NHL’s consistency bites them again

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This topic has been rehashed far too many times. But the fact of the matter is Alex Burrows should not have played in game two of the Stanly Cup Finals. However, he did and he had a very small impact on the game.

I am a Canucks fan, have been for a while now (didn’t jump on the bandwagon this year). I wanted Kevin Bieksa and Ryan Kesler shipped to Buffalo at least three years ago. This is a team I have a vested interest in, I still think it is a sham that Burrows was able to play. We can all admit he bit Patrice Bergeron’s finger, there is no doubting that one. Most people can probably admit he should have been suspended for the infraction. I also think it is safe to assume that a vast majority of hockey fans think it is brutal that the NHL didn’t give him a single game for chomping down on Bergeron’s channel changing digit.

I will admit when I saw the incident live I conceded that he could get away with the bit because it looked like he was attempting to pull Bergeron’s hand out of his mouth rather that ingesting it. Still, there is little evidence to show he didn’t bit the guy and he should have gotten at least one game. Here lies the problem.

Even with Colin Campbell, the previously assumed culprit of the NHL’s wishy-washy discipline, out of the decision making process, the NHL still got it wrong. The same goes for Nathan Horton not getting suspended for throwing a water bottle at a Tampa fan (even if he/she deserved it). Add to that his borderline headshot on Steve Downie. Horton probably shouldn’t have played in game seven of the ECF and he scored the clinching goal. Hell, Andrew Ference went out of his way to knock Jeff Halpern in the face during the Bruins’ series with the Habs. Ference ended up having a say in the outcome of that game too.

It seems as if the NHL isn’t capable of drawing that line. They are afraid of banning their stars and they’re equally afraid to drastically affect the outcome of a game or asides with a ruling. Unfortunately they are doing exactly that be being consistently inconsistent. Perhaps Brendan Shanahan will be able to bring some stability to this process, because now it is nothing short of a train wreck.

McCutcheon released by Sabres

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Word has come down that Brian McCutcheon has been released from his position on the Buffalo Sabres coaching staff.

This is a surprising move but one that I think was necessary. By most accounts McCutcheon was the man who ran the power play for the Sabres after Scott Arniel’s departure. If my facts are incorrect on that one I apologize. Based on that info, it was time for the Sabres to look somewhere else for a man to run the power play and cook up an offensive game plan.

Mike Foligno and Kevyn Adams have both been mentioned as possible replacements. I say great, either one will bring a fresh look to the position and likely a refreshed message. I would hope for Foligno simply because he has been coaching with Anaheim so he has some additional experience behind an NHL bench. Adams can’t say that at this point.

As for McCutcheon, there is a chance he ends up as the head coach in Rochester – if Buffalo does indeed purchase them and switch their affiliation. There is a chance he gets nothing and is left to find a new gig. I wouldn’t hate it if he was put in Rochester. He had some success there previously and may be better suited for that type or role.

This is yet another move you may not have seen under the Golisano ownership. McCutcheon was doing a satisfactory job (at best) and still had a contract. It would have been shameful to let him go if the team was to owe him money. The “winning is a goal” motto has it’s fingerprints on this decision. It would seem the organization wants to have the best people in important positions. Replacing McCutcheon was deemed as a decision that needed to be made and I applaud them for making the right move.

2ITB Stanley Cup Finals prediction

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The 2011 Stanley Cup Finals will likely be decided by one thing: the Bruins ability to play tight, defensive hockey. If the Canucks are able to wheel and deal they will be very successful. If the Bruins are able to check the Canucks’ top scorers, the Bruins ability to score five-on-five will win the series.

A lot will be made of the goaltending match up. Tim Thomas will likely be the Vezina Trophy winner and Roberto Luongo has forever been branded as the guy who can’t win the big one. Thomas had his troubles against Tampa and their firepower while Luongo has given up a few bad goals as he has recovered from a rough first round quite well. Continue reading →

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Conference Finals recap

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Better late than never. My stats got a major boost as I went two for two on my Conference Finals predictions. I really enjoyed the two series. I thought San Jose could give the Canucks more of a test, but Vancouver’s talent really came to play in the WCF. There was a long period of time when I thought the Lightning were going to steal that ECF from Boston. The Bruins managed to grind out the series victory, but it certainly wasn’t as easy as many expected.

#3 Boston Bruins defeat #5 Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3

This was quite the back and forth series as both teams received stellar and porous goaltending, from the same guys. Dwayne Roloson showed some serious signs of fatigue as he had carried Tampa through the first two rounds. He was pulled and replaced by Mike Smith. Smith kept the Bolts alive and ultimately it was the inability to score that killed Tampa, not goaltending. However, a few key saves would have closed the series in six, maybe even five games for Tampa. Continue reading →

Jetting back north

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It is official. The announcement that the Atlanta Thrashers had been sold by the Atlanta Spirit Group to True North Sports and Entertainment took place yesterday at noon. True North has every intention to move the team to Winnipeg, despite the fact that the Thrashers were still selling season tickets at 11:00 AM, Tuesday.

This is not an official logo. But like New Coke, the New Jets need a face.

