Some Strange Sights and Sounds

UPDATE: Just checked the tape after being alerted by Mitch Beck (thanks, Mitch), and one thing about the Sean Avery incident that has been completely overlooked: Mr. Brodeur clearly and intentionally whacked Avery in the you-know-what with his stick. While everyone around the hockey world debates the legality and sportsmanship of Avery's antics, with Gary Bettman even weighing in on it, Brodeur committed an inexcusable act that is without question a major penalty and the height of bad sportsmanship. Wasn't called, though. Instead, the NHL has issued a new ruling to prohibit Avery from reprising his act -- see Blue Notes and Rangers Report for full details. Nothing like making up new rules on the fly against one team while ignoring longstanding ones committed by the other team.

You see something new at every hockey game. Last night, there were a lot of interesting things to see and hear. Sean Avery putting the full court press on Martin Brodeur was definitely a first, as Brodeur said afterwards. Seeing Chris Drury skate over to Avery while he was going through his antics, even as the Rangers' five on three power play was in progress, warning him to keep his stick down, was another first. Adding injury to insult, Avery scored the power play goal the next time the Rangers came down on Brodeur. The referee spoke to Avery during the next play stoppage, and then he went to talk to Devil coach Brent Sutter -- Sutter said later that he was told that Avery would be penalized if he did it again.

Twice during the game, Devils ran Rangers after they retreated for icing touch ups. Neither time was the offending Devil sanctioned for his act. The first time, after the predictable scuffle that ensued when Dainius Zubrus ran Paul Mara, mostly missing and then coming up swinging at Mara, Zubrus skated straight to the penalty box, entered it, and took a seat. The referee skated over and informed Zubrus that he was not going to be penalized. Then there was David Clarkson coming in on Fedor Tyutin (not on an icing) -- Tyutin ducked, Clarkson went into the boards hard, and Tyutin emerged still in control of the puck. Ryan Callahan hit the boards similarly, but in that case the defender he was about to check fell down.

Avery was whacked twice while he was in Brodeur's face, once by Brodeur and once by a defenseman. Callahan was blatantly tripped by White when he slammed into Brodeur late in the game. Brandon Dubinsky was crosschecked four times before he scored his second goal. Michael Rozsival was slammed into the boards by Colin White's stick, cutting his lip. And he was clearly interfered with on the overtime winner, Jay Pandolfo wrapping him up before he could get to the puck. On the flip side, Avery was sent off when Brodeur tripped him up in the first period, Rozsival received a high sticking minor despite his stick never coming up on Zach Parise because it was busy stealing the puck from him, and Martin Straka was penalized for a perfectly legal check late in the third period. Parise drew a cross-checking penalty early in the game -- seconds after he got himself in position by committing a cross-check that went uncalled.

So it is any wonder that the Rangers and Devils react in diametrically opposite manners to the way the game is called against them? The Rangers talk about having to be more disciplined and taking fewer penalties -- how they can tell what is a penalty and what isn't is beyond this reporter, but that is nevertheless their goal. The Devils on the other hand go ballistic on those rare occasions like the final moments of Game 2 when a couple of calls seemingly go against them. Jamie Langenbrunner was clearly guilty of interference off every face-off, including one which led directly to a goal, so when he was finally flagged for it, no wonder he and his team went nuts -- they were supposed to be allowed to get away with it.

Give the Rangers credit for playing through the inconsistent officiating. These three games might have been three straight blow-outs had the referees not evened things out for the Devils. If not for some bad breaks, especially in overtime, they may very well be up 3-0 even under these circumstances. They didn't lose because of the officiating -- the deflections were the reason, as well as several extended stretches of lackluster effort, including overtime, and they know that. But from a fan's perspective, this game is so frustrating to enjoy when the refs ruin things with their inscrutable decisions. Sure, it affects every team -- but thirty wrongs don't make it right.

