Calgary Herald
February 12, 2002
By Scott Cruickshank

While holding Bryan Allen at arm's-length, Bob Boughner did some quick calculations on Saturday night.

Let's see, he thought, Robyn Regehr is already hurt and Denis Gauthier looks like he's about to get a penalty. Maybe fighting is a bad idea.

Regardless, the Calgary Flames' belligerent blue-liner wanted a definitive answer to his third-period question - Am I allowed to punch out this guy or not?

So Boughner, with the Vancouver Canucks' big youngster still dangling from his right fist, shouted across the ice to the Flames' bench, conveying his wishes.

Coach Greg Gilbert shook his head.

"He gave me the red light - no fighting," chuckled Boughner, who, less than two minutes later, set up the deciding goal in the 4-3 decision.

"I was licking my chops because I had a lot of battles going out there. That's what you get in a tense game. You're going to see a lot more of that coming down the line here. It's playoff hockey for us."

Indeed, it was the Flames' grittiest showing in weeks - by far.



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