Its a shame. She panders to the lowest common denominator and offers no insight whatsoever. I get that a blogger is a fan and not a journalist, but she's so over the top its just comical.

Its kind of like us being stuck with Paul Steigerwald as a play by play guy on TV.
- Emperor Filonius

Well, it certainly doesn't help a civil conversation about the call in OT when she comes so over the top with the "Isles can beat the Pens but not the Refs". You'd think a next day blog would be a bit more reserved in emotions. Leave the pissing and whining to us

I appreciate the fact that she's a dedicated fan and all, but I can't help but think that she's in it more for the backstage passes.

Great game yesterday I have to say but listen I am not going to blame the refs for this one at all. I am going to blame Nabby. He has not been himself in this series at all. We were lucky to get it to where it was yesterday. The Islanders showed heart and soul and that is all I want to see from them. The Penguins know that they need to play hard every game and we are playing just as good as the most elite team in the NHL.

Sidney Crosby is Crosby. I dotn expect anything else. The only thing that pisses me off is that the Islanders are afraid to hit him while he goes around doing whatever he feels like. This is the only thing that ticks me off. We need some one to hit the kid and get him off his game. It is the only way you are going to beat him. If the refs call a penalty on it well then so be it but you at least sent a message.

Oh also Okposo is in beast mode. I hope he plays like this now for the rest of his career

With all respect to parity in sports, I do think this series is highlighting the reason why I think it will ultimately be Boston in the cup (and I prefer the Pens). Ever since the Isles have turned up the physical intensity on the Pens, the 5x5 game has tilted heavily in the direction of the Isles. We're not a physical team at all, in fact you could make the argument that we're on the bottom half of physical teams in this league. Boston meanwhile is like the Neanderthal's of the NHL and are capable of physically dominating anyone. I have a bad feeling either one of our teams will be on the ice more than their skates against them.
- keaner17

Actually, I don't think the Penguins are having any issue with the physical play. They're a playoff-hardened team that knows what it takes. I think it's actually the neutral zone play and transition game combined with speed that gets Pittsburgh on their heels, and that allows NY to get in and hit on the forecheck. But I will agree, as Boston is a hybrid, as in they have speed and size (and a goalie with at least half a glove hand). With all due respect, if Pittsburgh is having this much trouble with the Isles, they'll be fodder to a team like Boston/NYR if they advance.

Yeah, she just kind of put a *kick me* sign on your blog.

Want some cheese with that whine Dee???? I think everyone could understand the reaction of an average Islander fan in the moments after yesterday's game, but this is really wearing thin.

I'm going to sum this up: Suck it up, and shut your pie holes already.

Maybe if the Islanders would consider actually trying to kill a PP, they wouldn't have lost the game.

Some history: In game 2 in the Wales Conference finals in 91, the Boston Bruins were awarded a TWO MAN ADVANTAGE against the Penguins IN OVERTIME.
(Funny how I didn't see Mike Milbury, who was behind the bench for the Bruins complaining about *those* calls)

The Bruins Vladimir Ruzizcka (sp?) subsequently scored and led the series 2-0. Needless to say, as Pens fans, were were a bit annoyed.

But the Pens responded not by whining, but by putting it behind them and won the next four games in a row. There was a lesson in that which I took away as a fan....move on.

Want to prove you are worthy Islanders (and fans)? Take a look in the mirror and admit your special teams were not up to snuff and that your goaltending was lousy. That's why you lost.

Losers blame the officials and let it take away from the magnificent effort that the Islanders put forth yesterday. Winners don't put themselves in a position where the officals can make a call that impacts the outcome of the game.

Here endeth the rant.

Good day.
- Emperor Filonius

Or you can just stay on the pens blog and you wouldn't have to read any of this. Just saying

That was a tough call. He didn't "slash him in the face" but at the same time, he knew what he was doing. It was a dirty move, but he didn't slash him in the face; more like he let Cooke's face hit his blade.
- jmatchett383

He made a stabbing motion forward with his stick, it was plain as day.

He made a stabbing motion forward with his stick, it was plain as day.
- nbartley9

which day?

XxNYIxX

He made a stabbing motion forward with his stick, it was plain as day.
- nbartley9

Slashing is defined as "the act of a player swinging his stick at an opponent." Like I said, it was a penalty, but not a slash by definition. Unsportsmanlike conduct for sure though.

He made a stabbing motion forward with his stick, it was plain as day.
- nbartley9

stick was turned sideways...'stabbing' is an exaggeration. Dirty crap happens along the restbox like that all the time. Knowing Shanny, he'll make some 'head is the priciple point of contact' bs comment. He got a penalty for it, I don't expect anything more.

