Yeah, I never understood why the coaches got blamed on that incident. That being said, if you're going to wait until you're down by 3 with 2 minutes to go to "send a message", you can't expect crap not to hit the fan.
- buffalofan19

What is the message? We hit guys cutting into the middle with their head down with clean body checks? Good, I'm glad we sent that message!

I don't have a problem with the Flyers getting upset. I have a problem with the perception that what Vitale did was somehow out of line. Why is Joe Vitale out there? Why the hell is Briere out there? That little blame game goes around and around around in circles... Somebody has to be on the ice!

Referee Mike Hasenfratz deserved the first star of the game. He was on top of the entire play through all the arms and legs, which was why he didn't blow the play dead. Nobody else, including Leopold, knew where the puck was located with Marcus Foligno buried under Leafs defenseman Mike Komisarek among the bodies in front of the net.

"I think the ref was watching how many times I got punched in the face," Foligno said, "and he was in awe."

http://www.buffalonews.co...gleason/article795284.ece

WTF? Pulling a page from the Ligtning with that win boys. Keep Going, keep the Crapitals out.

What is the message? We hit guys cutting into the middle with their head down with clean body checks? Good, I'm glad we sent that message!

I don't have a problem with the Flyers getting upset. I have a problem with the perception that what Vitale did was somehow out of line. Why is Joe Vitale out there? Why the hell is Briere out there? That little blame game goes around and around around in circles... Somebody has to be on the ice!
- Gunner Staal

I think we're saying the same thing. I had no issue with the hit itself, nor did I think it was out of the ordinary for the Flyers to react given the timing of the hit. The game was over. The crap between Granato and Laviollette was unwarranted either way.

WTF? Pulling a page from the Ligtning with that win boys. Keep Going, keep the Crapitals out.
- Artyukhin76

Were trying, gonna be tough with philly and boston coming up. Hopefully the panthers can do us a favor by winning in regulation

I think we're saying the same thing. I had no issue with the hit itself, nor did I think it was out of the ordinary for the Flyers to react given the timing of the hit. The game was over. The crap between Granato and Laviollette was unwarranted either way.
- buffalofan19

We are on the same page, I was just taking it a step further. It would be one thing if Vitale was handing out Hacksaw Jim Duggan crosschecks in the corner on a guy or slashed the back of his ankle. But he made a play on a guy trying to get through the neutral zone that I would use to teach young players how to actually throw a body check.

The thing everyone needs to ask themselves regardless of the allegiences to whatever team you follow:

Were you entertained? If the answer is yes, then who gives a crap. Every person in here watches hockey to be entertained. I find it hard to believe anybody watching that game was not entertained at the end.

We are on the same page, I was just taking it a step further. It would be one thing if Vitale was handing out Hacksaw Jim Duggan crosschecks in the corner on a guy or slashed the back of his ankle. But he made a play on a guy trying to get through the neutral zone that I would use to teach young players how to actually throw a body check.

The thing everyone needs to ask themselves regardless of the allegiences to whatever team you follow:

Were you entertained? If the answer is yes, then who gives a crap. Every person in here watches hockey to be entertained. I find it hard to believe anybody watching that game was not entertained at the end.
- Gunner Staal

True. First thing I said to my buddy when it happened: "Well, Pittsburgh-Philadelphia just became the most intriguing series of the first round if it wasn't already."

Did anybody throw anything remotely close to an out of line hit that warrants discipline in any way shape or form?

I don't know too many people who realistically think they are going to get 3 goals in 1:03 against a quality opponent like the Flyers.

Things are so insane on the internet with hockey hits now even the cleanest of plays get dissected ad-nauseum.
- Gunner Staal

I've never said the hit was bad, I think it's a good hit... but if Stall's line was on the ice do you think such a hit happens?

We are on the same page, I was just taking it a step further. It would be one thing if Vitale was handing out Hacksaw Jim Duggan crosschecks in the corner on a guy or slashed the back of his ankle. But he made a play on a guy trying to get through the neutral zone that I would use to teach young players how to actually throw a body check.