I am on the fence as to what this deal means for the NHL, hockey fans in Winnipeg and hockey fans in the United States. Atlanta shouldn’t have to suffer through losing a franchise. It is the second time they lost a hockey team, maybe the NHL should have kept that in mind when they awarded the franchise to Atlanta in 1999. Still, the few dedicated fans they have don’t need to lose their team. Still, the franchise was poorly run and suffered from day one. Continue reading →

The Vest era ends at OSU

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Jim Tressel stepped down from his position as the head football coach at Ohio State this weekend after an avalanche of bad press and violations buried the program.

Some reports note that Tressel was asked to resign, an assumable point considering the allegations against the program. The rocks started falling when Terrelle Pryor and other OSU players were caught trading merchandise for tattoos before the Sugar Bowl.

The NCAA made a huge mistake and showed terrible favoritism and far too much bias towards saving TV ratings rather than dropping the hammer like they would have with New Mexico, Washington State or Rutgers. They suspended Pryor and the others for five games of the 2011 season. Of course, OSU makes sure to fill 3/4 of their schedule with cupcakes before opening their Big Ten schedule. Not to mention, they really only have two meaningful games each season. So those suspensions would mean nothing. The Buckeyes backups will beat Akron and Toledo. Long story short, the NCAA scolded the Buckeyes, no more than that.

Now it seems as if Terrelle Pryor is doing his best “Blue Chips” act and stirs up some thoughts of a history of violations. It wouldn’t surprise me if Pryor had some of the same action Cam Newton had going with Mississippi State (probably Auburn too).

Jim Tressel seems to have ruled over a reign of ignorance to NCAA rules. It was right that OSU forced him out. It is an embarrassment that this has gone on so long. I can only hope the NCAA drops the hammer on the program. The problem most certainly did not end with Tressel. Terrelle Pryor should never play another down of Division I football and the Buckeyes should lose at least 50% of their scholarships for the next four seasons. Maybe it is a little harsh, but that is what needs to be done.

Sure, the Big Ten will go down in flames. Michigan is already average and the last remaining power completely screwed the pooch. I have always seen the Big Ten as the weak sister of the BCS. Don’t worry, the Big East is the redheaded stepchild. The Big Ten has been backsliding for a few seasons. This bombshell will probably drop it on the same plane as the Big East.

The Big 12, Pac-12, ACC and SEC will have to carry the torch as the power conferences for the time being. The Big Ten and OSU will be playing in the shadows until 2015, at least.

A very interesting article on Seattle and the NHL

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Came across this gem while surfing the net as I attempt to recover from a mild case of sun poisoning.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/report-seattle-group-interested-in-nhl-team/article2035939/

Seems as if there is some interest in NHL hockey up in Seattle. Is it a rumor with any teeth? Would the city stay interested for more than five minutes? At the end of the day is it a city you would want to move the Panthers, Islanders or Coyotes to? Is the Seattle arena situation going to work for an NHL team? All of those questions need to be raised and answered before this gains any steam. Still, seems like an alright idea for a franchise, especially if some of the weak franchises continue to flounder.

Sabres unveil new locker room plans

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If living in Buffalo has taught me anything it is to not get excited over pretty pictures. Every fourth Thursday there is a new idea for a waterfront attraction or a new building downtown only to be shot down by an idiot preservationist or a citizens group advocating for some birds.

However, there is no fear of the Sabres’ new locker room will not be built. In fact, I have little fear that the new locker room won’t be the envy of the entire league and help to attract free agents.

I’m not an architect, so most of the artwork on the rendering means little to me. Based on what I know of the current HSBC layout I can say the term ‘major overhaul’ is a massive understatement. The training, coaches and locker facility looks as if it will be monstrous and somewhat similar to what the Pittsburgh Penguins new room at the Consol Energy Center looks like (based on what 24/7 showed). The visitors facility looks just as impressive, although I’m left wondering where the Bandits will dress.

This is just another example of the Pegula regime not only following through, but hitting a home run with their promises. This is one of the puzzle pieces the organization sees as a step towards building a Stanley Cup winner. They say Mark Cuban spiffed up the visitors locker room to attract players, hopefully the Sabres can strike the same chord with the players who will bring the Cup to Washington and Perry.

Another game seven, just what the doctor ordered

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I am not a fan of the NBA. This is no secret. I am no fan of over-extended seasons (Super Bowl in February, World Series in the snow) either. However, I feel it is better press for the NHL to finish the marathon second. That means I am really pulling for a quick finish for the NBA playoffs while a drawn out, dramatic end for the NHL.

As the NFL and NBA potentially head toward a work stoppage the NHL needs as much solid press as it can get. Even Jim Rome is talking hockey. This is a good thing. To capture more casual fans the NHL needs to hit a broader audience. Hell, even the bandwagoners down in Tampa are selling out the arena. The Canes couldn’t pull the same feat in the 2006 Conference Finals. Continue reading →

Save of the season, check

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Tim Thomas made the save of the season on Steve Downie tonight. Observe:

Thomas said after the game it was more luck than anything else – it was the booze dancing, I suppose. But still, just a nasty save by Thomas. Could turn out to be a major point in this series. If Downie ties it up there, who knows where that game ends up. The Bolts had been pressing hard the entire third, I feel like they had the competitive edge for the final 20. But Thomas robbed Downie and sent the series back to Tampa 3-2. Now Tampa has a lot more to worry about.

Credit to Mike Smith for a beauty on Chara at the other end. I thought he was toast when I watched it live, best back-to-back saves I have seen in some time.
Stick tap to Wysh @ Puck Daddy for getting the video uploaded so fast.