People seem particularly aggrieved these days by “the head snap,” that is, when a stick or a glove gets somewhere up near a guy's face, he throws his head back. Tomas Plekanec famously did this in Game 4, after everyone talked about how both teams had “embarrassed” the refs by embellishing for calls in Game 3. The reason why is simple: They'd been able to do it to great effect in the past, but because the officials were on the lookout for it, they spotted it in Plekanec's case. The guy who gets caught is always the one who gets vilified, and the quote-unquote hilarious hashtag “#Plekanecing” quickly made its way around social media (spurred on by, who else, Bruins media hacks). The reason for this is that it's hard to take a picture of throwing yourself on the ice with the force of 10 atomic bombs because a guy's stick tapped the back of your skate (#Marchanding), and that people's memories are short (#Boychuking).I am sorry, but diving and embellishment has gotten way out of hand in all levels of hockey. It doesn't matter if you watch the NHL, College or youth hockey. Hockey players are flopping all over the ice to get calls and draw penalties. Face it, diving is poor sportsmanship and it cheapens the game of hockey. We don't want the NHL resembling soccer.
Thomas Drance, the score -- Though the Kings - who still hold a three-games-to-two lead in the series - have some margin for error, they're well aware that you can't let a dangerous, experienced team like the Blackhawks off the mat.
"We know we can't let it go to Game 7," Doughty told Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times. "They're a good team in their home arena. They feed off their fans. It's a tough arena to play in. So we need to win [Friday]."
Continued Doughty: "No matter what, this game has to be ours. It's so important for us to advance to the Stanley Cup Final that we win this game. If we give them this game they're going to have so much more life and they're going to be a different team."
Total headshot by Prust... pic.twitter.com/noiCYd9ZKb
— DKM Hockey (@DKM_Hockey) May 30, 2014
Carey Price, in full gear, an hour before the team is scheduled to be on the ice. pic.twitter.com/dbxvvsI8q8
— SeanFitz_Gerald (@SeanFitz_Gerald) May 27, 2014
Mark Spector, Sportsnet -- Every June day was Edmonton Oilers Day in Edmonton 35 years ago. And when the Oilers failed to make it the Stanley Cup just twice in the eight years between 1983 and 1990, well, no problem. Montreal (1986) and Calgary (1989) took care of the Cup for Canada in Edmonton’s off years, even playing each other in ’89.
Can you imagine? Eight straight Cups featuring a Canadian team?
In the 22 Stanley Cups contested since, our country has sent six teams to the finals, winning just once. Ottawa took a turn in 2007, and each of Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver (twice) have suffered the indignity of a Game 7 loss in the final in the years since the Habs won our last Cup over Los Angeles in 1993.
If the #habs are going to blame Chris Kreider, they should be pointing the finger at Brandon Prust, too: http://t.co/QVRY9aY4Yg
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 23, 2014
Well that was one amazing hockey game. #LAKings return home to finish this up Friday night.
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 29, 2014
Russo's Rants -- Some Wild news: Center Erik Haula, who left the day after the playoffs to represent Finland in the world championships, broke his jaw in the gold-medal game against Russia when he was cross-checked in the face by superstar Evgeni Malkin. No penalty was called. Haula sustained a nondisplaced fracture that will not require surgery. The injury will take three to four weeks to heal, the Wild says.
#nhl player security department is looking at an incident involving #canadiens Rene Bourque on Dorsett. And Dorsett headbutt too. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) May 28, 2014
NHL's Department of Player Safety will also be reviewing Derek Dorsett head-butting incident today.
— Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) May 28, 2014
John Moore will have a hearing Wednesday with for an illegal check to the head of Dale Weise, @NHLPlayerSafety announces.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) May 28, 2014
WATCH: John Moore will be hearing from the NHL after this hit on Dale Weise. http://t.co/r11UM5GYvh pic.twitter.com/e5qaF4Jmtj
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 28, 2014
Def Ryan Mantha (Indiana Ice in @USHL) said whichever team drafts him will determine his fate: Either the UofNorth Dakota or Sault St. Marie
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) May 27, 2014
Kerry Frasier, TSN -- I concur with Mike Milbury and Eddie O's analysis with regard to obvious embellishment committed by PK Subban and Tomas Plekanec in the second period of Sunday night's game.This closing paragraph really hit home with me.
