2008 Stanley Cup goes to...

[Rupe]

I don't know where Utopia is but the series should be tied 1-1. I always call a spade a spade. All of the teams I would typically hope for are gone so it gives me a nice neutral position to view things from. The refs gave that game to Pitts...the second game, Pitts won. If you think Straka should have been penalized for interference then you don't know what interference is. It's one thing to make bad calls but when the game is down to a 'next goal wins' kind of situation (or the penalty could put a team into that situation) then either make accurate calls or keep the whistle in your pocket.


That was not a 'textbook kneeing' penalty at all.
It was weak as F...and it wasn't in the Pens game there Rupie.



There will be no 'fanboy posts' from me yet vehemently defending something that is clearly questionable is quite fanboyish not to mention 15 year-oldish.

First off, it WAS clearly a textbook kneeing penalty...your saying it was not just solidifies your ignorance, fanboy. Last year's rules changes clearly spell out penalties like this. I suppose you liked the game better in the late 90's when shitty players were allowed to clutch, grab, and obstruct in order to slow the game down and bring elite players down to their level? Thankfully, the league has done something about that Neanderthal style of play so the stars can shine once again.

Secondly, you commented on two games so I did as well...I'm well aware that the Pens aren't playing the Flyers (yet). Perhaps I should have separated my post into two paragraphs so those who rode the short bus could understand it better.

Nice effort to try and come off as credible though, fanboy.

[goodwood]

First off, it WAS clearly a textbook kneeing penalty...your saying it was not just solidifies your ignorance, fanboy.

No...first off...I can't believe you are 40 and calling people 'fanboy'. A fanboy would be someone that has picked a side and worships that side. Any of this sinking in?

Last year's rules changes clearly spell out penalties like this.

Every hockey analyst disagrees...but you're right on the money...hang on...I just rolled my eyes right out of my skull and popped them back in the sockets with dirt and dust bunnies all over them and I STILL SEE BETTER than you do.
Richards made contact with the shoulder Kovalev tried to make a cut at the last moment.

I suppose you liked the game better in the late 90's when shitty players were allowed to clutch, grab, and obstruct in order to slow the game down and bring elite players down to their level? Thankfully, the league has done something about that Neanderthal style of play so the stars can shine once again.

Richards IS a STAR.

Secondly, you commented on two games so I did as well...I'm well aware that the Pens aren't playing the Flyers (yet).

Really? Well you seem so oblivious that I had to consider the possibility that you thought all of the teams were on the same ice together.

Perhaps I should have separated my post into two paragraphs so those who rode the short bus could understand it better.

Whoah...a 'shortbus' joke...you are really cutting edge there Rupie.

Nice effort to try and come off as credible though, fanboy.

I don't 'make an effort to come off as credible' Rupie...I am credible and it takes no effort whatsoever. Psyche 101 will teach you about 'projection'...something that you practice but are so clearly unaware of. Furthermore, I'm from Canada...I have more hockey knowledge in my feces than you will ever have...so...


Now run along and let the grown-ups talk hockey. Go and play with the 15 year olds who call people 'fanboys'.

I suppose we can all agree that Avery is a dirty puke right?

[Rupe]

Great blowhard comeback. More hockey knowledge in your feces? That's clever. Actually, seeing as you are quite full of it, if there is any knowledge at all to be found you may have a point simply due to the sheer volume of the stuff. Speaking of projection, you are projecting a lack of credibility very well. So you're a Canadian huh? That makes you an expert on Hockey? Apparently you were off players with dolls when you should have been paying attention to the game fundamentals.

OK, we can throw insults back and forth all day. From this point on, I'll keep it to hockey.

Now, back to the knee. Yes, Richards did make contact with his shoulder, but watch his knee extend at the same time. Now, watch how Kovalev fell...he went down as a result of the knee, not the shoulder. It's plain as day if you watch the mechanics of the fall. Calls like that have been made all season...you can't stop in the playoffs.

Knowing that I'm a Pens fan, I surprised that you've refrained from bringing up the premature whistle on the game tying goal yesterday. If were a Rangers fan, I'd be pissed about that one. As badly as they were outplayed, they still would have had a chance to win had that call not gone against them.

And we can definitely agree, Avery IS a dirty puke.

[CharvelRocker]

Now, back to the knee. Yes, Richards did make contact with his shoulder, but watch his knee extend at the same time. Now, watch how Kovalev fell...he went down as a result of the knee, not the shoulder. It's plain as day if you watch the mechanics of the fall. Calls like that have been made all season...you can't stop in the playoffs.

And this is the problem with the refs. They call on result, not what really happened. They see a guy on an ice, they make a call, no matter how he got there.

[Rupe]

I have to disagree with that. I'm not saying they always get it right, but there are plenty of correct no-calls on clean hits. Philly will be at a disadvantage this series though because the refs look for them to commit penalties and Montreal seems to draw more than their fair share.

I would have said the same thing regarding the Pens/Rangers until the Rangers got two power plays in the final 5 minutes on marginal calls...but legit calls nonetheless.

