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Saturday was Hockey Day in Canada. So what better way to close Hockey Day in Canada out than with what hockey fans would term quite simply as a “gong show.”
The Calgary Flames sent out a forward line featuring noted tough guys Kevin Westgarth, Brian McGrattan and Blair Jones to start the game. The Canucks countered with Tom Sestito, Dale Weise and rookie Kellan Lain. The results were predictable.
Within two seconds, the ice was a mish mash of gloves, sticks and a lot of fists as all 10 skaters on the ice squared off in a line brawl. So in two seconds of hockey, there were 142 minutes in penalties dished out including game misconducts. Here’s what the game sheet looked like.
Among those ejected from the game was Vancouver Canucks rookie Kellan Lain who was making his NHL debut. Getting tossed within your first two seconds within the league has to be some kind of record, right?
Canucks head coach John Tortorella screamed between the benches at Flames bench boss Bob Hartley, who clearly was trying to send some kind of message with the lineup he sent out. Tortorella obviously didn't make things any better by sending out his tough guys to answer as the home team gets last choice of who goes out.
Needless to say, things remained testy the rest of the period. Thanks to other infractions in the period, there were 178 minutes in penalties within the first 11:30 of the game.
Happy Hockey Day in Canada, everyone!
