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CANUCKS ARE GOING TO WIN THE CUP TO BAD FOR ALL OF YOU ARE NOT CANUCKS FANS. EVERY CANUCKS FAN U GOT TO BELIVE GO NUCKS GO

I just want to say that mclennan should not have played dirty like he did. Calgary is a good team but overall detroit just proved they could bring it home and win overall. I am surprised that Mclennan would do something like that obviously he was angry that he hasn't been played in a while and they were losing to detroit. I was so angry to see a goalie play as dirty as he did. It really disgusted me. He shouldn't be playing hockey with anger like that. Go detroit go!!

During game 1 of Anahein and Vancouver, Harry Neale said something about Anaheim having 2 Norris winners on their team. He then said it would be a research assignment to find out if there are any other teams with 2. I knew right away that Detroit has 2 in Lidstrom and Chelios. I just wanted to clear that up for Harry.

Detroit played dirty, Calgary played dirty and in then end the Flames were the team they had been all year. As for the Cup going South well that really doesn't matter because every team in the league is nothing without a few Canadians on it. Bertuzzi should have been the message last year and suspended for life, leave it up to Detriot to pick him up. It's still anybodies Cup but I think I'll cheer for the Sharks now.

To falmeouts (I think you meant flameouts, then again maybe not) it's obvious you've never been to Calgary, so maybe you shouldn't comment on how there isn't anything else to do. I've been to both Calgary and Detroit and believe me would pick Calgary a hundred times over Detroit. There's a reason why it's always picked as one of the world's greatest cities to live (and Detroit isn't). Go Flames Go!!!

Can someone please explain to me why Americans are (supposedly) against fighting in hockey? These are people who love boxing and UFC. Those so-called sports are a lot more barbaric than any kind of violence in hockey. Go figure ... by the way, I'm very proud of the Flames and love Jamie McLennan, the ultimate team guy. Better luck next year, boys.

I thought the suspension was excessive based on the post-game comment by Franzen who said he was more surprised by the slash than hurt by it. (This implies that Maclennan "checked his swing" somewhat.)
As long as a player is allowed to try to next to the crease, you are going to have forwards being pushed into the goalie willingly or unwillingly.
The NHL needs to create a band of blue paint around the crease. (The crease would revert back to being white.) This would serve as a "warning track" for players.
Theyy should take a look at Box lacrosse which has a dashed line on the floor out from the crease.

Personally, I think the NHL got the wrong guys here.

McLennan is worth nothing and his hit did nothing but stun and surprise Franzen. He should have been punished with a Game Misconduct and kicked out. End of story.

But Langkow, and to a lesser extent Iginla, should have been punished. Langkow especially: Yes, Lebda's check was a bit low, and I can see how some might see it as dirty. I didn't, but everyone has an opinion. But that doesn't give any excuse for Langkow to come over and cold-cock Lebda while he's lying on the ground with him. That's truly dirty play, and he should have a suspension into next season for that.

Same with Iginla. I can appreciate trying to start something with people to get your team going. That doesn't justify putting the butt-end of your stick into Schneider's thigh and then try to cross-check his legs out from beneath him. That's dirty play no matter how you look at it.

And finally, I'm tired of Flames fans desperately trying to justify their teams actions. Yes, the Wings were rushing Kip. When you're a goalie, it happens. I should know, I play the position. I see Holmstrom get mugged enough times without a call to know that those guys DO pay for doing that. Even so, that's not even close to what was done. You can bitch about the calls you didn't get, and I can do the same. But when it comes down to it, we weren't doing things that were worthy of multi-game suspensions, and Calgary got especially lucky that the NHL decided to use the poor back-up goalie as a scapegoat. Good luck to the kid next year and I hope this hasn't ruined his career in the NHL.

PS: Detroit can't sell out games because Michigan right now is in the worst economic slump in the last 50 years, combined with the fact that Wings tickets and playoff tickets are amazingly expensive. It's not that we don't want to go, it's that, when it comes down to a choice between Gas Money and Wings tickets, I'm not walking down Coolidge Hwy to get to work.

