Gameday Primer: Flames go Mohawk

SAN JOSE -- The Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks begin what is expected to be a tough, physical series tonight at the HP Pavilion.

And, if looking tough is going to help win, the Flames may have an edge as about seven players, including captain Jarome Iginla and veteran Craig Conroy -- he acted as barber and ringleader -- are sporting the Mohawk haircut look. Others who took the sheers to their heads were defenceman Jim Vandermeer and forwards Matthew Lombardi, David Moss, Eric Nystrom and Dustin Boyd.

"Last year we didn't do anything," said Conroy, who cut the hair of Moss and Nystrom at the rink on Tuesday.

"A few guys were doing it. It was an impulse thing," said a smiling Moss. It's one of those things, that, in the playoffs, you want to do something as a group of guys. Playoff beards and things like that were started for a reason. Maybe we can get the Mohawks going."

Was there any though of dying the hair a particular colour? "No, Connie does gray. That's natural," joked Moss, firing a friendly shot at the outgoing Conroy.

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FlamesCast: Eric Nystrom  FlamesCast: Adrian Aucoin

 Conroy, one of the oldest players on the team, said he's not sure how his kids are going to react but that the haircuts keep things loose. "It's always a tense time in the playoffs and this will loosen things up a bit,"said Conroy.

There's no word on whether more players pan to join the Mohawk club. "I asked Mike (head coach Mike Keenan) bit he didn't want to get it done."

THE ROSTER: The Flames did not fully declare who would be playing in Game 1 but it would appear F Dustin Boyd and D Anders Eriksson will be sitting. The Flames will skate 13 forwards in the warm-up and make a decision at game time on who else will sit. D Rhett Warrener (ankle) and F Mark Smith (head, neck) are definitely out.

QUOTABLE: "We've gotten bigger. We've gotten stronger The younger players have learned what it takes to win in the playoffs" -- Shark Joe Thornton on the upgrades the Sharks have made since last season the playoffs.

WORTH NOTING: Sharks bench boss Ron Wilson isn't always about line-matching. The Flames, however, would like to get checkers out when Joe Thornton is on the ice. That's not easily done without the last change. There could be some interesting match-ups in Game 1...When you flick on the television tonight you'll notice some new markings on the ice. There are big Stanley Cup logos inside both bluelines and an NHl logo behind both nets...Calgary coach Mike Keenan wants his A Team to show up tonight. "We want to play the type of game that we have played from time to time throughout the season that is based on stingy, close to the vest defence with good goaltending and good special teams, he said.