Stanley Cup Finals

[glen a richter]

I hate that these "fans" that are just coming back to watch the Blackhawks are going to see them win the Stanley Cup(more than likely). The Blackhawk players might deserve the trophy, but their "fans" sure as hell don't.

I hate them as well, but it's unfair to lump all Hawks fans into that category. Most, for sure...but not all.

True. If there was such a thing as a "good" Blackhawks fan, you would certainly qualify... :D

But there is no such thing. Just to clarify....

[fargoblues]

I hate that these "fans" that are just coming back to watch the Blackhawks are going to see them win the Stanley Cup(more than likely). The Blackhawk players might deserve the trophy, but their "fans" sure as hell don't.

I hate them as well, but it's unfair to lump all Hawks fans into that category. Most, for sure...but not all.

True. If there was such a thing as a "good" Blackhawks fan, you would certainly qualify... :D

But there is no such thing. Just to clarify....

Exactamundo.

[fargoblues]

OTOH, I have no love for teh Flyers either.

[youtube][/youtube]

[philco_3]

Now that makes me happy.

[cprice12]

From what I have seen, the Flyers have been the better team in this series...the Hawks have just been getting better goaltending.

Philly was the better team once again last night.

Chicago had spurts of pressure, but nothing sustained and they seemed to go long stretches where they didn't do much of anything.

Chicago may be up 2-1, but they are going to lose this series unless they play better than they have in the first three games.

[Ruutu15]

Once again, the officiating in that game last night was horrid. You've got Pronger cross-checking Buff in the back no fewer than 4 times with no call, but as soon as Buff slashes his stick, he's off for 2 minutes. I thought this "new NHL" thing was supposed to cut down on defensive stick play in front of the net? What's more dangerous, slashing a guy's stick or cross checking him in the back multiple times? I'm not against a defenseman doing whatever he has to do in order to clear the front of the net, and props to Pronger for always getting away with it, but be consistent with the calls. Hartnell punching Versteeg in the head from behind right in front of the ref, no call.

Trust me, I hate when people blame their team's shortcomings on officiating, but this series has been terrible for bad calls and no-calls. Once again, I'm not saying that the Hawks didn't deserve their calls against, but Jesus...the things Philadelphia is getting away with are ridiculous. I wonder if a less-established player like Hjalmarsson cross-checked a Phila player 4 times in front of the net if it would have been called. A penalty is a penalty, doesn't matter if it's October or June, it needs to be called the same. I said the same things after Hawks wins, so I'm not just saying this because they lost last night.

At the end, I'm not concerned. The Flyers are supposedly "outplaying" the Hawks and still find themselves down 2 games to 1, with their win coming in OT. I look for Byfuglien to move off of the top line (with Brouwer going back on) in order to spread Philadelphia's defense thin in the next game. Andrew Ladd will most likely play on Friday, which is another weapon with grit. Not worried. They said the same thing in the Nashville and Vancouver series, and the same applies. The Blackhawks have the skill to convert nearly EVERY time the opposition makes a mistake in transition, and that's what makes them deadly.

[northwest dave]

Once again, the officiating in that game last night was horrid. You've got Pronger cross-checking Buff in the back no fewer than 4 times with no call, but as soon as Buff slashes his stick, he's off for 2 minutes. I thought this "new NHL" thing was supposed to cut down on defensive stick play in front of the net? What's more dangerous, slashing a guy's stick or cross checking him in the back multiple times? I'm not against a defenseman doing whatever he has to do in order to clear the front of the net, and props to Pronger for always getting away with it, but be consistent with the calls. Hartnell punching Versteeg in the head from behind right in front of the ref, no call.

Trust me, I hate when people blame their team's shortcomings on officiating, but this series has been terrible for bad calls and no-calls. Once again, I'm not saying that the Hawks didn't deserve their calls against, but Jesus...the things Philadelphia is getting away with are ridiculous. I wonder if a less-established player like Hjalmarsson cross-checked a Phila player 4 times in front of the net if it would have been called. A penalty is a penalty, doesn't matter if it's October or June, it needs to be called the same. I said the same things after Hawks wins, so I'm not just saying this because they lost last night.

At the end, I'm not concerned. The Flyers are supposedly "outplaying" the Hawks and still find themselves down 2 games to 1, with their win coming in OT. I look for Byfuglien to move off of the top line (with Brouwer going back on) in order to spread Philadelphia's defense thin in the next game. Andrew Ladd will most likely play on Friday, which is another weapon with grit. Not worried. They said the same thing in the Nashville and Vancouver series, and the same applies. The Blackhawks have the skill to convert nearly EVERY time the opposition makes a mistake in transition, and that's what makes them deadly.