First of all let me say that the away team playing in the Flames building is called for penalites three times more then the Flames are, so officiating is not an issue, I mean it seems like in games 3 and 4 the Wings had to kill off a dozen 5 on 3 situations, so all you Calgary fans have nothing to complain about when it comes to refs. Plus you guys complain about traffic in front of your goalie, I mean as long as you don't go into the crease, its all LEGAL. Holmstrom didnt go into the crease and neither did Franzen when he was repeatedly slashed by your goalie goon. And then the cheap shot at Lebda when he was down was a missed goal that should have resulted in more suspensions. Then the cross checking by your "star" player should have been called and he should have been ejected and fined. To do that stuff at the end of the game is only saying that your team isnt good enough to compete and can only compete by injuring the other teams players. This series should have been over in four games if not for the amazing play of that goalie and all the bad calls against the Wings. I loved the fact that the man that was cheap shotted in game 5 scores the game winner in game 6 and will haunt the Flames for the rest of the year. I think your goalie needs to work on his glove side a little more. My playoff prediction the rest of the way: Wings over Sharks, Wings over Anahiem, Wings over Sabres. Alas, the Cup will not be in Canada once again. Aw, how sweet that is that the country that "invented" the game can't win its most holy grail. I mean even Carolina can win it, come on Carolina? Ouch

To Don in BC - you ever watch an NFL game in the last 2 years? It's nowhere near as violent as it was a mere 3 years ago. Have you seen many chop blocks lately? How about forearm shivers? The QB is more protected than ever. Fall down and drape an arm on him and you get a "Roughing the passer" penalty. Have you seen the ridiculous "Roughing" or "Running into the kicker" penalties? The NFL is 10 seconds of violence, followed by 30 seconds of inactivity while they setup for the next play. There is no flow to an NFL game. You get more emotions in hockey because there is no time between 'plays', the game has an ebb and flow to it.

The real problem is that as you move away from having 'enforcers' on each team, players (of all skill levels) take more liberties with their sticks. I am guessing that this is what Maclennan was reacting to. If you watched any of the Detroit/Calgary series, you would have seen that Detroit took all kinds of 'liberties' around the Flames goalie. Falling on him almost every chance they got, taking an extra swing at his glove hand when he had the puck, etc..

I agree with the fines for the organization and the coach. Perhaps they won't be so stupid next time by bringing a knife to a gun fight. If the Wings are taking liberties around your goalie, go take the same with theirs! Everyone knows what a screwball Hasek is and how easy it is to get into his kitchen and throw him off his game. This should have been the message sent to the Flames players during the first intermission of Game 1. I don't think we would be having this discussion if Hasek had a few people 'accidently' fall on him.

I love that Detroit is not selling out the JLA for a playoff game. That means our other teams that have a home game the same time are doing well and the fans here have to pick and choose which team to support that day. It's good to be a Detroit sports fan at the moment.

Regarding game 5, I think the fines to the coach and organization were ridiculous, unless they have actual proof that both plotted out the end game stupidity done by the Flames (and I highly doubt they have it). The 2-handed chop was done with intent, therefore in my opinion the 5-game suspension is warranted though I agree with Scott that had it been their starting goalie, it would've been lighter.

During the whole series the red wings were landing on Kiper, pushing others players down onto him and constantly running and bumping him. This is also happening in other series. Some of the golies seem to have it real easy because some teams don't play this way. The referees have been completely atrotion this whole season. Gary Baitman wants American teams playing for the Stanley Cup and only Amercan teams.The Stanley Cup is Canadian and always has been. We should invite Amercan teams here to play for the cup and use the Canadian game and not Baitman's watered down rules that are ruining the game.

If anyone is to blame for anything, it is the NHL itself. If it is not broken, don't fix it! Bring back the great hockey everyone enjoyed in the 70's & 80's! (Well, at least I enjoyed it back then before all these silly rules came into play). And please people, be more respectful when posting.

The extent of the injury does not matter, the intent of the swing especially with a goal stick is what matters. It is time that the league starts to take discipline seriously, you do the crime you do the time and suck it up princess after all you are strugling by with a million dollars a year. How can you get that worked up with 18 seconds of playing time, the Flames should get rid of him as it is clear that he will only hurt his team. In the same vein the league must start protecting the goalies while they are in the blue. I do not accept that we need to change the game to appeal to Americans, the NFL is a violent as you can get so why change hockey.

