On January 12 2012 03:55 Hawk wrote: Hitting a person at or just around the knees when he shouldn't be expecting a hit without the puck is most certainly clipping
I've never gone into a corner where a puck was without expecting a hit.....have you?
Marchand probably got 2 or 3 for the actual hit(or lack of) and the rest were reputation/sending a message imo. Throwing a tantrum and calling out the league isn't going to help him if he ever crosses the line in the future either. Also, the headline "Leafs stay perfect in 2012" in the globe is hilarious, anything to make them look good eh?
On January 12 2012 04:35 Taku wrote: Marchand probably got 2 or 3 for the actual hit(or lack of) and the rest were reputation/sending a message imo. Throwing a tantrum and calling out the league isn't going to help him if he ever crosses the line in the future either. Also, the headline "Leafs stay perfect in 2012" in the globe is hilarious, anything to make them look good eh?
Meh, Gustavson isn't going to be able to play like this forever. They are fun to watch this year at least!
On January 12 2012 03:55 Hawk wrote: Hitting a person at or just around the knees when he shouldn't be expecting a hit without the puck is most certainly clipping
I've never gone into a corner where a puck was without expecting a hit.....have you?
You expect hips at your knees, ya?
this is totally cut and dry dirty play. You'd have to be a total idiot to think otherwise.
With that said, many players are starting to target players below the waist to stay away from headshots. They are aiming for your lower body now. We're only seeing it in the NHL now. The kids have been doing it for quite sometime. ;/
On January 12 2012 04:35 Taku wrote: Marchand probably got 2 or 3 for the actual hit(or lack of) and the rest were reputation/sending a message imo. Throwing a tantrum and calling out the league isn't going to help him if he ever crosses the line in the future either. Also, the headline "Leafs stay perfect in 2012" in the globe is hilarious, anything to make them look good eh?
One thing is certain, Phaneuf is a total pain to play against and there are very few players I can list that have got as many clean, solid hits this season. It's reminiscent of his rookie year.
Personally I'd like to see him fight more though instead of being so conservative. Really noticed that after they gave him the C. He's leading by example though and they aren't taking as many stupid penalties and not retaliating.
In other news,
Montreal Canadiens ship Mike Cammalleri, goaltender prospect Karri Ramo and a fifth-round draft pick in 2012 to the Calgary Flames for Rene Bourque, Patrick Holland and a second-round pick in the 2013 draft.
So, as someone who has been an Oiler fan for the last twenty years... the state this club is in makes me sick. It just hurts to watch games these days, no one on the team gives a flying fuck except Gagner, Hall, and a couple guys on IR (We miss you Eberle/RNH/Gilbert/Whitney/Sutton -.-) Let alone the supposed leaders of the club.
No one can throw a body check, apparently putting on an Oilers Jersey turns psychopaths who have no idea where the line is to the point where they single handedly lose playoff series because of their on ice shenanigans into over sensitive two yearold girls. While it may sound like an exaggeration it is quite frankly nothing but the truth. Sam Gagner has more fights than Ben Eager..
Not only that but our system has evaporated. We no longer back check, we don't keep shots to the outside, we have one of the worst counter attacks in the league, and what was earlier this season some stellar goaltending has turned into a ring-a-round-the-sieve party between Boozin Bulin and Devan "Doobie". Not only that, but you get to watch consistantly on a night to night basis the future of this hockey club get pushed around and run with zero push back or care from the rest of the team. Well, I guess you can't say the rest of the team because atleast Gagner has stepped up a couple times
"What the fuck are you doing?" - Beauchemin during/after the fight "I didn't even know he was a leftie..." - Gagner during the post game interview
The look on Beauch's face afterwards is priceless though.
I can't deal with this anymore, too frustrating, and quite frankly I'm too young to be losing hair. That being said, apart from the Oilers 9-2-2 start they're currently in the worst stretch of hockey they have ever play. Ever. This is a club that has just finished last twice in a row! Well hot damn, I know I said i was waiting for the wheels to fall off, but I feel like the wagon just god damned exploded.
The Oilers are actually BEHIND their pace from last year... Absolutely unnacceptable. What a gongshow, and as a fan I feel like someone needs to be held accountable. Maybe its Renney's turn to see the door, maybe its Tambelini or Lowes... or maybe we should just clean out the whole house. I don't know, and frankly I don't care. I no longer feel proud of the Oilers, I feel ashamed, embarassed, wounded at best. As much as I see some light at the end of the Tunnel, this shit is pathetic and demeaning.
I'm,a just go drown my Hockey sorrows in Vodka and youtube some videos of moments worth remembering that didn't involve getting a handout from the NHL.
This team has to be cursed... This is just ridiculous. It isn't even like we've had a few injuries, for the last four years straigth the Oilers have had more than 300 man games lost.
As we speak the Oilers top three forwards and top two defenseman are on IR: Eberle, RNH, Hall, Whitney, Gilbert.
In other news, the Wild have collapsed in a most epic fashion (2-10-3 since Dec. 17th I believe). I feel like it's masochism being a Minnesota fan of any type.
The bruins are actually a pretty damn fun team to watch if I get drunk enough to forget that they're from boston and therefore a favorite of dknight. Good physical hockey, great D and awesome goaltending with a few skill guys sprinkled in. Fun team to watch.