Your View

I'm with you Angelo. I watched game 5, and I applauded McLennan for what he did. You don't crash the net with the intention of putting the opposing team's goalie out of the game. Which is exactly what Detroit was trying to do the entire game.
And for the record, McLennan's slash didn't hurt Franzen, and after the game Franzen even admitted that it had stunned him, but didn't hurt him. It wasn't about an intent to injure, it was about making a point.

Calgary was outplayed by Detroit that's a fact. Like it or not.
It's also a fact that Detroit showed absolutely no class, or respect for their opponents by going after Kiprusoff time and time again.
One thing you just don't do in hockey is touch the other team's goalie.
Detroit decided to deviate from that code of ethics and Calgary responded at the end of the game. Detroit just couldn't handle being on the receiving end of a little payback so they felt the need to verbally attack the Flames after the game instead. Especially Dominik "the diver" Hasek. Good grief that guy's a weasel. I'd be ashamed to have him on my team.
Mind you, it's not hard to see why Detroit doesn't see the reality of the situation. The #1 game in america is football, where players intentionally try to injure the quarterback on every play.
Must skew one's perspective.

Laughing at the dirty Wings fans.......Well, that IS what fans of first round losers do. You're in denial. It's ok angelo, there's always next year. Well, that probably won't work out either, so maybe the next year. As for running the goalie, Calgary may have thrown bodies at the net considering they were outshot what, 2-1? In the entire series?? Sad. You did make a valid point though, as you say slashing had to send a message to a team that was absolutely roasting the opponent 5-1. Ha, it was totally necessary. Maybe next time, just swallow your pride and click the little 'x' in the corner so you don't end up embarrassing yourself in trying to prove points that have already failed. Good Day Sweetheart

I laugh at these Dirty wing fans that say Calgary is classless, when their team took every chance it could get to run at Kipper.
I suppose your classy team involves a goalie who acts like he got shot whenever he feels the breeze of an opposition player skating by
I'm not embarrased by the end of game 5, nor should any flames fan be. Mclennan should run for mayor for taking action to send a message that running our goalies won't be tolerated.
Can't wait to see the wings knocked out by San Jose

This series was a simple case of the team with the most class (Detroit) playing the team with the least class (Calgary). Kipper was the only reason Calgary lasted more than 4 games. The Flames were nowhere near playing on the same level as Detroit. I couldn't be happier to see the Flames make a first round exit, shouldn't have even been in the playoffs. Way to represent Canada. GO WINGS!!!

Andy - good call on Moss being from Detroit. We were wondering why he didn't see some more icetime in the games down there because of it. You should have mentioned the Michigan State Spartans too. But NBA, MLB, NCAA and ping pong aside, you guys need to fill your NHL rink.

Can't hate on the Wings - afterall, Vernon (from Calgary) backstopped both Calgary and Detroit to cups. I could watch that fight between Mike Vernon and Patrick Roy over and over too! Boom!

Avs fans - you didn't make the playoffs so get out your violins.

As far as people saying Flames fans should be ashamed - I don't think so. The Flames stuck up for each other when they thought liberties were being taken and it happens in hockey all the time. It's the same reason everyone wants to see Buffalo and Ottawa go at it in the playoffs - because of the blow up they had earlier in the season. Show me someone calling Iginla a goon and cheering for Bertuzzi out of the other side of his mouth and I'll show you a hypocrite.

As for the Flames' play, well they got outplayed, but there isn't much shame in losing to the top seed in the West. The series was one O/T goal from going seven games, and I'm sure the rough stuff will help Detroit prepare for their next series.

What's with all this crap about the Cup belonging in Canada. I love hockey and I am thankful that Canada has brought it to the world. As I read down through the e-mails you'd think Kipper was Canadian. He's an awesome goalie and was the only reason it went six games. The Cup travels all around the world and is looked on with awe no matter what country it lands in. Canadiens should be proud of the fact that the rest of the world can enjoy this great game. I think it's the greatest game in the world and I'm an American. Celebrate the unique talents from around the globe. Enjoy hockey for a game well played and the skill it takes to play it. Canadiens aren't the only skilled players in the world but have produced probably most of the best. My all time favorite is still Gordie Howe followed by Stevie Y and then Bobby Ore. They all played on teams that fell on USA soil. So What. They played Hockey and I'm glad Canada didn't keep it to Herself.

I forgot to put this out there,however, I think that Playfair not playing Darren McCarty when he was healthy was one of the things that cost the Flames. His grit style and enforcer role (you should not have your captain assume that role) and experience was missed especially when the Wings turned a notch on their physical play.

I think the Sens have a great chance,however, New Jersey will not be an easy task (are they ever?)

And don't let the empty seats fool you, Detroit is a passionate U.S. Hockeytown (the other teams are Buffalo, and the 1st round eliminated Minnesota Wild, in other words places where Ice isn't just something you put on a cup in January, or sometimes April,lol)we have great youth hockey programs which produced the likes of Modano, Morrison, Smolinski, and Moss (who is with the Flames I believe) let's not forget we are home to the AL Champs Detroit Tigers and have the Pistons starting their 1st round...talk about rooting for your home teams.

Anyway just as the Wings and Flames have forgotten their ill-will for this season, I would like to extend my hand to Flames fans on a great series, this was a series that for the most part could have gone either way, and with a heck of a netminder that you have between the pipes I'm pretty sure we'll meet again.

GO FLAMES GO! GO FLAMES GO!

Go rangers!!!

I think Jamie McLellan was just warming up and practicing his golf swing preparing for summer.That is exactly how less talented teams act when they are being out skated and out played.Calgary is damn lucky Colorado didn't have one more game left or they would have been golfing much sooner

to all those Vancouver fans, I wouldn't attack the Flames that much. You guys have been shut out every time you've lost, plus your about to blow a 3-1 series led to Dallas

I am a die hard flames fan... Ive watched every game of the season, if only we squeaked through detriot we would win the cup.. we can beat anahiem and the canucks and the sharks as our record speaks for itself... calgary needs to restructure though... get tony amonte and friesen and useless players like that off the team.. lets get some more offense!!!

I can't believe the posts from some of the Calgary fans. I never met fans more in denial.
The Red Wings were the thugs? Almost without exception a Red Wing player was crosschecked into Kipprusoff. When the Flames started losing they acted like criminals. NO CLASS.
By the way in a year or two when Kipprusoff gets tired of the lame Calgary team he sure is going to look good in a Red Wing uniform.
Can you hear it, can you. Lets go Red Wings... Lets go Red Wings......I thought you could

The Calgary Flames have gotten what they deserve. When they are down, they can't use their skill to try and win, they have to play dirty. The Flames fans should be embarrassed! The coaching staff, players, and even the refs weren't playing fair. And if you think I'm wrong, why don't you take a look at any news story about it in any state or even your very own country for that matter, and see what everone is saying. I'd be embarrassed if I lived there! Thanks for taking McCarty off our hands!! GO WINGS!!

(Bob)
> All I have to say is that the officiating
> in every game I have watched is brutal.

Agreed. Calls were terrible going both ways. The "New NHL" is BS, even if the Wings have benefited by adapting.

We've even seen playoff spots decided by shootouts. I'll play devil's advocate (but not NJ Devils advocate)... If a shootout is good enough to decide a playoff spot, why is it not good enough to decide a playoff game? Better yet, just throw out the rule altogether.

Good series. Im glad there was some advertity in the first round. Gets the WIngs ready for the next round. Hopefully Homer isnt too badly hurt from that high stick. I love the gritty play this year. It took alot of people by surprise that the Wings were able to outhit and outmuscle a team like Calgary.

When you can add the strength to the skill and keep the good goaltending, it should make for a deep playoff run.

I see Dallas eeking by the Couve in overtime tonight. Then the Wings beating SanJose in the WCF. Then beating the Devils to avenge the 95 loss.

Well the Flames are out in the first round again. Kudos to the Wings - they are well coached, talented, and executed their game plan well. They peppered Kipper, and kept Hasek from facing too much work. They also looked determined not to lose in the first round again. I wouldn't be surprised to see them come out of the West if they can keep playing as well as they did against the Flames. They used their depth very well, and don't need to rely purely on Datsyk and Zetterberg. They also always have the man in front on the attack which is simple and effective. The Wings D pretty much rendered Calgary's offence invisible through the series.

As for the Flames - lots of questions obviously. Talented team on paper, but they just couldn't put it together. I think the blame should fall squarely on the coaches. The road record was atrocious, and the Flames just barely limped into the post season. That is why the post season result isn't much of a surprise. You're just not gonna win a Cup with a rookie coach, and he clearly didn't have a plan. They were trying to rehash the hard working team, and defensive posture, but the personnel has changed in Calgary from the days when that approach was effective. I'd also like to see some of the veterans go, and get some more ice time for the younger players like Moss, Giordano, and Lombardi. Kipper stood on his head again, but was left out to dry alot of nights.

Can't blame the refs in this series either. The reffing was inconsistent, and that same inconsitency is evident in all the series. It goes both ways. Kipper was getting crashed, and the Flames didn't counteract. The Flames should have crashed Hasek, but they weren't commited to that, obviously. Blaming the refs is always a cheap excuse.

As for the fans - no question - Calgary's fans are awesome. We love hockey, and we love our Flames. Detroit - lots of talk, but how about you fill your rink!!! Your team deserves it!!!

Playfair almost blew it by guiding the Flames through a late season collapse which almost saw them out of the POs. He is a rookie coach and the weak link on this team. How else do you explain that road record? Kipper hasn't looked comfortable all season, as it is, they just managed to play an extra 2 weeks.

If ever there was a team that could respond to a Lamourello-style shakeup, it would have helped the Flames. I think the combination of promoting Sutter to GM, appointing Playfair to coach and the Ference trade all conspired to upset the chemistry in Calgary dressing room.

The players won't say anything, but they will not jam hard and win w/Plafair there; Sutter should not have been promoted until AFTER they won the cup. Now they have only one more chance before all their top talent goes UFA after next season.

It's my humble opinion that this first round defeat speaks more about the management than the effort the players were lacking.

the Mad Beaver has spoken!

What bothered me most about this forum was all the USA bashing by the Canadians. I did not see any anti-Canada comments from the US fans, though I may be in error. I bet everyone on this forum agrees that airhorns, or booing, during the anthems is in poor taste.

Remember, many of us in the US DID in fact grow up with hockey as a primary sport. Yes, there are many teams in the US in areas where the fans are not as hockey-literate as we all would like. It should be noted that these teams are all employing Canadian players, as many on this site pointed out. Also, the revenue sharing goes to help some of the Canadian teams.

All I can say is that I look forward to the next round so I do not have to hear any more anti-American sentiment. Good luck in ‘07-08, Calgary.

I am glad this series is over. Don Cherry predicted a game 6 victory for Calgary. Wrong!The new NHL is soft. Back in the day, if someone made contact with the netminder there was role players who would take care of it. The backup netminder wouldnt be sent in with his stick a blazing. That was a total lack of class. Anyway, you didnt knock us out in the first round this year, so better luck next time.

Lets watch the wings play a team with skill now that calgary got what they deserve. No more hacks!!!!!!

Well, it’s finally over! These OT games are killing me! I need my sleep. Calgary was outplayed so badly by Detroit it was almost embarrassing. They desperately need a playmaking center who can stickhandle to take advantage of the power forward skills of Jarome Iginla. The Wings also need a rushing blueliner. Sadly, with Calgary’s financial situation it will be difficult for them to attract the player’s they need to be a serious contender.

Thank god the Flames are done. I have never heard a team and its fans cry more than Calgary. Its playoff hockey so deal with it and besides they never deserved to be in the playoffs anyway. Colorado would have given my Wings way more of a challenge and their captain is actually classy unlike Iginla who is just a pathetic thug who wouldn't do anything if the team wasn't forced to pass to him. WINGS ALL THE WAY

Why do people keep saying GO FLAMES GO? They are already GONE!! The so called "old" Red Wings out played Galgary in 2 OT's. And another thing, some Galgary fans need to learn to have respect during the playing of the Canadian anthem. Leave the horn for game time.

For Craig in Saskatchewan. This series comes down to Karma. Up until game 5 it was a good series. Calgary came up with some good play, thought they would take the series. Unfortunately the Flames had to resort to other means in attempts to take Detroit off their game. No dice. Detroit is experienced and talented. Fighting doesn't win cups.. Talent does. Iginla should be ashamed of himself. Kipur was awesome. This one's for Dan Cleary.

Something has to be done about officiating. Not really blaming the officials but, how they're told to enforce the penalties, this is playoff hockey and to see all the players raising their hands after every check is rediculous. Nobody knows what a penalty is anymore. They need to have Don Cherry on the Board of Governers.

The better team won.
I lost a lot of respect for the Flames during that series, at least last year the Oilers beat the Wings with a lot of hard work not by trying to injure the opposite team.
Very happy that the Wings won, they learn a lot from last year.

Go Wings Go!!!

To Crowley625 in Vancouver: Get over youself! Yes, Detriot played far better, but I don't like the inconsistant call buy the Ref's. Also, if you look through all the threads, you'll see alot or complaints about the calls (or non-calls) from RW fans as well!

The "New NHL", Ha! Still the same!

Again, congrats to the Red Wings!

Good riddance to the Flames and their whiney excuse making fans.

Flames lost to Detroit because they are a mediocre team at best

i can't believe that we beat calgary ... most of all i can't believe how poorly calgary's ethic's became toward the end of the series .... trying to hurt or take out players is not in the spirit of the game ... when you can't keep up with the game, or the team your playing you;ll lose, whatever happened to sportmanship ... i guess thats why calgary ended up in 8th place, they weren't that good ... GO WINGS !!!

The flames are nothing but a bunch of cheapshot, sad sack losers. The flames got a goalie and that is it. Iginala is so over rated it is not even funny. What a classless team!

who is detroit playing next?

I must say I'm somewhat glad that the series ended here instead of in the Joe. It provided a very exciting end to a very heated series - just a shame it couldn't have been a vancouver-dallas esque double-game marathon. Plus I think it helped send a strong message to the west that even with their home advantage assured up to the finals, they don't need to rely on the home crowd to get wins. What better place to prove it than in a building that has been invincible for the Flames?

Booyakasha! Lets go Red Wings! The wings just played hard, and better hockey. Well deserved. The flames are a bunch of losers anyway. acting like they did at the end of game 5. Way to have some class. Booyakasha!

You know what? I am sick of you guys taking bad about the Flames to makes yourselves better. Insulting the Flames and all that junk is un-called for, putting down other teams only makes you look twice as bad. Calling Calgary unsportsmanlike ha ha, i don't particularly bad-talking them is that sportsmanlike either eh! Using excuses like the refs favoring the Flames is crap. You may not like the Flames but badmouthing them is un-called for. Hope your happey Detroit fans, prepare to be eliminated by the Duck, who will in tern be beaten by the Cnaucks, who will play the Sens, and the cup will be back where it belongs, in Canada. Until next time Flames never give up, keep rocin.

Well, I must say I was mad at the Flames loosing. But, I will stick with my team, I hope the Sens and Canucks beat the US teams. Hockey is Canada's game. We may have the best goalie in history, but he aint perfect and when u let any team, little own Detriot and in the playoff when you are about to get eliminated, you are gonna loose. Hats off to Kipper, that guy still plays with heart, and never gives up, no one can deny that. Although the Flames played a decent game I didn't sense that they really wanted it and got what 20 shots all game, your not going to win that way. Oh boy this aint good Anihiem vs. Detroit and I dislike em both. this sucks. If any Flames player ever reads this, please play it with all you got, cause you got it, do it for the fans who support you all the way, and reclaim that cup in 08 guys. Dig deep, inside youselvs and you will find what it takes to win, just look a little harder. Flames always.

