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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
 Posted - 06/16/2011 : 10:30:28 PM
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After watching the last game between Vancouver and Boston, I was
wondering what people thought. What I saw was "thug" hockey and
refs looking the other way. Tim Thomas, the goalie for Boston, reminded me
of the old K-Wings with dirty Fernandez and Turco slashing anyone
withing reach. When he used the butt end of the stick to slash a
Vancouver skater outside the crease, this was no longer hockey for me.
Granted Vancouver players weren't angels but Boston is just a bunch of
thugs that got away with murder during the playoffs.
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Hakeedude
(Been Here Awhile)
524 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2011 : 07:54:59 AM
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We must have been watching different games. Aside from much of the goonish on both sides, I saw an incredibly quick, intuitive goalie in Thomas and two highly skilled teams who, when they didn't look like the Philadelphia Flyers of the 70s, played some incredible hockey.
But on the other hand, yes, some incredibly cheap shots! |
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2011 : 09:12:03 AM
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You're right Mike about great skill level of play both sides showed,
but just like some teams in the NBA and NFL, the physical "bully"
play by some teams gets the "Sportcenter" headlines. As a result,
Boston seems to be getting away with unneeded physical hits that a
normal check would have done the same. As for Thomas, his wild play
around the net only works if he gets away with the slashes and jabs
he hands out to those close by. I am 100% behind protecting a goalie
in the crease, but if he is completely out and dishing out hits, he
no longer deserves that protection and should be called for slashing
or roughing. After our first Kelly Cup win, fans in Las Vegas told
me they had not played such a physical team as ours. As shocking as
that was to me after seeing Johnstown and Reading, we did play a physical
game, but by no means a "bully" style play like Boston showed me. |
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Susan
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
986 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2011 : 12:22:32 PM
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| I was just looking at some of the riot photos from Vancouver. The people that didn't participate in the riots should be TOTALLY embarrased by the actions of those who did. What a bunch of fricking losers! |
Hockey is life. All the rest is just small stuff.
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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2011 : 7:59:19 PM
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My opinion: Welcome to Stanley Cup hockey. Every player and every commentator/writer talks every year about how the intensity and physicality ALWAYS increase dramatically in these playoffs and as the rounds progress. It is what makes the finals so great.
The game seven beauty with Tampa/Boston was 1-0 with no penalties called and this game seven had only three called. If the league had thought the hitting was getting out of hand they would have had a closer game called. They let them play and I am happy they did. Hard hits are part of the game and even more so in the playoffs as long as you don't interfere, charge, board,high stick, or spear (or even bite fingers). The refs let the chippy stuff go and did so the whole playoffs.
As for Thomas, he has always played the same way, He played that same way against Montreal, Philadelphia, and Tampa in prior rounds as well as for years before these playoffs, and I don't remember anyone complaining. I personally love the athleticism he displays and the way he comes out to challenge shooters as opposed to the cookie cutter types who stay home and play the percentages of standard positioning. The save he made off Steve Downey in the Tampa Bay series will be shown for years
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Edited by - dbc on 06/17/2011 8:02:16 PM |
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Hakeedude
(Been Here Awhile)
524 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2011 : 07:35:03 AM
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I agree Bags, there were some nasty nasty hits by both teams that should have been called, but it's up to the refs to do their jobs ( who decides what kind of game to call, is it the refs themselves or someone higher up?). I just am continually awed by the skill level, especially when compared to ECHL (no offense intended).
That's really funny what LV fans said about the 2008 Cyclones. They must have been in a non-checking league out there!
quote:
Originally posted by bags
You're right Mike about great skill level of play both sides showed,
but just like some teams in the NBA and NFL, the physical "bully"
play by some teams gets the "Sportcenter" headlines...
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2011 : 08:58:23 AM
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I brought this up only because the NHL players are becoming bigger,
quicker and in some cases- more vicious in their hits. The NFL made
the choice last year to say "enough is enough" and started making an
effort to get things under control. The NHL is in the same position
and fines and suspensions will be more common.
The goalie situation is an example. How about this idea. Enlarge
the crease in front of the net by 12" all around. This is the area
where both the goalie and skaters have rules. If a skater is outside
this area (no skate part at all touching), a goalie can not touch him
with any force and no stick action at all. On the other side, any
skater touching the crease can be forced out within reason. |
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AwesomeSauce
(The Next Level!)
159 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2011 : 09:45:15 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Susan
I was just looking at some of the riot photos from Vancouver. The people that didn't participate in the riots should be TOTALLY embarrased by the actions of those who did. What a bunch of fricking losers!
There would have been rioting in Vancouver win or lose. I doubt the scene would have been much different had the Canucks won. |
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AwesomeSauce
(The Next Level!)
159 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2011 : 09:53:19 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by bags
After watching the last game between Vancouver and Boston, I was
wondering what people thought. What I saw was "thug" hockey and
refs looking the other way. Tim Thomas, the goalie for Boston, reminded me
of the old K-Wings with dirty Fernandez and Turco slashing anyone
withing reach. When he used the butt end of the stick to slash a
Vancouver skater outside the crease, this was no longer hockey for me.
Granted Vancouver players weren't angels but Boston is just a bunch of
thugs that got away with murder during the playoffs.
The Thomas slash was retaliation for Burrows crashing the crease and holding his stick. Burrows had that coming. He's a punk. How many times did he dive looking for a penalty during that series. Not to mention the bite on Bergeron. Vancouver unleashed the Beast on themselves by taunting the Bruins in Game 2 and with the blind side hit on Horton in Game 3. Boston outscored Vancouver 23-8 in the series,I would say that took some skill other than just being goons.
Tim Thomas rules. |
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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2011 : 1:52:30 PM
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Bags--I agree with you. The increased size and increased speed have it a more dangerous game. Given these two changes, the force behind finishing the check has increased tremendously. Kudos to the NHL for the change they announced this week that any check to the head will be considered a disciplinary offense. They outlawed such hits from the blindside a few years ago but starting next year all checks to the head will be included. Hopefully will reduce concussions.
The rule against checking against the boards from directly behind on the numbers has also helped but I would love to see the NHL change its icing rules to be an automatic call like the ECHL. Seen too many defensemen touching the puck with their back to a guy chasing him to the puck being slammed as the whistle blows for icing.
Would leave the crease alone. |
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2011 : 12:51:46 AM
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Thanks everyone for keeping this topic in the spirit it was meant.
Some agree, some don't but end result was everyone has given their
opinion in a friendly way. When punishment is dished out like Boston
did, I worry too many players at our level will see this as their ticket
to the "bigs". |
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Hakeedude
(Been Here Awhile)
524 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2011 : 06:39:02 AM
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The irony here- look who actually made it to the "bigs." Let's hear it for skill over size!
BTW- Happy Fathers Day everyone! |
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