Boc Gameday: Oh Son of a Bitch
by RudyKelly on Feb 19, 2009 3:15 PM PST
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PrintLA Kings (surging ahead) @ San Jose Sharks (foundering)
7:30 PST, Fucking Yahoo I guess
How is this game not on television tonight? It's against San Jose. It's not like they're shipping Bob and Jimmy off to Nova Scotia now, is it? This is insane. Someone needs to get fired for this. They might as well just give up if they can't figure out a way for Kings fans to see their team play against a division rival. Fuck, it doesn't even have to be Bob and Jimmy doing the game, let Dumbshit McBias and Cueball Jones do the game, I don't care. Luckily Yahoo! is doing the game, I think, so we can all huddle around our monitors and watch the games like the Europeans do. This is bullshit.
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San Jose is a funny team because the Kings play them really well when they're at home and then get lit the fuck up when they go to the Shark Tank. I think it's the way lines match up: when the Kings are at home they can line Michal Handzus and Matt Greene against Joe Thornton while Kopitar's line usually gets someone else. When the Kings are in San Jose, Thornton matches up against Kopitar and usually picks him apart. So it's pretty important that the Kings get San Jose at home, right? Well, according to Yahoo!, the Kings play at the Shark Tank 4 times and get the Sharks in LA only twice. That has to be a mistake, right? I've looked 4 times and keep getting the same result. Why would San Jose get an extra home game? I hope I'm just retarded and can't count. One of you guys go look on the count of 3, OK? 1... 2... 5! Wait, fuck, let me try that again.
Prediction: Kings win, 3-2. Nabokov isn't that good and lets in goals by Frolov, Calder and Doughty despite the Kings getting only 12 shots in the game.
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Oh Shit, I just remembered!
Now I’m not 100% on this, so don’t kill me if I’m wrong, but I think NHL Center Ice was having a free preview at least earlier this week — if that’s the case, not only can you watch tonight’s game on an actual television, but I think it’s one of the games featured on the Center Ice HD channel.
Somebody who normally doesn’t subscribe to Center Ice should check this out and report back — it may be crazy enough to work out.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I’m not really a Comcast subscriber, but it provided the handiest quick-search link.
Center Ice’s free preview runs Feb. 16 through Feb. 22 — and I’m reasonably sure it’s the same for most carriers. Find those channels and you should be set (this week, at least).
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I had to drop CI when I changed cable/internet providers and this indeed is true about the free preview. Now, if there’s blackout rules or what have you I don’t know about that.
by jamestobrien on Feb 19, 2009 3:43 PM PST up reply actions
Now, if there’s blackout rules or what have you I don’t know about that.
There normally would be, but since nobody in SoCal is carrying the game, I think the normal blackout gets lifted.
The last two or three seasons, Center Ice has improved dramatically in that particular area. I think it’s fairly safe for tonight.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
There normally would be, but since nobody in SoCal is carrying the game, I think the normal blackout gets lifted.
You are correct sir- I’ve caught a couple games this year where it’s been blacked out.
Kings fans are going to have to deal with Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda (which isn’t a bad thing for me), but it all should work out in the end.
Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated
Also, is it about time I give Kyle Calder an apology? I don’t know what the hell happened, first I’m apologizing to Zeus, now Calder… I’m pretty sure Brian Willsie is going to save a dog from a burning building in the next couple days. Watch, next Marc Crawford is going to do something good and then I’ll really be eating Crow! …Wait, hold on, I didn’t mean it like that.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
At least Willsie and Crawford have nothing to do with the Kings, so if they actually start having success, no reason to apologize.
But Handzus has been playing good hockey all season long, and Calder has really played smart for the past few weeks, and has really stood out. Of course, Kopitar and Brown are scoring also, and now we’ve forgotten about the slump Kopi was in at the start of the season.
Also, who’s Jason LaBarbera?… Oh yeah, we had him.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
I’m not sure what kind of amateur hour commentators you guys have down there but feel free to enjoy the vocal stylings Randy & Drew tonight right here.
by GeneralDisarray on Feb 19, 2009 4:26 PM PST reply actions
Those guys that couldn’t stop celebrating the fact that they were getting payed double for that Sharks-Stars game last year in the playoffs? Oh yeah, they’re real classy.
People who save up for a rainy day are like milk. And milk goes good with cookies, so you should have those people over for cookies.
To be honest I didn’t notice because my gut was in a wrench for the whole time, but maybe that was really really troubling to you for some reason.