Thank goodness Calgary is finally out now we can watch some skilled teams that don't have to rely on their fans to help them win. and we can finally quite hearing Calgary fans whine and make excuses for why they can't win.

Now that the final game is over, is it safe to say that the better team won?

Game over, Go Wings Go, no more whinning, eh

To Cern in Vancouver,

Yeah I heard that airhorn again... At least save it for the game! It's disrespectful to blast that thing during the anthems. On another note though, there won't be any more games in Calgary this year due to a dbl OT goal by Franzen.

Kipper stood proud, especially of late. Another night of being peppered with shots, and he saved them time and time again. Where was the rest of the team? Where was Calgary's scoring in this series? Your goalie can't win you a Cup!

I'll cheer my Flames on again next year, but until then...

Go Sharks Go!

Oh, and I pick Vancouver for Game 7 vs. Dallas!

For all the Flames fans:

Let me guess, the wings were allowed to "run" Kipprusoff again, right? That's the only possible reason for your team losing again, correct? Grow up and admit, your team played poorly, acted like children, and deserved to be bounced from the playoffs.

All I have to say: Miika - excellent job, Forwards and defencemen - practice more...

Way to go Flames. With all the negitive feedback coming from redwing fans about the calls refs have made, lets see who they blame when they get beat out before they even get close to the cup! Although it was sad to see Jamie get suspended for 5 games, and Playfair get the fine, they defend eachother, and have true team spirit! Kipper you rock!!

Nah nah nah nah...Goodbye! See ya in the fall Cowtown

Congrat's to the Red Wings!

Calgary in 2008! Go FLAMES Go!

Cern - I agree with you on the Red Mile, I went down once during 2004, and was not impressed either! Congrat's for the Wings.

BTW - Still on the Bandwagon (for me since 1981)!

FLAMES
ARE
DOUSED!

at end of third period, when Nillson lost his helmet, it was because he had been speared!!! >>> No Call?!?!!!

I saw an intent to injure... (was that Samuelson???)

But then I saw Maltby ( or Draper) fall with intent on Kiprusoff in the first!!!

I mean Maltby Knew he was falling, right??! and as he came down, it appeared to me that he used Kiprusoff as a "Landing Pillow!!" ... no seriously!!!

And again in overtime!!! Kiprusoff and for that matter Wariner recieving a "strategic cross check" from the blind side by Draper!!! Strategic You Ask??? Notice the positioning and timing (ie: Warriner had to move against the goal in order to not be hit by a "Steaming" in Draper... after the puck was moved out (ie the "Two steamboat" rule).

My question is this:
"Is it not good-sportsmanship to avoid injuring the other team intentionally?"

or

"Does strategic check-finishing include cheap-shotting and/or landing / falling ... on someone when they are vulnerable???"

Why haven't the last two Flames games been broadcast in HD? Yesterday I had to watch NBC. There are only 3 teams from Canada and they were broadcast in HD earlier in the series...

As a Calgary fan I stand behind my team all the way! Our players are very classy and only retaliate when provoked. I'm proud of our guys! Jim Playfair, count me in to help pay your fine!

Just a observation for the hockey panel. Detroit Red Wings dump the puck into the Flames end the are rarely first in instead they let the Flames defense go first then they hit them. They are almost hitting from behind or charging. Take your pick. So far No other team in the playoffs do this

calgary flames forever #1

Where was Iginla at the end of game 4? Gooning it up and taking cheap shots as usual. Any Calgary fan and team sport fan in general can only have embarassment for this their team captain?! Iginla, like a couple of years ago, only cheapens himself by such antics. It's a shame because he is a true talent of the game. Ask yourself this: did you ever see Gretzky, or Yzerman doing such things? That's what I thought. See? Iginla loses respect, even if its only outside of Calgary.

Watching tonights game (Sunday) Massohoven should be wearing a red jersey. 1st period Holmstron gets pushed into Kiprusoff by a Flame - goalie interference called. Shortly after Iginla does same thing against to Hasek no call.Kiprusoff face washes two different Red Wings no call. Are there two sets of rules? I always thought so everytime I see Calgary play -- perhaps that can account for their excellent home regular season record.

detroit is a bunch of pussys that are scared to drop the mitts id like to see inglina get a hold of any of those panzies

the sea of red (i mean WHINE) better be careful or they will have flooding worse then the flooding in sask.

Geez, again with the airhorn guy during the Canadian national anthem. He's got to give it a rest.

To Michael Goldbarth:

Are you kidding???? I don't know what series you've been watching, but it can't have been the Detroit-Calgary series!!!

As far as I'm concerned, Detroit got everything they had coming to them, and more! Or have you forgotten Cleary running Kipper in Game 1, that low-down dirty hit on Langkow by Lebda(which was the epitomy of low-class & unnecessary) and the bumps, runs, & hits on Kipper each and every shot??

I agree with you on one point.. the league should get serious about penalizing players who make stupid moves with intent to injure... starting with Lebda & Cleary!! If the Flames players or management felt that the treatment they were getting from the refs and the league were fair, Playfair never would have pulled Kipper in the 3rd period... and the incident with McLennan would never have happened. Franzen wasn't even injured, and if he hadn't speared McLennan in the face to start with, there would have been no reason for McLennan to retaliate!

Before you start complaining about the behavior of other teams, you'd better take a look in your own backyard!

As to McLennan's suspension... look to one good thing to come out of it - the fact that the referees will be watching Detroit players more closely and calling goalie interference penalties. And if you think that Calgary players will stop protecting each other and their goalie, you have another thing coming!

GO FLAMES GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wings fans chanting "CALGARY SUCKS" at the end of the game was cheap. It is just as PATHETIC as San Jose fans booing the Canadian National Anthem in last year’s series against the Oilers. Come on people don't tell us that Calgary and there fans have no Class.

All I have to say is that the officiating in every game I have watched is brutal.I'm a Flames fan, and I even think some of the calls on Detroit are terrible. The games are decided for the most part by the ref's and its a bloody shame.

It is amazing how everybody is going after jamie for the so called brutal slash. come on you guys this is hockey. when the montreal player got slashed in the face emery got three games, now that was vicious. all jamie did was what the rest of the flames failed to do ( stand up for their poor goalie that kept getting bumped and slashed all game). does any one truly believe that jim playfair asked him to do that? if you do you are ignorant and have no knwoledge of hockey. grow-up you bunch of little girls that call yourself hockey fans and hockey experts. i find it amuzing that the only people that complaint about this are american or canucks fans i guess that is an explanation on its own. maybe you should start watching field hockey instead, or perhaps curling you wont find it so violent. good for the flames players for doing what they did and who is hasek to make comments. biggest embalisher in the game of hockey talking about being a role model? you washed up old man do you forget you have cost your team two games against calgary by being a clown? the guy has no skill he couldnt win games if these sorry flames would get their stuff together and get more than 25 shots per game on him. oh how i could go on and on and on. GO FLAMES GO. even if we lose this series as fans we should be proud of them as that was the most theyve done for each other as a team than all season.

I find it rather funny how all the Detroit Fans seem to think it is their right to have the forwards knock the goalie down in the crease, their defensemen rub the opposition player along the boards without the puck and then whine when they have the same thing done to them. I can only say that it quite obvious Mr. Bettmen would love to have Detroit move on now that Sidney has been eliminated.

come now, how many times have i seen a detriot player this series slash Kipper when he has the puck frozen? ive lost count. While i dont agree with what Mclennan did i do understand the reason behind it.

Wow from reading most of these comments you would think that Detriot are saints.which couldn't be further from the truth. Yes I will agree on this what McLennan did was wrong but my god get over it. It is not like he put anyone out of commision and the Detriot player made it look way worse than it was. The other "horrible" things that Calgary did were not that bad........this is hockey is it not....hockey is not a game for pansys...if you can't take the heat get out of the fire. Also Detriot played just as dirty they just didn't get caught or the refs turned a blind eye. Funny how the reffing is so one sided in Detriot....Hmmmmmmmm. I hope Calgary kicks butt and bumps Detriot out!! Oh and Detriot is not the better team....thier only real game play is to get into the goalies way and give cheap shots to the goalie. Dertiot is the dirty team here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO CALGARY GO..........FLAMES RULE!!!!!

My comment is to Kelly and a few other news media. The Flames have been my team since they arrived here and yes they do not have the best road record, however you comments to the players and coaches constantly reminding them of this, doen't help with the mental attitude towards their next game. Can you not just comment on their players, skill turf this constant torment of these questions.

So McLennan gets 5 games, Playfair gets fined $25,000 and the team gets fined $100,000...what a slap on the wrist. The league needed to send a message and didn't, so we can expect this kind of goonery to continue because the teams now know that all it will cost is some pocket change and a guy who wouldn't be playing anyways. What a joke.

what is up with the refferies ? this is just bad hockey when they can pick and chose, and trust me thats what they are doing in the new NHL. acountability is what should be handed down to all the ref's. saturdays game and frustration of the flames was created by the ref's and the NHL should be ashamed! detroit is a hockey town, they can't even sell out a playoff game. it's nice to see the NHL give teams like the wings a chance or do they just want the american revenue.
see you in game 7 and bring the gloves detriot you suck and don't forget that your team is mostly made up of the great canadain hockey players.

After seeing the suspension/fines handed down by the league for McLennan's and Playfair's decisions at the end of the last game, I think the league is embarrassing itself once again. Such ignorant moves as putting in your back up goalie, in my mind clearly with the intent of going after the other team should be punished much more harshly. The intent of the move is obvious, as a player you may be in the game while sitting on the bench, but you don't come into a game and "lose your mind" in 18 seconds. McLennan came into the game with the intent to cause some damage, whether it was his idea or his coach's.

Cern- Just because there aren't old jerseys in the crowd does not mean that the fans are all 2004-present fans. When a team comes out with a new style of jersey, I'm pretty sure that long-time fans (even if they own old-style jerseys) are also going to buy them and wear them to a game. The team evolves throughout the years, Cern, and even "old" Flames fans can have a new favorite player (and I don't think you can buy old jerseys with a new player's name). Your logic is once again not quite right. As for Detroit being "hockey town" Ha! that is laughable. They couldn't sell out the Joe if they gave tickets away. I have friends in Ontario who go to the Detroit games (as Flames fans) who have talked to Detroit "fans" who say they wouldn't bother going to a 1st round ployoff game because it's not exciting enough for them yet. Oh yes that is a true fan right there.
Cern, I'm not disputing the fact that there are many "playoff" only fans in Calgary, but what sports team doesn't have that? Oh yeah, Detroit.

wow your detroit team won and you are still whining. ya that was a cheap shot but the league will deal with it. you guys do know there is hitting in hockey it isn't baseball. it's not like detroit is little angels. chelios is well known for his cheap shots

The display by the Flames at the end of game 5 was disgraceful. Seeing one player lose his mind and do something dumb is one thing, but when there is an appearance of systemic gooning-it-up, it is a sad day for hockey.

The CBC announcers' dismissals of the actions was even more shameful.

I try to make the case for hockey to my American friends, but when they see this stuff covered so heavily in the US media, it gives them the impression that the hockey is like professional wrestling or the UFC and not one of the most beautiful games with one of the longest and unique histories in all of sports.

This new NHL sucks schedule,refs- Bettman
to many games being decided by the refs
Remember the old days when you stood in front
of the net it was fine just be prepard to pay
the price? With these rules you cant do anything but let the guy stand there.Whats the point in having defencemen? Maclennan was not playing as a team that was just selfish what an ebarasment to the Flames.I just think that if the refs were controling the game the proper way rather than these crappy holding penalties most of this crap wouldn't happen.

I was at the game...20 feet from all the mayhem. The Flames looked like a lame-ass minor league team, with their 'captain' Iginla leading the charge of the nitwits. We had just discussed what a great player Iginla is, repectful, etc...not any more. Mclellan ducked (literally ducked!) on the only shot that came at him, he looked scared, because he was out there to hurt somebody, on orders from his coach. Why pull 'Kip - per' that late in the game? Iginla chopped Schnieder across his calves, after he jabbed him all the way down the ice, there wasn't a call until the chaos broke out. The officiating was pathetic....c'mon, the Flames had seven (7) power plays in just the first two periods, at least three (3)were lame calls. I mean it was ridiculous. This series has been 'called' really wierd by the refs, my team is up and I'm complaining. The Wings played their game...they are not dirty, the Flames are lucky to be in the playoffs..as usual. Other than the five goals, including Cleary's penalty shot that undressed 'Kip - per'...the best moment was Bertuzzi body slamming Phaenuef to the ice, I don't think he'll forget that feeling for a while. The first two periods was some of the best hockey I have ever seen, awesome! I think it's funny that Melrose, Cherry and the CBC guys didn't find all the cheap stuff to be unacceptable. I'm sure we'll see some more 'thug' hockey tonight in Calgary...what's up with the no rest day between games? GO WINGS!!

I disagree with the HNIC commentators who believe the hostilities of Saturday afternoon will not continue tonight. I do believe Detroit will be the more disciplined team. They will not seek vengeance. They have too many veterans on their roster to take stupid penalties, which may cost them the game. Calgary on the other hand has too much uncontrollable youth on their roster. If their captain can’t exhibit discipline in times of duress how will others control themselves?

If the Red Wings can get up 2 zip early, you could see a most ugly display by the Calgary Flames. I’m looking forward to a suspension announcement from the league for Jamie McLennan. I doubt Gary Bettman and company will have the courage to also suspend Jim Playfair or Jarome Iginla. I hope Calgary’s fans exhibit some class and don’t encourage more on-ice violence. I think it’s important to remember, it is after all just a game. Life will go on. Life has a funny way of continuing without you.

I have no problem with fighting and hard hitting but the stick work and hits from behind have to stop. I don’t understand why the league doesn’t get serious disciplining players who deliberately try to injury other players? Stop calling all the nitpicky penalties and start suspending players who attempt to injury. If the league suspended Jarome Iginla for butt ending and cross checking Mathieu Schneider near the end of the game that would send a clear message. The time has come for the National Hockey League to grow up.

Hey I would like to say that the Flames may have temper issues, but they dont have to go around fighting and trying to pick fights like little kids. Just because the sparkless Flames can't win a game to save there lives they decide to get cheap. That was horrible! They cant beat Detroit elite players so they get cheap. Horrible... that was a good shorthanded goal of Chelios's eh? Flames you suck, go home! GO DETROIT!! have fun golfing Calgary haha

What are you fools talking about. Jamie Mclennan is a saint for what he did. Kipper was bumped and charged in any direction possible, and being the cool, collected player that hs is , didnt do anything about it. McLennan retaliated the right way. And about those dirty hits, we were down 5-1 , and the story when your down by that much is "we cant beat you, but sure as hell can hurt you" . So im sorry to say this, but you wings fans better shut your lousy mouths, or even better, shove one of those squids, or octopus's or whatever the hell they are, down it. Where the hell is PETA when you need them?

I'm Sorry to say that right from the beginning I thought Calgary just isn't ready for the playoffs. How can a team with the worst road record in the league,make the playoffs. They just don't have the heart. Maybe next year.

It sure was nice to see the hardest working team in Hockey play Saturday. When faced with adversity, they didn't panic. They dug down deep and showed the class of a champion. Nice work Calgary. Watching Iginla play the last 10 minutes of the game reminded me of another great captain who wore red, Stevie Y. You clearly are the classiest captain in the NHL.

the red wings got lucky in game 5. they'll be crushed in game 6 at the saddle dome. hten crushed again in game 7

How can you call Detroit Hockeytown?
They cannot even sell out a home game during the playoffs!
Calgary did stink on Saturday but we will see you back in game 7. Hope you can get enough people to come out.

I have seen the last game.. and I definately saw the last cheap shot of the day when Maclennan slashed that poor Detroit player.

As much as I give sympathy for that ruthless action (I think its almost as bad as Todd Bertuzzies gutless move a little while back) but I need to bring up this point.

