraise the different groups and drills. Son Brett was already at camp as a prospect on the ice, and the rest of the Sutter clan spent part of Friday watching the training of Calgary’s youth pool.

Head Coach Mike Keenan and Associate Coach Jim Playfair spent most of their rink time observing closely from the bench as the rest of the cast worked tirelessly on the ice. Development Coach Wayne Fleming was a near-constant on-ice evaluator, observing each group, particularly as Rich Hesketh took them through skating and coordination drills. Assistant Coaches Rich Preston and Rob Cookson were joined by Quad City Assistant Coach Scott Allen in running the offensive/defensive drills and assessing readiness for AHL/NHL play.

Goalie coach David Marcoux and newly assigned Director of Goaltender Development Jamie McLennan were also in regular attendance, putting prospective backstops Matt Keetley, Kevin Lalande, Leland Irving and James Spratt through their paces. (See more about the goalie development training in upcoming articles in this series, second week of September.)

Development training at this stage in the pre-preseason is multifaceted and multipurpose. Coaches and management assess current skill level, discipline and attitude, physical fitness, etc. while gauging potential, coachablity, and rate of development.

They inspect the individuals and the health of the prospect pool as a whole, exploiting the opportunity to put the them through tests in the Calgary Flames style. This may be the only time this year the Calgary coaching staff work directly with most of these lads, and they know the importance of personally getting a feel for a skater’s game.

Evaluation takes place on and off the ice. Combining what they already know of each player with what they observe at camp, staff will gain a better understanding of where and how the prospects may land this season. The organisation consequently develops expectations of players' performances wherever they may be, and will use camp experience to accurately reassess the roster as needed. Calgary’s current prospect team is not exactly threatening to steal NHL spots from the Flames’ main cast right now, but there are a few notables to watch out for in the near future.

Mikael Backlund was the guy to watch out of this year's prospect camp. Acquired by Calgary 24^thoverall in the 2007 Draft, this young Swede has beautifully graceful speed and nice hands. The practices didn't give much of an inkling as to his physical presence, and he'd be likely to need it as a usual on the Flames squad. And there is a chance (though slim) Backlund could be a full-time NHLer as early as this year: GM Darryl Sutter has stated emphatically that if he makes the main team it will be to play regularly, not just a few games here and there.

Backlund‘s situation makes it difficult to say anything otherwise. If he doesn’t find a full-time NHL spot he'll go back to Europe to play, although he is property of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. Backlund decided he would rather not play for Kelowna if he can return to Sweden, and although he would gain invaluable experience in North American hockey by playing the WHL circuit, Flames higher-ups are comfortable with his choice. At 19 years-old, Backlund is too young to play in the minors, so 2008-09 will see the talented youth playing full-time for either Västerås (Sweden) or Calgary's NHL club.

6'2" tall and 181 lbs, Backlund may need another year of development, but his scouting sheet illustrates his impressive potential. Hot wheels, soft hands, and a hefty shot make him a regular scoring threat, though his best skills may be as a playmaker. The ability to thread the puck and stickhandle with agility near the net means the young Swede’s presence on the ice opens up a lot of options for his team. He also possesses a healthy dose of defensive awareness which should help him become a solid two-way player, and raise his chances of positive development at higher levels of competition.

Skating in red sweater No. 60 with Group “B“, the left-handed centre made an impression on local sport media earlier in the week, and his skills showed no sign of giving out as camp drew to a close. The final three days put the players through more skating drills, shot analysis, etc., and Backlund displayed a consistent level of talent throughout. Passes were clean, crisp, and tape-to-tape, and his stick handling was simple yet effective, with just enough flash.

Though Backlund is known for his smooth and speedy skating, there is always room for improvement. As the group participated in a power-skate analysis on the last day of camp, each skater was given critical advice from development specialist Wayne Fleming. Having driven in quickly with surprisingly short strides from the goal line to centre, Backlund was informed that he was guilty of excessive shoulder movement, decreasing the efficiency of his stride. When he repeated the exercise, he had taken the recommendations to heart and improved his fluidity.

Still enjoying himself, Backlund found a few minutes after a final skate to pal around with another Swedish citizen at camp, recently recruited rearguard Alexander Deilert. Playing a short game of keep-away, the European skaters illustrated the sense of camaraderie and fun that exists amongst the discipline and hard work of hockey development camps. More importantly, Backlund consistently displayed an interest in the game and continual learning of its nuances, tools every successful professional requires in this sport.

As with most prospects, however, it is always difficult to tell how they will handle themselves when they play with the best in the big leagues. Junior talents often have to slide back down the totem pole and work a niche out wherever they can depending on how high they climb back up. Regardless of how much or little we see of Mikael Backlund in '08-'09, he is one of the more talented prospects in Calgary’s pool and his progress this year will be important. He could have a shot at playing in the preseason - if he doesn‘t head home to Sweden - where coaches and fans alike may decide for themselves just how much Backlund has to offer the NHL right now. And if not today, there’s always tomorrow.

Dan Ryder has come back to the fold of hockey and seemed to be comfortable in his on-ice homecoming. The 21 year-old centreman, brother of former Canadien/current Bruin star Michael Ryder, returns to the Calgary Flames after a hiatus that had been indefinite until recent months.

Dan, who was drafted by Calgary in 2005, walked away from his position on the AHL roster last season as he reconsidered his future in hockey. This was just months after he wrapped up his OHL career and signed an entry-level NHL contract with Calgary. The organisation received no explanation when he left after only six games, in which he tallied a goal and four assists. Sutter was content to leave the decision in the boy’s own hands, though a suspension from Quad City and comments by the Calgary GM made it clear he would have to earn his place if he chose to return to the team.

It seemed for a while that Ryder would not return to hockey, but reportedly felt that familiar call of the ice. In early July, Sutter announced Daniel’s return to the Flames Development Camp in an interview on Calgary’s sports radio station, The FAN 960. Since then, the city has been abuzz as to the future of this young hockey prospect.

A member of Group “B” with Backlund, Ryder looked to fit right in. On the ice he completed the training exercises with competence, though his best skills were not on particular display in many of the development drills. The 5’11” - 190 lbs Newfoundland centre plays a simple, hard-working game and makes a huge impact working the intangibles of hockey gameplay. Ryder uses his slightly smaller stature to manoeuvre and find open ice, creating opportunities for himself and his team.

He can score, he can pass, and he battles hard for the puck in every encounter. Ryder’s tenacious attitude may be his strongest attribute, and he will need it to fight the sense of indecision which has shadowed his reputation since the unannounced exit last year. Indeed, his greatest pro-sports struggle could be the combat of any negative impressions he may have left regarding his professional commitment. He will need to prepare himself on two fronts: working hard on the ice and being diligent with his future career choices.

As of this time the Calgary Flames seem happy to let bygones be bygones at least in the public eye. Until the final rosters are drawn and the season is underway, we will not know what kind of confidence they truly have in young Dan Ryder.

Vital Statistics - Mikael Backlund and Daniel Ryder

Mikael Backlund (C) ~ 6’2” - 181 lbs Born: Västerås, Sweden - 17 March, 1989. Shoots: Left. 2007-08 Regular Season Stats: Västerås (Allsvensken) GP-37 G-9 A-4 Pts-13 PIM-24 Västerås (Junior) GP-9 G-7 A-6 Pts-13 PIM-20 Best Season: 2005-06 Västerås (U-20) GP-25 G-15 A-16 Pts-31 PIM-30

Dan Ryder (C) ~ 5’11” - 193 lbs Born: Bonavista, Newfoundland - 12 January, 1987. Shoots: Right. 2007-08 Regular Season Stats: Quad City Flames (AHL) GP-6 G-1 A-4 Pts-5 PIM-2 Best Season: 2005-06 Peterborough Petes (OHL) GP-65 G-38 A-44 Pts-82 PIM-57

More Flames Prospect News, Coming Up In This Series…

Goaltender analysis; introductions to freshly drafted Flames prospects including Spitfire RW Greg Nemisz, SoCal C Mitch Wahl, and Swedish D Alexander Deilert; a look at the newly acquired LW Kyle Greentree, and camp returnees D John Negrin, RW Kris Chuko, D Matt Pelech, and LW/C Dustin Boyd. Plus, a detailed listing of on-ice participants at this year’s Calgary Flames Prospect Development Camp.

Part Two is already available, discussing Dustin Boyd, Kris Chucko, Matt Pelech and John Negrin.

~* The author is endlessly appreciative of the community and fan support from the Calgary Flames organisation. Thanks for the opportunity to share Flames fever with even the remotest corners of hockey fandom*~

M MacDonald Hall is the Bleacher Report Calgary Flames Community Leader, and will be adding to that department over the summer. Future articles include a breakdown of Calgary Flames playoff performance in the 21^st Century, roster changes and information, and Flames-specific trivia. M’s Bleacher Report archive includes an assortment of Flames/NHL articles.

M also writes on various other topics, sport and non-sport related. Enquiries regarding NHL writing or other subjects may be directed to M's Bleacher Report profile or via email.

MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia, Part 8: Great NHL/Hockey Lines and Nicknames

M MacDonald Hall — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 13:09:26 -0400

Welcome back to the Quiz!

Due to recent technical problems (a computer that was overworked and underpaid), new editions of the trivia series have not been posted in recent weeks. I was forced to re-write a number of questions and articles, but with any luck things should be heading back to normal. After denting most of my wooden furniture, may I present just the first of many more hockey articles to come. Thank you all for your patience, and I hope you enjoy! The series will continue in the New Year.

Side Note: For all you Flames and NHL prospect fans, I did attend the final three days of Calgary’s six-day Prospect Development Camp at the Pengrowth Saddledome in late July. Check my archive for Flames prospect reviews, or contact me via my Bleacher Report profile page.

This week’s challenge delves into the mysterious world of hockey nicknames and line handles… taglines and line tags! From Ace to Zubie, Billy the Kid to Captain Crunch, the Bread Line to the Pipe Line, our game has created a wonderful variety of hockey monikers.

The heyday of great hockey nicknames has been gone for years, when descriptors such as Ace, Big Bird, and Tiger not only became synonymous with the men themselves, but often took over as their given names! Modern players, with so many more clubs, moves, and team mates, often end up with less original if no less well intentioned tags. The addition of an “er”, “s”, or “y” to a player’s name is often sufficient, and line titles have almost disappeared as coaching systems nearly negate long-term combinations.

Inspired epithets still emerge from time to time though. Yzerman will long be known as Stevie Wonder, Alexander the Great will probably stick with Ovechkin for his whole career, and who will ever get confused about which player was called The Great One? And where would hockey be without the creativity that brought us The Pumper Nicholl Kid?

Test yourself with the questions below and learn more about some of the interesting and unique things the players of the game have been called… excluding expletives and well-worded insults! There will be further instalments focusing on this general topic in the future.

If you have any trouble with the questions, relax. The answers and explanations will be published next week. Until then, leave your answers on your own Bleacher Report profile, or send along an email containing your solutions.

1. Which goaltender was known as “The Peanut Butter Boy”?

2. Which star player has been honoured by various nicknames, including “Mario Junior”?

3. Which players made up the “Woolworth Line” of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and what specifically led to their nickname?

4.Which Sutter Brother was known as “Dog”, and where did the name come from?

5. Which forward line had incarnations with the Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames, and which players formed the trio in both places?

6. What is the most common nickname in professional hockey, all-time?

7. Who are the “Shift Disturbers”?

8.Who is “Bootnose”, and what does the name mean?

9. Who is “Bobby Hawk”?

10. Which 1940s player was given not one but two nicknames denoting his verbosity?

Bonus Question: Who usually plays on the “Doughnut Line”?

Photo Question: This player earned one of the longest, most vicarious nicknames in recent NHL history. Strangely, it was inspired by the handle of another forward. Who is pictured above, what is his descriptive moniker, and where did it come from?

Semi-Political Question: One of the most famous forward lines of all time, this group’s moniker was “Westernised” during World War II. What was their original nickname, and what title did an early if warped version of political correctness give them?

Opinion Question: What is your favourite hockey nickname of all time? (Post an answer in the comments area)

Answers - MacHall Test Part Seven: NHL Rules, Refs, and Regulations

* Note: These are the solutions to the previous quiz. Try your hand at the questions here.

Part Seven’s top scorer was Josh Lewis, again squeezing in closely ahead of Alan Bass. Give these two B/R pros and hockey experts a run for their money and find a place on the MacHall Trivia Leaderboard. Earn the respect of your hockey comrades by showing the world your knowledge of the game, and get a mention on the list. You've got to be in it to win it, just like the playoffs!

7.1 ~ Pat Quinn. According to a tale from The Hockey News, Paul Devorski purchased the card - complete with cute little cubs and a cheerful message - and had the four-man officiating crew sign before sending it to the coach’s office. Where the card had once read: “To my favourite Teacher” it now said “favourite coach”, and The Mighty Quinn reportedly loved it. He wouldn’t feel the love for very long. The interview goes on to describe Devorski’s next encounter with Quinn, an instance where the Leafs were taking a lot of penalties. The veteran referee told THN that Quinn called him over and said, “I thought you were just going to kiss me, I didn’t think you were going to ---- me!”

7.2 ~ The captain of each team was required to be on the ice at all times. Circa 1932-33.

7.3 ~ A cowbell was most probably the most frequently used “tool” with which officials called plays before the introduction of the whistle. Remember Fred Waghorne? He has been credited with numerous innovations in refereeing, including common use of the whistle. The cowbell became impractical when spectators began bringing and ringing their own, making the calls indistinguishable from the crowd.

7.4 ~ Game 4 in Calgary started off with a roar from Flames fans… a roar of anger and disbelief. They watched as not one, but two Calgary skaters were led to the penalty box one after the other, creating a full two-minute 5-on-3 advantage for the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa faced a 3-1 series deficit with a loss, and their golden boy pulled through. Brad Richards would score just three minutes into the contest to take an early lead and create a tense and frustrated atmosphere in the ‘Dome. Both netminders would be perfect for the remainder of the game giving the Bolts a 1-0 win and a 2-2 series tie.

The real anger was focused on referee Kerry Fraser, who had called Chris Clark for cross-checking while Brad Watson tagged Mike Commodore for holding. Many Alberta fans already felt that Kerry didn’t play fair in the prairies, and this seemed to confirm it. Outrage continued to pour from supporters tired of watching blatant calls being botched and having it cost their team. And although the Red Mile et al. had not been violent, they had been boisterous and vocal. Though I doubt it has ever been confirmed that there was a direct connection, someone in the upper echelons decided to pull Fraser from his slated gig for Game 6 in Calgary. Better safe than sorry.

7.5 ~ Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto boasted the very first protective glass panelling in 1948, and by the 1950s it was an NHL requirement. It wasn’t until 2002-03 that protective netting was given as mandate in all League rinks.

7.6 ~ Serge, obviously confusing him with Serge Savard, another Canadiens defenseman. In a snippet from an old copy of The Hockey News, Fraser recounts the moments following a non-call against Toronto which drew the ire of Lapointe.

“I thought if I could establish a relationship on a first-name basis that we could find some common ground. Unfortunately, the first words out of my mouth were, ‘Serge, settle down and we’ll talk.’ A look of frustration came over Lapointe’s face and he muttered, ‘My name is Guy you ----ing rookie!’”

7.7 ~ The offside rule. At the beginning of 1929-30, the rules were rewritten to allow forward passing in all three zones for the first time, though still not permitted across the blue line. When the scoring numbers ballooned something had to be done immediately to taper the tally. And so, on 21 December 1929 an amendment was added stating: “No attacking player allowed to precede the play when entering the opposing defensive zone.”

7.8 ~ Referees are distinguishable from linesmen by the red-orange band on both arms. Refs generally have more power than linesmen, and their duties complement each other. Referees supervise the entire game and call rule infractions, such as hooking, roughing, etc. They also tend to have the last call in on-ice debates.

Linesmen are responsible, predictably, for the red and blue lines and calls such as icing and offside. They may also report any penalties - if one has gone unnoticed - to the referee, who may then act. Some leagues allow linesmen to call technical penalties on their own. Otherwise, they perform the puck drop on face-offs and are generally the first officials sent into skirmishes and fights to settle things down.

7.9 ~ Career pest Sean Avery’s antics in front of backstop Martin Brodeur during the first round Devils/Rangers series of 2008. When Avery ignored the puck and play to screen and distract the first time around, he was not actually breaking any rules as they were written. He had broken an unwritten rule, however, and in his usual fashion was creating controversy. The biggest issue with his tactics stemmed from the fact that he turned his back on the play and faced Brodeur, turning his entire focus onto the goalie for a classic “psyche-out“. The next day the League released a new “interpretation” of the unsportsmanlike conduct rule, simply wrapping it around recent events to cover actions alike to Avery’s.

7.10 ~ If you think the final days of this year were tight for teams and their playoff dreams, just take yourself back to the last day 1969-70 NHL regular season, 5 April 1970. The build-up and events of that day led to definitive changes in the way draws in the standings were broken, and led to a summer of misery for one team in particular.

In those days, ties in the standings were broken as follows, and in order: most wins, fewest losses, most goals for, and finally, fewest goals against. When the dust cleared after that final game at the turn of the 1960s, the Montreal Canadiens had failed to contend for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 22 years, due in part to tie-breaking procedures instituted back in 1940.

The New York Rangers were in a tough spot on the last day of the season. Two points behind the Montreal Canadiens, the Rangers had scored five fewer goals than the Habs. New York had to win their last game, and they had to win big.

Following a 9-5 afternoon victory against Detroit at MSG, the New York Rangers found themselves tied with the Canadiens for the final post-season spot. Each now had 92 points and 38 wins, but the Rangers had surpassed Montreal in goal scoring, notching 246 goals-for compared to the Canadiens’ 242.

