I didn't talk about the officiating last time the Flames lost to the 'Hawks because, frankly, Calgary didn't deserve to win the game thanks to the way they played. However, like last night, some dubious last minute calls did help turn the tide in Chicago's favor.
So, like the previous OT loss to Chicago, the Flames were leading a listless affair leading into the last few minutes of the 3rd and "whammo!" 3 consecutive Calgary penalties, making for 2 consecutive Chicago 5on3 advantages, resulting in a tied game. I wasn't able to catch the contest, but if Conroy's penalty was as paltry as the Zyuzin "interference" call shown in the tsn hilights, then color me fucking annoyed.
Not that the Flames were the only team to suffer from a Zebra-dictated outcome last night. The Florida Panthers were leading the Avs by 2 going into the 3rd period where they were penalized 4 straight times, including twice in the last minute of the game. The Avs took advantage and tied it up in regulation before scoring on the lingering PP in OT.
Im no conspiracy theorist but that sure seems fishy. Is it a League-mandated "enforced parity" bias? The official's subconscious empathy for the losing team? Odd coincidence? I'll let you be the judge.
Course, the Flames weren't completely blameless in the loss. As expected, the boys came out flat after the Vernon ceremony and apparently had little jump throughout the game. Aside from Huselius, none of the big guns showed up for this one: Jarome managed 1 shot and 0 hits on the evening. Tanguay and Langkow had another 2 shots combined and nary a bodycheck between them. The only Calgary players to get more than 2 shots on goal all game were Marcus Nilson and (naturally) Dion Phaneuf. So it was hardly a tour de force performance that was sullied by lopsided officiating.
Bah well. If this is what it takes to beat Calgary at home - a post-ceremony nothing game against a shit opponent and multiple last minute 2 man advantages - then so be it. At least the Oilers lost and Juice continued his scoring streak...
