Stanley Cup Playoffs 2007

Charles Anthony · May 21, 2007

You have to admit though, NHL refereeing has gotten a lot better since the league tightened up on the cheap shots.

No. I do not agree.

I see "hooking" calls arising from light inconsequential touches while tripping frequently goes unnoticed.

When does it get to the point where the real NHL fans will have more say than the Miami beach and Longbeach surfers and we get the reffing the game deserves?

-- when Southern teams go out of business or no longer draw crowds or the other teams manage to draw more advertizing revenue.

What do you think of this idea for next years playoffs?
The teams are ranked according to points only. No divisions or conferences used for ranking.

You mean change the way points are counted AGAIN so that Ottawa does not get the President's Trophy?

The top 7 teams pick who they want to play. Can be anyone who is in the playoffs. Created instant animosity amongst the teams.I like it.

I like the concept too except that I wonder if it will succeed commercially. You would have to map out the regular season schedule. Will teams play eachother an equal number of times?

This past year, Ottawa played Detroit only once and never played Anaheim. Weird. Maybe that means the Ducks are not even worthy to be beaten by the Senators.

geoffrey · May 21, 2007

You have to admit though, NHL refereeing has gotten a lot better since the league tightened up on the cheap shots.
No. I do not agree.
I see "hooking" calls arising from light inconsequential touches while tripping frequently goes unnoticed.

Strongly agreed.

I think the other part of the officating I don't like is how they don't allow players to fight as much as they used to. I think that's one of the big reasons behind all the cheap shots, before you had to pay a price if you laid a dirty shot... now the refs protect you. Look at the abuse the goalies take now, a few scraps would at least convince some of the smaller guys from taking constant runs at the net.

Argus · May 21, 2007

I think the other part of the officating I don't like is how they don't allow players to fight as much as they used to. I think that's one of the big reasons behind all the cheap shots, before you had to pay a price if you laid a dirty shot... now the refs protect you. Look at the abuse the goalies take now, a few scraps would at least convince some of the smaller guys from taking constant runs at the net.

My take is that referees are too easily influenced by coaches and fans, and too dedicated to the idea of "not influencing the game". During the second period intermission, the local ottawa announcers was saying "watch out", because the Senators had been given too many more power plays than Buffalo, so the refs would be looking to even it up in the third period. They'd be calling almost anything they could against Ottawa until the numbers looked even. Sure enough. That was what happened, and Buffalo got the tying goal on a 5 on 3 because of two minor penalties on two very minor incidents.

stignasty · May 21, 2007

My take is that referees are too easily influenced by coaches and fans, and too dedicated to the idea of "not influencing the game". During the second period intermission, the local ottawa announcers was saying "watch out", because the Senators had been given too many more power plays than Buffalo, so the refs would be looking to even it up in the third period. They'd be calling almost anything they could against Ottawa until the numbers looked even. Sure enough. That was what happened, and Buffalo got the tying goal on a 5 on 3 because of two minor penalties on two very minor incidents.

The irony of course, is that while they're trying not to influence the game, they wind up influencing the game. The thing that drives me loony is when the proponents of the "New NHL" say that "in football it's a penalty if it's in the first minute or in overtime." True, but a holding penalty at the 50 yard line doesn't give the other team a 20% chance of scoring.

Someone posted this on the calgarypuck forums: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v141/Hap...refolympics.gif

That's about it.

guyser · May 22, 2007

When does it get to the point where the real NHL fans will have more say than the Miami beach and Longbeach surfers and we get the reffing the game deserves?

As long as the NHL wants to sell the game down south....not soon enough

I love watching European hockey for the cleaner play, and nearly flawless officiating (refs do make honest mistakes). The international ice surface is as good as it gets for making the game faster and more dependant on skill (the NHL should look at this).

Then I respectively suggest you did not watch the NHL players when they played there suring the lockout.The Euro game has more stick work, less physical bodywork than the NHL. Too much non-contact on the big ice surface. It only works when you have the absolute best against the best, as in all the NHL'ers playing . The NHL players complained about a lot of the game when overseas.

There are some European teams that are very phyiscal as well, it's not like it's watching women's hockey or anything... but I can assure you you won't be seeing too many elbows to the head.

Physical...stick work maybe but not bodychecking. They dont do it nearly as well nor as much as even a boring slow NHL game.

Black Dog · May 22, 2007

The irony of course, is that while they're trying not to influence the game, they wind up influencing the game. The thing that drives me loony is when the proponents of the "New NHL" say that "in football it's a penalty if it's in the first minute or in overtime." True, but a holding penalty at the 50 yard line doesn't give the other team a 20% chance of scoring.

So? An infraction should be called regardless of the circumstances in which it takes place. A penalty is a penalty.

The problem is, as CA noted, that refs are making far too many chickenshit calls and missing the blindingly obvious.

geoff:

I think the other part of the officating I don't like is how they don't allow players to fight as much as they used to. I think that's one of the big reasons behind all the cheap shots, before you had to pay a price if you laid a dirty shot... now the refs protect you. Look at the abuse the goalies take now, a few scraps would at least convince some of the smaller guys from taking constant runs at the net.

Meh. I seriously question the deterrent value of fighting and whether the reduction in fighting has led to an increase in dirty play or cheap shots. There's other explanations that make much more sense. Anything that reduces the ridiculous sideshow that is fighting in hockey is a good thing IMO.

capricorn · May 23, 2007

I've noticed there have not been many fights in any of the playoff games this year. There have been many solid checks though.

Looks like the Ducks are wiping out the Red Wings tonight. They have a 3-0 lead going into the 3rd. The Ducks play a very physical game. Should be interesting to see how the Sens match them up. Hey, I'm not worried.

