Denver Post columnist asks Mike Yeo if they're targeting Av's players

In my opinion, this is Unacceptable. I know I wouldn't ask a college head coach this stupid question. Anyone want to bet who this anonymous Denver Post columnist is? I have my suspicions. I would be willing to be, that it’s probably the same guy that’s been chirping and trolling Wild fans all day long on Twitter.

Michael Russo, Star Tribune -- Denver Post columnist: So you wanted Cooke to target specific guys? Yeo: “Don’t get into this, alright? I know where you want to spin this. But listen, I want our players when somebody is in front of them to finish their check. That’s hockey. So if you think that I’m saying, ‘Go take him out.’ No, you’re wrong. There’s a lot more respect in this game than that and we have a lot more respect for the game than that. So what we say to our guys is if you have an opportunity to finish your check, finish your check. And that’s the same thing that I’m sure that they’re saying there, too.

Similarities in Playoff Series for Wild

Last season marked the first time the Minnesota Wild had made the playoffs since winning the Northwest Division in 2008, but would be matched up with the Stanley Cup favorite, Chicago Blackhawks.

This season, just squeaking in again, Minnesota is in a battle with longtime rival, Colorado, after the Avalanche won the division for the first time since 2003. I wonder how that season ended up for them.

Looking back to the first three games of last seasons playoffs for Minnesota and comparing them to this years, I see a lot of things similar in the ways the games have been played.

Starting with both game one's, an overtime post would cost Minnesota that important game one victory to gain momentum in the series. Last year it was Jason Zucker hitting the crossbar, and this year was Jason Pominville ringing one off of the far post. One big difference in each series first games is that Minnesota would dominate the first two periods and much more scoring in the game because of it.

In game two, the Wild looked like they were in awe of the young and speedy Avalanche. Seeming to not get anything together, even after scoring the first goal, Colorado would score three unanswered to skate to a game two victory and take a 2-0 series lead going into game three at Xcel Energy Center, just like the Blackhawks would last year.

Although game three between Chicago and Minnesota was played pretty even and Minnesota would dominate the Avs last night, the result was still the same between the two games, young guns scoring in dramatic fashion in overtime. Last year was Jason Zucker who fired a rocket from near the goal line and would beat Corey Crawford for the victory. This year, it was Granny's turn. In a play that was dominated by him, Granlund would fight off a check, take the puck to the slot, and score laying flat on the ice with the Avalanche goaltender having no chance at making the save, giving the Wild a game three victory once again.

Compared to last season, this Wild team is much stronger, much more skilled, and have much more chemistry then they did at this time last season. I would expect another strong showing for Minnesota Thursday night and for the rest of the series. If they play like they did last night for the rest of the series, Colorado will be going home early this playoff season.

Minnesota Wild: Breaking down Matt Cooke's Suspension History

Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I don't think people realize how many games and times that Matt Cooke has been suspended by the NHL. Here's a break down of Cooke's illustrious history and the number of games that he ended up sitting as a result of his bush league play. Like I said in another post, "I also have to wonder if the NHL's Department of Player head Brendan Shanahan already has Chuck Fletcher's cell phone number in is speed dial?"  I think it's just a matter of time before Cooke is suspended again by the NHL. 

2013/07/05        Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Minnesota Wild to a three-year contract.

2011/04/27        Missed the last 10 games of the regular season and 7 playoff games (suspension). (17)

2011/03/21        Suspended by the NHL for the remainder of the season and the first round of the playoffs.

2011/02/20        Missed 4 games (suspension). (4)

2011/02/09        Suspended by the NHL for four games.

2009/12/04        Missed 2 games (suspension). (2)

2009/11/29        Suspended by the NHL for two games.

2009/01/31        Missed 2 games (suspension). (2)

2009/01/27        Suspended by the NHL for 2 games.

2004/02/21        Suspended by the NHL for 2 games. (2) [TSN.CA]

Bellow, is a typical Matt Cooke play that happened during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Minnesota Wild: Matt Cooke to have a in-person hearing for his hit on Tyson Barrie.

