GDFD No. 3: Revenge of the Squid!

14 years ago

Welcome to the Game Day Fire Drill, for this, Calgary’s third game of the season on Oct. 6, 2009.

Growing up in Boston as I did, I have a healthy dislike for Montreal. As a Massachusetts-based hockey fan, you’re taught that there are three things you’re meant to hate: Ulf Sammuelsson, Bobby Clarke, and everything about the Canadiens.

So yes, outside the Oilers and Canucks, the Canadiens are my least favorite team, but because the Flames don’t play them very often, there’s not much practical application there. Besides, the Canadiens were awful last year and seemed to get worse in the off-season, so why even bother caring, really?

Except now, Mike Cammalleri’s back, and while I have no specific dislike of the former Flame (unlike most Calgary fans who seem more than happy to throw open the coffers to re-sign any and every former Flame they possibly can), I at least now have an interest in rooting against him besides, "He didn’t sign up for more fun in Calgary."

He’s a Canadien, and I really don’t like those guys at all. I’m hoping Dion Phaneuf puts him into orbit.

Who:

The Calgary Flames (2-0-0 for 4 points. Tied for first in the West, tied for first in the Northwest) and the Montreal Canadiens (2-0-0 for 4 points. Tied for first in the East, tied for first in the Northeast).

When:

7 p.m. Mountain time and 9 p.m. Eastern time. All other time zones should invest in micropigs. You’ll get the tiniest little bacon ever.

Where:

Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta. Calgary is 1-0-0 at home with a 5-3 win over Vancouver, and Montreal is 2-0-0 on the road, having beaten both Toronto and Buffalo in overtime.

What (you can hate about the Canadiens):

Hal Gill — I’ve never been a big fan of his. Back when he was still playing for Providence College, he took a penalty. My seats were directly behind the box and he spent the entire two minutes standing up. When I loudly suggested that he sit down so that I could watch the game (he’s very tall, you see), he rudely replied that I should go do something to myself that is biologically impossible. I was 12 at the time.

Brian Gionta — Another college hockey story. The team I supported as a child, which eventually became my college of choice and then my alma mater, never beat Gionta’s Boston College Eagles in the entirety of the four years he was there. I was never happy about that.

Carey Price — While I have no further personal experiences with anyone else on the Habs (Scott Gomez once cost me a fantasy pool championship and some serious money, but that’s neither here nor there), Price just doesn’t seem very likeable, does he?

Quebec — It’s crummy.

Why?

Because it’ll be a lot easier to follow the game without two Kostitsyns in the ice. Be sure to comment a lot down below this post!