And what the hell else are you going to be talking about for 130 minutes. Maybe if the Kings ever got to the playoffs their announcers could make a little scratch too.
by GeneralDisarray on Feb 19, 2009 6:08 PM PST up reply actions
worst announcers ever
Remenda is never wrong about anything. Complete asshat.
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Feb 19, 2009 6:03 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
(Pretend I Block Quoted The Whole Article)
Rudy, er, you don’t have any small children around the computer when you blog right?
Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated
Luckily Yahoo! is doing the game, I think, so we can all huddle around our monitors and watch the games like the Europeans do.
Not quite. To do it like us, you have to huddle around your monitor in the middle of the night.
Whether it’s on Yahoo! on a small monitor or on a 72" plasma screen, why the hell would you want to be up at 3:30 AM to watch the game anyway? Surely you Europeans have got better things to do at that hour, right?
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
3:30? It starts at 6:30 AM where I am. If you’ve already been up until 3 AM to start watching one of the eastern games, how much can another six hours or so hurt?
To be more serious, I only watch matinées unless I’m drunk or insomniac (such as right now) or it’s late playoffs and I have nothing that important the next day. Other games will have to wait until the next day, even if it sucks trying to stay in the dark as far as outcomes go.
Well, I didn’t know where you are, and just took the +8 hours from California to London. 6:30 AM isn’t as bad, at least for me since I wake up at 5:30 AM every morning on school days.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
Of course you couldn’t have, and besides, I actually made a mistake there (this game’s 5:30 and the typical eastern start 2 AM). Ha, being up until around 8 to finish the game is insanely more probable for me than waking up early enough to catch a 5:30 start, but that has, just like you, everything to do with work and school schedules.
How is this game not on television tonight? It’s against San Jose. It’s not like they’re shipping Bob and Jimmy off to Nova Scotia now, is it? This is insane. Someone needs to get fired for this. They might as well just give up if they can’t figure out a way for Kings fans to see their team play against a division rival. Fuck, it doesn’t even have to be Bob and Jimmy doing the game, let Dumbshit McBias and Cueball Jones do the game, I don’t care.
Doesn’t matter to me; I’m not able to watch the game. Fuck my calculus class. I would totally ditch if it weren’t going to help me later in life.
Only reason I can find for them not to televise this game is because they weren’t going to televise the game last night on account of it being a Ducks home game, and they didn’t find any reason to send the crew up to Northern California for one game.
I don’t care for the decision, as there’s something eerie about telecasts from the Tank, for any team. I don’t know, it just gives me a creepy vibe.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
Fuck my calculus class. I would totally ditch if it weren’t going to help me later in life.
Wow, that’s adorable.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
Don’t tell Kevin, but not only will calculus skills probably not help out later in life, but even the benefits from having a good attitude about schoolwork/class attendance disappears pretty quickly post-graduation also.
If, like me, however, you spend your entire calculus class doodling instead of taking notes, maybe you too can become an internet hack cartoonist — which does have some intangible payoffs that I’d rather not calculate right now.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
If, like me, however, you spend your entire calculus class doodling instead of taking notes, maybe you too can become an internet hack cartoonist
Speaking of which, did you ever do that Fanhouse cartoon you told me about last night?
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
Nope — not only did I not draw or post one, but I didn’t even tell anyone at AOL that I was skipping out this week. Three weeks straight without a PuckToon: whattaslacker!
http://www.battleofcali.com/
What a shame. I’m looking at all your other posts, from this link. Great work, Sleek.
But God, I wonder what your next one’s gonna be. Probably after the trade deadline, or at the end of this roadtrip, depending on where the Ducks are. If the Kings can actually pass the Ducks in the standings, that’ll make for one hell of a graphic.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
Oh, I fully intend on doing a PuckToon next week, until late Wednesday night when I realize I’ve got nothing.
And don’t take this the wrong way, but if the Ducks are looking out of the postseason (and that should be pretty soon, I’m thinking), I fully hope the Kings pass them in the standings. The further away they can get from stupid 9th place the better.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
This will be a very interesting two weeks, no doubt. I mean the Coyotes were in a good spot, and now they’re last. The Stars were last, and now they’re in a good spot. The Kings are the Kings, and the Ducks are… unfortunately, the Ducks.
Only reason the Ducks should really care how the Kings do is that 3rd round conditional draft pick. Doesn’t seem like the Kings are gonna trade O’Donnell by the deadline.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
Doesn’t seem like the Kings are gonna trade O’Donnell by the deadline.
