EDMONTON — We thought the Battle of Alberta was getting soft. We never thought, however, that it would turn into a pillow fight at a sorority house.
Let’s face it: The Edmonton Oilers watch Sheldon Souray get railroaded into the end boards by Calgary captain Jarome Iginla and lose him for the game — at least — and do nothing more than stand around and watch? No one takes a run at Iginla? Nobody takes a run at anyone…?
Then, some five minutes later, Ethan Moreau politely asks Iginla for a scrap. Of course, when Moreau falls during the bout, Iginla respectfully stops swinging until Moreau can get back up and defend himself. Then the linesmen step in, to ensure that no further violence ensues.
It was a pathetic chapter in a once great rivalry. Today’s Flames and Oilers remind us of the sons who inherit their father’s lifelong, thriving business and run it into the ground.
What the heck ever happened to two provincial rivals who once harboured innate hatred for each other? These two teams, if it weren’t for charter flights we suspect, you’d see them at the bar after the game buying each other rounds.
Then, as if this Battle had not plumbed to embarrassing depths all on its own, ESPN Magazine released its picture of Moreau, Souray and Andrew Cogliano, all standing around the dressing room buck naked swapping laughs.
Like, that’s what we all do after a good game of hockey right boys? Strip down, hang a helmet over our helmet, and linger with two other naked men talking about…
What?
Fashion?
Oilers Pride?
Look — we’re not saying that those three Oilers are not avowed heterosexuals, just as we’re not saying that Iginla is a dirty player. But the trip on Souray closely resembled a dirty, dangerous play by the Flames captain.
And that picture?
Well, let me tell you, girlfriend. That ESPN art made me question whether Souray left Thursday’s game with a mild concussion, or a disco-related injury.
Hey – maybe that big, stay-at-home defenceman the Oilers need is leaning up against the bar right now at Buddy’s Nightclub. And her name is Rick.
Oilers coach Pat Quinn obviously went too far when he stated post-game, “If (the Iginla trip) would have happened in the old days he would have got hit over the head with a stick right after. That’s the way you used to deal with it.”
Remember the sports writer in Ottawa who suggested a few years back that the Senators break Sidney Crosby’s ankle? You’d have to be a full-blooded idiot to suggest someone intentionally injure Iginla, my choice for Team Canada’s captain in Vancouver, who said after the game, “I definitely didn’t mean to do it.”
But for the Oilers to stand around while Iginla carelessly injures one of their players, and not do a thing about it for five minutes?
There was a time when you had to have big, er, hockey helmets to take part in the Battle of Alberta.
Those days, it is obvious, have long passed.
