hockey fans?

[AgentSmith88]

To be fair, there are a lot of us out there and only hardcore hockey fans are going to check this thread if their team is out of the playoffs.

[Shivas]

Down with the wings!!!

Yea Timminz, spoken like a real Leafs fan.

Go Wings!

[oVo]

Chicago will be lucky to win 1 game.

It wouldn't surprise me if this series goes seven games
and entertaining as that first one was, I hope it does.

[captainwalrus]

I just noticed this thread, shame, cause I would have made fun of all the flyers and capital fans, GO PENS!

[Timminz]

I just noticed this thread, shame, cause I would have made fun of all the flyers and capital fans, GO PENS!

Well, at least you found it in time to make fun of all the Canes', and Hawks' fans.

GO PENS!!!

[AgentSmith88]

This will be fun ragging on the Pens fan, especially when its Detroit vs Pitt in the finals again.

[luns101]

Well Serbs, if you watched the other night (as I'm sure you did), we managed to pull out a victory in OT against your beloved Wings. At least we can say you won't be sweeping us on your way to the Finals. My buddy Mark, who I'm helping out, was raised over in Taylor, Michigan. I never hear the end of how good you guys are

Anyway, I hope we take game #4 and tie this thing up.

[Neoteny]

I missed the game, unfortunately, as my sister was having a graduation ceremony. It won't happen again, and we'll win the rest of the series.

[Serbia]

Well Serbs, if you watched the other night (as I'm sure you did), we managed to pull out a victory in OT against your beloved Wings. At least we can say you won't be sweeping us on your way to the Finals. My buddy Mark, who I'm helping out, was raised over in Taylor, Michigan. I never hear the end of how good you guys are

Anyway, I hope we take game #4 and tie this thing up.

I did watch it. I also think that call on Kronwall was crap. He hit Havlat cleanly. Havlat had his head down, and had the puck, so in no way was that an interference call. It wasn't roughing, wasn't charging, wasn't boarding, Kronwall didn't leave his feet. Clearly, he got penalized only because Havlat had his bell rung. If Havlat jumps up, and slugs him back, there probably are no penalties called at all.

[Timminz]

Well Serbs, if you watched the other night (as I'm sure you did), we managed to pull out a victory in OT against your beloved Wings. At least we can say you won't be sweeping us on your way to the Finals. My buddy Mark, who I'm helping out, was raised over in Taylor, Michigan. I never hear the end of how good you guys are

Anyway, I hope we take game #4 and tie this thing up.

I did watch it. I also think that call on Kronwall was crap. He hit Havlat cleanly. Havlat had his head down, and had the puck, so in no way was that an interference call. It wasn't roughing, wasn't charging, wasn't boarding, Kronwall didn't leave his feet. Clearly, he got penalized only because Havlat had his bell rung. If Havlat jumps up, and slugs him back, there probably are no penalties called at all.

I agree. That was a ridiculous call. In fact, I would say that the whole game was officiated very poorly, for the level of hockey. Bad call, missed calls, both ways, all over the place. The 5 minute major was just the worst of the bunch.

[Serbia]

Agreed. This is my biggest complaint about hockey. If all games were called the same way, that would be one thing, but without consistency, it makes it difficult to watch at times, and I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for the players.

[Timminz]

Who else is ready to see the Hawks tie it up?

[Serbia]

Not I. Real question is - can anyone stop Crosby/Malkin right now?

[Timminz]

Real question is - can anyone stop Crosby/Malkin right now?

If they can keep up the way they've been playing for another 5-10 games, the Pens are taking the cup. Not even the steamroller that is Detroit will be able to contain them.

[Serbia]

That's my fear. I think if anyone can stop Pittsburgh, it's Detroit, but man, it'll be tough. And what poetic justice would it be for Sidney to look over on the other side and see Marian Hossa watch for a second straight year as the other team raises the Cup?

[Serbia]

No Pavel Datsyuk, no Nick Lidstrom, no Kris Draper. Let the fun begin.

Huet is in for Chicago, and Havlat is playing.

[luns101]

This is way embarrassing...Detroit scores its first goal off of a Chicago power play?!!

[Timminz]

Why is there no "shaking my head, in shameful disapproval" emoticon?

[Serbia]

Live, at the United Center, the Detroit Red Wings vs. the Chicago Meltdowns

[AgentSmith88]

First, what a thrashing. That's sort of what I expected from the whole series. But in Chicago, without Datsuyk or Lidstrom? Wow.

Second, Malkin and Crosby were almost as hot last year heading into the finals and Detroit made them look pedestrian. I don't see a different outcome if it's Det vs Pitt unless Datsuyk or Lidstrom are still out.

Lastly, there seems to be some problems with the refs and penalties. The NHL may want to look into replays for penalties. Not saying it should happen, but if the crappy calls continue, they should at least consider it; especially with big plays like Kronwall's hit that was CLEAN, yet Chicago got a 5 min power play and Detroit lost a defender. Those huge penalties should be subject to replay.

[Serbia]

Something needs to change, there has been too much inconsistency in the officiating in these playoffs. From Scott Walker not getting a suspension to Kronwall's game misconduct for a clean hit (as said by every neutral observer outside of Chicago), to silly calls like Matt Walker's silly roughing penalty that put the Hawks down (still don't know what he did to deserve it) there have been a boatload of poor calls. But the thing that I really think needs replay is any time the puck crosses (or is thought to have crossed) the goal line. Yes, I'm still thinking of that horrible 'no-goal' call in Anaheim, Wings vs Ducks Game 3, that should have tied the game with under a minute to play and sent it to overtime. They review all goals anyway, so why not review anytime the puck crosses the line? Just glad that call didn't cost the Wings the series.

[AgentSmith88]

Something needs to change, there has been too much inconsistency in the officiating in these playoffs. From Scott Walker not getting a suspension to Kronwall's game misconduct for a clean hit (as said by every neutral observer outside of Chicago), to silly calls like Matt Walker's silly roughing penalty that put the Hawks down (still don't know what he did to deserve it) there have been a boatload of poor calls. But the thing that I really think needs replay is any time the puck crosses (or is thought to have crossed) the goal line. Yes, I'm still thinking of that horrible 'no-goal' call in Anaheim, Wings vs Ducks Game 3, that should have tied the game with under a minute to play and sent it to overtime. They review all goals anyway, so why not review anytime the puck crosses the line? Just glad that call didn't cost the Wings the series.

The problem with that no goal was the "intention of blowing the whistle" rule. I can understand the goal being waved off if the ref blows the whistle because he lost sight of the puck. It sucks, but if the whistle is blown play stops. However, the fact that a goal is being waved off because the ref was GOING to blow the whistle is ridiculous. Players don't stop playing until the whistle is blown. If you meant to blow the whistle and all the sudden the puck is in the back of the net, the play needs to be reviewed. If the goalie had it and the puck was dislodged, then no goal. But if you review that play and find the puck was just sitting there, you can allow the goal and make the right call.

[AgentSmith88]

What a great 0-0 game. Somebody has to score.

[AgentSmith88]

Soon as I hit submit, Detoit scores. Awesome.

[Timminz]

Unless Chicago can somehow pull 3 straight games out of their ass, I would like to see Detroit win tonight. More of a chance that Lidstrom and Datsyuk won't be back, and I don't want to see the Pens sitting around for a week and a half before the finals.