Posts Tagged ‘National Hockey League’

Stanley Cup Final: Game 3 Wrap

Posted: 06/18/2013 by bc in Uncategorized
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The Boston Bruins took a 2-1 lead in the 7 game series after shutting out the NHL’s second best offense 2-0. In fact the Bruins have shut out the ‘hawks for 6 consecutive periods of hockey.

We’ve seen this movie before. The Bruins squeezed the life out of NHL’s best offense, holding Pittsburgh to just two goals in four games.

“We always talk about getting to the inside a little bit more, getting two guys screening him (Rask) and guys going to the net,” said captain Jonathan Toews, who has just one goal in the postseason and has yet to register a point in this series. “We just didn’t find those loose pucks. We’ve got to find a way to do it.”

Chicago needs to win ugly now. As Coach Quenneville described it, “It’s hard to get A-plus chances. You’ve got to manufacture the ugly kind of goals; tips, screens, deflections and the second chances.” Last night they didn’t get close enough to Rask to get anything in the way of ugly goals.

Marian Hossa was a game time scratch due to an upper body injury. He’s listed as day-to-day.

The momentum has clearly swung Boston’s way. As I shared with Coach Nye on his site today, there is no better team than Boston at knocking the opposition off their game plan. What I don’t quite get is how the Bruins are doing it.

Like you, I witnessed it. Tonight the Bruins looked like they were the aggressor taking it to Chicago with their forecheck. Snuffing out the feared Chicago transition game before the D could make that first pass. When the Blackhawks did get it moving up ice, the Bruins pushed them outside to the wall.

Over Boston’s six consecutive winning periods Chicago has been outscored 4-0. Coach Julien hasn’t changed a thing since putting the third line of Tyler Seguin, Daniel Paille and Chris Kelly together to start the second period of game 2. The Bruins are back to rolling out their lines and controlling the game on the ice.

Bruins of course don’t need to change a thing. It’s now Chicago that must adapt. Some ways Chic ago might get the momentum back are:

1. Get more guys to the puck. Make short first passes before spreading the Bruins defensive scheme.

2. Skate away from the Bruins instead of into them. The ‘hawks aren’t going through these Bruins. You have to attack by going around them.

3. Play a constant wheel. Keep all five guys in motion. Attack the puck and the net from the short or nearest side. As this happens, rotate up and cover from the back side. It’s actually how Boston is creating its layered defense. It’s nothing new though.

Jonathon Toews statement of needing to score on second chances is the perfect metaphor for where the ‘hawks are right now. Game 4 on Wednesday  is Chicago’s second to last chance in this series.

AndyMac caps career…for health reasons

Posted: 06/06/2013 by bc in Uncategorized
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Former Duck Andy McDonald told Truehockey.com “I’m fortunate to get out now. I know I could play two or three more years and I love the game of hockey, but healthwise I know I shouldn’t be playing.”

As a Duck, AndyMac  and Teemu Selanne formed one of the NHL’s deadliest twosomes. In 2007 he took Fastest Skater in the NHL Skills Competition. A.K.A. Lil’ Mac, Andy was traded to St. Louis where he played well when he was in the lineup.

Staying in the lineup was always a challenge to hard working McDonald. He picked up five concussions, a broken ankle and knee surgery along the way. AndyMac explained,  “The last few years too much of the focus became worrying about the next hit. I was always thinking about it.”

One by one our Ducks Stanley Cup team is leaving the show. Neidermayer went first. Pronger went to Philly where he’ll likely finish his career on the Long Term Injury List, LTIR. No. 25 still has nausea filled days as a result of his last concussion.

If that’s the hit in the back of Andy’s mind, yeah he’s fortunate to get out now.

