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Ex-Isles Making Headlines in the Playoffs

April 18, 2012, 7:51 AM ET [178 Comments]
Dee Karl
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
I have been wrapped up in playoff action now that NBC Sports is televising all the games. I no longer even KNOW what's on regular TV anymore (okay, with the exception of Celebrity Apprentice which is my one guilty pleasure).

However, as a hockey fan, I am torn between feelings with how they are going. The action is exciting, the comebacks are amazing. But the amount of injuries and dirty plays are just mind numbing.

We all understand the amount of passion these games bring out in those who actually have the good fortune of playing them, but the lack of respect is really, REALLY getting out of hand. At this rate, there will be no one left at the end of the third round to even move on to the finals.

The best Twitter line I read last night was "The NHL should just rename these the Stanley Cup Hunger Games."

THIS IS NOT A FIGHT TO THE DEATH!!! I know I have called Hockey the last great gladiator sport, but I seriously didn't mean that LITERALLY. The object is to put the puck in the net, not to send as many of your opponents to the hospital as possible.

And yeah, I'm looking at YOU -- Raffi Torres. When a guy sends Marion Hossa off the ice on a stretcher, whether the hit is clean or not and the grey area that will be debated for days, doesn't matter. What really matters is a great player is in an ambulance and not on the ice.

Then there's Aaron Asham who has always been a gritty player with a certain amount of skill. But lately, he's making more headlines for his antics than his goals. Last night he was given a four game suspension for his cross check on Schenn and the "violent and vengeful nature" of the action.

Asham's saving grace was that he has never been fined in his 13 year career before. Raffi Torres will not have that luxury.

Then there's Sean Bergenheim who seems to be Mr. Playoffs. He helped the Tampa Bay Lightning last year in their playoff run and now he's one of the driving forces behind the Panther's battle against the NJ Devils. Perhaps it's because Sean had so much experience getting into Marty's head or just that he finds that spot in his brain that cranks it up a notch when the post season comes around, but he's finding a way to help the Panthers win.

And this is where I get to say to Garth Snow: I TOLD YOU SO! While I would have preferred to see Sean Bergenheim stay in an Islander sweater, I can't help but be happy for his ex-Isles success.

Off-Sides: Rumor has it that Scott Allen and Dean Chenyoweth were let go because Jack Capuano wanted to hire his own assistants since he inherited them from taking over for Scott Gordon. Funny thing is that Jack was also part of that "old regime" having come up from Bridgeport. But this is the business of hockey. When you're a coach, or even an assistant, today could ALWAYS be your last day.











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