Game reports from the Ranger or generic point of view: Daily News, Journal News, Newsday, Times, Post, Record, Star-Ledger, Toronto Sun, AP, and NYR.com. Columns: Journal News, Newsday, Times, Post, and NHL.com. On Avery's antics: Daily News, Ledger here and here, Globe and Mail, and TSN (the latter two discussing how Gary Bettman has already decided it will be a penalty from now on). Reporters' blogs: Rangers Report here, here, and here, Blue Notes here and here, Slap Shot, Blue Seats, and Game On!. Running in-game blogs: Blue Notes, Rangers Report, and Game On!. Game notes and sidebars: Record , Ledger here and here, and Yahoo! Sports. Game reports from the Devil point of view: Newsday, Post, Record, Ledger, and NJD.com. Prospect Park turns its attention to the Rangers today. The Courant and Howlings report on the Wolf Pack's regular season finale.

Last night came close to being an historic night at Madison Square Garden. We very nearly made it through an entire game without a Potvin chant. And when one lone chant was finally heard, very late in the third period, it was weak. Instead, pumped up Ranger fans chanted "Let's go Rangers" even before the puck was dropped, a rarity over the span of more than a decade, and throughout the game. And the fans may have even influenced the officials, their reaction to the call on Avery perhaps drawing attention to the replay, which clearly showed no infraction, and a quick even-up call against Parise for a high stick. Last night was the best display of fansmanship by Ranger fans this reporter has seen in a long long time.

Comments

[rangerbill94]

Maybe our fans can take a lesson from those Habs fans. Yes, the Garden rocks and the Pebble just rolls, but Rangers fans are as knowledgable as MON fans and we should make the same kind of noise.

[Ant]

Another priceless moment was right after Dancing Larry danced they had a security guard telling everybody to stop chanting Homo Larry(Dubi i dont know if i can post this so if u think its inapproriate just delete this comment).And they popped up a message on a scoreboard please wtach how u behave any foul language will lead to gettin kicked out and u will be subject to arrest.I found that hilirous.

[Greg]

Great recap of last night's events, thanks Dubi. Very interesting to say the least. I was at the game on Friday in Jersey and when my brother told me that Lou Lamoriello was working the phones complaining about the officiating I took it with a grain of salt. I sat through that 2nd period last night BEYOND livid! I don't necessarily think a fix was in, but it's natural to always look for excuses when your team loses. That said, we played a weak game and allowed the other team to steal one from us. It happens to great teams (Game 1 of the 1994 Finals comes to mind) and you just watch the tape an move on. This team needs to face adversity in order to flourish into a powerhouse that it's capable of. I am going to assume that the coaching staff is going to make adjustments as necessary.

[Lundqvist4Vezina]

A couple of notes. Sitting up in the blue seats I heard at least 4 to 5 Potvin chants. Hate to shoot you down on the mis-report Dubi, but I heard it with my own ears.

Secondly - anyone agree that maybe if we went nuts, or if Renney actually pulled the official over to the bench for some explanations at any one point, maybe some of those non calls against the devils would have been calls. Its kind of like in baseball. Sometimes the manager argues to win favor for the next call that could be borderline or go the other way? Sutter does it all the time.

I thought the officiating was horrible last night, but then again its been terrible all season. So what else is new.

[sneaky]

Dubi ... I'm a very big Rangers fan, but you spend far too much time writing about how the referees continue to hose us. Yeah, there were missed calls, as there are in every game. But we also got away with some stuff out there as well. Officiating will not decide this series, so why keep harping on it?

[i]

ZIPAY reporting the league will call a penalty on that play..... http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/hockey/rangers/blog/2008/04/averys_faceguard_league_statem.html

[marko]

Dubi,

You forgot to mention how the refs apparently think it's OK to jab at the puck after it's frozen and start scrums after every whistle. Devils (Rupp) definitely should have had the extra penalty there. Instead refs send the message that it's OK to initiate that stuff, it'll just be evened up when they call the penalties. Safe to say Lou Lamoriello's bitching after game 2 paid off for his team. Blatant interference in overtime by Pandolfo allowed Devils to collect puck and generate the winning goal. It's like the refs can't make a tough call on the Devils now because Sutter, Lou, Madden, Langenbrunner, et al will explode again. Also, I love Avery and all but I thought those antics in front of Brodeur were bush league. I'm pretty sure Shanahan and Drury probably told him that already. Like Rupp did, Hollweg needs to jab at Brodeur's glove hand next time he covers a puck (assuming 4th line is able to get the puck to Marty's net) -- but you know the Rangers would wind up a man (or two) down when they initiate something like that.