 

Duncan Keith gets one game Shanaban

Posted: 06/06/2013 by bc in Uncategorized
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Chicago Blackhawks go into tonight’s game at Staples Center minus their big dog on the blue line, recent Norris Trophy winner, Duncan Keith. The facts are not in dispute. League disciplinarian cited Keith for retaliation on Kings forward Jeff Carter. Shanahan also noted Keith’s history and the injury, 20-stitch cut and damage to Carter’s teeth as mitigating factors in meting out Shanaban.

I don’t take any exception to the interpretation or the result. However it should be noted, not in Keith’s defense so much, but as one more example of the horrendous state of officiating in the NHL. Look at the video.

As the play begins, the camera captures a battle between Carter and Keith off the left post of the Chicago goal. Carter is seen elbowing Keith in the face and slashing him across the back. Had the refs been doing their jobs, arms go up and Carter is called for a minor penalty. Instead, directly due to referee negligence, as Keith and Carter follow the play back toward the Kings zone, Keith bends over to pick up his glove and Carter slashes at Keith’s hand. This was the point at which Keith retaliated.

This play captures much of the criticism I’ve been making about the refs during the regular season and playoff. First, officials rarely catch the initial infraction(s) but always call the retaliation. Second, violence tends to escalate when referees refuse to call or miss entirely, those initial infractions. Third, when the refs are so incompetent as to miss an elbow to the face, followed by two slashing incidents, players tend to take matters into their own hands.

Had a ref raised his arm at one of the two initial infractions and even on a delayed call, odds are that Keith doesn’t retaliate.

Once again and what seems to infinitude, a game and a series may turn as a direct result of the most consistently incompetent officiating I’ve ever witnessed at any level in my now near sixty years of hockey.

Recent Four Cup Winners Reach NHL’s Final Four

Posted: 05/31/2013 by bc in Uncategorized
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You don’t need any more evidence than that to know the NHL’s best teams have arrived in the Conference finals. The last time the four most recent Cup winners met in the semi-finals was 1945. Just to give this stat some perspective, the first NHL game ever to be televised occurred on October 11, 1952. Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky’s fave player, would enter the NHL a year after the NHL’s four most recent Cup winners met in the semi-finals.

The Second World War was ending and the Cold War, which ended 24 years ago now, was just beginning. Mankind would not venture into space for another sixteen years. In 1945, a generation of women left the workforce to become homemakers.

And pro hockey, like baseball, was pretty much the same game we enjoy today.

The more things change the more they stay the same. These Conference finals are a very special moment in hockey history. We might even see the quality rival the Olympic medal rounds.

In the West, Chicago and Los Angeles are very evenly matched until you get  between the pipes. Jonathon Quick is the best goaltender of our time. For two consecutive seasons Quick has found a way to keep the Kings competitive until they find a way to win.

In the East it’s all about the match-ups. Crosby/Malkin v. Bergeron/Chara. My guess is that Bergeron will lineup opposite Malkin. Chara will be going over the boards whenever Sidney Crosby steps out onto the ice.

The odds makers are favoring the offensive powerhouses, Pittsburgh and Chicago. I’m not a betting man per se, but defense usually trumps offense.

Regardless of who wins, we are about to be treated to some of the best hockey played in 68 years. Enjoy.

Red Wings giving vaunted Blackhawks fits

Posted: 05/21/2013 by bc in Uncategorized
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Ducks Nation can begin healing those aichin’ breakin’ hearts. The Red Wings have gone up two games to one on Chicago. Even more eyebrow raising is these Wings have outscored the Blackhawks 7-2 in the last six periods of play. Something else the Ducks fans have seen before, Chicago captain, Messier and Selke  Trophy finalist Jonathon Toews has been held scoreless in the series first three games.

Like Corey Perry experienced, Toews is getting his chances. It’s just that Detroit goaltender Jimmy  Howard is stopping him. Nichlas Kronwall and Jonathon Ericsson are also exacting a physical price on for the scoring opportunities Toews gets.