The Quebec squad still had one final tilt of their own that night, a game against the Black Hawks at Chicago Stadium. In order to advance to the post-season, Montreal needed to either win, draw, or score five goals. Four goals wouldn’t do it for les Canadiens, as the Rangers had twelve fewer goals-against. The entire season boiled down to this one game against the Hawks, the best team in the NHL that year.

It was a tight two periods which opened the game in the Windy City that night, and both teams played to win. Chicago led the game only narrowly as the third period started with a 3-2 edge but they would soon widen the gap, and with less than ten minutes left in the game the score was 5-2 Hawks. Montreal coach Claude Ruel pulled his goalie early, no longer seeking a win or even a tie, but simply hoping to score the requisite number of goals to advance to the playoffs. Indeed, five more goals were scored, but each was popped in the empty net by the Black Hawks, capping the game with a 10-2 Chicago victory.

In failing to reach any of their three pre-game goals the Canadiens found themselves outside of the playoff seeding, missing out by the narrowest of margins. The off-season saw the addition of new criteria, the first time the League used head-to-head results to end a draw. The procedures the NHL uses now were introduced for the 1984-85 season.

7.11 ~ (Bonus Question) According to various sources including the NHL Rule Book, the introduction of the centre-ice red line - which helped introduce speed and consistency to the game - is considered the naissance of modern NHL hockey.

7.12 ~ J.P. Parise of Team Canada and German referee Josef Kompalla at the 1972 Summit Series, Game 8 in Moscow. Kompalla was a last minute replacement on the officiating squad for the final and deciding contest of the famous ‘72 tournament. Ostensibly, he was covering for the slated Swedish ref who had come down with food poisoning the day before the game.

Curiously, the man who was to have partnered the Swede, a Czechoslovakian named Bata, was also replaced by a German referee, Franz Baader, who had already made some incredibly poor and seemingly biased calls against Canada in Game 6. The Russians had made the switch on the eve of Game 8, and the Canadians didn’t like it; something smelled rotten in the state of the USSR. Alan Eagleson discussed heading home early with the team, and by some accounts they nearly did. Eventually a compromise was made with the USSR organisers, and Kompalla and the Czech Bata were named to officiate the final and deciding game.

It took Kompalla only moments start work. He called one horrendous call after the other against the Canadians right from the outset, resulting in multiple man-advantage opportunities for the USSR and unbelievable frustration from Team Canada. When yet another ridiculous call was made by the East German ref, J.P. Parise lost his cool, skated over and raised his stick as if to swing. He regained control at the last minute and spared the cowering Kompalla, but he earned himself a game ejection nevertheless.

Check back next week for more trivia, plus answers to these tagline questions.

New quiz questions (and solutions to the previous edition) will be published weekly. Let me know you have posted answers on your profile, and I will let you know just how well you did on the quiz.

Other Trivia in this series:

Part One - Hockey's "Third Season" Basics

Part Two - The Draft

Part Three - Stanley Cup Sampler

Part Four - International and Olympic Hockey

Part Five - NHL Awards and the Stanley Cup

Part Six - Classic Hockey Hodgepodge

Part Seven - NHL Rules, Refs, and Regulations

A comprehensive bibliography will be published at the conclusion of the series.

M MacDonald Hall is the Bleacher Report Calgary Flames Community Leader, and will be adding to that department over the summer. Future articles include a breakdown of Calgary Flames playoff performance in the 21^stCentury, roster changes and information, and Flames-specific trivia. M’s Bleacher Report archive includes an assortment of Flames/NHL articles.

M also writes on various other topics, sport and non-sport related. Enquiries regarding NHL writing or other subjects may be directed to M's Bleacher Report profile or via email.

MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia, Part Seven: NHL Rules, Refs, and Regulations

M MacDonald Hall — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:46:35 -0400

Posted by Ken Armer July 23:

Computer Update: M's computer has been going through a long rough patch. An intervention to stop it from screwing me around took place last night amongst hard drives and other relatives, and I am now knocking on wood hoping that the peace lasts and I can finally get down to writing. Losses included Parts 7, 8, and 9 of the Quiz along with select trivia questions. These will be rewritten and posted ASAP.
Thank you for your patience. M.

Due Date for answers of part seven is now tomorrow!!! Class dissmissed...

Temporary Notice: Owing to technical difficulties, this edition of the Quiz was not published as scheduled on Friday, 11 July 2008. It was posted Thursday, 17 July 2008 as soon as circumstances permitted. Just like strong medicine, trivia will skip a dose tomorrow (Friday) and normal schedule will resume Monday, 21 July 2008. Thanks to Ken Armer for posting a notice on my behalf during the quizless interim.

Summer. For the hard-core hockey nut, beautiful weather is swapped off for fast-paced sporting glory, and it doesn‘t quite seem like a fair trade. After weeks of intense Stanley Cup ups-and-downs, the months after that final game can be awfully anti-climactic.

It can seem like an unwanted four month break from ice-based madness. But really, it isn’t. Especially if you know where to look.

Welcome to Part Seven of the Quiz! Every week this summer, find new hockey trivia - and answers - here, now twice a week. Test your self and your friends, and take credit as the King or Queen of hockey knowledge. Covering various topics (and miscellany) chapter to chapter, it’s a fun and easy way to get into the game over the hot summer months. Take a journey with your fellow Bleacher Creatures and discover the stories which make up over a hundred years of ice time.

Think you can handle it? Want to prove your hockey-smarts? Grab a pen and paper, or simply type your solutions on your own Bleacher Report profile and play along. Answers for today’s questions will be listed in Monday’s edition, and links to other chapters are at the bottom of the page.

Part Seven takes a peek at the other “other side”, the laws which govern hockey and the officials who enforce them.

Regardless of whether or not you agree with them, zebras and suits tend to have the last say. Just like real life, only more zebras.

The NHL Rule Book is a thick piece of work, and has been edited, amended and rewritten almost every year since 1917. A patchwork of old and new, the modern rules and the evolution they’ve experienced reflect the growth - and sometimes regression - of the hockey entity.

Rules, refs, and regulations control hockey as best they can. In a sport where fire, aggression, and intensity are requisites, there has to be someone to keep a lid down on the powder keg. A thankless job - thanks in part to us - refereeing requires thick skin, and many think a thick head.

Armed only with a whistle and a detailed knowledge of every hockey regulation in use, the striped stiflers must make quick decisions which aren‘t always popular. A person can’t please everyone all of the time, and in hockey displeasure comes out fast and furious.

They may make the game more balanced or safe or just, but rules and officials are a constant source of contention. Fans scream at refs, disbelieve video replays, and find fault and flaw in contemporary rules. We’ve all done it, just as our ancestors did when rocks and live animals were thrown at arbitrators in the arenas of great battle. But enough about the 1950s and the Forum. On with the quiz.

1. Which NHL coach once received a Valentine’s Day card from the officiating crew which was working that night’s game?

2. Perhaps responding to growing violence, a rule was added to the Book years ago stating that a match penalty and no substitutions for five minutes would be the punishment for intentionally kicking another player. The same year, a strange rule was instituted regarding team captains. What was the unusual mandate?

3. Before hockey referees used whistles to call plays, officials had a noisemaker of a different sort. What item did refs utilise at games in the early days, and what specific reason led to an all-round replacement with the whistle?

4. What refereeing controversy from the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs was rumoured to have caused a last-minute officiating change?

5. During the 1950s NHL arenas became safer when the use of protective glass became mandatory around the boards. Rinks would become even more fan-friendly when netting over the end glass was required. Which building started the safety trend as the first to install protective glass, and when did safety netting become mandatory?

6. During Kerry Fraser’s first NHL game between the Leafs and Canadiens, what name did the now-veteran referee call Montreal defenseman Guy Lapointe?

7. In the late 1920s more new rules were written, intended to improve the offensive side of the game. Less than halfway through the season, however, goal scoring had more than doubled leading the League to amend one of the directives they had implemented only a few months before. Which modern regulation was born from this unprecedented mid-season rewrite?

8. What is the difference between a referee and a linesman?

9. What recent post-season event caused an emergency rule amendment at the NHL level?

10. Tie-breaking rules have varied greatly over the years, each more convoluted than the last. One system remained in use for 30 years until a bizarre occurrence forced yet another tweak. What specific set of strange events caused the milestone modification?

Bonus Question: What single addition to the game is considered by most hockey scholars as the “beginning of the modern era in the NHL”?

Photo Question: Another of the most famous images in the game, this shot seemingly depicts hockey as a violent and out-of-control sport ruled by thugs. It shows a Team Canada skater with his stick raised and swinging, threatening the referee. In fact, the story behind the photo tells more about the officials than the players. Who are the protagonists in this shot, and what has driven the player into such an infamous pose?

Answers - MacHall Test Part Six: Classic Hockey Hodgepodge

* Note: These are the solutions to the Part Six of the quiz. Try your hand at the questions via the link at the bottom of the page.

Congratulations to Josh Lewis for getting the highest score for the Classic Hockey Hodgepodge edition of trivia. With five correct answers he keeps neck-and-neck with Alan Bass on the completely unscientific MacHall Hockey Challenge leaderboard.

If you'd like to show to rest of Bleacher Report your hockey quiz prowess, or if you just figure you can take on Josh and Alan, leave a comment or drop a note on my profile let me know you have posted your answers.

6.1 ~ Blue and white.

6.2 ~ Philadelphia. Apparently there was also some talk of Pittsburgh, so Pennsylvania, a state which often sought new hockey franchises throughout the game’s history, would have had a different early start.

6.3 ~ The Savvis Center in St Louis. The other placard, as seen in The Hockey News, read: "I need a transBLUESion". Boy, that's one desperate bag of bones.

6.4 ~ Denis Cyr, Denis Savard, and Denis Tremblay comprised “Les Trois Denis” line who wreaked havoc in the QMJHL with the Montreal Juniors. The three boys not only shared the same name, but they all had the same birthday (4 February, 1961) and grew up in the same Verdun, Quebec neighbourhood.

6.5 ~ Jacques Plante. He usually had a toque or scarf on the go everywhere he went; on the road, in the locker room, after practice, wherever!

6.6 ~ Fred Waghorne. Before his innovation, the puck was placed on the ice by the official while he ensured the two centremen were properly positioned. The slow and close contact often led to a banged up ref, so in 1900 Waghorne just dropped the puck between the centres and let them have at it. The style eventually became the common form of faceoff. As Waghorne himself explained, it saved the referees and left players to their own devices, “allowing them to do as they darn well pleased.”

6.7 ~ Howie Morenz. The Canadiens legend caught his skate tip between the boards and the ice, falling awkwardly and breaking his leg in several places on 28 January, 1937. Those who visited Morenz in hospital over the following weeks reported a man in turmoil, progressing from optimism to depression as he faced the reality that he wouldn’t play hockey again.

When he died suddenly on 8 March, many fans and friends felt that a broken heart must have been the cause of death. In reality, he had suffered a nervous breakdown at the idea of the charity benefit events being planned in his honour. Outside contact was restricted and any benefit talk abandoned in an attempt to set Howie’s mind at ease.

On the morning of the 8^th, x-ray films revealed blood clots in the skater’s legs, and surgery was scheduled for the next day. Morenz would not last the night, sending a shock wave of grief through Montreal. The cause of death is listed as having been due to a pulmonary embolism. The legend lives on however, and there are those who will always believe, at least symbolically, that he died of a broken heart.

6.8 ~ Quite comfortable with his No.17 sweater, Howe said no when asked by the Red Wings to switch numbers after his first season. The number nine was available, but the future Mr Hockey felt he had a lucky digit in seventeen. The man with the clipboard went away only to return with a reason for switching to the fabled number: assigned with No.9, Howe would get a lower berth on train journeys.

In the days when the railway was the main form of travel for these athletes, young Gordie preferred to take a bottom bunk rather than face the awkward climb into his old upper berth, so he made the swap. The rest is history.

6.9 ~ Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference. At 5:09 of the second period in Boston, the two dropped the gloves, and Sidney recorded not only his first NHL fight, but his first NHL Gordie Howe hat-trick, having already scored a goal and assist. Pittsburgh won 5-4 in a shootout.

6.10 ~ Foster Hewitt

6.11 ~ (Photo Question) In a contract offer smacking of PR spin, Gretzky was offered a 21-year deal worth $1 million per annum. The idea was to keep #99 until the year 1999, and help spotlight the Edmonton Oilers as they entwined their future with the future Great One.

With the ramifications of such a long term weighing on his mind, young Wayne was offered advice from long-time friend Garnet “Ace” Bailey. Worried the pressure of the fans and the crowd would force him to sign a contract he wasn’t ready for, Bailey suggested Gretzky sign “Ace” on the contract at centre ice.

Wayne followed the advice, and in front of a sold-out crowd, WHA and team officials, scrawled the name “Ace” instead of his own, symbolically agreeing to the terms yet technically not tying himself down. However, after speaking with his father following the game, Gretzky eventually signed the contract for real in the locker room.

6.12 ~ (Bonus Question) He was to receive a new car every year of his contract.

Check back Friday for more trivia, plus answers to these “official” questions.

Other trivia in this series:

Part One - Hockey's "Third Season" Basics

Part Two - The Draft

Part Three - Stanley Cup Sampler

Part Four - International and Olympic Hockey

Part Five - NHL Awards and the Stanley Cup

Part Six - Classic Hockey Hodgepodge

New quiz questions (and solutions to the previous edition) will be published Mondays and Fridays through much of the Summer. Let me know you have posted answers on your profile, and I will let you know just how well you did on the quiz.

M MacDonald Hall is the Bleacher Report Calgary Flames Community Leader, and will be adding to the NHL Department over the summer. Future articles include a breakdown of Calgary Flames playoff performance in the 21^st Century, roster changes and information, and Flames-specific trivia. M’s Bleacher Report archive includes an assortment of Flames/NHL articles.

M also writes on various other topics, sport and non-sport related. Enquiries regarding NHL writing or other subjects may be directed to M's Bleacher Report profile or via email.

MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia, Part Six: Classic Hockey Hodgepodge

M MacDonald Hall — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:25:23 -0400

Summer. For the hardcore hockey nut, beautiful weather is swapped off for fast-paced sporting glory, and it doesn‘t quite seem like a fair trade. After weeks of intense Stanley Cup ups-and-downs, the months after that final game can be awfully anti-climactic.

It can seem like an unwanted four-month break from ice-based madness. But really, it isn’t. Especially if you know where to look.

Welcome to Part Six of the Quiz! Every week this summer, find new hockey trivia (and answers) here, now twice a week. Test yourself and your friends, and take credit as the King or Queen of hockey knowledge.

Covering various topics (and miscellany) chapter to chapter, it’s a fun and easy way to get into the game over the hot summer months. Take a journey with your fellow Bleacher Creatures and discover the stories that make up over 100 years of ice time.

Think you can handle it? Want to prove your hockey smarts? Grab a pen and paper, or simply type your solutions on your own Bleacher Report profile and play along. Answers for today’s questions will be listed in Friday’s edition, and links to other chapters are at the bottom of the page.

Hockey Hodgepodge is a batch of miscellaneous trivia and stories plucked from various times and topics. So many stories make up the wonderful history of hockey, and these colourful tales weave the fabric of the game.

Individually, these facts are seemingly trivial; collectively, they have given us the versatile and evolving game we each know and love in our own way. Take an inside look at some of hockey’s subtlest secrets spanning a selection of major eras.

1. When the Montreal Canadiens first came into being, what were their team colours?

2. NHL history was changed in the 1920s when Conn Smythe bought the Toronto St. Patricks and created the now-storied Maple Leafs. He paid a pretty penny for the floundering Ontario club, though it was a bit of a steal considering someone else had put in an earlier, higher bid. Where would the St. Pats have been located had the generous offer not been turned down?

3. During the 2004-05 lockout season, when most NHL arenas were empty, one seat retained a fan desperate to see his team. A model skeleton, wearing the home team’s white jersey, held aloft a pair of placards, one of which read, “DROP the PUCK ALREADY!!” Which NHL arena bore witness to the disturbing reminder of the NHL’s first hockey-less season?

4. In the late 1970s, one of the most dominant lines in junior hockey earned itself a nickname with their superb play. They could have just as easily been named “the Triplicate Line,” since all three shared three major vital stats. Two of the players were drafted into the NHL, breaking up this line of carbon copies. Who were the skaters, what was their junior moniker, and what vital stats did they all share?

5. Which legendary NHL goaltender was known by family, teammates, and friends as a fervent knitter?

6. Who is credited with inventing the puck drop?

7. Which legendary player is said to have died of a broken heart when told he would never play hockey again?

8. In his rookie season with the Detroit Red Wings, Gordie Howe’s team sweater bore No. 17. According to Mr. Hockey himself, why did he make the switch to the famous No. 9?

9. Which player did Sidney Crosby pair with for The Kid’s first NHL fight?

10. Which personality coined the phrase, “He shoots, he scores!”?

Photo Question: In 1979, Wayne Gretzky signed an almost unbelievable contract at centre ice of his home arena. In front of cheering crowds and thunderous celebrations, the WHA player signed a monumental contract. What wild terms (number of years and money per annum) were stipulated by which team, and what was Gretz writing on that contract paper in the shot above?

Bonus Question: What added tangible bonus—outside of a pile of cash—was Wayne Gretzky offered that made that deal so attractive to the young hockey star?

Answers: MacHall Test Part Five: NHL Awards and the Stanley Cup

* Note: These are the solutions to the previous quiz. Try your hand at the questions here.

5.1 ~ The 1967 Toronto Maple Leafs, the most recent Cup year in Toronto. A somewhat disgruntled Joe Pappin, who was traded to Detroit by the Leafs soon after that Cup season, gave the ring to his father-in-law, who later lost it while on holiday in Florida.

