March 2011 Other Games and News of Note

[ButtersSaysNo]

Anyone see that douche Gillies deliver another cheap shot? First game back after 9 game suspension and he picks right up where he left off.

[nccanes]

I only saw a youtube replay on Puck Daddy...

I'm curious about SoCal's tweet from this morning, indicating that Mike Ross was somehow blaming Clutterbuck? I can't wait 'til she explains WTF that dumbass was rambling on about now.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I only saw a youtube replay on Puck Daddy...

I'm curious about SoCal's tweet from this morning, indicating that Mike Ross was somehow blaming Clutterbuck? I can't wait 'til she explains WTF that dumbass was rambling on about now.

Sam here.

[kermelbar]

I haven't seen the hit, but I did just see an ESPN blog headline that he has a disciplinary hearing (http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/5243/source-trevor-gillies-has-disciplinary-hearing-friday)tomorrow. (Not sure how new that news is.)

[cmw00]

The hit:
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6hwl85L1E1M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[SoCalcaniac]

I only saw a youtube replay on Puck Daddy...

I'm curious about SoCal's tweet from this morning, indicating that Mike Ross was somehow blaming Clutterbuck? I can't wait 'til she explains WTF that dumbass was rambling on about now.

Same here.


Hello Girls. ;)

Well...... if I must re-hash, I'm only doing it for you two, because that jack*** had my blood boiling and you two can empathize, lol. Ross was insistent that Clutterbuck, (who hit the NYI player, can't remember the kid) did the EXACT SAME hit on that player, which "justified" Gillies in hitting him, high in the head. Well, Toolbox Mike Ross, Clutterbuck didn't hit the kid high, he just hit him HARD, and it was clean IMO. If you look at the replay, you might say from the one angle I saw on MSG+ it may have been a little high. Some could say questionable. However, Clutterbuck in case Ross doesn't know--- hits a heck of alot. At one point he was leading the league- I'm sure he's still up there. So Ross spent a good, 20-30 min yapping and yammering about "if Gillies is gonna get the book thrown back at him, then Clutterbuck better be too- or "they" are hypocrites":crazy: :crazy: WTH & WTF?

Uh....................... EXCUSE me, since Clutterbuck doesn't even have a "history" of cheap shotting anyone- or this hitting from behind/to the head nonsense, why would you be lumping him in with Gillies& saying they should both be suspended for the same amount of time? Seriously?

In short, (cause that idiot didn't even take a breath, he was almost heaving as he kept ranting) he sounded like a raving lunatic. Seriously, he's had moments of idiocy, however, this took the cake. Good job, blame the victim right?

Ok- hopefully I painted the picture, lol. Shawn Lavigne DM'd me & says "it's been a hell of a morning". Poor guy.

I hope they make an example of Gillies- he's a repeat offender. I saw some tweets from Katie Stangl at NewsDay - she indicated he's got a hearing in TO, it can't be over the phone. I hope they read him the riot act & shame on the Islanders, what exactly do they need him back for? he played all of a shift yesterday and he gets the boot. He's even dumber than he looks.

[Darkwing]

as far as games of note - Buffalo plays the "North Carolina hurricanes" - whoever the **** they are. I didn't even know they had hockey in North Carolina, so this is news to me. Should be a good fight for 8th spot though!

[nccanes]

^^Thanks for the recap SoCal!

You know, I realize that on radio/tv programming there is often the 'opportunity' to do a point/counterpoint kind of thing, but Ross is either terribly bad at it, or he's just the worst 'debater' known to man. I've often wondered if he just decides to be the "counter point" and then does a terrible job at it because the arguments in support of that point are well...nonexistent.

I tried to crank up the online thing when you tweeted but the new version never seems to work on my work PC and I really didn't have time to stop what I was doing and start it on my home PC. Probably just as well. :lol:

Anyway - it's completely immaterial if Clutterbuck came up high on the guy. It could be a separate discussion sure, but completely unrelated to the discussion of Gillies and his situation/decision, etc. End of story.

[Alicia]

The hit:
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6hwl85L1E1M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Not sure why they were calling that a hit from behind?

[Jay]

Yeah... the Gillies hit, if it comes from anyone but Gillies, doesn't get looked at.

I mean, maybe there's some kind of "retaliation" badness there, but both hits looked borderline to be, and bluntly, Gillies' hit looked less-bad than Clutterbuck's.

*shrug* I guess it's just me though.

[Alicia]

Yeah... the Gillies hit, if it comes from anyone but Gillies, doesn't get looked at.

I mean, maybe there's some kind of "retaliation" badness there, but both hits looked borderline to be, and bluntly, Gillies' hit looked less-bad than Clutterbuck's.

*shrug* I guess it's just me though.
It's not just you...it didn't look that bad to me, either.

[StormChaserBH]

Yeah it's not just the check but :crazy: are you guys just not seeing that gloved left (full swing plus the added momentum to it of his skating into him) to the face/head delivered along with the illegal check from behind?

It's hard to see at 0:07 of cmw00's video but very easy at 0:30 (and at 1:03 of Alicia's)

[Alicia]

I'm not seeing a "hit/check from behind"...at all.

[SoCalcaniac]

These videos don't show the right angle. Versus- and I can't recall who's video they used, showed it PERFECTLY. It may have been MN's feed. The hit was a hit to the head. It was ugly.


E, you'll have a great chuckle on the smackdown that Mike Ross got today from of all people = Pierre Maguire. :crazy: Maguire was on in his usual 8:30a Friday spot, and the FIRST thing tool says to PM, is the whole Gillies thing, went on or about a good minute and a half, and Pierre let him kinda go- even though this eats into his 10-12 minutes of analysis. Then after the 3rd or 4th time of reiterating his now dead point, Pierre says, "you know, I don't really see Gillies as much of a real NHL player, it's going to be up to the league and really the Islanders to take care of that, I'd really much rather talk about the incredibly exciting hockey that's being played in the East & West". BOOOOOOOOM. :lol:

Ross says something like - "yeah I've been getting my hand slapped the last couple days. Goes back to your point of him not knowing how to STFU on the whole point/counterpoint thing.

Forgot to mention, in other games; Taylor Hall decided to stick up or himself last night vs CLB, and fought Derek Dorsett. He apparently has a high ankle sprain. The way he went down, UGH.

[cmw00]

Yeah it's not just the check but :crazy: are you guys just not seeing that gloved left (full swing plus the added momentum to it of his skating into him) to the face/head delivered along with the illegal check from behind?

