More on the Brashear hit on Betts.

TSN's Bob McKenzie has a follow up on the Brashear hit from yesterday's game. I think Bob is right that Brashear is going to get suspended like one poster said in the previous post this is a cheap hit and one could make the argument that there was an intent to injure by Brashear. Lets be clear Brashear has one role on the Capitals hockey team and it isn't to score goals.Donald Brashear's is a goon and his role is to beat people up and be an enforcer, now he can ad cheap shot artist to his repertoire.

It's just a hunch on my part, but I figure Donald Brashear will get a one-game suspension for his pre-game warm-up shove on New York Ranger Colton Orr and probably another one-game suspension for his hit on Ranger Blair Betts.

Which is all well and good, I suppose, but it doesn't really address the root issue on Brashear's hit on Betts, which apparently broke Bett's orbital bone and most definitely scrambled his brain, as evidenced by the video that shows an extremely groggy Betts having difficulty getting off the ice under his own power.
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When a player such as Brashear comes from behind the play, and at the last minute swoops in laterally, to hit an unsuspecting, puck-less player in the head with a shoulder or an elbow or whatever and does significant damage to that player, that is precisely the type of hit the NHL must work to eliminate. And if it can't eliminate that type of hit, then it at least needs to eliminate the players who deliver those types of hits.

Plain and simple, it's a sneak attack and with devastating consequences.

Chicago's Ben Eager did it to Edmonton's Liam Reddox and got a three-game suspension.

Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke did it to Carolina's Scott Walker and got a two-game suspension.

This being the playoffs and all, Brashear will probably get a game or maybe two.

And that isn't nearly enough, not for these hits where the perpetrators come from the blind side and target an unsuspecting player with a head shot. And, please, don't give me the line about players needing to keep their heads up. This is not the same thing, not the same thing at all.

Funny Video on Simeon Varlamov.

Rookie goalie Simeon Varlamov is 20 years old and doesn't speak any English, in just Russian. I think the Washington Capitals are going to want to get him to English immersion classes very soon, because I could see this kid playing in the NHL for some time. It also doesn't look like he needs a razor very often.
(watch the video here)

Rangers want protection for Game 7 in D.C.

Check out the letter that Glen Sather the general manager of the New York Rangers wrote to Gary Bettman commissioner of the NHL. I think he has got a point. Fans that cross the line like the ones in Washington should be yanked out of their seats, drug out of the arena in handcuffs and charged with disorderly conduct. Spitting on the players is unacceptable.

Dear Gary:

In addition to your suspension of Coach Tortorella for his actions during last night's game, we respectfully request that you consider appropriate discipline in light of Washington's gross negligence in ensuring the safety of the personnel on the Rangers' bench, including Coach Tortorella, in the face of the Rangers' repeated requests for intervention against egregious fan misconduct during Game 5. As importantly, we would like the League's intervention to ensure that there are adequate security measures in place to protect our personnel in the event there is a Game 7 in Washington.

Neither the NHL nor either team has had the opportunity to conduct a full investigation or to interview all witnesses but the television coverage and the statements made by Rangers bench personnel make clear that Washington utterly failed in its security obligations to the Rangers, not to mention its own fans. The tension was evident from before the opening face-off. Throughout the game, several people seated immediately behind the visitors' bench took advantage of the looseness of the glass panels and the unusually wide gaps between the panels to assault the Rangers with some of the most obscene language imaginable. Because of the way the glass is installed, the patron sitting behind Coach Tortorella (the gray-haired, bearded man in the white T-Shirt) could literally scream into the coach's ear. According to Rangers trainer Jim Ramsay, one patron was screaming at the team, in graphic language, about whether Dan Girardi and Marc Staal have a sexual relationship. This was within earshot of several children seated nearby. Several other fans also made repeated homophobic remarks. Moreover, Mr. Ramsay reported that he and other bench personnel were spit on by one or more "fans" as they yelled through the gaps in the glass.