For who ever taped the game please watch it again and notice this point. Everytime Detriot was in position, and even when not Detroit would run the net every chance they could. Every play someone was running the net and something had to be done. It wasn't until Maclennan displayed the worst sportsmanship display that I've seen in a while, for the linesman to finally call a goalie interference call.
So you guys can get mad at Maclennan all you want but the real blame is to the Referee's who allowed this game to ge this dirty

Are you guys for real?!?! I can't even believe all this pansy talk coming from everyone. We all know what Maclennan did in game 5 was a stupid move, but get over it. Those of you comparing this act to what Todd Bertuzzi did against Moore need to give your head a shake. That is the most ludacris thing I've ever heard. Maclennan was out there to send a message, and though he probably could've sent the same message without the final chop, I think he got his point accross. Kipper has been dealing with goalie interfearnce all series long. Just ask Cleary.....unless he doesn't remember running him in game 1 last week. I'm not condoning Maclennan's actions, but I am saying that they did not go un-provoked, and they were not as vicious or malicious as you all may think. Even the great Don Cherry, who is an advocate of the good old game of hockey, did not believe this shot was all that bad. The final five minutes of game 5 were a product of a lack of control by the officials, the frustrations of a team getting destroyed, and the un-willingness of any of those red wing poofs to drop the gloves. Just fight each other and get it over with. Forget trying to sell this wholesome 'gentlemans' game of hockey to the americans. If they can't handle watching someone get punched, then turn off the t.v. We don't need to turn our game into a game of 10 goals/game, and no contact, just to keep american viewers. If you're looking for a high scoring, friendly game on ice...watch curling. And for buddy who complained about Iginla's "butt-in"....its a butt-end. learn the game, then cry. I hope the flames put their heads back on straight, and play a solid disciplined game tomorrow, and can muster up a victory. On that note, Go Flames, and Go Canada!

Hey Dan In Tampa..Your coach is a disgrace to the NHL..Potty Mouth..Oh by the way Devils in 6

See ya in Game 7.. Calgary is cheap Sinagwe? Come on,who has been running into Kipper every game huh! .Maybe Hasek needs to be rubbed out* accidently* then you can call that " cheap". It will be a long night for Wings on Sunday , and I mean on the scoreboard not ugly stick work. Go Flames Go!

I do not believe that Playfair sent Mclenen to do what he did. And ya goalies get bumped in games, but the degree in which Kipper was bumped was different. I do agree though, the Flames played unsportsman like today. But do I remember when the Americans put the Canadian flag on the floor of their dressing room furing the Olympics? I hope the game quality is better for game 6. I have always bin a FlamesFan and always will be.

Watching the game today was a travesty, not hockey, hockey use to be the sport that was the had the most sportsmen of any league, they'd hit hard and fight, but they never tried to outright injure other players. What happened to that NHL? What I saw today from that goalie, was like watching a pitcher throwing a 4 seem fastball at the hitters head. There is NO PLACE in the NHL for how Calgary played today, and if Calgary's bench isn't 3 players short, it will be like giving them and other thugish teams the green light to attack other teams when they play a bad game. As for the 'bumping' on kipper, so what? Calgary did it to Hasek very will game 3 and 4, its part of the game as long as they are outside the blue paint. This game shows you what some children will do when they lose. Pathetic.

Part II of ???
In some regards, I can understand how frustrated the Flames must have felt after D. Cleary was awarded that penalty shot (I will admit, it was a tough call) which turned the direction of the game after he scored. But how is the official's decision the Red Wings fault? And how about that low-bridge check from B. Lebda? The officials correctly called the infraction against him. It was obviously a stupid move because now he's hurt. But when D. Langkow sucker-punched him with a (glove on) uppercut to the face (which the officials either missed or unbelievably decided not to call) again, MacLean and Grapes did nothing but create excuses during their commentary after the Canucks/Stars game (MacLean called it a "face washing" of sorts...nothing more, while Grapes referred to it as a "little tap"). What a bunch of crap, guys! The really sad part about all of this is that in some ways, the frustration on some of the Canadian teams (e.g. - Calgary, Vancouver) is spilling over into the minds of some sportscasters and/or commentators at HNIC. So for now, I think I'll stick to watching everyone on HNIC except the 3 of you, at least until you can borrow a page from true professionals like Greg Millen, Harry Neale, Bob Cole, Kelly Hrudey, and Jim Hughson. Peace!

Part I of ???
I've been watching HNIC from the Detroit area since the late 1970s and after watching game 5 between Calgary and Detroit, I have never in my life been so disgusted with some of the sportscasters and/or commentators at HNIC until now. Drew Remenda, Ron MacLean and Don Cherry have always been favorites of mine, but after each of them (Remenda during the game) practically condoned the vicious slash by J. Mclennan on J. Franzen (they certainly never said anything to the effect of 'there's no room for such behavior in our game'...in fact, the worst part is they actually tried to justify the slash by saying the Flames were frustrated and that Franzen's stick hit Mclennan in the head) made me literally sick to my stomach. Fortunately, Franzen was not seriously injured. Did he embellish getting hurt? Perhaps. The point is, Remenda, MacLean, and "Grapes" did nothing to stress the point that such behavior is intolerable (Gee, I wonder how they would have reacted if D. Hasek had done the same thing to someone like M. Nilson?).

The Flames did not merely lose their "cool," or the game for that matter. They lost their honor. They thouroughly embarrassed the city of Calgary, and the NHL. That spineless wonder, Jerome Iginla, is not much of a leader. that "C" on his jersey means nothing more than "Cheapshot." If you want to "fire-up" your team with some rough-stuff, you don't hit someone from behind like a low-class coward. You challenge the other player face-to-face (like a MAN). Jerome set a low-standard for his team mates to follow; and follow they did!!! That loser McLennan should be suspended for a least 25 games; and so should Playfair. The coach had a pretty good idea that something nasty was gonna happen by sending that low-life in. And Lankow rates no better on the lack-of-class list for his sucker punch. Yep, the Flames certainly set a low mark in NHL chivalry. They won't win the Cup, because Stanley Cup Champions are tough and classy; and are able to focus and channel their emotions at the right time. The Flames proved they are nothing but a bunch of low class punks.

LOL DTEROIT WILL WIN THE CUP!!!THATS ALL I NEED TO SAY CUZ EVERYOTHER TEAM SUX!!!!

Part 3:

Finally, for those that claim Calgary does not deserve to be in the playoffs, the season is a complete 82 games. Kudos to the Avalanche and their effort in the last 19 games (definitely that was a playoff run to be remembered), but this certainly does not make them any more worthy than Calgary to play in the post-season. If this was the criteria, the NHL would be a whopping 3 months long. If Colorado truly deserved to be in the playoffs...they would be playing against Detroit right now.

Part 2:

The conduct of the Flames players this afternoon was...uncharacteristic. I cannot recall an incident where the Flames have been involved in a nasty foray at the end of a game until now (especially one that has created so much debate). For all of the people who claim the Flames team is a bunch of classless goons who have set hockey back for 10 years, I suggest you take a moment to think. Emotionally charged diatribes such as these are baseless accusations and conspiracy theories. This team has done nothing that any other team in the league has not done themselves in whole, or in part, in the past. Granted, these actions did put a damper on a Red Wings victory, but they are not characteristic of a Flames organization that is, generally, respected in the NHL.

Naturally, no fan wants to see playoff hockey degrade into a bunch of ogres banging their chests. However, anyone who has played competitive sports will know that emotions are a big part of the game and tend to rear their ugly head from time-to-time. Evidently, people want to make hockey a better game, but have no real idea on how to do it. Some people want to remove the physical aspects of the game and others want to bring it back. After today, it seems a majority of people posting have neither the tolerance nor stomach for physical and emotional play.

Before you start a rant about how I condone McLennan-esque moves and phantom butt ends, think again. I recognize (when sufficient proof is given) when an offense has been committed and should be punished. However, I will not say that what many fans saw this afternoon in the last few minutes was anything that has not happened a thousand times before. Hopefully the NHL can learn from this debacle and move forward while accommodating both schools of thought.

Part 1:

Calgary and Detroit both came out strong in the first period. There is no question of that. However, Detroit managed to take the game to the Flames with timely goals on the special teams. The day was theirs, and the Red Wings deserved the victory. Much to the shegrin of many fans, things took a turn for the worse though.

The conduct of McLennan cannot be excused. Ultimately, he should have to answer for his actions.Hopefully the league handles this situation and gives it the attention it deserves. There is no place in hockey for players taking the law into their own hands. What kind of a suspension should he get? Fortunately, I do not have to make that decision, but a precedent has been sent by incidents in the past. However, I question the assertion of a number of posts that the actions of other players (namely Iginla and Langkow) are "dirty" and "uncalled for".

The punch by Langkow on Lebda was similar to something fans see numerous times in games. Any time there is a scrum, players get involved in little battles that include punches to the face. Curiously, angry mobs do not make their voices heard when this happens. Furthermore, the fact that Lebda was injured is a mute point. His "hip check" on Langkow was not even close to resembling a hip check. Ironically, in attempting to take out Langkow from the knees, he injures his own. The fact is, no one should conduct a hip check from their knees and then not expect some retaliation. I question how any of the morale high-roaders on this message board would act in the same situation.

Finally, the "butt end" by Iginla is questionable. First, there is not a clear shot of the alleged offence. Second, there seem to be a lot of individuals on this post who, rather than fabricating their own opinions, seem to ride the wave of disdain that has eminated from many national networks over his actions (incidently, they do not have any more proof than the viewers at home).

Hey Paul from Halifax.......you said three first round lose by an 8th seeded team in four years . Can you say 3 CUPS in 9 years ?
When was the last time the Flamers went to the finals ?

Watching these games I am impressed with the right calls being made on interferance type penalties but shocked at the allowance of the crashing the net infractions.

Calgary's goaltender "Kipper" has been a class act in how he has responded to the crashing of the net unlike the flopping fish at the other end. I can totally see why "Noodles" did what he did. He was there to send a message. Not "be careful we will pumble you Redwings into the ground" but more "HEY MR BETTMAN... this is not right."

Kudos to Noodles for delivering that message. 2 of the first 3 goals in this game were the result of what should have been Detroit penalties for interferance.

I was having my sons 2 and 5-years old watch the tail end of the Wings/Flames game. What my sons got was a disgusting violent spree on the part of Jerome Iginla and McLennan. I had to turn off the TV and explain to my sons that what the Flames did was very bad. I hope the NHL explains to (I won't use Mr. because they don't deserve the repect) Iginla and McLennan that what they did was very bad and slap them with suspensions.

I can't understand why anyone would watch this series and still think Calgary should win. Those watching objectively can see that without the supurb play of Kipps and a few 5-on-3 goals the series would've ended today.

As for the Lebda hit. The hit was definately too low. It was intended to be a clean hit though. The punch after by Langkow was cheap, but that stuff happens. I doubt it woulda really hurt Lebda.

i was VERY DISSAPOINTED in the sportsmanship that Calgary showed the last 5 or 10 minutes in the game. what jamie Mcleene(sorry about spelling) did is unexceptable and he needs to be suspended. iginla also should be suspended for what he did at the end of the game, why you ask? because his so called hook was a but end of the stick to the mid section!!!!!

GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!

ha ha ha .... Nothing funnier than watching a subpar team deteriorate on live television. Iginla is an idiot and a horrible leader. The wings are as usual the much more classy bunch of men out there playing Hockey as opposed to the redneck hillbilly Flames that tried to turn game 5 into wrestlemania. That doesn't surprise me though. I think Wrestling is actually the number 1 sport in Calgary and hockey must be number 2. Oh Cal-gary...your home and native land....It must really suck having to look back to 1989 as the only year you've won anything. Ya see in Detroit, we've got 10 cups and scores of current and former Hall of famers abound. Thats why our hockey team is classy and yours, well, lets just say, they have to power wash the visiting room a lil more after Calgary leaves town. The grease is everywhere. Can't wait for this to be done so we can stop watching these moronic Flames demean a great sport like hockey. See ya next year Flames!!!

Jamie McLennan is gorgeous. He went out and showed the wings how he felt. All the flames were thinking it but he acted on it. GOOD JOB NOODLES!

wow, im sick of people making mountains out of molehills with these "cheapshots". get real. hockey is a tough sport and if u dont like it dont watch it and dont b**** about it either. its funny how no prairie boys are complaining?

I was dismayed to see the Calgary Flames embarrass themselves in the 5-1 loss to Detroit. I wouldn't go so far as to say shocked because well I think were past that now with Canadian teams. They have thoroughly confused "cheap" for "tough." Detroit is playing them tough and mostly clean (I mean c'mon it's the playoffs :) but Calgary has continually been cheap. Today was absolutely over the top, I haven't seen actions like that in a playoff game ever! They have embarrassed themselves, their team, and their country. They should be seriously sanctioned by the NHL. From the "Bertuzzi" punch (here in America we use it as an adjective) on Brett Lebda, to Iginla's butt end & cross-check on Schneider. The team should further be seriously fined for sending in Mclennan to chop Franzen. Many (Canadians) would say that it was not premeditated, and to that I would say two things: bull, and I really don't care. The guy came in for 30 seconds, viciously hacked a player & was ejected to pats on the back from his teammates! They were actually proud of the way they played. I read Iginla's comments about the game and he seems to be oblivious to how HIS team portrayed itself. I think that a serious reality check needs needs to be administered by the NHL to the Flames and their organization. We all live for the tough of the playoffs, but the cheap belongs nowhere in hockey.

The Flames reached a new low with all the cheap shots they took today. As a Wings fan I loved the goal on the penalty shot!

Wings need to take care of business on Sunday!

The calgary flames suck, the whole orginization, bunch of sore losers who can't play hockey. Wings all the way
GO WINGS GO

Oh, and Jessica - bandwagon-jumping isn't necessarily done by virtue of the 'Dome selling out its tickets, it's done by virtue of the 'Dome selling out its tickets in the last two seasons or so after nearly a decade of half-empty game attendance. Where were you all before '04? Supporting a team only when they happen to do well dosen't make you 'genuine', it makes you a frontrunner; the shameful silence the city experiences every time it finishes short of the mark merely drives the point home. Virtually none of the fans in Calgary have taken their recent good with the bad of the last decade. All this 'Sea/C of Red' buisness establishes it even more firmly - where are the older-style jerseys or numbers of players of past years? I can't ever recall seeing anyone with the likes of Vernon, MacDonald, or Fleury on their back when in Calgary. Heck, with the exception of an occasional older fan I have trouble even picking out the older-styled jerseys in the crowd in the first place, something I've never had difficulty doing observing crowds for other teams that have had significant jersey changes in their histories,

I was so happy to here Detroit fans chanting CALGARY SUCKS!!!!! After that poor display of sportsmanship!!! I wonder what they are going to do when Detroit wins sunday????

Ryan - I actually just study here in Vancouver. For all intents and purposes I'm actually from Calgary, but I've been a Wings fan since i was 12. The behaviour I've seen on the Red Mile in previous playoffs have completely turned me off from the Flames fanbase as of late. Such shameful behaviour makes me glad it's Detroit and not Calgary that's the true Hockeytown, and seeing the last period of todays game dosen't do much to disuade me from saying the same of the players. Quite an achievement for a team playing AGAINST Bertuzzi.

Oh,Canada ... not so glorious ( Calgary ) any more ...soon you will be free ... you'll be
out of the Playoffs where you belong ...you've
struck a new low for all to see and witness !!
Pray you get out of this alive ......:)

Poor Kiprusoff, he's like a machine and deserves to play for a team thats willing to put as much into the game as he does, that guy deserves a metal for his hard work, I wonder if he feels let down by his team because they'd be crap without him!

I root for Detroit, they play like a team and dont let too much get to them, and Calgary really needs to smarten up when not playing at home! Great games this season for both teams, and watch your tempers Calgary cause people are starting to wonder if you even remember what the game is really about! Be the bigger men and forget about revenge for personal matters that occure on the ice, and just concentrate on the win!