It's hard to see at 0:07 of cmw00's video but very easy at 0:30 (and at 1:03 of Alicia's)

It's the same video :D

It clearly shows the glove to the head at about 30 seconds and on, but it's not some big roundhouse punch like you're making it out to be.

[Alicia]

Gillies got 10 games.

[StormChaserBH]

It's the same video :D

It clearly shows the glove to the head at about 30 seconds and on, but it's not some big roundhouse punch like you're making it out to be.

Ya, sorry, somehow I saw another video of it within Alicia's post when I was replying... probably by following a youtube link within the post? Anyway, it was longer than your posted vid and even more clearly showed what a bad punch it was. I don't have a link to whatever it was. But sorry, not buying that this didn't deserve big-time supplementary discipline.

[caniac369]

Forgot to mention, in other games; Taylor Hall decided to stick up or himself last night vs CLB, and fought Derek Dorsett. He apparently has a high ankle sprain. The way he went down, UGH.

I tweeted this earlier but I feel for the kid and hope he's not as bad off as everyone is thinking. My opinion of him totally changed after ASG weekend (and yes, seeing his demeanor & way he was at Lucky B's on Friday night during "Mascot Malay 2011" was a lot of it). He's a solid part of the Oilers rebuilding and I'd hate to see them loose that.

[Caniac4life]

Wild one in Philly. I joined the game with 17 mins to go in the 2nd, Flyers up 2-0. Went to the store and came back and the Flyers had just scored to tie it up 3-3 with a bit over 6 mins to go in the 2nd. Buffalo scored 3 goals in less than 4 minutes midway in the 2nd to take the lead.

3-3 with 16 mins left in the 3rd.


"Philly is our friend this weekend... Philly is our friend."

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Ugh....f***ing Sabres. :sick: Empty net to go up 5-3 with about a minute left.

[Caniac4life]

I think me watching brought the Flyers bad luck.

Watching the Flyers put the pressure on late in the 3rd to try to tie it up was impressive. They're strong on the puck, put passes right on the mark and seem to know where their teammates are positioned at all times.

Why can't the Canes do that?

Hopefully they can rebound against the Rags tomorrow.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Been watching a fantastic Coyotes comeback against Detroit, thanks in large part to Whitney. I really hope they can finish them in OT!


ETA: WOOOOOOO!!! Coyotes win in a shootout!!!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Oh sh*t. The linesman just stepped in between Demers and Ott....and Demers ended up punching the linesman in the face.:crazy:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

The Flyers have not appeared to be interested in doing us ANY favors this weekend. :mad:

[KaniacFever]

Flyers are pissing me off. Not sure what is going on with them, but they are for sure in a slump. Since we beat them on Feb. 18th, they have gone 2-3-1 and its not like their schedule was very hard either.

Bad time to start playing like crap, especially yesterday and today. :mad:


ETA: Lavi get Boucher out of freakin net NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Yeah, slow hook for sure. Pathetic game.

[TheMadCap]

what is going on in Philly? They got destroyed by the Rags, I believe that is 5 straight losses. Needed Philly to show up for this one, guess not...

[KaniacFever]

Slugs have atleast a point, so welcome to 9th Canes :mad:


And damn on Minnesota for playing Theodore tonight. :lol:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Any way we can drop to 10th before we even play another game?

[c-girl]

Nah. Number 10 Toronto (whoever saw that coming?) is four points behind us and they only play once before we play again.

By the end of the week though? All bets are off.

[puck_it]

Oh sh*t. The linesman just stepped in between Demers and Ott....and Demers ended up punching the linesman in the face.:crazy:

he got straight. up. popped.

lol the linesman was soooo pissed, and he couldnt swing back.

what a shot by andrew macdonald last night versus the blues. left handed shot on the left wing, sniping the far side corner (also glove side).... HOLY ****. tough freaking shot to make.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

He so saw it coming too. The replays where hilarious!!:lol:

[puck_it]

he took it like a friggen champ though!

[Caniac4life]

Well, 14 straight games that the Devils haven't allowed a goal in the 1st period. 0-0 vs Sens after one. Slugs lead wilting Pens 1-0 after the 1st.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

OMG, just saw the Pacioretty hit. I'm sick. From the video I saw, I don't think it was a dirty hit by Chara....just the location of the hit...unbelievable.

Here's the link (http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/video-_zdeno_chara_hit_on_max_pacioretty/) I've seen.

I'm not sure if he ever came-to on the ice. He's supposedly moving all his extremeties, conscious and talking in the hospital.

It sure looked like he'll be lucky as hell if he's not pretty seriously injured.

[TheMadCap]

OMG, just saw the Pacioretty hit. I'm sick. From the video I saw, I don't think it was a dirty hit by Chara....just the location of the hit...unbelievable.

Here's the link (http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/video-_zdeno_chara_hit_on_max_pacioretty/) I've seen.

I'm not sure if he ever came-to on the ice. He's supposedly moving all his extremeties, conscious and talking in the hospital.

It sure looked like he'll be lucky as hell if he's not pretty seriously injured.

Yeah, OMG that was horrific. I couldn't watch it but one time. Super scary, hope he is ok...

[Guyute]

Definitely one of those things that turn your stomach. Sounds like he may escape serious life-changing injury. Got my fingers crossed for him.

[nccanes]

Saw it on NHLNet last night and actually had to look away before impact.

Just a bit earlier VS was talking about the skate that caused 100 stitches for O'Byrne.

Perhaps there is truth in saying these kind of things are just some damn bad luck (a high flying skate and a hit near the end of the bench boards) but even if there is no way to get rid of 100% of these terribly scary injuries, I just feel like these soundbites that chalk things up to "bad luck" or "not Chara's fault the wall is there" will be played back when someone isn't okay and come off looking pretty callous.

Perhaps those statements are actually accurate, but the league and those that care about it have to be a little more mindful about the fact that life/career threatening injuries need a little respect and reflection...not just "oh well".


(PS - and I don't think it helps when the clip I saw this morning from NESN mentions that Chara/Pacioretty have "history"....ugh)

[kermelbar]

Report says Pacioretty has severe concussion (http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2011-03-09/report-says-pacioretty-has-severe-concussion)

[Solracer]

Saw this pic some where else, in the video it looks pretty harmless in this picture... not so much..

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/592/254939843.jpg

[kermelbar]

^ I think I'd agree with SolRacer's assessment. (Of course, I've never come remotely close to playing hockey, so grain of salt and all that.) In the video, it looks unintentional or at least you could see how a guy may be going for a hit and not realize exactly where they are in relation to the boards or where momentum and timing will put them at the moment of impact, but the picture ... *shudders* Admitted, it's but one moment in the whole episode, but it looks at least questionable.