Does the suspension carry over to next year? If not it was basically worthless, if so, not much better. Does it really matter either way for the back up goalie to Kipper? McLennan played all of 9 games this year, if he isn't allowed in the first 4 games of next year at most, so what? Not really much of a penalty to him. The fines to the Flames and Playfair were fair in my opinion considering it appeared he was sent to do what he did. The fact that the Mule could take the hit, doesn't mean he wasn't hit hard or hurt, a lesser guy could have been carried off, especially if the hit was a few inches different. The play of the Flames at the end of Game 5 wasn't chippy, it was reprehensible. Langkow punching Lebda when he was down and obviously hurt, how does that not merit at least roughing penalty if not an instigator?
As to why there were so many available seats at Joe Louis, my answer is three-fold. COMPETITION: There was a near sell-out crowd of over 38,000 at the AL winning Tigers game at the same time as Saturday's game. Add to that, the Pistons started their playoff series that evening. We have three exceptional teams playing at the same time in Detroit, not just one.
MONEY: Michigan's unemployment is one of the highest in the US, it only decreases lately because people are moving out of state. Add to that even the companies that used to have season tickets cannot afford to go with the woes to the domestic auto industry, and with the high cost of playoff seats, not many regular people can afford to go.
REASON: After that last few years, the Wings have suffered early exits despite a strong team, people are waiting to get past the first round curse.
Glad we've got those poor sports behind us, bring it on.

GO WINGS!

I am a lifelong hockey fan and am absolutely shocked to see anyone writing to defend the Flames for their behavior at the end of Game 5. I love hockey, love a good hit, and enjoy a good fight, but I cringe when I see a player intentionally try to hurt another player with his stick. Mclellan's stunt was deplorable - 3 slashes in 18 seconds and it's a miracle no one was seriously hurt. Might be a world record for cowardly and malicious behavior in professional sports. I blame Playfair as much as Mclellan since it seems he sent the poor backup out to be the goon. Playfair should be fired for the incident! If he's back next year we'll know how low the Flame organization has fallen.

The chippy garbage by the Flames leading up to the McLennan chop leads me to think that the coaching staff and Flames organization should have been punished more harshly than they were.

I have no proof here, but given that McLennan was in the game for 18 seconds when this happened, I suspect that he was put into the game for the only purpose of "sending a message". That is a coaching decision, much like sending a thug over the boards that only plays 3 shifts a game - he is there to make a statement. I don't agree with it and I think the league needs to send that message loud and clear to the coaches and players of this league. My interest in NHL hockey has gone from fanatical a few years ago, to not caring now.

Should have fined Mcllenan the $100,000. He wouldn't do it again. Any stupidity should disciplined. Hitting someone with their head down is split second, two handing someone in the arm, or legs for that matter is not split second. Reminded me a lot of Ron Hextall's slash on Kent Nillson.

how sad that if the refs would have been calling the penalties none of that would have happened. no way was it mentioned about the hit to the neck area from the wings player that started it all. how many times did the wings throw bodies into the goalie without being called. also are the wings that desperate that they had to bring a thug into the game to cause injury to a player as in 3 players not being able to play all playoffs but i guess we are lucky that none of the suffered like what he did to moore of the avalance. also watching game 6 cal players were cross checked & hurt right in front of the ref yet no penalties were called. even 93 when he came in contact with the flames used his end of his stick to the player but again nothing happened & also only 1 penalty was called for goalie interferance while many more should have been called. theres no way the refs called a fair game in the last 2 games. even a dirty hit on langkow was never called & by the rule book there was no way a penalty shot should have been called. the fines were exsessive & perhaps the refs should be fined for not calling a fair game on the last 2 games.they have to also be responsible for what happened. how many times was the goalie slashed in the hand while holding the puck, runninginto him, spraying the ice into the goalieso where is their accountability ??? how many of the wings took dives yet none were called & it seems to be WHO u play & who u hit if a penalty is called & even iginla was hit & crosschecked weth nothing being called. if the refs were as good as calling the hooks why was the other stuff allowed again its WHO u are .so let there be a fair game to all regardless of your name & team .SO why cant the refs be fair ??? if not fine them & also since the games are watched even by campbell let him call some suspensions on the other players plus get fair refs so it wont be happening again.

I find it amusing that people are complaining about "Goalie Interference" almost ALL of the so called interference on Kipper was due to the blockhead Calgary defenseman cross checking Wing forwards into thier own goalie...Maltby was crushed from behind into Kipper, as was Franzen, while trying to avoid him...Regardless, the better team won...They outshot the Flames almost 2 to 1, won the physical battles (I believe Grapes called the Wings "Soft") repeatedly, and if it weren't for Kipper...It would have been a 4 game blow-out of epic proportions. The goings-on in Game 5 were embarrasing..Come on Iginla, you wear the "C" now act like it..Can you even imagine Lidstrom acting like that at the end of the game, of course, Lidstrom had 2 X the point of Iggy, and he is on D...Sad.