[Bengal]

How is someone living in Denver a Pens fan and not an Avs fan? Transplanted Pittsburgher?

2-0 Detroit. Game 3 Tuesday. (What's with this 2 days in between crap? Travel day? Sucks balls is what it is)

Liking the series so far. I have not watched much else but I did watch some of the Pens/Rangers game yesterday. That whistle did seem premature but the refs are trained to blow it when they can't see the puck. You couldn't see the puck so I guess it was a good whistle. But I'm not a Rangers fan so if I was, I'm sure I'd see it the other way. Pittsburgh looks pretty good though.

[Rupe]

Yeah, I've only been in Denver for 3 1/2 years...I'm still black and gold through and through.

You're exactly right on the ref blowing the whistle when he lost sight of the puck...he did the right thing. It would still be hard to swallow if it went against my team. That said, the Rangers coach even said it was the right call.

Detroit is simply a better team than the Avs...I think the West is theirs to lose. They've looked awesome these past two games.

[goodwood]

Great blowhard comeback.

Is that how you class superior and devastating? I thought you'd be impressed. Maybe I should have thrown a few 'fanboys' or 'shortbuses' in there!!:ROTF:
You get 5 for instigating.

Apparently you were off players with dolls when you should have been paying attention to the game fundamentals.

Great English. Maybe you should have been paying attention to the keyboard.

Now, back to the knee. Yes, Richards did make contact with his shoulder, but watch his knee extend at the same time.

Richards' knee was 'out' because you can't change direction without turning the leg-I've been on skates enough times to know that in that semi-crouched ready position it would be impossible to turn otherwise. Some of the angles make it look like an intentional knee but if you watch this at 00:30-00:35...the entire motion is for a shoulder check.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP0yAdHc0ck

There is even an arm follow-through. Who follows-through on a knee with an arm? Nobody. Kovalev should have either put on the brakes or chosen another option because the knee contact was HIS OWN fault. If cupcake can't take a check then cupcake shouldn't be playing. No textbook knee there.

Knowing that I'm a Pens fan, I surprised that you've refrained from bringing up the premature whistle on the game tying goal yesterday. If were a Rangers fan, I'd be pissed about that one.

Why would I? I'm not a Rangers fan and I'm not petty. I call it as it is.

And we can definitely agree, Avery IS a dirty puke.

As is Downie...and Hartnell too.

[Bengal]

I think it is theirs to lose. And if the past is any indication, they will find a way to lose it.

[goodwood]

Yeah, I've only been in Denver for 3 1/2 years...I'm still black and gold through and through.

Great...you like the Boston Bruins!!!

Detroit is simply a better team than the Avs...I think the West is theirs to lose. They've looked awesome these past two games.

They have unbelievable scouts in Europe...apparently the guy makes $100,000 per year. That crazy defenseman Kronwall is the next Lidstrom and nobody even knew about him. There are many players on Detroit like that. It has been something like 17 seasons in which they haven't had a top ten pick and just look at them...I know free agency helps too but their scouting is above and beyond.

[CharvelRocker]

As is Downie...and Hartnell too.

Downie needs some self control. Kind of like Ron Hextall actually; he can fight you, but he is good at his position. Give Downie a year and not only will you fear him for the fact he can hurt you physically. Right now, he and Cote are the best type of enforcers; no one is going to do anything knowing they are on the ice as they are both freaks.

Hartnell is not so much of a thug... the more I watch him, he is more stupid than anything.

[Rupe]

Hartnell is a complete liability and he's definitely stupid. He seems to take his cheap shots at the most inopportune times for the Flyers.

[Spivonious]

I think Hartnell is a great all-around player. Sure some of his shots are cheap, but he almost always gets called on it so he'll calm down eventually.

I didn't see this one since it was my anniversary last night, but what did Hatcher do to get the major boarding penalty? I saw the highlight and yeah it was probably boarding, but why 5 minutes? The guy he hit didn't even seem dazed.

[goodwood]

Maybe the push to punish the act rather than punish according to the results of the act. On one hand it is logical but opens the door for the better actors/divers...not that it applies in the Hatcher one but it seems to be a hot button topic time to time.

I think the difference between Hartnell and Downie is that Hartnell can play hockey more than one dimensionally. Downie to me is someone who has no respect for anyone. His crazy hit in pre-season (or maybe early on in regular?) and his punch in Blake's eye while the refs were holding him were two particularly terrible things.

[CharvelRocker]

goodwood, have you seen Downie play? He is a scorer. Just one with a temper, kind of like Tocchet used to be. Hextall was a great goalie, and not just a psycho too. Downie is nuts, but is going to be a solid scorer as well. He can probably make 25-30 point seasons if he is careful enough not to spend time in the box.

Spiv, I have one reason: Montreal is the only Canadian team left, and the refs are trying to keep it that way. It probably could of been a 4 minute double minor, but the 5 minute major was a joke. Likewise, early on, Lapierre (SP?) should of gotten a third man in game misconduct when he jumped in on Downie in that fight after Downie accidentally hit Price's skate going for the puck.