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Flames fire coach Keenan after playoff elimination

VANCOUVER
Fri May 22, 2009 7:21pm EDT
In this file photo Calgary Flames head coach Mike Keenan stands behind the bench in Detroit, Michigan December 10, 2008. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Mike Keenan was sacked as coach of the Calgary Flames on Friday, three weeks after his team were beaten in the first round of the playoffs for the second season in a row.

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Calgary ended the regular season with a 46-30-6 record in the Western Conference but were eliminated by the Chicago Blackhawks in six games in the playoffs.

"Our team did not meet expectations," Flames general manager Darryl Sutter said in a statement.

"Following detailed evaluation ... and 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.

"The Calgary Flames organization appreciates and respects Mike for accepting the opportunity to come to Calgary and are thankful for his efforts over the past two years."

Keenan was appointed head coach of the Flames in June 2007 and leaves the club with a regular season record of 88-60-16.

Sutter said other members of the coaching staff were also subject to further review and evaluation.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)
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