Like watching a train wreck in slow motion

Like really slow motion. Like you've been expecting it for nearly four years.

This is basically how I feel about the Flames' seven-game slide and subsequent fall from playoff contention. You see it coming, and still can't look away, watching with some kind of sick sense of amusement, just waiting for something big to happen.

And here it is. Mired in an 0-7 slump and with a record of 1-8-1 in their last ten games, the Flames are now down three forwards (Dawes, Moss, Conroy), while the health of others is questionable (Glencross, Lundmark, Sarich, Regehr). On top of that, the ones that are playing can't buy a goal and look about as interested in playing hockey as Patrick Kane does in classy women and being a good role model for young Americans.

And there's more where that came from. A big thanks to Kurtenblog for brightening my day with these gems.

Anyways, the Flames' latest attempt at igniting their dormant offence involves 2007 first-round draft pick Mikael Backlund (10-12-22, -4, 26 PIM), or as he will henceforth be referred to around these parts, Mikey B. It appears as though Lil' Mikey will be thrown right into the proverbial fire tomorrow night in Dallas, suiting up alongside Jarome Iginla in hopes of snapping the Captain's 0-11 scoring drought.

Good luck, kid.

In other news, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies announced today that they plan to appeal Patrice Cormier's season-ending suspension in hopes that he will be able to return for the playoffs and help them contend for a Memorial Cup. The Huskies gave up a lot to get Cormier and other players in anticipation for an extended playoff run, so it is understandable that they would want him back in their lineup, but this decision just seems like a slap in the face to junior hockey, the Quebec Remparts, and Mikael Tam and his family. In my humble opinion, the Huskies should shut up, put their collective heads down, and honour Cormier's punishment; which I still believe is too light, given that his suspension ends if/when the Huskies are eliminated from the playoffs.

Cormier himself issued a short statement saying: "I respect the decision of the QMJHL even if I find it too severe. I deeply regret the circumstances surrounding this event and I wish Mikael Tam a full and speedy recovery. Thanks for your attention."

He declined to answer questions on the team's decision to appeal his suspension.

Around the League...

Wayne Primeau wore the goat horns for the Leafs in their loss to the Kings tonight, as his turnover led to a Jared Stoll goal, which sealed the Blue and White's fate in a 5-3 final. Thank God we rid ourselves of that bum and his deadweight salary, right? Wait...crap.

Finally, I'd like to welcome a new Flames blog to the 'Sphere: Dome Beers. In its short existence, it has already made its way onto the Flames Nation blog roll, which is no small feat and something I'm totally jealous of. Do yourself a favour and pay them a visit.

Up Next: The Flames drop into Big D to kick off a two-game roadie tomorrow night (6:30PM, Fan 960).

Go Flames Go.

Mikael Tam speaks

As a follow-up to my last post, here is some video of the press conference that Mikael Tam, the victim of Patrice Cormier's vicious elbow last weekend, held today in Quebec:

See more from TSN here and here.

First off, it is beyond wonderful to see him out of hospital and addressing the media without any visible ailments, apart from a few missing teeth, given how severe the injury appeared at the time. Remember, the trainer who attended to Tam admitted that he thought the kid was dead. Tam doesn't address his playing future or any possible return date, as it is probably too early in the rehabilitation process to determine. I imagine we'll hear more from him upon learning Cormier's fate on Monday, since Tam was prevented from discussing Cormier or the hit in today's statement. In the minds of Mikael Tam's family, no punishment will likely be severe enough for the man who almost ended their loved one's life, nevermind his playing career. Yesterday, Zack Kassian was suspended twenty games by the Ontario Hockey League following this hit on Matt Kennedy, who is now considering retirement at age twenty after sustaining his fifth concussion.

Perhaps the most heartbreaking part of the whole video is when he talks about wondering if his family and friends would stick by him in the case of a life-altering injury; I can't begin to imagine how lonely and painful that must have been.

