I'm going to be "that guy" and blame the officiating.

[JTalarico328]

Just joking, not completely gonna blame the officiating...the flyers have certainly outplayed the Hawks for parts of this series. But after doing a little research...this might be even worse than we thought. Fuck you, NHL Officials!



http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago ... g-but.html

 

[Maiden]

Out of 7 penalties we were called for last night, six were stick fouls.

Amazingly Chris Pronger had none; he cross checks and slashes nearly every with nothing called.



When a veteran hockey writer like Bob McKensie starts questioning the officiating you know damn well the NHL has a a problem on its hands.

 

[roshinaya]

it wont be any help to have mccreary doing games 5 and 7.

 

[BiscuitintheBasket]

[quote name="Maiden"]Out of 7 penalties we were called for last night, six were stick fouls.

Amazingly Chris Pronger had none; he cross checks and slashes nearly every with nothing called.



When a veteran hockey writer like Bob McKensie starts questioning the officiating you know damn well the NHL has a a problem on its hands.[/quote]





Absolutely. I seriously do not want to think that the league wants this series to go the distance and play off the Cinderella story. Which is not to say the NHL wants to Philly to win it, but perhaps get to a certain point, then "normalize" to see where the chips lay.



But it is hard to ignore the PIM discrepancy, and the fact that since 1967, 8 SCF's have gone to 7 games. 6 since the count took over, and 5 since 2000. Perhaps parity set in that quickly...

 

[Maiden]

[quote name="roshinaya"]it wont be any help to have mccreary doing games 5 and 7.[/quote]



O Halleran has fucked the Hawks more in games 1 and 3 than McCreary has.

 

[Maiden]

I just watched the first six minutes of last nights game and had to turn it off.

The Hawks had 2 terrific shifts back to back and then Walkom called a phantom high stick penalty on Kopecky, Hammer gave it up and Richards scored. (and RK if thats a soft goal in your mind i think you're crazy. Niemi is expecting Hammer to clear that puck.)



The Blackhawks had huge momentum to start this game and referee Walkom stole it from them with 2 marginal penalty calls that the Flyers have gotten away with for 4 straight games. If you don't think that kind of BS affects the way a team plays then you've never played an ounce of competitive sports. Olcyck actually made a terrific point about how he thought the refs were calling the game tight and as players you expect it to be called tight both ways. From the way Troy Murray sounded in the radio booth I would say that wasnt the case last night.



As fans and for the amount of money I fork over to witness these games I expect something much more than the WWF style officiating I have witnessed in the first four games of the series. It is so blatantly obvious that even Pronger is making a mockery of it in the post game pressers stating he thinks the Flyers are getting the shaft in the officiating. He knows he's getting away murder on the ice is thumbing his nose at the NHL with those types of comments (which used to be fineable offenses in previous years). We're stuck with these 4 goon officials for the rest of the series. Going to have to beat both the refs and the Flyers to win the Cup.

 

[Ton]

[quote name="Maiden"]I just watched the first six minutes of last nights game and had to turn it off.

The Hawks had 2 terrific shifts back to back and then Walkom called a phantom high stick penalty on Kopecky, Hammer gave it up and Richards scored. (and RK if thats a soft goal in your mind i think you're crazy. Niemi is expecting Hammer to clear that puck.)



The Blackhawks had huge momentum to start this game and referee Walkom stole it from them with 2 marginal penalty calls that the Flyers have gotten away with for 4 straight games. If you don't think that kind of BS affects the way a team plays then you've never played an ounce of competitive sports. Olcyck actually made a terrific point about how he thought the refs were calling the game tight and as players you expect it to be called tight both ways. From the way Troy Murray sounded in the radio booth I would say that wasnt the case last night.



As fans and for the amount of money I fork over to witness these games I expect something much more than the WWF style officiating I have witnessed in the first four games of the series. It is so blatantly obvious that even Pronger is making a mockery of it in the post game pressers stating he thinks the Flyers are getting the shaft in the officiating. He knows he's getting away murder on the ice is thumbing his nose at the NHL with those types of comments (which used to be fineable offenses in previous years). We're stuck with these 4 goon officials for the rest of the series. Going to have to beat both the refs and the Flyers to win the Cup.[/quote]



Huet gives up that puck and everyone nails him for not paying attention, it was a soft goal no doubt and a bad play by Hjalmarsson (something that isn't said often about either player, but then again, that's probably why we lost).



I thought Hjalmarsson and Keith may have played some of their worst hockey in a long time in game 4. four of the goals scored, they were directly involved and it was their fault.



Hjalmarsson on the first soft goal, Hjalmarsson on the weak clearing attempt which happened to be the second goal... then Keith leaving Giroux wide open and standing on the wrong side of the net (someone blamed Kane? Really? Ketih was in no mans land there) then Keith on the empty netter.



Fuck the officiating, these guys need to play better and MUST play better.