[Ant]

Lundqvist4Vezina

When they tried to attempt the whistle people would just yell shut up.Nobody accualy joined him to yell Potvin sucks.Mostly the people who do yell are notregulars they just wonna look cool.It takes 1 idiot to whislte but 18199 people ignored it so u cant really say that it happened 5 times

[Ant]

Sneaky

"Officiating will not decide this series, so why keep harping on it?"

Are you serious?????????U seen the game yesterday decided cause of it

[Ant]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ec_2oKWe2Gw

Thats the video form yest oif Avery

[sneaky]

Ant ... Game 3 was decided because we took undisciplined penalties and followed them by being uncharacteristically awful on the penalty kill. Both of the Devils' second-period power-play goals came right after we failed to make an easy clear (the first one was especially hideous because Staal handed the puck directly to Jersey's most dangerous player in the slot). Also, the Devils' first goal came on a horrific giveaway by Betts.

Despite all that, the game went to OT. If the Rangers clean up their game, we'll win the series because we're better. And it will have nothing to do with officiating.

[Jason]

Sneaky, Game 3 was also decided because we played a bad 2nd period and came out flat for the overtime period. You could feel it in the air after the first minute, it was frustrating and I'd be surprised if anyone thought we'd actually win after that first OT minute.

[Jameson]

I don't really know if we were really flat in OT, but we definitely iced the puck too many times. One too many times, obviously.

[Jason]

We had 1 shot compared to their 6 with numerous icings. I don't know if I've seen this team not be able to make the first or second pass to get out of their own zone before like this team has in the 3 games of this series, too many unneeded chances against.

[oleosmirf]

the officials did not cost the Rangers the game. Poor defense did.

The first goal was poor defense by Betts and poor glove work by Lundqvist. Was it a bad goal no, but Henrik has to catch that puck and not block it out towards the devils.

The Rangers should have won last night but they didnt and they only have themselves to blame. All 4 of those devil goals were a result of bad defense and on how you look at it poor goaltending as well.

[Anthony M.]

Steve Zipay just posted this tidbit about the new "Avery Rule" -->

National Hockey League Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell issued the following advisory on the interpretation of Rule 75: Unsportsmanlike Conduct:

"An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty (Rule 75) will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face for the purpose of interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play.”

[Anthony M.]

Sorry, but I missed the URL posting from "i". Anyway, I guess it is okay to wave your arms and stick just as long as you don't face the goalie?

I hate to bash the officials and the NHL when comes to rules/officiating, but how can you not shake your head when you see this kind of stuff? We all know that if any other player did this, there would not be the overreaction we are seeing. I know the Rangers have been classy in respect to the officiating, but this is one time that Glen Sather needs to stick his head out of his groundhog hole and defend his player and his team. what is good for the Lou, is good for the Glen.

[Alan]

hey dubi-

i know we all comment endlessly on the officiating and its effect on the games involving the rangers. we do this because we sit through the games at msg or the pebble, and we (ok, I) watch them when we get home to see things we don't see live. I am always livid during the games with the officiating. I might have even asked you about this during the season as it existed from game one, but have you gotten any kind of feel of this happening through the league? do you get to talk to other reporters during the course of a game? does everyone feel it's happening to their teams or are we being unduly persecuted for being new yorkers or the home of the most hated player in the league, my man sean?

it's such a joke when we watch games where players curse officials out, coaches break sticks, players constantly lobbying and/or talking to officials during the game after calls or non-calls, with no repercussions to the offenders.

i'm just totally at a loss to explain to anyone this behavior and how and why it directly affects the course of the game. in OT last night i'm watching pandolfo what i thought initially was board rozey and i missed the goal. ok, when i saw the play at home on tv i thought it was less of a boarding and maybe a marginal interference as rozey was attempting to play the puck, but even marginal interference on scoring plays (or any other penalty that would lead to a goal being scored) was always factored into whether a whistle would be blown. at least that's the way i remember it. THEY ONLY SCORED BECAUSE HE WAS DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY THE PUCK: "A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who interferes with or impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck."

lou lam goes apeshit at the end of one game to produce some kind of effect for the next game. you'd think someone from cablevision might come down from on high to plead our case because pockets might be affected by a shorter playoff run if this continues.