5.2 ~ Deadmarch was changed to Deadmarsh, as in Adam Deadmarsh of the 1996 Colorado Avalanche. His was to be the first of a select few corrections on the Stanley Cup.

5.3 ~ Charlotte and John Grahame. Charlotte, Executive Director of Hockey administration for the Colorado Avalanche, won a place on the Cup in 2001. Her son John was Tampa Bay’s back-up goaltender when the Lightning won Lord Stanley’s mug in 2004.

5.4 ~ Ray Bourque lost out by a margin of two votes, or one first-place ballot.

5.5 ~ Chuck Rayner. The character goaltender never posted particularly good numbers and finished his career with a losing record. Nevertheless, Rayner helped the Rangers to the seventh game of the 1950 Cup Finals, a series which saw three games go to overtime. In fact, the deciding contest was played until 28:31 of the fifth period (see Part Three). Recognised most often as a New York Ranger, the Saskatchewan-born Rayner was one of the first goalies to play the puck in front of the net.

5.6 ~ Afghanistan. Kandahar, specifically. The Cup would make a return tour of Afghanistan in 2008 as part of a “Team Canada visit.”

5.7 ~ Jean Beliveau. He won the Cup 10 times as a player and a further seven from the office.

5.8 ~ Five recipients have been on the wrong side of a Cup celebration, and Philadelphia left winger Reggie Leach won it in 1976.

5.9 ~ Joe Sakic won the one and only NHL/Sheraton Road Performer Award Winner, given to the player with the best road performance of the season.

5.10 ~ Lady Byng herself made the first selection of the Trophy, choosing to present it to Frank Nighbor. The Governor General’s wife very much enjoyed the game of hockey, and she decided to make her own contribution to the game she loved.

She asked Nighbor to Rideau Hall ostensibly to ask him if the NHL would accept her donated trophy for the League’s most gentlemanly player. When he replied that he thought it would, Nighbor was apparently taken aback when Lady Byng proceeded to present to him the award for that year. The selection is now made by the vote of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

5.11 ~ (Bonus Question) Lady Byng gave Frank Boucher of the New York Rangers the original trophy after he won it seven times in eight years.

5.12 ~ (Photo Question) The O’Brien Trophy. It was given to the NHA champs between 1910 an 1917, at which point it was awarded to the NHL Playoff Champions. The trophy was intended to rival the Stanley Cup, which was still an inter-league award. Of course, it was never as coveted as the 1893 silver. When Stanley essentially became sole property of the NHL in 1927, it was presented to the Canadian Division Champions. As its swan song, from 1938-1950, it was the second-place prize of the NHL post-season.

Check back Friday for more trivia, plus answers to these random hockey questions.

Other trivia in this series:

Part One - Hockey's "Third Season" Basics

Part Two - The Draft

Part Three - Stanley Cup Sampler

Part Four - International and Olympic Hockey

Part Five - NHL Awards and the Stanley Cup

M MacDonald Hall is the Bleacher Report Calgary Flames Community Leader, and will be adding to the NHL department over the summer. Future articles include a breakdown of Calgary Flames playoff performance in the 21^st Century, roster changes and information, and Flames-specific trivia. M’s Bleacher Report archive includes an assortment of Flames/NHL articles, including the full nine-part trivia series.

M also writes on various other topics, sport and non-sport related. Enquiries regarding NHL writing or other subjects may be directed to M's Bleacher Report profile or via email.

MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia, Part Five: NHL Awards and the Stanley Cup

M MacDonald Hall — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:52:00 -0400

Welcome to Part Five of the Quiz! Every week this summer, find new hockey trivia—and answers—here, up to three times a week. Test yourself and your friends, and take credit as the King or Queen of hockey knowledge.

Think you can handle it? Want to prove your hockey-smarts? Grab a pen and paper, or simply type your solutions on your own Bleacher Report profile and play along.

Answers for today’s questions will be listed in the subsequent edition, and links to other chapters are at the bottom of the page.

Although we’ve already had a batch of Stanley Cup oriented questions and I don’t want to be repetitive, these items are slightly different. This edition focuses on the trophies and awards themselves, and tests your knowledge of hockey hardware.

I’ve just dusted the surface of the NHL silverware drawer for a few of the stories, facts, and quirks associated with the numerous awards and accolades presented to our favourite players. There are many more still to come.

The people who earn these prizes have embarked on an incredible journey, and very often, the trophies themselves have been heroes in their own adventures. Hockey's bowls and cups may be highly coveted, but their winners have never wrapped them in cotton wool!

Next year, when you are watching the NHL Awards on television, remember historic hands which have made their mark on the gilded metal and the game, and stun your friends with strange and random tales about hockey’s highest honours.

1. In 2007, a Stanley Cup ring was found in Florida waters and returned to its original owner. Which Cup year and team was the ring from, and who was the player it was returned to?

2. Over the years, the Stanley Cup has been engraved with the names of the teams and players which have won it. Various errors have been noticed, but no corrections were made to the Cup until the late 1990‘s. What word/name was the first correction on the holy grail of hockey?

3. When Mark Messier was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1990, he [obviously] came first in the balloting in order to affect the win. Which player was edged out (came second in voting) that year, and by what margin of votes?

4. Believe it or not, a mother-son combination have had their names engraved (separately) on the Stanley Cup. Who and how?

5. Who is the only goaltender to win the Hart Memorial Trophy, yet never earn a Vezina?

6. In 2007, the Stanley Cup made its first trip into a live combat zone, visiting Canadian and NATO troops and even coming under missile attack on May 3rd. Which country was the Cup visiting?

7. Who has had his name inscribed the most number of times on the Stanley Cup, all-time?

8. The Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the post-season MVP, is usually awarded to a player from the Cup-winning team. Now and then, it goes the other way. How many times has someone from the runner-up team won the Conn Smythe, and which is the only non-goalie?

9. In 2004, the NHL brought out a new peripheral award and duly presented it to the winner, a Western Conference team captain. The prize, making its debut with this presentation, has not been given out since. What was the award called, who was the recipient, and for what reason was it awarded?

10. Named for the wife of a former Governor General of Canada, the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy is awarded to the most gentlemanly player during the NHL season. Who selected the very first recipient of the Lady Byng, who was that first well-mannered winner, and who makes the decision as to who wins these days?

Bonus Question: Though the first Lady Byng Trophy was donated in 1925, it was replaced as early as 1935-36. Why?

Photo Question: Retired in 1950, this former NHL Award has been around the block. Entering existence in 1910, it would serve the NHA before making the move to the NHL in 1917, where it would perform many functions. At one point it was given almost like a President’s Trophy, given to the Canadian team with most points. What is the name of this award, what prestigious role did it play in the early days of the NHL, and what was it awarded for at the end of its career?

Answers - MacHall Test Part Four: International and Olympic Hockey

* Note: These are the solutions to the previous quiz. Try your hand at the questions here. Answers to the trivia above will be posted in the near future.

4.1 ~ Ken Morrow, in 1980. He was part of the US team at Lake Placid (aka Miracle on Ice), and played for the New York Islanders as they won their first of four straight Stanley Cup Championships.

4.2 ~ Canada received thirteen minor penalties, twelve of which were handed out by American ref Stacey Livingston. Team USA received four penalties. Many of the calls were seen as biased, and Canada’s Geraldine Heaney was quoted as saying, “She might as well put on their jersey!”

4.3 ~ The gold went to the Unified Team, which was made up of various non-Baltic states from the former Soviet Union. Given permission to use the neutral Olympic flag in place of a national banner, the Unified team made appearances in numerous sporting events in the 1992 Summer and Winter Olympics.

4.4 ~ Sergei Makarov. In fact, though he was drafted in 1983, he did not play in the NHL until after his Olympic appearance. He went on to win the Calder Memorial Trophy for the League’s best rookie in 1990, and would score seven points in one game against Edmonton that year.

4.5 ~ Canada vs Sweden, 1996 World Cup of Hockey. Theoren Fleury scored the winner.

4.6 ~ Finland lost 4-2 in the Final, and ended up finishing 4th overall even though they came second to the first place team. The Soviet Union, the team most feared in the competition, beat Sweden in their final to take silver. The Swedes earned the bronze medal, which left the Finns medal-less in 4th.

4.7 ~ Dion Phaneuf, when he took two players off their stride in one blow in the gold medal final. The name has stuck, and he is known as “Double D”… what an interesting development!

4.8 ~ Last Winter Olympics, 2006. In fact, the question could have been which year without either Canada or USSR/Russia (without the USA), and it would still stand true. Sweden won gold, Finland landed silver and the Czech Republic took bronze. Every other year, one of the big countries has won a medal.

4.9 ~ Great Britain, when they won a surprise ice hockey gold at the 1936 Winter Olympics. Legend has it that the team was made up primarily of Canadian players, which explained the win. However, it was not that they were Canadian at all.

In fact, there was only one Canadian-born player on the team. The myth undoubtedly stems from the fact that eleven of the thirteen men involved at had at some point trained and/or played in Canada, though they were actually born in the UK. Many of them even grew up in Canada, so they were indeed Canadian, but at the same time they were quite correctly British.

4.10 ~ A Loonie, the gold Canadian one dollar coin. A Canadian ice-maker named Trent Evans, who was working at the events surreptitiously encased it in the surface as he was doing his job. Various players on both teams were aware of the fact, and photos can be seen of many great players bent over centre ice, trying to catch a glimpse.

After the Games were over, Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky dug the loonie out of the ice and presented it to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

4.11 ~ (Bonus Question) When Evans was setting up the ice for hockey, he used it as a target for the centre-ice puck-drop. The design the Salt Lake Olympics were using did not have the customary dot target at centre, so Evans needed something unobtrusive for the referees to use as a bull’s-eye.

4.12 ~ (Photo Question) All-Stars: Goaltender - Marek Schwarz (CZE); Defence - Dion Phaneuf (CDN) and Ryan Suter (USA); Forwards - Alexander Ovechkin (RUS), Patrice Bergeron (CDN), and Jeff Carter (CDN). Patrice Bergeron was also the MVP. Ovechkin scored seven goals to Crosby’s six.

4.13 ~ (Technical Question) The torpedo system, widely known as the Swedish torpedo. It relies on just one lone defenseman (aka libero) back, with two “torpedoes” up front and two “halfbacks” in between. The formation looks like a “V” with the open mouth facing the opposing goal. The forward torpedoes are responsible for forechecking, offensive puck containment, and stay at the top of the neutral zone to await forward passes.

The halfbacks play a jack-of-all-trades role, who play the puck forward off faceoffs, progress neutral zone play and provide back-up for the defender, who always stays back.

This system was only properly seen in international hockey before the elimination of the red line in 2005, as the two-line pass rule prevented the system’s typical reaching lobs. In case the name wasn’t a giveaway, it was the Swedes gave Team Canada temporary fits at the 2002 Olympics.

Check here for the next instalment of the quiz, plus answers to the trophies and awards questions.

New quiz questions (and solutions to the previous edition) will be published Mondays and Fridays through much of the summer. Let me know you have posted answers on your profile, and I will let you know just how well you did on the quiz.

Other trivia in this series:

Part One - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: Hockey's "Third Season" Basics

Part Two - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: The NHL Draft

Part Three - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: Stanley Cup Sampler

Part Four - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: International and Olympic Hockey

Part Five - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: NHL Awards and the Stanley Cup

Part Six - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: Classic Hockey Hodgepodge

Part Seven - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: NHL Rules, Refs, and Regulations

Part Eight - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: Great NHL/Hockey Lines and Nicknames

...Or check out the author's archive for links and articles (see below).

M MacDonald Hall is the Bleacher Report Calgary Flames Community Leader, and will be adding to the NHL department over the summer. Future articles include a breakdown of Calgary Flames playoff performance in the 21st Century, roster changes and bios, and additional trivia. M’s Bleacher Report archive includes an assortment of Flames/NHL articles.

M also writes on various other topics, sport and non-sport related. Enquiries regarding NHL writing or other subjects may be directed to M's Bleacher Report profile or via email.

Curtis Joseph Returns to Toronto Maple Leafs: CuJo, A Beginner's Guide

M MacDonald Hall — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:34:54 -0400

Like him, love him, or hate him, Curtis Joseph is coming back to Toronto to do what he can to help out the rebuilding Leafs. First announced by AM640 in Toronto, the news has now come down the wire for all to see.

When Toronto released 2006 starter Andrew Raycroft and his $2 million contract, spaces opened on the roster and under the salary cap.

The Maple Leafs put the collar on the CuJo contract with the opening of NHL Free Agency on Canada Day, signing one of the League’s most reliable veteran goaltenders at a reported $700,000 for the 2008-09 season. The team and the city are looking to Curtis Joseph to recapture his past blue-and-white standards and put the Leafs back into top contention. Although he is a few years out of his prime, he has been a pivotal cog here in the past and looks to give the fans more confidence in their team as a back up, likely to Vesa Toskala.

Joseph has posted a 2.78 GAA over a very consistent seventeen NHL seasons, first signing into the League with St Louis out of University in 1989 having been named WCHA MVP that year. His first season with the Blues he played 15 games with a 9-5-1 record, and since then he has written himself a consistent stat sheet. He’s played 922 NHL games at 449-343-95, and surpassed Terry Sawchuck for the all-time wins record last year with the Calgary Flames. He came in third in Vezina voting in 1992-93 as he continued to make a name for himself as a key player with the Blues.

He was also gaining a reputation around the League as one of the highest paid netminders and remained so throughout his career. Commanding his own price, Joseph has signed as a free agent with every team he has played for and has caused many to feel that he plays where the money is. His current contract, which will pay a reported $700,000 reflects his current position as a high profile back-up. If he ends up as a starter at some point in this season, he would be considered a relative steal.

More recently Joseph won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy (2000) due to his large impact on the local Toronto community. Internationally he has played for Canada in two Olympics (4^thplace, Gold), two IIHF World Championships (Silver, Gold), one World Cup (2^nd place) and most recently won Gold at the 2007 Spengler Cup.

He played only one game at the 2002 Olympics, a loss against Sweden in the first game of the tournament as the Canadiens were victimised by the Swedish Torpedo. The Leafs traded him to the Flames, but he didn’t play in Calgary before signing with Detroit.

Calgary fans next became aware of him during the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Brought into Detroit in 2002, CuJo was meant to continue on a Cup Dynasty for the Wings. When Dominik Hasek came out of retirement Joseph was pushed onto the bench, but came in to play a solid end-of-season when the Dominator was injured. Joseph came into the Flames/Red Wings series of 2004 with a 2-0 record and one shutout. Calgary went on to defeat Detroit four games to two in a result that had less to do with Joseph than it did the entire Detroit team. Yzerman had been injured, Nicklas Lidstrom did not play his best, nor did fading star Brett Hull, and Derian Hatcher spent more time being intimidated by boos than playing hockey. Joseph still played for a career-best 1.39 GAA and .939 save percentage for the Playoffs.

After the lockout he signed with Phoenix, where, while playing for an average team had average stats. In 2007 he joined Team Canada to vie for the Spengler Cup in a bid to stay sharp while looking for an NHL club to play with for 2007-08. He spent the last few weeks shopping around teams like Toronto, San Jose and the New York Rangers, eventually settling on the Calgary Flames.

Joseph spent half of last season as a back-up to Miikka Kiprusoff and the Calgary Flames. Reuniting with head coach Mike Keenan proved to be less of a distraction than was originally feared in light of their past experience.

Keenan had singled out Joseph for criticism while GM-coaching St Louis, often pulling him out of games and reading him the riot act in front of team mates. CuJo lost his own temper, clearing the coach’s desk and scattering the contents during an encounter. The stormy relationship prompted Joseph to say that the trade from St Louis to Edmonton was “the best thing that ever happened to me. I couldn’t take it anymore.” Both men worked as professionals while working for the Flames, and Joseph had a limited but successful 2007-08 season.

Joseph's greatest moment in a Calgary sweater came during the first round of last year’s playoffs against the San Jose Sharks. Just four minutes into Game 3, Kiprusoff was replaced by Joseph after allowing three early goals. CuJo shut the door from there on out, and the Flames effected a brilliant comeback, winning the game 4-3 to take the lead in the series.

Over the years CuJo has been known for many things, not least of which is his nickname and the mask designs it has created, sporting the ferocious growling dog inspired by Stephen King’s horror novel. Joseph’s intention has always been to inspire a worse type of fear in shooters he faces with his unorthodox and unpredictable style, the trademark by which he is truly known. “You think you have him beat, but he comes out of nowhere and makes the save,” says former Oiler team-mate Jason Arnott, referring to Joseph’s disconcerting way of looking out of position only to flip back and make a stop.

Like all good goaltenders, Joseph battles to make a play. However he doesn’t play in any defined style, and so saves and plays can look like everything from a Pedigree to the dog’s lunch; it also means opposition offence will never know what to expect until it happens.

He would be defined as a stand-up goalie for lack of a better term, but he intentionally mixes things up. Some have compared his style of play to that of former Red Wing team-mate Dominik Hasek, with words like flopping, off-balance, flexible, stick-play, and unconventional being used regularly to describe both players. However where Hasek has tended to rely heavily upon using his team’s defence, Joseph displays a greater ability to play with anyone he needs to in whichever system required.

While his movement is unconventional, it finds consistency in his re-positioning and ability to stay with the puck. He may be considered cooler and more determined in his acrobatics than Hasek, and he seems less likely to let a game situation get to him. Former Flames head coach Pierre Page once said of Joseph, "He has no style. He's not very predictable. He's usually down on the ice, scrambling, but he always seems to find a way to get in front of the puck. He's a gambler, but he knows the percentages."