Even though the stick of Rick Nash did catch Subban in the face the upward launch with both legs was not a natural reaction or fall from being struck in that manner. Plekanec's theatrical performance was the absolute worst when he threw his head back and grabbed at his face after the flat blade of Brian Boyle's stick slapped nothing but shoulder pad!
Even though Boyle's stick did not quite fit the criteria of a "high stick (above the height of the opponents shoulders) it was used in a careless manner and could certainly result in a slashing penalty. Plekanec's embellishment was also worthy of a penalty that should have resulted in an on-ice numerical strength of four aside. Given Plekanec's blatant overreaction it could even been deemed a 'stand alone' embellishment penalty if the ref wanted to send a clear message but I doubt he would receive much support.
Until players that embellish are penalized by the referees and held accountable by the League with published fines and suspensions as prescribed in rule 64.3, this illegal act will continue to plague the game. It's time for everyone involved to man-up.
Tesla Rodriquez, Winona Daily News -- Buffalo County resident Paul Van Eijl said his invention, which he calls the “Ice Jet,” will do the ice resurfacing job of the classic machine much quicker — in about a minute or so — using GPS coordinates to control multiple machines at once.According to the author's comment, The "Ice Jet" is planned to complete the resurfacing of the whole rink in one minute or so.
It won’t need a driver, will be electrically powered and will recycle the ice collected by melting it in the machine and using the water to resurface the hockey rink. His invention isn’t on the market yet, though a prototype has been enough to generate a phone call from the reality television show “Shark Tank,” which highlights inventors and entrepreneurs hoping to make it big.
“It’s really doing the same thing (as a Zamboni),” Van Eijl said as he stood next to his prototype on a recent day. “You’re just basically making it eight times as efficient.”
The 1940s-era, ice-resurfacing Zamboni has been an icon in hockey, as it putters around the arena between games and periods to smooth the ice for players. And for the most part, it’s remained unchanged, Van Eijl said. Most run on gas or propane — although newer ones are electric — and are about the size of a truck. Each requires a driver, and use quite a bit of water.
#MemorialDay pic.twitter.com/XKFCpHYHOj
— ♛ (@BestTumblrNotes) May 25, 2014
Oui? No, WE** are American. Because this is America. Greatest country on the planet. 🇺🇸Vote for Osh✌️ #NHL15Oshie pic.twitter.com/3oJjMX0CFq
— Evan Trupp (@trupper19) May 24, 2014
CSM Martin Barreras, 49, of Tucson, Ariz., died May 13, 2014 after the enemy attacked his unit in Herat. #MemorialDay pic.twitter.com/RuQMn2aBOu
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 26, 2014
Les Rangers mènent la série 3-1. / Rangers lead series 3-1. pic.twitter.com/qR6ADqghhK
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) May 26, 2014
Bob Pompeani Show --- Scotty Bowman worked closely with NBC Sports NHL analyst Pierre Maguire who has been rumored to be a possible candidate for the open general manager position with the Pens.
He tells Bob that Maguire has been a candidate recently for many open positions and that he has a real desire to return to a team.
“He has a good broad knowledge of amateur hockey,” Bowman said. “But the big thing he has going for him for me is that he has a lot of connections. He has kept up with the hockey league. He is a hard worker. His knowledge of the NHL would be very high for sure.”
"We expect Derick Brassard to play and we know exactly where he's injured. Hockey is a small world," Therrien reportedly said in French, according to a tweet by a French-speaking TV reporter. (Newsday)That almost sounds like the head coach of the Canadiens put a bounty on someone's head. New York Rangers Beat writer Larry Brooks of the New York Post, thinks the NHL should look into this matter. Sounds like it could be an exciting game tonight.
SNYRangers Blog -- Therrien’s quote on the subject was “There is always a gentleman’s agreement between two teams and the general manager that coaches are not allowed to attend practices between games. Game day is different. So when we saw those assistant coaches there, they were not supposed to be there, so we let them know.” (via the NHL)
#canadiens Michel Therrien was upset at Ulf Samuelson who was watching practice. A no-no when it's not a morning skate. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) May 24, 2014
Toews pic.twitter.com/6dNEfKzfgy
— Tumblr Hockey (@TumblrHockey_) May 25, 2014
NHL.com -- Montreal Canadiens left wing Brandon Prust will have a phone hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Friday afternoon for his hit on New York Rangers center Derek Stepan during the first period at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.
