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Flames’ Gaudreau wasn’t happy with benching in Game 1

Los Angeles Kings v Calgary Flames

Los Angeles Kings v Calgary Flames

NHLI via Getty Images

With the Calgary Flames trailing the Anaheim Ducks 4-0 heading into the third period on Thursday night, Bob Hartley elected to sit Johnny Gaudreau for the final 20 minutes.

Gaudreau’s final shift of the hockey game ended with 2:57 remaining in the second period.

Hartley felt the Ducks “were taking way too many liberties” on Gaudreau.

The Calder Trophy finalist was the recipient of a hit from behind courtesy Nate Thompson early in the second period.

On Friday Hartley admitted the 21-year-old was not happy watching as his teammates fell 6-1 at the Honda Center.

“I believe he wasn’t OK with this,” said Hartley per the Calgary Herald. “When I told him early in the third period and I told him why wasn’t playing. Johnny wants to be on the ice.”

Gaudreau, who has two goals and four assists in seven playoff games, agreed it was tough to watch.

“Yeah, I mean watching the guys out there skate to a 5-0 game, in a physical game like that,” he said. “I want to be out there with him. But you’ve gotta listen to the coach. He knows what’s best.”

After scoring 24 goals and 64 points in 80 regular season games, Gaudreau feels he can still be better as the series continues Sunday in Anaheim.

“Obviously I need to play better and play harder,” he said. “It was a 5-0 game at that point so I don’t know what the coach was really thinking at that time. But I think I’m going to come out flying in the second game and make sure I’m a little bit better.”

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