[VandyCane]

I feel the same way Kermie. When I saw the video in real time I couldn't figure out why it was so bad (other than the guy not waking up). I looked like one of those bad luck things. That picture on the other hand makes me ill. If Chara realized that the guy was so close to the steel post and still slammed his face into it then he deserves a long suspension. I certainly hope that there was no ill intent though.

[Darkwing]

yea I've always thought that they should figure out SOMETHING as a solution to that area of the rink, unfortunately there's not a good method of doing it due to how line changes work - I've had near collisions trying to push by people on the ice who are trying to cut me off and it's scary as hell every time - i can't imagine it at NHL speed.

broken vertebrae and severe concussion though, that is awful. Chara will probably get suspended but I don't think that the intent was to injure, at least not beyond how hard a normal hit would hurt.

Lots of media out there right now, but Bourne (per usual) has a really good perspective on it.

http://www.hockeyprimetime.com/news/columns/charas-hit-was-a-hockey-play-but-suspendable

[Darkwing]

my only BIG problem with the hit is that they were both facing the same way, which means that Chara knew where he was on the ice. Whether or not he had time to react to it since he had committed to the hit already is arguable, but i'd have felt much better about it if he had rubbed him out FACING him.

[puck_it]

chara seems to be looking down the ice the whole time. he should have known where he was, but i guarantee you his only thought was "dont get burned, dont get burned"... especially since theres a little history (think cole wants to be burned by orpik?) he was about the get burned so he pushed him into the boards (fore arm to the shoulder, i think the picture is biased because pacioretty was already hanging over the boards). on the other side of the ice, this was just a play to rub him out , and gain an edge in a race to the puck... this side was just unfortunate...

theres some resopnsibility on chara to watch for that, but he did opt to rub him out over checking him. the only other option would be to let him go, but you know where that discussion leads...

i feel bad for everyone involved on this play.

[SoCalcaniac]

To me, and my opinion only, it really was flat out reckless. When I saw it, I thought oy- especially when you see Chara's elbow going up. Of course when it's happening at a high rate of speed, you don't see everything. I truly don't believe Chara meant to hurt Pacioretty, but as E touched on, those two do have some crazzzzy history- so it looks BAD. Besides that did he ever even move? That to me was horrifying.

The whole discussion of this brought me right back to 2006, especially when Dave Stubbs of the MTL Gazette tweeted how "golden" the Habs medical staff were in this situation for Pacioretty. All I can think of is Cole hunched over and dragging himself off the ice with Friesen, when clearly he was in no shape to do so. The 5 yr anniversary of Cole's broken neck just passed. Thank God he recovered. I'm hoping the same for Max P.

Regardless- Chara should be suspended. Jeremy Roenick has spent the last 90 mins on NHL live just all over the map including his belief that "if Chara gets suspended, they should just take hitting out of the game" OK JR. Chara was reckless, and that should be punishable.

[nccanes]

To me, and my opinion only, it really was flat out reckless.

I think that's says it all.

Until players stop being reckless, they are playing Russian roulette with their brethren's health and profession and the league as a whole.

[Alicia]

No disciplinary action for Chara.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=357209

[SouthernHockeyChick]

chara seems to be looking down the ice the whole time. he should have known where he was, but i guarantee you his only thought was "dont get burned, dont get burned"... especially since theres a little history (think cole wants to be burned by orpik?) he was about the get burned so he pushed him into the boards (fore arm to the shoulder, i think the picture is biased because pacioretty was already hanging over the boards). on the other side of the ice, this was just a play to rub him out , and gain an edge in a race to the puck... this side was just unfortunate...

theres some resopnsibility on chara to watch for that, but he did opt to rub him out over checking him. the only other option would be to let him go, but you know where that discussion leads...

i feel bad for everyone involved on this play.


Mark this one on your calendars.....well said, puck_it.:lol:

Not sure I'm arguing against a suspension here but, I'm with you on that assessment.


Hearing about his "non-displaced" fracture you wonder if maybe they had taken Cole off the ice in the same manner they did Max maybe his could have been non-displaced as well. Not that I know sh*t about vertebra fractures.

I thought it looked like Max opened his eyes a bit just as they were getting him off the ice and his teammates were hovering around him....but that was it. He NEVER moved. I cannot imagine the state I would have been in had I been in that building. I had tears rolling down my face just watching at home. Horrible.



ETA: Just saw Alicia's post. Very interesting.

[nccanes]

Talk about the NHL's random wheel of justice....

A play that was penalized with a 5 minute major and causes major significant injury...and not even a "you have to be more careful out there" game or 2.

Didn't Mats Sundin get a game for tossing his broken stick carelessly and it ended up in the crowd? (which I agreed with btw)

[ssangste]

this really sucks for the MTL player... but there was nothing in that play that warrants a suspension... any other place on the ice and that's a 2:00 minor....

very first day of Hurricanes training camp, Gleason did this exact same thing much *much* worse to Boychuk and then to Jokinen all in the span of a couple minutes.. and everyone cheered... because it was on the side of the ice with full glass.

Puck_it's comment is likely very true... he got beat and was likely only thinking of taking the penalty by rubbing him out to avoid the clear break to the net... it's hard to tell where his eyes were...

that's a terrible bench and stanchion design for the arena... *that* should be the big discussion and should be altered... I'm shocked there aren't more incidents right there...

[ButtersSaysNo]

I think there should have been something in terms of suspension or fine. Reason I say this is the NHL wants the players to be accountable for their actions and intentional or unintentional (only Chara knows for sure) his actions could have been tragic.

We all know that hockey is a fast, physical game that has dangers, but I just think Chara could have done something different and the main reason I say this is after watching it many times, the fact that Chara's glove is against the other guy's head makes me really question whether the intent was there.

Just my 2 cent opinion.

[Guyute]

Sure there was intent. There was an intent to check him. I can't imagine Chara would try and run someone's face into the stanchion. There's very few hockey players in the league that would try something like that, and I think we could all name those people.

If that stanchion wasn't there, it's a standard on-the-board hit. I've always hated the edge of the glass. Sadly, there's no real way around it. There has to be a start and end to the glass.
/shrug

[TheMadCap]

Just read on TSN that Pacioretty blasted Chara and the NHL for not adding any extra fine/suspensions. Says that Chara meant to run him into the turnbuckle. Watch him get fined for speaking out against the NHL, wouldn't that be nice?