Joseph, returning to his “home team” will add to the Leafs if only in the dressing room. He has become comfortable with making the play in the big game or riding the bench as much or as little as is needed, so don‘t expect him to take over the team. Expressing a desire to return East to his home province, Joseph was always likely to move from Calgary and back to Ontario, where he hopes to continue making an impact. CuJo may have had an All-Star career, but he and many others in the Leafs locker room still long to win their first Cup. Toronto has some rebuilding to do to get to that point, but veteran leadership and a reliable back-up can only help the team towards their greatest eventual goal.

To learn about Joseph's childhood and hockey roots, read Curtis Joseph: Behind the Mask.

Curtis Joseph’s Vital Stats: Numbers coming into 2008-09

Born: Curtis Monro, 29 April 1967, Keswick, Ontario

Age: 41

NHL Teams: St Louis, Edmonton, Toronto, Detroit, Phoenix, Calgary, Toronto (re-signed 1 July 2008)

NHL Seasons: 17

Games Played: 922

Career Shutouts: 51

Career GAA: 2.78

Career Save Percentage: .907

Post-Season GAA: 2.45

Post-Season Save Percentage: .917

Post-Season Shutouts: 16

Sweater Number: 31

MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia, Part One: Hockey's "Third Season" Basics

M MacDonald Hall — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:47:45 -0400

Hello, hockey fans!

Weeks after the NHL’s 2007-08 “second season,” fans face a long, arid, third season—summer.

For the hardcore hockey nut, beautiful weather replaces fast-paced sporting glory, and it doesn‘t quite seem like a fair trade. After weeks of intense Stanley Cup ups-and-downs, the months after that final game can be awfully anti-climactic.

It's a forced and unwelcome four-month break from ice-based madness. But really, it doesn’t have to be that way. Hockey is everywhere, all the time. Especially if you know where to look.

There are the NHL Awards, the NHL Entry Draft, international competitions at assorted levels, and off-season trades.

There’s the start of free agency signings, training camps, prospect arrivals and trade rumours.

On the streets, games of road hockey appear to block avenues across the continent, amidst cries of “CAR!” Garage doors and washing machines everywhere are at serious risk of black marks and denting. And in the minds of fans and players of every age and description, the next season is planned out and anticipated with ever growing excitement.

That’s just the skim of hockey’s off-season pastimes. It doesn’t head to California to swan about with Elisha Cuthbert—it has players to do that by proxy!

Fans of ice hockey will never run out of topics to talk about, no matter what time of year it is. Summer just means there is time to bone up on some of the titbits missed the first time around. There is over a century of information, hundreds of teams and thousands of players recorded in this great game. There are countless records, enduring characters and endless quirky statistics, each with a fascinating story of its own.

All you have to do is look. And so I did.

Some of what I found would be considered the basics of hockey/NHL lore, while other information blew me away—all of it was interesting. Even as a lifelong hockey fan, I was always finding something new, and it made me appreciate the sport all the more. I got into hockey writing in the first place so that I could share that feeling of connecting with the sport, and so I found a way to pass on what I found.

Welcome to Part One of this summer series: Trivia! Over the coming months, you will find questions on various hockey subjects, with new editions out at least twice a week. Test your knowledge, learn something new, or stump your friends.

Starting off, we have a sampler of “the basics” mashed in with a few random questions. As the days and weeks go by, various topics (and miscellany) will be covered. I hope you find something new, something interesting, and have fun getting closer to the game of hockey.

Grab a pen and paper, or type out your answers on your own Bleacher Report profile.

1. Which country/countries maintain ice hockey as an official National Sport?

2. What constitutes a Gordie Howe hat trick?

3. Name the "Original Six" NHL hockey teams.

4. Even before he went pro, Wayne Gretzky had turned heads by scoring 378 goals and 139 assists in a single season. How old was he when he recorded those numbers?

5. Which player is known as “The Rocket”?

6. In 2007, the records for “Most points by an American-born player” and “Most goals by an American-born player” were broken and reset. Which player(s) now hold these titles, and which player(s) were surpassed?

7. Before a puck is used in an NHL game, it is frozen and kept cold as best as possible. Why is the biscuit frozen for play?

8. As of the end of 2008, which was the last Canadian-based NHL team to win the Stanley Cup?

9. Which team is generally credited with inventing the “neutral zone trap”?

10. What does “five-hole” refer to?

Bonus Question: Which player was the first from Newfoundland to win the Stanley Cup?

Photo Question: His name has appeared on the Stanley Cup so many times, one would think the committee would know it by heart. Unfortunately, spelling hasn't been a strong suit on the silver grail, and this man's name has been misspelled five times when engraved on the game's greatest prize. Which hockey Legend is in the photograph (top of the article)?

Answers are listed—with detailed explanations—in the next instalment of this series, found here. Every Monday and Friday look for a new set of questions in topics covering all aspects of hockey and the NHL. There will be a link from this article to each chapter of Q&A, so check back for new editions regularly.

In celebration of last weekend's pick 'n' mix party in Ottawa, Part Two looks at "the draft". Various hockey subjects to follow.

Until next time, don’t worry if you don‘t solve them all - There are plenty more to come! Use your head, do a bit of research, pave your own path of discovery as you search for answers and solidify your personal bond with the game. And remember, the 2008-09 hockey season is just around the bend, so keep your head up and your stick on the ice! We’ll all cross the goal-line eventually!

Other Trivia in this series:

Part Two - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: The Draft, and answers to Part One

Part Three - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: Stanley Cup Sampler

Part Four - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: International and Olympic Hockey

Part Five - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: NHL Awards and the Stanley Cup

Part Six - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: Classic Hockey Hodgepodge

Part Seven - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: Rules, Refs, and Regulations

Part Eight - MacHall's Bleacher Creature Trivia: Great NHL/Hockey Lines and Nicknames

Feel free to post a note on my profile page to let me know you have completed your answers. I can let you know in advance just how well you have done!

A general bibliography will be added to the final voume of this series. In the meantime, any questions, comments, or concerns regarding source materials may be sent to the author's email.

Answers to Flames Quick Quiz: 1-a. 2-d. 3-d. 4-b. 5-Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla 6-c. 7-e. 8-a. 9-b. 10-c. Photo Question -Thomas Vokoun

M MacDonald Hall is the Bleacher Report Calgary Flames Community Leader, and will be adding to the NHL department over the summer. Future Flames articles include a breakdown of Calgary’s playoff performance in the 21^st Century, roster changes and information, and Flames-specific trivia. M’s Bleacher Report archive includes an assortment of Flames/NHL articles.

M also writes on various other topics, sport and non-sport related. Enquiries regarding NHL writing or other subjects may be directed to M’s Bleacher Report profile or via email.

Calgary's 2008 NHL Draft: Flames Find Nemo and Cammalleri, Ship Tanguay to Habs

M MacDonald Hall — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:14:43 -0400

Flames employ Forward thinking: Spitfire centre Greg Nemisz (above) chosen in the first round as Calgary selects five forwards at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft

The Calgary Flames were making news before the draft even got underway Friday in Ottawa.

Moments before the Tampa Bay Lightning made the anticipated move of drafting Sarnia Sting centre Steve Stamkos first overall, reports came down the wire of not one, but two Calgary exchanges.

The trade floor transactions by GM Darryl Sutter began with a three-way deal, as he was spotted early on in the evening chatting with Los Angeles GM Dean Lombardi and Anaheim GM Brian Burke.

The Flames received 26-year-old centre Mike Cammalleri from Los Angeles in exchange for Calgary’s first-round pick (17th overall). Completing the third leg of the deal, the Kings then swapped two first-round choices (17th and 28th overall) with Anaheim for the Ducks’ 12th overall selection.

Sutter would not be without a first-rounder for long. In a move that had been rumoured in the works since January, Alex Tanguay finally went to the Montreal Canadiens. Tanguay had resisted the move to Montreal when it was discussed before the 2008 Trade Deadline.

At the time, he felt although he had not fit into the team dynamic as well as he could have hoped, a move with the playoffs looming would prove too great a distraction. Following a first-round post-season exit and one year left on his contract, Tanguay waived the no-trade clause and will play next season in his home province.

Acquired by the Flames on Draft Day 2006 from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for blue-liner Jordan Leopold, Tanguay and Calgary’s fifth-round pick (138th overall) were exchanged for Montreal’s 25th overall selection.

After all the wheeling and dealing was done, Calgary had moved nine spots down the first round draft order (17th to 25th overall), removed Tanguay's one-year, $5.25-million contract from the books, and replaced him with a younger, legitimate centre with a price tag of approximately $3.6-million.

For news that made such a big splash within the first minutes of the draft, not very much had changed for the Flames.

Sutter’s Draft Day mandate was to add offensive jump to a club which has been struggling with its identity since the 2004-05 lockout. Having moved the team’s top playmaker after finding a younger version of Tanguay in Cammalleri, the GM went to the draft table and broke from recent form, using his first four picks (and five of the total seven) on forwards.

Throughout the weekend, it was clear that Sutter had already mapped out what he was looking for going forward - pun only slightly intended.

The rearguard choices he did make were for skating, puck-moving defencemen—including the club’s only European choice, Alexander Deilert. Deilert was also the only player Sutter picked who registers under six feet tall.

This year, no goaltenders.

By selecting power forward Greg Nemisz with their first choice, Calgary found a player they hope will develop into a skilled power forward. 6’3” and 197 lbs, the heavy-shooting centreman utilises his size to play a tough game in front of the net.

Nemo, as he is nicknamed, played 68 games for the Windsor Spitfires last year, tallying 34 goals and 67 points. Excited to stay in Canada and eventually play for the Flames, the Ontario native has said he likes to model his play after Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin.

Calgary fans will remember Nemisz’s Windsor team mate Mickey Renaud, a Flames 2007 draft pick who passed away suddenly last season.

Day Two (Saturday) rewarded many players overlooked in the first round. With the 48th-overall pick, Calgary chose six-foot, 175-lbs Mitch Wahl, a playmaking product of Southern California.

Probably the only Flames draftee ever to have a High School surfing credit, the Seal Beach centre is happy to be entering a Canadian market. “It’s a Canadian sport and it’s a big thing in Calgary, so I’m excited”, Wahl told the press. Nicknamed the Wahlrus, he will be expected to draw upon the experience he gained with the Memorial Cup-winning Spokane Chiefs last month.

CALGARY FLAMES 2008 ENTRY DRAFT RESULTS

ADDITIONS: Mike Cammalleri - C/LW - 5’9”-185 lbs. Born - Richmond Hill, ON, 8 June 1982. Drafted by Los Angeles, 49th overall in 2001. NHL - 283 GP -93 G - 112 A - 205 PTS

PROSPECTS: 25th overall - C Greg Nemisz (Windsor - OHL)

48th overall - C Mitch Wahl (Spokane - WHL)

78th overall - C Lance Bourna (Vancouver - WHL)

108th overall - LW Nicholas Larson (Waterloo - USHL)

114th overall - D T.J. Brodie (Saginaw - OHL)

168th overall - LW Ryley Grantham (Moose Jaw - WHL)

198th overall - D Alexander Deilert (Swedish Junior)

RELEASED: Alex Tanguay - LW - 6’1”-188 lbs. Born - Ste. Justine, PQ, 21 November 1979. Acquired by Calgary in trade with Colorado, for Jordan Leopold and a second round choice (59th overall) in the 2006 Entry Draft and a later conditional pick. NHL - 609 GP- 177 G - 362 A - 539 PTS. Drafted by Colorado, 12th overall in 1998.

Elsewhere, centreman Olli Jokinen was dealt from the Florida Panthers to the Phoenix Coyotes. The flashy Finn had been rumoured to be headed to Calgary, but GM Darryl Sutter said the price tag was far too high.

Unwilling to lose Dion Phaneuf or other key players in exchange for a man with no playoff experience, Sutter let any tabled offer pass.

Check back for more information on Calgary’s newest prospects over the summer. With open training camp comes highlights and reviews, and we'll see if these boys have what it takes to skate with the men.

We will also take a closer look at what Mike Cammalleri—and any others who may join him—will bring to the Calgary Flames next season, and examine what he has done in the NHL so far.

Also, tune in weekly (starting Monday, June 23) for a multi-part series of mind-boggling Hockey Trivia. Test your game knowledge and discover the hockey stories that make up over a hundred years of ice time.

M MacDonald Hall is the Bleacher Report Calgary Flames Community Leader, and will be adding to the NHL department over the summer. Future Flames articles include a breakdown of Calgary’s playoff performance in the 21st Century, roster changes and information, and Flames-related trivia. M’s Bleacher Report archive includes an assortment of Flames/NHL articles.

M also writes on various other topics, sport and non-sport related. Enquiries regarding NHL writing or other subjects may be directed to M’s Bleacher Report profile or via email.

By the Numbers: 2008 NHL Playoff Player Profiles, Pt. 2-Calgary

M MacDonald Hall — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:24:27 -0400

Watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it is easy to be sucked into a series and lost in it as a world on its own. For a time, what happens on the ice between two teams can block out reality for a few hours, and night after night the same combatants meet to dig in even deeper. As each game passes, the names and faces of the opposing team become more and more familiar to everyone involved, including the fans.

In a thirty-team league in which sixteen make the playoffs, it is a staggering task to know the bio of each and every player iced in the post-season. Professional commentators and analysts often forget names and check cheat-sheets when discussing an unfamiliar squad, so for a layman to be conversant on any whole team is impressive.

Knowing one’s own roster is plenty, but when scrutinising the enemy it never hurts to know some details. In the spirit of full disclosure, we will identify some of the sweater numbers to look out for in this and other series.

Keep your eyes peeled for great plays, and keep track of which numbers come up big. Watch closely to catch the licence plates of the men making an impact over 200 feet of ice.

Here we are on Day 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs of 2008, and already fans and foes have watched heroes stepping up from all depths of the talent chart. As the players continue on with the journey, fighting for the hardest title in sport, this series heads into the Calgary Flames dressing room for a meet and greet with three of Calgary’s best, most underrated skaters.

Impact Players: Warriors, Generals and Snipers

Calgary Flames

#7 Stephane Yelle-C- 6’1”-196 lbs. Born: Ottawa, Ontario, 1974. Post-season stats: 147 GP -9-20-29 Pts 82 PIM. Best finish: Stanley Cup Champion (x2)

No one in the Flames dressing room has more playoff experience than Stephane Yelle. Drafted by New Jersey in 1992, he never played as a Devil, traded to the Quebec Nordiques a year before their move to Colorado. Yelle would find success on the rising Avalanche team and made a place and name for himself amongst the stars of the squad. He soon became known as a grinding player, and in his rookie year played 71 games and 22 playoff matches on the way to Colorado’s first Stanley Cup.

With the Avs, Sandbox developed into a textbook character grinder as both he and the team became recognised and respected. In his seven seasons in Denver the club won two Stanley Cups, played in two Conference Finals, won two President’s Trophies and made the playoffs every year. The worst the Avs fared in the post-season was a seven-game first-round exit in 1998.

Traded to Calgary with Chris Drury in 2002, Yelle found a home where his sound defensive play was a gold standard as the Flames were becoming a top shut-down squad. Though he would miss the playoffs for the first time in 2003, Stephane would be instrumental as the Flames came within a hair’s breadth of a Stanley Cup title in 2004. A key role-player then and now, he has solidified Calgary’s two-way play.

Already a talented face-off man and penalty-killer, the gritty play Yelle demonstrates every shift makes him one of the best defensive forwards in the league. Chronically underrated, his amazing tenacity as a checker - fore and back - means he can attain puck possession and maintain it, allowing his team to get set up for a play.

Two games into the 2008 Cup run Yeller has potted two goals on two shots, lifting the Flames to a win with great all-around play in Game 1 in San Jose. He only scored three goals all year for Calgary, and his career-best in post-season goals is three as well. Do not let low point-totals fool you; this player is almost more dangerous when he isn’t scoring than when he is. He eats up a lot of ice-time on the checking lines and penalty-kill, and is second only to #18 Matthew Lombardi and #12 Jarome Iginla as a short-handed threat to press.

Ready to make the big play or the selfless one, Yelle regularly abuses his body blocking shots and getting in the way of mammoth-sized stars. He has been known to lead a game in hits, blocked-shots, takeaways and face-offs won, all in the same contest. Unrelenting in his own end and on the rush, his team spirit inspires the squad as they watch his line take over a game. Used primarily on the third line, when his unit is sent out it is capable of hemming the opposition in their zone for the entirety of the shift. At the very least, he can keep an enemy puck-carrier from having anywhere to go.

One of Calgary’s key character players and the archetypal grinder, expect this assistant captain to be a constant presence on the ice and the bench. Seemingly tireless, he takes on a lion’s share of the work-load as a matter of course. However, if Calgary’s discipline issues continue, Yelle will need to dig deep to find the energy to hold the fort.

~ Trivia: Yelle, a native Bourget, ON, scored his first NHL goal against his future team, the Calgary Flames.

#11 Owen Nolan-RW- 6’1”-210 lbs. Born: Belfast, Northern Ireland (raised in Thorold, Ontario), 1972. Post-season stats: 58 GP -18-16-34 Pts 64 PIM. Best finish: Conference Semi-Final

San Jose’s former captain embodies the stereotype of a well-rounded two-way power forward. An 18-season NHL veteran leader, Nolan was considered one of the best in his prime. These days, as a grey-beard on the Calgary roster, his role may have changed slightly but Nolan is still one of the most enduring forwards on ice.

The Quebec Nordiques thought he would work out well in the big-leagues when they drafted him 1^st overall in 1990, recognising the form of a prototypical power-forward in the making.

Believe it or not, his skill-set is not very different from that of Jarome Iginla, but Nolan was never quite able to transition into superstar status. Injury troubles cropped up repeatedly for the rugged winger and contributed in preventing him morphing from star into superstar. Developing instead into an even two-way forward, he would use his hockey sense to set plays rather than score goals and lead his team with wise and timely plays.

