Bad calls. Most of the time they result in an undeserved power play, sometimes they result in goals that should have never been. But this time the bad call was a game-changer. It doesn't happen often, but when it does...
Well, that's hockey. But this will be the moment EVERYONE will remember if things don't go the Wings' way in this series. Here's Michael Rosenberg, writing in the Detroit Free Press:
Well, that's hockey. But this will be the moment EVERYONE will remember if things don't go the Wings' way in this series. Here's Michael Rosenberg, writing in the Detroit Free Press:
I hate to tell the NHLBeing down 2-1 doesn't mean all is lost... far from it. But it sure as HELL hurts.how to do business, but here’s a crazy little rule change for you: How about if the puck goes in the net, you call it a goal?
That sure would have helped the Red Wings on Tuesday night (or Wednesday morning, for those of us watching it at home). With 64 seconds left, Marian Hossa knocked a loose puck into the net. Let me repeat, slowly, in case you haven’t had your coffee yet: A … LOOSE … PUCK. This is part of a highly effective hockey strategy known as “scoring.”
Inexplicably, a whistle blew right about the same time. I say “a whistle blew,” because clearly the whistle had a mind of its own. Perhaps supernatural powers were at work. But no NHL referee could possibly stop play there … right? Heck, if you know how to put on skates, you know this goal should have counted. It would have tied the game at 2.
Referee Brad Watson apparently lost sight of the puck. Hey, I lose sight of the puck sometimes, too. I’ve never used that as an excuse to rob a team of a playoff goal. The fact is that the puck never stopped moving and the play should never, ever have been whistled dead.
Did the blown call keep the Red Wings from winning? We’ll never know. It kept them from a well-earned overtime, though. And now they are down 2-1 in this series.
I knew this was coming, and well it should be. That was a wretched decision, and the goal should have been allowed - and I am pulling for the Ducks here.
ReplyDeleteOf course, you could take the Wings' OT record against the Ducks, which I believe tilts a bit in favor of Anaheim, and just say "whatev."
Still, lousy work by the NHL to not let a video review allow the goal.
You're right, Andy... on all counts. Nothing changes, tho, it is what it is. The Wings just have to shake it off, bear down, and play like they played in the second and third periods and everything will be fine. These slow starts are killing them.
ReplyDeleteMan, that sux!!! Hope your guys pull it out and won't need that win.
ReplyDeleteBuck, you know how I feel about the Zebra's!! Can't have a game with out them and you sure can't enjoy the game with them!!
ReplyDeleteI do love watching the Wings play, wish we got more of their action during the regular season, if only for the Flyers to watch and learn about one thing that the Wings do really well - shooting the puck at the net. I love a team that puts the puck in "play" and I do mean down near that blue paint near where the big guy with all the armor stands, that's where the hockey is played. All that other stuff of moving the puck into the neighborhood is just filler. When you shoot the puck things happen. Nobody does that better than Detroit.
BT: Jimmy T sends.
Jenny: Thanks. I think the Wings will be OK.
ReplyDeleteJimmy: The Wings most definitely need to get quicker starts in this series. They've been flat in the first period of all three games so far, and that's killing them. I agree with your points, tho. When they're on they're the most explosive team in hockey.
Speaking of explosive... didja watch the Caps-Pens game night before last? Talk about a super-star duel!! It's not often you see a hat-trick in the playoffs, but to see AO and Crosby both get the HT was just awesome. I'll be watching those guys go at it again tonite...