redwing77

Part of me is saying that it would be legal in the finals to knee someone provided the person who got kneed doesn't get injured. If injury does occur, then it is up to the discretion of the officials. So, being optimistic, I'd say that in the event of injury, there is a 55% chance that the officials will call a penalty. The bigger the name that was injured, the more likely the penalty call.

All I have to say is: Ok, the dude in the back right spoils it, but still...

I think the refs were a little better in Game 2. Game 1 I said that very thing on USCHO, Goon. It was Don Adam and Todd Anderson.

An interesting sentiment. But there is a poster on Brad's blog that said something interesting. Apparently there was a kid from Brainerd who was the 3rd stringer when JPL and JPar were still in town but before Walski (is that even right?). Is that kid still around? I just don't know if that's going to happen though. Eidsness is pretty much established as the #1. Dell MIGHT be the heir apparent. There is always the possibility that Eidsness bolts after this season (how likely is up in the air and way too early to speculate upon) so recruiting a guy who could be an admirable backup to Dell would be wise... I don't know who Hak will go after. Frankly, all I can know is stats. Omaha (USHL) has a scholar athlete who is a goaltender... Teglia is his name I believe.

TWO WORDS: HELL NO. They won their battle. They pushed around the majority. The nickname is all but gone. Why give them any more power? What have they done to earn this power in the first place? They get their nickname and any established NA programs on campus. That's it. No more. They're opting out. Their name is gone, that's all the input we need from the tribes. I say we go in an entirely OPPOSITE direction to what RHHiT and his cronies suggest. No, I don't think we should go out and get something that is purposefully hostile to NA people. No, I don't say we cut NA programming or make life for NA students miserable either. I say it is the same ole same ole from October 1 to eternity with the standard majority ruling over the new nickname. The NA population at UND just become "just another minority" at UND. Nothing to set them apart from the Asian, Indian, African/African-American, Muslim, Canadian, Eskimo, [insert ethnicity here] that choose UND for their higher education. They have enough with the NA programming (InMED, etc.). Their influence could have been made towards righting the wrong in a diplomatic way. They could have used the nickname as leverage towards sweetening the pot for NA students at UND. Instead, they just chose to raze the nickname and drag UND's name through the mud with the help of the NCAA and Myles Brand (and his idiot cronies). Doing what you would say would be like, after getting punched in the mouth, going back to the attacker and asking that person to help you come up with an act or personality that would prevent him from punching you again in the mouth. It gives him POWER. Power he did not earn. Respect he did not deserve. It makes you somewhat subservient to whatever he decides. Do you bow to all your attackers? If so, then I suggest we come up with the nickname the UND Cowering Cowards. Our motto could be "Wimpicus Maximus Eternicus" (ok, that's not latin, but you get my drift). No. This is the bed they made. We bowed to their PC BS. Come October, we work tireless to right what integrity and dignity the PC imbeciles stole from us. END RANT

DAMN IT! I've been exposed! Er... um..... Um.. ScottM- I'm the same size and height as Karl Goehring. I could flop around and be just as dominant.