He would display his talent often enough in all the important little ways, and now and then he’d reward himself and his fans with something spectacular. An All-Star Game regular through the ‘90’s, perhaps his most famous highlight reel moment came in the 1997 spring break match. Already the owner of two goals in the game, Nolan, bearing down on Dominik Hasek decided to up the ante in an otherwise meaningless contest. In a move almost unheard of at the professional level, he audaciously pointed to the top right corner of the net, calling his shot up front. He promptly lifted the breakaway blast past Hasek, completing the hat-trick.

His best overall showing would come a few years later after a couple of cold seasons. In 1999-00 Buster Nolan led the league with 18 power-play markers and was second only to Pavel Bure in NHL goal-scoring, notching 44 tallies. He also led top-scorers in infraction time, logging 110 PIM and proving he is not to be trifled with physically. He carried his success into that year’s post-season, and though the Sharks were eliminated in the second round, Nolan recorded ten points in ten games played.

Since leaving the Sharks, Nolan has floated around looking for a comfortable home. Having temporarily added grit to Toronto and then Phoenix, he finally signed in Calgary in July 2007 after considering offers from around the league. Familiar with the Darryl Sutter brand of hockey from his days in San Jose, Nolan stated he was ready to contribute to the club’s style of play. In October, he played his 1000^th NHL game as a Flame and ended 2007-08 with 807 career points. His numbers have decreased slowly over the years, but he maintains his ice-time (and assistant captain’s ’A’) with balanced and dedicated efforts up and down the rink and a strong locker room presence.

Having settled in nicely as a Flame, Nolan may now be most dangerous against his former squad. In January of this year in a match with the Sharks, he played what could be his best game since leaving Northern California. Recording his first hat-trick - and his career 11^th - since 1999, he scored short-handed, got the game-winner, and handily won a bout with big-guy Mike Grier as the Flames won 5-4 at the Saddledome.

Although a dedicated Canadian and Calgary Flame, Nolan and his family still keep their off-season home in San Jose, the city where the forward developed his enviable reputation. Likely a permanent summer resident, he owns a pair of restaurants there and plans to keep a place in California after his retirement.

As rumours swirl that he is nearing the end of his career, Nolan will be increasingly hungry for a chance at the Cup, the ultimate prize for which he has never contended. Although he hasn’t made the NHL finals, he can draw on Gold medal experience as he (and Canada) stormed the 1997 World Championships and the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games. A natural leader on and off the ice, Nolan will add to the Flames forward line-up and lend support as well as keeping things steady on the back end. Watch for his intensity all over the rink.

#18 Matthew Lombardi-C- 6’0”-198 lbs. Born: Montreal, Quebec, 1982. Post-season stats: 26 GP 2-8-10 Pts 6 PIM. Best finish: Stanley Cup Final

Unquestionably Calgary’s brightest up-and-coming forward, Lombardi has talent in spades and has incrementally improved with each campaign. His best scoring year was last season when he found 46 points, but the progress he exhibited in 2007-08 shows he may be a just few tweaks away from stardom.

Chosen 215^th overall in 2000 by the Edmonton Oilers, Lombo went unsigned and continued to toil in the QMJHL before re-entering the draft in 2002. Improving to 90^th overall, he was taken by Calgary and given a year’s trial with the AHL Saint John Flames as the franchise watched for NHL ability.

Though the big-wigs felt he needed a bit of fine tuning, he spent most of 2003-04 with the big club and when the team faced their first post-season in seven years, he would be looked to for youthful presence. An early fan favourite with his boyish good looks and tantalising skill base, the “C of Red” was infuriated when Red Wing Derian Hatcher threw a vicious elbow at the young centre’s cranium in Game 6 of the second round. The play knocked Lombardi to the floor and would eventually put him off the ice for months, but he got up and finished the series-clinching tilt as the home crowd cheered. The ‘Dome only found one thing to be louder about in 2004 than booing Hatcher: chanting “Ricci’s ugly” during the following round, the Western Conference Final with San Jose.

In what had been his rookie season he had come 5^th in team scoring, tied 5^th in NHL rookie scoring, and recorded four game-winners. His team would go all the way to the Game 7 of the Cup Final, and he would suffer the ultimate frustration as he watched from the press box for the last two rounds.

It took the Hudson, Quebec product a long time to fully recover from the elbow to the head, and he recorded good numbers despite missing much of 2005-06 with the lingering effects. Regardless of the injury issue, management expected more from him when he did play, and he began to face criticism in that year. An eager competitor, Lombardi set out to round out his game. He became less tentative but more careful, and in 2007 was rewarded with a place on Team Canada for the IIHF World Championship in Moscow. His inspiring play lifted the team through the tournament and to a 4-2 Gold medal victory against Finland in the final. Lombardi collected six goals and twelve points in nine games, leading the Canadian squad in scoring and spotlighting his talent on the international stage.

Lombardi has always possessed a fantastic set of wheels, but until recently he seemed to lose the plot a bit as he neared the net. Over the last few years, he has honed his game and become a smarter player overall. He has learned patience while moving at his blinding pace, maintaining puck possession longer and making legitimately dangerous attacks on the goal. Though he still needs the wisdom further experience will afford, he makes intelligent moves and finds ways to work the play to his skill advantages.

His speed coupled with improved defensive responsibility has made him a regular highlight on Calgary’s special teams, most impressively on the penalty-kill. Terrorising pinching defensemen with his immediate speed, he has dug out ten short-handed goals in four seasons and carved himself a surprising two-way niche. As one of the fastest skaters in the NHL - he has regularly led the Flames in the speed test - he creates quality scoring opportunities almost every game. More importantly, he can now control the puck with skill, and his line has often been used to aggressively forecheck and create containment in the offensive zone. Additionally, he has become more physical and responsive lately, fighting his first NHL bout this February against Oiler Ladislav Smid.

Continuing development has and will be the key to whether Lombardi’s stock rises or falls. With his ability he will soon be expected to find the consistency and reliability that makes for an enduring star. He still has a way to go in his own end, and if he can keep his +/- rating positive he will be that much closer to the NHL marquee. He may have received criticism from Flames staff, but it is mainly due to his enormous potential and the dissatisfaction they felt from his tempered output. It is important to remember he has kept a place on his team’s top scoring list each and every year he has played, and if/when the floodgates finally breach on this young man’s talent, watch out! Current head coach Mike Keenan says he is almost too fast, and it won’t be until Lombardi’s head and hands can keep up with his feet that he will find a level of elite competency.

Check back over the coming days and weeks for a look at more impact players from the Sharks-Flames series, and around the NHL playoff circuit. There may even be a coach or two….

To check out Part I, follow the link. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/17270-By-the-Numbers-Player-Profiles-from-the-2008-NHL-Playoffs---Part-I-110408

By the Numbers: 2008 NHL Playoff Player Profiles, Pt 1-San Jose

M MacDonald Hall — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 02:59:05 -0400

Keep your eyes peeled for great plays, and keep track of which numbers come up big. Watch closely to catch the licence plates of the men making an impact over 200 feet of ice.

We’ll start off slow, three at a time. As the days go by and the tension mounts, we’ll add more digits to the bingo barrel of ice kings.

Club Keystones: A Bit More on the Names You Should Already Know
San Jose Sharks
#12 Patrick Marleau-C- 6’2”-220 lbs. Born: Swift Current (listed as Aneroid), Saskatchewan, 1979. Post-season stats: 73 GP -31-20-51 Pts 32 PIM. Best finish: 2004 Conference Final

Drafted by the Sharks with their first pick (second overall) in 1997. the quiet centreman is anything but shy on the ice. Serving as captain since mid-2003-04, he has been a leader to the Sharks as a reliable player and locker room presence.

Originally presented with the captaincy while the team was giving it out in rotation, when it was another man’s turn, team leader Alyn McCauley told coach Ron Wilson to leave it with Marleau.

So far, so good.

Current Flames GM/former Sharks coach Darryl Sutter helped Marleau early on to evenly combine his offensive and defensive capabilities, moulding him into a more balanced player.

He is well known for gentlemanly conduct (2006 Byng finalist), but when he gets on a tear he is as dangerous as anyone on his team. He far exceeded his previous career-high point total in 2005-06 when he recorded 86 points. A big body to contain up front, Marleau can make room on the ice or take it away.

This season, Patrick Marleau recorded his 500^th point against Phoenix back in November. He began this year a bit cold in scoring, but posted 19 points in his last twenty contests.

The addition of defenseman #51 Brian Campbell at the trade deadline has opened up a lot of chances for Marleau and the rest of the forward line-up. If that trend continues, he could well lead his team to the Cup.

His playoff record is up and down however, as he has had varied success in the 'second season'. Dedicated to bringing the Cup to San Jose, career Shark Marleau signed a two-year contract extension in 2007 worth US$12.6 million to stay in town, adding a no-trade clause.

He was a part of the team when San Jose faced Calgary in the 2004 Western Conference Final, and by now should know the competition. Committed to finding a post-season answer with what is the best Sharks line-up in years, Marleau will be a threat on all fronts if he can find his groove.

#19 Joe Thornton-C- 6’4”-235 lbs. Born: London, Ontario, 1979. Post-season stats: (Boston/San Jose) 57 GP -9-29-38 Pts 63 PIM. Best finish: Conference Semi-Final

1997’s first overall pick led Jumbo Joe to Boston for the first seven years of his career, where some would say leadership responsibilities bogged him down on the ice. One of the NHL’s best power forwards, Thornton possesses great vision and hockey sense while his size makes him almost unshakable as he carries the puck.

Thornton received heavy criticism as a Bruin for poor post-season play, and his last run with that club came in 2004. As team captain and scoring leader, the media and fans expected more than the zero points he produced as Montreal took the series in seven games. The man had been playing with an incredibly painful rib cage injury, yet the press seemed unrelenting. He was shifted to a sunnier state in a deal that also sent Flames #19 Wayne Primeau to Boston, from whence he and Brad Stuart would later be traded to Calgary.

Past difficulties were not the only reasons the Big Man was happy to be moved to San Jose in 2005-06. Joining a team that held real playoff potential, Thornton found himself free to grow on the ice in a system full of talent and leadership. No longer carrying the weight of responsibility on his own, his game opened up and he recorded career point highs while his play increased the productivity of those around him. By the end of 2006 he had earned himself the Art Ross and Hart Trophies as the League’s leading point getter and MVP, all in his snazzy new teal uniform.

Though his goal tallies have dropped some from his early NHL days, Thornton’s assist numbers are through the roof. After the move to Northern California, #19 recorded consecutive 90-assist seasons, joining the esteemed company of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux as the only players in NHL history to accomplish that feat.

Joe has developed into a very well-rounded player, and for this he gives Calgary coach Mike Keenan his due (both Thornton and #27 Jeremy Roenick give Keenan a lot of credit for their improved play) as an early mentor back in Boston. At first chance earlier this year, Thornton went over to the Flames bench boss to say hello, breaking away from team mates and waiting until Iron Mike finished a media scrum before vigorously shaking his hand.

The present day Joe Thornton is an impressive power-house who is looking to erase the memories of past playoff predicaments with a strong outing this time around. Reunited with childhood team mate #51 Brian Campbell for the playoffs, the two have already sparked each other's play and given the centre a morale boost. Already, the list of achievement for the 28 year-old is lengthy, but the thrill he seeks most is to hoist Stanley’s mug.

Watch for Thornton everywhere on the ice. His size allows him great puck-possession and ice space and makes him a perfect forward screen. He has hidden speed for a man of his girth, and can pass and shoot equally well on the fore- or backhand. If he can shake his post-season bugaboo, he could be a contender for the Conn Smythe, able to take his team to the top.

#20 Evgeni Nabokov-G- 6’0”-200 lbs. Born: Ust-Kamenogorsk, USSR (now Kazakhstan), 1975. Post-season stats: 46 GP -24-20 98 GA, 2.20 GAA, .920 Sv%. Best finish: Conference Final

This is the goalie San Jose chose, and they chose well. Drafted by the Sharks in 1994, he wouldn’t see NHL action until the turn of the century, literally. His first taste was New Year‘s Day 2000, but his real start was the next year, when his 2.19 GAA and .915 save percentage earned him the 2001 Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie, in any position.

Since then, San Jose has said goodbye to Vesa Toskala and #34 Miikka Kiprusoff, replacing the netminder depth chart with a one-man wonder. His incredible play in the regular season has made a Vezina win likely and make him a Hart hopeful. With one of the heaviest workloads in the league, he played 77 games and recorded a career-best 2.14 GAA in a forty-six victory effort. His team ended the season with the third fewest goals-against as he hovered in the upper echelons of every goaltending statistic. With the 2-0 Game 2 bounce-back win Thursday, he recorded his 6^th playoff shutout, proving again that he can rebound well from a disappointing outcome.

Products of the same goalie coach, Kiprusoff and Nabokov have similar playing styles and attitudes, and are both considered amongst the best in the game. Ready to challenge, Nabokov combines aggressive tendencies with clean positioning to limit the opportunities of opposing shooters. A great glove hand, fantastic lateral movement and tight focus make him a tough man to beat at the best of times.

Trivia notes:

~In a 2002 game vs the Vancouver Canucks, Nabby became the first goalie to score a power-play goal, and the first European netminder to hit the other end.

~When he first arrived in North America, he called himself “John”, worried that the Anglophonic community wouldn’t be able to pronounce Evgeni. It didn’t last.

~ When scout Tim Burke went to Russia, it was to look at a different player; Nabokov’s father, an eighteen-year Russian hockey veteran. When the heir apparent was drafted 219^th overall, the Sharks had never seen him play.

~ Growing up in the USSR, he has played internationally for both Kazakhstan (1994) and Russia (2006 Olympics). Although he is a Russian citizen, he was disallowed from competing for them until 2005, due to his single appearance as a 19 year-old on the Kazakh team.

Check back over the coming days and weeks for a look at more impact players from the Sharks-Flames series, and around the NHL playoff circuit. Although these early editions focus on some of the more obvious key figures, there will be an examination of role-players, grinders, enforcers, etc from up and down the rosters that will shape the 2008 post-season.

There may even be a coach or two….

Happy Playoffs, everyone!

** Author's note: This article is dedicated to my mum for her birthday. She gave me the same advice every athlete receives at some point: You can achieve any goal if you are willing to work for it.

Catch Part II now by following the link or returning to the NHL page. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/17433-By-the-Numbers-Player-Profiles-from-the-2008-NHL-Playoffs--Part-II

A Touch of Class: Linden Bows Out, Iginla Finds 50, Rivals Show Sportsmanship

M MacDonald Hall — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 11:39:22 -0400

Two timeless leaders, Jarome Iginla and Trevor Linden exchange words of respect.

Tonight I digress from writing a detailed game recap of the season finale for the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks at GM Place. Though eight goals would be scored in the 7-1 Flames win, an overwhelming demonstration of hockey sportsmanship overshadowed the actual game.

Jarome Iginla and Trevor Linden were the epitome of class tonight as each had landmark outings, and the teams, coaches and fans followed their example. Linden, who has spent most of his career as a Canuck and fan-favourite has most likely played his last game in the NHL. Nothing has been officially announced, but tonight's emotional Vancouver performance indicated that the rumours the war-horse veteran plans to retire hold water.

Meanwhile, the visiting Flames illustrated the respect they have for their captain as they did almost everything to help him record his second 50-goal season. Held scoreless since posting his 49^th against the Canucks on 25 March, Iginla found full support from his team-mates and coach as he was given plenty of ice-time in the last game of the regular season.

The contest meant something different to either team, aside from the pressures alluded to above. The Flames wanted the two points a win would afford as they looked to climb to the highest possible seeding for the playoffs. The Canucks, eliminated from the post-season by the Oilers Thursday—the same game that clinched the Flames’ berth—sought to give the hometown faithful a thank-you/farewell performance as they face losing multiple key players in the off-season.

Both squads played hard to create opportunities for their leaders to excel, and Linden and Iginla obliged with two of the most appreciated performances of the tilt. Moreover, they would show their appreciation by displaying the class which has long defined both men.

Late in the second period with the score 3-1 in Calgary’s favour, it seemed the Flames captain had finally reached his milestone with a long, heavy shot through traffic. The puck slowed down as it hit padding, but it got by goalie Curtis Sanford—who replaced Luongo after allowing 3-goals-on-9 in the first—and was trickling through the paint and towards the goal-line. Whether or not it would have gone in on its original momentum is now moot. Flames sophomore Dustin Boyd came in with the best of intentions and helped the puck over the line at the last second as he inadvertently took credit for the goal away from Iginla.

A more despondent goal-scorer I’ve never seen as Boyd realised what had happened. The pressure Iginla and the rest of the team have felt in the search for fifty has been immense and to feel responsible for ruining your captain’s big chance would be heartbreaking for any young player.

He needn’t have worried. As Boyd dropped his head in dismay, Iginla, bearing the same beaming grin he always displays when his team finds a lift, skated over and commenced a normal goal celebration. He and the other skaters all crowded Boyd with a scrum, and one could see Iginla lean in on the youngster and reassure him with a word and a pat on the back.

Boyd would probably be much more relieved when Jarome finally found the big marker midway through the third period. Again he forced the puck through traffic, and this time it continued along its trajectory and into the cage to increase Calgary’s lead to 6-1 at 12:25 of the third.

Obviously, no team is happy to be scored upon, but overall there was a positive feeling in the building following the notch after fans realised the signifigance. The outcome of the game was at this point a foregone conclusion and with pressure off, most folks decided to simply appreciate what only two other NHLer’s have done this year. A broad smile painted Flames coach Mike Keenan’s face as he looked happier than he has all season. From the stands, a roar came forth from fans wearing sweaters from both rival teams as everyone recognised the momentous occasion. As the next play began, the home crowd gave an appreciative cheer to the players who had given them eighty-two games of heart through ups and downs in 2007-08.

