Comments on: A Foul Finish to a Stunner of a Season

By: Grooven

Grooven — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:21:02 +0000

Analagous in that neither player at the times of contact was in possession of the puck.
Just like interference when it happens center ice.
I didn’t make the rules. If the refs don’t want to use them and the league doesn’t want to have them enforced properly, that’s fine. Get them off the rulebooks.

By: The Deuce

The Deuce — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:09:31 +0000

I seriously doubt that anybody who writes in for this blog threw beer on the ice. But if they did, you’re right. If you stuck around here beyond this round of the playoffs, you would see that those of us that write in here are knowledgeable and big fans of the game. Those were just bad elements. But the very fact that they sell bottled beer in the Verizon Center should tell you it’s not a regular occurance. I can think of a few rinks around the league where they wouldn’t do that…

By: John W

John W — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:04:17 +0000

Well, if you didn’t throw beer on the ice, and you cheered your team for a good season, then you most likely *do* get it, and it wasn’t directed at you…

By: The Deuce

The Deuce — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:51:46 +0000

John W, I’ve been playing ice hockey since I was 3 years old, I played Junior A hockey in the NAHL for two years, and played 4 years of college hockey, so please don’t tell me I don’t “get it” you knuckle dragging brute — see how easy it is to throw stereotypes in your comments. You make a decent point about the difference in the two plays. But reasonable minds can differ — and this is a Caps blog. You just detract from your point when you follow it with a sarcastic insult. Not that I expect someone from Philly to understand that. (See?)

By: John W

John W — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:23:19 +0000

“In the second period, on the type of play that just earlier this month against Tampa overturned a goal earned by the Caps, ”
“(go back and look at that Tampa game the last week of the season ?¢‚Ç¨‚Äù exact same play, but we have the goal called off)”
Not analagous. In the Tampa game, the Caps guy put the Tampa guy into the goalie when the puck was nowhere to be found. In last night’s game, the Caps defenseman was hit *immediately* after playing the puck.
“Thanks Caps fans, for ?¢‚Ç¨?ìgetting it?¢‚Ç¨?.”
What part of throwing beer on the ice is “getting it”?

By: Grooven

Grooven — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:32:36 +0000

Since I don’t have computer access at work, you get my thoughts late. But here they are, in no particular order:
The Caps/Flyers was a great series. Lots of exciting hockey. The Caps had plenty of chances towards the end of the game but didn’t bury their opportunities.
If you’d asked me in Nov about the playoffs, I never would have envisioned this.
As such, I’ve seen too many Caps games over the years to have completely embraced the “I believe”. I’m more of the “I want to believe but I’m still skeptical” (but I’m coming around more). That doesn’t mean I still don’t make a whole heckuvalot of noise.
As for the officiating:
The league needs to be willing to criticize publicly (which they will never do) the officiating of a game. There need to be repercussions for glaring problems (in calling or in omission).
The only things I’m going to say on the matter at the moment:
Straight from the NHL rulebook (#67.c.):
A minor penalty shall be imposed on an attacking player who deliberately checks a defensive player, including the goalkeeper, who is not in possession of the puck.
I didn’t know the rule exactly, but I KNEW it was covered in the rulebook and I was ranting about it during the intermission.
(Or use use that incidental contact crap that the Caps got nailed for against Tampa.)
As my brother pointed out, if Toronto is set on reviewing all goals, they’ll need to find a resolution to Flyers goal #2 before they get burned in a game where the Stanley Cup is on the line. (Brett Hull anyone?)
Flyers fans get a bad rap. And for the most part justifiably so. Some of my best friends are Flyers fans, and for a matter of about six hours, some sort of devolving takes place. Yes, they’re not complete jackasses. Just as not all Caps fans are saints. (Walking down the stairs after the game last night, I even told one I had his back when some dumbass Caps fan tried to pick a fight because the guy was in a Biron t-shirt yet hadn’t said a single word in taunting.) But the stereotype exists for a reason, even if it’s a broad generalization. and many of the Flyers fans I know are indeed proud of that stereotype.
Still it was a great run and a fun series of hockey. It’s been a long time since I felt any sort of anticipation like that.
Now I have to figure out who I’m cheering for (or against) for the rest of the playoffs.

By: grapejoos

grapejoos — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:21:42 +0000

Thanks to OFB for all of the work you have done this year. I am not a bandwagoner but I did stop paying close attention for awhile post-lockout and this team brought me back. The Caps have an amazing online community and while each site has its strenghts, OFB is always supremely well-written and thoughtful.
I’ve vented plenty about the refs elsewhere but a big thank you to all the bloggers and commenters that made this season so special. I was at the phone booth in ‘98 when Detroit won the cup and this season, strange as it is to say, is the one I will remember forever. It’s the end of the beginning, and I am positive that the Caps team next year will be the best we have ever had the pleasure of cheering for.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:48:16 +0000

Condolences from a Devils fan. Take solace in the likelihood that your team, at least, is on the way up. I can tell you that the mountain looks just as high on the other side of the summit…

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:01:19 +0000

Thank you capitals For the best season since 1997-8, and the most amazing thrill ride Capitals Nation has ever been on. Thank you OnFrozenBlog for helping keep this displaced Capitals fan in touch with his team. Next year will be even better. Especially if we can hang on to Cristobal Huet for another few seasons.

By: ThunderWeenie

ThunderWeenie — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:51:13 +0000

Chanuck,
You’re on…we can drink on OrderedChaos’ tab!
Thanks again, everyone on OFB, for a great season.