Minnesota Wild forward Matt Cooke has been offered an in-person hearing for kneeing Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie. Details TBD.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 22, 2014

This is not going to end well for Wild forward Matt Cooke, he's going to get at least a 5-game suspension, and probably more.

(Video) Stars and Ducks scrum (Antoine Roussel and Ryan Getzlaf)

I guess no one reminded Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf that he had a bunch of stitches in his chin, right. It's got to be hard not to punch out a player like Antoine Roussel,when you play against him. I have to agree Getzlaf is a tough hockey player.

18:14 DAL Antoine Roussel served by Alex Chiasson Roughing - 2 min against Ryan Getzlaf
18:14 ANA Ryan Getzlaf Roughing - 2 min against Antoine Roussel
18:14 DAL Antoine Roussel Roughing - 2 min against Ryan Getzlaf

Mikael Granlund scores the game winner in game three

Mikael Granlund scores the game winner at the 5.18 mark of the first overtime in game three. Av's still lead the series 2-1.

(video) Matt Cooke Knees Tyson Barrie

nd 

This hit by Matt Cooke has cause a stir tonight with his leg check on Tyson Barrie. First, it's not a good hit, and I think Cooke is going to end up getting suspended for this hit. I think that league has to suspend him based on his history. But I guess we will have to wait and see.

Let's be clear, I also don't approve of this hit, but Cooke has cleaned his act up and this is one of his first questionable hits of the season for the Wild agitator.

T-Shirts celebrating Backes Hit Lack Class

s/t to Puck Daddy... You can go to the trending t-shirts site and buy one of these t-shirts. Very tasteless in my opinion.

(VIDEO) Mike Richards spears Logan Couture

L.A. Kings forward Mike Richards spears San Jose Sharks forward Logan Couture in the mid-section.

14:44 LAK Mike Richards Spearing - double minor - 4 min against Logan Couture

Dustin Brown humor

A little humor at Mr. Elbow's expense. I mean Dustin Brown's expense.

(Video) Ryan Callahan No Goal Call vs Montreal Canadiens

I don't see any reason why this goal doesn't count, but I guess we need to take a look at NHL Rule 69.3.

69.1 Interference on the Goalkeeper - This rule is based on the premise that an attacking player’s position, whether inside or outside the crease, should not, by itself, determine whether a goal should be allowed or disallowed. In other words, goals scored while attacking players are standing in the crease may, in appropriate circumstances be allowed. Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal; or (2) an attacking player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with a goalkeeper, inside or outside of his goal crease. Incidental contact with a goalkeeper will be permitted, and resulting goals allowed, when such contact is initiated outside of the goal crease, provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact. The rule will be enforced exclusively in accordance with the on-ice judgment of the Referee(s), and not by means of video replay or review.

Watch That's Hockey 2Nite on TSN 2 this evening with Steve Kouleas and you you will get the straight, correct answer on Tampa disallowed.
— Kerry Fraser (@kfraserthecall) April 21, 2014

Player who is in the goal crease & this results with impairment of goalkeeper's ability to defend his goal, the goal will be disallowed.
— Kerry Fraser (@kfraserthecall) April 21, 2014

Correct call on disallowed goal! 69.3if goalkeeper in act of establishing his position within crease, initiates contact with an attacking
— Kerry Fraser (@kfraserthecall) April 21, 2014

(Video) Almost Fight - Brendan Smith versus Zdeno Chara.

To quote Doc Emerick, "There are many in the NHL watching this and if I were Smith, I would hope that the linesmen arrive." This would have been the mismatch of the century.

Seabrook banned for three games

None of us should be surprised that Brent Seabrook suspended three games by the National Hockey League.

NEW YORK -- Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook has been suspended for three games for interference and charging against St. Louis Blues forward David Backes during Game 2 of the teams' First Round Stanley Cup Playoffs series in St. Louis on Saturday, April 19, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 15:09 of the third period. Seabrook was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for charging.

Brent Seabrook on the hit.

