Calgary Flames | Cowhide and Rubber

I know you were all listening live, but for those of you who didn’t here’s the audio from my time spent at CJAD last Sunday (October 24th). I, along with Kamal Panesar from Habsaddict.com took part in the blogger panel on the Habs Show, hosted by Barry Morgan. It was a ton of fun, a privelege to be asked to take part, and neat to see behind the curtain of radio magic.

First off, I have to apologize to Calgary Flames fans. No, not for insinuating a couple weeks back that the wheels had already fallen off (they haven’t, and they’ve decent with a 6-5 record), but for making the Flames lose to the Capitals on Saturday night. Yep, it’s my fault. You see, I was channel surfing (mostly waiting for SNL to start) when I flipped over to CBC. The score was 2-1 Calgary, early in the second period. Within 3 seconds of tuning in, Ovechkin struck to tie the score. 12 seconds later, Ovechkin put the Caps on top. I continued flipping during commercials only to land back on the game a few minutes later. Guess what happened? Mike Green took a sweet pass and beat Kiprusoff to double the Capitals lead, and douse the Flames for the night. The next time I looked, it was 7-2 for Washington and I felt bad for clearly ruining the evening for many a Calgarian. Then again, I probably made a great many Caps fans happy at the same time.

So I’m sorry, and you’re welcome.

I have to say though, when things aren’t going well for the Flames, the look on Brent Sutter’s face resembles that of someone who’s been licking urinal pucks. Lighten up, Brent.

Danny Brière, that little rat, cross checked an opponent in the face. I know he’s small, and was being picked on, but that’s inexcusable, as all intentional stickwork is, and should be suspended. He’s been suspended twice in his career already, and sitting him down for at least 3 games should be a no-brainer in this scenario. Here’s the video:

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Did you catch the last play of the Alouettes / Argonauts game on Friday night? Probably the most bizarre ending to a football game that you’ll ever see. I can’t even describe it properly, so I’ll only suggest that you check it out here.

Aaaaaand with that, I’m done talking about the CFL until the Division Finals.

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Somebody needs to tell me why Miami Dolphins Head Coach Tony Sparano goes ballistic when his team settles for a field goal, but stands like a statue when they score a touchdown that essentially salts away the game. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a coach go wild for field goals like Sparano does. Ever. It would actually be funny if it weren’t so mystifying. Meanwhile, Dan Carpenter has gone 10/10 in field goals in the past 2 weeks, which would also be funny if it wasn’t so alarming. The Dolphins need to find a way to punch the ball in to the endzone more often.

You never want to see someone get their clock cleaned, but you have to wonder if Brett Favre had it coming. Whether he’s passionate about playing, too stubborn to step aside, or too proud to watch his consecutive games played streak die, you have to wonder if the football gods are starting to fix their glare on Favre. He was caught under the chin late in the game vs the Patriots and was taken to the dressing room on the cart. Seeing him curled up in a near-fetal position certainly isn’t funny, but it was probably overdue. No doubt he’ll be back behind center next Sunday, even if his brains are scrambled and his jaw is shattered. Makes you cringe wondering what the football gods will have in store next.

It was also fantastic to see the NFC finally win one over the AFC, especially when that AFC team is the rotten Jets. In the “Teams that Favre used to play for Bowl”, the Packers shut out the Jets AT HOME. That should make for a pleasant Monday morning in New York.

I’m never one to have pity for a divisional opponent, but I really do feel bad for the Bills. Nobody thought they’d even get a sniff at being competitive this season, but to lose in back-to-back weeks in overtime, on the road, against superior opponents, in games they could have (should have?) won just makes you shake your head. Given their misfortunes in the Super Bowl, and chronic inability to field a decent team in recent years, I wonder what the people of Buffalo have done to deserve this? Usually the Sabres are around to ease the suffering, but even they seem intent on sucking this year.

Congratulations to Ladanian Tomlinson, who joins Walter Payton as the only the second player with 13,000 yards rushing, and 4,000 yards receiving in their career. That’s incredible, and LT isn’t done yet. In fact, he’s been reborn this season with the Jets. He’s reminding everyone of how good he was in the early to middle part of this decade. I’ve never seen a running back as good as Tomlinson was about 5-6 years ago.

When did the Raiders go from pathetic to average? I like them better when they were a joke, but I’ll settle for the Cowboys. Watching them sink lower and lower in a sea of embarrassment is a sight to behold. I can’t wait for Mount Jones to erupt.