Mclennan is a fool, the sacrificial lamb for a coach in WAY over his head..Playfair better strat checking the want ads. Mclennan sure sent a message alright...The fact that Franzen got the winner is priceless.

In closing, I do give credit to the fans..The 95% home jerseys was spectacular, definitely great fans...and you need to give Kipper a parade for what he did....

Go Wings...

Man, I can't believe all of the whining you Canadians do. You people said at the beginning of this series that the Wings were too old, and didn't have the grit to battle against your good ol' Flames. Well we showed you didn't we? The one hit that keeps coming back to me is when Cleary leveled Phaneuf in the corner and then set up a goal. Aw, how sweet.

I have no problem with the NHL"s decision, but they should look at all the action not just the retalliation.

It was an ugly game. But "it takes two to tango." Detroit had been running Kipper all afternoon. The Flames simply had to take matters into their own hands.

The issue is officiating. They lost control of the game by their inconsistent application of the rules of play. When they finally called interference on the goaltender it was too little too late. In fact it put the exclamation on my point.

For the league to then turn around and blame Calgary for the lack of control in this game is pure hypocrisy.

Too severe?

Flames are a bunch of goons.

Langkow could've and should've gotten a suspension for the same number of games Lebda will be out due to the concussion Langkow gave him when he cowardly sucker punched him while lying on the ice.

Iginla should've been suspended for his stick use on Scheider and Draper in the closing minutes of game 5. Like a true goon, he did more cross checking than goal scoring.

5 games for a backup goalie...good start. The real joke is that Lankow's sucker punch and Iginla's intent to injure butt end (you can't hook with a that end of the stick) then cross check got nothing. Jordin Tootoo got 5 games for defending himself and these clowns get nothing but some "for shame's". Typical of the don't penalize the big name. Saying that it was ok "cause Detroit interfered with the gaolie" is a crap excuse. while interference should have been called, no one is getting a game or career ending injury from that. Add my "for shame" to the pile....for what it is worth.

I think 5 games is too harsh. This whole incident is a classic example of what happens when you have a rule like the instigator rule. The players that are running and piling on goalies need to be held accountable. I'm sure just about any Flames player would have loved to drop the gloves and stand up for their goalie. But because they have to worry about getting an additional two minutes, they can't risk putting their team down a man in a crucial game. So nothing happens until the game is out of reach and then things boilover with all this stickwork.

And then we're told we have to take into account that NBC is televising it and what would the Americans think? I'm just glad I can watch my games on CBC. Now, if we could just get a team to relocate to Winnipeg...

5 games for a backup goalie with a 2 handed swing Excessive???? I was at the game it really looked looked like he was sent out to stir the pot. I am not a fan of Bettman and I don't think he does the league any justice by trying to take fighting out of the game. Maybe situations like this could be avoided if guys were allowed to just drop the gloves and have at it. 5 games for a Baseball swing though is not excessive. Playfair was and should be held to some of the reponsiblilty. GO WINGS!!

Given the circumstances surrounding the whole situation, I feel McLennan should be made an example of. He should be given at least 20 games! Punish the action, not the effect. If Franzen hadn't protected himself, it could have been a lot worse. This was not a knee-jerk response - it looked more like a premeditated act. The precedent of 5 games has now been set for similar incidents in the future. If you set the bar high enough, it would serve as a more effective deterrent.

Gary Raab in Calgary…How can you even begin to compare what happens in a hockey game to that of what happened at Virginia Tech? A retaliatory slash like McLennan’s on Franzen does not in any way, shape, or form, compare to that of a crazed gunman executing 32 innocent people. A blog discussing hockey is not the forum for such comments. Shame on you.

Who cares! If an everyday player was given five games, it would too much. But Mclennan could be suspended 25 games and only miss to regular season starts in the end. Overall the suspension should have been two at most as he gave a shot nowhere near the head and with not much force either. I do agree that the organization fines were stupid. So some fights started at the end, so what? fighting is part of the game.

