The state of the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks in the standings likely dictates that their rivalry is lower on the NHL totem pole, but that doesn’t mean the hatred isn’t there. Apparently the two teams’ head coaches are already developing some serious disdain in their first years going head-to-head.
Canucks bench boss John Tortorella did his best to hold his tongue about Paul Byron’s hit on Daniel Sedin, yet he still acknowledged his distaste for Bob Hartley of the Flames.
Torts: "It was embarrassing" to coach in the same game as Hartley given what was going on after Daniel was injured
— Jason Botchford (@botchford) April 14, 2014
Torts: I shouldn't say anything but it pisses me off. I don't like the way he does business. I don't like him.
— Jason Botchford (@botchford) April 14, 2014
Update: Here’s full video with Torts’ comments:
On the bright side, Tortorella was able to keep those bad feelings in check enough to avoid visiting the Flames locker room this time around
Here’s another look at Byron’s hit on Sedin from Sunday:
Not surprisingly, the situation prompted differing viewpoints from different teams. Byron defended it:
#Flames LW Paul Byron on hit on D. Sedin: "I didn't think it was a dirty hit — that wasn't my itention. I just hope he's OK."
— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) April 14, 2014
... While Daniel’s twin brother thought otherwise:
#Canucks Henrik Sedin on Paul Byron major for boarding on Daniel Sedin: "I watched the replay, he runs his head into the boards."
— Cam Tucker (@CamTucker_Sport) April 14, 2014
It’s still early, but perhaps the most important takeaway is that Daniel Sedin appears OK, at least so far:
#Canucks Henrik Sedin says he spoke to his brother Daniel during 2nd intermission. "...He seemed in a good mood."
— Cam Tucker (@CamTucker_Sport) April 14, 2014