He made a stabbing motion forward with his stick, it was plain as day.
- nbartley9

He was making sure his stick was against the boards. Held it there for Cook to run into, and laughed about it in the box after. Cook was in no hurry to get him back.

stick was turned sideways...'stabbing' is an exaggeration. Dirty crap happens along the restbox like that all the time. Knowing Shanny, he'll make some 'head is the priciple point of contact' bs comment. He got a penalty for it, I don't expect anything more.
- keaner17

Taking a shot at a player on the ice, from the bench is really frowned upon. He is prolly in poop.

Taking a shot at a player on the ice, from the bench is really frowned upon. He is prolly in poop.
- bixll

He deserves 5 games, it actually should be the same suspension as leaving the bench during a fight.

He deserves 5 games, it actually should be the same suspension as leaving the bench during a fight.
- nbartley9

No he doesn't. No worse than any other high stick. You are overreacting. He got a penalty, and he served it. It's the playoffs; things like that happen more than you see on TV. The amount of accidental elbows/slashes/spears in the playoffs are amazing when you watch the play away from the puck.

Taking a shot at a player on the ice, from the bench is really frowned upon. He is prolly in poop.
- bixll

As I said...it happens all the time. Cooke was hit and leaning into the Isles box. That doesn't make it right, but it's not like Carkner stood up and reached out to get him.

It's a 50/50 call for sure...but there's no way you can say it's not a penalty. 50/50 in that sometimes they call those and sometimes they don't.

The Isles don't need to beat the officials (there were 4 power plays for the Pens and 3 for the Isles...EDIT which brings the series total to 11 for each team...hardly a conspiracy )...they (Strait) need to be in better position defensively in that case.

What you can say is that the officials maybe need to do a better job of making more consistent calls...BUT you can say that ALL OF THE TIME.

It's tough in that situation...but the truth is, if Strait could have stayed in a better position and driven his shoulder into Crosby from the side or front, instead of obviously reaching and grabbing him, then there wouldn't have been a penalty.

When you are right in front of the official...and you reach out and grab a guy's shoulder...after he obviously beat you (positionally)...seriously...you have to expect a penalty.
- icedog97

if the shoe was on the other foot, how would you feel down 2 games to 1 because of that "call"

He deserves 5 games, it actually should be the same suspension as leaving the bench during a fight.
- nbartley9

As I said...it happens all the time. Cooke was hit and leaning into the Isles box. That doesn't make it right, but it's not like Carkner stood up and reached out to get him.
- keaner17

Carkner knew what he was doing. Thats why he was laughing about it in the box. He is just too tough for Cook to frank with.

How about kill the off the penalty? If they thought it was a dive, they should have been even more motivated to kill it off for Nabby. How about deliberately stabbing Cooke in a vicious and obvious manor in the face with your stick and Cooke going to the box? That's what we should be talking about, that will be looked at. I would give him 5 games for that, no place in hockey for that garbage.
- nbartley9

Id give Carkner 5 games for not making that shot count!

XxNYIxX

Id give Carkner 5 games for not making that shot count!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

No he doesn't. No worse than any other high stick. You are overreacting. He got a penalty, and he served it. It's the playoffs; things like that happen more than you see on TV. The amount of accidental elbows/slashes/spears in the playoffs are amazing when you watch the play away from the puck.
- jmatchett383

The big problem is it happened from the bench, its a totally different animal. It is going to be considered a dangerous play, that did not occur on the ice. 5-10 games.

The big problem is it happened from the bench, its a totally different animal. It is going to be considered a dangerous play, that did not occur on the ice. 5-10 games.
- nbartley9

Yes. Your are correct. Congrats.

Dee, your ass should get banned for crap like this.

Ek?

if the shoe was on the other foot, how would you feel down 2 games to 1 because of that "call"
- homiedclown

The goal was the reason why we would be down...not the call.

I would be upset at the guy who grabbed the other teams player. But would also realize...that happens.

Seriously, been in enough of these situations to know that sometimes you are the windshield and sometimes you are the bug...

The Pens haven't advanced past the second round since we won the cup. I'm sure I could have blamed at least one series on the officials...but I know those things rarely decide a series.

Dee, your ass should get banned for crap like this.

Ek?
- Doogs

Easy now...

Dee's allowed to have an opinion...

Easy now...

Dee's allowed to have an opinion...
- icedog97

Hehehe

I wuz playin'

if the shoe was on the other foot, how would you feel down 2 games to 1 because of that "call"
- homiedclown

Thruth be told, I have felt that the Isle have gotten away with murder all series long. Especially game 2. I didn't come here and female dog about it. I offered a congratualtions on a well played game and geting the job done.

If the call is not made by the refs on JT in the exact situation there is arguing going on that it wasn't called.