What a disgusting pathetic display shown by the Calgary Flames. As a huge hockey fan, and one who has taught many the value of hockey here in Tampa, I was shocked by the crap Calgary did in game 5.

I hope that Bettman dishes out at least one suspension to Maclennan for his cowardly act. It was reminscent of Bertuzzi's hit on Steve Moore. Ironically, the sucker punch Damon Lankow got away with will probably be retributed by Bertuzzi. Then there is their "Captian", Iginla spurred this on and his misconduct has been followed by his troops.

My only wish was that Detroit would have dropped a few more goal's behind the "little kipper", like they did against Patrick Roy a few years ago, and send him out of the game with a bigger mud hole stomping.

The best will be seeing the Flames season end Sunday night, deservedly so.

I've watched HNIC for 30 years or so instead of the NBC or Fox Sports Detroit announcers. But I turned HNIC off today after about a period and half. The bias in favor of Calgary was more "homer-like" than I could believe. At the end of the game, when Calgary took about 8 cheap shots at the Detroit players, I listened to NBC describe exactly how cheap the goalies' two-hander on no. 93 was and then Iglinia's butt-end and then 2 more slashes on Schneider down the ice. I switched over to CBC to hear their version. Neither announcer would say anything blunt about the dirty play. And the description of the game at this site doesn't mention the butt-in, which is one of the dirtiest plays in hockey.

Come on. Get back to calling the game the way you see it. Don't sugar-coat the dirty play of Flames.

Game 5 - Both teams played well in the first, then it went downhill from there. I don't think Calgary was bad, just a bit sloppy!

Cern from Vancouver - The Canuck's game is on at 5:00p PDT, you woke up to early! There may be a few bandwagon'iers at the 'dome, but most fans are there all season long (like me)!

Go FLAMES Go!

That was a gutless ending by the Flames today.

The Wings aren't saints but they already deserve this series.

wow, just when u think it couldn't get any worse...oh well...i say better luck next time...i'm trying not to be a pessimist but it's just so damn frustrating, what with all the stupid penalties that calgary is getting, c'mon guys..smarten up...as everyone in hockey is always saying...keep your stick on the ice..

When is the NHL going to get serious about cleaning up its image? Jim Playfair ripped a page right out of Reggie Dunlop from ‘Slapshot’ fame by sending backup goalie Jamie McLennan to stir it up. I have no problem with protecting your crease via a couple of whacks but what McLennan did to Johan Franzen warrants a serious suspension. By my count he whacked him for the hat trick and then there was a serious slash to Johan Franzen’s chest. He should be suspended for the remainder of the playoffs and for the 1st 20 games of next season. I would also like to see the NHL pull whatever audio they can grab from the Flames’ bench to hear if Playfair gave directions for McLennan to commit mayhem.

It was a no class move by the Flames. I was also very disappointed in the behavior of their captain, Jarome Iginla, trying to provoke a fight with Mathieu Schneider. That was no way for the NHL to try to sell hockey to the folks south of the border on NBC. With the kind of money these athletes are getting paid one would think they could behave like men and not like children fighting in a schoolyard. The NHL should send a message by suspending both McLennan and Playfair. I believe the coach should be held responsible for the behavior of his players. If the NHL can prove Playfair ordered his backup netminder to deliberately attempt to injury another player, he should be suspended for the rest of the playoffs and all of next season.

Well game 5 is over and Calgary acted out just as I thought they would.If they can't win they resort to goon tactics to supposedly "send a message" and intimidate the other team.No class for a no class team and that includes their captain.Perhaps the class of Stevie Y. is still present in the Wings dressing room.Hopefully these above goon tactics will not be allowed to affect the outcome of this series but that is another issue in this Bettman style of officiating.GO WINGS GO!!

Well Cern, I think your comment about the Flames "bandwagon jumpers" is a very onesided comment based on your B.C. location. If you think that selling out every game at the Dome all season, and continuing into the post season, is "wagon jumping" then your definition is pretty screwed up. The Calgary Flames have the best fans there is and all of Canada and the U.S. know it.

First off I would like to say that that was the worst example of sportsmanship I have ever seen. This isn't bantam Select it is the nhl. Second I would like to remind the play by play and colour commentator that every goalie in the league gets bumped so please give up your whining about Kipper being bumped. Did either one of you see what Calgary's so called back up did. I guess not because you went right to complaining about Kipper getting bumped. The officiating was terrible, all three of you guys in the intermission just talked about Calgary. Did any one watch this game? It was all Detroit. The goal that Calgary scored was even a highstick. The nhl needs to get control over these Refs, and CBC needs to realize that in a game of Hockey there is 2 teams playing. Go Wings

I think we got a new Claude Lemieux in Iginla.

Great win for the Wings. McLennan should be suspended for at least the rest of the series plus more, and Iginla should be gone for one game(yes, believe it or not Flames fans, a cross check from behind to the legs is an attempt to take out a knee, and purposeful intent to injure should be a suspension).

Greasy Calgary hockey rears its ugly head once again. Shameful.

Well, I hope you Detroit fans are happy. For any of you who said about the refs favoring Calgary thats Bul. We started out good, but after the Wings first goal we sucked. Come on Flames show that spirit of 04. Calgary will win the next game, its all in game 7. I hav about had enough of those the wings hittin Kipper, something must b done about that, its uncalled for i tell u. Flames in 7, or it better be.

Ok, here's a great example of how the league needs to step in and regardless of playoffs, deliver a game suspension to Calgary G McLellan for hacking away at Detroit's Franzen, then chopping him in the gut. Especially if there is a hint that Mclellan was in there to dish out for the abuse that Kipper was getting. This type of thing like knee to knee hits, needs to be eliminated. That means eliminating players. Teams need to feel the heat too.
And to the CBC announcer that on the replay talked about how innocent the chop was, that is far from the point. This beloved game of hockey needs some reigning in. The league is doing a political job of it so far by ignoring the very incidents that need to change.
Detroit looks like they're focused on getting to the next round; Calgary...not so much.

It gets tiresome listening to your announcers whine about the poor Calgary Flames and how hard done by Kiprusoff is. Calgary lacks talent and lives by the cheap shot and Inginla is the most over-rated captain in the NHL. Calgary will get what they deserve in this series. It's unfortunate that we had to watch them attempt to play hockey for more than the minimum 4 games.

OH ! This is how you play Hockey !
Chris your team needs a psych couch.

As in 04 cheap, punk, hockey and enablers with zebra stripes (CA).

Whats you handicap ? Fore !

i'll give ya one thing calgary is home of some thing---the cheapshot of the season. so is that canadian hockey--calgary sucks --go wing take them out in 6

Calgary is cheap . Kinda suspscious Meclennen comes in only to hack someone . If i played on Detroit id run Kiprusoff so hard he couldnt play the next game . Btw even though im a die hard wings fan I like Calgary I just dont understand why once they make the playoffs the play dirty. I hope they get destroyed at home so the fans can see that in there face . Wings all the way .

Wow, way to be unable to go ten seconds without screwing up, McLennan.

Normally I'd comment on the one-sidedness of the penalty calls but hey, gotta try to keep the game even, right?

Chelios scoring against your team when shorthanded = early golf season for the Flames

*24 games, not points

Paul - while that may have been the case in previous seasons, the absence of both Shanahan and Yzerman, plus the greatly increased performance of Nashville this year, has been a huge dent to Detroit's supposed invulerability during the season. Likewise, the Wings hardly swept their season series with Columbus, St. Louis, or Chicago (well, *nearly* with Chicago), defying the argument of an 'easy' 24 points. Most people - myself included - were expecting a 4-8th seed for the Wings coming into the playoffs. The fact that despite the massive handicaps placed on them this season they were *still* able to top the west is if anything a sign of increased potential for them over a team whose success seems to be stemmed purely by a bandwagoning fanbase at the 'Dome. If they have any year to go deep into the playoff race, its this one.

We are 3 Winnipeggers travelling through Europe and have been very dissapointed to realize that we can't watch a live CBC feed of the Flames game, but instead are limited to an audio feed from a Calgary radio station. We miss our family and girlfriends, but none more than our hockey.

GO JETS GO!!!

Detriot is one of the most overrated teams in the league. The point totals at the end of the regular season were not an accurate reflection of the team's overall skill. Detroit plays 24 games a season against 3 of the weakest teams in the western conference. That's 48 easy points. Let Detoit play in the Northwest division or even the southwest and watch their win colum plummet. Calgary is a far superior team.
This is why "top-seeded" detroit loses to the 8th seed, 3 times in the last 4 years? It's plain as day as to why. They are overrated.

So - 2 brutal losses in Joe Louis, 2 characteristic wins in the Dome.

Does this boil down to our less than stellar road game, as most suggest?

I argue that's not the case...

The Flames sort of lost their "game" and stumbled on a road trip at the end of the regular season. When they're successful, it's because they play a controlled high-energy (ie solid forechecking, selective hitting, active players all over the ice). It seems they needed a recharge of energy from the Dome to get focused.

Yes, the Flames won game 4 largely because they had more energy and desire - and they justly credited our deafening fans who really supported them and gave them that push.

Now, there`s no reason that they can't play the same controlled high-energy game on the road. Watch a video tape of the "C of Red" if they need.

Still, high-energy alone will not decide who wins the series now. The experienced Wings have played quite consistently, with mistakes only noticeable up in game 4. Although I hope Hasek self-destructs.

With still some breakdowns in defensive coverage, hopefully Playfair will find these leaks because both goals in Game 4 resulted from the same problems, 3-on-2s. The one mistake will be the difference maker in this series.

The Flames are capable of playing better.. they're getting there.

They got that energy and lets hope that momentum will carry into Saturday's game.

Go Flames Go!

It's unbelievable that Detroit still gets away with more cheap crappy play - hooking, interference, holds - than any other team in the NHL. Why, why, why?

Watch Kris Draper. Every shift he's doing at least one act that gets other guys on other teams penalized. For a decade now Detroit have been league favorites. It's disgusting. I cant even watch a game they play now as it is so obvious that they are treated differently. Yes, they have some offensive stars but that doesnt negate the other things that they do. They should be treated the same as other teams.

I am a wings fan and I'll be the first to say that so far the officiating seems to favor the home team in all 4 games. I do wish that they would call games more like they did in the regular season, they really seem to want more penalty time for the playoffs. I have really enjoyed the series so far and feel both teams are playing great hard hitting hockey. I would rather watch a nailbiter of a series than some of the one-sided ones that are going on. I am glad that both our squads are playing up to par with how they played all season.

Sooo...DETHockeyTown....what happened huh?? What happened to the prediction that detroit would lead 3-1 after game four? Let me tell you something, it makes sense if you think calgary's not as crazy about hockey as detroit if you've never been to the RED MILE. You know what else doesn't equal championships...the first seed losing to the eight seed in the western conference ... just like last year :D . The jerseys here may be a little more expensive than most places...but thats because people here are willing to pay more for it...cause WE LOVE HOCKEY IN THIS CITY!

GO FLAMES GO!!

Hey Detroit fans.. Sour grapes much?? I love the classic excuse "The Officials". Other than that hilarious comments about the league wanting to bring the cup to canada.. Im pretty sure that couldnt be further from the truth.. How many lukewarm hockey "fans" in the US would tune into NBC to watch the flames and sens in the final..? You guys crack me up, before you post something ignorant do a lil reading.

Wow, ok so there were some stupid calls, I would like to see you do a better job! The stuff on that ice is happening so fast. Game 5 will be the key game in this series. To all of you down in the sates who are thinkin about the refs favoring Calgary and that Americans perfected the game, your wrong. To whoever said Iginla was over-rated, Jarome may not have played very well in Detroit that don't mean he is no good. There is a reason that he is Captain, duh. Game 2 - Detroit gave it their nearest to best with over 50 shots and guess what, they only get three goals. Flames can, should and most likely will win this series, so stop complaining and face the truth, Calgary Flames are the best.

I agree with the many people on here who are upset with the officiating, but I do not agree that it has been beneficial for one side. Detroit was given a couple of 5-3s in the first homestand that I thought were bogus, and then the refs returned the favour in Calgary.
Bad reffing doesn't benefit anybody. All these stick infractions are just ridiculous.
Also, to suggest that the NHL favours Canadian teams is just stupid. Look at the playoff scheduling, its all about the US. I would also remind you of the officiating that cost Calgary winning the cup in 6 games in 2004, when we clearly scored and were denied a review. I'm not bitching about it, because I hate poor sports. But to suggest favoritism towards Canadian franchises is complete nonsense.
Let them play!
Flames in 6.

I ref minor hockey and I can say for sure the ref job in Calgary was OK. No ref is perfect and none will be. Your on the ice making snap calls and sometime you mess-up. We work with it and keep going. Referees hate calling penalties. If ether team wants to go to the final they better be ready for those cheap calls because it is going to happen. That is just part of the game.

Oh yea, GO FLAMES.

Game 4 - Both teams came out and played well! Reason why Calgary Won: Hard Work, great defensive coverage.

The Ref's seem to be critizied again, and why? They called a fair game last night! Both teams took stupid penalties.

Besides, un-sportman like conduct is something I've been hoping the NHL would crack down on, and they did so on Hasek last night!

What did everyone else think of the "hooking" call on datsyuk? The call on Lidstrom was questionable, just two guys battling for the puck. I think both sides can say the refereeing hasn't necessarily been consistent. You have to agree though, two 5 on 3's? Both including pretty questionable calls? I have to agree with Micky Redmond, "this is not hockey".

Canadians came up with the game, americans perfected it. Hack and whack isnt the name of the game. The game should be played by finess players, who dont use their stick to slow the game down(canadians). Europeans got the game down right now and thats why your silly canadian defensemen cant touch henrick or pavel. they might as well go down the ice with the "cant touch me" song playing.

Jerom Iginla is the most over rated player. Look at his play-off stats. What has he ever really done? Big deal, I would take more than a hand full of players over him. He is great at being a whining baby and having to cheap shot people when he is losing though. Flames are the worst go F a cow!!!

The refereeing was the breaking point of last nights game. The NHL is trying to keep their precious canadian teams in the playoffs and we can see how they plan on doing it. The penaltys that put the wings down 5-3 last night were horrible calls, those refereees dont know what they are doing

I'm a hockey fan and I live in Calgary. I really appreciate how good Detroit is. I didn't think the Flames had a chance after the first two games. I now have renewed hope although I'm perplexed and frustrated at the Jeckel & Hyde nature of the team at home vs. away.

On another note:

How come Calgary gets dissed so often when it comes to airing the games?? We've missed out HD way too often in favour of Edmonton, and now Vancouver.

On that note - What the heck are you doing CBC??????

What's with dissing Iggy like that during a between period interview? What's with the play by play? Are you guys watching the same game I am? What's with the one sided pro Detroit attitude that's soooooo obvious? Detroit scores and you take 2 minutes praising the play. Calgary scores and you cut to a commercial. Trying to coddle the Americans? Why?
I'm writing this, but I represent at least a couple of dozen of my friends who all feel the same.....

Other thoughts:

I like what the new NHL has done for the game. It's faster, more exciting and there is far more parity between teams. A few things, though:

Need to add an automatic icing call - it's too dangerous the way it is and doesn't add anything.
Need to change the rules to give the goalie a chance. There's too many goals with someones butt in the goalie's face and no one can clear them out.
Need to get rid of the slashing the stick call - it's stupid in light of the new fragile composite sticks. Protect the body and hands, but the stick should be fair game. You want to use a stick that breaks easily? That should be your problem, not everyone else's.

I could go on, but I'll save it for another post...

Well, back to Detroit...2 a piece. Kind of saw this coming. If there ever was a time to win some games on the road, now is it.

