Special by: Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald

As a hockey player, Brennan Evans is used to making split-second decisions. Operating in heavy traffic is standard. But this? This is ridiculous. A bundle of raw nerves and mere hours away from his first taste of National Hockey League action --Game 3 of the Calgary Flames' playoff series against the Detroit Red Wings, no less--Evans needs to get to the Pengrowth Saddledome.

Shortly after driving away from his downtown hotel, however, the young defenceman is horrified to discover that he's in a traffic jam. Rush-hour congestion and a Macleod Trail car crash are conspiring to spoil his dream. ("Brutal. So brutal.")

One option?"Parking my car (in the middle of the street) and running to the rink. Just let 'em tow it. I'll throw a note on there to let them know what's going on. They'll understand,"Evans is saying the other day from his current hockey home, Des Moines, base of the American Hockey League's Iowa Chops.

For the rest of the story about Evans playoff experience, click here.