Your statement tonight referred to alerting security. In the first period, Mr. Ramsay warned the security guard stationed on the nearest stairwell (a large African-American man) that the situation was unacceptable and was likely to get ugly. No action was taken. The misconduct continued. In the second period, Mr. Ramsay warned a female security supervisor that some fans were out of control and that he was concerned that something unfortunate was going to happen. Although this supervisor was equipped with a radio, she apparently took no action, because the same fans were in their seats when the team returned to the bench for the third period. According to press accounts, no fans were ever ejected or permanently removed from their seats.

Washington's failure to respond to what its personnel knew — and were specifically warned — was a potentially dangerous situation contributed significantly to this unfortunate incident. Accordingly, we respectfully request that you consider imposing appropriate discipline on Washington for its knowing failure to protect the Rangers and prevent the situation from deteriorating into an incident that reflects badly on all of us. In addition, we must immediately discuss how Washington is going to handle security for any Game 7. Neither the Rangers nor the well-behaved Capitals fans should be forced to endure the extraordinary level of fan misconduct that Washington failed to prevent in Game 5.

Thank you for your consideration.

Glen

Donald Brashear hit on Blair Betts.

You can bet that the league office will be taking a look at this hit. Was it a cheap head shot? In my opinion it was definitely interference and a dirty hit that may knock a player out of the next game.

At the end of the video you will see Brashear and Orr talking before the game in the pregame warmups. I would imagine that could also lead to a game suspension. I expect game seven to be very exciting and full of drama.

Marleau goal.

(Watch the Marleau goal) Apparently the Ducks coach Randy Carlylewasn't happy with the Shark's goal in over time last night. I have watched the goal a few times and it's hard to tell if the Shark's player made contact with the goal tender or not. Even if there was contact with the goalie I am not sure it affected the goal.

“The reason the puck went in the net was their player pushed our goalie’s pad,” Carlyle said. “The puck was loose, their player pushed, and as he pushed, the goalie’s pad — the back of his foot, which is attached to the pad, the back of his skate, knocked the puck in the net. ... I think there needs to be some clarification, because in my view, they are not allowed to push the goaltender and the puck into the net.”

Tortorella suspended by the NHL.

It's fun to see the the drama that is the New York Rangers hockey team unfold. I would love to be a beat writer and follow this team because there is a lot of stuff going on with the New York Rangers. So the Rangers head coach John Tortorella will sit for game six. Of course the Rangers don't agree with the suspension but the NHL has been pretty clear with their instructions that players and or coaches can not have an altercations with fans.

NEW YORK -- The National Hockey League announced Saturday that New York Rangers coach John Tortorella has been suspended for one game for squirting a fan with water and throwing a water bottle that struck a fan during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series with the Washington Capitals on April 24 in Washington.

The incident occurred 6:33 into the third period.

Tortorella will miss the Rangers' game Sunday afternoon against Washington at Madison Square Garden.

"While it is a difficult decision to suspend a coach at this point in a playoff series, it has been made clear to all of our players, coaches and other bench personnel that the National Hockey League cannot -- and will not -- tolerate any physical contact with fans,” NHL Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell said. "We do not take this action lightly. It is the result of an entire day of investigation and evaluation that included the retrieval and review of videotape of the incident and discussions with Mr. Tortorella, other Rangers' bench personnel and a number of other people, including the security personnel at the Verizon Center.

"That investigation revealed that Mr. Tortorella squirted a fan with water before Mr. Tortorella was doused with a beverage.

VIEWPOINT: Nickname speaks to warriorship

There has been a lot of debate on wether UND should keep the Fighting Sioux name or not and I think this letter from a former UND student of Native American decent kind of sums it up pretty well.

After the pro nick name vote this past week at Spirit Lake Nation there was a few comments by a anti-nick name opponents that said the Native Americans that voted for the Fighting Sioux nick name just haven't been educated. (Article Cited) Well this person went to UND and he is proud of the Fighting Sioux logo and nick name.

CROOKSTON — UND should keep the Fighting Sioux name and logo, and the tribes should be proud to support the effort.

When I was a young man coming from Fort Yates, N.D., I was proud that the college I was going to attend had the name “Sioux.” I thought that spoke to the legacy of the Indian and his presence then and now, and I find the present-day logo to be much more positive than some of the caricatures I have seen in different tribal and Bureau of Indian Affairs offices over the years.

