An inconsistent first night

[flopfish]

Well today was an interesting night in the NHL. Weber smashing Zetterberg's face, Bitz elbow to the head, tons of penalties in the Western Games, and inconsistent non penalty calls.

Let's start off in Pittsburgh: a missed (although showed later waved off late) icing call, and a clear offside call, both leading to goals. Thumbs up to Dan Bylsma saying what he did about the call not costing them the game, but their own play. Phili came back and won in OT after the Briere offside goal made it 3-1 Penguins. Of note: Brayden Schenn played phenomenal.

Next up Nashville and the Wings. Nashville won 3-2 after a late rally by Detroit in a game that featured 14 power plays; 6 for the Preds and 8 for Detroit. 14 is a lot. Didn't watch most of the game, but that is way too many. Thats almost half the game on special teams. Definitely needs to be looked at by the league. Of note: Shea Weber should be getting a 1-3 game suspension for his punch to the back of the head on Henrik Zetterberg in the very latter stages of the game.

Finally, across the border, the Kings ruled the ice and outplayed the Canucks in a physical game. Some different officiating calls, a few by linesmen (a theme for the day) but the Kings scored on 2 of their 8 PP opportunities that included 2 5-on-3s and a 5 minute major. Canucks shook up their lineup too much hrading into the playoffs and looked flatfooted. Of note: Byron Bitz took a 5 minute major for boarding on Kyle Clifford (left game, upper body injury (concussion more than likely)) that should earn him a healthy 5 game suspension. Who arguments there.

In 2/3 games tonight, officiating was very prevelant. In the Canucks-Kings game, no late hits or slight charges were going unpenalized. Some that are questionable at best both ways. Seems like Shannaban will be having a busy night tonight. Hopefully tomorrow is better! Leave your thoughts below!

[flopfish]

Also of note from the Vancouver-LA game, the non goaltender interference call on the first goal. Interesting it was ruled that way. Quick was outside the blue for one and he embellished it which lead to an easy Burrows goal. Could that be from last year's Cup Final and the uproar the Canucks made about it?

[09232003]

the pitt/philly game was great but that off side no call on briere was a game changer, took away the Pitt momentum.
Thats call should have been easy and made, thus prevent philly to claw back into game, but also pitt D-men need to step it up a notch.

game 2 will be better.

[Wickabee]

It was absolutely a consistent night. The refs consistently screwed up terribly. The players consistently made stupid, stupid plays (Weber, Bitz) the announcers consistently were terrible (sometimes a Canuck just fell down, it's not ALWAYS embellishing) and the analysts were consistently awful as well.

Completely consistent.

[flopfish]

It was absolutely a consistent night. The refs consistently screwed up terribly. The players consistently made stupid, stupid plays (Weber, Bitz) the announcers consistently were terrible (sometimes a Canuck just fell down, it's not ALWAYS embellishing) and the analysts were consistently awful as well.

Completely consistent.

LOL yeah sounds about right.

[howethegreat]

i was surprised on how "unphysical" the flyers penguins game was hopefully that picks up.

[Wickabee]

i was surprised on how "unphysical" the flyers penguins game was hopefully that picks up.

Well the Flyers were asleep in the first and the Pens slept through the rest of the game.

[centrehice]

Pens have no reason to blame anyone but themselves. You don't blow a 3-0 lead with the way they have played this year.

Excuses are for children.