[superdave]

Just read on TSN that Pacioretty blasted Chara and the NHL for not adding any extra fine/suspensions. Says that Chara meant to run him into the turnbuckle. Watch him get fined for speaking out against the NHL, wouldn't that be nice?

I was surprised that he didn't draw a suspension of maybe 2 to 3 games. There is no way to know if Chara was intending to to anything, but I thought the league office may try to make the point that as a player, you have some responsibility to be aware of your surroundings and play accordingly. As a player, they have the responsibility to be aware of the location of their stick at all times and get called for high sticking even when they didn't intend to hit somebody in the face. I know it's a stretch to make a comparison like that.

The next time when something similar happens and it's a guy that has a history, he will claim that it was a legal hit because of the deal with Chara. As for Chara's intent, he certainly could have pulled up. The still shot is pretty clear to me that his hands got "high" and he rode him into the boards.

[Captain Slack]

Is the Phoenix saga drawing to a close? (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=357322)

Looks like we might be seeing the Winniepg Jets Mk II.

[Darkwing]

just FYI, Montreal police are now involved in this, determining whether it's ASSAULT, and Air Canada is threatening to pull their sponsorship.

I guess the moral of the story is, don't hit a player on a Canadian team.

[c-girl]

According to the Twitterverse, Air Canada sent a letter to the league asking for more player safety and Bettman responded that if Air Canada doesn't want the business, then the NHL can find another carrier.

I guess the NHL really doesn't care about player safety at all.

Here's a thought. Colin Campbell recuses himself from being involved in possible discipline involving any Bruins player because of his son and turns it over to Mike Murphy. BUT . . . isn't it still somewhat of a conflict since it's Mike Murphy's boss's son? It doesn't seem to be enough distance.

[superdave]

I look at TSN a lot when I want to get some good hockey news. From what I see there, a crap storm is brewing over the Chara "non-suspension".

In real life, you can do something stupid and hurt somebody. You may not intend to do it, but you can still be held accountable. Chara's hit falls into this category. In the still picture that solracer put up, you can clearly see Chara's hand delivering the blow on Pacioretty's head. That is illegal in the NHL and Chara was penalized on the ice. As a result of Chara's illegal play in an especially dangerous location, a player was severely injured.

Mr. Bettman, exactly what makes you think that this was an unfortunate result of a normal hockey play? Since Avery got 6 games for something that came out of his mouth, what would you think this deserved? I still think the player is ultimately responsible for being aware of his location on the ice and of a player being in a vulnerable position.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

As I've long contended, I believe the NHL should punish the hit and not the result. If this hit had happened on the other side of the ice it may not even have drawn 2 minutes (definitely was interference, but we all know how often it goes uncalled). I'm fine with their decision. I just wish they'd continue in that vein.

I think it's fantastic that Bettman gave Air Canada the finger.
And I think it's pathological that the media in Montreal encouraged fans to call the police and now the cops are involved. What a f*cking mockery.


And for the record, I'm a huge fan of MaxP and like the Habs quite a bit as well.

[superdave]

Now I think involving the police is stupid.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

BTW, if they had suspended Chara he wouldn't be there to help kick Buffalo's a** tonight!!


Just kidding, just kidding...

[KaniacFever]

As I've long contended, I believe the NHL should punish the hit and not the result. If this hit had happened on the other side of the ice it may not even have drawn 2 minutes (definitely was interference, but we all know how often it goes uncalled). I'm fine with their decision. I just wish they'd continue in that vein.

I think it's fantastic that Bettman gave Air Canada the finger.
And I think it's pathological that the media in Montreal encouraged fans to call the police and now the cops are involved. What a f*cking mockery.


And for the record, I'm a huge fan of MaxP and like the Habs quite a bit as well.

I knew I could count on you to say what I've been trying to all day :lol:

[Caniac4life]

1-0 B's after one. Thomas made a couple of highlight reel saves to keep it at 1-0.

Those Canadiens can be so silly.

[superdave]

BTW, if they had suspended Chara he wouldn't be there to help kick Buffalo's a** tonight!!


Just kidding, just kidding...

I did think of that too. I'm ashamed of myself.

[ButtersSaysNo]

If that exact scenario happened, but the player lying on the ice was a Cane, bunch of you would be singing a different tune.

[Caniac4life]

Anyone know why the Bruins games are never broadcast on the TWC NESN channel? They always have the post game show but never the games. Does NESN block access? If so, then I'd rather have another shopping channel.

[Caniac4life]

Instead of blaming Chara and clogging up 911 lines, maybe Pacioretti should sue the NHL for the construction of hockey rinks. There's a multitude of lawyers that would probably foam at the mouth over that.

I can sympathize with his response that Chara received no disiplinary action for the hit. Heck, he's lying in a hospital bed with a broken neck. But, I feel it was just a freak accident and there was no intent to injure looking at the replay at full speed. The game is too fast for Chara to have thought, "here's an opportune chance for me to show this guy a lesson by shoving his head into the stanchion." Chara was at fault for the check since the puck was long gone but that's all (IMO).

The Canadien media took Pacioretti's response to the NHL's decision on no suspension for Chara and ran with it. They're no better than The National Inquirer.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

If that exact scenario happened, but the player lying on the ice was a Cane, bunch of you would be singing a different tune.


Nah. I don't think Orpik is satan's spawn, either.:D


Did any of you guys want Corvo suspended when his contact in the corner forced Boyce's face through the photographer's hole in the glass and sliced his nose off? Was Corvo calculating just where that hole was on that play so he could be the first NHL player to ever filet a guy's face during a game? Shouldn't he have been aware of where he was on the ice and the vulnerable position Boyce's face was in? Obviously not an injury of the same magnitude but, IMO, a very similar situation: freak.

[c-girl]

I'll agree that Boyce's injury was a freak occurrence but Corvo didn't cause it. He didn't touch Boyce (or at the most Boyce tripped on the edge of Corvo's foot). It appears in this youtube that Corvo just sidestepped Boyce's check and Boyce's inertia sent him into the photographer's hole.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8YAqDnjPc0

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Yeah, the part about Corvo was actually tongue in cheek....but my point remains. A player didn't cause the injury, the rink design did. I believe completely that Chara's hit would have resulted in no injury had the turnbuckle not been there.

And your response makes me wonder if you're implying that had a hit by Corvo sent him into that hole you would support a suspension for Corvo?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Buffalo wins.

Eff the Bruins....they should have suspended him. :mad:;)

[Caniac4life]

Big 2 points for Buffalo. They're playing like they want to play extra games.

[Kat]

I think they should have suspended him, not because it's necessarily the fairest decision (I agree with SHC on the hit itself), but because it is the most political decision. I doubt the Bruins or Chara would have argued a 3 game suspension, and it would have shut everyone up.