Fortunately I realize that my role is to support the team regardless. Not to armchair coach the team. We all have our theories, but really, do they help? I love how the mood has changed on here, and in the city...isn't it ironic.

GO FLAMES GO

No way Detroit will win in 5. It's impossible now. If Calgary can win a game in Detroit they win the series.

I know that most people in Calgary are excited that the Flames tied up the series. This makes for an excellent 3 game series moving forward. I would only hope the officiating does not decide the outcome as it did for each game in Calgary. Both teams earned the right to compete for the Holy Grail, thus the teams should decide who advances.

PS Kipper has really come into his own but that wont be enough. Detroit in 7.

Down with Bettman style hockey! Bring the game back!

Chris from Detroit

I yhink red wings are going repeat thier past.

Enough with the U.S./Canada contrasts over who loves hockey more. Just enjoy the games for what they are. Every single team in the playoffs has Canadians, Americans, Fins, Swedes, Czechs, etc. so this Can-Am connection just doesn't jive.
However, I do agree that certain cities' fan bases do seem to support their teams a bit more (see the C of Red vs. Detroit's 'Hockeytown'). But even then, trying to compare the pathetic towel-waving of Canuck's fans or the bureaucratic stiffness of Sens fans to the energy in the 'Dome' is ridiculous.

TO SHELDON IN NEWFOUNDLAND
HEY MAN I SUPPORT YOU AS I AM A REDWINGS FAN AND FANS LIKE US MISS OUR TEAM PLAY ALL YEAR AND HAVE TO WATCH CRAP LIKE TORONTO AND MONTREAL EVERY WEEKEND. CBC SHOULD TRY AND INCORPORATE OTHER TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE. WE AS FANS GET SICK OF SEEING THE SAME GAMES YEAR AFTER YEAR. DET MAY BE PLAYING COLARADO OR NASHVILLE AND WE ARE STUCK WITH TORONTO PLAYING CHICAGO OR PHILADELPHIA. ITS BS. ALSO SHELDON I AGREE WITH WHAT HAPPENED LAST NITE. THAT WAS FRUSTRATING. I ALSO DONT KNOW WHY WE CANT GET BACK THE TORONTO, MONTREAL RIVALIRIES WITH DETROIT, EVEN CHICAGO. LEADGUE HAS TO HAVE A FULL REVAMPTION ON ITS SCHEDULING. WHAT DO YOU THINK? HOW ABOUT CLAERY, HE IS PLAYING FANTASTIK. JUST A PLUG FOR THE ROCK.

No wonder why the Flames won 30 games at home this year. It's pretty much a 7-5 with the refs playing on your team. I know the wings haven't done anything on the power play but giving the Flames 2 man advantages because of Pavel Datsyuk touching some Flame's player on his pants is unbelievable. If the NHL really wants a Canadian team to win the cup just admit your cheating for them or move all teams to Canada so it is atleast fair.

this is to jenifer and anybody who says the refs have been bad. have you ever played hockey because if you have you will relize that the refs are never perfectly fair and you don't hear the players whining about refs as much as you used too. thats because they are more fair. at least kipper gets up after he has been slashed by holmstring. calgary is hot and you just need to let your frustration out but don't blame the refs blame kipper for being so good.

Quote "he referees in the Calgary Flames vs. the Detroit Red Wings should be FIRED. They are calling penalties that have not occurred and making b.s. calls"

yes Jennifer, its ALMOST as bad as the officiating in games 1&2. except reversed.

My prediction: whoever wins game 5 wins the series. I dont think Calgary can win a game 7 in detriot, and im almost positive detriot cant win a game in Calgary.

In 40 years of watching hockey games the officiating in game 4 of Wings/Flames series was the worst I ever seen. If you bump the goalie when he is in his crease it's suppose to be a AUTOMATIC penalty, duh

For the love of the game, can everyone just stop with the complains about the refs already? I mean none of us can do anything about it in the end, and it is up to the players to deal with those. Just enjoy the game as it is. But I have to say, Flames has finally brought out their A game - unless there are even better efforts hidden somewhere. As for the Red Wings, there are absolutely no excuses for their losses. I mean they didn't even bring out the killer edges from Game 1 and 2 (Here is the spot where others are going to complain about the refs; moreover, and others debating which is the better team overall, etc.) As we can see, this series is about who plays better and smarter. So let's see how Game 5 will turn out shall we all? Until then, GO FLAMES GO!!!

Well, I must say, I was and am dissapointed by all of the people who predicted the Wings sweep and doubted the Flames so much. And guess what the series is now tied. Sure we played lousy in Detroit, but that don't mean you back down or your team, you stick with em no matter what. Kipper was great, and the team has pulled together, sure we wern't our best, but we were better. This series is totally still open and I am prayin for the Flames. It happened in 04, it can happen again. Does anyone else still think about Gelinas, and Donovan? GO FLAMES, Roast those Wings Baby!!

I don't get how bad the refs are? Sure its a hard job, but I can't help but think the fix is in.

well no suprise here but now it's detroits turn to win, If calgary think they can protect a one goal game they are gonna lose 5 n 6. They can't let up after taking a one goal lead let's hope the flaming "c" doesn't turn to choke i'll be keeping my fingers crossed but kipper will bail us out again. Let's hope he doesn't give up on us and ask for a trade next year

Ron McLean hit the old nail on the head. Slashing penalties were originally called as a body foul to protect players from injury. Now penalties are called when a player (stick on stick) breaks the other players stick. Back in the old wooden stick days, how many sticks were broken when hit by an opposing players stick? None! New stick composition should not change the rule. Penalties should be called when a scoring chance is eliminated due to a foul (tripping, hooking, etc.) or due to a body foul (slashing on the body, hooking on the gloves, arm or legs, charging, boarding, etc.) Too many times even hooking is called when the player only hooked the stick! A stick on stick foul is not a foul!

flames is the true hockey town + detroit you guys are bad at power plays we owned you 3-2 2x in a row what do u call that detoit fans

Not a surprizing two games at the Saddledome but even with the series even Detroit still holds a crippling home ice advantage. I predict snuffed Flames by game 7.

well there you go , Flames tie the series 2-2

Oh Yeah!!! What happens when Kipper goes home??? He gets H-O-T, Hot... That's what happens! Fifty-one shots against in Game 2... What more can you say?
I think I smell some burnt Wings already!!!

Who are they? The Detroit Red Wings (The Buffalo Bills of the new millenia) Ha ha ha!

GO FLAMES GO!

The referees in the Calgary Flames vs. the Detroit Red Wings should be FIRED. They are calling penalties that have not occurred and making b.s. calls and not calling penalties against the Flames. It's extremely sad when Mickey Redman says that the refs should be ASHAMED of the miss calls made tonight and in this series. If the referees would like a Canadian team to win the cup tell the American teams not to show up because obviously your referees are trying to win the games for Calgary. The NHL officials association needs to do something about this growing problem.

id just like to say that the quallity of the officating has hit an all time low. the officals have been calling penalties on plays that shouldnt be penalties, and on the plays that should be, they dont call them. when you see ten hooking penalties in a row you know there is somthing wrong.

This is for CBC:
Im A Detroit Red Wings Fan and i wanted to say, that if you are going to have a game on CBC then you should have only one game at a time,not starting a game and then going to another game like tonight.The Red Wings and the Flams Started and then once the 1st period was over they went to a different game,i know there are other ppl that may go for the other teams that are playing but it really ticks off a lot of ppl that do go for the Red Wings and the Flams here in this Province.I was waiting for the Red Wings game to come on all night long and here to watch and drink a few beer and cheer my team on.But then after the 1st period you guys switched it over to a total different game.yes you guys at CBC went back to check up on the game.There are a nice few Red wings Fans here in Newfoundland and i say there not impressed about CBC changing the games.If CBC are going to have Hockey games on there network then the game that comes on first should be on more then the second game.Like tonight i only seen like 15mins of the Detroit game and right now its the second period between DAL and VAN.So i was just wondering whats on the go.
thank you
sheldon
But Over All Go DETROIT RED WINGS

croweblack as for your comment before we let the greedy americans play our game, canadians played for the love of the game not money and there was respect for other players. Ever since americans started playing, it's gone out of control with cheap shots, intend to injure ridiculous contracts disrespect for national anthems and so on blah blah blah.... I could go on but i'm gonna stop there and i don't expect an ignorant person to understand the phrase LOVE OF THE GAME

We are disappointed that the Calgary-Detroit game is not showing in HD! We do not want to watch Vancouver!

I don't get the big canada/america divide with this series. I've always considered Detroit a half-Canadian team by virtue of being twinned with Windsor anyway.

two things:

-whoever it is that feels the need to blow that airhorn during O Canada at every single Flames home game - STOP IT ALREADY!
-Why does the CBC coverage of the national anthems always have to pan exclusively over the american team for the american anthem and vice versa? There are people of both nationalities on both teams.

I'm an American who absolutely LOVES watching hockey on CBC. I'm not sure what all the fighting is about in the first few posts I read, but most in Detroit here are avid HNIC viewers, and when we heard that CBC might not be broadcasting it any longer, it was a pretty big concern--it got substantial newspaper coverage, and was the number one topic on our sports radio shows for quite some time. We, too, have many fond memories of watching hockey on "Channel 9", and unless you have some exotic satellite package, losing HNIC on CBC was basically losing HNIC completely.

In my household, at least, we'll normally root for any Canadian team, such is the respect we have for the innumerable contributions of your country to the sport and the culture surrounding it...

...but not today. Wings in five! GO GO GO!

there really is no need to talk nasty about detroit. they are a good team and deserve recognition because they are and have remained on top for a reason. they fight and play hard. the only reason that anything nasty is being said about them is because canadians want a canadian team to win. dont blame detroit for being a great team, blame the other teams for not wanting it and working as hard. i am a detroit fan living in canada and am proud to call them my favorite team. if calgary wins, coudos to them, but if detroit beats them, coudos to them. either way, only one team comes out the winner. (really, its only a game , so stop getting so serious and nasty) i thought canada was better than that! i say congrats to both for getting so far.

Well I am neither a Flames fan or Red Wings fan and don't really care you comes out on top. I am tired of all these Americans bashing the sport of hockey. The reasons they don't like it is becasue 1) you need to pay attention for more than a few seconds, 2nd) they didn't create it and 3) they can't profess to be the best at it.
If it wasn't for their National Woman's team, the would always be second place behind Canada, although out of 10 Women's World Cups 2 Olympic Games the women have been 1 st only twice...You must be so proud

And as far as officiating in the series, Give me a break, there is no other team in the NHL that is given more slack, then Detroit, one only has to look to last year, when they played Edmonton. So suck it up Detroit, your day in the sun is over, enjoy summer and watch some real hockey. Your self professed title of Hockeytown is a joke....watch your overpaid athletes in Football, basketball and that ever nail biting bore me to death baseball...we are just fine without you.

Finally...your best Detroit player was a Canadian by the name of Gordie Howe.

This is for Dave in Detroit posted Apr 18.

To quote "animal mutha" in Kubriks Full Metal Jacket. " Flush out your head gear there new guy! " If anything it is us Canadians that have had to put up with the finicky and often uninspiring American hockey audience. 11 am games? need I say more?

To address your referee comments, the new mandate in the NHL of no clutch and grab was to increase scoring to keep the short American hockey fan's attention span peaked, and lets not mention the the goal that never counted in game six of the Calgary v Tampa series in 04.

2 cents

When Zetterberg gets his hands back look out calgary. The CBC analysts do not have enough good things to say about Detroit for a reason, they have been playing unbelievable. It is so incredibly loud in the saddledome i don't know how Hasek hears his own thoughts, he's just thinking about that $450 000 bonus if he can get the wings to round 2, which he will. Wings in 7 woooo!

you detroit fans can't handle losing can you. you have to blame it on the refs or say it was fixed. the only reason your team is good is because you had a canadian teach them how to play the game. steve y taught those guys how to play. how many americian captains have won the cup. ya detoit has had some great players like steve gordie. oh ya their canadian. this is a great series and fun to watch so just relax and stop whining because who ever wins the series will win the cup.

The Calgary flames are going up in smoke in tonights game against Detroit they got lucky last game beating Detroit but it isn't going to happen toight thier gonna play harder on Calgary and silence thier fans once and for all after Detroit wins tonight it's all over for Calgary in game 5. Get ready to pack your bags and be gone from the playoffs calgary game 4 and 5 are on us. Go Redwings Go

The hit on King Dino was not and elbow. If any of you Calgary fans actually wathced the game and the hit over and over he hit his head on the boards after spinning through the air like helicopter. I am a Detroit fan and always agree with the Canadian fans on the subject that our fans sit on their hands the whole game. Corporate people need to give up the Olympia room seats and tickets and give them to some fans that actually have to remortgage their house to even think of buying a playoff ticket. Wings fans are spoiled but loyal. The game will always be called different in Calgary we just have to deal with that and capitalize on the chances we have to score. The wings will win 2nite and end it on Saturday in Detroit when Calgary decides they like to spend time in the box more than the ice. It ineveitable, WINGS IN 5!!!

Detroit IS a Hockey Town. Just because their fans aren't as spirited as Flames fans doesn't mean that it can't be a Hockey Town. Besides, find me a city below the border that loves its hockey more than Motor City.

As a Flames fan, I know how crazy that Flames fans are about their hockey too. They just need to learn how to win without the Red Mile if they ever want to make the finals again.

My prediction is...

Detroit Red Wings will defeat the Calgary Flames in 7 games. The home team will win every game. I am a Detroit Red Wings fan, but I think that they are going to have a tough time winning this series, but I think that they will just barely get through the first round.

Anshul,

You've seen the ice in Detroit....did you notice 'Hockeytown' inked into the ice surface? As you know "shoulds and woulds" do not add up to anything. Not even dirt.

Maybe Atlanta--the former city for the flames--has a nice nickname or logo that Calgary can breath life into and use in the horse-leather-dome.

Selling over-priced shirts and handing out free paper hockey helmets does not equal championships. Just call the NY Yankees (gear dept.) for confirmation of that fact.

Tonight you flames go down 3-1 in the series. Say bye bye.

DETHockeyTown

The wings are uo 2 games to one. the Wings finished the regular Season as the number 1 seed. Calgary is the eighth seed. This means the wings are the better team. You can't play dirty and then expect not to get penalties. Have the flames score any 5 on 5 goals yet this series? (one). The wings are much different team this year from last and are able to play the physical game. Sorry Calgary fans, but this IS HOCKEYTOWN.

go flames sabres and pens go~~!!!!

Wow...

It's a game, just to remind everyone, and a beautiful one at that. Kick back with some brews, enjoy the hits and the goals, and lay off the belligerent, fault-allocating attitudes.

Nevertheless, Go Flames Go! And if Detroit boots us, take it all the way so we know it wasn't in vain.

I hope the flames win. Calgary is hockey crazy, just as long as the flames are winning. They got the skill to do it too, and if they get that spark. We'll be eating hotwings untill Detroit and Calgary meet again.

A few replies:

narvil(calgary) - The hit on Regehr wasn't even really a hit, Draper let up on it and made slight contact. Regehr was hurt before the series and came back too soon.

Various - The Phaneuf hit was clean as he had the puck and it well away from the boards. His momentum caused him to go head-first into them.

Anshul(Calgary) - That jersey thing means nothing as 99% of those people hopped on the bandwagon during the cup run of '04. I can name probably 3 or 4 people at most who would have admitted to being a Flames fan prior to the '04 season. And the Red Mile thing was interesting at first, now it's just embarassing. Not everybody is to blame, but it's now just a reason for more drunk idiots to cause trouble.

Various - sure Detroit probably got away with some stuff that wasn't called, but nothing as obvious as Warrener's holding, which if he pulled on the arm anymore, would have ripped it right out of the socket, AND something that has been called all year. It's even worse that the GWG was a direct result of this horrible missed call.