Linden was also set up time after time by team-mates looking to give the assistant captain a memorable send-off. Though he was unable to score he pressed shift after shift as the fans cheered on their long-time hero. As the clock wound down he would be shown just how indelible an impression he has made in Vancouver and the NHL.

For all the excitement of scoring his fiftieth goal, Jarome Iginla managed to keep things in perspective as well as he always does. When Boyd got credit for what could have been his best chance at goal number fifty, he knew that winning the game and working as a team was more important than worrying about personal stats. When the Flames won and he met his target total during a game in which a nineteen-year veteran grinder played his last NHL contest at home, he understood that a lifetime of hockey leadership trumps a single personal moment.

Trevor Linden and Marcus Naslund left the ice with about thirty seconds left in the game and again received a standing ovation. When the clock finally confirmed the Calgary win, the Canucks squad crowded Linden near the Vancouver bench as he came back out for a last look at the crowded arena. Each blueshirt came forward induvidually to congratulate one of the League’s steadiest players in a personal demonstration of thanks.

As the home team finished honouring the man who played sixteen seasons for Vancouver, the crowd of fans would raise the volume as Jarome Iginla led his squad over, and one-by-one the Flames roster commended No.16 with a handshake and personal praise. The Calgarians who had already departed to the dressing room came back out, and the injured reserve left the press box to add their thoughts, including former Vancouver team-mate Adrian Aucoin. When Iginla’s turn came, Linden pulled in close and told No.12, “You’re the best player in the game.” Mutual admiration was evident, as was modesty. As each Flame approached to lend a word of praise, Linden seemed to return the favour more than once. Dion Phaneuf received acclaim similar to that given his Calgary captain as the two rivals exchanged niceties; the Medicine Hat, Alberta native gave the young defenseman a squeeze and told him he was the best at what he does in the game today.

In a show that resembled the lineups players form at the end of a hard-fought playoff series, there were two glaring differences: Only one man was being congratulated, and everyone was smiling sadly.

As the Flames cleared the ice and the Canucks participated in a fan appreciation night, Jarome Iginla was interviewed by Hockey Night in Canada’s Scott Oake (CBC). Grinning ear to ear in his usual affable manner, Iginla is always a good interview. Already facing the night with style, Jarome showed further humility and grace when Oake oafishly asked him what Linden had whispered in his ear. Perhaps the most genuinely honest personality in the League, the star refused to reveal the flattering details, saying with an apologetic smile that it was a personal moment. Showing class to the last, Calgary’s all-time goal-scoring leader then spoke modestly about hitting the fifty-goal marker yet again and the chances his team have heading into the playoffs, giving due credit to his team as a whole.

Asked about Linden as a player, Iginla told CBC Sports, “He’s not a cheap player. He’s a good, honest player. He always plays hard and scores big goals. We have a lot of respect for him.”

Speaking to the media himself, Captain Canuck would reiterate his "personal moment" praise for Iginla, and would add, "I think Jarome is one of the classiest players in the league."

Never one to shamelessly chase glory, Iginla naturally attracts attention which he has garnered over the years, and rightfully so. As one of the game’s finest players and individuals, he carries a responsibility which he manages with style and composure. Linden once drew similar notice as a leader on his team and a steady player through the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. He demonstrated poise as he helped lead the Canucks to the Stanley Cup Final in 1994, scoring twelve goals and twenty-five points in 24 post-season games played. When the Calgary Flames battled Tampa Bay for the Cup in 2004, they were the first Canadian team since the ‘94 Canucks squad to challenge for the hardest-fought title in sports.

Linden, who also played short engagements with the Islanders, Canadiens and Capitals, found his home with the Canucks and the Vancouver community. It is fitting that what may be his last NHL game was played at home in front of the fans that love what he brought to the team and the game. A recipient of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for commitment to hockey, Linden’s numbers had dropped over the past ten years, but he never stopped contributing to the club and the city.

As his parents watched from behind the Plexiglas, son Trevor received the greatest demonstration of public support and peer admiration possible.

The grace shown from all parties at the Garage this Saturday illustrates why hockey sportsmanship can be counted among the greatest in all of sport. While I commend the great things Linden contributed as a player and NHLPA leader, he was no superstar. Rather, he was a committed sportsman who deserved and has received recognition from fans, coaches, and most importantly, fellow players from around the League. The Canucks handed out the sweaters off their backs to lucky spectators after the game, and Linden’s final (and now autographed) game jersey will sadly but perhaps fittingly end up with the fans. In a League that produces so many heroes and genuine good-guy role models, it is reassuring that the negative associations some people attribute to hockey overall are perpetrated by a minority. Game events perceived as "violent" and atrocious behaviour in the sport are regularly criticised, and usually wrongfully lumped together.

Critics fail to realise the majority do not condone intentionally injuring players, illegitimate physicality, unsportsmanlike conduct etc. and do not generally consider outrageous behaviour as part of the game.

For what it’s worth, the problems hockey purportedly creates tend to be isolated and atypical, and generally are not a systemic threat. Inevitably they are amplified and used as the Crown witness every time an issue arises, but the concerning topics are rarely indicative of regular occurrences.

As though other sports don’t have worse problems.

As though endemic steroid use in professional competition is sportsmanlike. The negative issues hockey faces don't compare to other such chronic and destructive concerns.

Again, I digress.

Look closely at examples like tonight - examples occurring in different forms all the time at every level of the game - if you want to see what the “Neanderthals on ice” are really like. A game of skill, integrity and heart, hockey relies on each induvidual to perpetuate what those in the know recognise as a system of checks and balances. A game where those who run afoul earn no special consideration, and those who are worthy receive great dividends for effort paid in.

It is something that players of this game have always done, and will continue to do while the highest calibre of professional athlete remain as the core of the sport. Those who oppose how hockey is played and the antagonists who want to neuter the sport lack any understanding of “the code” and other factors that create such a unique atmosphere of competition. Many also see physicality and aggressive competition simply as violence, which is not at all the case as they fail to see the context. They therefore tend to claim that such hockey ideals are outdated, barbaric, or worse, don’t exist in the first place. Obviously, they have never played the game, or failed to recognise the give and take that flows from a self-sanctioned sport.

In any case, it was a fitting showing for and from two of the most selfless players of this generation. Despite what detractors may say, modern hockey is a game that is ultimately very much about respect. Every night, these men put themselves in countless hazardous situations, and they rely upon the common-courtesy of every combatant in the game. There is such heated intensity that it takes a great deal of discipline to uphold ethical principals through every battle, yet the majority of play is fair. When a skater shows a malicious lack of consideration, the intent to injure, it is rarely tolerated, and though it may leave a mark on the game it is outshone constantly as the bulk of players stick to a very strict unwritten code. Those who fail to respect their opponents and team-mates are bound to struggle.

When a player steps up and stands out as a credit to his name and the sport of hockey, he is honoured by those who understand best what it means to show such composure: the men who battle him night after night, year after year. There are very few people in the world—including the world of sport—who will be the focus of such moving demonstrations as granted Linden. In hockey, the warriors of the ice are lucky enough to find support through expressions of respect great and small nearly every time they play the game. As leaders of extremely adversarial rivals, Iginla and Linden exemplified the reverential traditions of the great game of hockey.

Jarome was named second star of the game as he rounded out 2007-08 with his fiftieth regular-season goal and two added assists, while Linden’s life-long performance earned him one last first star selection. These are two careers and hockey representatives who will long be remembered in the cities each adopted as home.

FLAMES @ CANUCKS 5 April 2008 GAME NOTES

** Linden was quoted after the game as saying of Iginla, "It was a very, very classy thing to do.... Not only that, he is probably the best player in the league."

** Alternate captain Robyn Regehr was at the fore with Iginla in leading the Flames team to Linden at the end of the game. Flames coach Mike Keenan, who was responsible for Linden's only trade away from Vancouver (1997-98), did not participate, thereby avoiding awkwardness.

** Former Flame Byron Ritchie had the lone Vancouver goal tonight with what would be his only shot on net. It was his first goal in 44 games.

** As depth players make a bid to stay in the lineup for the post-season, left-wing Eric Nystrom played a fantastic game tonight. He set up the first goal with a takeaway and a patient passing play, and scored on both of his two shots-on-net to finish with four points. Including tonight’s pair, he has only three goals on the season.

** Calgary backup goalie Curtis Joseph started in net and played a great game, making numerous lead-saving stops as he kept 27 of 28 Vancouver shots on-net out.

** 7 April 2002, Jarome Iginla scored against the Chicago Blackhawks to record his first 50-goal season. This year he surpassed the 96 points he scored in 2001-02, the year he won the Art Ross, Maurice “Rocket” Richard, and Lester B Pearson trophies with 52 goals, 44 assists for 96 points. In tonight’s game, he recorded one goal and two assists, raising his 2007-08 point totals to a new career high with 50 goals and 48 assists for 98 points.

** Marcus Naslund, who has been with the Canucks since 1996 and has long been their captain, may not be returning to Vancouver next year. A free-agent, it is rumoured the Canucks management will not offer him a new contract.

** Most game stats were even for both teams despite the uneven score after sixty minutes.

** If you did not see the game, the moments after the buzzer of heartfelt gratitude and appreciation from all concerned was enough to bring a lump to one’s throat.

** Among Linden's NHL nicknames are Captain Canuck, Mr Clutch, and the traditionally unoriginal hockey moniker Trev.

GENERAL NOTES

** American radio sports analyst Jim Rome has often described ice hockey players as the most polite, personable, professional and intelligent group as a whole to interview. Most junior hockey leagues feature a majority of university/college-student players, many of whom are polite to the point of seeming reticent.

M MacDonald Hall is the Bleacher Report Calgary Flames Community Leader, and will be adding to that department over the summer. Future articles include a breakdown of Calgary Flames playoff performance in the 21st Century, roster changes and information, and Flames-specific trivia. M’s Bleacher Report archive includes an assortment of Flames/NHL articles.

M also writes on various other topics, sport and non-sport related. Enquiries regarding NHL writing or other subjects may be directed to M's Bleacher Report profile or via email.

Wild-Flames: Minnesota Wins Northwest, Jarome Iginla Still Seeking 50

M MacDonald Hall — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:19:58 -0400

The Minnesota Wild couldn’t have asked for a better regular season home finale. Marian Gaborik led a crowd-pleasing performance Minnesota fans will savour well into the future, as the Wild beat the visiting Calgary Flames 3-1 to clinch the club’s first Divisional title in its seven-season history.

The perfect setting for a fan appreciation night, the hometown heroes handed their game jerseys to lucky (and hopefully olfactory-impaired) contest winners as a raucous crowd illustrated the support the Wild can expect as they enjoy first-round home-ice advantage. Now a lock as the third seed in the Western Conference heading into the playoffs, Minnesota can peer down at the lower echelons as they wait to see which team will visit St Paul next week.

As have many recent games, this contest had a playoff atmosphere right from the get-go. Both sides had something to fight for. Minnesota wanted the Division-clinching decision. Calgary on the other hand sought to keep the Northwest race alive with a win; in any case they needed at least one point to sew up a playoff spot without having to rely on the out-of-town scoreboard for a boost.

The Flames came into tonight with an air of confidence. The Wild have struggled against Calgary; tonight’s victory was only their second win against the Flames in the eight regular season games this year.

Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff had been particularly effective against Minnesota, posting a 19-5-3 all-time record against the Wildmen, while his team carried with them a 27-9-4-2-2 all-time advantage. If that wasn’t enough, Calgary Wild-sniper Jarome Iginla had 46 points in 43 games-played against the Wild and was searching for his 50^th goal of the season.

The competition would be a fast and furious throughout the entire game.

Early first period goals were exchanged to create a 1-1 tie that would survive numerous shots and power-plays until 1:11 of the final frame.

Daymond Langkow would open the scoring for Calgary with a power-play wrist-shot 2:41 into the opening stanza. Adrian Aucoin kept the puck from being cleared from the offensive zone and found Jarome Iginla on the play. Iginla’s shot was stopped but produced a juicy rebound as the puck bounced off the butt-end of Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom’s goal-stick directly to Langkow waiting on the doorstep. Langkow made no mistake on the fortuitous play and found the back of the cage with Backstrom on the ice to pull ahead 1-0.

Only a few minutes later Flame-snuffing heavy Todd Fedoruk would get his sixth goal of the year to draw even. Working tirelessly on what would be just one of seven power-play chances, Minnesotan Pavol Demitra delivered a tape-to-tape pass from behind the end-line. Fedoruk burst into the slot and lifted a lovely backhand over Kiprusoff in a rare moment of offensive flair to notch a 1-1 score at 5:54.

The remaining fourteen minutes of the first would see two good teams play relatively even hockey to round out the first. Minnesota leader Brian Rolston would record a game-leading seven shots through sixty minutes and made a number of fantastic plays including an early-period breakaway attempt as he took advantage of a Calgary giveaway. Kiprusoff make the stop, but moments later Rolston was back with Gaborik. The 2006 Vezina Trophy winner demonstrated supremacy as he stopped Rolston then Gaborik in rapid succession to keep the game even. The saves were almost unbelievable as he stretched to make the play, raising a cheer from the Calgary faithful in the stands.

Backstrom would have his hands full at the other end trying to keep Iginla and Co. from finding any space to shoot. Standing right on the doorstep of Backstrom’s crease, Iginla was denied twice in a matter of seconds. Releasing a quick shot which was stopped, Iggy deftly wrangled in his own rebound and released another lighting blast. Ever alert after his earlier goal-stick gaff, the Minnesota netminder would smother the Flames captain’s offerings all night.

The final minute of the first saw Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf raise the ire of the red-and-green sweaters. Levelling left winger Stephane Veilleux with a blind-side hit, Phaneuf would be confronted by Brent Burns and the two blueliners would fight a protracted duel that would see the combatants meander from one side of the ice to the other. Burns would eventually have his sweater ripped off as the two exchanged blows before heading to the penalty box. Phaneuf would receive an additional call for interference, and the Wild would take power-play time into the second.

The middle period would be slow but steady and featured the kind of play that fans of grit/defensive hockey love. That is not to say there weren’t offensive splendours offered in the second, but the goaltenders and rearguards performed with aplomb and kept the contest close. Kiprusoff would prevent Fedoruk from tallying his second of the night as the Calgary netminder stopped another backhand attempt.

Matthew Lombardi, showing great progress in the latter part of this season continued with his impressive play as he checked a breaking Gaborik in the Calgary zone. Sliding across to cut off the play and retrieve the puck just as Gaborik loaded up a shot, Lombardi showed further improvement to his defensive game. His line would spend much of the contest swarming the Minnesota end as he, Wayne Primeau and Stephane Yelle pressed hard with solid fore/back checking.

Hauling the one-all tie into the third period, both teams seemed capable of finding an extra gear to win the game. The Flames fought valiantly, but in the end they were no competition for the eventual Division champs.

Iginla and Alex Tanguay would have an early third-period opportunity as the two skilled forwards entered the attacking zone. Passing the puck back and forth, Tanguay should have shot the puck as they bore down on Backstrom, but instead passed it back to Iginla.

The puck went through traffic and the attack was diffused.

It was just one example of the well-meaning Calgary club’s efforts to help their captain find #50. Starting in the first period (and continuing from when Iginla scored #49) the situation seemed to limit the Flames somewhat as they passed up scoring opportunities by electing to dish the puck to Jarome.

Gaborik would score moments after the Tanguay-Iginla rush to take the 2-1 Wild lead at 1:11. Lifting the puck over Kiprusoff’s outstretched glove, the 25-year-old Slovakian extended his 2007-08 point streak against the Flames to 11 points in seven games, and he wasn‘t done there.

Each side would have a single third-period power-play, and the Flames got theirs at 2:21 after drawing Rolston into a holding call with competent forechecking. Throwing everything they could at the net, Calgary was a real threat to equalise the score as the team’s big-guns sent rapid-fire towards backstop Backstrom. Unable to score, Calgary would seem to temporarily take control of the pace until a waived off Minnesota goal spurred the Wild to play incredibly complete hockey for the last fifteen minutes.

What would have been the original 3-1 Gaborik tally, an early whistle on a play saved the Flames from falling further behind halfway into the third. After an initial shot sent Kipper down to make the save, the puck seemed to disappear as Wild attackers jammed at the puck in the paint. Unable to see the black disc, the linesman was stopping the play dead just seconds before Gaborik poked the rubber through Kiprusoff’s legs and six inches over the goal line.

The crowd went wild as the play was sent for a full review, and they cranked the volume to show their displeasure at the inopportune officiating and no-goal decision.

They didn’t have cause to worry as the home team continued to press for more, and at 13:11 on the power-play Gaborik would cap his dominant performance with his second goal and third point of the night.

Holding the puck in the attacking zone for most of their man-advantage, the Wild would inundate Kiprusoff and his defenders with shots and disconcerting moves. Todd Fedoruk would find position on the Calgary goalie as Gaborik took the screened shot and snuck it in past the bodies.

The Wild had been playing with such dominance in the third that the goal had seemed an inevitability.

Looking to regain control of their playoff fate, Calgary pressed hard to convert plays and climb back in the game, but were turned away time and again. Phaneuf stepped up and sent a blast that was roped in by Backstrom as the Calgary defence was activated on plays in a bid to score on an odd-man rush.

Before the game, Wild coach Jacque Lemaire told the media that the team hoped to contain Iginla with good defensive stick work. While they were a bit sloppy with the mandate earlier in the game, Minnesota completed the late-game shutdown by getting sticks into shooting lanes and breaking up Calgary plays.

A team that has been repeatedly accused of over-employing the old trap system, the Wild would break from type, driving into the offensive zone and threatening Kiprusoff even after the 2-1 lead. It wouldn’t be until after their third goal that they relented slightly, spending closeout time clogging the neutral zone and forcing Calgary to play dump-and-chase hockey for the last eight minutes.