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With a game 4 victory, the San Francisco Giants return home with a 3-1 series lead and their ace, Tim Lincecum going in game 5. How fitting. It appears as though the Rangers should have saved some of the runs they used to trounce the Yankees for use in the World Series. Methinks there will be a parade in San Fran in the very near future.

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Ah, the Winter Classic. The outdoors, middle of winter, the fresh air…hopefully some idyllic snowflakes (that goalies will invariably use to buttress their creases). In an attempt to evoke childhood memories and the roots of the game, the NHL has found some secret sauce with the now annual New Year’s Day outdoor game. On a day that is still ruled by College Football, the “lowly” NHL has managed to get itself on the radar with their ode to all things folksy about the game.

Personally, I’ve never been overly impressed with these games. The settings have been neat. The games for the most part, have not. Try as the NHL may with its well-produced marketing efforts, I’ve never been fully captivated with these games aside from the fact that it’s hockey on a day where I’m usually trying to cure a pounding headache.

Now I know that the NHL is a business and with their latest sacred cow wants to milk these things for all they are worth…but could something be as predictable, scripted and contrived as a Penguins vs Capitals matchup? I know you want to showcase your best when you have the spotlight, but come on. Sure, “Sid the Kid” and “Alex the Gr8″ qualify as the best that the NHL can offer, but when things as predictable as this come to pass, I just want someone to pass me the bucket. Can you imagine how much hype will surround this event? Unless you’re a Penguins fan, Capitals fan, employee of the network carrying the event, an NHL employee, or a hockey-loving vacuum (even this may be a stretch for those of you who love all things hockey), you may want to invest in a bilge pump to keep from drowning in the thick gravy we’re all about to be hosed with. Note to the NHL (and especially to NBC): there ARE other stars and other teams in your league.

Frankly, I’m surprised at my own reaction. I figured I’d enjoy something like this. Maybe I will, but right now my impression is that this feels manufactured and vacuous. A Crosby / Ovechkin matchup would sell at any point, in any year but I believe that the NHL dropped the ball by announcing this so quickly. I have a suggestion, albeit a moot one. Hear me out, but I think with the hockey we are about to be treated to, the NHL would have been wise to wait and see how the Cup Finals played out and thought of concocting a Toews / Richards rematch for their next Winter Classic. The 2 best players in the league *today* may not be Crosby and Ovechkin, but Richards and Toews. You can certainly make that argument.

With the plotlines that engulf this upcoming series (Hawks in 6, by the way), there could have been an air of authenticity and genuine nastiness to this affair. With Sidney and Alex, I get the sense that the only plotlines would be “can Crosby can channel his shinny hockey childhood once again to topple his nemesis?” or “can Ovechkin can gain a measure of redemption against the kid who has a Stanley Cup, Gold Medal and Maurice Richard trophy to his recent collection?” It just feels tired, uninspired and lazy to me. A weak attempt to add 8 minutes to the feature-length DVD that we’re sure to see one day about the Crosby/Ovechkin rivalry. Apparently the legends are true. NBC, at least when it comes to hockey, really does stand for “Nobody But Crosby”. I do like Crosby. A lot in fact. But there has never been a moment in NHL history where so many GREAT young stars are filling out rosters everywhere.

I admit, it could be a great game, and I always hope that it is. But we’ve also seen that outdoor conditions can severely affect a player or team that relies on skill to succeed. Anything other than an offensive show would probably leave most fans feeling cheated. By January 2nd, I could end up eating my words, and I hope I do. It might be a great game in a great setting. But for now, with the calendar about to roll over to June, this leaves me completely indifferent. But like most of you, I will gladly watch, simply because we all love the game and we don’t want to miss a thing.

I haven’t even touched on the Canadiens – Flames matchup that will take place in February in Calgary at McMahon Stadium.

My reaction to this game is “Why?”

I’ve never been to Calgary, but I hear it’s pretty cold and unpleasant in February. I don’t know why this game needs to happen. Wouldn’t the Oilers or Leafs or Canucks or Senators (ok, not the Senators) be as good a matchup? Again, I’m not opposed to this, but I just don’t get it. Please sell me on this, unless you share my opinion. If the Canadiens are to play an outdoor game, it should be at Percival Molson Stadium, where the CFL’s Alouettes play. Now THAT would be a setting I could get excited about. Aside from the setting, what’s the draw to this game? The return of Cammalleri to Calgary? Where he spent one season? If it was a marketing angle in the least, it’s already been done…

How do you feel about these games? Is the NHL going to the well too often? Is the whole thing too formulaic? Please leave your thoughts below, and thanks for reading!

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