Wray Morrison: Healthy hate

An Oct. 8 hockey game will likely be meaningless to both the Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings come spring when NHL teams are battling for playoff positions. However, Tuesday’s battle at the Saddledome was must-see TV.

Drew Doughty of the Kings and Matthew Tkachuk of the Flames have a feud that dates back to last year. They have a healthy hate for one another. Both had talked about how Tuesday night was going to be fun. The chance of fireworks drew many people to their televisions.

What was interesting was how both stars channeled their emotions into amazing performances. Tkachuk had a three-point night with seven hits and no penalty minutes. Doughty had three points and four hits and scored the overtime winner with no penalty minutes. It was impressive how both stars used a respectful, healthy hate for motivation and not retribution in putting team ahead of themselves.

The teams meet again a week from Saturday in L.A. It will likely be another meaningless matchup come spring of 2020, but one I’ll again wait for and watch.