I mentioned that I had news relating to my band(s), although not much of it and it's fairly insignificant. This is all true, but all the same I promised that I'd post it, and so I am
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it was a hit on Koivu, and it was cheap. He took a run at him from a ways away. Sure, it's within the rules, but it's still cheap. However, that's not the point. The point is that he dropped his gloves when Souray went after him, and he didn't get the 5 he should have. Following that 2 goals were scored during the 7 minutes of powerplay. It should only have been 2 minutes, and since one of the goals was on a 2 man advantage (Bonk got a penalty while trying to kill Sourays) that's 2 less goals that Pittsburgh should have had. Although I think Bonk scored one shorthanded as well, so it's -2 for Pit, and -1 for Mtl.
However, no, I've never been to Mellon Arena, but seriously, the arenas are too big. I've been to Montreal's Bell Centre, the biggest in the league. 21000+ seats. I was up there, not the top level, think the 3rd of 4 maybe. It's hard to see up there...I go to the Civic Centre, where the Ottawa 67's (Ontario Hockey League - junior level, so usually 16-20, with the occasional super prospect 14/15 year old) play and where the Sens played for their first couple years. I think it seats like 10k maybe. But you can see everything perfectly from 80% of the seats (there are some that are badly blocked and quite stupid, but hey....)
Rough part of the city may not be very smart, depending on how things are handled. I don't know, that depends on the city. However, on that note, the city could try and spend money to make that part safer/cleaner, rather then spending more money on a new arena elsewhere.
Well yes, every team is just that, a team. You don't win with just superstars. Look at the Colorado Avalanche. In 1996 the cup winning goal in about 4th overtime was scored by Uwe Krupp. Then, just a few years ago, they had 2 super lines. Forsberg, Sakic, Tanguay, Kariya, Selanne and Hejduk. What'd they do? Not much. Look at the New York Rangers. They made the playoffs last year, but had missed for something like 7 straight years, because they kept buying their teams. It just doesn't work.
it was a hit on Koivu, and it was cheap. He took a run at him from a ways away. Sure, it's within the rules, but it's still cheap. However, that's not the point. The point is that he dropped his gloves when Souray went after him, and he didn't get the 5 he should have. Following that 2 goals were scored during the 7 minutes of powerplay. It should only have been 2 minutes, and since one of the goals was on a 2 man advantage (Bonk got a penalty while trying to kill Sourays) that's 2 less goals that Pittsburgh should have had. Although I think Bonk scored one shorthanded as well, so it's -2 for Pit, and -1 for Mtl.
Er, right, my mistake. Failing memory and all that. Yes, Colby should have been hit with the five for fighting also, you're right. I'm sure the Canadien announcers were going nuts over that, but I assure you that the Pens television guys were, too.
Actually, I'm kind of sick of the officiating in general lately. They fail to call a lot of rather blatant stuff, see it in replay, and then call some ticky-tack penalty the next time that guy's on the ice to "even things up," not that they'd ever admit as much. Not to keep harping on that same game, but Koivu later on in that game absolutely flattened someone by sluefooting him, blatantly, behind the net. Not only is the supposed required match penalty not called (which never is, but that's another complaint for another time), but they didn't even bother to call a tripping minor. Maybe it was a make-up call for not giving Armstrong a fighting major earlier in the game, hell, I don't know.
My point is that the Pens have had some really awful officiating this year, more so than last year, it seems. The whole Armstrong/Koivu/Souray thing was interesting in that it was the first time all year a really shitty bad call went for the Pens instead of against them. (Not that that makes it okay, of course, but it does make you think "about time" when you're watching the game.)
I haven't seen many pens games, but I've heard officiating going badly for Crosby at the very least.
To be honest, I think they should eliminate the 2 ref system. As in...get rid of both of them. Put a ref in the penalty box area with a TV to call stuff, it'd be easier.
As well, the video review is stupid. Ever seen the fox puck idea that failed so horribly? It'd be great for goal reviews. You make it so the puck can glow on camera (but doesn't, except for video replays), then you place a camera directly above the goal line. Then when you need it, you go to the overhead camera and you watch to see if the glow passed the line or not. A heck of a lot simpler than needing 17 different angles in which you can barely see the puck at all.
You know, I've probably ranted about video review to you before. Sorry, I repeat myself when things are as simple to fix as that.
I fail to understand why the FOX puck idea failed in the first place. Yes, it was cheesy as hell to those of us who know the game and can follow it without help, but surely it brought in some new viewers, right? Of course, that was when the NHL was like soccer...1-0, 2-1 games, and nothing would have helped here in the States. Guess I answered my own question. It would be nice, if nothing else, to have the graphic for shot speed back...
