FanNation - The Republic of Sport

"Well, I'll be cow-kicked....."

There's more than one way to market your league and players. A little R&R for the players is good for the intensity of game 4.

But at the same time the NHL has got to do something to get it's product back to the casual sports fan. Crosby's goal celebration and Filppula's highlight reel goal in game 3 should be splashed in a quick "NHL Finals" commercial on every TV station in America to show people what they're missing.

The NHL is not corrupt in the sense of handing wins to either of the finals' teams despite what I have heard everywhere. The refs and the management are human and this exciting, stellar matchup is long overdue. If the NHL was a slave to hype, you would have owners and PR departments grinding out endless news and rumors, players rewarded for headlines of whatever sort and a deliberate fanning of resenment between fan bases by local media. In other words, you would have the successful NFL copied!

I will not contrast some boring NHL teams which were allowed to thrive for years with the attractiveness of these two units. But I hope the NHL capitalizes on these guys somehow without angering the also-rans too much.

If the Pens had lost, I'm sure the Hype from Therrien would be in fast forward mode...complaining again.
This clown sent 14 video's to the NHL office on obstuction he claims the refs missed.
What a JOKE!
The fact the NHL bought it kills me.
Did you see the first penalty they called on the Wings last game?
Yet...Gill absolutely mugs Holmstrom in front of the net, no penalty then slings him into the net injuring him for perhaps the series. No penalty.
Roberts runs a clear interference body chech that is not called and the Pens score?
I'm all for fair play, but call a penalty a penalty!
Plus, what would a Wings game be without a goal called back.
Okay, the net came off the moorings...fine. But why did it?
Because a Wing player who didn't have the puck got slammed into it. Again, no penalty.
These were not, minor little hooking or obstruction calls in the neutral zone. They were all blatant interference that resulted in goals or not goals being allowed.
If you are going to call Holstrom for touching a goalie with his stick...then they need to call plays where he too is being interfered with or injured.
Fair is fair.
At least Babcock has not been heard complaining to the NHL offices. Good for him because he sure has a clear case.
However, I suspect he will make some adjustments and the Wings PP will get better...that is if they get a chance to use it next came!

Oh...btw, nice new avatar T-Rocks. sheesh.

He's working on it Baun-ded - he told me so in yesterday's fun thread

I can only dream of a time when Bettman is gone, and someone who knows what they are doing is running the league.

Baun-ded, I would love to get a tape package and go over all the calls and non calls over the course of this series and esp. the last game. Calling penalties in any sport hockey is very tough and hockey is the worst in difficulty and subjectivity. You are clearly in love with the Pens so I am sure that you are totally fair about them. I think the favortism to #87 and the Pens is a lot less than you think. By the way, I heard this same nonsense from Wings haters in triple the strength of the comments here. Didn't you know? The Wings are fixed to win and Bettman applauding (some time ago) the Wings had a jerk in Columbus wanting to harm him.

To tell you the truth, I read Baun-ded's statement as a defence of the Wings and how pathetic it was that the NHL fell for Therrien's whining, Outofshapeandinjured (are you Keith Tkachuk with that name? haha). I really can't be bothered to complain about the reffing in Game 3 because it was probably one of the better jobs I've seen these playoffs, but that ain't saying much. The muggings were a bit overdone - especially on Holmstrom, who must have slept with the daughters of every ref in the league it seems, when you look at the way he gets treated by the refs out there, but hey, its not the Red Wing Way to complain - they'll just make the adjustments they have to, and keep plugging away.

I'm kind of half hoping to see McCarty back in the lineup Saturday night, just so he can go out there and police the ice when Roberts starts pulling his garbage. That would be a pretty solid tilt, though I've lost confidence in Roberts' fighting ever since I saw Datsyuk send him for a ride the other night there...

Oh, and about the article - when has the NHL NOT botched a marketing opportunity?

I can only dream of a time when Bettman is gone, and someone who knows what they are doing is running the league.

sdvdk5
You and every other fan of the game. I realise that I have been on a rant about Mini Me for a while now, but if there is any justice and fairness in the sports world, someone reading these things will do a "V-8" head slap and get that Napolianic Moron out of the NHL offices.

Nobody can ever accuse the NHL brass of being smart!

BTW, that was an awesome game 3, in spite of the refs trying to screw it up at times! But when they put the whistle away and let them play, that 6 or 7 minute segment was some of the best hockey I've seen in a long time

And, finally, they did something about Holmstrom obstructing the goalie. If he wants to stand in front of the net, he needs to know that it's going to cost him! Feel the pain, Tomas!

I can't figure out the OutofShapeguys comment at all?
Re his answer to my comment or what team he likes better.
OutofShapeguy...is that some kind of head injury you have there?

I can't figure out the OutofShapeguys comment at all?
Re his answer to my comment or what team he likes better.
OutofShapeguy...is that some kind of head injury you have there?
Baun-ded
In the interest of trying not to get those huge headaches, I gave up trying to figure out what a lot of these guys are trying to say. Ther have been sensible as well as whiplash comments from most of us in here, including my own good self.

Go Canada, I too hope to see McCarty out there as well ,Roberts needs an attitude adjustment. I think he invented roadrage!.

Philyfan36....neither do your Flyers!

Gary Roberts needs to hang them up already. Maybe if Kronwell (sp?) levels him once or twice, he'll realise that this is not for him anymore. Maybe he'll get sucker punched like he did to Franzen. If he gets hit in the head hard enough, he'll qualify for the Lindros Family Scrabble Game

I love the hit Datsyuk put on Malone..

How bout Orpik cold-crushin 4 guys on one shift?