No penalty was called on the play at 2:48 of the first period. Stepan briefly left the game before returning later in the first period.
Montreal won Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final, 3-2, in overtime.
The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: Interference. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.
The IIHF Rule Book is revised every four years and for the 2014 IIHF Annual Congress 86 proposals for 57 rules came together from five committees and several IIHF member national associations.
Some major proposals that will be individually discussed and voted on include:
to standardize the dimensions of the ice surface
to move the goal line closer to the end of the rink (from 4 to 3.3 metres)
**the reinstatement of the red-line offside
**the introduction of touch icing
to move the blue line in order to standardize and also increase the offensive zones
to remove the “cheater piece” of goalkeepers’ catching gloves
to double the penalty for goalkeeper interference to 2+2 minutes
to penalize any deliberate grabbing, twisting or holding of an opponent’s head with a major penalty
to forbid bass drums at ice rinks in addition to air horns and whistles already mentioned in the current rule book.
that goalkeepers cannot freeze the puck if the shot originates from outside the blue line
WASHINGTON — Fifty members of the Senate have signed a letter to the N.F.L. to urge its leadership to press the Washington Redskins to change the team name in the aftermath of tough sanctions against the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers for racially charged comments.Here's what Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had to say on the matter.
The position embraced by half of the Senate, and the willingness of the lawmakers to sign a formal request to Commissioner Roger Goodell, escalated the fight over the name and represented an effort to put increasing pressure on the league, which receives a federal tax break, and the ownership of the team.
“The N.F.L. can no longer ignore this and perpetuate the use of this name as anything but what it is: a racial slur,” said the letter, which was circulated by Senator Maria Cantwell, Democrat of Washington, and endorsed by Senator Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, the majority leader. “We urge the N.F.L. to formally support a name change for the Washington football team.”
“I have 22 tribal organizations in Nevada,” Reid said. “They are not mascots. They are human beings. And this term Redskins is offensive to them.”It's going to be interesting to see how this turns out.
Peter Regin goes into the net but the puck stays out. #blackhawks #lakings pic.twitter.com/ndffkwDJwf
— Shnarped Hockey (@shnarped) May 22, 2014
Kane with a backhand that goes up in the air and around the line. Does the puck go ALL THE WAY in? That's the question. #Blackhawks
— Tracey Myers (@TramyersCSN) May 22, 2014
Doesn't look like it crossed the line. #Blackhawks are going to get a power play anyway; Mitchell in the box again.
— Tracey Myers (@TramyersCSN) May 22, 2014
Eric Duhatschek, Globe and Mail -- THE THOMAS VANEK CONUNDRUM: When times were good in Montreal, there was some talk that the Canadiens might actually consider bidding for Vanek in free agency. Now, it seems highly unlikely, given what a negligible impact he’s had on their run to the semi-finals. But will Minnesota welcome him now, after making inquiries at the deadline, but ultimately settling for Matt Moulson, because the acquisition cost and the dollars out were more affordable? Moulson wasn’t a great fit in Minnesota and the New York Islanders would do well to try and kiss and make up, after dealing him for Vanek in the first place. Minnesota has the great good fortune of having Dany Heatley’s $7-million cap hit disappear after this season, but committing that money to Vanek, a player of questionable playoff pedigree, seems ill-advised at this stage. The Wild seem to have a good thing going, with the group they’ve assembled now. Sitting out free agency this summer makes the most sense for them.One problem for Vanek is that he's been less than impressive during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Vanek has scored (5g-3a-8pts) in 13 games. He's also a (-3). That's not going to make teams want to sign him for 7+ million a season.
Habs will start Dustin Tokarski in net tonight😱
— HockeyPerks® (@HockeyPerks) May 19, 2014
Brutal blindside hit by Benoit Pouliot on Alexei Emelin who headed to the dressing room. He should have been tossed. #GoHabsGo #NYRangers
— All Habs (Canadiens) (@All_Habs) May 20, 2014