[onetimer]

Whatever the merits and appropriateness of Avery standing face to face with Brodeur, there's also the question of self-preservation. The reason you screen facing the shooter (rather than the goalie) is that you obviously not only *see* the shot coming but also because a player's protective equipment is in the front part of the body--the back, and the back of the legs, are almost completely unprotected. A puck to the back could be lethal.

[Paul R_ _ _ _ _ D]

not to beat a dead horse, but I want to know why Eliase wasn't called for closing his hand on the puck when he caught it and then put it down and then shoot and score

[Dubi]

Sneaky -- Well, the Devils felt that the officiating cost them a game and they harped on it, so that was a story that had to be told. And a big part of the story for the Rangers last night was how they feel they need to stay out of the box -- which was also part of the story for them in Game 1. The Avery part of it has now become a league-wide issue, with a new ruling emerging. It's been a huge issue that needs to be reported. The vast majority of the response by readers here and elsewhere confirms that as well.

Alan -- I see way too much Rangers and too little of anything else to render an objective opinion on the matter. In general, I'd have to go with the common sense opinion that NHL officiating is terrible and affects every team, probably evening out over the long haul. But ever since the NHL's reaction to the Graves slash on Lemieux in 1992 and the Kovalev incident a few years later, I am convinced that they make certain decisions based on favoritism, and the Rangers are rarely on the positive end of those decisions.

With respect to the Graves slash, I heard from two different people that then-commissioner John Ziegler (or whatever title he sported) directed officials to even out their calls to balance out the Pens' loss of Mario in that series, which the Pens went on to win. One of the people I got this from was in the room when the directive was made. If anyone recalls what happened in the next game of the series, the Rangers were destroyed by the refs, especially Joe Kocur, right from the get-go.

And though I have no sources to cite about the way the Rangers were treated after the Kovalev "dive", I think we all know that the refs carried that grudge against Kovalev and the Rangers for years to come.

These days, while it would be difficult to make a case that the Rangers are routinely targeted by officials, you'd have to really tie your logic up in knots to try to make a case that Sidney Crosby and Jaromir Jagr get equal treatment from refs. And at this point, you can surely say the same about Martin Brodeur vs. Sean Avery.

[Dubi]

Paul -- The reason Tyutin was called was because he tossed the puck ahead of him out of the zone. Had he caught the puck and dropped it in front of him, no call, because that would still require him to make a play with his stick to get the puck out of danger. That was the basis for the rare call on what may seem to be a common play. Elias gloved the puck and dropped it in front of himself -- totally legit.

[kc]

Avery gave everyone something to talk about -- that's what the NHL needs badly. Kudos to him for being creative -- and it's nice to have non-fans talking about an incident in the NHL that didn't involve serious injury. He has a personality, and exploited the rules -- more power to him. Too bad the NHL doesn't know how to market him.

[GREG L ( other guy is Greg , Greg you should put an initial on your name!!)]

Dubi , don't listen to any of those guys !!! I can't see anyone of them writing articles in be half of us RANGER fans. Far as i concerned , your right , and back in 1992 we were hosed man!! GREAT points , Yeah anyone thinks Jagr get treated like crosby is nuts , and avery ,yeah so what , WE RANGERS have been classy all playoffs , and what avery does the thing that hes paid to do , Bug the S**t outta Brodeur with out getting penalties, he always walks the line almost crossing it , so do I . So? whiners , babies , Ron Maclean on Hockey night in Canada acting like ohhhhh sooo bad , yeah it was , so what? , penalize Avery then ..can't? , thats right , no rule yet ...Avery is trying to win the Stanley Cup , leave him alone or penalize him Refs. Who cares , Avery is smart ...NHL official better follow avery around ,,and take notes , then hire him when he retires , Too bad avery wouldn't take there stuiped Job , he probally go into acting or something way cooler.
Dubi thanks for making me feel a lil better about the loss , i really take 'em hard , and having you rant a bit , make a world of good . Thanks man , btw , i still want that hat!!