Based on what I know about Lombardi and hoarding draft picks, I never once expected to see that third round conditional pick. I bet Lombardi would turn down a 2nd round pick, even, just to keep another pick out of Anaheim’s hands.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I just went through the PuckToons and, while I usually check them out when they appear, I have to say now that I’m impressed with the doctor one. Seems that Earl called this “budget-dictated surgery” thing that evidently struck Briere this year.
Well, according to Yahoo!, the Kings play at the Shark Tank 4 times and get the Sharks in LA only twice. That has to be a mistake, right? I’ve looked 4 times and keep getting the same result. Why would San Jose get an extra home game? I hope I’m just retarded and can’t count. One of you guys go look on the count of 3, OK? 1… 2… 5! Wait, fuck, let me try that again.
According to Hockey-reference.com, the Kings and Sharks do each have three home games in the series (sort by “Opponent” for easier browsing). Not sure it matters, since we are 0-2-1 against the Sharks this year. Although, we did go 3-1-0 at San Jose last season, and are only 0-1-0 there this season (that’s 3-2-0 in the last two seasons, for you mathematically-impaired hockey dudes).
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
If the Kings win tonight, do you create a California on California state rape cartoon?
---
http://theroyalhalf.blogspot.com/
I’m sure there are many times when a Northern California vs Southern California rape cartoon would have been in order.
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Feb 19, 2009 7:21 PM PST up reply actions
I’M FUCKING BLACKED OUT OF YAHOO????? How the fuck does that make any sense? ARGGGHHHH
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
try atdhe.net … hop over the fearthefin … there is a link to the game in the game post there
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Feb 19, 2009 7:38 PM PST up reply actions
ZEUUUUUUS!!!
Has anyone else noticed that Handzus is just being a beast this year, whereas last year he was just absolutely nothing?
Your team is a bunch of douchebag clowns.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
I know, the Sharks can’t even handle two good hits!
…Wait, were you talking to me? I’m confused.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
It’s been a lovely parade of headshots
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
Pretty chippy 3rd period.
Don’t know much about Denis Gauthier’s hockey, except that he’s pretty skilled at elbowing players in the heads.
by Will Bulldozer on Feb 19, 2009 10:06 PM PST up reply actions
His elbow never left his side. It’s not his fault Patrick Marleau leaned into the hit. It’s exactly the same as the Phaneuf hit on Ebbett.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
I think you need your eyes checked :)
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Feb 19, 2009 10:09 PM PST up reply actions
Can you honestly tell me that his elbow was up on that hit? Seriously? There is no way his elbow was up at all. I think its funny that the Sharks and their announcers get all mad when they get hit. Why, Thornton was so mad that his buddy Patrick got hit hard that he wanted to yell a lot! You played a better game and won, but seriously learn how to take a check without turning into a bunch of little bitches (including announcers). It was also funny how Roenick came out behind the bench, like this was somehow going to intimidate the Kings. What are you going to do, not score? Try to resign with us?
I have yet to see this hit — I’m intrigued now. So weird when it happens to other teams.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I’m the last person on this earth that would ever come to defend Denis Gauthier… but I’ll do so now. Prepare for the long rant.
Gauthier and Marleau were both going for the puck, and I’m not sure either really knew the linesman had his arm up to signal a potential icing (I didn’t even know it until he pointed to the spot of the faceoff, back in the Sharks zone).
Gauthier threw a big check on the guy, and he went smack in the boards. The Sharks announcers were saying it was cleary a hit towards the head… really? Gauthier is 6’3", and Marleau is 6’2". In order for Gauthier to be aiming for Marleau’s head, either Gauthier would have to have raised his elbow about eight inches (he didn’t), Gauthier would have to leap off the ice (he didn’t), or Marleau would have to bend downwards in anticipation of the hit, with his legs forming a near 90 degree angle (he did).
With what the announcers were saying, I basically interpreted it as “the Sharks are good, the Kings aren’t”, “Patrick Marleau is our captain, a great player, and Denis Gauthier is a douche bag”, and “Denis Gauthier has a reputation”. Ironically, as I was just talking about the negative reputation Pronger has in this league, remember Gauthier threw a nasty hit on Roenick in a preseason game, back when Roenick was with the Kings and Gauthier was with the Coyotes (hence why Roenick came out onto the bench after the play, only because it was Gauthier). But you guys have to remember that a big hit on Sidney Crosby is no more illegal than an equally powerful hit on Rod Brind’Amour (league-worst +/- rating of -30) or Brendan Witt (-28).