Things like this are the reason that games like the Pit-Isles game happen.

IMO, next time it's Habs-Bruins, expect head-hunting and overall goonery.

[Jillsdad]

I find it curious that Steve Montador was on the radio today whining about Chara not getting suspended....then Chara hits Montador in the game tonight.....Montador falls to the ice and slided about 4 feet into the boards. And what do the fine officials in the NHL call....Boarding on Chara....are you fricken kidding me?

[ButtersSaysNo]

I believe completely that Chara's hit would have resulted in no injury had the turnbuckle not been there.

That is like picking up a paper, seeing an accident and saying those folks would not have got hurt if the other car would not have run the red light at that exact moment.

Fact of the matter is the hit did not occur anywhere else along the boards, it happened exactly where it happened.

Also, though the game is fast paced, are we really to believe that one of the better D guys in the game was that clueless that he was not aware of where he was on the ice? I find that really hard to believe.

That scenario of that hit is unfortunately going to happen again, will be interesting to see how they handle it if it is a known dirty bag that delivers the hit.

[nccanes]

Well, in addition to Pacioretty, others are speaking out about knowing where you are in the arena and where the boards are.

From Puck Daddy (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Sedin-Thornton-sound-off-on-Chara-NHL-discipli?urn=nhl-wp96)

but the Vancouver Sun:

"I'll tell you this: if you say that you don't know where things are around the ice, I think you're not telling the truth," Sedin said. "You play the game for 20 years, you know it's there. It's gotten to the point, you have to suspend guys if you hit the head. You have to do it even if guys say they didn't mean to do it or it's an accident. You have to start somewhere.

"I don't think players know where the limit is. That's the bottom line."

Mike Commodore tweeted about the issue and brought up the fact that MTL still has the seamless glass that's like hitting a brick wall.

Someone help me here, the Canes replaced their seamless glass a LONG time ago? I *think* (correct me if I'm wrong) we're on our 2nd "post seamless" glass set up. Originally we had the glass with those kinda ugly "stanchions" between the sections and now we've got the more visibly pleasing variety.

Someone tell me why MTL, with the amount of money they have, has NOT yet replaced that glass?


For example: here's a photo from 2006

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/162/705/wallin_display_image.jpg?1266918799


And here's a recent photo that Dreamie (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbk-ltd/sets/72157626234901020/with/5513819959/) took (hoping she doens't mind I use her photo for illustration purposes)
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbk-ltd/5513819959/" title="2011-03-09_286_01 by jbk-ltd, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5513819959_a610fbffb9.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="2011-03-09_286_01" /></a>


I thought BOTH of these sets of glass were post seamless glass replacement.

[superdave]

That scenario of that hit is unfortunately going to happen again, will be interesting to see how they handle it if it is a known dirty bag that delivers the hit.

This is the exact reason that I thought Chara would probably get a 2 game or so suspension. A dirty player is going to make a similar play at some time and say "What? It was just an unfortunate accident".

[nccanes]

This is the exact reason that I thought Chara would probably get a 2 game or so suspension. A dirty player is going to make a similar play at some time and say "What? It was just an unfortunate accident".

Which is exactly what Sedin said (also in the Vancouver Sun article)

Presumably, then, if one player injures another by running him into a goalpost, the post is at fault?

“Exactly,” Sedin said. “What are you doing to do the next time Trevor Gillies comes down and runs a guy into the thing? You can't give him anything. And you tell the guys [Chara] has no history, so the next time he does it he still has no history because he didn't get suspended. I don't see the reasoning behind it. Give him at least something to show that's not acceptable.”

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/stars+Henrik+Sedin+Thornton+into+Zdeno+Chara+decis ion+Bruins/4419822/story.html#ixzz1GIaFpjz6

[livinthedream]

First off, y'all are welcome to use my photos here, LGC has "express permission", so there you go.

Second, I read somewhere that there are six arenas left that have seamless glass (we're not one of them), and they are all scheduled to be replaced in the off-season. I'll see if I can dig up the source. I know it was talked about in one of the "around the rink" segments on XM within the last month.

[superdave]

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/162/705/wallin_display_image.jpg?1266918799

:)First, I want to say that this picture made me smile.:)

Now, back to The Chara Show. As fair or unfair that some may think a suspension would be, it falls into what I ofter refer to as "the tough sh!t rule" in the workplace. Sometimes, somebody just has to take the fall for appearance sake.

[livinthedream]

Regarding seamless glass, I can't easily find Darren Dreger's original comments online, but they were referenced on Kukla's Korner (http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/out_with_the_seamless_glass/) last week:

The six remaining NHL arenas with seamless glass are scheduled for a makeover in the offseason.

Sources tell The Dreger Report that Calgary, Montreal, Minnesota, Nashville, Colorado and Phoenix will have their end zone boards and glass retro-fitted to acrylic glass to comply with the rest of the league.

[SoCalcaniac]

Anyone know why the Bruins games are never broadcast on the TWC NESN channel? They always have the post game show but never the games. Does NESN block access? If so, then I'd rather have another shopping channel.

We have DirecTV and the "Sports" package they offer, which is all of the various regional channels like NESN/MSG etc. We have friends who have this package but B's games are blocked when they watch, because they don't subscribe to Center Ice. We don't get Red Sox games, or Knicks or Bulls or any of those things, because they are considered regional, and DirecTV has to block them as per the television contracts/agreements. Do you have Center Ice? If not, that's likely the reason. If we're playing the B's they block the game for us, if the Canes are broadcasting- but leave it on when the Canes don't and if it blocked we always get the postgame show. Sorry for the long answer- but that may be the issue.

On the Chara thing- all this calling the cops, Air Canada getting their nose in it, and Bettman flipping them the bird (LOL) so much stuff. I wish more were talking about Max Pacioretty. Really feel for that kid.


I'm more appalled at the Mike Komisarek jackass hit on (of all people) Dan Carcillo last night. No way in this life is that a "hockey play". Carcillo is NO angel, but good Lord, Komisarek must be just a complete idiot.

On the flip side of that - on the comments E posted above from Sedin---- I love that he is speaking his mind. Some players have, others won't. It's on all ya'll players to make this a priority. The recklessness & "not knowing" stuff--- has to go. I heard Andrew Ladd & Rob Scuderi on XM Powerplay yesterday, they said similar things & without hesitation. It's gotta be pressure from the ranks to change it all.