The name Fighting Sioux, for me, speaks to the warriorship needed to make a place for one’s self in the modern world. Warriors are proud men and women whose primary responsibility is to the well-being and continuing existence of the people. Warriors fought elements, nature and, when necessary, other warriors to provide sustenance, shelter and safety to the camp.

I think we have a strong chance here to correct the movie image of the whooping, vengeful savage that so many people have. We have a chance to show the truth and strength of warrior spirit.

This logo is a respectful representation of a young warrior, one who is aware of his responsibilities as he looks to the future. And isn’t that the desired goal of the complete university experience?

I am sorry that former President Charles Kupchella and his passionate defense of the name left the university. I think the tribes need to step into the gap and fight for the right to exist in image and reality.

I find the political correctness of the current situation misguided, frustrating and harmful. What puzzles me most is the stance the two reservation councils have taken. I was raised by parents from the boarding-school days who were not allowed to speak their language at their school and were punished for being Indian by being made to kneel on broomsticks. Those parents raised me not to deny my heritage but to be proud of it and not let anyone to diminish my right to be here.

For centuries, we have been subjected to disease and killings and hidden away on reservations that could not sustain us. Let’s be honest: History shows the goal of the now dominant culture has been to rid the land of us. Even at the Minnesota Uprising, the goal was to “leave no Indian alive.”

My warrior grandfathers tried to ensure the continued proud existence of our culture and people. Chief Strike the Ree went to Washington to try to get fair treatment and establish an understanding of equality. Chief Rain in the Face used his fighting skills to keep settlers from entering the sacred Black Hills and fought to protect lands and people and culture at the Last Battle.

But remember our strong responsible leaders, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull? Both were killed by Indian police sent by white officers of the U.S. Calvary. Now, we are being duped into doing it to ourselves again: Kill the image. Kill the name. Then nobody has to remember we exist as a strong, accomplished and modern people with a history to be proud of.

The rules of political correctness are just another pox-infested blanket being offered to help us wipe ourselves off the face of the Earth. It means nobody has to admit to eliminating the Indian because we took the blanket into our own hands.

When I see or hear the name Fighting Sioux, I smile. I smile because people are reminded every day of a people who refuse to give up and go away.

The only thing offensive here is how political correctness has stolen the fight out of the tribal councils.

Keep the name. Keep the logo. Keep the legacy.

Uken is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Torts in hot water?

I have to agree with the television announcers, this fan has drank way to many beers. You would think at some point he would realize that and cut himself off. Ironically the coach of the Rangers who has been preaching discipline and the same coach that benched bad boy Sean "Sloppy Seconds" Avery for his lack of discipline may get some form of disciplinary action from the league office himself for throwing a water bottle at the beligerant fan behind the bench.

WASHINGTON -- John Tortorella faces disciplinary action from the NHL after throwing a water bottle from the Rangers' bench into the stands at 6:33 of the third period of last night's Game 5, 4-0 defeat to the Caps.

The head coach, who would not answer questions about the incident, could be suspended by commissioner Gary Bettman for tomorrow afternoon's Game 6 at the Garden. The Rangers' public relations representative threatened to end last night's postgame press conference if questions on the subject continued.

Tortorella, who may have thought he had been doused by a beer or spat upon during a television timeout, wheeled toward the stands and threw a bottle over the high glass protecting the bench.

With his suit jacket wet, Tortorella then grabbed a stick out of the hands of Aaron Voros and appeared ready to joust with a spectator before he assistant coach Jim Schoenfeld grabbed him.

Security guards and D.C. police arrived on the scene, and though they escorted a few fans away from their seats, no one was ejected. There does not appear to be video evidence of what provoked Tortorella.

Ovechkin's sick goal.

This goal by Alex Ovechkin is unbelievable. I believe it is worthy of an ESPY. I don't think it's a stretch to say that Ovechkin is the best hockey player in the NHL right now. I am sure that there will be some Penguins fans that will disagree with my assessment but the visual evidence is right here.

WASHINGTON -- Whether he was trying to contain his excitement or simply was just completely aware of the situation, Alex Ovechkin was a bit self-deprecating when he met with the media at the podium after Friday's 4-0 playoff win over the New York Rangers.