The announcers brought up the hit on Josh Gorges of Montreal, which I have still yet to see, as reason to believe this was supposedly “clearly” intentional, and were speaking completely irrationally. They really only seemed to think that the hit was illegal because it was the other team’s bad player against their team’s captain. Notice that Gauthier didn’t get a penalty for the hit? (He got a penalty for roughing on the ensuing gathering of players.) The linesman was right behind the guys, checking to see who got to the puck first for the icing call. And if you didn’t know, linesman are allowed to call major penalties if they are in the best position to make those calls, and he would’ve done so if he felt it was an illegal or dirty hit.
In a complete twist of fate, this play did two things for me. First of all, it’s making me rethink my everlasting vengeance on Denis Gauthier, as I can respect any Kings player who shows this much passion this late into a season. And second, it’s making me feel more respect for Brian Hayward.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
Notice that Gauthier didn’t get a penalty for the hit?
Hey, I’ve used that before — Chris Pronger is a guy who was never called for an on-ice penalty for any of his Anaheim suspensions. But I should really go look at the hit before I say too much.
And second, it’s making me feel more respect for Brian Hayward.
Careful. That kind of talk could get you banned around here.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Chris Pronger is a guy who was never called for an on-ice penalty for any of his Anaheim suspensions.
He didn’t get a penalty for trying to amputate Kesler’s leg last season?
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
He didn’t get a penalty for trying to amputate Kesler’s leg last season?
I don’t believe so — play went on, as I recall — I don’t even remember it being an issue until the next day, when the league did nothing. Then a “clearer image” video emerged, and wham — eight games. But this one I’m going off of memory — the ‘07 suspensions he definitely didn’t go to the penalty box for.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Careful. That kind of talk could get you banned around here.
He’s bluffing. I’d have been gone a long time ago if that were the case.
Though I wouldn’t test him if he’s in “Drunken Rage Mode” after a Ducks loss.
People who save up for a rainy day are like milk. And milk goes good with cookies, so you should have those people over for cookies.
He did get a penalty for the hit. He got boarding and then roughing for the gathering of players.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
Sorry, my mistake. I knew the penalties had offset, but I forgot about the extra penalty Blake got for joining the “mini-fight” between Gauthier and Setoguchi.
It doesn’t change my long rant very much, although a minor penalty probably would be sufficient. Would’ve gotten a power play, if Blake hadn’t been the third man in the fight (Gauthier and Setoguchi had dropped the gloves, but to get a fighting major, by rule more than one punch must be thrown by each player, or else they’re just roughing minors).
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
Marleau didn’t lean into the hit. Definitely a follow-through by Gauthier. Marleau stops to touch the puck first and his body is positioned away from the puck. Gauthier comes in and targets Marleau’s head with his shoulder and then follows with the elbow.
by Will Bulldozer on Feb 19, 2009 10:17 PM PST up reply actions
Gauthier comes in and targets Marleau’s head with his shoulder and then follows with the elbow.
One reason why this was a clean hit: because he led with the shoulder.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
It was a shot to the head into the boards.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
What’s worse is that Gauthier coasts in and doesn’t even bother trying to beat Marleau out on the icing. He goes straight for the body and not the puck.
He and Steve Downie are a weak excuse for a human being.
by Will Bulldozer on Feb 19, 2009 10:26 PM PST reply actions
What’s worse is that Gauthier coasts in and doesn’t even bother trying to beat Marleau out on the icing. He goes straight for the body and not the puck.
Strange, since he did get the icing call.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
No, he didn’t. The next player to touch the puck did. That’s when the whistle blew. Now I get why all the Kings fans think this was fine. Apparently none of you watched the play or know what happened.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
Seems to me like we’re the only one with a realistic “view” of the situation.
Granted I’m drunk right now and need to take a look at both of them tomorrow morning, but explain to me how you react if Kopitar/Brown takes a shot like that. Throw in Doughty for good measure, because that hit on Ehrhoff was fucking blatant.
It’s not like Denis Gauthier is a pillar of morality. Jesus.
Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated
What’s worse is that Gauthier coasts in and doesn’t even bother trying to beat Marleau out on the icing. He goes straight for the body and not the puck.
Just watched the replay on the five minute recap courtesy of nhl.com.
The puck’s four fucking feet to the left of Gauthier and Marleau. Will Bulldozer is right on the money.
Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated
According to a new rule that they added in the off-season (rule 81.1, by the way):
Any contact between opposing players while pursuing the puck on an icing must be for the sole purpose of playing the puck and not for eliminating the opponent from playing the puck. Unnecessary or dangerous contact could result in penalties being assessed to the offending player.
