This is another joint post by Sarah and Megan.
If you missed this game, you missed one of the most exciting and at the same time bizarre games in recent history. In this series, as well as in the regular season, games in Detroit have followed a pattern. The Wings score first, and Calgary loses their composure. This is what we expected tonight, and Calgary did not disappoint. In fact, they went further than anyone expected. The Wings resolved their special team woes in the second period, with two shorthanded goals and a PP goal. This did not sit well with the Calgary Flames. So they went into the locker room and devised a master plan: Take out everyone in a Red Wings jersey, and then win the came by forfeit. As least, that’s the way it kind of seemed. The unraveling really began with an encounter between Lebda and Langkow. Lebda delivered a low hipcheck to Langkow, which caused Langkow to flip over Brett’s back, sending both of them to the ice. Langkow rolled over, lifted up Brett by the back of his jersey and sucker punched Lebda in the face. This was not a weak little love tap. He pulled back and hit Lebda with all the force he could muster. It was reminiscent of Tootoo’s gloved punch to Robidas. Lebda suffered a concussion as a result of the cheapshot, and was also assessed a minor penalty for clipping. When the camera first went back to the play, Langkow looked seriously injured. Upon replay, we see that he was able to lift Lebda up, punch him, and hold on to him before he curled up in the fetal position. Also, Langkow finished the game and did not receive a penalty for the play. If there is any justice in this league whatsoever, Langkow will be suspended for this disgusting display of cowardice and goonery.
Langkow was not the only Flame worthy of suspension. In fact, the most worthy candidate played only 18 seconds in the game. The Wings scored their fifth goal at 15:42. At this point, we were wondering why they wouldn’t just pull Kipper to give the guy a break. After all, he does have to play tomorrow and he had just given up five goals. In fact, they left Kipper in for another minute, until Primeau took a slashing penalty. Apparently, they weren’t pleased with Primeau’s technique, so the sent out McLennan to show us all how the pros do it. As soon as the first unsuspecting Red Wing (Franzen) was within reach, he began slashing. He delivered two slashes to the back of Franzen’s legs, for which the Referee immediately signaled a delayed penalty. As soon as the whistle blew, he slapped at the puck in anger, and then delivered a nasty two-hander to Franzen’s midsection as he coasted by.
“It doesn’t belong in hockey,” said Franzen, who said the slash shocked him more than it hurt. (via AP)
Franzen fell to the ice as the jaws of the entire audience (including us) collectively dropped. McLennan was given the original two minutes for slashing, five minutes for intent to injure, and a game misconduct. Pretty impressive for 18 seconds of play. We’ve all heard of sending out the goons in the closing minutes of a losing game. We never expected this goon to come in the form of a back-up goaltender. There is little question in our mind that McLennan will receive a suspension. When you look at the situation, he kind of looks like a fall guy. Whether he sits on the bench or not really has no impact on the Flames. So why not send him out as the goon? This whole move is very suspicious. If they were gonna pull Kipper after the fifth goal, why didn’t they do it right away? Why did they wait a full minute, until they had handed the Wings another PP? It seems to be the consensus among Wings fans, as well as hockey media, that McLennan was sent out there with a mission. We are told that he was out there to send a message to the Wings to stay out of their crease. If this is the case, he should have gone after his own defensemen. Apparently the Flames are blind to the fact that every time a Wing was in the crease or made contact with Kipper, it was because he had been shoved there by a Flames defenseman. Case in point: Maltby. Kirk was avoiding the goaltender, then got sandwiched between two Flames who pushed him into their goaltender. Matlby was slapped with goaltender interference and a goal was wiped out. Luckily, we scored a lot more, so this incident kind of fades into the background.
If you thought the madness was over once McLennan was thrown out, you were sorely mistaken. No way is the Flames fearless leader gonna be shown up by some backup goaltender. He also picked out the nearest man in a Winged Wheel. Iginla slashed Mathieu Schneider in the Wings defensive zone. He then followed Schneider up to center ice, where he proceeded to spear him with the butt of his stick. This did not cause Schneider to fall over, nor did it slow him down at all. So, Iggy had to take more drastic measures. How about a cross check to the lower back? Yup, that sounds like Iginla. Here’s where we would like to point out that Schneider was nowhere near the puck, nor was he involved in the play. His crime was apparently skating on the ice, which apparently belongs to Iginla. Jarome was assessed a hooking minor and a cross-checking minor.
It’s no wonder Calgary is so quick to lose their composure. And it’s no wonder they are so immature, given that they are lead by Jarome Iginla. Apparently Mr. Iginla subscribes to the Slapshot version of hockey. After game four, there was already a question of Iginla’s integrity. At the end of this game, and in his comments after the game, he showed his true colors. He was left on the ice purely and admittedly to start fights.