Had this game not been televised nationally on NBC, the suspension would have been lighter. I don't particularly have a problem with the suspension (not that it matters now) but the slash actually wasn't that bad. He hit him across the mid-section and had it been Bertuzzi instead of Franzen, nobody probably would have noticed because Franzen dropped like a sack of potatoes. Apparently, he was so hurt that he could barely score the overtime winner last night...

To all the Flames fans making comments about JLA not selling out: Unlike Calgary, we have other pro sports to choose from. Pistons are currently in the first round of their playoffs and the Tigers are back in action after last years surprise run.

Seriously, other than the Flames, what else is there to do in Calgary? Cow tipping? Watch the grass grow? Of course you would sell out with those choices.

The Flames got off easy because the league should also have suspended Iginlia and Langkow. The league knew they couldn`t because it would have made the 6th game a noncompetitive event, ergo the fines. The Flames also lost their cool in a late season game in Detroit as they were being blown out so game 5 wasn`t an anomaly. I also have to note that I watched most of last nights game with the sound off due to the homer commentary of the annoucers. CBC has slipped this year in calling games objectively. Leafitis has become Flameitis. You are a national network.

I have been coaching youth hockey for many years. One of the key points that is emphasized is sportsmanship, win or lose. McLennan's actions were not that of a sportsman, and were not the example that a professional athlete should set for young hockey players. Regardless of how hard McLennan hit Frazen, it was a two handed chop with a goalie stick, high risk for major injury. If you recall, in game 5, Hasek was penalized for simply pointing his stick at a Calgary player.
I understand players can lose control of their emotions in games like this and end up doing something stupid, but I expect more out of a professional.
A 5 game suspension is really not that much, considering he is a back-up and doesn't get to play often anyway. Fining the coach is excessive, though you have to ask, was McLennan instructed by the coach to do something like that. I would hope not, and if not, the coach can not be expected to control his players on the ice, only on the bench.
J.Weinert
Go Wings!

I would have given McLennan 3 games.

What I would have done if I were him would have been to stop after the FIRST slash.

If a goalie slashes a player in the crease ONCE the refs probably wouldn't have called it, and I know that I would think twice about getting too close to the crease. I don't remember how far into the slashing the refs called the penalty, but his behaviour was definitely "over the line".

I think the length of the suspension was largely due to this whole NBC/US audience thing. If teams that don't sell out PLAYOFF games were immediately dropped from the league, it would probably become the Canadian Hockey League.

Fining the organization and coach seem out of place because the goalie is not a player who can just hop over the boards whenever he feels like it.

Sorry, one more thing.

I have to respond to Ken Starko, I think you're going a bit overboard here. Fighting should not be out of hockey, it can be used to motivate a team and bring life to a boring game. Everybody knows hockey is a rough game, I would hardly call it barbaric. Have you watched Aussie rules football or Rugby lately? What needs to go is the instigator penalty and no-touch icing. You say your kids don't need to see this? Senseless acts of some overgrown nut-cases? Check the news, it's alot worse in the real world. I'm pretty sure your kids are seeing a helluva lot worse at school these days. If you don't like it, get them to watch soccer. No wait, there's violence there too!! At least hockey is an escapism from the problems of the real world even if it's rough. Just remember people, it's only a game, it has no bearing on the outcome of your life. Take it for what it is, entertainment.

That's all, thanks for the interesting blogs, Scott.

While I agree that McLennan was punished appropriately, I think the fines against the team were somewhat excessive. The only reason the NHL came down hard on Calgary was because the game was broadcast on NBC and it was sending another bad message to the American viewership. I also agree that this should send a message to the referees that the Red Wing habit of running the goalie has to be stopped. They are notorious for it, always have been and it seems that their actions are being ignored while Hasek will carry out a flourishing swan dive anytime somebody comes close to him.

Additionally, something has to be done to solve the problem with all the stickwork and headshots that are being carried out(look at the abuse Crosby took this year!!) and it should be equal punishment across the board. This has to start at the referee level, if a player hits somebody severely enough that they are being carried off the ice in an unconcious or concussed state, then the perpetrator should be out of the game with possible suspension to follow. (Chris Neil take note!!) Most of the time, these incidents aren't even being called. The Pens/ Sens series was notorious for the infractions that were being let go. So far, these playoffs have hardly been memorable, hopefully the games will improve in the second round.

