NHL Rules On Calgary

After yesterday's fiasco during Game 5 of the Red Wings/Flames series, the league handed down its final ruling, according to Mike Emrick on NBC's telecast of today's Lightning/Devils game.

Goaltender Jamie McLennan has been suspended five games. I have no idea who Calgary's third-string goalie is but I'll guess we'll find out tonight. Flames coach Jim Playfair was fined $25,000. Rather hefty but necessary. And the organization as a whole was fined $100,000.

The NHL sent a clear message about players and teams taking cheap shots. It'll be interesting to see how the Flames take it tonight and if they can manage to stay alive in the series. Detroit is up 3-2 and can close the series tonight in Calgary.

UPDATE (2:41): Just did some quick research. Looks like the Flames have a goalie in the AHL who's been pretty hot. His name is Curtis McElhinney and he plays for the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights. If it is McElhinney, he's got a long flight ahead of him today (unless Calgary was smart and called him up last night). If it's not, I have no idea who it will be.

UPDATE (9:58): I was wrong. Turns out they called up Omaha's backup goalie, Brent Krahn to replace McLennan. During the regular AHL season, Krahn played 28 games and posted a 2.42 goals-against average and .905 save percentage. The Knights are in the Calder Cup Playoffs but McElhinney is the starter.