04/01/2009 COMMENTS(12) FLAMES INSIDER
So it appears the Calgary Flames have pulled off one of the most epic April fools jokes ever.
Over the course of the last month the Flames players and coaching staff have fooled the fans and media into thinking they were no longing a good hockey team, and that a first round playoff exit was imminent.
However at practice today it was revealed that the month long display of incompetence was nothing more then an elaborate April Fools joke.
"About a month ago we decided that the typical April Fools jokes that occur just weren’t cutting it, so we sat down as a team to decide what the best way to not only fool the city of Calgary, but the entire NHL would be.” Craig Conroy revealed to our reporters this morning. “We decided, what better joke then to make the entire NHL think we have transformed into the Toronto Maple Leafs over night!!!”
Over the month of March the Flames went 6-9, and managed to loose the division lead to the Vancouver Canucks.
“The hardest part was getting everyone on board. This wasn’t a one or two player effort. It required the collective incompetence of all our top players, goaltender, and coaching staff.”
Despite the almost flawless execution of this joke, there were a few hiccups along the way. “Yeah, that game is Detroit, we had been perfect for two and a half periods, managing to take all those penalties and be trailing by two with a few minutes left. Then, out of no where, Lundmark starts scoring! All of a sudden we were winning! We even let then get a late goal to tie it, but all three of the Wings missed the net in the shootout!”
In fact, Jamie Lundmark only found out this morning about this ploy. “I’ve been busting my ass off every night, trying to help the team win, and today I find out it was all a giant joke.” Others who apparently hadn’t gotten the memo include wingers Eric Nystrom, Warren Peters, and Curtis Glencross.
“I guess since I came from Edmonton they wanted to see me squirm! The amazing part is how they even got the ref to play along in the Minnesota game!” Glencross remarked while sporting a sheepish grin this morning at practice.
Reached for comments this morning, Roberto Loungo had this to say “We always knew we weren’t as good as the Flames, and I suspected something was up. However, I’m glad the Flames let our fans know what it feels like to be in first place, even if it is only going to be for one day!”
haha, well that was certainly entertaining. seriously though, the Canucks have passed the Flames in the standings. by one point. thats ok, the division will be decided on tuesday when the Canucks play the Flames. if the Flames win the division, they are likely to play Columbus. Columbus is a tough matchup, as they have gotten better as a team, play well on defence, have a hot rookie goaltender...actually they remind me of the Flames of '04. a little scary, but the flames can beat any team if they play thier game. IF. the Flames should win it this year, but the playoffs are so hard to predict. i still think they will, but its up to the players to play like they need to, and Kipper to play solid in the net. solid team defence will be important, like in the San Jose game the other day. even though the Flames lost, they played like they need to play going into the playoffs.
if the Flames lose the division, they will likely play Chicago. This appears to be a tough matchup as the Flames lost to Chicago all 4 times they played this season. but Chicago is mostly made up of young, smaller players. the Flames can crush them and thier inexperience. reg season means squat when teams play head to head in the playoffs. the only thing that worries me about Chicago is Khabibulin. He always plays rediculously well against the Flames.
no matter what happens, the Flames will play a tough but not elite team in the playoffs. its up to the Flames to win that first series no matter what. then hopefully its a date with Vancouver in the second round.
Go Flames!!
btw, the Hitmen are through to the second round of the playoffs after sweeping Edmonton.
the Roughnecks have clinched a playoff spot again, with a win over minnesota. they move to 9-3.
forgot to add, the Flames clinched a playoff spot tonight!!(its the division we want though)
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