Just when you've seen it all

It is easy to believe that after witnessing 30 or more years of hockey at many different levels you've seen it all.

That was until now; no one told me about the emotions displayed in the aftermath of a 9-0 loss.

The reality of that result is what faced the Flames after ending a difficult road trip in the home of the Stanley Cup champions and a team looking the part to make a legitimate run at repeating the feat.

Every member of the Flames sat despondent; equally embarrassed and defeated as each waited to talk to the media and face the music of a Bruin-administered pounding.

It was surreal. Seeing the players' reaction, one can imagine how those in the public opinion line of fire -- Brent Sutter and Jay Feaster -- were feeling.

Put aside the road trip and the 11 of 13 games on the road. Forget about the myriad of injuries. What happened Thursday was a hockey catastrophe.

The question now turns to, 'What happens next?' If you pose that question to Sutter, he will tell you the beauty of hockey is the Flames play at home Saturday against Minnesota.

Meaning: The team has a chance to forget.

I don't doubt the man. But the next question in the sequence needs to be, 'How?'