Faceoffs were atrocious. Flyers won every single important face-off, give or take a couple.



Passing was beyond brutal. Forget the crappy ice, it hasn't exactly effected the Flyers at all so I can't say that excuse is valid when we can barely make a single tape-to-tape pass all game... I mean how fucking hard is it? Kane was the only player that could actually do it yesterday... I honestly did not see any other player complete a tape to tape pass... not ONE!



Game 5 is a must win.

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

The officiating has been so unbelievably one sided it makes my skin crawl when thinking about the first 2 calls last night. Goaltender interference on Ladd for hitting a player who fell a good 3-4 feet into Leighton. Not to mention the play had moved on going out of the Flyers zone, and Leighton wasn't even knocked over he was just pushed into the net. That call was utter fucking bullshit.



The Kopecky call was just as ridiculous. And on the Richards goal I never got a good replay but Richards stick seemed very close to hooking.



And above all the bullshit calls, the thing that pisses me off was the BLATANT calls to put the Hawks back in the game with the 5 on 3. The call to put us on the 5 on 3 was probably worse than any call we got, yet we were down 4-1 in the 3rd and the NHL didn't want people changing the fucking channel, then again only Flyers and Hawks fans are watching CAUSE THE GAMES ON FUCKING VERSUS!!!!!



The refs BOTH WAYS have been shit. Everytime the Flyers actually commit a penalty, they don't call it. I just realized I could ramble about the shit officiating forever, all I want is the fucking Hawks to overcome it and win the fucking cup, which they can do.

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

You know what FUCK ALL THAT, THESE REFS ABSOLUTELY BLEW THE FUCKING GAME LAST NIGHT. I'm watching the replay on comcast right now, and we just sustained pressure in their zone for about 30 seconds, Sharp-Hossa-Kopecky, Kopecky gets horribly slashed, Hossa gets the puck in the slot for a great shot.....whistle blows, not a PP Hawks, like you would get when you have sustained offense, PP Flyers. Its a fucking joke. NOT TO MENTION THERE WAS NO SLAHS, even Eddie and Doc said, "still trying to find the slash on Sharp".



Not only does that take away the momentum we had, it gives the Flyers yet another PP. Open your eyes refs, Pronger is the leagues slash, crosscheck speacialist and he knows it. Its part of what makes him so good. Yet he's been in the box once, for highsticking.

 

[Guest]

You can blame the refs for what you want, and yes, I agree there were some questionable calls, but the refs don't put the puck in the net. Yes, their input can give a team a better chance to score, but why didn't the top line of Kane-Toews-Buff not put the puck in the net more? Niemi gave up a couple softies too. Buff played like absolute shit outside of a few shifts. Kane was a minus 4, (3 with the empty net).



To be quite honest, the "MVP" of this series, outside of Niemi is Eager. At least he's giving his all every shift.



Also, when the hell did the Hawks turn into a team full of pussies? What we can't take the puck to the net anymore? We must keep taking perimeter shots and hope that we can score on a crappy angle (Bolland's one-timer from the goal line?) I'd say 80% of the shots Leighton saw were from outside the circles and in his chest. If you want to draw penalties which you will, take the puck to the net (Buff...) and let the other teams defense drag you down or plow through the goalie. Time to step up and play the game instead of sitting back and waiting for the chances (outside of the end of the 3rd when they showed up)...



/rant

 

[Guest]

[quote name="PatrickSharpRules"]Not only does that take away the momentum we had, it gives the Flyers yet another PP. Open your eyes refs, Pronger is the leagues slash, crosscheck speacialist and he knows it. Its part of what makes him so good. Yet he's been in the box once, for highsticking.[/quote]



I agree Pronger get's away with the slashes quite a bit but do you see all the people giving it back to Pronger that they let go?



Captain Serious has been giving little whacks here and there all season long and get's away with it.

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

[quote name="TJD"]You can blame the refs for what you want, and yes, I agree there were some questionable calls, but the refs don't put the puck in the net. Yes, their input can give a team a better chance to score, but why didn't the top line of Kane-Toews-Buff not put the puck in the net more? Niemi gave up a couple softies too. Buff played like absolute shit outside of a few shifts. Kane was a minus 4, (3 with the empty net).



To be quite honest, the "MVP" of this series, outside of Niemi is Eager. At least he's giving his all every shift.



/rant[/quote]



I don't know how you've gotten Eager as the MVP. He's played good but he doesn't get more than 5-6 minutes a night. Hossa and Sharp have been by far the best forwards and are bringing it every shift, PK, even strength and the few PP's those two have been great.

 

[Guest]

Don't mention the tiny word "momentum" in your rant there Trev. Because, yes that can wind up in the back of your net.



The Officiating has been questionable in every game. You can only battle both that and the other team for so long. There was most certainly some break downs last night by this team, but when you can tell me WHEN it all started, I will point you right to the imaginary "high stick" on Kopecky, right after the Questionable interference on Ladd was killed.