The thing everyone needs to ask themselves regardless of the allegiences to whatever team you follow:

Were you entertained? If the answer is yes, then who gives a crap. Every person in here watches hockey to be entertained. I find it hard to believe anybody watching that game was not entertained at the end.
- Gunner Staal

HOOOOOO

I've never said the hit was bad, I think it's a good hit... but if Stall's line was on the ice do you think such a hit happens?
- Chipd

If Briere cuts to the middle like that I think he gets hit by any line that is on the ice for either team if I am being honest. Crosby might be the only exception for obvious reasons.

And just food for thought. Cooke is on Staal's line, what would have happened if he made the same absolutely clean hit on Briere?

If Briere cuts to the middle like that I think he gets hit by any line that is on the ice for either team if I am being honest. Crosby might be the only exception for obvious reasons.

And just food for thought. Cooke is on Staal's line, what would have happened if he made the same absolutely clean hit on Briere?
- Gunner Staal

but Staal would have been the person there not Cooke... honestly, Cookes got a lot better this year.

but Staal would have been the person there not Cooke... honestly, Cookes got a lot better this year.
- Chipd

What makes you say that with any kind of certainty?

The Penguins like most teams run their forechecks with an F1, F2, F3 setup. Any forward on the ice could have been in that spot.

I'm not trying to get into any kind of pissing match, but if that play is going to get dissected to death, I just want the facts to be correct.

Did anybody throw anything remotely close to an out of line hit that warrants discipline in any way shape or form?

I don't know too many people who realistically think they are going to get 3 goals in 1:03 against a quality opponent like the Flyers.

Things are so insane on the internet with hockey hits now even the cleanest of plays get dissected ad-nauseum.
- Gunner Staal

Quality word, too bad you did post this on a quality (Kevin's) blog

I was at the Pred's game last night... Watched Goose play. Took a lot of faceoffs in the defensive zone and played like 15 minutes, 5 short handed. No hits, 61% on faceoffs. But was still invisible.
I'm glad he is gone. There have to be better options for the money out there.

- hscesq

Helloooo Howard. Thanks for the coverage.

Helloooo Howard. Thanks for the coverage.
- nfph

Did you welcome your newest member to the fraternity? He's good people.

good morning.

Helloooo Howard. Thanks for the coverage.
- nfph

Did you welcome your newest member to the fraternity? He's good people.
- Gunner Staal

I believe the latest mod i've been introduced to is Micah with Vancouver. And agreed.

Or did the Pens finally get one?

good morning.
- LizzyJo

HOla LJ. Still buzzing from yesterday? I sure am.

I believe the latest mod i've been introduced to is Micah with Vancouver. And agreed.

Or did the Pens finally get one?
- nfph

Must be expecting some fireworks for round 1 this year!

Must be expecting some fireworks for round 1 this year!
- Gunner Staal

We've been discussing who will keep an eye on things for that matchup, yes.

HOla LJ. Still buzzing from yesterday? I sure am.
- nfph

of course, i thought we were done in the 1st and was coming to terms with the season being over.

on another note leafs fans are stupid and whine about everything.

even the tsn panelists said the goalie never had the puck and the ref knew it.
then they show it in slow mo and the puck was indeed still in play.

and then they are all whining bout the officiating when they wanted their team to lose? they should be thanking the officials.

god they frustrate me with their stupidity and bipolar attitudes.

Sekera absolutely awful tonight. A statue on the first two goals, a solid screen on the third. Makes me wish Mike Wilson was still here.

Von Hatzenfratzen, or whatever his name is, makes me wish Tim Peel was refereeing the game. Worst human being on the ice tonight.

Healthy defense makes the Sabres a different team.

Vanek looks like he is playing in enormous pain.

I'll take the win.
- Terrier13

Huh? We had what, 5pp's and they had 1. Amazing job by Hatzenfrantz in not blowing the whistle in teh scrum where 99% of the time that play gets blown dead. He saved our season more or less, how can you say anything bad about the officiating?