“It was really about getting some fights going at that point to keep our energy up and carry some anger into the next game,” Iginla said with several new stitches over his left eye. “We’re not going away.” (via TSN)
He is actually proud of the fact that his team made fools of themselves on national television. Sound like someone you want leading your team? This right here is proof that the whole thing was premeditated. Going out and trying to injure guys or just fighting just because you’re losing sends only one message: this is a team of cowards. Rather than save some dignity, they would prefer to “take some anger” into game six. Really, the only people they’ve succeeded in making angry are their own fans. Wings fans are just laughing, and Babcock is probably still trying to make sense of the whole thing. Franzen hit it on the nose when he said that this kind of play has no place in hockey.
After a display like this, the league should punish the offenders. Will they? Most likely not. At least not all of them. They will suspend McClennan if they have any sense. This is too close to the Chris Simon incident and too blatant to ignore. The popular number here is ten games, and that sounds about right to us. Langkow really, really should be suspended for at least two games. Whether or not he will be is up in the air. Iginla deserves a game in the press box because of the stick-butting and the bad cross check. It is very likely that he will not be suspended. On top of these suspensions, Playfair should be getting a hefty fine.
Overall, it was a wild game. The Wings showed that they are not only the better team, they are by far the classier team. The Wings refused to allow Calgary’s late-game antics get under their skin and kept their composure like the veterans they are. The difference between the two clubs is clearly displayed in their leadership. Lidstrom’s class and Iginla’s lack thereof. Hasek’s comment really sums it up:
“I was really disappointed. Not a little, but a lot,” Hasek said. “Their goalie, what he did and Iginla, he’s the captain of the team and should be in charge.” (via TSN)
I agree - Langkow definitely deserves at least a 2 game suspension, especially considering Lebda was already injured when he suck-punched him. Lifting someone’s head off the ice to throw a punch should warrant the harsher of possible sentences.
On McClennan, he’ll probably get the book thrown at him since he’s a backup and it wouldn’t hurt Calgary’s playoff run. I’d say suspended at least 15 games. If it was Kiprusoff, I really wonder if the NHL would give him more than 5 games. I remember hearing Colin Campbell say that he doesn’t like to give playoff suspensions, but in this case McClennan is a non-factor for Calgary.
Iginla probably won’t be suspended unless video evidence confirms his stick-butt was exposed and made contact with Schneider. He did make the stick-butting motion, but it was hard to tell whether it was his glove or the stick-butt that got Schneider. I didn’t see him adjust his stick-hold in his glove as to get Schneider with the butt-end. It’s a close call. There aren’t many suspensions for cross-checks, especially in the playoffs, so I wouldn’t expect it for that. If anything, 1 game for the stick-butting, if it indeed did happen.
I agree that it was a classless move on behalf of McLennan. I don’t think I would go as far as to say that it was planned by Playfair. If so, that is a disgraceful tasteless act. I think McLennan’s emotions just got the best of him. The way players like Holmstrom and Franzen set up screens in front of the net can sometimes frustrate goalies, and this can be magnified with all the tension in the playoffs. Iginla may be frustrated at the way Lidstrom and the Wing’s defense has neutralized his game. However, I have never had any respect for Iginla, I have always seen him as a goon, whenever he is on the ice he is always whining and committing cheap shots and game 5 was just another instance of that. I really hope that game 6 will be a clean, fair game. It sickens me to see all these cheap shots taking place in the league. There is a difference between playing emotional hockey and playing disgraceful hockey. Emotional hockey is entertaining and exciting to watch, when you take emotional hockey too far you get the thuggish “hockey” seen in game 5. That was NOT hockey.
GOOD JOB FLAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I started reading this post and it took me like an hour to finish it cause it was SO funny! I’ll admit the Deadwings out played my Flames and yes the McLennan thing was bit unecessary and definately NOT worth 15 games suspensions. But LANGKOW?!! COME ON!!!! Only an Idiot (american fan)would call that a suspension. Don’t forget, you got the biggest sucker puncher on your team. Bertuzzi. What you want Iggy called for suspension too after “hittting” Hasek last game? Give me a break. “wings are a classier team.” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That one in the whole post is the funniest. As for Iggy, well what you said that just further proves my point. And that is that you’re a feakin moron. You american fans when one of your players gets hit, you’re all like “OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! SUSPENSION!!!!!!!!!!!” If they can’t handle a little roughness now and then, well maybe then hockey isn’t for them now is it? Idiots.
PS. I forgot to mention this. Most of us (flames fans) are happy they did all that. You see, your Wings like to cheapshot and slash, and yet when they get a taste of their own medicine, they all whine. WE FLAMES FANS ARE PROUD OF OUR BOYS TONIGHT! They stuck up for their #1 goalie and showed emotion that they cared. How many times has Kipper been ran over, slashed, hacked, and had his own players pushed at him? Lots of times. I for one am happy of seeing these detroit cowards get what they deserve. Bertuzzi should have been the one Lankgow beat up. Don’t expect a healthy roster after todays game at the Dome. With all that said, GO FLAMES GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO FLAMES GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FLAMES IN SEVEN!!!!!!