Ovechkin might have just scored one of the greatest goals in playoff history (at least in terms of highlight-reel merit) in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, but he used works like "lucky" and "terrible" when asked to describe what happened.

Here it is: First, Ovechkin gets around Chris Drury at the top of the attacking zone. Next, he slides the puck through Derek Morris' skates and as it comes out on the other side, kicks it slightly forward with his left skate. He regains possession, but now he starts to fall down.

No big deal.

Creative contracts.

Here is an interesting take on way of working players salaries in under the cap. The Bruins might have to do this to keep two of their young guns David Krejci and Phil Kessel. Both players are going to get fat contracts after having great seasons.

The Boston Bruins meanwhile are a team which has over $47 million committed to next season’s payroll but have two quality forwards in Phil Kessel and David Krejci set to become restricted free agents.

If both seek raises over $4 million per season – and given their performances this season it would be reasonable to expect they will– retaining Kessel and Krejci could put a serious squeeze on the Bruins remaining cap space next season.

The front-loaded contract would address that problem. The Bruins could re-sign these two to affordable salaries, lock up both well beyond their eligibility age for unrestricted free agency and provide the Bruins with a more affordable cap hit next season.

Of course lengthy deals do come with risk. The player might no longer be an effective performer by the tail end of the deal, or certainly not one worth the cap space he’ll be eating up by that time.
(read the rest of the article)

Sean Avery a scratch tonight.

Here is what is really funny John Tortorella benches Sean Avery to send him a messagne and the Capitals score two goals in the first period and another one in the second period so far. Yeah how is that working for you Torts?

In yet another sign that John Tortorella is in total charge, the Rangers head coach scratched Sean Avery, a game after his two egregious third-period penalties almost cost the Rangers dearly in Game 5. Aaron Voros is in, not sure of the lines yet, expect Voros to play on the fourth... Avery had dressed in all 22 games---including the four playoff games---since being summoned from Hartford in early March, but apparently Tortorella lost his patience.
(from the Blue notes)

Is Saku Koivu going to be a Wild?

One of the things we kept hearing this season was the speculation that Saku Koivu might want to be a member of the Minnesota Wild joining his brother Mikko. From reading his comment it sounds like Saku wants to remain a member of the Habs. My next question is; do the Wild need another third line forward that is past his prime?

Koivu said if his vision of the future meshed with that of the team, he expected to have a deal, ideally for two of three seasons, before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He added that if there’s no deal before the deadline, he will probably be playing elsewhere next season.

When Koivu was asked if joining his younger brother, Mikko, in Minnesota was an option, he said: “It would be amazing in one way to play with him on the same team. But on the other hand, he’s at the point where he has his own career. He’s making a name for himself and in some ways, it’s easier for him and I’d like to keep it that way. But it’s tempting to think about playing on the same NHL team with him and having some success.”
(Read the Whole Article here)

Who do the Bruins want next?

Here are the Bruin's records against team they could face in the next round. The Bruins have had good luck against all teams they could face in the second round. It would be fun to see Lucic beating up on Sean "Sloppy Seconds" Avery if he hasn't been banished to the press box by the time the second round comes around. If the Bruins face off against the Flyers it would bring the Patrice Bergeron against Randy Jones matchup.

Bruins vs. Rangers (2-1-1)
Bruins vs. Hurricanes (4-0-0)
Bruins vs. Penguins (2-1-1)
Bruins vs. Flyers (2-1-1)

Don Cherry on Avery.

This was posted over on KuklasKorner.com Don Cherry was less than impressed after last night's game. You have to wonder if Sloppy Seconds is running out of rope to hang himself. What is the point of playing Avery if he keeps taking really stupid penalties. Why not play within the rules Avery? Running people and chopping them in the face is bush league. I guess you can't get a leopard to change his spots eh?

Oshie and Backes to the Worlds

Nice to see a couple of former WCHA players get to play for their country at the World Championships. Now that the St Louis Blues have been eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs Backes and Oshie will give the USA some more offense. Oshie and Backes will join former WCHA stars, Keith Ballard Minnesota, Matt Niskanen UMD, Ryan Suter Wisconsin, Jason Blake UND, Kyle Okposo Minnesota, Drew Stafford UND, Colin Stuart, Colorado College.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- St. Louis Blues forwards David Backes and T.J. Oshie have been added to the 2009 U.S. Men's National Team roster for the 2009 World Championships.