MOMENTUM has been squeezed from the Hawks more by poor/sloppy/INTENTIONAL poor officiating, than their poor play.



Tomorrow will tell a lot. Let's see how it plays out. I have a feeling we'll all be surprised.





Also remember that game in Anaheim where Seabrook was blasted by Wiz. The officiating was so poor it was publicly called out? Ironically the next GAME in LA, the Hawks took at least TWO clear penalties, which were NOT called and the Hawks were given like 5 PP's and the Kings none? Infact the Hawks were called for ONE penalty all night and it was offset?





Yea, tell me again how officiating is not pre determined, or corrects itself for teams game to game, and I'll sell you some swamp land if you don't agree.



And HOSSA by far is the MVP of this series so far. What the hell are you watching??

 

[Guest]

[quote name="PatrickSharpRules"]



I don't know how you've gotten Eager as the MVP. He's played good but he doesn't get more than 5-6 minutes a night. Hossa and Sharp have been by far the best forwards and are bringing it every shift, PK, even strength and the few PP's those two have been great.[/quote]



I put Eager above Sharp and Hossa only because for the little time Eager has been getting, he's a made a bit of a difference momentum wise. He's busting his ass, throwing his weight around and every chance he's out on the ice, something happens.



Hossa has played great as well as Sharp but they are EXPECTED to show up and play like that, Eager is supposed to be the goon and he's played more like a 2nd or 3rd liner.

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

For real watching this replay its fucking ridiculous. Were getting to the point where the refs choose to put the Hawks back in the game with the 5 on 3.

 

[Guest]

[quote name="PatrickSharpRules"]For real watching this replay its fucking ridiculous. Were getting to the point where the refs choose to put the Hawks back in the game with the 5 on 3.[/quote]



Which by that time almost took them a miracle. Almost got it too. That 5 on 3 was even questionable. Which clearly makes it look fixed. Sad, sad, sad.....



If this series had been called even, letting both sides play instead of one, it would be almost over, if not over.



How much revenue would the LEAGUE lose if that happened? I imagine enough to make them push it as far as it can go. Hawks just need to hang in there and win the games at HOME.

 

[BiscuitintheBasket]

One would have to wonder if the refs will make it off the ice tomorrow if they call the game the way they did last night...I can imagine the sustained "refs you suck" chants going on forever by the 22K in attendance. LOL.

 

[Razzberry]

Ladd wasn't called for goalie interference, it was interference by hitting the player without the puck. He was a bit overzealous, but that's definitely been let go at times throughout the series.



The Sharp slash was blatant and probably the most deserved penalty of the night. They clearly showed it on CBC. He actually chopped Richards legs out twice away from the puck and they called him on the second one. It was in retaliation for Richards knocking him into the side of the net.

 

[Rdrhwke]

[quote name="Razzberry"]Ladd wasn't called for goalie interference, it was interference by hitting the player without the puck. He was a bit overzealous, but that's definitely been let go at times throughout the series.



The Sharp slash was blatant and probably the most deserved penalty of the night. They clearly showed it on CBC. He actually chopped Richards legs out twice away from the puck and they called him on the second one. It was in retaliation for Richards knocking him into the side of the net.[/quote]



You're a little off on the Sharp thing. Sharp was slashed, better yet a two handed axe-like slashed by Richards then received a cross-check to the back of the head followed by a shove into the goal. The refs conveniently ignored all that which is no surprise.

 

[EspoForever]

[quote name="jtalarico328"]Just joking, not completely gonna blame the officiating...the flyers have certainly outplayed the Hawks for parts of this series. But after doing a little research...this might be even worse than we thought. Fuck you, NHL Officials!



http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago ... g-but.html[/quote]



Spot-on, man! The Flyers (as I was expecting) have looked great in this series, but I firmly believe that a large reason for that is that they seem to be able to do pretty much anything they want and the Hawks have been forced to play as if they have eggshells in their shoulder pads and they go to the box if they get broken.



As an illustration of what happens when the Flyers are forced to follow the rules, look what happened late in the 3rd yesterday once they Flyers were sent to the box a couple times. UNFORTUNATELY, they committed 3 blatant penatlies between 17:00 and 18:00 of the 3rd letting them know "anything goes again."



If anyone thinks I am JUST being a homer, I clearly saw the Sharks being preferred over the Red Wings in their series this year...and I did not want to have to play the Wings, but the slanted treatment in that series was laughable.



The NHL's integritry has sunk to near zero with me. I will always love hockey. It's the greatest game in the world, but over the last few years I have been given serious reason to consider getting my hockey fix somewhere else...College, high school Anywhere but from Buttman's NBA "marketing driven" version of the NHL.



Careful NHL: Your Flyer is open--and you preferences are showing!!