Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
If not a fight or a line brawl, the players would have rallied around something else. I am not so naive to fail to see that fightings serves a function, but the argument from the non-fighting camp is that it is not indispensable. Players will always find SOMETHING to rally around.
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I don't think for one second that Hartley wanted a brawl on the ice to start the game. However, his strategy to see if he can intimidate the Canucks was a good one. I think the team finally realized that they cannot be pushed over and that guys like Bouma and McGrattan are rewarded for their hard work on the ice. The team, IMO, is rallying for the coach. I think Hartley should get nominated for the coach of the year or even get coach of the year if the Flames reach 10th overall in the conference by the end of the year. Hope that doesn't happen as this team really needs to focus on a true rebuild rather than occasional emotional rally that result in short term success.