Blues Play Rough, Flames Complain
The Blues don’t have enough offense to go into a place like Calgary and beat a top team like the Flames. They just don’t.
But Andy Murray’s team WILL show up and WILL fight — literally. Tuesday night’s game reminded us just how much competitive spirit this team has.
Alas, the team lacking Andy McDonald, Paul Kariya, Erik Johnson and Eric Brewer didn’t have enough to beat Mike Keenan’s team. But the Note had enough toughness to wreak havoc.
Here was some of the action:
Afterward, the Balding Despot whined about the antics of Blues tough guy Cam Janssen. Keenan believed Janssen left his feet to make hits on Andre Roy and Robyn Regehr.
Here is what he told the Calgary Herald:
“He definitely left his feet (on Roy), and he definitely left his feet on Regehr. The two hits he made . . . he jumped and leaped. He definitely left his feet with the intent of hitting a player who didn’t have the puck. A deliberate intent to injure. There’s no question in my mind. I watched it over and over just to make sure that I was looking at it clearly. It’s up to the officials and the league to address it. He broke Prustie’s jaw (Dec. 5 at St. Louis). But this one was so blatant and so obvious . . . there’s no need for that tactic in the game. You can body guys all you can and drive them with your shoulder, but you start leaping at guys and leaving your feet? Then . . . you losing respect for the game. The league should take some action and suspend them.”
Suddenly Iron Mike is the conscience of hockey. Great. Now we can all sleep at night, knowing that this guy is looking out for the sport.
As for Roy, he said Janssen was fortunate to leave Calgary in one piece.
“I’m glad for him that he didn’t hurt me more, because I wouldn’t accept that,” Roy sad. “I probably would have snapped and went cuckoo like I usually do when I get hit dirty … If you’re going to leave your feet, you better expect something in return.”
AROUND THE RINKS: The struggling Canucks are finally getting Roberto Luongo back – and not a minute too soon. Old friend Curtis Sanford, one of the netminders holding the fort, has hit the waiver wire . . . With Steve Mason on fire, the Blue Jackets could move Pascal Leclaire for offensive help. The Senators, currently leaning on rookie Brian Elliott, could be interested. Might Ottawa deal Jason Spezza for a package also including a defenseman and a forward? Let’s see . . . The Islanders are also looking for netminding help now that Rick DiPietro could be done for the season. There is reason to believe that team regrets that ludicrous 15-year, $67.5 million contract it gave the injury-plagued DiPietro . . . Brendan Shanahan could join the Devils this week, but he may not be ready to actually play for awhile . . . NHL draftniks can watch the kids tonight play an all-star game on the NHL Network . . . Add defenseman Aaron Ward to the list of injured Bruins. He is hobbled by a sore thigh.