Once again, the officials are clearly favoring Wings at the expense of the Blackhawks. A review of the hi-lite video from last night shows (1) disallowed goal where a Chicago forward somehow interfered with Howard while not making any contact with the Detroit goalie, (2) very quick whistles favoring Howard, not so quick whistles for the Chicago or Anaheim goaltenders, (3) one-sided penalty calling favoring Detroit at the most critical points during the game.

There’s no argument among reasonable people that the quality of NHL officiating has descended to the unbelievable though. It is time for an independent inquiry. One guy qualified to head it is former Duck Stu Grimson. He’s an attorney, and a  respected former NHL player. Most of all he’s well-known and respected for his ethical conduct in his dealings with others.

I don’t suggest, as others have, a criminal conspiracy. I do believe the officiating is poorly executed because there’s a systemic or institutional bias. As every player knows, some players and coaches are simply better at working refs than others. And yes, working the ref is a talent that is executed strategically and opportunistically. I became well-known in every league I ever played in for the “Who me” expression. In a kids game, while a Ref skated my son to the penalty box, he said, “Tell your Dad to help you with that trip because I can never catch him when he does it.”

Every experienced player has learned that sometimes you have to beat bad officiating as well as the opponent. I’m not blaming the refs for our Ducks loss or the Wings wins. What I’m saying is that officiating has become so obviously bad, something must be done to save the integrity of the NHL product.

Bruce Boudreau makes Jack Adams Trophy short list

Posted: 05/17/2013 by bc in Uncategorized
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Despite impressive accomplishments in his first full season, Ducks coach Bruce ‘Gabby’ Boudreau faces equally impressive competition for the NHL Jack Adams Trophy, given annually to the coach “adjudged to have contributed most to his team’s success.” The winner is selected by a poll of the National Hockey League Broadcasters Association at the end of the regular season.

Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean led his team to a playoff berth despite losing Norris Trophy D-man Erik Karlsson, Jared Cowen as well as top forwards Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek for long stretches.

Due largely to injuries, the Senators used a league-high 14 rookies at various times during the season.

It’s the second consecutive nomination for the sophomore NHL head coach.

Less than one year ago, Blackhawks fans were calling for the dismissal of head coach Joel Quenneville following the surprising first round exit in the playoffs. Coach Q is one of only two men to have played in 800 NHL games and coached in 1000. The other is former Hab great and Minnesota and New Jersey coach Jacques Lemaire.
Enroute to the President’s Trophy, Quenneville’s Blackhawks began the season setting NHL record for earning at least a point in its first 24 games. The previous record of 16 games had been held by our Stanley Cup winning Ducks of 2007. Quenneville won the Jack Adams in 1999-2000 with St. Louis.

Coach Boudreau, in his first full season behind the Anaheim bench, led the club to its finest regular season in franchise history, capturing the Pacific Division title and No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with a club-record points percentage (.688, 30-12-6). The Ducks made dramatic gains over 2011-12 in several categories, climbing from 25th to third in the overall NHL standings; from 23rd to eighth in average goals-per-game
(2.45 to 2.79); from 19th to 11th in average goals-against (2.73 to 2.40); and from 21st to fourth in power-play percentage (16.6% to 21.5%). Boudreau is vying for his second career Jack Adams Award, having captured the trophy in 2007-08 with Washington in his first appearance as a finalist.

Given MacLean’s Senators faced the most adversity and Quenneville’s Blackhawks achieved more, Gabby is a long shot to win the award this year.

The section on Bruce Boudreau was taken directly from the NHL press release.

Ovechkin accuses league/officials of fixing games

Posted: 05/14/2013 by bc in Uncategorized
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This blog has taken issue with the quality of officiating in the NHL during the season and in the playoffs. The officiating has been described here as biased and one-sided. We pointed to the official league policy of “opening the game up” as evidence of an institutionalized bias to promote the skill teams at the expense of the more physical teams. Additionally, we included descriptions of specific referee instructions given to teams prior to playoff games.

This blog has always stopped short of accusing the NHL or anyone involved of being part of a criminal conspiracy.