How can the Detroit newspapers honestly believe that Jamie MacLennan was to blame for anything more than a pulled shot to the gut on Franzen. The refs had absolutely no control at any point past the 5 min mark of that game. The Wings got away with numerous blatant runs on Kiprusoff and no goaltender interference penalties. If you want to let that style of play go unpunished, then let the players police themselves. But that will never happen in the NEW NHL. It would almost be like a REAL sport again(god forbid). Anybody that watched the game would be able to see that the Flames were totally frustated by a lack of any enforcement on the new rules. Please make hockey a sport again!!!

The conduct of the entire Calgary team and coaching staff in that last 5 minutes was disgusting. The total lack of discipline on all fronts leads me to believe that McLennan was sent out there to take someone out, and Franzen turned out to be the target of opportunity. 18 seconds into his turn in net? There's no way that's a coincidence. I consider it poetic justice that Franzen was the one to send this overrated pack of thugs to a round 1 elimination. Kiprusoff is an exceptional goalie, and he's completely wasted in that organization. The best "message sending" that was accomplished that night was the big, bright "5" Detroit put on the scoreboard.

I would be tempted to say that 5 may be too much, except for the fact that he was only out there for 18 freaking seconds! If the Kipper had snapped, I might be a little big more sympathetic. One way or another, both teams were acting very inappropriately. There's no excuse for that kind of behaviour.

The suspension is not excessive. He wasn't going to play again either way. McLennan's act was deliberate and dangerous; even if he held back on his swing, it was a two-hander with a goaltender's stick.

As for the "they started it" line of argument, give me a break. If you think Detroit should get punished too, maybe you're right, but that's no excuse for Calgary's behaviour.

Send a message if you want. Soft dump, hard forecheck. Learn to hit cleanly, and hit them hard, but stop hacking at opposing players. Stickwork is for cowards.

What a bunch of cry babies and whiners; Iginla suits you Calgary fans perfect. Enjoy the off season. You've got all summer now to list your excuses and cry in your beer.

Give me a break, 5 games! An embarrassment to the NHL! Whatever. I am not defending McLennan but I do not believe he did what he did with the intent to seriously hurt anyone. This was no Bertuzzi or Simon situation. I believe the real fault lives in the reffing. The refs in the series have a responsibility to call a fair game. The league is supposed to review their calls after each game. Players should not feel the need to have to send a message. If a goalie interference had been called one of the 6 times prior I'm sure the whole situation would have been avoided. Maybe the refs should be re-reading there rule books or getting new glasses.I can't believe all the calls they're missing. Protect the players, all the players.

This is a bs suspension by Campbell ! Detroit has been poking, slashing and running at Calgary players for most of the series, so why pick on a back-up goaly ?
This comes from a guy who was chippier than most players when he was in the N.H.L. Way to go Colin. You haven't a clue as to how to disipline players like you were. Get a real job.

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

What are these players, coaches, managers, business owners and advertisers thinking? What are we as fans thinking? We pretend that we are an advanced civilization, but barbaric acts are happenings around us each and every day. At the start of a recent game, the NHL had a moment of silence to acknowledge the people who senselessly lost their lives in a barbaric act at Virginia Tech; and then over the course of several NHL games fans watched fixated as players hack, chop, hit and punch other players with the intent to injure. These are the same players and owners who go out to schools and public events autographing jerseys and sticks for young children that think them demigods. We are a technologically advanced society that does not have the enough collective brainpower to figure out that this type of behaviour, proliferated by mass media, is not a good thing. Advertisers, I for one will not be watching another NHL playoff game this season.

While I agree more should have been done about the Red Wings pushing into Kipper, I don't say that I can agree with vigilantism like this. The NHL has serious inconsistency in officiating, but the wings are a dangerous team regardless. While I could understand WHY it would have been done, I don't think I would HAVE done it myself, although it could have been much worse.

While I agree more should have been done about the Red Wings pushing into Kipper, I don't say that I can agree with vigilantism like this. The NHL has serious inconsistency in officiating, but the wings are a dangerous team regardless. While I could understand WHY it would have been done, I don't think I would HAVE done it myself, although it could have been much worse.

No sanction for Lankow even though he removed Lebda from Game 6? No sanction for Iginla's Butt-Ending (oh, sorry "hooking")? The NHL may have been harsh but it wasn't the Flames they were being harsh to.

Not to defend the flames, but my friend who is a ref in junior hockey likes watching a game and seeing what he would call and what he would not. I believe he was up to 6 goalie interference calls on Detroit before he gave up keeping track. Maybe the refs should read the rule book, find out what is actually a hook, a hold, and what goaltender interence is.