Team USA will compete in the tournament in Berne and Zurich-Kloten, Switzerland April 24-May 10.

Backes posted career highs in points (54), goals (31), assists (23), power-play goals (6), shorthanded goals (2) and shots (208) in 82 games for the Blues this season. Backes also added 1 goal and 2 assists in four playoff games.

Backes is making his third consecutive IIHF Men's World Championship appearance, having played in the tournament in 2007 and 2008. In 2008, he tallied one assist in six games, while he notched three points (1-2) in seven games in 2007.

Oshie skated in 57 regular-season games with the Blues during his rookie season. His 39 points (14-25) ranked ninth among all NHL rookies and he finished third among rookies in points per game. Additionally, Oshie skated in all four Blues playoff games.

Oshie will be making his first IIHF Men's World Championship appearance. Oshie previously represented the U.S. at the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championship, scoring one goal in seven games.

Team USA will begin play in the 2009 IIHF Men's World Championship Saturday (April 25) at 10:15 a.m. EDT against Latvia. The United States will play two additional preliminary-round games against Austria (April 27) and Sweden (April 29) before the qualification round begins.

Wild Banged up

Check the list of walking wounded for the Minnesota Wild seems like most of them will be rehabing injuires for a good part of the summer. They will be lucky to field a full team next fall. You have to wonder if the push to make the playoffs took a big toll on the Wild. I don't know how they could have competed if they had made the playoffs.

Look at this rehab list as of now:

Niklas Backstrom — out four to six months following hip surgery Friday

Brent Burns — post-concussion syndrome and shoulder surgery Thursday that will require four months to heal.

Andrew Brunette — reconstructive knee surgery, out four to six months

Derek Boogaard — shoulder surgery Tuesday, out two months

Pierre-Marc Bouchard — concussion

(the way the B’s are dropping, Marc-Andre Bergeron better be careful walking across the street)

Nick Schultz — concussion

Tyler Cuma — still recovering from knee surgery

Oops, forgot Dan Fritsche - broken collarbone

Oh, and I forgot a fairly major one: Mikko Koivu — sprained knee
(Read Mike Russo's whole blog post here)

A couple of Ivy League Alum drop the mitts.

This was the best fight that I have seen during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Doug Murray is from Cornell and George Parros is a Princeton grad. Who says the Ivy League players can't fight? When the playoffs begin you see less fight and more of the unnecessary crap like face washes and stick work.

Komisarek and Lucic.

You would think after a while that Michael Komisarek would get tired of getting his ass kicked by Milan Lucic. Since Komisarek is done for the season I don't expect him to get a suspension for breaking a stick over Lucic's face.

Was Kessel offsides?

Phil Kessel scored his fourth goal of the series as the Boston Bruins buried the Montreal Canadians finishing the sweep. This is the first time since 1998-1999 season that the Bruins have advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. So it was nice after 10 years to see the Habs get closed out in (4) four games.

It appears that on the third Bruin goal Phil Kessel was offsides when he crossed the blue line. Seriously, it wouldn't have mattered because after the Habs scored the first goal the Bruins scored four unanswered goals.

Wheeler is not a Calder Trophy candidate.

Ironically Blake Wheeler (21-24-45) was beat out by Chicago's Kris Versteeg who was a Bruins prospect until the Bruins traded him to Chicago for former Fighting Sioux star Brandon Bochenski. I also wonder if the Bruin's GM would regret that move or not?

Blake Wheeler was not among the three finalists announced today for the Calder Trophy as the league's Rookie of the Year. The three finalists are Anaheim's Bobby Ryan (36-31-67), Chicago's Kris Versteeg (22-31-53), and Columbus's Steve Mason (Record 33-20-7 GAA 2.29 Sv%.916).

Wheeler (21 goals) got off to a hot start, but his stick cooled off in the second half. Mason is considered the favorite to win the award.

Wheeler could still make the All-Rookie Team and receive a $212,500 bonus.