CALGARY, Alberta — Mike Keenan was fired as coach of the Flames on Friday, almost a month after his team lost in the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Keenan spent just two seasons with Calgary, and general manager Darryl Sutter said expectations were not met.
“Taking into consideration all factors affecting our season-ending result, we believe this is a necessary change required to allow our team to continue toward our objective of winning the Stanley Cup,” Sutter said.
The Flames finished the regular season with 46 wins and 98 points, but they were ousted in the first round in six games by the Blackhawks.
Keenan, who had one year remaining on his contract, leaves Calgary with an 88-60-16 regular-season record.
Datsyuk misses Game 3
CHICAGO — Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk missed Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against the Blackhawks because of a sore foot.
The MVP finalist was hit with a puck Tuesday night in Game 2. He missed practice Thursday and didn’t participate in Friday morning’s skate.
Canadien undergoes surgery
MONTREAL — Canadiens forward Maxim Lapierre is expected to be ready for training camp in September after having ankle surgery.
The Associated Press