Dear nemanja90,
Do all Flames’ fans so proudly display their IQ?
I refuse to believe that “most Flames fans” are happy with this. maybe a few select orons, no more. That game was a shame to canadian hockey. I am convinced that most people have enough sense to realize this, and that ninjaman is just a noisy freak.
Langkow finished what Lebda started. Flames in seven.
Nemanga90,
What game were you watching? You are in major denial; Calgary players lost control of their collective emotions and it is clear that their intent was to intimidate and physically injure Detroit players; and you think that’s hockey? Calgary’s actions in game five do not belong in the game of hockey. You calling Red Wing fans “morons” and “idiots” for taking exception with the goon it up actions of Messers Langkow, McClennan and Iginla demonstrates only that your commentary lacks a meaningful understanding of the game of hockey. Remember you are simply a fan — and that the word “fan” is derived from the word “fanatic”. Enough said
I thought you guys were dead on in everything. Good analysis of Calgary’s many dirty plays. Most of the Flames’ blogs I have looked at (except for one as of now) are disgusted with their team’s play last night. Even the Calgary Herald had an article on how the team just lost it. So the Flames’ fan who commented above is not representative of the whole bunch.
Yeah, Wings are cowards? If the Flames really want to start a fight, the Wings have willing combatants. Interesting how no one from the Flame targeted Bertuzzi for a fight last night. I’m sorry but trying to start a fight with Lidstrom, and Schneider is only going to end in frustration for Calgary. If they really want a fight, they know who to go after. Of course, they don’t really want a fight, because they are to scared to go after willing combatants. So instead, they go after Lidstrom and commit cheap shots on players that they know are above retaliation. So, who are the real cowards?
Nemanja90, though I think my fellow Wings fans have done a great job to point out the many shortcomings in your defense of the Flames, I have one more. You laughed at the idea of the Wings being classier than the Flames. So I have one major question: if the Wings are so classless, why didn’t anyone from the Wings turn around and respond to Calgary’s “little taps?” Why didn’t Schneider turn on Iginla and punch him in the face? Why didn’t Franzen respond to McClennan’s slashing by knocking him over? Or even say anything to him? Why didn’t Babcock send out Bertuzzi to show the Flames a few things?
this all is bull. did u see that slash on kipper’s glove and there was no penalty. lebda was trying to take out langkow and he got more hurt than langkow. He deserved it after trying to take out a player late in the game. He also deserved that punch in the face. Mclennan just wanted to back up his goalie for all the bs he was getting from the detroit players. the wings are cheap dirty players if u ask me. did u see kipper holding his glove and that cheap detroit player slashed him. and were the goons huh, what about number 44 on your guys team. took a guy out and finished his career. Hasek keeps flopping around the net like a fish out on land. if its that easy to knock him down, im surprised that the wind hasn’t carried him away. Detoit isn’t the better team. During the regular season they beat on teams like colombus, chicago, stlouis, and thats how they get all there point. Wings are not a classy team
You know when a team is classy when a player without anybody around him or the puck around him falls and hits his head on the bench. Then all the players come running after the captain blaming him for a cheap hit. now that is CLASSIC. lol
P.S. if you dont know what im talking about, its dan cleary who tripped when noone was aroudn him and he hit his head on the board and everybody went after iginla.
figures the classless Calgary fans would defend their classless team. “Langkow finished what Lebda started”…um, a real man skates away and doesn’t throw a cheap shot. it’s hilarious to see Flames fans calling the Wings dirty. absolutely clueless.
“its dan cleary who tripped when noone was aroudn him and he hit his head on the board and everybody went after iginla.”
nobody went after Iginla. the Flames players came over by the Wings bench and were talking trash. real classy to talk trash while an injured player is lying on the ice.
Calgary doesn’t deserve to be in the playoffs, and after tonight they won’t be.
“what about number 44 on your guys team. took a guy out and finished his career.”
What about Bertuzzi? What cheap shots did he take last night? How about in this series? What Bert did before he was a Wing is in the past and cannot be used to argue that we are a dirty team now.
Sounds like a bunch of cry baby detroit red wing fans .This is playoff hockey suck it up princess.Paul you sound like the biggest cry baby of them all.
I don’t understand why everyone thinks the Lebda hit was dirty? It was a normal hip check - he got Langkow good but when Langkow went over Lebda’s back, Lebda lost his footing and hit the ice making it appear to be a low hit - look at the replays - also, when Cleary was down, Iginla came over to the Wings’ bench and tried to stir things up, I don’t think he even realized that Cleary was hurt, he just wanted to act tough, nobody on the Wings thought Iginla hit Cleary, they went after him because of his disrespect towards Cleary who potentially could’ve been severely injured (broken neck or something). If that had happened in Calgary, I would bet that the fans would cheer for Cleary being hurt and they would boo when he finally got up and skated off the ice.