[hanks#1]

not so much the penalties, but the 2 deflections off our own skates cost us that game. bummer, but true. And yes, the officiating was AWFUL!
ok,minor point here- maybe you were in the men's room, but early in the first we did have a potvin chant. Late in the third, though, the chant was not potvin, but "Marty s*#ks..."

[Effigy of the Forgotten]

GOTTA LET THE BAD OFFICIATING GO.

I agree with everyone, that officiating has been terrible, but the Rangers need to focus more on playing tight D and playing their own game.

[cwede]

Can't whine about the ref'ing.
Yeah it was frustrating, and didn't seem right, but its just like a bad bounce, or a player falling down - the things that happen in a game that are out of your control.
Ya just GOTTA kill the penalties.

[Evan]

I just wanted to add on to what Ant said above in the 2nd comment regarding Dancin' Larry. It was nice to have him finally back up on the board and getting the crowd riled up after the Garden stopped keying him up the last couple of weeks of the season due to the Homo Larry chants. So whether it was because of a security guard(s) telling people not to chant "Homo Larry" or a concerted cognizence on the part of the fans given the media attention the chant has gotten, it was nice to see him back on the board again and the crowd refrain from the chant (it started but quickly stopped).

As a sidenote, one of the highlights of being at Game 1 at the Rock was Larry doing his thing in Section 123-124 and riling up the Ranger crowd on when the unsuspecting Devils played "the song." It's schtik but it's our schtik.

[Jess]

First off good catch to Mitch on that play for seeing Marty with the cheapshot.

Second include me in on the calls to stop harping on the officiating because right now there are 16 different sets of fans all saying that the officiating is screwing their team.

Complaining to the NHL is not going to do a thing because in their minds when they have 16 teams complaining then nobody is happy and that means they are doing a good job.

Third I got to agree with Effigy as tightening up on the Defense is more important than complaining about the refs but I want to do one step further.

In my book what cost the Rangers Game 3 was the failure to clear the zone cleanly on both power play goals that the Devils scored on. It has been a problem in all 3 games and last night it cost them a game.

[paulinflorida]

You knew the league would come out with some type of ruling on Avery's antics in front of Brodeur. While it was very entertaining (especially coming from Avery) and effective you can't have every player in the league attempting to do that..it would look like band practice out there instead of a hockey game. I am sure if someone was doing it in front of Hank we and the Rangers would be up in arms. So be it...it worked for one game...and it's done. Avery will be back at work in front of Brodeur again in game four....that antic may be gone....but Avery won't be gone.

[paulinflorida]

I am sure Renney and the coaching staff will go over with the team why they lost last night and probably bad officiating is not going to be the number one topic. The Rangers got away from playing 'their' game and it cost them. It's not that the Rangers have to go back to square one...they know how they have to play to be successful. No one expected a Rangers sweep of this series and having a bad game with some tough bounces are going to happen to any team in this league in the playoffs. With that being said having back to back bad games could be disastrous...so look for the Rangers to put last night behind them, regroup and come out fresh in a very important game four.

[Chris]

Im pretty sure that we can all agree that the NHL is a joke. This "Avery" rule is more proof.

Where was the unsportsmanlike like conduct on Brodiva for knocking into Avery in two games when avery got interference? Or when he "was knocked out" when callahan bumped him and he flopped everywhere.

I swear to God I cant even begin to count how many times I saw interference committed by the devils when the rangers started a rush, gained the zone and attempted to get the puck infront or pass it, the opposite winger or center would be tied up or knocked down.

[Chris]

"Paul -- The reason Tyutin was called was because he tossed the puck ahead of him out of the zone. Had he caught the puck and dropped it in front of him, no call, because that would still require him to make a play with his stick to get the puck out of danger. That was the basis for the rare call on what may seem to be a common play. Elias gloved the puck and dropped it in front of himself -- totally legit."