In an interview with a Russian newspaper, Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin took it up another notch.

“I am not saying there was a phone call from (the league), but someone just wanted Game 7,” he told the paper.

“For the ratings. You know, the lockout, escrow, the league needs to make profit. I don’t know whether the refs were predisposed against us or the league. But to not give obvious penalties (against the Capitals), while for us any little thing was immediately penalized.”

The Caps had 16 power plays compared to the Rangers 28 during the seven game series.

Ovechkin will probably receive a hefty fine for the implied accusation.

This blog hopes the NHL takes Ovie’s complaint seriously and works to improve  on ice officiating.

Note: Ovechkin’s quotes were copied and pasted from this story published by tsn.ca.

Game 7: Win or else

Posted: 05/12/2013 by bc in Uncategorized
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Make it happen. That’s the directive both our Anaheim Ducks and the surprising to me at least Detroit Red Wings will take into the final game of this back and forth playoff series.

The trend, win one, lose one favors our Ducks. Virtually everything favors our Ducks save three. Lack of finish or killer instinct, the Red Wings motion game and their best players have been the best players in this series. One look at the top scorers from each is all the evidence you need to know that the Red Wings best players are the best players in this series.

Johan Franzen, Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterburg with support and very timely scoring coming from Damien Brunner, Gustav Nyqyist and Dan Cleary. Ducks scoring leaders are Ryan Getlzaf, Kyle Palmieri and Nick Bonino with three each. Matt Beleskey and Emerson Etem have two goals apiece while Teemu Selanne scored the winner in game one.

Following the best players have to be the best players on the ice, the keys to the game for our Ducks are, (2) take away Wings hunger for the puck, in other words make them pay a physical price for touching the biscuit, (3) dominate the play at both blue lines. This will result in forcing the Wings to dump and chase the puck into our zone and keep them bottled up in their own zone, (4) Get sticks and bodies into the passing lanes when the Wings have the puck.

The one single aspect of this series that can’t be ignored is the role of the officials. Bruce Boudreau has admitted that our Ducks have been warned against cross-checking and roughing down low. I will note that referees caution both teams prior to every game about what they intend to call. So far Mike Babcock has indicated what the Refs have told him. Given how the calls have gone in this series, many Ducks fans are wondering if the Refs told Babs, “Don’t worry.” This isn’t too suggest the fix is in but I does accuse NHL officials of bias and one-sided penalty calls throughout this series.

Biased officiating has been institutionalized by the NHL. The league’s stated policy has been to open the game up and limit interference. Apparently and according to coach Boudreau you can no longer defend the low slot either.

I’m not alone in calling out the officials in this playoff. THN’s Ken Campbell to Bleacher Report and even former NHL referee Kerry Frazier have all been critical of numerous in particular as well the quality of officiating generally.

Win and our Ducks  face the L.A. Kings in series in the NHL’s second largest media market. This fact alone makes the notion that game is actually fixed just another weird conspiracy theory. I don’t and won’t go there without undeniable  evidence.

But officials incompetent to the extent that they actually determine the outcome of a playoff series? You bet they are and this series is part of the incontrovertible body of evidence.

Either way, and it’s a sad sate of affairs for the NHL to have to say this but I hope the players determine the outcome and not the officials.

In relentless pursuit of a closer

Posted: 05/10/2013 by bc in Uncategorized
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These Red Wings are little more than Chicago-lite. A smooth skating puck possession team that succumbs under the physical pressure imposed by teams like our Ducks. Noteworthy, these same Wings went 6-4-1 against the NHL’s big  bad three, composed of our Ducks, St. Louis Blues and the Los Angeles Kings.

It isn’t just our Ducks that these Red Wings give fits. Frankly, I’m baffled.

Kyle Palmieri says, “They are relentless in their pursuit. (of the puck)” is that it? You can’t hit what you can’t catch? In Wednesday’s game our guys got on top of these Wings often enough to deliver 20 hits in the 20 minutes of the first period. Following the first they caught the Wings with just 12 hits in the second, third and overtime periods combined.

