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Wednesday, January 22
 
Flames' mascot on short leash after MacTavish episode

Associated Press

CALGARY, Alberta -- Harvey the Hound is in the doghouse for his incessant yapping that prompted Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish to rip out the Calgary mascot's tongue.

Harvey was reprimanded by the Flames on Tuesday for his behavior behind the Oilers' bench late in Monday's game.

"Usually he's our seventh man, but this time perhaps he went too far," team spokesman Peter Hanlon said.

Hanlon said the team was not contacted by the league and no grievance was filed.

Harvey has been the team mascot for 19 years. According to a Flames' Web site, he is 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds. He was expected to be at Thursday's home game against Phoenix.

The Flames were leading the Oilers 4-0 with seven minutes left in third period when Harvey drew Edmonton's ire by hanging over the bench.

MacTavish said the mascot was taunting the team. He ripped out Harvey's red, foot-long tongue, threw it into the crowd and then threatened to hit the hound with a hockey stick before a trainer calmed the coach.

The Oilers responded with three quick goals in the Flames' 4-3 victory.

MacTavish laughed about the encounter after the game and again Tuesday. He said Flames officials were apologetic.

"I just thought it was inappropriate, to put it as subtle as possible, to be over the glass taunting us at that point in the game," MacTavish said. "But you see that tape once and you quickly forget about the frustration of the hockey game."

"I saw it," said Flames coach Darryl Sutter, rolling his eyes. "I also saw that it was one of the things that got them going."




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 Tongue Tied
Oilers coach Craig MacTavish takes out his frustration on Flames mascot Harvey the Hound.
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