I saw this last night on Versus and this is one of the oddest things that I have ever saw. It is no doubt that Avery is trying to get in Martin Brodeur's head and it appeared that it worked on this play as Sean Avery scored a goal.
Last night over on CBC Ron McClain (who is a ice hockey official) said that he could give Avery a penalty for poor sportsmanship and according to the rules may and should be penalized. Below is the NHL rule that could cover this conduct.
NHL Rule 41.G
A misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who persists in any course of conduct (including threatening or abusive language or gestures or similar actions) designed to incite an opponent into incurring a penalty.
If, after the assessment of a misconduct penalty, a player persists in any course of conduct for which he was previously assessed a misconduct penalty, he shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.
Even though I do not like Sean Avery I have to say this was a incredibly witty move, IMO opinion he is doing the same thing as standing in front of the net trying to deflect a shot, he is simply setting a screen. How is this different from fans waving balloons behind a player shotting a free throw? I know it was 5 on 3 but the defense should be getting him out of there if this is such a problem.
ReplyDeleteGo Devils Though?
Goon you need the post the Preds mic'd up after their second goal against Detroit, that was hilarious
UPDATE for Goon:
ReplyDeleteThe NHL moved quickly to eliminate this activity by making an on-the-fly rule interpretation.
"An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play," Colin Campbell, the NHL director of hockey operations, said in a statement.
ESPN
I posted the latest, EK from hockey buzz. I figured this was coming after Ron McClain said it was a penalty...
ReplyDelete