The media is fond to point to Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard. The papers are full of stories about how Corey Perry is being kept off the score sheet. Big whoop. For as good as Howard has been, he’s only held our Ducks to less than three goals once in this series. Ducks GF is 16 goals in five games for a 3.20 GFA.

As good as our Ducks offense has been, they haven’t solved Jimmy Howard. He’s just no different from every goalie who’s ever played the game. Get him moving, screen him, force him to give up rebounds and get bodies into the low slot and Howard proves himself to be quite human after all.

Maybe it’s as czhokej shared last night, “Detroit is a very dangerous hockey team.” They have a lot of snipers, one of whom, Henrik Zetterburg has been held off the score sheet as well. Let them hang around and they’ll find a way with their relentless pursuit to make us pay. It isn’t just our Ducks but they’ve beaten our play-a-like teams as well.

Another 4-0 win would be sweet but something tells me these Wings will remain relentless to the final buzzer. Ducks fans don’t care how our guys close these Wings out. We care that they do and the sooner the better.

Note: If our Ducks and the Kings win their respective series, they will meet in the second round of the playoffs.

Game 4 Pregame: Ducks @ Red Wings

Posted: 05/06/2013 by bc in Uncategorized
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The Red Wings have their backs to the wall in this must win game. Our Ducks have outscored them 8-1 since the mid-point of Game 2. Clearly the momentum is all Ducks.

While our Ducks have completely outplayed the Wings, we don’t quite have the results to show for it. Bad officiating can impact the outcome of games and series.

If ever there is a moment for a team to stick to its own game, for our Ducks that time is now. There’s no really reason why they can’t. Justin “Cheap & Chippy” Abdelkader is gone for what could be the series. Abdelkader is the guy who baited Souray into retaliating which led to Wings PP and their winning OT goal in Game 2. Souray’s cross checking penalty in the last minute of the second period was also against Abdelkader. Having this Cheap & Chippy nemesis suspended will help our Ducks stay focused on the  job at hand.

Souray wasn’t the only guy getting payback on Abdelkader. Sheldon just got caught.

Wings are also thin on the blue line after Danny DeKeyser busted his thumb  in a scrum with Ducks Kyle Palmieri, IIRC. Babcock has gone with Brian Lashoff but also has Carlo Colcaiacovo and Ian White available.

czhokej posted that Babcock’s comments on Abdelkader’s hit, “wasn’t a smart thing to say.” Detroit GM Ken Holland also defended the hit. These guys have it backwards. You defend your player, not what he did.

Like many, I’ve long admired the Red Wings and held them out as model franchise. What Holland and Babcock have shown this week is that’s easy to have some class when you’re winning. It’s when you’re challenged that your true character comes out. Holland and Babcock flunk the test. The Wings are no longer an org that I would point out as model worth following.

If our Ducks are feeling anything like I and suspect most who’ve played hockey feel today, they really want this game. It’s not just about winning for a downed teammate, though Toni Lydman is nothing if not respected in our Ducks room. It’s about putting on a clinic built on discipline and character.

The Red Wings fans have shown the world that they’re fair weather band wagon followers at best.

Our Ducks play a physical brand of hockey. Gone are the excesses of the Pronger days. Coach Bruce Boudreau has changed this group from a collection of stars and bus riders into a genuine team. This is why this game is so important to our Ducks. They have the proven ability to win it. They deserve to win it.

Most of all, our Ducks, arguably the NHL’s most complete hockey team, can show the world that physical hockey played within the written and unwritten rules is a beautiful thing.

There are many times during the course of a hockey season and playoff that no words are necessary. All that is needed is eye contact with your teammate for confirmation that tonight we get ‘er done. And on Wednesday we put ‘em away.

And really there’s one reason to do it. These Detroit Red Wings and their fans don’t deserve to be here.

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