Yes, you are biased. So am I. But I digress. When I watched the replay I can't exactly tell who initiated anything as Zetterberg was at the top of the screen and mostly off screen until Malkin comes around the back of the net and starts punching away at him and hitting him in the back of the head with the shaft of his stick. Did Osgood dive? Without question, yes. Was Talbot innocent? Nope. He speared Osgood. Now, let's look at what may precipitate this embellishment. This is not going to explain why Osgood didn't get a penalty for diving. He should have been assessed a two minute minor for diving. But let's look at the facts: First off, what has the officials done to control the game? The answer? Nothing. In Game One, Holmstrom was tackling people and Cooke was elbowing players to the HEAD AFTER the whistle and not sitting. In Game Two, more overt penalties were ignored. When this happens, the players start trying to expand the envelope as to how far they can get away with things. We've seen this before in the WCHA. The result is the same thing that got JPar labelled as a diver for the Sioux. If the skaters aren't going to get called for running/checking/spearing/roughing up the goaltender, what else can the goaltender do without slashing or checking back to show that a penalty has been committed? Dive. Now, to what point is that going to make? None, which is why I was amazed Osgood didn't get a penalty (and why JPar wasn't penalized more). But seriously, the goaltender, despite all those pads, are the least protected players on the ice. If the officials aren't protecting them from late hits and being roughed up like the NHL officials obviously have no intention of doing, then what do you suggest he do? Just pray he doesn't get himself injured? Skate away from the goal when a Penguin player skates towards the net to prevent the inevitable? Folks, I truly believe in my heart of hearts that there is NO WAY Osgood dives if he knew for certain the officials would follow the rulebook. Why? Because that same rulebook would bite him in the breezers if he did. It's called calling the game on integrity. Now, look at Game 1. It was fast paced, aggressive, and action packed. Towards the end of the game it got chippier. Game 2, it started out much the same as Game 1, but it got chippier earlier because they know that it is going to take a LOT to get a penalty called on them. My greatest fear is that only now the officials stepped in...game is practically over at the end of Game 2 and suddenly the officials are starting to pay attention to these things? There are a minimum of 2 games remaining in this series and a maximum of 5 games. Officials should set the tone in Game ONE, not the end of Game TWO and MOST DEFINITELY NEVER in Game 3. Game 3 should be just the same ole same ole. It's ok to let some things slide, but do it for both sides. If you are going to call penalties, call the overt ones and call them for both sides and call them consistently. Right now, for every one non-call that would go against Detroit if called, Pittsburgh is committing 2 non-calls. I mean, wasn't some players this season suspended or fined for a hit like Cooke made on a Red Wing in Game 1? Wasn't players fined (at least) for poking at with the stick after the game ends like Crosby did on Maltby? Hasn't players been suspended 1 game for instigating a fight with less than 1 minute left in the game? Suddenly the rule book is being thrown aside for the sake of allowing Crosby and Malkin every opportunity to shine. To be fair, the officials have protected certain players like Zetterberg and Hossa similarly. But, heck, if Zetterberg or Hossa commits an overt penalty, CALL IT. Stupidity deserves penalization. Enough of just protecting certain players because there is certain PR advantages to their success. Game integrity over ratings, imo. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. And DaveK, before you jump all over me know this: Crosby, Malkin, or even the Penguin organization as a whole isn't responsible for this. I hold all this bunk the responsibility of Bettman and crew. They hand selected the officiating crew. They briefed the crew as to how they expect the game to be called. They make the calls on suspensions and rulebook violations requiring more attention than the on-ice officiating crews are afforded. Detroit has largely nullified Crosby. Detroit's game, IMO, hasn't changed at all in both Game 1 and 2. I thought Pittsburgh played better in Game 2. But Detroit just beat Pittsburgh on two great goals and one stinking log left in Fleury's crease (seriously.... DaveK - Watch the replay of Abdelkader's goal in Game 2. THAT is exactly what I'm talking about in how I call Fleury overrated. Great goaltenders NEVER let a shot like that by them regardless of the fact that Hal Gill and Scudari are just as culpable as he is for that goal).

That's why I am kindof reluctant to be excited for Mattson coming in. I'd rather him spend a year playing every game in the USHL and coming to UND in 2010 and let someone else platoon. Then again, there's no saying that Mattson would platoon. Maybe someone else would be on the bench night in and night out.

I think UManitoba dropped the ball on this one. I think Harrington could have competed for starting time against 7th year senior Toews

They certainly played better in the first period than they did all of game 1... especially when the scored the first goal of the game and afterwards until the Wings tied them up. Crosby actually got away two good shots. Malkin got really cheap at the end of the game. Osgood dove to help instigate the crap though. Zetterberg fought Malkin, but Malkin initiated. It will be interesting to see the NHL's response to this.

What about taking a flyer on a guy hoping for a wild card? I mean, Walski started out as "just" a third goaltender. Maybe someone like Belfour. He's 21 or darned close. He's not done a whole lot in juniors. However, I have no idea what he's like in the locker room. It really doesn't matter who we get, but I'm still interested.

Fixed my post. I thought it was a very exciting game. I just hope the officials take the game a little more seriously today.

Sorry Goon. Here's a cleaned up version for you and john: The Wings sucked last night. I can't believe I am a fan of these panzies in red and white. I should be a fan of the panzies in black and gold. Fleury is 3l33t! Crosby is PWNED the Wings! Malkin is a stud on skates. If he were a horse, he'd win the Triple Crown! Even so, the Penguins would have lost to the Bruins in four games had they played each other. Kessel would have single handedly outscored the Penguins for all four games combined! UPDATE: Editted for Goon's sake.

Stupid speculation is hardly worth commenting. Lucia is just fine.

I'm pretty impressed by the Wings last night. Despite not always playing well and despite the officials calling penalties that were only obviously penalties and all but one on the Wings (seriously, all three penalties were penalties, but Holmstrom tackled a guy in the first period no call....a Penguin tackled Abdelkader and held him down no call...Malkin sprung on a breakaway thanks to a blatant trip on Kronwall no call...Leino holding a Penguin just before Abdelkader's goal no call... Crosby tripped no call...Hossa takes a dive before the second goal no call...Matt Cooke elbowing a Red Wing TO THE FACE AFTER THE WHISTLE no call... Hal Gill ensuring Darren Helm has no shot by obstruction slashing no call). Seriously, I can't honestly believe that these are the best officials Bettman had to offer. I wouldn't be a Sioux fan if I didn't have a conspiracy theory behind this: Bettman sees Crosby and Malkin as the face of the NEW NHL. He wants to see a Finals that are highly rated. Lucky for him, the Penguins made the Finals (not saying Bettman had anything to do with that). So, he turns to the officials and tells them to let the game go. Let them fly. So, only the most obvious penalties get called. Detroit learns the hard way about the limits and take two stupid penalties that had to be called. I'm surprised Adams went for hooking. More heinous penalties were let go than that. Who really won Game 1? 2 of 3 Detroit goals were FLUKES. Stuart's goal was a joke and I'm surprised it went in. Not unhappy, mind you, but surprised. The second goal was just unfortunate. The third goal was a produce of Staal being lazy and not tracking the puck and Abdelkader getting lucky. It was a legit goal. Pittsburgh's goal was Osgood leaving a steaming log in the crease. There is NO reason why Osgood couldn't have controlled that puck. Fedotenko gets a gift. Malkin is pissed because Osgood got the primary assist. Detroit won in faceoffs and turn overs. I think Pittsburgh played VERY VERY well with the exception of Crosby. He was nullified completely by Zetterberg and Co.

