image: TSN

The Flames in general were peppier and more aggressive than usual and Kipper was just part of their 5-3 victory.  He stopped 39 of the 42 shots he faced including one save that really should have gone in.  He managed to scramble back and put his stick out just in time to stop it and it really was a save that I wasn’t expecting him to make on opening night.

Then there’s Dion Phaneuf.  He’s got a history with Coach Sutter and he was looking like his old grinding self after a terribly lackluster season in 2008-2009.  He was hitting and taking shots and being the on-ice presence that he used to be and I was pretty excited by it.

I was surprised by Roberto Luongo’s lack of focus in net for the Canucks.  He is human after all and I know it’s been a long summer but it was still surprising to see him so frazzled.  You know, those long-term contracts can really be a curse…

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image: TSN

Okposo had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher after remaining motionless for several minutes afterwards.  Immediately, Pascal Morency (Islanders) jumped onto the ice and went for Phaneuf but was intercepted before he could get to him.  A small fight broke out as guys tried to restrain Morency and, ultimately, he was given a game misconduct and, since I wasn’t there, I was surprised to learn that the goalies for both teams were issued penalties for leaving the crease.

I’ve got the video here so that you can decide for yourself.

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Wow.  This situation gets worse by the minute.  People are pissed and I know some people think he shouldn’t have been suspended for his actions but I’m sorry – I hope Sean Avery is done. 

I’m reading articles/blog posts where people say it’s unreasonable for Avery to have been suspended indefinitely for referring to Calgary Flames defenseman, Dion Phaneuf’s girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert as “sloppy seconds.”  I’m sorry but it’s about more than that. 

He’s gotten away with so much crap over the years and this is my personal list of things that you shouldn’t do if you want to be taken seriously in the NHL:

• Don’t call a press conference to basically call someone a slut and insult an opponent on his choice of girlfriend.  Lame attempt to bring excitement to a game.
• Don’t call a press conference to insult a player in his own town.
• Don’t call a press conference when you’ve told your team and PR people that you won’t do that.
• Don’t get away with making racial comments towards players of diverse backgrounds as he has done with George Laraque.  The NHL couldn’t prove it and he was not punished.
• Don’t even think about commenting on a player’s fight with cancer as he did with Jason Blake.
• Don’t wave your stick in front of a goaltender in a lame attempt to look like you’re doing a good job defensively.  Beat a goalie like Martin Brodeur with skill.  Have a little class and respect for the game.

I have watched a lot of coverage on this tonight and one thing that stands out are the comments from Dallas Stars GM, Brett Hull, who said:

“There’s probably deeper issues that need to be dealt with as a person and forget being a hockey player.  Um… you know I think there might be, uh.. you know, some sort of medical help that he can get… you know there comes a point where you have to put everything together and go look at maybe this just isn’t gonna work.”

Ouch.  I respect Brett Hull for all he has given to the game and I have to agree with him. 

image: TSN

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WOW.  My son and I have been looking forward to the Calgary Flames versus Dallas Stars game tonight, mostly because we really like Stars goalie, Marty Turco despite the fact that the team is off to a really horrible start.

Of course, a lot of people were wondering how the league’s biggest jerk, Sean Avery (Dallas) was going to try to harrass Dion Phaneuf (Calgary) since Neufy is dating the jackass’ former girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert.  We didn’t even have to wait for the game to start since Avery called all the press to gather round (even requesting TSN specifically) so he could say the following:

“I am really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada.  I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds.  I don’t know what that’s about.  Enjoy the game tonight.”

What a complete and utter douche.  Anyway, the NHL has suspended him indefinitely, pending a hearing with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, because they felt that his conduct was “detrimental to the League or game of hockey.”

I’m happy to say that Tom Hicks, the owner of the Dallas Stars supports the suspension.  On the team’s official website, he wrote:

“Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have.  This organization will not tolerate such behaviour, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so.” 

Avery is expected back in Dallas tomorrow morning and I hope he gets spanked.  Here’s a video:

His teammates seemed stunned (one even shrieked “he said what?!”) while Turco answered questions about whether this was going to be a distraction for the teams:  “Well, you’d like to think not.  We’re all competitive enough and focused to get out there and do our job. When it continues over time . . . things certainly can be (a distraction). I don’t think, overall, he’s been the one and only disappointment for our team. When you’re trying to build up, from the basement, like we are, you need everyone focused in.  Hopefully, those words are echoed from his focus and he just wants get out of here and get on the ice and be competitive. But it all remains to be seen.”

Should be an interesting game… in the meantime, check out these pictures of Dion Phaneuf and Elisha Cuthbert on vacation.

image: TSN

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