[Darkwing]

meh, i wasn't too bothered by the carcillo hit from komisarek last night. after seeing carcillo go after skinner all night when we played them, that was just karma. The speed that he was going at when he took the fall wasn't enough to get hurt seriously on, and I suspect carcillo laid down until he heard the 5 minute major call.

[SoCalcaniac]

Yeah I guess that's the tack to take; being glad guys take dumb runs at people, no matter how hated he is, is not my scene.


In other news- The Chicago Blackhawks get their day at the White House. (http://www.chicagoblackhawks.com/)
Comcast CHI is providing a live video feed, and it's also streaming on NHL.com and XM 204. They've had a few cut ins on 204, and the President doesn't get to the room til about 2:50.Eastern- so that TV Feed is 3pm eastern. But according to the Twitterverse the Hawks are in the bldg.

I wish our WH ceremony got a little more juice back in 06. We mostly got audio and lots of great pictures- would have loved to seen video of it all; but a market like CHI they're covering like crazy.

[Alicia]

but a market like CHI they're covering like crazy.With the POTUS hailing from Chicago pre-WH, I guess it marginally makes sense.

[nccanes]

No offense to the Blackhawks, but on a day like this, I hope they get about 5 minutes max of his time...ya know? :crazy:

[SoCalcaniac]

No offense to the Blackhawks, but on a day like this, I hope they get about 5 minutes max of his time...ya know? :crazy:

The speech was WAY shorter than ours. POTUS seemed rushed too, but tried to shake hands with all the family/friends and such after he got the mini cup they presented and the jersey & the photo op.

It's definitely a tough day to have a Welcome to the White House event when you know the Prez has a ton of things besides the normal Presidential stuff on his mind.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Loathe or bring it back up but, did want to point out that I've heard quite a lot of players saying that you don't necessarily know where you are on the ice....Aaron Ward being one of them. I found it hilarious that Carey Price was claiming you absolutely know where you are at all times since he plays that position where they're always using their stick to reach back to check and see where the goalposts are. :crazy: I guess that location opinion is....well, like opinions are.

[Guyute]

Agree. Very funny to have a goalie say that. /roll

[DJHARLEY]

A lot of arenas need to be updated and maybe redesigned? Its hard to understand how many rinks/rules haven't been updated? With as much as Hockey has changed these 90 degree angles need to go away. Yes it may be costly but someone doesn't need to get paralyzed or killed. Don't need to go to the place that it took the NHL to have all the arenas add the netting around the ends of the rinks!

[Caniac4life]

Toronto up big over Boston and Buffalo up big over Atlanta late.

Screw this, I think I'll go watch some Western Conference games.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Ten games to Matt Cooke, I hope. Elbow to McDonagh's head....blatant as hell and absolutely pointless. 5 minute major for elbowing and I'm pretty sure they threw him out. SUCH a clown.

[Captain Slack]

I can't root for the Penguins because of Matt Cooke. He'd get my vote for diriest player in the NHL.

[toastmasterbone]

Blake Geoffrion is my BFF.

Sucks that Buffalo got a point, but if we pretend that the Canes will go on their longest winning streak of the season, it's better to be looking at having to catch a 3-point spread for 8th instead of a 4-point spread.

[kermelbar]

When I first got into hockey, it was in spring '93, right after the Pens' back-to-back years. They were the closest team to us and thus the logical team to follow. They're still my (distant) second team. I love and respect Mario, but I'm rather disgusted and disappointed by his recent "I'll take my puck and go home" comments, while he employs who seems to be the dirtiest player in the league. I don't know if NHL teams can self-sanction (or what individual contracts allow), but I think Mario's words would carry a lot more weight if they'd dump Cooke, issue his own suspension, make him a healthy scratch fora certain number of games or, if possible, send him to the minors.

[SoCalcaniac]

Cooke's hearing is today & IN PERSON at 1:30 eastern. I am praying they throw the book at him. I don't know how Cooke lives with himself, and nice example he sets as a father. That McDonough kid is lucky the elbow didn't knock him out but he sure was moving that jaw on the bench trying to shake the cobwebs out.


Kermie- I think there are probably a few people who are like you- disappointed in #66 and his comments. I know my husband, Western PA native, Pens fan before he converted to Canes fan, has always admired him and still closely follows the Pens, still pays his share of the family season tickets, but was terribly disappointed in the stance. I'll be interested to hear any response from him after this.

Here's the thing with Cooke: The Pens don't need him. He could be an effective player, he actually has some skills, but he's consistently let us know he doesn't care to use them. You'd think, since the Captain of his own damn team has been out for what nearly 3 months and he's seen what that does to a person, that he'd "get it".

A ban for the rest of this season and playoffs would be the right "message" --- I just don't know if the league has the balls to do it.

In other stuff more important than Cooke: YEA! for Blake Geoffrion-- what a comeback for NSH, even if BUF did get a point, which I'm not happy about--- they didn't get two, and that end of the 3rd was an EPIC collapse. Just brutal. I flipped on my XM unit this morning and some BUF fans were calling in and lamenting the collapse, and one guy was so upset he was "sure this is going to haunt us on the last day of the season". :lol:

MN got crushed by the Habs--- I think the Wild are done.

Did anyone hear anything more on Patrick Sharp last night - he left the game in PHX.... hopefully (pls GOD) he's ok.

Tough loss for Brandon's dad's team-- they came back down 3-0 to ANA then broke the tie to make it 4-3, Selanne scored with a couple mins left, and that loveable pest Corey Perry scores in OT for the win. CGY's season is on the brink even with that long stretch/comeback.

[kermelbar]

I just don't know how Cooke looks his teammate -- his CAPTAIN -- in the eye. And we talk about a coach losing his team and possibly even a captain losing his team, but how on earth does this one player not lose the whole team? Especially as you look at the empty stall in the locker room, where your star player should be sitting but has been missing for at least two months. How is he not persona non grata in that locker room, on that plane?

Whatever the league does, whatever the team-as-an-organization does, maybe the teammates need to take it into their own hands and go for a little trip behind the woodshed?

[SoCalcaniac]

Kermie - INDEED. that was like the first thing I thought of when he was hustled off the ice. Dude- Do you even have a friggin clue? Your Captain is sitting upstairs watching this, because he sustained hit(s) to the head? GOOD GOSH. How does he look anyone on that team in the eye?

I was just listening to Bob McKenzie on NHL Live. -- He gave us a little insider info on the team/org with Cooke after the game- They knew he was to be in Toronto and they of course are going to be in DET tonight, and Bob McK said Shero & the org made him take the team charter to DET, then he'd have to make arrangements to go to Toronto from DET. A subtle message but one nonetheless.