Speaking of Butfuklin. In 3 games so far....

Goals: 0
Assists: 1
+/-: -3
SOG: 3
PIM: 4 mins

Must be the officiating.

[Ruutu15]

Once again, the officiating in that game last night was horrid. You've got Pronger cross-checking Buff in the back no fewer than 4 times with no call, but as soon as Buff slashes his stick, he's off for 2 minutes. I thought this "new NHL" thing was supposed to cut down on defensive stick play in front of the net? What's more dangerous, slashing a guy's stick or cross checking him in the back multiple times? I'm not against a defenseman doing whatever he has to do in order to clear the front of the net, and props to Pronger for always getting away with it, but be consistent with the calls. Hartnell punching Versteeg in the head from behind right in front of the ref, no call.

Trust me, I hate when people blame their team's shortcomings on officiating, but this series has been terrible for bad calls and no-calls. Once again, I'm not saying that the Hawks didn't deserve their calls against, but Jesus...the things Philadelphia is getting away with are ridiculous. I wonder if a less-established player like Hjalmarsson cross-checked a Phila player 4 times in front of the net if it would have been called. A penalty is a penalty, doesn't matter if it's October or June, it needs to be called the same. I said the same things after Hawks wins, so I'm not just saying this because they lost last night.

At the end, I'm not concerned. The Flyers are supposedly "outplaying" the Hawks and still find themselves down 2 games to 1, with their win coming in OT. I look for Byfuglien to move off of the top line (with Brouwer going back on) in order to spread Philadelphia's defense thin in the next game. Andrew Ladd will most likely play on Friday, which is another weapon with grit. Not worried. They said the same thing in the Nashville and Vancouver series, and the same applies. The Blackhawks have the skill to convert nearly EVERY time the opposition makes a mistake in transition, and that's what makes them deadly.

Speaking of Butfuklin. In 3 games so far....

Chicago - 2
Philadelphia - 1

Must be the officiating.

FTFY

[dmiles2186]

Not sure where to put this, so I'll put it here. This happened during the 2nd intermission last night. Ron MacLean v. Gary Bettman. For once in my life, I believe Bettman actually looked better than the one asking questions in an interview.

[youtube][/youtube]

[cprice12]

Once again, the officiating in that game last night was horrid. You've got Pronger cross-checking Buff in the back no fewer than 4 times with no call, but as soon as Buff slashes his stick, he's off for 2 minutes. I thought this "new NHL" thing was supposed to cut down on defensive stick play in front of the net? What's more dangerous, slashing a guy's stick or cross checking him in the back multiple times? I'm not against a defenseman doing whatever he has to do in order to clear the front of the net, and props to Pronger for always getting away with it, but be consistent with the calls. Hartnell punching Versteeg in the head from behind right in front of the ref, no call.

Trust me, I hate when people blame their team's shortcomings on officiating, but this series has been terrible for bad calls and no-calls. Once again, I'm not saying that the Hawks didn't deserve their calls against, but Jesus...the things Philadelphia is getting away with are ridiculous. I wonder if a less-established player like Hjalmarsson cross-checked a Phila player 4 times in front of the net if it would have been called. A penalty is a penalty, doesn't matter if it's October or June, it needs to be called the same. I said the same things after Hawks wins, so I'm not just saying this because they lost last night.

At the end, I'm not concerned. The Flyers are supposedly "outplaying" the Hawks and still find themselves down 2 games to 1, with their win coming in OT. I look for Byfuglien to move off of the top line (with Brouwer going back on) in order to spread Philadelphia's defense thin in the next game. Andrew Ladd will most likely play on Friday, which is another weapon with grit. Not worried. They said the same thing in the Nashville and Vancouver series, and the same applies. The Blackhawks have the skill to convert nearly EVERY time the opposition makes a mistake in transition, and that's what makes them deadly.

The crosscheck you are referring to that Pronger put on Byfuglien before the penalty for slashing on Byfuglien...that is what happens in front of the net in the playoffs. It wasn't a vicious crosscheck. It was within the area of "acceptable" in front of the net in the playoffs.
Is it technically a penalty? Sure. But if those types of things are called, there would be 50 penalties a game and the playoffs would suck and people would complain about the refs calling too much stuff and not letting the players play.

The slash that broke Pronger's stick is a black and white rule. If the stick breaks and the ref sees it, it's a penalty every time. There isn't a different level of "stick break"...it's either broken or it isn't. Hard to argue that call.