Sens win cup in 6 games. GO SENS !

Black Dog · May 23, 2007

e noticed there have not been many fights in any of the playoff games this year

That's prety standard for the playoffs.

White Doors · May 23, 2007

The wings were too old to keep it going. The Ducks wore them down.

Neither team would have been able to beat the Sens though.

Leafs fans everywhere are going to be having a looong summer.

runningdog · May 23, 2007

The wings were too old to keep it going. The Ducks wore them down.
Neither team would have been able to beat the Sens though.

Leafs fans everywhere are going to be having a looong summer.

agreed!

guyser · May 23, 2007

Neither team would have been able to beat the Sens though.

I recall Alfie saying something similar.....how did that work out?

Leafs fans everywhere are going to be having a looong summer.

Assuming they are paying attention that is. And most of them aren't.

Now if it featured Buffalo vs Anaheim...maybe.

Good luck. Personally I would prefer Anaheim, but I am in the Leaf Nation camp so......

Charles Anthony · May 23, 2007

Good luck. Personally I would prefer Anaheim, but I am in the Leaf Nation camp so......

Are you one of their fans that would still buy season tickets and fill up the Air Canada Center even if the hockey players never showed up on the ice?

In other news:

Miss Canada, Inga Skaya, introduces herself in her national costume during a Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City.

Photo: Reuters

The Make BeLeafs wear costumes but all other teams wear hockey uniforms.

White Doors · May 23, 2007

Assuming they are paying attention that is. And most of them aren't.

Oh, they are. How painful for them to see the upstart sens take the cup when they have not won one in what, 40 years?

They will know and they will be hurting for it.

I ALMOST feel sorry for them.

guyser · May 23, 2007

Are you one of their fans that would still buy season tickets and fill up the Air Canada Center even if the hockey players never showed up on the ice?

What is this thing called "buy" you mention? Either I get them given to me or I dont go. But that said, enough will buy no matter what.

Miss Canada, Inga Skaya, introduces herself in her national costume during a Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City.

See....the Maple Leaf is everywhere, and what a fine rep for our country. That outfit would only work with a Leaf logo, everybody knows them.

Charles Anthony · May 23, 2007

See....the Maple Leaf is everywhere, and what a fine rep for our country. That outfit would only work with a Leaf logo, everybody knows them.

The Make BeLeafs players wear outfits while hockey players wear uniforms.

guyser · May 23, 2007

The Make BeLeafs players wear outfits while hockey players wear uniforms.

And the Leafs and the Habs are wearing polos and golfing now.

Geez, as if the Habs have done anything ....................................since '93

White Doors · May 23, 2007

The Make BeLeafs players wear outfits while hockey players wear uniforms.

And the Leafs and the Habs are wearing polos and golfing now.

Geez, as if the Habs have done anything ....................................since '93

better than '67.

I think it was 67... in the 60's anyhow.

Black Dog · May 23, 2007

Sens are in trouble. Besides, an Anaheim win is needed to complete the narrative.

And the Leafs and the Habs are wearing polos and golfing now.
Geez, as if the Habs have done anything ....................................since '93

The Leafs haven't won a Cup since there were six teams in the league. Meditate on that a while.

August1991 · May 23, 2007

If Anaheim and Ottawa win, this would be the third straight season where a Canadian franchise goes up against a U.S. sunbelt team. Strange, given that its the ideal script for the league. I smell a conspiracy...

Neocon? Illuminati? Zionist? Opus Dei? Has Chomsky written a book on this?

I bet Polynewbie is somehow involved.

Black Dog · May 23, 2007

Neocon? Illuminati? Zionist? Opus Dei?

Worse. Bettman.

guyser · May 23, 2007

The Leafs haven't won a Cup since there were six teams in the league. Meditate on that a while.

Dont have to. Been meditating on that since 1967. Once a Leafer, always a Leafer. Except for my brother who moved to Ottawa and now cheers the Sens. Funny, he calls the cottage as soon as the game ends and asks how excited we are for the Sens.

My sister said " about what?" He was deflated.

He tried the old "its the only CDN team left , you have to cheer for the sens. Uh....nope, not going to do that. Not...more like can't.

Go Anaheim !

My predicition.....Sens in 7.

White Doors · May 24, 2007

My predicition.....Sens in 7.

Sens in 5

fellowtraveller · May 25, 2007

Sens are in trouble. Besides, an Anaheim win is needed to complete the narrative.
And the Leafs and the Habs are wearing polos and golfing now.
Geez, as if the Habs have done anything ....................................since '93

The Leafs haven't won a Cup since there were six teams in the league. Meditate on that a while.

The Leafs also haven't been in a Cup final since 67 either, and every other Canadian team has been to a Cup final since 1993.

The Sens have yet to encounter a team as large, tough, fast and skilled as Anaheim. Their defenceman are going to spend a lot of time smashed onto the glass, and Mr Emery will be sorely tested.

Ducks in six.

geoffrey · May 26, 2007

My predicition.....Sens in 7.
Sens in 5

I second this prediction.

Higgly · May 26, 2007

Dont have to. Been meditating on that since 1967. Once a Leafer, always a Leafer.

That's why the Leafs will never win. The best thing that could happen to the Leafs is if their fans took a page out of the Mets fans' book and stopped buyng tickets and started booing them.

I thought it was pathetic that they celebrated the 40th anniversary of last winning the cup this year.

What a bunch of losers.

I have no idea who will win, but I am sick of seeing the cup in the palm tree belt. Those posers don't even know what an off-side is.