“It wasn’t my intent,’’ a contrite Seabrook said regarding his check that leveled Blues forward David Backes and earned Seabrook a game misconduct. “I was just trying to make a play on Backes. I thought the puck was there. I was on [Alexander] Steen. I was just coming down the wall and I just tried to finish my hit.’’

Former UND forward Chris Porter on the Seabrook hit.

When (Backes) went down like that, I thought it gave us a little bit more push to finish it off …" winger Chris Porter said. "He's our leader. We'll do whatever it takes to get him back. If that's winning a couple of games more, then so be it."

Former All-American goalie Ryan Miller said this.

“I didn’t like it,” Miller said. “I don’t think a lot of people who are hockey fans and have seen they way they’ve been calling things should like it. I imagine the NHL will have something to say about it but it’s not up for the players to decide. We’ll see what they do with it. But it certainly was not what we want to see.”

Blackhawks player to Backes "wakey, wakey"

s/t to Kukla's Korner. At about the 45 second mark of the video, you can hear an unidentified Blackhawks player say "wakey, wakey." That's low class and bushleague. I didn't catch the comments the first around. Oh boy, this series could get really nasty.

Shocker. Listen closely during this video and you can hear a Hawks player saying "wakey, wakey" to Backes https://t.co/h6ZwNssD3k #stlblues
— Norm Sanders (@NormSanders) April 20, 2014

(Video) Avalanche goal by Nate MacKinnon

What a goal by Avalanche forward Nate MacKinnon. He kind of made the Wild defense look sick. Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon is stil trying to find his cup.

Tweets of the night

@GerDevine I guess I haven't seen a non-Cup contender fire a coach after 2nd best record in franchise history and making the playoffs.
— Bryan Reynolds (@BReynoldsMN) April 20, 2014

Hits to head, brain injuries , merit more than phone hearings. Note to NHL: wake up.
— Kevin Paul Dupont (@GlobeKPD) April 20, 2014

The Columbus Blue Jackets have won their first ever playoff game. http://t.co/CHLqfkbbfd
— Reddit Hockey (@Reddit_Hockey) April 20, 2014

Eatern Conference Matchups pic.twitter.com/cLxuGA5gDZ
— The Hockey Gods! (@HockeyGods) April 16, 2014

Western Conference Matchups pic.twitter.com/npL1qnYNv7
— The Hockey Gods! (@HockeyGods) April 19, 2014

(video) Brent Seabrook's dirty hit on David Backes (with quotes)

I would have to think that Blackhawks Defenseman Brent Seabrook is going to get a two-tree game suspension for this hit. For the record, Seabrook has never been suspended.

15:09 CHI Brent Seabrook served by Antti Raanta Charging (maj) - 5 min against David Backes
15:09 CHI Brent Seabrook Game misconduct - 10 min against David Backes

Biggest test to date for new #NHL discipline chief Stephane Quintal in regard to how he handles Brent Seabrook hit.
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) April 20, 2014

NHL taking look at both Bryan Bickell's kneeing to Vladimir Sobotka and Brent Seabrook's hit on David Backes. No word yet on hearings.
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) April 19, 2014

#Blackhawks' Brent Seabrook on Blues' David Backes: "I hope Backes is feeling all right and I hope he’s doing OK."
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) April 19, 2014

#Blackhawks' Brent Seabrook: "Hits have been laid like that from both sides the whole series. We’ll see what happens."
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) April 19, 2014

Jeremy Roenick basically just defended Brent Seabrook's hit. Idiot. "Backes has been taking runs at the Blackhawks all series."
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) April 20, 2014

The Playoff Problem (Redwing77)

I love playoff hockey... ANY playoff hockey.... but I also think it's one of the worst hockey out there.  Why?  Well...  mostly it is due to hypocrisy.

All throughout the regular season, teams play the game and commit penalties.  Sometimes these infractions result in suspensions, fines, and so on.  Ah, but then the playoffs begin and it's all changed!

The playoff rulebook has come into play!