Franzen’s quote is the best…he said he doesn’t care if McLennan gets suspended or not…”he’s not gonna play anyways” - piece of shit backup - he’ll always have a spot in New Jersey or Vancouver if the Flames cut him. Babcock should’ve pulled Hasek for Osgood and let Ozzie fight McLennan.
Since I can’t say it any better than nemanja90, I’ll just agree with him 100%. Maybe if the Wings weren’t clutching their purses so tightly, they’d be able to drop their gloves and defend themselves.
This was a very exciting game. While most of what happened was unnecessary, I praise our boys for what they did.
More home town blather from Megan Hirdes? Get a clue. The hit on Langkow which started the nonsense, considering the game was already on ice, showed a complete lack of respect for the opponent. A low bridge at any time can end a career and the offender should be the player pulling the 15 game suspensions. And if you think that Iginla should be suspended for his indescretion perhaps you were not watching the same series. This series is a hard hitting physical affair by both teams with both teams contributing to a mutltitude of cheap shots.
Now it’s time to look on to Game 6, where we all know what’s going to happen. GO FLAMES GO! Home ice advantage baby!
nemanja90 - you should try more exclamation points and more caps lock. That always get the point across.
I agree with the clipping penalty on Lebda. However, I doubt that it was intentional on his part. A hip check is a very hard check to perform, which is why we don’t see them too often. All that happened was a young player tried to do a very tricky check and went a little too low. Not a dirty play, just a poorly performed play. Lankow punching him in the face Slap Shot style is a dirty play.
it doesn’t matter that what berguzzi did happened years ago. That player he hit will no longer play in the nhl. Bertuzzi will be scarred for the rest of his life for ending a young player’s career. Bertuzzi is and will always be considered a dirty player nomatter what team he plays on.
well series is over…Detroit beat us..but not without a struggle..ah they outshot us, so what…lots of good action,,good scoring chances by both teams..the old men didn’t embarrass themselves..goalies stood on their heads..and now our golf courses are again covered with flames..good luck wings..will be watching
I am sad the series is over, however, I will say that if the Wings wanted to continue to throw bodies at our net. They Absolutley deserved everything they got! Kipper is outstanding and if their solution was to have him get hurt… objective : failed. I found that to be less sportsmen like then what McLennan did, at least there was a point behind it instead of a cowardful act “oops I fell into your goalie again”
That the Flames disgraced Canada’s game is obvious. That Calgary fans take pride in disgracing hockey is disturbing, but not surprising.
Thankfully, the best team won despite Calgary’s malice.
nemanja 90 is a complete idiot. Bertuzzi should have beat the living crap out of langkow and given him a taste his own medicine. except he probably would have fought him like a man unlike langcow who is a coward. If Lankow does not get suspended for this, this will show how disgraceful the nhl has really become.
i can’t believe how stupid people from Calgary are. its unbelievable. I have many Canadian buddies and none of them sound as retarded as these flames fans do. Maybe just the retards and stupid people in Canada either live or move to calgary. i dunno. all i know is that the flames are a dirty cheap and cowardly team and anyone with eyes can see that. if you can’t you probably are a retard who lives in calgary. if that was bertuzzi punching langkow, all of you dirtbags would be crying and complaining for a suspension. so stop being jerks by saying that wings fans are being cry babies because flames fans would be excactly the same if hasek starts spanking iginlas ass when he’s in front of the crease and then hacking at his stomach, or if bertuzzi sucker punches langcow, or if anybody else is looking to start fights on purpose becasue your team is a bunch of sore losers. shut up flames fans and just accept the fact that the flames are inferior to the red wings in every aspect of the game (except for goaltending): discipline, talent, desire to win, sportsmanship, and everyother aspect
I’m sick and tired of hearing about Kiprusoff being run over or slashed at. The truth is that the only times that a Red Wing touched him is when a Flames defenseman pushed them into him. Any Flames fan who bitches about the reffing can shut their whiny little yips right now. Most of the games had evenly weak calls, aside from game four, which was pretty much handed to the Flames on a silver platter by the referees. If not for the reffing, the series would have been over in five.
The fact that the Wings didn’t get baited by the Flames doesn’t imply that they have more class (even though they do), it implies that they have more brains. Fights don’t win playoff games, and “carrying anger into the next game” (probably the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard from a hockey player) won’t win them either. And it doesn’t imply that they couldn’t fight with the Flames, as Bertuzzi picked up their toughest player clean off his skates and threw him to the ice.
The only thing that kept the Flames anywhere near Detroit is Kiprusoff.