Blake Geoffrion of NSH, SHC's newest favorite player ;), is on NHL live right now. I'm a fan too- and every time he gets interviewed nationally, and they ask him about his grandfather Boom Boom Geoffrion, and he speaks so fondly of his "Pappy", and you can hear the love he has/had for him, it never gets old.

[Captain Slack]

Whatever the league does, whatever the team-as-an-organization does, maybe the teammates need to take it into their own hands and go for a little trip behind the woodshed?

Something like this, perhaps?

TCNqKrX1sx8

[puck_it]

cooke gets remainder of season (10 games) plus first round of playoffs (4-7 games)

for a total of not less than 14 and no more than 17 games. maybe he'll learn one day.

some good quotes from zetterberg and marchand
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=359027


from the league:
Cooke will forfeit $219,512.20 in salary.

"Mr. Cooke, a repeat offender, directly and unnecessarily targeted the head of an opponent who was in an unsuspecting and vulnerable position," said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. "This isn't the first time this season that we have had to address dangerous behavior on the ice by Mr. Cooke, and his conduct requires an appropriately harsh response."

[Darkwing]

cooke gets remainder of season (10 games) plus first round of playoffs (4-7 games)

for a total of not less than 14 and no more than 17 games. maybe he'll learn one day.

some good quotes from zetterberg and marchand
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=359027


from the league:

About time. Not sure how Cooke could even think about a headshot when his captain has been sidelined and rumored to retire or whatever else the media has decided to inject into the Sidney pity saga. The league needs to just not allow Cooke back in the league.

[KaniacFever]

Good on the NHL. Glad to see they extended the suspension into the playoffs.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

And ANOTHER Penguin (Niskanen) with an elbow to the head on Abdelkader. WTF.:crazy:

I think that one was purely accidental, but I just don't care anymore. High-sticks are penalized when they're accidental and most players have learned how to control their stick. So control your effing elbows too.


Still, it's 3-0 Pens. Wish they would have to suffer somewhat for some of this.

[Darkwing]

announcers just said the pens take on average 9 more penalty minutes per game than any team in the NHL ...jesus ****ing christ.

[DJHARLEY]

Good call by the NHL and good call by his own GM,(he even called Cooke out).
Maybe this will help get Cooke out of the league as well.(doubtful) The NHL network was really opinionated about Cooke last nite. Great to see and hear!!

[TheMadCap]

Good call by the NHL and good call by his own GM,(he even called Cooke out).
Maybe this will help get Cooke out of the league as well.(doubtful) The NHL network was really opinionated about Cooke last nite. Great to see and hear!!

They DESTROYED him on NHL On the Fly last night. Serves the clown right. I am pleasantly surprised on the amount of games he got. Now if they suspend Chara next time he nearly kills somebody, we might have something going here...

[Kat]

I think that one was purely accidental, but I just don't care anymore. High-sticks are penalized when they're accidental and most players have learned how to control their stick. So control your effing elbows too.



I completely agree. I think all shots above the shoulders should be an auto-penalty.

I saw something on HNIC the other day with Cherry going on and on about the size of the equipment being partly to blame.

Regardless, glad to see they are finally doing something about this and not just turning the other way like they did back in the Scott Stevens days.

[Alicia]

Justin Williams injured again. (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=359122)

[SoCalcaniac]

Justin Williams injured again. (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=359122)

So devastated for JWill. He's been easily the most consistent LAK & playing like the JWill we all knew in that wonderful 05-06 season. They really count on him in so many situations, just like we did.

I heard Jarrett Stoll on NHL Power Play on XM on the way to the game tonight, he said JW was 'real down, but determined to get back' for the playoffs. He's not doing surgery, he's gonna try to rehab it. I hope it works.

I saw that game vs CGY last night, and the Regher hit was a typical Regher hit= HARD. Bad luck for one of the best guys to ever wear Canes red.

I decided to bust out the #11 jersey tonight for the first time in a loooong time. I think it's a little good luck charm for us.;) Get well Justin!

[caveman]

C'mon Senators. Do us a favor and beat the Rangers. (In regulation if I could be specific.)

[caveman]

Hooray for Erik Karlsson! And newly richly contracted goalie Anderson. One point is better than two.

[KaniacFever]

I was watching the Flyers-Pens game and I swear Lavi was channeling Mo in that 3rd period. Tie game 1-1, Flyers don't get their first shot on goal until 11 minutes in. Then they lose in a shootout. And the PP was horrible, but then again its been horrible. I think they are like 0-12 or something now. The boyfriend looked at me and was like "are we watching the Flyers or the Canes?" They were just playing for the point then hope they get lucky with the shootout. I've seen that all to often with the boys in Raleigh :lol:

[nccanes]

I was watching the Flyers-Pens game and I swear Lavi was channeling Mo in that 3rd period. Tie game 1-1, Flyers don't get their first shot on goal until 11 minutes in. Then they lose in a shootout. And the PP was horrible, but then again its been horrible. I think they are like 0-12 or something now. The boyfriend looked at me and was like "are we watching the Flyers or the Canes?" They were just playing for the point then hope they get lucky with the shootout. I've seen that all to often with the boys in Raleigh :lol:

Careful KF, the natives could get their pitchforks and torches for this kind of blasphemy! :lol:

Actually, there was a Canes Country article (http://www.canescountry.com/2011/3/24/2069404/time-in-a-bottle-a-look-back-at-2008) this week about the '08 finish (comparing the Canes/Caps to the Sabres/Canes as in who was in the driver's seat as the final 8 games approached and how that worked out). ANYWAY, the article mentions that the Canes were 0-9 on the PP during that potentially clinching game against the Panthers! Oops!

[SoCalcaniac]

LOL. KF :lol:

I saw portions of that game last night- It did feel very MO-esque, however in PL's defense, he did the same thing a few weeks back when they played the Hawks as a 'precaution' because he felt the crew got real "loose" and he wanted to reign them in.

Since the high flying Flyers had started their own little swoon this last little bit, Maybe that was his game plan of choice? I'm not too worried about the Flyers. In 2006, we had our own nosedive heading into the playoffs, I'm chalking this up to that. Although - the goalie thing could be concerning, but maybe not.

I think I'd be happy if we were 0 for 12 on the PP right now. What are we 3 for 73 or whatever that crazzzzy a** stat Chuck rolled out there the other night.

That Habs/Bruins "rematch" since the Chara hit on Pacioretty was a big ol' dud. Complete meltdown on the Habs side. Crazy.