As for officiating and Crosby, yes, but he's managed to get himself a reputation for faking (you did hear the chants at the Mtl game, right?), taking dives, and so on., and you know the refs are as aware of it as fans are. I personally don't see it. Getting a face full of wood doesn't feel good, and he has the broken teeth and split lip to prove it. That the Pens don't have anyone who will make the other team pay for stunts like that is unfortunate, but it would probably be even better if they'd cut down on stuff like that to begin with rather than requiring a team to carry an enforcer, because that only raises the level of violence if something does happen.
However, no, I've never been to Mellon Arena, but seriously, the arenas are too big. I've been to Montreal's Bell Centre, the biggest in the league. 21000+ seats. I was up there, not the top level, think the 3rd of 4 maybe. It's hard to see up there...I go to the Civic Centre, where the Ottawa 67's (Ontario Hockey League - junior level, so usually 16-20, with the occasional super prospect 14/15 year old) play and where the Sens played for their first couple years. I think it seats like 10k maybe. But you can see everything perfectly from 80% of the seats (there are some that are badly blocked and quite stupid, but hey....)
Rough part of the city may not be very smart, depending on how things are handled. I don't know, that depends on the city. However, on that note, the city could try and spend money to make that part safer/cleaner, rather then spending more money on a new arena elsewhere.
Well yes, every team is just that, a team. You don't win with just superstars. Look at the Colorado Avalanche. In 1996 the cup winning goal in about 4th overtime was scored by Uwe Krupp. Then, just a few years ago, they had 2 super lines. Forsberg, Sakic, Tanguay, Kariya, Selanne and Hejduk. What'd they do? Not much.
Look at the New York Rangers. They made the playoffs last year, but had missed for something like 7 straight years, because they kept buying their teams. It just doesn't work.
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Er, right, my mistake. Failing memory and all that. Yes, Colby should have been hit with the five for fighting also, you're right. I'm sure the Canadien announcers were going nuts over that, but I assure you that the Pens television guys were, too.
Actually, I'm kind of sick of the officiating in general lately. They fail to call a lot of rather blatant stuff, see it in replay, and then call some ticky-tack penalty the next time that guy's on the ice to "even things up," not that they'd ever admit as much. Not to keep harping on that same game, but Koivu later on in that game absolutely flattened someone by sluefooting him, blatantly, behind the net. Not only is the supposed required match penalty not called (which never is, but that's another complaint for another time), but they didn't even bother to call a tripping minor. Maybe it was a make-up call for not giving Armstrong a fighting major earlier in the game, hell, I don't know.
My point is that the Pens have had some really awful officiating this year, more so than last year, it seems. The whole Armstrong/Koivu/Souray thing was interesting in that it was the first time all year a really shitty bad call went for the Pens instead of against them. (Not that that makes it okay, of course, but it does make you think "about time" when you're watching the game.)
Reply
To be honest, I think they should eliminate the 2 ref system. As in...get rid of both of them. Put a ref in the penalty box area with a TV to call stuff, it'd be easier.
As well, the video review is stupid. Ever seen the fox puck idea that failed so horribly? It'd be great for goal reviews. You make it so the puck can glow on camera (but doesn't, except for video replays), then you place a camera directly above the goal line.
Then when you need it, you go to the overhead camera and you watch to see if the glow passed the line or not. A heck of a lot simpler than needing 17 different angles in which you can barely see the puck at all.
You know, I've probably ranted about video review to you before. Sorry, I repeat myself when things are as simple to fix as that.
Reply
I fail to understand why the FOX puck idea failed in the first place. Yes, it was cheesy as hell to those of us who know the game and can follow it without help, but surely it brought in some new viewers, right? Of course, that was when the NHL was like soccer...1-0, 2-1 games, and nothing would have helped here in the States. Guess I answered my own question. It would be nice, if nothing else, to have the graphic for shot speed back...
As for officiating and Crosby, yes, but he's managed to get himself a reputation for faking (you did hear the chants at the Mtl game, right?), taking dives, and so on., and you know the refs are as aware of it as fans are. I personally don't see it. Getting a face full of wood doesn't feel good, and he has the broken teeth and split lip to prove it. That the Pens don't have anyone who will make the other team pay for stunts like that is unfortunate, but it would probably be even better if they'd cut down on stuff like that to begin with rather than requiring a team to carry an enforcer, because that only raises the level of violence if something does happen.
Reply
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