Detroit's a Hockey-Town...and I'm the next pope! Wing's fans are nothing compared to the heart and passion of the flames fans. Out of the 19,289 people who fill out the pengrowth saddledome every home game, I bet you less than a 100 don't wear a jersey. There's a reason why the new flames home jersey introduced in 2004 was one of the top-selling NHL jersey launches in the history of the NHL. We spawned the Red-Mile! I don't see the whole city going crazy in detroit everytime they win a game at home (which isn't too hard considering their division consists of the likes of blackhawks, blue jackets, and the blues....granted the predators aren't easy to beat, now if only they could be not as boring to watch)
Calgary lives and breathes hockey and if city should be named a hockey-town, its CALGARY!...not detroit.

If the Wings split the series is over. If the flames win on thursday we will have a tough series on our hands, but can the flames win on the road? the answer is no and for the first time in many years having home ice advantage actually means something.

For all of those that wish to make this into a canada vs american thing--remember without americans in "your" sport hockey players would be making 50k a year and working in car dealerships in the summer. Besides the fact that some russians would have a problem with calling a hockey a canuck sport but I digress.....

Hey Flames, stop reviewing the past. You're toast without butter in 7 games this year. Be thankful your team was good at home this year, it helps sell the Molson. However when determination hits the ice, our Red Wings will send your guys to the golf course.

When you hear 'fore' don't look up, cover your head!

Bye bye Cal Flames!!

The obvious Canadian officiating all season long is so obvious. It seems that a game in canada is called differently than in a US based game.

NHL can't lose their viewership in canada so...........

Also the fix is in for A canadian team every year. Face it, it's a show, if it were real hockey their would be fighting and in a watered down league teams like Toronto and Montreal have been out spent not out hustled for talent.....

The new NHL is designed to police success.
The bad guys Detroit,Colorado,NYR,Dallas,
make all teams equal a socialist ideal that the NHL has installed. Now through officiating and redistribution of talent the NHL can call the teams and winners and save a lot of money in the mean time even if no one outside canada is watching.

Great really Great !

people who whine about refs just need excuses for why their team lost. how many times has kipper got ran and there was no penalty or when phanuef got hit with an elbow. the refs aloud both teams to play a bit rough. calgary just needed a boost and they got it from their fans and it will take alot to cool them. hasek is either great or he sucks so if he loses again watch him pull his groin again.

The DRAPER CLEARY LINE HAS BEEN GREAT.FLAMES WILL BE IN DEEP TROUBLE WHEN ZETTERBERG FINDS HIS OFFENCE.BERTUZZI WILL BE PUT WITH LANG AND CALDER,SAMMY WILL SIT, HUDLER IS BACK IN LINEUP.WINGS WIN THIS ONE IN 5.

I am a huge Flames fan, but very disappointed in the performance so far. Last night was a better effort in the win, but they will need more if they hope to knock off the Wings.

Another comment I have is on the hit on Dion Phaneuf that led to the second Detroit goal. People say it was a legal hit, but the guy intentional hit him in the head. That should have been a penalty and should be under review for suspension.

For all those Mapleleaf fans who are now Detroit Redwing band wagon jumpers. Get a life and support your Canadian Teams. The Leafs are not that good and didn't make the playoffs for a reason.

Go Flames!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the flames are going to wipe out the red wings. So what if they are down a win!! The next game is at home, and the Flames have the best record of win's at home!! Bring it on Dead wings!!

THE FLAMES WILL CLICK, THEY SHOWED SIGNS OF IT IN GAME 3, AND WHEN THEY DO IN GAME 4 WATCH OUT REDWINGS. 5 ON 5 THEY ARE BETTER THEN DETROIT, THEY SPENT THE FIRST 10MINS OF THE 1ST PERIOD IN GAME 2 3ON 5, AND 4 ON 5, IF THEY CAN STAY OUT OF THE BOX THEY WILL TEACH THE WINGS A LESSON OR TWO. IGINLA IS GOING TO LITE IT UP. BERTUZZI HE MIGHT AS WELL
STAYED ON THE INJURED LIST. HEH REFS THERE A TWO TEAMS PLAYING NOT ONE, CALL SOME OF THOSE OBVIOUS PENALTIES ON DETROIT

Unless horrendous officiating intervenes, this series is about heart, hard work and wanting it. Unfortunately the Flames didn't really show up at the Joe for games 1 & 2; but they rediscovered their true grit for game 3. Flames got game when they play with passion and they will only succeed by outworking the Wings. The Wings have been skilled, disciplined and relentless and are rewarded with success so far.
I'd like to see Calgary rediscover it's skates and take it to game 7 - then it's a coin toss.

Give me a break. If anything, the Red Wings should have had more penalties than were called against them. They were given the benefit of the doubt. Wouldn't it be terrible if they were actually given the 2nd penalty that they deserved when the Flames were on the powerplay?

RED WINGS IS GOING TO WIN THE STANLEY CUP!!
GO RED WINGS!!

There were fewer penailties last night as Calgary played smarter hockey! Oh sure, some call wern't made against Calgary, but same with Detriot.

Besides, Mick Magoo calls alot of penalities regardless of what building he's in.

Game 3 Summary - Hard (and smart) Hockey from Calgary, and a win. The "A" team came out last night!

Whew...Flames owe the refs a big 'thank you' last night. Detroit got screwed.

I still say Wings in five. Calgary is beyond pathetic on the road, and the refs won't be so blatant in their favortism for a Canadian team back in Michigan.

flams in seven

I totally agree with you RS. That was ridiculous last night. The calls they were making on Detroit and not Calgary was disgusting. I know that the home team usually benefits but you need to make some calls once in a while. I tell ya I'm getting fed up with the booing and what not of Betruzzi. He doesn't deserve the bad rap he is getting. What happened could have happened to anyone of the players out there. He didn't purposely do that Moore and I think Moore was just being a cry baby about it. I think everyone needs to leave Betruzzi alone and let him get on with his life. As for Inigla he is nothing special. Pretty self absorbed if you ask me. Detroit will win this series hands down.

this is to rs, are you blind did you even watch the two games in detroit? well that's exactly what happened to calgary, they even took out our best defensemen regehr and they didn't even call that and that cleary hit it looked good but you can obviously see the elbow if you watch it but i believe this series will end in six detroit

we almost did it last game but Calgary had some pretty cheap shots and we only lost by one but I still think the Wings are going take the series in 5 games and do away with Clagary and the other Canadian teams for good. Go Redwings Go

Quote of the day!
Mcreary was Calgary's biggest offensive threat. He assisted on both powerplay goals.

I watched the game and yes there were some questionable calls, but having said that the Wings didn't make the most of their 4 minute powerplay in the 1st Period. Wings score there and it is an entirely different game.

Still the Wings played well, didn't get out played or out hit. So it was still a good game for the Wings.

Hasek was mad about he Iginla Goal so look for the Dominator To STEAL Game 4! WINGS IN 5

GO WINGS!!!

Ihave been a flames fan for 22 years, they are by far the best team in the league and are gonna play the rest of the playoffs like 2 years ago, get the clubs out detroit its over now. Lets go Boyz

Agree on the officials last night and this series. All the calls/non-calls went Detroit's way in Detroit and all the the same in Calgary. I usually don't bitch much, but there were a lot of high hits that went uncalled too, these lead to injuries and are cheap. Lidstrom get elbowed in the corner right in front of McCreary and no call. And the penalty that led to the first Calgary power play was a joke! So if this pattern continues it will be Wings in 7!

For all you people posting about detroit being a better scoring team and calgary not having any good players, take a look at the points race in the top 50 there are 4 players from calgary and only one from detroit. Calgary can and will beat detroit, they are a better team overall and in almost any area then detroit.

Now I understand why the Flames win so many home games...because the refs are too scared to call any penalties on them.

Warrener BLATANTLY holds Filppula's arm which leads to an odd man rush and Iginla's game winning goal. Phaneuf hauls Bertuzzi down in the corner 30 feet away from the puck when Calgary's in danger, no call. McCreary(who's got a bad playoff history as it is) and Furlatt should be told to go home for the rest of the playoffs, and hopefully game 4 will bring some competent referees with it.

Mr. Perfect (Lidstrom)wasn't so perfect tonight. Iggy was on fire!!

Water Wings SUCK!!

GO FLAMES!!!

This year I'm rooting for all Canadian teams. Canada brought us hockey...We don't own it, so get over yourself. I'm embarrassed to even have a cheap shot team like the Dead Things in America. The only reason Detroit is self-titled "Hockey Town" is because there is nothing else there to be excited about. I hope McGeough and the rest of the refs love their free Little Ceasars Pizza they get for screwing any team that plays De-toilet.

Can't see the game but can watch for the scores. What is happening with my Calgary Flames?
Please Daryl - come back.
Can't leave it all to goal tending. This is ridiculous.
Come on Flames - play like you know how.
Stay out of the penalty box. Way too many stupid penalties. Just play the game.

when calgary gets hot which will happen tonight they will be so hard to beat that detroit will have their hands full. last game they lost by only 2 goals and killed penalties almost half the game. don't forget carolina lost their first two games against montreal. iglina scores twice tonight. detroit lost their canadian leadership in steve and brendon and when they lose they won't know what to do.

Someone commented that the cup belongs in the U.S. Im sorry but the cup and anything else to do with hockey belong in Canada. Out of 30 teams in the NHL only 6 are canadian, in 2003 53.6% of the players in the NHL were Canadian, only 13% were american. So goodjob any American team being cheered consists of mostly Canadians or possibly Europeans, not Americans. Look at the Olympics yea im sorry America gets rocked. So how can you say the cup belongs in the US just because they have 4 times as many teams as Canada, most of which support mainly Canadian hockey players. The cup BELONGS in Canada.

This is simply a factor of who is hungry, and who wants it more. Too bad the Wings didn't play this intense last year.

I love the Flames, but this series has been disappointing to say the least. Some things need to turn around really quickly if they expect to at least put up a good fight. A little passion on the ice would be nice...Some serious regrouping needs to go on if they expect to win tonight. I know the C of Red is awesome and it's great to win at home, but they can't expect to win this series if they can't win on the road. And more than 15 shots on goal (especially against the Wings) would probably improve their chances.

I think Playfair needs to go, and Iginla needs to take charge on the ice. I think if he really stepped it up, his team would follow.

And for all the series, the players need to leave the goalies alone. Stay out of the crease and let them do their thing. There's been a lot of net crashing lately.

Although this is no excuse for Calgary's poor showing, I thought this so called "new NHL" was supposed to make things more even. Granted, Calgary did take some stupid avoidable penalties, but, is it just me or is Detroit getting away with a lot? So much for this new fair NHL.

It's unfortunate that Calgary is struggling as much as they are in this series. I'll be honest, it's difficult to watch a game where the life has been sucked out of Calgary 30 seconds into a game. This is not the team I've seen over the last few months.

I predict (with optimism) that the series will go back to Detroit tied 2 a piece. Calgary will take it in 7. My wife lost our Flames flag, so now that we have no way of supporting the team they will go all the way.

To all my hockey friends in the United States and Newfoundland, you heard it here.

:)

I have been a wings fan since 1953 and have taken great pleasure in watching them be consistingly among the top 2 or 3 teams for the past 15 years. I suffered through the dead things era and being from Peterboro have had the advantage of watching a lot of these players develop through the best junior league in the world, the O.H.L. I would like to address Dave from Providence. It seems he wants to make this a U.S.A. vs. Canada thing. I would like to remind him that without the Canadian players on any team he would like to root for, that without those Canadian players that chosen team would not have a snowballs chance in hell of winning Lord Stanley's cup.
Anyway I do think that Detroit is too strong for Calgary this year and does have a very good chance of going deep this year. I could be faced with a real dilema if by chance Pittsburgh and Detroit were to meet in the final. Jordan Staal,ex Pete who should be right up near the top for rookie of the year, but unfortunately because he plays a complete game and takes his defensive role as seriously as his offense will probably be overlooked by Malkin who in my opinion is a defensive liability every time he takes a shift

Detroit will win tonight and take control of the series...5 games max

I would like to say to all of the Ref's there in Detroit, you better not bring that unfair reffing here to Calgary. All of the tripping penalitie's that you never called against the red wings, all of the roughing calls you never called or any of them better not continue here. I don't know if you are being paid off to call all of those penalties against the flames and nothing against the red wings but it's pretty unfair. Oh ya and the Flames will burn all of you Red Wings fans down because we are going to come home with the cup. GO FLAMES GO!!!!!!!!

Detroit in 4, Calgary's got nothing on the Wings and Iginla is a terrible leader and he's done nothing so far in the playoffs. Watch out for Fillpula and Betuzzi's back, you Flames are finished for this year. Kipper is the only person on your team worth anything.

The problem with the flames is Jerome needs to have a tilt with someone on detroit. As for the rest of the team 30-40% should be traded. This is the playoffs and these guys show up with no heart and no smart emotion. They are not work horses and take dumb penalities. So no excuses for these players. There professionals making to much money and so no heart for themselves, their fellow teamates, coaches etc. what a shame! only kipper is all heart at the moement!!!

The flames are done like dinner. they may take one at home. But Wings in 5. Any one with hope is screwed. just look at the last 2 road games. IF there wasnt any lucky breaks it could be been 8-1 and 10-1 in those games respectively. At least Kirpusoff is showing up to the rink earning his contract. all others are MIA. Looks like the only canadian teams with the best chance out of first round are vancouver and ottawa. and im not playing favourites.

WIngs in 4.Send this message to the Calgary flames thier about to join the Leafs in a golf tournament after they get sweeped out by the Redwings. Go redwings Go

I love the ongoing rivalry between these two teams. The Flames beat the Wings in 04 by playing with intensity and heart. This year, it seems the Wings have regained their killer instinct. Even so, Calgary will pull together and split at home. Wings in 5.

In case you have'nt noticed Detroit, Buffalo, and Pittsburg seem to get alot of breaks by the refs. If these teams find the courage to play hard, it is viewed as being hungry. If you play hard against them it's viewed as obstructing and head-hunting. I figure it's how they even things up for their lack of grit. Open ice is what they need to show their talent so the league is doing their best to be sure they get it. Maybe it's just as simple as being a favourite. Whatever the case, the bias is pretty obvious.

I have to admit the Flames were outplayed in both of the first two games of the series.
Kudos to Detroit.
On the other hand, it's difficult to be on your 'A' game when you're scared of drawing a penalty every time you touch the puck.
Detroit has been getting away with murder, while Calgary gets penalized just for playing good hockey.
No big surprise though. That same bias existed in the 2004 playoffs.
Don Cherry was right. If Calgary was allowed to play a good physical game of hockey, most of Detroit's players wouldn't be able to keep up.

this isnt jim playfairs fault its the players i mean it isnt the GM's either calgary has soooo much potential and so much scoreing and they do have depth and they have a great goaltender they really need to pick it up cuase detriots having fun beating them and embarssing them

I'm so sick of the excuses!!!!! Calgary is not losing because of the refs or they're not playing hard enough, it's because the WINGS RULE!!!! and they're just warming up - just wait until Hank gets fired up. I also can't wait to see Bertuzzi thumpin heads and making bodies fly!!!

as a life-long "flamer" i am saddened to say that there playoff run has come to an end.

my flames have been extinguised.

Its going to be a crazy game tonight in Calgary and the Flames should be better, but the Wings are much more mature and better prepared team and are up in the series. I can't see any reason why Detroit couldn't win this one as well, unless the get into major penalty trouble, like the Flames did in game two. Wings in Five!!! Golf Leafs Golf!!!

flames suck dallas rocks!!!!!!

i have been a wings fan for over 20 years and i admit that i have been fooled in the past by teams that seem better than they really are. this year however they are much improved over last year and perhaps not so 'delicate' as years before. after watching the first two games of this series it is obvious that detroit is playing at a much higher level than calgary: skill wise as well as heart and determination. wings in 4.