The worst part of the whole clip, however, was having to watch replays of the hit in the background. I found myself turning away from the television when I saw it on Sportsnet earlier tonight.

As expected, Cormier released an exclusive statement to RDS denying any attempt to injure Tam, but took responsibility for his actions and their consequences. He also claimed that he has tried to contact Tam on several occasions to express his remorse, but was prevented from doing so by the Remparts.

Needless to say, I wish Mikael Tam a speedy and successful recovery and hope to see him playing again someday soon.

There's also the small matter of the Flames dropping their sixth straight game and falling into ninth place in the West, but I'll address that at another time (i.e. tomorrow).

On Cormier...

I actually wrote this yesterday, but then the Debacle of Otherworldly Proportions happened and I got distracted. Anyways, here's my two cents on the Cormier issue:

I don't know much about Patrice Cormier's junior career outside of his stints with the Canadian national Junior team and, obviously, recent developments, but his use of his elbows to inflict damage on opposing players has earned him comparisons to a young Chris Pronger. Cormier, as TSN's Bob McKenzie points out, had a reputation as a hard-working, physical, energy guy before this year's World Junior Championship, but still had a tendency to cross the line and has been suspended previously, for two games in 2008.

Discipline was an issue for Cormier at last year's tournament, and when he delivered two dangerous hits to the head to Sweden's Anton Rodin and Finland's Teemu Hartikainen during pre-competition play, those problems were reinforced. After head coach Willie Desjardins had a little chat with Cormier and stressed the importance of discipline with all his players, it seemed he had turned a corner and made limited trips to the sin bin for the remainder of the tournament. Then comes this hit on the Remparts' Mikael Tam. I suppose it could be argued that since Cormier didn't face any supplementary discipline for his actions at the WJHC and wasn't forced to own up to anything, he didn't learn from his mistakes. The case can also be made that the two incidents involving Cormier weren't the only displays of "dirty" play at the tournament. However, this hit and the resulting injury represents a new level of irresponsible, disrespectful, and just plain stupid play.

Cormier was escorted off the ice while medical staff attended to the eighteen-year-old defenceman, who was experiencing seizures and reportedly stopped breathing for thirty-seconds. He was listed as in stable condition, with a broken jaw, missing teeth, and "trauma to the skull and brain," and has been released from hospital after results from a brain scan were deemed "normal." The QMJHL has responded by suspending Cormier indefinitely, and the Quebec Remparts are supposedly considering pressing criminal charges, likely citing intent to injure due to the way Cormier leapt off the bench on a line change and made a beeline for a vulnerable Tam.

Devils GM Lou Lamoriello defended his prospect, saying he spoke with Cormier and doesn't believe a season-long suspension is necessary. Defending a member of your organization is understandable and commendable, but surely Lou would feel differently if the roles were reversed and it was his player laying motionless on the ice after a vicious hit? Does he really want to take the chance that Cormier will repeat his actions at the NHL level? Chris Pronger has earned a reputation for dirty and undisciplined play; he isn't going to win any sportsmanship awards, but he's a leader and a winner, and is still one of the most effective defencemen in the league. It's too early to tell whether or not Cormier will follow the same path.

Perhaps there was a little bit of bad luck involved. Maybe the intent to injure wasn't there as it appears in the video. We will probably never know, but there is no question that there is no place for Cormier's actions in the game of hockey, especially at the junior level. If junior hockey is going to turn the corner and make an example of Cormier, now is their chance. It must be frustrating to be Colin Campbell, David Branch, or Gill Courteau. It seems like no rules and no disciplinary actions are forceful enough to dissuade players from making irresponsible, reckless decisions on the ice. This is an ongoing and disturbing trend amongst not only Canadian junior hockey players, but NHL-level players as well, and it needs to be stopped at all costs. Hockey is a tough sport, without question, and is not for everyone, but players' lives are being endangered; there is a lot more than the sanctity of the game at stake here. Admitting that our game is flawed is perhaps the hardest part, but it's a necessary first step in finding a solution.