The Calgary Flames went into a defensive shell yesterday in the face of an all-out attack from detractors who wanted to know why the NHL team got special H1N1 vaccinations while millions of Canadians have had to stand in line for hours waiting for theirs.

News that the Flames and their family members had been inoculated at a special clinic last Friday created instant uproar and a political scandal at the provincial legislature yesterday. Politicians wanted to know how an NHL team was allowed to jump the queue and called for an investigation while an untold number of Calgarians called the Flames' front office to vent their anger.

The Flames released a statement and answered questions but never acknowledged any wrong doing. "We sought counsel and guidance on this matter and determined it appropriate given the facts available at the time," the statement said pointing out it had all been arranged through Alberta Health Services. "We accept full responsibility for our actions and decisions."

When interviewed yesterday, the Flames' players were of the same mindset and insisted they were only following instructions from the team. Flames captain Jarome Iginla said the players didn't believe, or even realize, they were cutting in front of those who may have been in high-risk groups in need of the vaccination.

"For us as a group of players, we were following the medical protocol given to us. Today, we can see ... that they're stopping [the inoculations] and that there's a shortage," Iginla said. "So yeah, we can understand why people might be upset."

Flames defenseman Robyn Regehr admitted he was "pretty happy" to have received the shot.

"You're hearing all kinds of things — and having to go across the border [the Flames travelled to Dallas yesterday], they say you might need it, so at that point, we had the option and I took it as a player."