AS a native Calgarian I am embarrassed by the level of hockey being played by the Flames.
What is wrong with that team Mr. Sutter? What has been done to destroy the confidence and ability that was in this clubhouse? AS players and management you guys should be embarrasssed with yourselves.

No heart,no desire and no chemistry.
What is wrong in that clubhouse?

Kiprusoff is the only one worth mentioning on that team, I would love to see him in a Wings jersey!

Well my 2 favorite teams face off, and Im sorry Calgary you are so outclassed by the Wings. Detroit has the right depth, the right balance, and excellent goaltending. Not only do I call this a sweep, but like I called it years ago when the Wings met Philly in the finals, we will see Detroit in these finals, I will go out on a limb here with Ottawa from the east instead of Buffalo, and see another Wings sweep.

If only to erase the "Wings only get thier points
against the week Central, ie Columbus, St. Louis, Wings will stand tall until San Jose burst the bubble. "Jose-Sens final". SENS WIN IT. Ottawa born Stevie Y will appreciete the outcome!

If Calgary plays another road game like their last two I will be sick. Why don't they try the Islanders way of thinking and invite the players' fathers, mothers, grandparents, or even pets to the game. Maybe then they might show some heart. The lackluster performnaces need to stop!!!

No worries, the flames will come back and win in 7...

Detroit is up 2-0, but, Calgary will atleast win one at home. I predict this series going 6 games even though Detroit up 2 games. Iginla is being totally shut down by... his own team, TOO MANY STUPID PENALTIES!!! Keep it up Calgary cuz' your going down in Flames!

If Calgary doesn't win game 3 then the Wings will sweep. If they do somehow pull out a 'W', Detroit will still take the next two to win 4 - 1.

This is, by far, the most lopsided series in this year's playoffs - the Avs would have given a much better effort.

The wings are the best................They will win the cup!!!!

I am disappointed with the Flames performance so far but am optomistic they'll turn it around when they're back home. Even as a Flames, I can clearly see that they've been totally outplayed up to this point but as everyone knows things can turn around in a best of 7.

As for you Leafs fans, you didn't even make the playoffs and have no grounds to stand on-- so shut up.

Calgary does not have an appealing package.

Like many Canadians I am a fan first and foremost for the Canadian teams. Having said that, Detroit is the only American team I can really say I like (although I respect the Rangers too - probably thanks to Messier). Yet I still would love to see Calgary win. The bad news is that Calgary is making Detroit look much better than they are. I think this would have been a good 7 game series with the outcome up in the air to the end if it wasn't for Calgary dreaming about golf instead of playing the game like they were in the playoffs or something. Geez - what a dissapointment.

The Flames have no chance at this series, sure they will come out more fired up and more physical on home ice but it doesn't matter, Bertuzzi will be back for game three making our 4 lines even stronger, in my opinion there is no team in the NHL with more skill through lines 1-4. Also all this crap about Calgary being able to play with the Wings 5-5 is rediculus, look at the 5 on 5 scoring I believe it is something like 5-0 with Calgary's only two goals in the series coming on the power play one of them being a lucky deflection off of Cheli, I would like to know what the shots in this series would look like if you took out powerplay stats. Detroit in 4 GO WINGS!!!!! Oh yeah Canadians, whoever was saying the cup doesn't belong in the states, when was the last time it was won by a Canadian team, i think it was 14 years ago, you only have two teams left after Detroit sweeps a pittifull Calgary team off the board and don't worry Vancouver will follow if they get to us. All your hope lies with Ottawa and that ain't gonna happen, not with Emery in net. Looks like next year EH! HAHAHA

Well, I have bin a Flames fan all my life and I ain't gonna quit now. I must say we are really lacking in our confidence on the road, a big reason we lost so many on it. I blieve that Kipper wants it, he played great, but his team wasn't really there. I still believe that Marty Gelinas of 04 was a key guy. Eliminating the Canucks and Wings with his goals. I still believe that Calgary can fight back and win this series, but loosing two at the beginning is not so great. We can't be allowing all of these shots on Kipper, he can't stop em all, he may be the best, but he aint perfect. Back in 04 we had the heart, the question is, do we still got it? Our team may be 'better' now, but those guys had the will, determination and heart that took them that far, lets show some of that spark again, lets get Calgary back in the game. Reffing better get better, and ew gotta get smarter. I am undecided as to who i think is gonna take the series, but I am praying for Calgary in 6 or 7. Lets get it in gear Calgary and Go Flames Go

It's amazing that the final score was only 3-1. Flames was outshot 15 to 51. what's going on here, someone crank it up a notch. Detroit wins in 5. Golf Flames golf, Oilers, Leaf & Habs are all looking for you to join them.

Why is Detroit not being called for penalties in 2007 series against Calgary?

Yes we took some stupied penalties but Chris chelios nailed one of our players in Game 2, and suprise, suprise no penalty?

Wings wings wings!

Prediction, the wings sweep all the way to the finals! Oh yes Detroit is the greatest hockey team of all time.. its time for all of you to jump on the bandwagon!

sorry flame fans but ha,ha you guys have bugged me all year about being a leaf fan and how you are going all the way hows it feel to play a great team and please stop bleaming the refs,come on 44 shots in game one then 52 in game 2.ilove matts has booked a tee time for iggy.

I would like to know where they got the refs. They sucked, there were calls that should not have been called. We all know they don't want Calgary to win because they did it once and they will do it again. Tampa Bay, that goal was in. Go Flames Go. They did it once they will do it again to Detriot.

As far as I am concerned Calgary needs to bring the game and their attitudes towards the game up a knotch. I mean what do they think that they are doing out there,this is supposed to be playoff hockey, and they are playing like it is the minors league. Now I am not trying to bash them they will allways be my team but right at the momment my faith in them is disappearing. So I just want them to know that they had better get it together of they can forget about the Cup and they will once again prove that they choke under pressure.

It was a relief to see robyn helping out kipper but the detroit players saw that and took out the only defensemen helping out and hitting people in front of kipper!! detroit showed their true colors by being dirty in taking out regehr after he was out the defense fluttered like in game one. Come on calgary cowboy up and bring your "A" game, huselius has to get his nose dirty and not be afraid to get into the action not try to be pretty with the puck like what he did in front of the net... Hat's off to kipper again for keeping us looking good it would've been 7-1 or worst but he kept us in AGAIN!!!!

Ok, why can't we just call it the Saddledome. What is "Pengrowth", some new strain of foot fungus that has morphed in such a way that it can't be treated with medicine?

These first 2 games looked like men against boys. The Flames are consistently unprepared to play at a competitive level. The coaching staff has once again failed to make any adjustments in their style of play. No forecheck, no puck support and another parade to the penalty box. What happened to the high pressure game the Flames used to play. There is no game plan and nobody wants the puck--they look confused out there. Detroit owns the neutral zone-- their "D" are standing at the red line while the Flames defense are on top of Kipper. If Detroit utilized the trailer a little more the scores of these games could have been a lot worse. Coaching is to blame here without question.

Detroit, 51 shots. Calgary, 15 shots. That says it all. This series is so far about defence. Calgary's lack of it, and Detroit's strength in it. Unless that balance changes, this series has only 1 direction to go in: Wings in 4.

All we heard before the series started was how the Flames were going to physicaly take it to the Wings.... and people like Don Cherry telling all who would listen that the Wings european players would wilt and wouldn't stand up to the hitting by the Flames..... Clearly the Wings have been underestimated. Calgary has come unraveld....
Their plan to intimidate the Wings is a bad one. The european style that the Wings employ is based on discipline and hard work.... a system that will overcome tactics of intimidation. And Please.... no more garbage about how Pavel Datsyuk can't take the physical contact.... I can hear Don Cherry choking on his words now !!!

go wings go. If Calgary dosent show to play itll be a blow out

I disagree with you Gord. I think the Wings are playing a good hockey game. They are winning battles on the boards, and moving the puck very well. If they start shooting better they could get 4 or 5 goals a game. Flames look a bit flat no emotion. Flames will play better at home, and of the Wings want to win this series they have to play better than the past two games. Gonna be a good series. LETS GO RED WINGS!

wings in 4 hate too say it but its true!!

You got to be kidding me. Hasek a first star. In net for any other team than Detroit, Hasek would be a has been. He reminds me sometimes like a seal out of water.

Calgary no longer has a chance at taking the series. They may win one or possibly two, at most. Detroit 4-1 or 4-2.

falmes suck ! !! !

Kipper is the only one playing like he wants to win. Team discipline and forcheck has been absent for the past six games. Allowing over 50 shots a game in the playoffs, is pathetic. The Wings are not that good; the Flames are just making them look that good...

Gut check time for Calgary, or they’re gonna be swept in four straight…

Im a die hard Flames fan, and I just think, not to sound cliche, and point fingers, but you have to really question the leadership of the coaching staff. I mean when it takes Sutter to come in and talk to the boys and low and behold they win 4 straight on the road. I think the change of Playfair from assistant coach lats year and being the guy to come in and be that positive reinforcement to becoming the head coach trying to be the tough guy as has really thrown things off. Playfair doesn't have is own identity and that translates into the Flames looking fr theirs. He looks like a try hard version of Sutter. These boys seem to be fighting the media and themselves.

Lets go Flames, you're better than you're playing and just play for the love of the game, we the "true fans" will support you win or lose, but all we ask is you play your best for yourselves and each other.Remember its fun and you guys PLAY the greatest game in the world. PLAY HARD AND HAVE FUN!!!

Flames in 7, if they play with heart!

Great team effort Go Wings Go and I also want to say Hasek should have been first star.

If the Flames don't exercise some discipline and more self-control, this series could be over in 5 games. The refs are calling the games very close.

Flames got schooled again. Did Detroit have a 60 minute powerplay? Sure seemed like it...

Huge kudos to the Wings in the puck control department. They are winning all the battles along the boards and are always first on the puck. I'm sure you all noticed that there's 2 wings player on the puck at all times. Pretty amazing.

Calgary needs to take both @ home or else the boys will be booking a tee time with the Leafs!

After having just watched the 2nd game of the playoffs, It seems like the defense is there, but not enough offense. In order for them to win the series, you have to see more of Iginla with more teamwork. The Flames also have to stop with all these penalties. hull had 2 of them in the 3rd with 5 minutes to go. You cannot win without offense and teamwork. I have been a fan for many many years. Motivation is the key....

WINGS KEEP PLAYING THIER STYLE OF HOCKEY LOOK OUT CALGARY.WINGS IN 4 !!!

Detroit ws hands down the better team in the first 2 games. And rightfully ahead 2 - 0. Kipper has been great but with Iginla has benn neutralized in the series so far. I don't see the lames coming back to tie this series with 2 wins back-to-back at home. Detroit wins in 6 games. Next round please. Let's go Red Wings

Detroit in 4 now. I am amazed the final score was only 3-1 today. And yes, CBC should be all over them. It is inexcuseable. The refereeing was awful today, I don't know what a penalty is anymore (why wasn't Chelios' cross check called in the 1st, right after it was called on Calgary on the other end), but that is no excuse for not showing up to play hockey.

i can't believe it ... the wings are actually playing a better game than i've seen all season long ... i really thought that calgary would blow us out ... but the series isn't over yet ...

the flames should put their heads in the sand. this is playoff hockey. oh well watching them play gives me an opportunity to have a nap. perhaps the pundits on cbc should not be so
"gentle" in their comments about the flames perhaps. they should be honest and say it the way it is. the flames look pathetic and disinterested
'

after reading all the comments about the series ,you shouldnt base the results of the series one game. both teams have strengthes and weakness.having said that i believe that if calgary cant pickup thier game and detriot keeps playing thier style,wings in 5. WIN IT FOR BIG AL.

wings in 5

Calgary played bad in the first game but i think they are going to rebound and win the second game.

calgary in 7

Jim Playfair may be the problem. I think what we're seeing is a repeat of what happened with Terry Crisp (yeah, I know they won the cup that year). None of the players respect Playfair, and they show it on the road. I've had personal conversations with two of the players and the consensus seems to be that Playfair deals 'personally' with players,and the players are fighting back passive-aggressively. They don't respect him. PERIOD.
Too bad, really.

On another note, can we stop the whole Red Mile thing? Please?? It's tacky and stupid and is nothing more than an automated display of pure immaturity; off of which greedy bars are hoping to make a buck. It's disgusting. 3 years ago the off-the-cuff parties were awesome, but now it's just dumb. Let's think of something else to do, especially since we're not even the same team anymore. It's DEAD, move on.

Wings in 5. For shame. We'll take another crack at 'er next year.

I hope I'm dead wrong though.

well i thought my self went my team the calgary flames made it to this years playoffs. I was happy to hear that calgary made it because i am a big fan. So now detroit red wings have their work cut out for them, why i say that is because Miikka Kipruooff is one of the best goalies, since mike vereon he will give you four gouls if you are lucky and that's it. as for Jarome Iginnla, CraigConroy are the heart and soul for calgary as well their two d wings team mates which i can't recall off the top of my head are the blood of the team. So any red wing fan thinks we will give no we won't because i think my team will take all four games and move on and take the stanley cup home back to calgary.

calgarys beter then detroit

Well i'm over game one hope the guys did too! Huselius has to weave his magic wand for the second game and the defense has to step up, clear the front of the net whack at some one or shove them out of the way or do something instead of just standing there hoping kipper bills them out! I was hoping Calgary in four but i'm gonna say in seven more realistic! our grinders have to start playing their roles like mcarty, primeau and iggy can step up his game too we all know he can play better than he did in game one, He just didn't show up for the game. Where's simon when we need him?..lol, somebody has to plant himself in front of the net or it least be around the net, kipper is great as usual but needs help DEFENSE!!!!

Calgary is usless when the red wings are actually hitting and initiating the hits, people say that the wings can be physically beating in the game like what calgary did years ago, as well as edmonton did last year, but the wings are a completely different team with younger players replacing stevie y, shanny, with fillupa and hudler, as well as cleary and calder not to mention bertuzzi in game three, wings are being looked at as a team that skates by in the reg season, and getting beatin in the first round, and in the last three years, the wings have come in resting players after when the conference a month before the playoffs and are beaten by hot teams squeaking into the playoffs, its not like that this year, calgary limped into the playoffs and the wings have been resting and winning

Flamers will burn out in 6...

And Zack, sorry, you're not a TRUE Oilers fan if you cheer for Calgary, sorry. :P
Where I come from its ABC (Anyone But Calgary)

Go Canucks!

i just want to say that Ryan from calgary, i totaly agree with you. Calgary can win it in game 7 or earlier if they get their "A" game on. CJ from Arizona said it best that judging Calgary by a single game is foolish, and it is.
but come on, MIke Staines, u odveously dont know the flames team if u think jerome, kipper and Hamrlik are calgary flames best players. "You have to look a long way to find another really good player" r u kidding me? try the other two 30 goal scorers on our team, and how can you forget the dion train? Calgary has alot of talent, when we use it.
Calgary got out all their fustration at the end of the game on thursday, and u bet suter and playfair probably had a long talk to the team about diciplin. we will come back in the searies, you just wait for sunday and the next to HOME games. the fuse is stil lit just waiting to explode.

Our family agrees. Did you watch the World Womens Championship?Cassie did an outstanding job. We have 2 sons and a daughter involved in hockey. We all agree Cassie should be featured more on Hockey Night in Canada.

Let's have more of Cassie Campbell on Hockey Night in Canada. Too much, "the same old commentary".
Gold Medals, World and Olympic championships...and something to say. Talk about knowing the game!

I don't know how anyone thinks Iginla can lead a team. He is the biggest baby in the NHL and he showed it last night. Wings in 5 and that is giving Calgary credit.
GO WINGS GO

Flames just had a bad game, give em a break. Everyone buckles up on first playoffs game when its away.. Just wait til they get back to calgary

First team to win one on the road gets it.