Hockey's a rough sport--you keep your head up or you get hurt. Then a bench-warmer comes on for 18 seconds and delivers a two-hander (with a goal-stick, no less) after the whistle--that's not hockey. The league did McLennan a favor-I could see Todd Bertuzzi running him right through the end boards in retaliation, and where would the game be then???

Suspended for life? Ridiculous. But fighting must stop in the game. Its boring and unnecessary.

You got to be kidding... 5 Games. Don't be fooled the message was more for the Refs and the NHL then the Red Wings.

If this was not the case why was their a goalie interferance penalty called minutes after the Mclennan instance. The refs heard the message!!

As for the 5 games, if Mclennan wanted to intentially hurt the guy, it would have happened. Mclennan was not intersted in hurting Franzen! What he did was embarress the NHL brass. Good on ya!!

As for the US NHL Market, We are begging for tickets here in Calgary. Detroit can't even sell out a playoff game. Open you eyes Betman!!! Focus on the people that actually like this game!

McLennan's actions were totally reprehensible. Perhaps he was upset that coach Jim Playfair put him in the game to serve a shield for the Red Wing's aggressive play around the crease. Whatever the reason though, his actions were heinous and outrageous. The fact that Franzen was uninjured is irrelevant. Certainly the fact that the game was nationally televised in the US on NBC was a factor in the severe punishment handed down by the NHL. The League, the networks, the game, and the fans deserve better, especially from a 35 year old veteran. I cannot fault the League for any of the penalties. McLennan's actions not only embarrassed himself but also his coach and his teammates. Playfair's strategy was to stop the Red Wings from taking cheap shots at Kiprusoff once the game was clearly out of reach for the Flames. McLennan's actions were a slap in the face to his coach, but due to the chippy nature of the series, I cannot blame the League for punishing Playfair and the Calgary Flames organization. There is no place in hockey for those actions. It's a rough game, but spearing is just unacceptable.

I am also happy at the five game suspension and the fact the NHL fined Jim Playfair and the Flames organization. What they did was stupid and completely unsportsmanlike. They showed no class at all and this is just another reason why I do not cheer for the Flames. Go Oilers Go!

This Canadian bias turns me away from the game

I think 5 is a little harsh. Look at it from his perspective, he sits on the bench for the entire game, watching as the rest of his team struggles time after time, slowly getting frustrated that he himself can't do anything more, and when he finally gets the chance, his anger boils over. He gets a stick to the face, and now, no longer thinking clearly, doles out a two hander that could have been much worse.

He took a lighter swing, at a player coming in his direction, in the midsection. It could have been to the back, to an unexpecting player, or even to the head.

I know the league wants to seem vigilant, if only for the American fans, but they have to realise that this is playoff hockey, that emotions run high, and things like this will happen. 2, 3 games at most, especially for a player still trying to break into the league. Now his career is going to be marked and nobody will touch him.

Also, give me a break, fining Playfair and the Flames? Why not the refs? or how about the people seated in section 102, row G, seats 23 and 24? They watched it, they must be involved somehow.

He certainly deserves more than the 5 games he recieved. The game is meant to draw an audience for entertainment, the "send a message" strategy in the play-offs is not fun to watch. The last half of the 3rd period was an embarrassment to the NHL.

The suspension and fines were too little as far as I am concerned. My wife and I used to be hockey fans, used to really enjoy watching games, However, the thugs took over the game and the beauty of the game was lost. Until this year, we had not watched or followed NHL hockey for years. This year, we got interested again. But that display by the Flames has turned us off NHL hockey, no doubt for good.

now theres a head hunter for ya

darn idiot, should be banned til next season,

then a few more games, stupid

McLennan deserved the 5 game suspension. It's very poor sportsmanship and a complete lack of discipline, especially when you've on been on the ice less than a minute. On several HNIC broadcasts there has been discussion regarding players continually running and bumping the goaltenders. Maybe the solution is a larger crease and stricter rules regarding crease infractions, similar to the National Lacrosse League.

The Flames have become more of a clutch and grab fight club rather than talented hockey club of years past. Clearly the coach had no control of his players. The NHL rule changes were to encourage a faster; more skilled game. The suspensions are appropriate. Good for you NHL do not wait until a player suffers injury that may end careers. This message is loud and clear

Well just another reason not to watch hockey any more. I'm sure no one wants to see anyone get hurt, but hockey is a violent (very) sport and believe it or not many fans just love the rough and tumble of it.