Sure.

He plays pretty well too.

You are wrong! You are a racist! You are an evil person! You must hereby repent by giving away all your self-respect and your ability to be responsible for your own life. Henceforth you will resort to hiding behind outdated mantra with your head in the sand. What also would satisfy would be to march backwards until Charlemagne is once again on the throne.

The Pens aren't without faults. I think Fleury is still very much the weak link. He tends to be a make or break goaltender. When he makes it, he's spectacular, but when he's not, he's pretty mediocre (being nice). Can the Pens D handle the Wings O? I think if the injuries prevail for the Wings, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Penguins prevail. Osgood hasn't had that great of a season and, without Lidstrom on the ice and at 100%, it's going to be rough. Ericsson won't miss any time, or so it was told during the last Detroit game. Datsyuk is a key, imo. He's the counter to Crosby whereas Hossa is pretty much the counter to Malkin. I'd give the edge to the Pens in that comparison, but I'll give depth to Detroit in spades. This could be an entertaining series.

I don't know. I have mixed feelings. If Mattson plays, who sits?

Who cares? When in doubt, remember they are always right!

Meh. It wasn't a yawner. There were something like 70+ shots in the game and tons of great saves. Maybe you would have preferred the game to go completely offensive: 6 on 6, no goaltenders for 60 minutes? And hypothetical arguments are fun! Here's one: The Cubs are going to win the World Series by sweeping the Royals. Sure it's possible, but hypothetically speaking, it's absolutely going to happen.

Chicago goes down in OT. No more former Sioux in the playoffs. After watching this game here are my thoughts: 1. If Huet played more like he did tonight, I wouldn't call him a big time sieve. 2. Osgood played well, but IMO, Huet played better. 3. EVERY SINGLE GOAL in this game was legit. No weak goals and no lucky goals. 4. The save on Franzen (I think) with seconds left by Huet was brilliant. Lucky, but brilliant. 5. I think Pittsburgh is going to be in excellent position for the Finals. Hossa is playing injured. Chelios is playing less than 10 minutes a game because otherwise his sciatica acts up/might break a hip/might outskate his adult diaper. 6. If Holmstrom plays like he did tonight with a man up, he shouldn't get any PP time. AT ALL. Seriously, that was one of the dumbest penalties I've ever seen. No need to take a penalty like he did and it is dangerous. I'm all for being instigator and getting under the other team's skin, but that play was dirty. Pains me to say that about someone I generally like, but it was a dirty play. 7. This was the definition of a great game. Both teams played very well.

Uh.... If merchandise sales is affected by success so much, explain the fact that the Chicago Cubs are among the highest selling sports teams in terms of merchandise?

I don't know what the outcome would have been if Bruins played the Pens, but I do know one thing: It would have been a series. No offense to Bayda, but Ward is the only reason why they weren't an open round sweep ala Columbus. The series wasn't really exciting at all. It was basically one sided. The Hurricanes didn't look like they even belonged in the playoffs much less on the same sheet of ice as the Penguins. This gives Penguins an edge in that they were, imo, less tested than Detroit has been in the semis and that makes them pretty high in momentum. Detroit and the Penguins had an inverse playoff it seems. Detroit had it easy at first and it got progressively tougher. The Penguins had it tough early and it dropped off against Carolina. So, I think Detroit enters or will enter the Finals having fought harder. However, having Huet in net for the Hawks will rest Detroit's offense. I wouldn't dress Datsyuk or Draper at all if Huet starts. Huet gives up 3 out of hand. Any more than 3 goals is gravy for the opposition. I think this favors Pittsburgh. IIRC, I believe Detroit is more banged up than Pittsburgh. Nevertheless, I think this will be an exciting finals. Offense is a push Goaltending is a push (I still the Fleury is overrated but has played well. Osgood has played better than he has all season long but is still a ticking time bomb looking at this season) PP is a push (without looking at the numbers) PK and Defense will be the big tellers.