Heritage Classic Another Slap in the Face to Quebec

I might understand the lack of French at yesterday's 'Heritage Classic" hockey game in Calgary, should it have been treated as just another NHL game, one of just 82, but that wasn't the case.

The whole patriotic affair was wrapped up in our flag, packaged and sold as a national celebration of Canadian hockey, complete with a flyby by the Snowbirds, the Canadian air force's demonstration team.  The event was hyped as such by the CBC and Hockey Night in Canada, otherwise why else broadcast the game nationally on a Sunday night?

It was most definitely not just another hockey game!

It may just come down to a case of bad manners, or perhaps more sadly a case of mean-spiritedness, something westerners are not generally known for, but the exclusion of French at this national event was disgraceful, repugnant and downright shameful.

It made the Vancouver Olympics opening ceremonies look downright inclusive.

What can you say about a broadcast that sings the Star-Spangled Banner in front of two Canadian teams in Canada to satisfy the twelve American viewers watching on the American cable channel VERSUS and forgets to sing O Canada bilingually in respect of the more than the million viewers from Quebec who are tuning in.
All it would have taken was a few French words in the national anthem and a couple of bilingual banners.  Too much to ask, really?

If the Flames organization forgot, the Montreal Canadiens were their guests and were good sports to participate in an extraordinary affair that would largely pay dividends to the home team.

Yeeeechhh............!!!!!!!!1

The Montreal Canadiens didn't seem to matter all, it's as if the Habs were playing the Washington Generals to the Calgary Flames, who were incidentally, so handsomely bedecked in uniforms that made the dead and buried Canadiens barbershop outfit look positively dashing.
At least Montreal had an excuse for wearing the horrifically ugly barbershop uniforms- they were authentic.
What idiot in the Flames organization dreamed up a pretend vintage uniform that is even uglier?

No, not even Tim Horton's could muster a word in French in its many humungous advertising banners splashed all around the stadium.  Pas une maudit mot!....

At any rate the whole event was tedious.
The local musical talent was hard to stomach with the anthems sung rather dully and the 'half-time' show another descent in musical hell with a shrieking blond, part of indie rockers Metric who are certainly no Arcade Fire. . PAINFUL!!!!
 Perhaps they need to move to the Mile End to hone their talents! 

The game looked like a exhibition match with all the players afraid to hit or be hit, with good reason.
The horrible ice insured that the Canadiens faster game would be neutralized and that the locals would get their dream come true.

I hope the Canadiens will never allow themselves to be used this shallowly again.

The Calgary Flames organization disrespected them and all Montreal Canadiens fans in Quebec.

Next time, let the Calgary Flames play with the Edmonton Oilers in a hundred degrees below zero and see if the rest of the country actually gives a crap.

Calgary chose the Montreal Canadiens for the fan interest and the gravitas that Canada's most storied franchise brought to the event.

Shame on the Calgary Flames , for inviting the guest of honour guest to their party and treating the team as a prop.

Shame on the NHL for encouraging this total disrespect!