Dubi didnt Gomez get called for holding on to the puck and dropping it to himself earlier in the season?

[Dubi]

Jess, it is indeed true that there are 16 teams complaining about the officiating. But there is only one team that is having the NHL make rules up on the fly against them, and there is only one team that has an opponent who cannot score key goals unless the officials allow them to commit unpenalized interference in the process. There also happens to be one team (a different team than the one I already referred to) who in fact can complain to the NHL about the officiating and have something done for them as a result.

[oleosmirf]

dubi

the problem is the Rangers organization needs to open their mouths and complain about it. Renney needs to make a scene in a press conference or something of that sort.

[jason]

Oleo, while you're right, can you imagine the punishment if Renney, Sather or another member of the Rangers front office staff were to actually chase down the officials or even call them and scream at them the way the Devils have?

[Matty "Cute but Psycho, things even out"]

The Avery thing is even being discussed by ESPN shows that don't know a thing about hockey ... I think he will be careful on Wednesday ...

While I commend the Rangers for looking inward into what they did to lose this game such as poor defensive plays on continously failing to clear the zone I would hope that Glen Sather would have a talk(not a shouting match but a respectful talk) with the head of officials about the holds, picks, high sticks, and dirty plays after almost every whistle that the officials routinely allow the Devils to get away with but as soon as we do it is a penalty ... Look if the officials are going to allow those calls go fine but do it for BOTH times and not subjectively penalize one team for something in the 2nd period and then because it's the 3rd or OT not penalized the other team for the exact same play ...

Yeah is happening to every team which is why I don't believe there's a Rangers conspiracy but the refs, after the Devils tantrum of Friday, did seem to be looking to make things up to them ...

However the most important thing for our team to do, because they cannot control the officiating, is to play better ... They played with passion and played hard but they were extremely sloppy and they cannot do that ... their sloppiness in their own zone and failure to clear pucks led to 3 of the 4 Jersey goals ... heck, all 4 but 3 that weren't even scored by the Devils themselves ... I still feel extremely confident about Wednesday but they have to play with the same drive and passion but smarter ...

I think they will, I think these two days off benefit the Rangers more than it does the Devils who probably would've wanted another game right away ...

Go Rangers!

[Jess]

Dubi

But there is only one team that is having the NHL make rules up on the fly against them,

Look I am not going to defend the NHL but there was only one player who put the NHL in that position with what he did. The waving of the stick in Brodeur's face forced the issue.

Others use the same tactic but they leave the stick down. It is common knowledge that I am not a fan of Avery and to be honest I do not think he did anything wrong other than the stick in the face.

It was a creative and energetic idea on his part which all in honesty embarrassed the NHL into doing what they did.

and there is only one team that has an opponent who cannot score key goals unless the officials allow them to commit unpenalized interference in the process.

Sorry but I disagree because there are several teams who have scored goals that should have been waved off for interference.

The Sharks (Game 1), Canadians (Game 2), Red Wings (Games 1 and 2) and the Flyers (Game 1).

Getting upset about the officiating is not going to do anything to fix a penalty kill that does not clear the zone.

Colin Campbell is not going to fix the Rangers not playing well in the 2nd periods of games.

The best way the Rangers can avoid allowing the officials from becoming the determining factor is by improving their own play.

Fix the PK, Score when you have the chances and blow the Devils out of the water in the first period when you get those chances.

Make the Refs a non-factor by playing a better all around game.

It is clear that the Rangers can do that and should do that.

[oleosmirf]

the problem is every national hockey "expert" thinks Avery was a disgrace to the game and if they want to change the rule i'm ok with it as long as Brodeurs antics are also addressed by the league.

The diving has to stop. I have no problem with Brodeur giving a shove or hitting Avery during the 5-3. IMHO Mary had every right to hit Avery but the only problem I had was when Brodeur stepped out of the crease and into Avery and drew a penalty.

If what Avery did is unsportsmanlike (which I can understand) then the NHL should modify the interference rule as well so a goalie cannot "draw a charge" and draw a penalty.