I've been a fan for 40 years and after the "lock-out" I haven't watched a game, the new rules haven't help either.

Unsportsmanlike behaviour that demeaned the sport and has tarnished the Flames. The penalty should have been harsher. This was intentional and vicious and there should be no place in the league for a player who does this kind of thing or a coach or team that encourage or tolerate it.

I think this is great! Kick out the back-up and fine the organization. Well, I'm glad that I know the price for knocking someone out (Lebda), clearly trying to injure (Schneider) and delivering the BC two-hander. If I was Detroit, I would make sure to do the same. If the series goes to a game 7 and the Flames are winning, go down and take out Kipper in such a way so that he is out for the rest of the playoffs. Of course sucker punching one of the flames centers so that he is out as well. Detroit has deep pockets. If they DO beat the Flames, then Game 1 against whoever, do the same thing. Sounds like a fantastic strategy to me. With the salary cap, Detroit was a lot of extra cash.

In my opinion Calgary is lucky it only lost a bench sitting back-up. If the league was really intent on sending a message it could have sent Iginla to the showers for a game or two for his unprovoked jabs and cross-check on Schnieder as the last seconds ticked away. You would think the "CAPTAIN" of a team would be able to reign in his emotions a little better.

johan franzen got mclennan in the neck area so maybe he should've gotten a penalty for that. for mclennan he should've just gotten minimmum 2 game suspension. nothing more. he know's what he did was wrong and he was just angry at what the players always did to kiprusoff and he was angry at the score being 5-1 so give him a break.

Can someone tell me what the purpose of the over-excessively physical play is? All the hockey pundits talk about "sending a message." But what exactly is the message? Wouldn't scoring goals be a more effective message?

And why would walking away from a fight (the Dallas Stars' Nagy a few games ago) be considered cowardly? Don't we tell our kids to walk away from a fight?

Don't get me wrong - standing up for your goaltender (or friend, in the case of our kids) when he is being hacked away is one thing. But overly-agressive play when you have no chance of winning a game... that looks and smells like sour grapes to me.

Considering some other suspensions , I would say
the suspension to McLennan and the fines were
excessive. Franzen seems fine . Good job
embellishing it. How many games did Emery
get for his chop on the Hab players head?
It would be interesting to see how game 6
gets played out . If it is hardnosed hockey
and more ill will , and a Flames win , should
be interesting to see if this all will finally sell out a playoff game at JLA .
So far , they are not selling out . Same
as other U.S.cities. I suspect the Refs will
suck the life out of game 6. I personally
am getting tired of goalies getting run.
Kipper usually encounters a few dog piles
on him every game. Hasek feels a breeze go
by him and whines.

The Calgary Flames deserved the fines and suspensions handed out to them. What a disgrace to the game of hockey!!!.And Jarome Iginla should be ashamed to be a Captain, and carry on the way he did.This is Goon hockey, and these guys get paid millions to play like this. Disgusting!!. Go Red Wings Go!!!!!.

He should be suspended for life, as should Simon and Bertuzzi. This is hockey - It should not resemble a pack of barbarians fighting in a roman coliseum. Come down hard on the stickwork. Players should not have to risk their careers to play this great game - by being subject to senseless acts of some of these overgrown nut-cases. Fighting should be eliminated next. Wake up please - it's 2007. My kids don't need to see all this.

Scott, are you seriously writing, as a professional who covers hockey, that you're okay with the kind of play by the Flames in the last 10 minutes? That it's just good ol' pond hockey to "send a message" with cheap shots, dirty play, and genuine intent to injure? (aw, shucks he didn't really mean to give the guy a concussion, give him a break...). I hope you'll rethink this, out of respect for the sport. It's not just the Flames, and not because the Red Wings are the Red Wings (sort of like hating the Yankees or the Cowboys). It's simply not okay to have a second set of rules, including one that says look the other way when players get a little embarrassing. I've been as big a fan as anybody for a long time, and lived in multiple hockey cities, and no matter who does it, it's bad for the game and bad for writers to condone it. Our kids watch this stuff and read what you write. Shame on you.

Good, he deserved five game suspension, maybe even more. McLennan's foolish actions were not an example of sportmanship and not an example for junior teams but the punishment for these actions is what junior teams can learn from.