This rule book is the most hypocritical, imo, rules entity in professional sports.  I've watched playoff hockey this year in both the USHL and the NHL and they're both the same.  It takes an act of God to get the refs to raise their arms.  Why?  What happens when the postseason begins that makes a call that is made ALL SEASON LONG no longer required?  If the refs aren't enforcing the rulebook, why do we have 2 refs and 2 ARs on the ice?  Why not just have 2 ARs just to call offsides, icing, and drop the puck on faceoffs and just rely upon the video replay judge and the goal judges to determine goals?  There is no reason for refs if the rulebook is optional.

Yesterday, we saw two overt spears in Corey Perry and Milan Lucic.  Neither resulted in penalties being called.  Lucic's resulted in a wrist smacking $5,000 fine.  Well, the message is clear.  Your stars can spear guys and they'll only lose part of a game check!  NO PENALTY!!!  I'm too used to the NCAA rulebook that states that spearing is a 5 minute major and game ejection.  It's legal in the NHL, I guess.  It's also legal to slash a stick in two pieces if it results in a scoring opportunity (ala Anaheim's short handed goal by Cogliano).

I LOVE the game of hockey.  I LOVE a good, clean, hardfought, physical game.  But I'm also a big proponent of the rulebook.  I believe truly that the rulebook is in place for essentially two main reasons:  1.  Integrity of the game itself and 2.  Player safety.  If the rulebook isn't going to be enforced, then I hope the playoff teams have good insurance and travel policies because someone's going to leave on a stretcher and they'll need a body to fill the void ASAP.

In the NHL, IMO, cheap shots occur when enforcers are handcuffed due to situational concerns and/or the rulebook AND the officials either have lost control of the game or refuse to enforce the rulebook.  Yes, I LOVE games like what we saw with Chicago vs. St. Louis.  I LOVED last year's Finals between Boston and Chicago.  But I LOATHE games where the sport is made even more dangerous than it has to be because the playoff rulebook is in effect.

I'm not sure where the money comes from to pay refs for NHL games.  However, if the playoff rulebook is truly as optional as the rules have been applied thus far, help out the common man in the playoffs.  Simply do not put any armbanded refs on the ice at all and save the money spent to pay them  by passing the savings onto the playoff attendee.  If this sounds ridiculous, then it's time to start using the rulebook again and saving the integrity and health of the players before someone gets seriously hurt.

And I haven't even begun about the USHL.  USHL playoff rulebooks remind me a TON of the clutch and grab style of WCHA officiating back in the early 2000s... even down to the fact that, even when they DO call penalties, it will be a LOCK that neither team will have an advantage on the powerplay... even if they have to invent a penalty to make it equal (which I've witnessed personally).

Save the game.  You don't have to call everything.  You just have to call the same game as you do during the regular season.

Lucic will not be suspended

According to Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.COM, Milan Lucic will not be suspended. Lucic was fined $5,000.00 for his spear.

Joe Haggerty ( @HackswithHaggs) tweeted at 12:12pm - 19 Apr 14: Milan Lucic: "I don't know what I was thinking. I pride myself on playing within the rules, and that's obviously something I can't be doing"

--------

Joe Haggerty ( @HackswithHaggs) tweeted at 12:09pm - 19 Apr 14: Milan lucic said there's no hearing on his spear of Danny DeKeyser, but he does have to call the league office about it.

Where’s the feigned outrage for Corey Perry cup check on Jamie Benn?

By now, you’ve probably seen the chop to the groin region of Detroit Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser by Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic … Almost on cue, the Lucic haters have demanded a lengthy suspension of the Bruins forward.  

Ah, but there’s a catch, while everyone was drawing and quartering El Diablo Milan Lucic, the Ducks forward Corey Perry was also checking Jamie Benn’s cup region as well. Where was the feigned outrage for that stick incident? Both plays are equally objectionable, and if you suspend one player, you must suspend the other one, right?

Here's a prediction, neither player will receive any games off. However, they will be given a stern warning and put on double secret probation. Frankly, that's playoff hockey.