The fact that they felt the need to cushion the score goes to show the threat Calgary posed.

The final buzzer would be muffled by the roar of the St Paul crowd as the home team locked the Northwest Division title with a 3-1 win over Calgary. Both teams would find chances and inspiring play from the roster, but the visitors were outplayed overall in the end by a team Minnesota fans feel has finally come of age.

A lot of Divisional games have been played of late, and recently the Flames have been losing slight ground even when they succeed. Again tonight, the Flames didn’t seem to play up to their potential. Despite valiant efforts from up and down the bench there seemed to be some intangibility still lacking. Miikka Kiprusoff gave them ample opportunity to win as he put up 23 saves, while Phaneuf, Iginla, Langkow, Lombardi and Adrian Aucoin all played offensively dangerous hockey; still, it wasn’t quite enough.

The Flames will have to solve this inconsistency issue before they walk into the post-season next week. Analysts and enthusiasts have been mystified by the two-faced persona of this talent-laden team, and the overwhelming hope is that they can find a common aim in a Stanley Cup campaign.

On the upside, Calgary did not so much lose this game as much as Minnesota went out and won it. Regardless, the coaching staff will certainly have feedback for the Calgarians as the Flames showed recurring lapses of discipline as they took various unnecessary penalties. Through forty minutes, Calgary played offensively threatening hockey even-strength but could not take full advantage for any length of time. Although they iced a very good penalty-killing unit most of the game, the staggered special team play and two power-play goals against were enough to neutralise the visitors in the exuberant Xcel Energy Center.

Good Samaritan Flames may face mild reproach from coach Mike Keenan as many players hoped to help out their main cog in his quest for his second 50-goal season. Although well-intentioned, the Flames lost repeated scoring chances by dishing off in mixed circumstances bearing mixed results. Forcing the play created errors and may have prevented Iginla from making the natural plays with which he generally scores. As well, while Calgary would out-shoot the competition, it was the Wild who had the edge in scoring-chances and the momentum of the play by working smartly as the clock wound down.

For now, the season isn’t over for either team. Minnesota head coach Jacques Lemaire, who coached his 500^th NHL victory tonight, will want the team well prepared for a serious playoff push. The Wild will also look to further improve their fan-inspiring year, while the Flames will be looking to find the best possible seeding as each team will play one last game on the road. Thanks to some uncharacteristic Provincial generosity and a pinch of luck, the Flames locked up a playoff standing even after the loss.

The Edmonton Oilers did their rivals a favour tonight as they played their last game of the season at GM Place and beat Vancouver 2-1 to mathematically lock the Flames into the playoffs and the Canucks out. If the Canucks had won it would have been down to Saturday night’s Calgary-Vancouver season finale to reveal the teams‘ fates. As it is, the Flames will dearly need to find a focus, an “identity” if you will, that will bind them together as a cohesive, smoothly-run unit and give them a fighting chance over the coming weeks.

If they can’t get it together, all the stress fans have felt over the past few weeks will have been for nought. After challenging Tampa for the Cup in 2004, the Flames have twice been eliminated in the first round of playoff action. Supporters in the Stampede City will want to see this latest and perhaps most impressive recent edition of the Flames make another serious pitch for the gleaming mug many wish to see returned North of the border.

As for the Wild, the road to glory may finally have opened its gates. In a state enamoured with the game of hockey, the Wild replaced the transplanted Minnesota North Stars (now Dallas Stars) in 2000. They finished their first two seasons at the bottom of their Division, but in 2003 played all the way to the Western Conference Finals only to lose to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks (as they were still known) in a four-game sweep. Last year they again made the playoffs only to be eliminated by the Ducks again. Since the lockout they have been busy regaining ground in the Northwest Division and the Western Conference.

This year the self-proclaimed “State of Hockey” has been rewarded for staying loyal through all the hockey hardships Minnesota has had to face. From Bill Goldsworthy to Gump Worsley to Dino Ciccerelli, the North Stars were home to a lot of great talent. Although that team and it’s records were transferred to Texas, the newest Minnesota NHL franchise will have its own records and glories as they find an identity all their own.

The perfect place for post-season hockey, Minnesota produces more hockey talent than any other similar area outside of Canada. There is nowhere else in the United States where the game is played as much per square mile as it is in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

In celebration of the win tonight, the players were in high spirits as they sprayed one another cheerfully with water bottles. When Nick Schultz -who has spent his entire NHL career with the Wild- was asked if there was champagne in the dressing room he said there was no way… the team is saving that for the Stanley Cup!

NOTES: ** Marian Gaborik has spent his entire career with the Wild and has led the club in many respects. Already the team leader in all-time goals-scored, he surpassed his own record this year and extended it tonight to 42. Tonight’s three-point outing was Gabby’s tenth two-goal game this year and his fifth multi-point game in his last eight tilts.

** With the guaranteed playoff seed, the Flames are the only Northwest team to secure a post-season position every single year since-and-including 2003-04 (except lockout).

** With the win tonight, Minnesota coach Jacques Lemaire recorded his 500^th career NHL victory, joining Toe Blake and eleven other bench-bosses all-time. Lemaire has been with the Wild since their inception in 2000-01 and has coached seven 82-game seasons (with a year off in the lockout). He has extensive playoff coaching experience from past tenures with the Canadiens and Devils, and spent his 12 NHL playing seasons with Montreal, winning the Stanley Cup eight times from 1968-1979.

** The North Stars' final season in Minnesota was 1992-93. The state was without an NHL franchise for seven long years.

** The Minnesota Wild out-paced the Calgary Flames in most stat categories tonight; however, the Flames only allowed three recorded giveaways while the Wild gave the puck up 13 times. The Wild doubled-up the Flames on hits, 16-8. Blocked-shots 13-11 MIN, TK 4-6 MIN, shots-on-net, 27-26 CAL. Faceoffs- 50/50

** For the second year in a row, the Flames clinch a playoff spot via the out-of-town scoreboard. Both times Calgary lost a game in which they “controlled their destiny” and had to wait for an elimination game elsewhere before they could lock a seed.

** Marian Gaborik would only put one shot on goal through the first forty minutes (described above), but would end the game with five shots, three points and the game-winning goal.

** The picture will be clearer at the end of the week, but Calgary could face Minnesota, Detroit, Anaheim or San Jose in the first round of the playoffs. Minnesota would likely be the most even series out of those options.

** Matthew Lombardi played another impressive game. He fired more shots than any other Flame (5) and showed real jump as he tried to spark his team to the win and his captain to his second 50-goal season.

** Calgary enforcer Eric Godard only had 1:05 of ice-time, while young forward Dustin Boyd played just 1:44 and served four minutes worth of infraction calls.

**** Elsewhere in the NHL, Alex Ovechkin passed Luc Robataille for most goals scored by a left-wing with his 64th tally of the year****

Battle of Alberta Resumes: Edmonton's Playoff Hopes Fizzle with Flames Win

M MacDonald Hall — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:20:24 -0400

In one of the best, most meaningful provincial scuffles in recent memory the Calgary Flames eliminated the rival Edmonton Oilers from post-season contention with a 3-2 win at Rexall Place.

No, this isn’t an April Fool’s Day trick.

A fantastic episode of the Battle of Alberta saw two desperate teams play determined hockey as each side fought to remain in the playoff hunt. For the Flames, the win renews slight hope for a chance at the Northwest Division title, sitting three points behind the current leader Minnesota Wild after tonight‘s victory.

Both teams played admirably throughout. Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff appeared in his 75^thstart of the year to break his own franchise record of seventy-four starts. The patient Finn would make several key saves to keep his team in the game and hold on for the important win. Outshot in the game 30-17, the Flames are now 6-2 in the eight games in which they were held under twenty shots this season.

Edmonton showed the initial jump as Jarret Stoll had an early chance on the Calgary net. The Flames would return the favour with offensive pressure of their own from the skilled hands of Matthew Lombardi, Kristian Huselius and Alex Tanguay. Showing great intensity, the teams would go end-to-end for almost four straight minutes before the first whistle of the game stopped play when Stephane Yelle stepped offside on a delayed rush.

Seconds later good Calgary pressure would draw an Edmonton penalty when Stoll was called for hooking. The Flames would turn the intensity up a notch for the man advantage, and felt a second penalty should have been called as Jarome Iginla was taken down as he drove to the net with a scoring chance. Unable to take the early lead, the visitors showed promise while the Oilers kept defensively even by keeping the puck to the outside.

Halfway through the first period Edmonton would storm the net. Marc-Antoine Pouliot, Denis Grebeshkov and Fernando Pisani all accosted Kiprusoff with a barrage of pucks. Moving the play out of danger, the Flames would find themselves the victims of Edmonton’s youthful transitional play when former Columbus Blue Jacket Curtis Glencross sent the puck through Kipper’s legs on a returning rush to take a 1-0 Edmonton lead at 10:22.

Immediately following the ensuing centre-ice face-off, Dion Phaneuf and Jarome Iginla would attempt to regain control by playing aggressive hockey. Players from both benches would find ways to “make an impact” as Calgary pressed for the equalising marker. First, David Moss was drilled by Oil-slick Ladislav Smid, while seconds later Jim Vandermeer got one back by rubbing Glencross out on the boards. For the second time at least, Pouliot gave Kiprusoff a clip that went unnoticed by the officials. Unwilling to lay down for the second time this week, the Flames fought hard and would find the tying power-play goal at 14:22 of the opening frame.

After almost a minute of steady power-play work, Adrian Aucoin would send a snap-shot past Dwayne Roloson. Pinching in on the play, the veteran defenseman received a crisp pass from Owen Nolan. The rubber disc was initially flying wide of the target until it deflected off Oil defender Denis Grebeshkov and into the net to knot the game at one-all.

The Calgary squad seemed to visibly improve their effort following the Aucoin tally. Although Phaneuf would take a late first-period penalty that continued into the second, the Flames would take momentum into the middle frame. Starting off on a penalty-kill, Calgary effectively shut down the Edmonton special team unit, utilising smart stick work to break the play before sending Lombardi on a fruitless short-handed attack.

Again the play went back and forth, although the Oilers had the edge in shots and scoring chances. Shift after shift they found opportunities. Fernando Pisani rang the post behind Kiprusoff; later, Glencross would drive the net only to be redirected away from danger by Jim Vandermeer. The only stanza in which Calgary outshot the locals, the second would give stage to Alex Tanguay’s first goal in nine outings and a 2-1 Calgary lead.

Taking advantage of a late period power-play, the Flames bore down on the Oiler net ripping shot after shot at Roloson. Cheating slightly, the Edmonton goalie took himself out of position, at which point Tanguay whistled a bad-angle shot which deflected off of Roloson and into the net. With just 2.1 seconds left in the middle frame, the Flames had a 2-1 advantage.

As the final period began it was obvious that the Oilers were not ready to give up the ghost without a fight. Again the action went end-to-end. Kiprusoff was forced to make an early stop on Marty Reasoner to maintain the lead; the Calgary netminder would be peppered with pucks all night only to stump the competition with his trademark agility.

The Flames would find chances too as Iginla would send a shot high over an open net for the second time in the contest. Still looking for his 50^thtally, the captain kept a low profile throughout the tilt, though he was nearly given credit for Tanguay’s second period goal. As the pressure mounted and desperation grew, Edmonton netminder Roloson was forced to make a remarkable move to give his team a shot at the win. Looking to pad the score, Calgary youth Dustin Boyd found himself with a rebounding puck and an open net following a Dion Phaneuf assault on the net. Roloson went into a full leg-split to make the desperation stop and keep the score 2-1 with slick lateral movement.

Curtis Glencross would even the score at 13:17, when prolonged Edmonton harassment and a single defensive lapse led to a temporary shift in momentum. Streaking in on a breakaway, Glencross slipped behind the checking Phaneuf and was able to manoeuvre in on the goalie. Moments earlier Kiprusoff had completed a superb diving save on Marty Reasoner, who saw an open net and scoring chance disappear in front of his eyes.

The team-mates skating in front of Kipper would refuse to allow his heroics to be wasted, and they fought through the setback.

The Oilers would spend the last twenty minutes outshooting Calgary 17-4; amazingly, the Flames found a winner within that handful of shots. The Flames began defending against Edmonton’s off-the-rush style, diffusing transitional plays by clogging up the centre of the playing surface. Tied at two with less than five minutes left in the game, Calgary would need more than defence (and one might have thought more than four shots!) to pull off the win.

Having already delivered his best performance of late, Calgary leader Owen Nolan would score his first goal in twenty-one games to give the Flames the eventual game-winner. By now the norm, each team had been applying intense pressure at both ends of the ice and the atmosphere was charged as it seemed either side might grind out the victory. At 16:16 of the final frame, Nolan would all but end Edmonton’s 2008 playoff dreams when he angled a Dion Phaneuf rebound into the Oiler goal to take a 3-2 Calgary lead.

With little time left to salvage their down-and-up season, Edmonton would throw everything in its arsenal at the Flames over the final two minutes. Stoll, Glencross, Dustin Penner, Andrew Cogliano and Kyle Brodziak pressed over the last minute as Roloson left the net for an extra attacker. Able to keep the puck out of danger, the last few seconds wound down with the Flames smothering the puck in the Edmonton zone. Final score: 3-2 Calgary.

A classic hockey match-up, tonight’s game was hard-fought between two of this game’s fiercest rivals. Although the game did not get overly “chippy”, the game was battled tooth-and-nail as each club knew post-season hopes relied entirely on the outcome of this last game. Edmonton depended on the kid-line of Andrew Cogliano, Sam Gagner and Robert Nilsson, as well as riding goalie Dwayne Roloson after starting backstop Mathieu Garon was injured earlier this year. Regardless of their various recent underdog wins, the Edmonton squad was not built for an NHL post-season campaign this year.

Officially excluded from the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Oilers spent most of this season at the bottom of the Western Conference before pulling themselves back up over the past month and a half. In their last eighteen games they have a 13-4-1 record. Last year their record over their last twenty games was 2-17-1. The Central Albertans may find positives from their recent efforts, but the fact remains that this club has now missed the post-season twice after playing in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006. Endowed with a youthful squad, Edmonton lost many veteran/character players in the recent past and must now look at rebuilding before they will find any level of consistency at an elite level of competition. They can rest assured by the fact that skill resides in their young players, but the team must be disciplined if they want to develop them into well-rounded, grade-A talent. For now they can channel the disappointment in an attempt at a spoiler game when the Oilers meet the Canucks in Edmonton’s season finale at GM Place on Thursday.

Calgary, of course, has much more to look forward to. They face two final regular season games in Minnesota and Vancouver before the Western Conference can be sure where everyone is seeded for the playoffs. Still largely masters of their own destiny, the Flames will want the highest possible standing heading into the post-season, as they will likely wish to avoid playing the Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks or San Jose Sharks in the first round. They will need some co-operation from other Western teams for the numbers to align in their favour, and if the Flames can shake their recent on-ice issues they could be a treacherous team to face in a seven game series. As the closing road-trip winds down the 2007-08 regular season, watch to see how the Flames respond to the pressure-cooker that is the Northwest Division/Western Conference race.

NOTES: ** Before tonight’s game Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish was complaining to the media that he believes Robyn Regehr is using “illegal” techniques when physically routing the Oilers, especially Ales Hemsky. A ridiculous accusation, Regehr may be a physical force to be reckoned with, he generally plays a very clean game. If teams can’t compete with that type of play, it doesn’t make it “illegal”

** Only six penalties called between the two teams (three each) in what can often be a vicious rivalry

** Craig Conroy was out of the lineup with a torso injury sustained Sunday in Vancouver

** Owen Nolan would record a goal and an assist, while Matthew Lombardi and Dion Phaneuf recorded two assists each for the Flames. Curtis Glencross would score two goals for the Oilers

** Fernando Pisani hit the post behind Kiprusoff early in the second period

** The Edmonton/Calgary season series ends in a 4-4 tie. It is the first time in at least four years that the Flames did not win the eight-game series.

** Shots in the first period were low, 6-4 EDM. Flames held the edge in face-offs and takeaways, while Edmonton led in blocked shots. The Oilers allowed a lot of giveaways, 15-6. Hits were even: 16-16.

** Only four Flames were credited with more than one shot on goal for the night. Iginla and Vandermeer shot three each, while Cory Sarich and Owen Nolan ripped two apiece.

** Edmonton defender Joni Pitkanen returned to the lineup following a groin injury suffered in Saturday’s match vs Calgary. He led the game in minutes with 27:11 and fired four shots on-net.

** The Nashville Predators beat the St. Louis Blues in overtime tonight to stay alive in the race. Had the Predators lost that game, the Flames would already be a mathematical lock as a playoff seed. Elsewhere, the Colorado Avalanche beat the Vancouver Canucks as the Avs edge close to the top of the Division and the Canucks slide perilously close to falling off the edge and out of contention.

** Daymond Langkow returned to the Calgary lineup after missing Sunday's game due to a death in the family. He played well enough, but gave the puck away in a dangerous position when he tried to find Jarome Iginla up at the other blue-line with a long lead pass. The play was broken up and brought back to the Flames end.

** Matthew Lombardi played another impact game as he continues to improve as an all-around player.

NHL Fight Night 2008: Double Impact

M MacDonald Hall — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:17:45 -0400

What dimension has fighting brought to the 2007-08 NHL season?

A part of hockey since the beginning, fights and physicality have allowed players to vent emotion and lift their teams with the passion and self-sacrifice which define the game. Each team, each generation finds a man to step up for the group as an enforcer, someone who keeps the opposition in check in a sport where aggressive physical contact is the norm.

In the past some clubs maintained their popularity largely because of aggressive tendencies. Today, with a speedier more skilful League, players and teams have generally had to find a balance between grit and talent, combining them as often as possible.