No doubt the Hawks are dangerous in the quick transition game, and Philly has to watch that. But damn, Philly is outplaying Chicago in this series. If I were a Hawk fan, I would be praying that Niemi doesn't slip from "outstanding" to "very good"....because if that happens, they may lose the series.

Hartnell punching Versteeg? ...come on...Versteeg embellished that big time. On the replay it didn't look that bad at all.

[glen a richter]

The Hawks won 2 close games on home ice and lost one on the road. The tables will turn when the series returns to Chicago. Flyers in 6.

[Ruutu15]

So if I'm reading this right, Pronger gets to play by 1993 clutch/grab/mug and hack rules. Got it.

Playoffs or not, the double standard is retarded. It's not about "letting the boys play", it's about calling the penalties. If someone takes a cross-checking penalty, don't blame the ref...blame the player for putting you in that situation. A penalty in October should be the same as one in game 7 of the playoffs. The situation shouldn't dictate the rulebook.

[cprice12]

So if I'm reading this right, Pronger gets to play by 1993 clutch/grab/mug and hack rules. Got it.

Playoffs or not, the double standard is retarded. It's not about "letting the boys play", it's about calling the penalties. If someone takes a cross-checking penalty, don't blame the ref...blame the player for putting you in that situation. A penalty in October should be the same as one in game 7 of the playoffs. The situation shouldn't dictate the rulebook.

You are complaining like this is something new.
It has ALWAYS been that way.

[goon attack]

Penalty filled playoff games would be lame as hell, imo.

I think they should remain as chippy as possible and penalties should only be called in blatant cases. They should also be evened out, for the most part.

I still think power plays are bull. The net should be enlarged and players should get fouls like in basketball or soccer.

[section319]

I look for Byfuglien to move off of the top line (with Brouwer going back on) in order to spread Philadelphia's defense thin in the next game.

So, does Pronger still keep playing against Byfuglien or does all the hype around that match up not matter if he isn't on the top line?

Can't say I know much about Chicago's lines prior to the Finals, but how long has Byfuglien been playing with Kane and Toews? Was he put on that top line to take some of Pronger's attention away from Kane and Toews?

Pardon my ignorance, but haven't watched much hockey outside of the Blues this season and I haven't watched much playoffs this year with the end of school and all.

[theohall]

... and props to Pronger for always getting away with it,

This must be the first playoff history every where Pronger has been "always getting away with it." With the Ducks - one of the most penalized defensemen. As a Blues player, always called any time he touched a Red Wings player, regardless of what they did to him first.

And if that crap in front of the net Pronger was doing is a penalty, let's talk about the 'Hawks d-men not getting called for doing the same thing, or the ridiculous number of times 'Hawks players have tripped Flyers with no call.

If you are going to bitch about officiating, bitch about all of it. Not just the crap that doesn't help your team. Friggin' whiny ass 'Hawks fans not looking at the whole picture.

Game 2 - The 'Hawks should have been short-handed 4 more times than they actually were. It was like a friggin' make up for Game One when they didn't call crap against Philly.

[theohall]

No doubt the Hawks are dangerous in the quick transition game, and Philly has to watch that.

While the Hawks seem super slow at line changes and the Flyers keep taking advantage of it with quicker changes. Were it not for Niemi, the Flyers could have won Game 2 on bad Hawks line changes.

[Winning Unlimited]

I've heard from someone that they were able to get an audio of a hockey game, without the announcers. Its just sounds from the game. Anyone know if VS has an audio setting that allows for no announcers, but just the sounds of the crowd and the game itself?

[glen a richter]

Penalty filled playoff games would be lame as hell, imo.

I think they should remain as chippy as possible and penalties should only be called in blatant cases. They should also be evened out, for the most part.

I still think power plays are bull. The net should be enlarged and players should get fouls like in basketball or soccer.

If you're in any way suggesting that hockey should become MORE like those two pansy sports, I must respectfully disagree and say that I'm highly disappointed in you.

[Winning Unlimited]

Penalty filled playoff games would be lame as hell, imo.

I think they should remain as chippy as possible and penalties should only be called in blatant cases. They should also be evened out, for the most part.

I still think power plays are bull. The net should be enlarged and players should get fouls like in basketball or soccer.

If you're in any way suggesting that hockey should become MORE like those two pansy sports, I must respectfully disagree and say that I'm highly disappointed in you.

I wonder what 2 on 1 penalty shots would do for the game if they were used as awards for fouls.