What a Shame!

What a shame! A great hockey game was played last night in Chicago. But, once again shabby, or shoddy, officiating took center stage.

The Black Hawks took off from the opening whistle, determined to get back into this series with the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings. They quickly netted two goals and had a 2-0 lead.

But then it happened. Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall delivered a tremendous bodycheck on Martin Havlat. This was a check that Kronwall has thrown many times in his NHL career without a penalty. And, after this check was thrown, the referees seemed to agree with everyone who saw it, that this was a clean hit.

Then, for whatever reason, crowd pressure, an opportunity to seen, or worse an opportunity to affect the outcome of the game, the referees gave Kronwall a major penalty and a game misconduct. Why? No one but the officials know for sure.

I hope the NHL reacts swiftly and investigates the officials and their actions. And, the least of which, all four should be done for the season.

This year's playoffs have featured some of the best hockey we have seen in years, but this year's playoffs have also had some of the most "unusual" officiating calls seen in years. Gary Bettman, let the players play, let them determine the outcome, don't let sub-par officiating determine the course of events.

Now, back to the hockey. The Black Hawks were the recipients of a five minute power play and then, when they could not score, they were given an additional two minutes but they still could not get one past Chris Osgood.

Early in the second period, the Hawks finally scored a third goal and with a 3-0 lead, the officials probably felt that it was safe to call some penalties against the Hawks. But, with only a few minutes left in the 2nd period the Red Wings roared back and eventually tied the game.

The third period was outstanding and then it was off to overtime.

Finally, in game 3 Patrick Sharp started to play hockey like we know he can and in overtime he netted the winner!



I predicted that this series would be a long one and if last night's game (minus the shoddy refereeing) is any indication, then fasten your seatbelts and sit back and enjoy! This could be a lot of fun!

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Pittsburgh Not to be Denied?

The Pittsburgh Penguins seem to be on a mission. Perhaps, it was going to the finals last year and having to watch the Red Wings hoist the Stanley Cup. Or, perhaps, to some players it was having Marian Hossa leave the Penguins to join the Red Wings, because he wanted the Cup and didn't think Pittsburgh had the stuff to do it!

Whatever the reason the Penguins have been dominant against Carolina. But, give the Canes their due, for the most part they have matched the Pens goal for goal in the early going last night, but in the end Pittsburgh had just too much.

It will be very interesting to see how both teams react when they face-off in Game 3 in Carolina.

By the way: Did you see Malkin's third goal? Wow!!!

Ice Chips: This weekend the Kelowna Rockets face-off in the Memorial Cup final against a yet to be determined opponent.

Early on in the play-offs I traveled to Kelowna to visit our daughter and while we were there, the Rockets had fallen behind Tri-Cities two games to one. My grandson Asher, who is seven, had never been to see a Rockets game. So we went to game four of that series against the Americans. The Rockets won in overtime.

After disposing of Tri-Cities, the "experts" said that they could not get past Vancouver, and if they did, well, Calgary would make short work of the boys from Kelowna. Well, who is laughing now?

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Detroit edges Chicago in Game 2

The Detroit Red Wings moved another game closer to defending their right to keep the Stanley Cup last night with a thrilling overtime win over the Black Hawks.

As I predicted early on in the play-offs (if not before they started), the Black Hawks are for real. A team with two veteran goalies, and Toews, Kane and Sharp up front can not be taken lightly.

Last night's game was fantastic from the opening whistle to the scoring of the overtime goal.

Although Detroit's superstars, Lidstrom, Zetterberg and Datsyuk have been outstanding it has been Dan Cleary who has been the big star. He has three goals against the Hawks and his feisty play at both ends of the ice has the Hawks looking over their shoulders wondering where the Kid from the "Rock" is and when he is going to hit them.

The Red Wing who does not get the positive attention that he deserves is netminder Chris Osgood. Ozzie should have won the Conn Smythe trophy last year as he stood on his head to bring another Cup to the Motor City. And, this year, he seems to be playing just as well. Oh well, maybe this year the Smythe voters will get it right!

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Stanley Cup Prediction - Conference Finals

Well, I batted .500 in each of the conference semis. So here goes for the final rounds with the winners facing off for the Stanley Cup.

In the West, I predicted Detroit over the Ducks, but I blew the other series. I thought Luongo had all the answers for the fast young guns out of the Windy City. Oh well, can't get em all!

In the final, I like the Red Wings, but it will take seven games. Chicago has great goaltending experience, some great young forwards, but only 3 top flight defensemen. This will spell trouble for the Hawks with the Wings rolling four lines and the defense having to contend not only with Holmstrom and Franzen, but also Cleary crashing the net. And, don't forget that Detroit has a lot of speed up front. (Did you see Helm's break away goal against the Ducks? WOW!!)

In the East, once again I batted .500. I thought the Caps would be hungrier than the Pens and the Ovechkin would outplay Crosby.

The other series featured TERRIBLE refereeing, and although the Canes prevailed it was in spite of the best efforts of the NHL to keep them out of the final. Games 5 and 6 were blatantly the NHL's best (or worst) effort to determine the outcome of the series. I was so disgusted I turned off game 5 in middle of the 2nd period.

Just shows you how good Cam Ward is as a clutch performer not only did he foil the Bruins, but also the troika of Bettman, Daley and Campbell.

Unless the NHL insists on Crosby making it to the Cup finals look for the Canes to beat the Pens in six. The reason: Cam Ward!

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Referees Claim Victory in Pens OT Win Over Caps

What a shame!