[Mark W.]

Martin Gerber has been taking drama lessons from Marty in the Sens/Pens game. He just embellished a little shoulder brush from Maxime Talbot into an Ulf Samuelsson-esque hit.

[Joe T]

The Garden was as loud as I can ever remember, and for the most part very well behaved and into the game. You could hardly hear the last two portions of the Star Spangled Banner!
Just for the record, does anyone feel the same as me about Drury's game. He was pretty invisible all night. Callahan had another monster game, but didn't get much help from his linemates. Plus, Drury has had much trouble on faceoffs since the third period of Friday's game. I hope he's o.k.
By the way, there were a couple of Devil wives and girlfriends sitting in my section. Not hot or particularly interested in what was happening on the ice!!

[Matty "Cute but Psycho, things even out"]

I'm very happy Henrik isn't drawn into being a drama queen, it would taint his Kingly self :D

Jess?

*punch*

[Dubi]

Jess, my intent was not to challenge you to defend the NHL or its officials, but to point out that what we're seeing here goes beyond your run of the mill complaints -- and not just the Avery thing, but the Devils' complaints after Game 2 that were met with no response from the league and the Rangers' response to the standard they're being held to, which is clearly to the naked eye a different standard than the Devils, for whatever reason. This is a huge factor in this series and merits discussion.

As for the Avery maneuver -- compare it to how the NHL had handled other cases of rule-bending: Keenan changing goalies to get stoppages, defenders clearing pucks over the glass to get stoppages, goalies handling the puck way out of their creases -- there is a process for dealing with rule changes, not issuing interpretations by fiat because of what one player or one team does. Funny that there was no special interpretation about spearing to the groin...

[John]

Listen, I've been a Rangers fan since about 1992 so don't take this the wrong way, but the bad officiating has worked both ways in this series. I don't remember who did it, but a Devil got high-sticked last night, and it drew blood, but the Rangers were only called for a minor high-sticking penalty. After that, Dubinsky high-sticked someone while swinging at a puck. The Devils player really embellished it, but he did get whacked over the head. NHL officiating makes WWE officiating look legit. It's not just the Rangers who get shafted.

[i]

Avery should be resigned.....http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ec_2oKWe2Gw

[len]

How come no one is bitching about the high stick Dubi gave to Parise in ot ? Dubi those rules didn't make the NHL look bush like what Avery did last night

[nic]

avery had every right to do what he did. had it been anyone else doing it the nhl wouldnt make a fuss. what is the difference if he is turned away from the play or not!? either way its a screen, no matter how you cut it. Brodeur is a little fairy. The officiating in every series is really starting to p*** me off.
I need a drink....

[oleosmirf]

dubi

do you really think Mary was out of line there? He gave him a swipe with his glove during the play and he hit Avery with his stick after the play just as Avery does to the Devil players all game.

and for those complaining about the hooks, holds, grabs honestly does those little fouls happen on almost every shift??? I say just do away with these hard to enforce rules and the officiating will look much better or would you like the refs to blow their whistle every time.

[mhurley]

Jess, these are noble sentiments:

" The best way the Rangers can avoid allowing the officials from becoming the determining factor is by improving their own play.

Fix the PK, Score when you have the chances and blow the Devils out of the water in the first period when you get those chances.

Make the Refs a non-factor by playing a better all around game.

It is clear that the Rangers can do that and should do that."

The problem is the refs make themselves a factor by trying to determine the outcome of the games. It's a fact and can't be ignored.

I think what pissed off Sutter and Lamarillo the most was the pick that was called at the end of game 2 on Langenbrunner. Next game the refs are calling phantom penalties on Rosival and Avery and just letting agregious picks and interfernces by NJ go.

It is incumbent upon the Ranger reporters, fans and bloggers to let the hockey world know the BS that's going on and that we aren't going to lie down and just take it.

[Mark W.]

oleo

How is it not out of line when Marty hits Avery in the groin with his stick? The NHL should make up a new rule about that one as long as they're re-writing the rulebook IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PLAYOFFS.