[KaniacFever]

Since the high flying Flyers had started their own little swoon this last little bit, Maybe that was his game plan of choice? I'm not too worried about the Flyers. In 2006, we had our own nosedive heading into the playoffs, I'm chalking this up to that. Although - the goalie thing could be concerning, but maybe not.



If Bob continues to channel Cam Ward like he was last night, it'll be fine :laugh:

[SoCalcaniac]

Yeah he was def good last night, I was talking more about the media chatter that he's 'wearing down' and their assertion that many in the Flyers org had been concerned cause he's had some stinkers. I think it'll be like Gerbs and #30 in 06, but probably in reverse- Boucher will come in and save them or something. He's been a good backup to Bob.

Oy- I just realized the Panthers are playing BUF tonight. Ewww. I need to re-open my eyes and not stay solely focused on who the Canes are playing, lol.

[Caniac4life]

Awesome ending to the Kings-Sharks game last night. I've got to question that shootout attempt by Boyle.

BTW, that Kings color guy talks a lot without actually saying anything like another color guy we know. :lol:

[SoCalcaniac]

BTW, that Kings color guy talks a lot without actually saying anything like another color guy we know. :lol:

wha??? :lol: Not a Jim Fox fan? "Foxy" talks alot, which is good when you stay up late to watch all this west coast action, but he does get a little verbose, I agree.

I had the other chatterbox on, Comcast Bay Area's Drew Remenda. I'm a bigger fan of the Sharks broadcasts especially with Hedican in stuido & for some reason Primeticket/FSN LA has terrible sound issues, it's either really low or really loud. :crazy:

[KaniacFever]

Watching OTF and see Suter score on his own goal. That was clearly a distinct kicking motion :lol:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Watching OTF and see Suter score on his own goal. That was clearly a distinct kicking motion :lol:

Yeah, I wondered at the time that I hadn't realized a kicked-in goal would count if it was in your own goal.

And he own-goaled TWICE in that game. If they hadn't have pulled that one out, I'd have felt AWFUL for him.

[kermelbar]

Kings' Anze Kopitar (of the fabulous "Rooming with Bailey" ASG video) is out 6 weeks with a broken ankle.

[SoCalcaniac]

Kings' Anze Kopitar (of the fabulous "Rooming with Bailey" ASG video) is out 6 weeks with a broken ankle.

Devastatng. No, beyond devastating for the LAK. First JWill & now Anze. Horrible.

We were watching the game just before we left for our game last night; he was in such horrible pain, it certainly didn't look good. Then I looked at the Twitter stream during the 1st intermission and saw Helene Elliott tweet a broken ankle. Just horrible. The Kings aren't "in" officially, and it sure would be horrible if they miss out..... oh it would be pretty awful.

[caniac369]

They have started an #istillbelieve campaign on twitter. Hopefully they have enough depth to make it through until Kopi & JWill make it back.

OT- And I found it amusing they make that video as I know for a fact that Bailey actually roomed with the New Jersey Devil...

[toastmasterbone]

Isles up 3-1 over the Rags in the second period. Just thought I'd mention it.


ETA: Scratch that: 4-1. (four unanswered goals all in the 2nd)

Think that the Isles hate the Rangers so much that they'll roll over tomorrow night to better the chances of the Rags falling out of contention?

[LostTexan]

Yea, great 2nd period for the Isles.

BTW: Due to MLB Extra Innings sharing channels with NHL Center Ice, you can get Center Ice for free for 2 weeks on most cable providers.

[Caniac4life]

Thanks LT. Been watching this one on the web. It's been one of those "went to a fight, and a hockey game broke out" type of games.

5-1 Isles.

Hope they get all these goals out of their system before Saturday.

[SoCalcaniac]

Now we have to take care of business on Long Island. None of that stuff vs NYR will even MATTER if we don't do it ourselves.

I brought this up in the WSH game thread- Dennis Wideman is out indefinitely (http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/bob_mckenzie/?id=360296)with a hematoma after that collision with Ruutu. He's currently in the hospital and was texting pics to his teammates. Mike Knuble said It's pretty gruesome.

WSH is going into the playoffs with Mike Green and his concussion, Tom Poti, who has been in and out of the lineup with a severe groin injury and now Wideman who was acquired when things started looking uncertain with Green. Not good!

[toastmasterbone]

Definitely not good for the beginning of the playoffs for the Caps, but they just need to keep it together on Saturday (vs Sabres), and then they can swirl down into the bottom of the toilet where they belong.

If you listened to the Isles coverage of their game yesterday with the Rags, they kept going on about playing to hurt the Rangers' playoff chances. Looks like today, the Isles themselves are talking about it (http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/islanders/islanders_relish_role_as_spoilers_G64yFTRXJGwhHBir 3UjcSM). While I don't question the Islanders' upcoming game mentality this Saturday, I doubt if we'll get the same intensity out of them that the Rangers got spoon fed last night.

Since being officially eliminated from the playoffs six days ago, the Islanders are now working purely on pride. And that was evident as they reveled in beating their cross-town rivals and landing a huge punch to the Rangers' playoff hopes. "It feels great," said Trevor Gillies, the Islanders' pugilist who scored his second goal of the season in the third period. "Obviously it's a big rivalry, and we talked about it before the game that we want to be spoilers for them."

And if you missed it, all hockey fans will agree that this was a thing of beauty:

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/koFs3__fMa8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Looks like the Haley didn't forget that boarding hit he took from the Glamor Queen a couple of weeks ago.

[SoCalcaniac]

I had flipped to MSG+ (Isles) when we got home from Canes Corner last night, then MSG (Rangers) and I'll say this Toast, the Isles broadcasters kinda said as much too. I can't imagine a team 'tanking' but I don't think they'd die if they lost in OT to us.

A pleasant surprise while watching the broadcast, after that gorgeous goal by Matt Moulson (from John Tavares) they go back to the bench and get all kinds of pats on the back, from Doug Weight. Was really awesome to see him, suit and tie (Islander orange)..... really encouraging the kids. He looked natural; and it was great to see since he's had a heck of a year- these injuries have derailed him and you could see it was tough not to have him out there with all these young guys in the lineup.


This weekend is gonna be interesting to say the least!

[KaniacFever]

Ranger fans are now scared that they will fall out of contention. They have Boston, Atlanta, and Devils left. Ranger fans are freakin out there it will come down to Game 82 against the Devils and they will love nothing more than to knock them out.

[Caniac4life]

Well maybe if the Isles major goal the next 2 weeks is to see the Rangers eliminated, shouldn't that mean that they'll sort of, maybe, unknowingly, throw tomorrow night's game?

:lol: