The Flyers led the league in Times Shorthanded this year.

They also led the league in Power Play Opportunities.

Go figure.
- tangent_man

I blame you for all those times shorthanded.

It's gotta be an injury. If so, sit him for a week or so. Otherwise, as you say, why did we get him. One thing though, if he's been hurt, why was he playing in the last few games of the season? He should have sat.
- Hextall271

Maybe it was to see if it was an injury that would affect him in game situations.

Practice and Games are on opposite ends of the spectrum, so the only way to truly know is to play the guy in a game.

I said the day that we got him that we wasnt the PP savior everyone (a lot of ppl) thought he would be. He was a right handed shot, but over the past 2 years had 1 PP goal. When he was healthy he was a steady and solid 3rd pairing d-man who had a powerful shot with an awfully slow release.

Its the players with super quick releases that score the goals and put up the points (Karlsson, Letang, Green when he was on his game, etc.)
- jak521

I definitely didn't think he would be the PP savior either, just thought with the big shot and that huge frame he'd be a little more effective than he has been!

I blame you for all those times shorthanded.
- Jsaquella

What can I say? I radiate more heat than light.

One thing I find is that as the playoffs progress.. they start lettingmore and more go and it gets to be more like it was before the lockout. I found that to be the case last year for the Bruins and it worked to their advantage. I don't mind it as long as it's consistent.
- Hextall271

That's generally true. For some reason, refs tend to have an aversion to having teams win because of power play goals.

Just make the calls that you see, and if it was a penalty in the first 5 minutes, it's a penalty in the last five minutes

Could also be the reason he's out. I still think he hasn't looked the same lately, though. Not like the guy we got a couple months ago.
- funmaster18

I think its a combination of the two. When he is healthy, he makes up for his lack of speed and quickness by being a savvy vet who uses his insane reach and some good defensive positioning to his advantage. If he was 100% I feel he would be playing tonight.

That's generally true. For some reason, refs tend to have an aversion to having teams win because of power play goals.

Just make the calls that you see, and if it was a penalty in the first 5 minutes, it's a penalty in the last five minutes
- Jsaquella

As well as the opposite of that.. If you wouldnt or arent going to call it in the last 5 minutes.. dont call it in the first 5.

As far as the refs go, I want the same thing I want in the regular season-consistentcy.
- Jsaquella

Here's my take. Your not going to get it. At least not from the fan's perspective. A lot stems from a number of reasons. Some of it is not understanding the rules. Some of it is the whining of the pro Flyer announcers when Jackson raises his voice and whines "no call".

We see a lot of times there would be a scrum of a bunch of players, and only one get's called. And there bewilderment of why that is. Here's how I see it. You can normally push and shove all you want. Grab a guy in a headlock, etc. And there normally won't be a call. But when there is a punch or a shot to the face or head that is a significant blow, that is what they'll call. And sometimes it's only one guy who will do that.

What can I say? I radiate more heat than light.
- tangent_man

Just saw on the morning news, some lady interviewing the Farelly Bros about the Three Stooges. She complained about the violence.

I screamed at the TV, "IT'S THE (frank)ING THREE STOOGES, YOU IDIOT!!!"

Just felt it was relevant.

Work hard and play smart and you'll avoid penalties. I'm a lot more worried about stopping Malkin and Crosby than refs. I'm a lot more worried about rookies and playoff novices figuring out how to dent Fleury than the refs.

As far as the refs go, I want the same thing I want in the regular season-consistentcy.
- Jsaquella

I wonder if Ballsonmychin will try to keep the Cralkin line off the ice when Lava has Talbot Coots and Rinaldo out there.

Here's my take. Your not going to get it. At least not from the fan's perspective. A lot stems from a number of reasons. Some of it is not understanding the rules. Some of it is the whining of the pro Flyer announcers when Jackson raises his voice and whines "no call".

We see a lot of times there would be a scrum of a bunch of players, and only one get's called. And there bewilderment of why that is. Here's how I see it. You can normally push and shove all you want. Grab a guy in a headlock, etc. And there normally won't be a call. But when there is a punch or a shot to the face or head that is a significant blow, that is what they'll call. And sometimes it's only one guy who will do that.
- MJL

Plus, they do not have a birds eye view to see it all like we do on TV. I believe the players will decide this series not the refs. At least I hope so.

I wonder if Ballsonmychin will try to keep the Cralkin line off the ice when Lava has Talbot Coots and Rinaldo out there.
- jak521

I'd expect Malkin and Crosby to be on 2 different lines for the most part.

Here's my take. Your not going to get it. At least not from the fan's perspective. A lot stems from a number of reasons. Some of it is not understanding the rules. Some of it is the whining of the pro Flyer announcers when Jackson raises his voice and whines "no call".

We see a lot of times there would be a scrum of a bunch of players, and only one get's called. And there bewilderment of why that is. Here's how I see it. You can normally push and shove all you want. Grab a guy in a headlock, etc. And there normally won't be a call. But when there is a punch or a shot to the face or head that is a significant blow, that is what they'll call. And sometimes it's only one guy who will do that.
- MJL

Unfortunately its even more in depth than that. Sometimes they let the pushing shoving and a few jabs go.. but when the refs say enough and someone pushes a little more or throws another jab... they take him.

I think the reason the whole reffing thing gets so excessive is because some ppl use it as a defensive mechanism. They use it to deflect the loss, and have a scapegoat.

Plus, they do not have a birds eye view to see it all like we do on TV. I believe the players will decide this series not the refs. At least I hope so.
- powerhouse

Nor do they have the benefit of instant replay. We hear all the time how did they miss that? Go down on the ice and watch the play in real time and see how easy it is. It's an incredibly difficult game to officiate.

Here's my take. Your not going to get it. At least not from the fan's perspective. A lot stems from a number of reasons. Some of it is not understanding the rules. Some of it is the whining of the pro Flyer announcers when Jackson raises his voice and whines "no call".

We see a lot of times there would be a scrum of a bunch of players, and only one get's called. And there bewilderment of why that is. Here's how I see it. You can normally push and shove all you want. Grab a guy in a headlock, etc. And there normally won't be a call. But when there is a punch or a shot to the face or head that is a significant blow, that is what they'll call. And sometimes it's only one guy who will do that.
- MJL

I understand that. Refs are not going to see everything. That said, if they see an obvious trip and eat the whistle, I don't want to see a borderline one called on the next shift. Because that does unfortunately happen.

Just saw on the morning news, some lady interviewing the Farelly Bros about the Three Stooges. She complained about the violence.

I screamed at the TV, "IT'S THE (frank)ING THREE STOOGES, YOU IDIOT!!!"

Just felt it was relevant.
- Jsaquella

Silly, isn't it?

If you get a chance, check out Dennis Miller's The Raw Feed stand-up from 2003. I watched it this morning on HBO Go, and he made some strong points regarding societal issues.

I'd expect Malkin and Crosby to be on 2 different lines for the most part.
- MJL

I thought they used them on the same line a few times over the past few games, and have in the playoffs in the past. I could be wrong.. Either way.. If I had to choose who I would have that line on it would be Malkin. Let the Schenn line go up against Crosby.

Unfortunately its even more in depth than that. Sometimes they let the pushing shoving and a few jabs go.. but when the refs say enough and someone pushes a little more or throws another jab... they take him.

I think the reason the whole reffing thing gets so excessive is because some ppl use it as a defensive mechanism. They use it to deflect the loss, and have a scapegoat.
- jak521

Your right about that also. Some refs give some leeway. But that's where the discipline comes in. The ref doesn't want to make the call. But you were warned and continued, well then the player deserves it.

I wonder if Ballsonmychin will try to keep the Cralkin line off the ice when Lava has Talbot Coots and Rinaldo out there.
- jak521

I think pairing Malkin with Crosby was an effort to get Malkin over the 50 goal mark. The only time I think they play together in the playoffs is on PP's.

I thought they used them on the same line a few times over the past few games, and have in the playoffs in the past. I could be wrong.. Either way.. If I had to choose who I would have that line on it would be Malkin. Let the Schenn line go up against Crosby.
- jak521

I'm sure they will see some time together in certain situations. Certainly on the PP.

Here's my take. Your not going to get it. At least not from the fan's perspective. A lot stems from a number of reasons. Some of it is not understanding the rules. Some of it is the whining of the pro Flyer announcers when Jackson raises his voice and whines "no call".
- MJL

Unfortunately, I think this has a lot to do with it, and it's not just the Flyers announcers.

Complaining on the air definitely has a trickle down effect.

I understand that. Refs are not going to see everything. That said, if they see an obvious trip and eat the whistle, I don't want to see a borderline one called on the next shift. Because that does unfortunately happen.
- Jsaquella

Yes, that's where you want to see that consistency.

I'll tell you, Kerry Fraser writes an excellent column on tsn.ca. He gives a ton of insight into officiating. And he explains a lot of things about the rules and officiating.

Silly, isn't it?

If you get a chance, check out Dennis Miller's The Raw Feed stand-up from 2003. I watched it this morning on HBO Go, and he made some strong points regarding societal issues.
- tangent_man

Used to really like Dennis Miller. It was a shame he abandoned all logic.

Used to really like Dennis Miller. It was a shame he abandoned all logic.
- Jsaquella

I think this was pre-meltdown. You'd enjoy it.

I understand that. Refs are not going to see everything. That said, if they see an obvious trip and eat the whistle, I don't want to see a borderline one called on the next shift. Because that does unfortunately happen.
- Jsaquella

Way too often. Thats the bs that irks me. Really grinds my gears. Rattles my chains. Burns my bacon. Chaps my ass.



my rant reminded me of one of my childhood hero's. Ladies and Gentlemen.. Mr Ernest P. Worrell.