Melissa’s trip to Butchart Gardens, Victoria
So … after a day at work I joined Melissa, Krishen, Greg, Eric over at Darren’s to watch game 1 … and what a game it was. Calgary managed a 4-1 win, but they dominated once again due to their work ethic. They also turned out to be a little quicker than I originally gave them credit for. Seems like their fans are having a good time 🙂
The same day as this fast paced, hard hitting, exciting game unfolded Hockey Canada announced that it would abolish the red line. This, along with many of the “rule changes”, are poor attempts and “fixing” a game that is not broken. I may be a hockey traditionalist but I played 7 years in minor hockey and I don’t believe any of these changes will improve the game. Watching the games now, the whole offsides have gotten a whole lot more confusing … just return to the the touch-back offside – at least it kept the game moving. Removing the red-line just leaves room for more cherry-picking and a more confusing iceing.
Rule changes should be done to avoid injuries or due to tech improvements in equipment. You want to promote skating in the game … increase to the international sized ice surface, that I would agree with. You want to reduce injuries … call the penalties that are already in the books. Let players fight and get it out of their system … but call the clutch, grabs, hooks, spears, and high sticks. There will always be some pushing and shoving, but call the cheap shots. You want more scoring … make minor adjustments to the goalie equipment OR the size of the net – just be sure not to put the goalies in danger, shots are getting harder these days. AND, quite frankly, I don’t believe scoring is an issue … the game starts getting boring when scoring becomes to easy.
This is an exciting game … please, don’t mess it up!

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Presentation of the Campbell Bowl (Western Conference Trophy)
As Melissa walked in the door after babysitting for the afternoon, I looked up and said “beer?” … she said “game!” … and thus began our trek to the Paddy Wagon.

While we were 10 minutes late into the game we did not miss the first goal. Or the second 🙂 My hand began to hurt (female finger nail imprints) as SJ managed to pull within one … but a failed pass in the final seconds ended the Californian Dream in an ugly fashion. The pass out to the Blue Line from behind the Calgary net hopped a stick and slid all the way down the ice into the empty net.
Final tally: Calgary 3 – San Jose 1
Final cost … an $85 Calgary Jersey to be worn during the next series. Which, if all goes well tonight, could lead to a seats for the Stanley Cup Finals … cross the fingers.

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