Be quiet and watch the series! Every single one of these comments is 100% biased towards who you happen to want to win...which makes this discussion pretty pointless.

Both teams have proven they know how to win, from behind or not, underdog or not.

The Flames have one legitimate forward, Iginla. They have a great goalie and "the hammer" Hamrlik. You have to look a long way to find another really good player. The wings are deeeeeep in talent. Calgary can not seem to win on the road (I know they did at the end a bit) and Detroit can. 5 games and Detroit moves on to the next round.

The series will go to 7 games, my guess, Calgary in 7, but only if the "A" team shows up for most games, and they are physical with the Red Wings. Also, Calgary need to get Dom Hasek off his game.

... I am, however, disappointed that after game 1, alot of people are writing off the Flames. Yes, the "A" team didn't show up last night, but Calgary has proved it can come back!

Wait until games 3/4 before you write off the Flames!

Sure, judging Calgary by a single game is foolish. It should be possible to for the Flames to play better than they did tonight. That said, for a series loaded with question marks last nights game provided several answers.
Detroit handled Calgary's physical play with poise, while Calgary seemed to unravel taking several undisciplined penalties. If Calgary is going to come back in this series they will need to make the hardest adjustment in Hockey, to work smarter, not just harder.

All the Flames are good for is crying and that is the only thing they did in this game. Flames crash and burn in 4 maybe 5 games if they are lucky. This year is for Yzerman. GO WINGS GO

ALL Hockey Fans in CANADA.

Enjoy the games because other than a few games on verses and NBC WE GOT NOTTA.

Kevin

Anybody want charbroiled FLAMING WINGS.
7 to a platter.

The Wings could've been fried in the OIL, but better luck in the next decade.

YEAH BABY BBQ those WINGS

Different Wings team this year, different Datsyuk, Bertuzzi, goaltending, and it's a different NHL than in 2004. That was a close series, this one won't be, Wings in 5.

Well, Calgary was completely outplayed in all aspects. Despite the strong goaltending by Kipper, the Flames didn't show up. Calgary took way to many penalties, I remember a very good 5-3 powerplay Detroit had in the last period.
I think that Detroit will take this series, even when Calgary steps up their game. Hasek played well, saving a couple tough shots. There were no offensive struggles, and they only gave up 4penalties the entire game

to all the people who are giving up on calgary after the fist game, ive had enough of you.
The Flames clearly didnt play their best tonight, with the ecception of kipper, and they only wone by 3 goals. i think Calgay may have played their worst game yet this season but that doesnt mean that its over. do i have to remind you that that there are still another 3 to 6 games to play? just because we blew the first game doesnt mean we cant get it together and win some more.
what i am trying to say is to stay with the team, have faith, dont give up yet. did any of you pick Edmonton to go to the finals last year? i bet most of you didnt. the first game doesnt mean anything. we lost the first game againts vancouver in 04, we wone that searies. we lost the first game against detroit by 3 goals the next round and guess what, we wone that one too!
so to all you jumpers who are saying wings in 4, i dont want to see you crawling back to Calgary when we start winning again and knock off Detroit and whom ever is to follow. does anyone agree with me?
im sorry but i dont give up on my team after one bad loss. GO FLAMES FREEKEN GO

I don't think we should judge who's going to win the series from the first game. Detroit and Calgary are tied in wins in games between the two clubs during the regular season. To get a really good view, at least, we have to look at the next game and the one after (in Calgary) THEN we can make some logical guesses. As for now, We have very little support for our guesses...

i am a true oiler fan...i would like ot see calgary beat out the wings...any american team out of the playoffs is a victory for all canadian hockey fans cant wait til next year.. GO OILERS GO!

I think the flames played horrible tonight they couldnt get the puck into the offensive zone and that might be the problem anong with the flames defencemen tonight. I think the flames could of played better. They are luckey nashville beat colorado because the flames lost like 5 in a row and colardo was fighting for that last play off spot and I dont think the flames deserved to get in colarado should have because the main reason that calgary is where they are is because of the stars husleuis, langkow, and iggy. all the 30 or more goal scores but i think playfair is going to give the team a long boring lecture. flames will probley come to game 2 with confidence and play there hardest cause the team i saw tonight wasent the calgary team i expected I think I probably mastaked them with philadelphia no affence but they were the worste so I think calgary will come on stronger in game 2.

GO FLAMES GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To the guys that called me on the stats, you're correct BUT wasn't my point proven tonight with a 4-1 win by Detroit? Am I right fellas? Am I right?

LOL... you honestly think Calgary is still going to win this series? Get over it... Calgary was being cheap and dirty at the end, good luck Sunday Calgary, you'll need it... hahaha

Calgary is going to lose in four games. they can't win on the road and that isn't going to change in the playoffs. they only have one real star forward in Iginla and he can't carry the team by himself.
Calgary shouldn't have made the playoffs they are lucky Colorado lost or the flames would be hitting the links right now.
no question wings in four

Oh oh! Don't think the Calgary police have to worry about the Red Mile with that lack of intensity. We've got the next game.

Go Flames Go!

the flames defence was so lousy tonight roman hamerluck being the worst but i liked how they got angry and started a few scrums at the end of the game that shows that they have heart and the next game is going to be different kipprosoff was amazing tonight like always watch out wings flames in six and cleary keep your head up nice cheep shot

THE THREE STARS OF TONIGHTS GAME ARE #1THE TEAM #2 HASEK #3 THE COACHES

i was so disgusted the way the defense is playing just standing around and letting the red jersey's get in front of the net and disrupting kippers game, that's what iggy and company should be doing too!! got tired of watching our men playing the boy's out in pittsburgh but the boy's look better then our men... After watching ten minutes of the third i couldn't stand to watch ebtter luck next time flames

tonights game is calgary at it's very best GO WINGS GO MUTILATE MUTILATE !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Calgary is not going to win this series simply because they just dont match up to Detroit.

Looks like the Flames haven't stepped up the quality in their own end. It's gonna be a short series if they don't start to play their roles.
Maybe the Wings laying the body will wake them up.
Go Flames Go!

anybody that thinks that calgary is going to beat detroit should get out of bed because they are dreaming DETROIT IN 5 AS LONG AS CALGARY DOES NOT GET AWAY WITH CRASHING HASEK AND THE REFS PUT A BLIND EYE TO IT GOT YOU PEGGED CALGARY YOU CAN'T EXPECT TO CHEAT ALL THE TIME AND HAVE NOBODY SEE IT HA HA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EDMONTON OILERS RULE LOOK BACK TO THE 80'S AND YOU WILL SEE THE DIFERENCE ESPECIALY THE 89/90 SEASON AND PLAYOFFS WHEN THEY WON THE CUP WITHOUT GRETZKY THAT JUST SHOWS YOU THAT THE COMBINATION OF ALL THE OILERS WAS BIG NOT JUST GRETZKY

I think we should have let colorado play the playoffs! warrener is not play with the intensity he had a few years ago and kipper is letting easy goals get by him, it's obvious that we need a whole new defensive core after seeing period one nobody's crashing the net or clearing the net i thought iggy was gonna be asround the net but he's nowhere to be seen or any other flame in front of the net plus our defense is letting too many red jersy's stand in front of the net kipper needs help, the way our guy's playing i'm gonna have to cheer for the canucks and the senators... i see the red wings in four! unless our guys smarten up and play the way we all know they can play!!

wings in 4

The Flames have taken the lead when it was least expected....I say the Flames in 6.
GO FLAMES GO!!

Paul Z, you should check out the goal for stats for this season. You will notice that the Flames scored four more goals than Red Wings. If anything the offense of the Red Wings and the Flames are even. This series will be won by the team who plays the best defence and based on the regular season that edge has got to go to the Red Wings.
Go Flames Go!

Wings in 5 Calgary hasn't won on the road it won't be any easier with the second best home record and Calgary's struggles on the road the Wings should win both at home and I just feel that the Wings can win one on the road because there road record is better than Calgary's.

Flames in 6. They have more power upfront this year, and i know their defense will come around with Sutter being more involved for the playoffs. Kiprusoff knows what to do, and they have the best fans behind them. The Flames will go to the final.

Flames in 7

I'm not sure where Paul Z looked up his stats; however, Calgary has more goals for than Detroit this season. Your right, goaltending alone will not do it, but their new found fire power will. As for for low scoring teams with hot goalies, you best worry about your own Canucks, and leave the mighty Red Wings to Alberta teams to dispose of.

detroit in 4

calgary will rock this house

Flames in 7

My heart says Calgary in 6 - but the mind says Detroit in 6.

It also depends if Sutter took the opportunity to address the team.

Flames in 6!

Calgary clearly has the advantage in terms of depth of talent. Their performance down the stretch was as bad as any team in recent memory. Sutter should send some gift baskets to Nashville because if it not for the Preds, Calgary would be watching from home. Unmotivated, lackadaisical, underachievers, too talented for their own good, too confident, under worked, these thoughts come to mind.
These guys look too soft. Maybe Jim Playfair has played too fair?

wings in 5 games 4 - 2 win

I love the underdog role Calgary has and based on comments being posted and in the media, the Flames are the underdog. There is no one better in the playoffs than #12 of the Flames! Make no mistake it will take a team effort and Flames will prevail in 6!!

flames in 7 - the cup never belonged in the USA.. we might as well knock out one major contentder in the first rount

FYI, Paul Z, Calgary scored more goals than Detroit did this season. I think you may be stuck in 2004. Times have changed.

I believe that the wings will win in 5. Games will be close. I would love to see the Wings play the Senators for the stanley cup!
Go Wings and Go Senators! By the way, Detroit doesn't belong in the west. They belong in the East. Tired of staying up late to watch the wings when they play out west. A new division should be created. How about that new division be the "original six"?

Flames in 7.

Edmonton sucks.

Detroits in trouble... their conference is weak...Calgary aint no Columbus or Chicago

Actually, the Flames are a higher scoring team than the Red Wings. The difference in this series will be determined by the officiating; if the Flames are constantly penalized for "playing hockey" they will lose their focus and their game. However, if the refs let the teams play with intensity and drive the Flames will win

This is going to come down to a goaltending match. That being said, Detroit has one thing this year that they didn't have last year against Edmonton: Hasek. If he's not between the pipes, then I have little doubt that the Flames will take it. Otherwise, it all depends on whether the Kipper can stack up.

I foresee a Game 7 decision.

The Wings in 6. Detroit MUST go deep in the playoffs this year - if they don't Illitch must remove "Hockeytown" from center ice at the Joe...

Some of you people need to check your stats! The Flames scored more goals than the Wings this year. As far as the "road woes" of the Flames during the regular season do not put much stock in that. The Flames had a OT/shoot-out record of 1 win 8 losses on the road this season. There are no more shoot-outs and no more 4 on 4 OT. Wings fans will have to wait at least one more year.

FLAMES IN 6

This all comes down to which Flames turn up to play.

If the "lets score a hat full of goals" flames turn up they will lose, if the "lets keep it tight and low scoring" flames turn up they have a chance to steal this series.

GO Flames GO

I think that the wings will beat the flames in 7 hard faught games. The diff in the series will be Bertuzzi and Hasek. The flames will come out strong but the wings will roll with the resistence and defeat the flames. I am a Detroit fan since '83. I saw them in the good and the poor. I believe with the leadership of Lidstrom, Draper, Holmstrom and the breaking out of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen and even filippula. They will be heading their way to the next round. DO NOT forget that YZERMAN will be around for a speach or 2. He is still the leader of that team.

Calgary in 7. close games, except maby for one or two, in which Calgary will totally blow. If Calgary wins the first game in Detroit, it's a shoein for Calgary. And in keeping with Calgary tradition, if Calgary goes past the first round, the'll go to the cup finals. Though the only times that Calgary went past the first round was in 86, 89, and 04.

Detroit does bad against teams from Alberta. Very bad. Calgary does very well against stron teams. However statistics are against Calgary, though not as much as it seems on paper. I predict it will go to game 7, placing it in Detroit. I think Calgary will win, but only by a hair. When Calgary wins, the games will be 1 point games, when Detroit wins there will be at least one big point difference. So I think that Calgary will win the series, but that Detroit will score more goals.

I think the Flames will win tonight, and it will be a see-saw of wins until game 7, when the Flames move on.

Go Flames Go!

Edmonton in 7...whoops! forgot they choked this year. I mean, Calgary in 6. Go Flames!

Detroit has managed to get a lot more physical and with Zetterberg back i think that they take the flames in 5

Well Its good to think that the Wings have a decent shot this year , But wings fans beware, injuries to key players, may cause havoc in the playoffs for Detroit. I would of liked to see Bertuzzi healthy for the playoffs but I guess we cant have everything get Zett back and that should help I have to pick Detroit in 7 but it will be a great series none the less

Well Its good to think that the Wings have a decent shot this year , But wings fans beware, injuries to key players, may cause havoc in the playoffs for Detroit. I would of liked to see Bertuzzi healthy for the playoffs but I guess we cant have everything get Zett back and that should help I have to pick Detroit in 7 but it will be a great series none the less

I think there's a lot less pressure on the Flames this year as opposed to last years playoffs.

Roman Hamrlik, Rhett Warrener and Alex Tanguay will be the game breakers. Tough, solid hard working players who should set the tone of the games and will deliver on special teams.

hmmm...I think the Flames might win the first two games and/or possibly come within a win to take the series, but then they'll get cocky and collapse. It happened to Montreal and San Jose last year (they surrended 2-0 series leads to Carolina and Edmonton, respectively), and Calgary itself had a 3-2 series lead over Anaheim before losing in Games 6 and 7. Calgary is also somewhat poor with keeping their leads if they're in a bit of a struggle, like they were in the last few games of the regular season. They gave up a 2-0 against Edmonton at the Saddledome, and then lost a 1-0 on the last day of the regular season against Colorado. If Calgary kept giving away leads in the regular season against lowly teams like Edmonton and Colorado, the overall series against Detroit, whether the lead be in goals or games, could prove disastrous for Calgary. So my guess is Detroit in 6 or 7.

It all depends on which Calgary team shows up. If it's the team that lost the last 4 games they are doomed (Colorado twice, Edmonton and San Jose). If it's the team that won the 6 before that they'll be just fine (Minnesota twice, Vancouver, Nashville, Detroit and Chicago). It's gut check time for Playfair and his inconsistent boys.

Flames are younger and hungry...they enjoy the role of being the underdog.

Flames beat up the wings in 6.

With Iginla at the helm and Kipper at the gate, the rest of the team in the middle, Calgary has what it takes to take the series and the cup, they have heart, playoffs are a different breed of game than the usual season, Detroit will not be able to keep up with the physical end of the game, it will be hard to skate and shoot while Detroit is tripping over their walkers.

Flames / Wings is a toss-up. Edge to Calgary, slightly. Detroit is not the team that Yzerman made special any more, so if Calgary can play their A-game they can beat them.

Detroit is a higher scoring team than Calgary and you can't bank on goaltending alone to carry you through. In 2004, Kipursoff was brilliant but he proved that a goalie can't shoulder the entire burden for the team. If Detroit wins a game, it will be by large goal margins. If Flames win a game, it will be by small goal margins. Be prepared to see the Red Wings flap out the Flames.

Flames can't win on the road - Red Wings in 5

I am happy to say this, but it will be the Red Wings in 6 games. I think they're finally due to beat a team from Alberta, they lost to Calgary in 2004 and last year to Edmonton, so they what has to be done this year.

And with The Dominator back in net and healthy, you can't beat him. I know this for a fact, I've been a Red Wings fanatic since 1990, it's finally due to bring Stanley back to where it belongs, in HockeyTown, U.S.A.

Flames in 6, of course.

Take it to the bank!!

Flames burn out in 5.

Hate to say it but it will be Detroit in 5.