Sutter is becoming an embarrassment to Canada, and to hockey. I cant believe he said that crap. What a tool.
After the refereeing in the last game, I'm not surprised he said that. Although I think it's more gamesmanship than anything else, getting his team to feel like underdogs again, which is when they play their best. Also, the "conspiracy to hurt the other team" is as bullshit a call as "the league wants us to lose". the hit on Fedotenko was legal, he got his arm caught on the boards and he was unlucky to be in the position he was. It's a play that happens dozens of times a game. And Kubina, well, it was an overzealous hit that was called a penalty, but it wasn't an elbow to the head (stillman on nillson) or a hit from behind into the boards (forget who on niemenan about 20 seconds later). Both those plays were way more vicious. Iginla also got hit from behind into the boards causing the rush up the ice that lead to the two penalties last game - no call. Oh, and all this about the Lightning having to play without two players. Boo hoo. The Flames have been missing two top 4 defencemen (Lydman and Gauthier) and two top-two line playeres (Reinprecht and McCammond) for the whole freaking playoffs. Not to mention Lombardi being sidelined by the vicious elbow from Hatcher. Ok rant over, I just needed to vent...
That Sutter "conspiracy" thing (from Yahoo) was the first time I've ever nodded my head in agreement with Gary Bettman. I feel dirty.
Here comes another rant.... No doubt about it Sutter's comments are over the top, and I've got to think he is trying to deflect media scrutiny from his players. As much as the media might not like the accusation Sutter is absolutely on the mark when he says they wield a lot of power. If the same number of reporters wrote articles saying Stillman and Roy should have been suspended for their hits from behind in game 1 the NHL would have suspended them. There is no doubt in my mind Stillman's hit was a far, far worse infraction, but there was almost zero press coverage. Roy's hit on Nieminen on the same play didn't even get mentioned. So much is made in the press saying the Flames are going after the Lighting star players, but as far as dirty hits go both teams are on equal footing. In my mind when Sutter says the suspension came from New York what he is saying is the PR people in the league office are dictating who gets suspended because of the amount of press coverage. He is simply accusing the league of pandering to the media rather than making the 'right' call. From where I sit I think he has got a point. Another example of poor press coverage. Almost every reporter is complaining about how the Flames are dragging down the series by going to the trap and clogging up the neutral zone. I guess they missed 2nd and 3rd periods of game 4 were the Bolts were playing the trap. The Bolts were being out skated in the 1st so they changed tactics which is a smart move. I don't think we're going to hear anyone complaining about it the press though. It's unfortunate because even if Calgary wins almost everyone will think Calgary did it by playing the trap and beating the crap out of every teams star players (like the BroadStreet Bullies) which is simply not true.
Hey sauril. Ditto.
heh. I don't know how I missed that gspm. I found myself actually angry last game. I rarely get that emotionally involved in games, (somewhat emotionally involved, or else where would the fun be) but I was yelling at the tv, and was in a bad mood for hours after the game, simply due to the damn refs. And camcanuck, you're dead on. You expect local rags to be partisan (see Francis, Eric), but national reporters should be better. Eric Duhatchek from the Globe is worth a read, though. I can't wait for this series to be over so I can get my life back (mostly kidding)
What's really killing me is that this has turned into a "U.S. vs. Canada" event, at least among Canadians. Please. Maybe that's an FPP for another time, though.
Lightning = 14 Canadians, seven Europeans and three Americans Flames = 15 Canadians (if you count Regehr, who was born in Recife, Brazil, but grew up playing minor hockey in Prince Albert, Sask.), seven Europeans and three Americans. (source) So it IS Canada Vs the US. Can't you see!?!?!
Damn. Nice, gpsm. I had no idea.