The initial act is simple: pair up, chirp, make the call, drop the gloves and go! The reasons and the results vary. Sparking the team when they are behind in scoring; keeping the opposition from taking liberties; protecting team-mates. The best outcome, on top of a win, is to show heart. Players respond when they see a team-mate personally step up for the squad, and it often spurs them to play their very best.

As a team unit, there is no better motivator to win than to realise how hard mates are willing to play for each other.

This season certain teams have seen these morale-lifting performances more than others. The statistics are interesting. Of the top-ten teams on the fighting-majors column, seven will almost certainly make the post-season. Of those in the bottom ten, only four are in playoff contention.

Leading the way in the pugilistic sciences are the Anaheim Ducks and Calgary Flames, tied for first in fights at time of writing. Both teams have had successful seasons overall, and the Ducks are seeking to defend their Stanley Cup title. In Anaheim, George Parros holds almost a third of his team’s fighting majors, with team-mates Brain Sutherby and Travis Moen rounding out the tally. This team has had fantastic success over the past few years as they have built themselves into what they feel is another Championship team.

The Flames have had showings from throughout their squad. At the top stands Eric Godard, brought in to fill the enforcer role, and he has had ample support from up and down the Calgary lineup. Blue-liners Dion Phaneuf and Jim Vandermeer have pitched in (Phaneuf is second in fights amongst NHL defensemen), as have forwards Mark Smith and Eric Nystrom, all in the NHL's top 60 scrappers. And of course when team Captain Jarome Iginla drops the gloves as he has five times this year, his club responds explosively to his dedicated leadership.

The Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks fill out the last of the top five fighting teams. Chicago, though not in the playoffs this season, have seen impressive performances from a very youthful corps. 25-year-old Adam Burish leads the team in brawls, while Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and newly added Andrew Ladd headline a roster which the ‘Hawks organisation is building for the future.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers have partially revived their “Broad Street Bullies” persona of the 1970‘s. Returning to a combination of general skill and intense physical intimidation, the Flyers have made their presence felt despite a stream of suspensions this season. Although barely holding on to 8^th place in the East, the Flyers have the potential to wear down the opposition as the clock winds down.

With so many “fighting” teams in contention for the post-season, does that mean a run-em-rough style guarantees a ticket to the playoffs? Absolutely not. Jared Boll of the “also-ran” Columbus Blue Jackets leads the NHL in major penalties, while the Edmonton Oilers who are 8^th in fights overall spent most of this year at the bottom of the Western standings. The Minnesota Wild (16^th overall in NHL fights) have maintained top standings within their division while staying mid-road in the fights column, proving the effectiveness of moderation and balance. However, by and large in 2007-08, teams that fight well, win well.

Of course there are exceptions to every rule. The Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens, while ranking in the lowest echelons of the “fights-for” category are wrapping up the year at the top of the Eastern Conference. The Detroit Red Wings have the fewest fights in the NHL and are on pace for another President’s Trophy. Of the four teams previously mentioned from the bottom ten which have playoff hopes, three are current division leaders, including the San Jose Sharks.

Teams like these have done well without the use of excessive force by focusing on other strengths, such as scoring flair or strong team identity.

The impact of a timely bout can be massive, and can counter-balance the most uneven matchups. Fans watching a game feel a personal lift as they cheer on their enforcer; imagine the impression of players sitting on the bench or watching from the ice.

Certain games and playoff series are decided largely on the physical momentum of the match. Calgary Flames forward Kristian Huselius learned this the hard way as he watched his ice time slowly reduced to nothing when his club faced demanding contests. Although Calgary's second leading scorer, Huselius lacks grit or physical presence to back up his magic hands.

His team remains competitive by utilising the tools at their disposal at chosen times, shifting the roster and playing to their strengths. Bench-bosses and GM’s are constantly looking for the perfect combinations.

Every team has it’s own unique style of play, it’s own path to victory. Speedy, skilful teams and players often seem less likely to drop the gloves, and it can be a great surprise when they do. Other men, who play with grit throughout their careers stay away from fisticuffs altogether.

Fighting shall always have a place in hockey. The will to drop the gloves and battle for the team is part of a skater’s repertoire, and over the years many a-player has been signed in the NHL because of the fear he will elicit. The role of the enforcer is different for every player and every team, but it remains integral. Throughout 2007-08, some teams made a name for themselves as scrappers, some as punishing, some as dangerously skilled, and some as inconsequential. As the regular season makes way for the playoffs, watch to see which roles and styles become most significant as the eliminations begin.

***Check back after the Stanley Cup Finals, when I will discuss the art of fighting in hockey as a general topic. The etiquette involved in NHL match-ups. The shifting role of fighting in the game. What counts as going too far?***

Jarome Iginla's Natural Hat-Trick Burns Wild

M MacDonald Hall — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:45:17 -0400

Jarome Iginla delivered an MVP performance as the Calgary Flames beat the Minnesota Wild 5-4 in the Pengrowth Saddledome.

Calgary defender Dion Phaneuf recorded three points, and Wildmen Kim Johnsson and Benoit Pouliot scored two goals apiece.

Both teams battled hard in a Northwest Division clash as each squad hopes to capture the division title. With the win, Calgary pulls to within one point of the currently first-place Wild with a game in hand.

The game started with energy and physicality from both sides. At 4:56 of the first, Minnesota tough-man Derek Boogaard took on Flames enforcer Eric Godard in front of more than 19,000 fans.

At the ensuing face-off, defenseman Jim Vandermeer was lined up on the wing facing former Flame Chris Simon. The second energy bout in eleven seconds, Vandermeer and Simon exchanged heavy shots and gave their squads a psychological lift.

Play continued back and forth. Each team had power play chances and scoring opportunities as both sides demonstrated why they are fighting for first place in the NW. Having opened the game with grit, both clubs played an even first period, each recording ten shots on goal and keeping the game scoreless heading into the second.

Dion Phaneuf opened the scoring and the second with a Bobby Orr-style short-handed goal, breaking in from the Flames zone past a confused Minnesota defence and lifting the puck one-handed over goalie Josh Harding. The Wild were on a line change and lost position as Phaneuf took advantage of his power and speed to get in and break the deadlock at 3:00 of the second period.

It was the first short-handed goal of Phaneuf’s career.

The Wild would have chances of their own. Calgary goalie Miikka Kiprusoff was forced to make a spectacular save on a 2-on-1 featuring Brian Rolston and Branko Radivojevic to temporarily maintain the Flames lead.

Minnesota youngster Benoit Pouliot would shift the score in favour of his team with his first and second NHL goals. Scoring even-strength at 13:12 and 18:24, Pouliot’s tallies would give the Wild the scoring edge until 19:37 of the second. After that, it was Jarome Iginla’s game.

With just twenty-three seconds left in the middle frame, Iginla took control of the play off the draw. Winning the faceoff in the Minnesota zone, he got the puck to Dion Phaneuf at the point. As Jim Vandermeer took the screen, Iginla moved to the net while Phaneuf let loose a hard shot. Taking advantage of the ensuing rebound, Iginla popped in the game tying goal to even the score before the intermission.

Carrying his intensity into the third period, Iginla would score his 47^th at 0:50 to take the 3-2 lead. Alex Tanguay would assist the play, moving the puck in along the side and passing to Iginla coming down the slot.

The third fight of the game came courtesy of Cory Sarich and Wild heavy Todd Fedoruk at 6:14. The skirmish came just seconds after Sarich left the penalty box following an interference call. The frustration and intensity of both teams were illustrated in what was a lengthy bout.

Half a minute after the fight, Iginla completed the hat-trick, posting his 48^th to give the home team a two-goal cushion. His stellar play inspired his team, as he had three hits, two takeaways and was 67% in the faceoff circle. He recorded the natural hat-trick within seven minutes and dominated with his usual well-rounded style of play.

The Wild would not be put away easily as they continued to grind in what has become their effective style of play. Defenseman Kim Johnsson posted his third of the year thanks to his team battling in deep to hold the puck in the Calgary zone. Good pressure gave Minnesota a chance as Johnsson put the puck through traffic and past Miikka Kiprusoff.

The last two minutes of play would bring the game right down to the wire.

Flames speedster Matthew Lombardi made the score 5-3 at 18:18 as he burst in with speed on Harding. The play began with role player Stephane Yelle taking the puck away from Marian Gaborik in the neutral zone; Lombardi took the loose puck and blew past trailing Minnesota defence to notch his 12^th of the year.

The Wild would not give in easily, however, as Johnsson made it interesting with fifty-five seconds left in the game and narrowing the deficit to one goal. His second of the game and fourth of the season came before Minnesota pulled the goalie to try for the equaliser.

They would be unsuccessful with the extra man, and the game ended with the puck smothered along the Calgary boards, final score 5-4 Calgary.

This was not an easy win, no “gimme” by any stretch. Both teams did well to kill off penalties and keep the game evenly physical. Neither side would allow for much ground to be gained, but the Flames received fantastic performances to lift their squad above the Wild. Lombardi utilised his speed to score the eventual game winner, and impressive performances from the core solidified the outcome.

Iginla posted the hat-trick, Phaneuf scored the short-handed tally, two assists and played thirty-one minutes, and Kiprusoff made spectacular stops to keep his team in the game with 29 saves on 33 shots. The Flames out-hit the opposition, 12-7, as well as blocking shots. Hits and grit all over the ice from both sides helped the charge, but timely scoring from the core players won this contest for the Flames.

Perhaps not the ideal performance, this goes to show that Calgary can play to win. The shots against Calgary crept up past thirty again, but in a hard fought Division it is how teams respond night to night that counts. If the Flames continue to win, play well, fight hard against a tough Division and improve themselves, they will be a successful hockey club.

NOTES: **Flames forward Kristian Huselius was benched in Thursday’s game vs Colorado, playing appx. six minutes. Coach Mike Keenan explained that the contest required physicality he didn’t feel would come from Huselius. That may have been the reasoning again tonight as Huselius played 6:32, mostly on the power-play... He did record one hit in that time, however. **Minnesota was without the services of defenseman Kurtis Foster, injured on Wednesday on an icing play when San Jose Shark Torrey Mitchell took him into the end boards. **The Flames are now 6-1 in seven games against the Wild this year. They will face Minnesota one last time 3 April 2008

Flames-Avalanche: Calgary Moves into Tie for Second in Northwest

M MacDonald Hall — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:42:06 -0400

Surrounded by the playoff atmosphere of the Saddledome, the Calgary Flames put together a complete 60-minute effort against the Colorado Avalanche in a 2-1 hometown victory.

Pressuring the visiting team early with speed and energetic play, the Flames received driven performances from up and down their lineup. A low scoring affair, momentum came from gritty play and special-team competency.

It all started with a fight just nine seconds into the game.

Flames rearguard Jim Vandermeer played left wing for the first shift and matched up with Avs tough-man Ian Laperriere. Coming out on top, Vandermeer would would return to defence for the rest of the game, but his opening skirmish set a tone for his team

Flames centreman Daymond Langkow opened up the scoring with a tap-in at 8:19 later in the first period. Langkow redirected the puck after a rebound came off Avs goalie Jose Theodore from a close-in Jarome Iginla shot.

At 14:38 Craig Conroy gave the Flames a two-goal advantage, potting his 12th goal of the season. Theodore stopped a Dion Phaneuf point-shot on the play, only to have Conroy bang in the loose puck.

Both first period goals came during Calgary power-plays drawn by centre Matthew Lombardi. Using his speed to drive the offensive zone, Lombardi drew two hooking penalties to give the Flames the 5-on-4 advantage. The goals as well as all of Colorado’s penalties came in the opening stanza as Calgary took the impetus in the game. With power-play opportunities on both sides, the Flames had a near-perfect special team outcome: 4-for-4 in penalty killing and 2-for-4 on the power play.

Through the first forty minutes of play Calgary would limit Colorado to just ten shots on goal.

Colorado would eventually score their lone goal at 5:52 of the third period. Ben Guite found the loose puck and popped it home as Ryan Smyth parked himself in front of Miikka Kiprusoff.

The Avalanche would be held to one goal, squandering the lone man-advantage of the third period. It was the Denver squad’s best frame of the contest however, firing six shots and skating well for the first time in the game.

Pressure from Calgary started early and came in the form of speed, heavy hitting, blocked shots, and positional play. Calgary played with energy and took the Avs out of their game with aggressive checking, keeping the Colorado plays to the outside. Solid Flames defence and checking created turnovers and scoring chances, as well as effectively keeping the puck away from Avalanche aggressors. Colorado stars Joe Sakic and Ryan Smyth were rendering largely ineffectual by a stolid home team. In the Calgary zone and on the penalty kill the Flames’ good stick work and positional checking kept the play to the outside, never allowing the Avs to gain momentum.

Calgary outshone Colorado in almost every statistical category, which translated to a well-rounded team effort on the ice. Role players such as Marcus Nilson, Wayne Primeau and Stephane Yelle stepped up, playing big minutes in character performances. All over the ice skaters chipped in, making defensive responsibility a proper team effort. In the final tally Calgary recorded 16 hits, 12 blocked shots, seven takeaways, 28 shots-on-goal and a 59 percent of faceoff wins.

Miikka Kiprusoff made 15 saves for the win, improving his record to 36-22-10. It was also the first time in eight games the Flames allowed fewer than 30 shots against.

This is the team that needs to show up over the coming weeks and into the playoffs. If they can continue along the line of responsible, 60-minute hockey, Calgary has a good chance heading into April. Tonight the club demonstrated that every player on the squad is capable of fulfilling their role, providing they put in the effort. It is up to the players to show the rest of the League just how good they can be… if they can maintain this level of play.

NOTES: *Vancouver beat Edmonton tonight as they merge with Calgary for second place in the NW with 86 points. Calgary and Vancouver have identical records of 38-26-10 in 74 GP. *Peter Forsberg (groin) and Paul Stasny (‘flu) were out of the lineup for Colorado, and the squad they did ice tonight seemed somewhat uninspired. *The Avalanche are a tough team to face as they fight for their own playoff spot. *Although they had been on a winning streak (eight wins in nine games) the Avs have now lost three in a row. *Flames forward Kristian Huselius rode the bench most of the game on a “coach’s call” following disappointing play this week in Columbus. * If Calgary can maintain this level of performance they should have no problems locking a playoff spot for the forth year in a row. *The Flames have now won the first of nine games versus divisional rivals to round out the season

Down to the Wire: Calgary Flames Wrangle for Playoff Position

M MacDonald Hall — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:12:15 -0400

The road to the postseason will have to be paved with blood, sweat, and tears if the Calgary Flames want to contend for the Stanley Cup this Spring.

Following Tuesday night’s 3-0 loss to the nearly non-contender Columbus Blue Jackets, Calgary faces the final nine games down the stretch all against divisional rivals.

While the Minnesota Wild (87 points) hold first place in the Northwest Division right now, Calgary, the Vancouver Canucks, and Colorado Avalanche (each with 84 points) are tangled up chasing what promises to be the only home-ice advantage available in their division.

These top four NW teams all carry an equal opportunity into the next few weeks, but with a constant stream of four-point games, one club will step up and steal enough points for the division title.

Each team will want to win their games in regulation to avoid giving up the dreaded three-point event.

Calgary’s near future is very much up in the air. The last thing the Flames want is to have their fate floating in the clouds until Game 82. Recent losses against Washington Capitals, Atlanta Thrashers and Columbus have been wasted opportunities to solidify the top standing.

Two games apiece remain versus the Avs, Wild and Oilers, three against Vancouver, and there is no more time or room for error—even the Edmonton Oilers, who have been considered out of playoff contention for ages have pulled within sight of the target by winning nine of their last 11 games.

While Edmonton may not qualify, they will have two more chances to rob the Flames of much-needed points.

Other teams will be equally eager to limit Calgary by winning games and wearing down the Flames in the run up to April. The Flames will need to find consistently high intensity over the last weeks to find advantage over four other desperate teams fighting for the same points.

The roster should be up to the challenge with players of all strengths on board. That being said, they have wavered before despite having one of the top lineups in the division and the West.

At this point they cannot afford lapses of discipline. They not only have to make it to the postseason, but they have to be ready to play four rounds—Calgary needs to find a way to sustain the bursts of brilliance they've demonstrated sporadically throughout the year.

Success will mean utilising the impressive arsenal at Calgary’s disposal and digging deep to find the drive that all four lines will need to play consistently. Scoring is not the main concern, although Jarome Iginla has a chance to record his second 50-goal season.

The Flames play some of the best hockey in the League when they put together a full 60-minute effort, play positional hockey and work their style of game as a team. From the goal-line forward this roster is built to win, but when they allow themselves to be taken out of their game plan they tend to stop playing as a cohesive unit.

Plays are sloppy, mistakes occur, and they no longer bear any resemblance to the squad the NHL learned to fear only a short time ago. They are capable of reaching the top, but they will have to break some poor habits first if they want to actually accomplish that and go on to have a fruitful postseason.

If they can’t get it together, all the issues will rise to the surface once more, this time with a vengeance. Three coaches in three years. A beefed up roster creating the most talented team Calgary has seen in years. More goals for, but more goals against. More wins on the road, fewer at home. Major players signed to long-term contracts. A Jekyll and Hyde team that can present any face at any time. When they look good they look very, very good, but when they look bad they look horrid!

There is no reason known outside Saddledome walls as to why a squad like this has so much difficulty. Whether it is a lack of focus or a lack of discipline, folks within the Flames organisation insist the players are driven to play well and win the Cup.

It is time to realise that there is nothing left to be taken for granted; from here on out it’s got to be good hard graft by the lads in red, because no one out there is in any mood to be charitable.

They will have to show up on the ice soon, because all the positive chatter in world won’t get you into the playoffs for free.