I am not a Caps fan but to lose a key playoff game because of a couple referee's who wanted to be noticed really should not sit well with the Capitals and, hopefully, the NHL brass.

To re-cap, a flagrant foul by a Pens player was ignored by the referees. Then Malkin roars down the ice on a great rush and he is fouled by Jurcina. Up goes the arm and the Washington defenseman is sent to the penalty box.

During the Pens ensuing power play another foul is committed by the Pens, but once again is ignored and shortly thereafter, Pittsburgh scores the winner.

How sad for such a great game to end because of two ego-maniac referees wanting to be noticed.

NOTE: This kind of misuse of power usually occurs when Bill McCreary is the referee. Therefore I have an idea. To soothe Bill's quest for attention, why doesn't the NHL rent 15 minutes of air time from the television networks before each game McCreary is to referee. Send McCreary on to the ice by himself and have him skate and call imaginary penalties.

With this kind of attention given to him, McCreary just might let the players settle the game on their own without any interference from attention-seeking officials.

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Carolina hockey fans

Wow! Those Carolina Hurricanes' fans are something!

We are constantly bombarded by negative statements by some Canadian media (usually Toronto-based) that the southern United States is not a logical home for hockey.

Well, I hope these hockey "Experts" were watching the Hurricanes and the Bruins last night. The noise generated by the Canes' supporters was CRAZY! Talk about a seventh man, the crowd was in the game from the warm-up skate until well after the final buzzer.

But, besides the fans, the hockey game was awesome!

Eric Staal is rapidly gaining recognition as a premier player. And, what about Cam Ward? He may be so-so in the regular season. But, when the chips are down, he is one of the best "money players" I have seen in a long time.

The Bruins played a pretty good game. But once again it was the selfish play of their captain Chara that let them down. He needs to think less about himself and more about the team if the Bruins are to proceed to the next round. After all, Tim Thomas can't do it all!

The Pens and Capitals tilt was an exciting affair. It kind of looks like Varlamov is human after all. I noticed last night that he was wearing a mask with the Caps logo on it. Was this the first time he wore this mask? I can't remember. Hmm, I wonder.

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Toronto Coyotes

Yes, the media, or should I say, the narrow-minded, self-centred, Toronto media is already hyping the chances of the Phoenix Coyotes moving to Toronto.

Give me a break! Toronto media thinks the world of hockey revolves around them!

Before I go any further in this rant, let me say first and foremost, I sympathize with the mainstream (real) Maple Leaf fans. They are desperate to see an NHL game live without having to mortgage their future and that of there children to watch the Maple Leafs. If a team in or around Toronto would force the greedy owners of the terribly bad Toronto Maple Leafs to either lower their ticket prices or become a competitive team, then I am all for that!

Now, with that out of the way, let me say that I think it would great if there was a team in Hamilton or there abouts, but let us not bury the Coyotes in the Arizona desert just yet. Let's give the NHL an opportunity to keep the franchise in what should be a lucrative market. But if all else fails, pack up the moving van and come on up to Ontario.

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Stanley Cup - 2009 - Round Two Comments

What weekend of hockey!

First all, Alex Ovechkin won round one of the Crosby - Ovechkin mini-series. But, this thing is not over. Crosby should stop whining and making threats and start producing. Part of that production should come to the fore in his role as captain where his number one job should be to light a fire under team mate and erstwhile superstar Evgeni Malkin. The Russian superstar has done little in this series and seems to be almost uncaring in his checking and drive to the net.

Secondly, Vancouver Canucks found out about the youthful talent that abounds on the Chicago Black Hawks. The Canucks are going to have to work harder if they are going to get past the Hawks.

Sunday night the hockey world got to meet the real Cam Ward and many were surprised by his brilliance in the Canes victory over the Bruins. But, this guy is the real deal. He may not show up for every game during the regular season, but look out in the post-season. Just ask the Devils!

Finally, what a game on Sunday between the Wings and the Duck. Great Hockey!!

I am sure Vancouver and Chicago fans must be drooling over the fact that these two teams are beating each other up and the winner may hobble into the Conference Final!

ICE CHIPS: Was it a goal or wasn't it? The Bruins caught a break at the end of the 2nd period when the Hurricanes had a goal (that was a goal!) disallowed. I wonder if the NHL was worried that a 3-0 lead would cause a lot of viewers to change the channel. HM, I wonder!

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Alex vs Sid: A Media Match for the Ages

It has been years, perhaps decades, since the NHL's best faced off against each other in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Perhaps not since Gordie Howe and Rocket Richard went toe to toe in several Stanley Cup playoffs in the 1950s has the league's best two players faced each other in critical playoff contests.

This afternoon Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby face-off in the first game of a best seven series with the winner headed to the conference championship, and perhaps, a berth in the Stanley Cup finals.

This series will not etch in stone which of these young superstars is the best, but it will lead to bragging rights for the immediate future.

Personally, if you had asked me two years ago which of these guys was the best, without blinking an eye, the answer would have been Crosby.

Now, I am not sure the answer would be the same.

First of all, Alex has proven himself to be the best goal scorer in the league, and, one of the best promoters of the NHL game.

Secondly, Sidney is a great player, but, boy does he whine! He can dish it out, but he sure can't take it. The term "Rabbit Ears" definitely applies to Crosby. You can get under his skin not only by delivering a solid clean hit, or, by talking to him. He hates both equally.

What I like about them both is they both want to win!

Alex literally put the Caps on his back and carried them to victory over the Rangers.

I think Sidney has a better cast of characters around him, but Ovechkin's desire is huge.

Whatever the outcome, we are in for some great hockey, starting today.

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