Calgary Flames Coach Bob Hartley Gets Fined

Photo Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Bob Hartley, coach of the Calgary Flames, has been fined $25,000 for his part in the chaos that ensued during Saturday night’s game against the Vancouver Canucks. John Tortorella has been suspended 15 days, the equivalent of 6 games, for his actions in the hallway outside of the Flames dressing room.

On the Flames website, Colin Campbell is quoted as saying that Hartley was “responsible for the actions of Flames right wing Kevin Westgarth, who took the game’s opening faceoff and attempted to instigate a premeditated fight with an unwilling opponent — the Canucks’ Kevin Bieksa.”

Let’s take another look at the clip from the faceoff on Flames TV.

To me, it looks as though Kevin Westgarth hugged Kevin Bieksa and then walked away when the refs split them up, which means that there is nothing for Hartley to be responsible for – there was no fight.

Brian Burke made a statement today, standing behind Hartley’s decision to put in the fourth line during the game against the Vancouver Canucks.

I agree with Burke and I stand behind Hartley’s decision to start whoever he wants at the opening faceoff. I also agree with Charlie Simmer, who, during the pregame commentary, questioned whether or not the league will have to approve the starting line-ups from now on.