Update (22. Apr, 1:03 AM): Christy has a reaction to the game posted, with a special perspective: she was there.
Also, check out this video of Dan Cleary’s penalty shot goal:
- Matt
Update (8:47 PM): Be sure to check out Dave’s game recap over at Gorilla Crouch.
Also, a comment on the McLennan meltdown: the guy was on the ice for 18 seconds and managed to get seven minutes of penalties plus a game misconduct. That has to be the highest penalty-minute-to-ice-time ratio ever.
When Playfair pulled Kiprusoff, I thought it was a smart thing. Now I’m not so sure. Ansar Khan wrote in his post-game blog post that McLennan’s action may have been premeditated, in which case Playfair ought to be fined like a coach who sends out the goons in the final minutes of a game. McLennan should get a hefty suspension for the incident, in any case. I do like Ansar’s suggestion, however: “If the league really wanted to punish McLennan it would force him to start Game 6.”
And I find the idea that the Flames pulled Kipper because the Wings were running him hilarious. If that’s what Calgary is saying, they’re not taking proper responsibility for their own actions. The Wings are not running Kiprusoff at all; rather, the Flames are knocking them over onto their own goalie. - Matt
No body does hockey coverage better, so I’ll refer you to the image below:
I can’t think of a much better snap-description of the game and that picture pretty much defines things, as well.
Wow. After the first period, I thought it was going to be a nailbiter, but the Wings started taking control in the second period and never looked back. And in the third, the Flames came unglued like no team I’ve ever seen. Truly disgusting. Two, probably three, Flames (Langkow and McLennan, plus Iginla) committed suspendable offenses as they shamed the game by venting their frustrations at being outplayed by the Wings. It was embarrassing.
As for the Wings, they played real well. They outhit Calgary and finally got their special teams going. Dominik Hasek was rock-solid and would have had a shutout had coverage not broken down while the Wings were defending a shorthanded push by the Flames.
Also, anyone agree with my nomination for Dan Cleary as Series MVP?
Game 6 is tomorrow at 9:00 ET. Let’s hope the Wings pick up tomorrow where they left off today. Let’s just hope the Flames find a way to maintain their composure if things go badly for them, or else it could get real ugly.
I’ll have a more complete summary/reaction posted either later tonight or sometime late morning/early afternoon tomorrow.
Yeah, I definitely agree with Cleary as series MVP. His play has been impressive. In my opinion this is even more impressive than his scoring streak that landed him on the second line for a bit.
Thanks for the link.
Dave,
I agree. He’s not just scoring, he’s giving the Flames fits. I love that he’s throwing his body around so much and singling out Phaneuf.
Great headline on that post, by the way. And the picture captions are priceless, as usual!
Matt Saler has it right
Unfortunately, I doubt the league has even the slightest inkling to suspend Jarome Iginla for the next game. Iginla tripped Nick Lidstrom (one of if not the most respected player in the league) and then turned around and got in his face and shoved him. It is actions like these that make me wonder how Iginla could wear the C on any team. Iginla acts like a bite-size (no pun intended) Mike Tyson out on the ice, whining and flipping out in reaction to almost every single play. I would like to single out Iginla as being the only culprit on the Flames but their whole team played dirty and stupid hockey today. Unfortunately, Iginla seems to lead by example.
I am very interested to see what the league does after this game, but i doubt it will be much.
Steve,
Not only did he shove Lidstrom, then Iginila fell on the ice to try and draw a penalty on Detroit. Yet the Wings are somehow the floppers and are playing dirty.
Langkow deserves a suspension for his chickens%$t antics. And someone for Calgary should also pay for what was clearly a pre-meditated act to get McLennan in the game solely to injure someone. Kipper was removed so he wouldn’t risk being suspended for tomorrow’s game. That’s just bushleague.
It’s a truly pathetic display by the Flames. I just hope the series ends tomorrow night.
“Also, anyone agree with my nomination for Dan Cleary as Series MVP?”
Or better yet, anyone disagree with Cleary as Series MVP? Oh how my heart jumped when he was laying on the ice and not moving. I was so glad he didn’t need that stretcher! Cleary has been amazing.
WAY TO GO CLEARY. I am from Carbonear(where he was born) and NFLD has been waiting for him to play like this!
Yeah I completely agree with Cleary being MVP of the series so far. That hit on Phaneuf to set up Draper’s goal in Game 3 pretty much sums up his play so far.