Automatic penalty to Gauthier. Doesn’t even matter if it was an elbow to the head or not – Marleau was clearly trying to beat the icing, and Gauthier disregarded the puck to check Marleau.
But, in my opinion, that was a hit to the head, and should at least get looked at by the league. Especially since they were/are trying to crack down on head injuries.
whatever barbara. Yeah if Kopitar got hit like that I would hope the kings would make the sharks pay through a fight or another hard hit as payback. But I wouldn’t whine and wouldn’t try to take hard hits out of the game. Don’t like gauthier on the kings because he’s not good but hard hits are part of hockey. Deal with it or go watch hockey in europe. I think the main reason you guys are pissed is because he kicked setogutchi’s ass when he came in after the hit.
Why would we care if Setoguchi lost a fight? Who would expect him to win? We’re pissed because it was a cheap shot to Marleau’s head.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
I think the main reason you guys are pissed is because he kicked setogutchi’s ass when he came in after the hit.
Setoguchi standing up for his Captain is probably the least of my concerns.
Whatever man, you think the hit was clean, I disagree. We’ll just leave it at that because the replay is freely available for all to see.
Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated
Really random and off-topic, but here’s a guy the Ducks should consider trading: Niklas Hagman. He is 17-17=34, and has only taken ONE penalty in 53 games this season. We were just talking the other night about how the Ducks need to really limit their penalties. He’s also under contract for 3 yrs at $3M each, and the Leafs are looking at dumping salary and moving plenty key players.
Only minus is that he plays for the Leafs, and would Burkie really move him to Anaheim?
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
I honestly have no desire whatsoever to go trading with Burkie. The Mayday trade was insignificant enough that it’s cool, but any near-future trades involving Burkie and Murray — two guys who worked together the last couple of years, as I understand — probably are a bit too suspect.
Nah, let’s let Murray meet some new people instead.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I do like that trade, but I agree with Earl that I’d really rather not be trading with Burke.
The Mayday trade was insignificant enough that it’s cool
Funnily enough, on NHL.com, there is an article about all the deadline trades that took place with the eventual cup winners, and the May trade is listed for the Ducks. I thought it was pretty funny seeming, as you said, that it was pretty insignificant.
People who save up for a rainy day are like milk. And milk goes good with cookies, so you should have those people over for cookies.
I was wondering what the response to those hits would be on this board. Watching the hit on Marleau, I thought it was pretty clearly a cheap head shot. Marleau rarely complains or gets angry (anyone see his reaction to the tripping call against Edmonton? A laugh, shake of the head, and off to the penalty box). This time, he got up and had some choice words with Gauthier, which for Marleau is the equivalent of a volcanic eruption.
And, sorry, if the exact same hit happens to Drew Doughty from a hit by Claude Lemiuex, there would be some angry kings fans. And I would be right there with them. So far, I like CL, but I never liked Bryan Marchment’s dirty hits, and regardless of what the Sharks announcers say, if it looks like a dirty hit, Im not a fan. Gauthier and whomever it was that hit Ehrhoff turned the 3rd period into bush league hockey. If the Kings want to take the next step to competitiveness, players like Gauthier need to be not good enough to make the team.
Oh geez, that was the hit that’s caused all this ruckus?
No offense, Sharks fans, but with all the comments, I expected much worse. I predict zero games.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Well, he’s pretty obviously not playing the puck, which makes it illegal. On top of that, look at seconds 17-22 of the video you linked. He pretty clearly goes for the head and gets his elbow in there. Then, you add in his reputation, and I think it’s pretty dirty.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
Its clear from the replay that Marleau was gonna touch the puck first, at which point its no longer an icing play. This point of contention I can see you guys getting upset about, and is probably what Marleau and Thornton were mad about. But the whole “it was an elbow, it was a head hunting hit” is utter tripe. One, his elbow was down, thats not even debatable. Two, if you think Denis Gauthier is skilled enough to aim his shoulder at someone’s head, then you are giving him waaaaaay too much credit.
His elbow was down and he still managed to get it straight into Marleau’s jaw. It was a cheap shot.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
Actually, I’ll agree with that take. It’s just that I don’t think that’s enough reason to suspend anybody.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Yeah, I don’t think it’s enough to suspend him. Sorry if I made it seem like I was arguing that point.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
I don’t think anyone was calling for suspension … I think people were just arguing if it was a dirty play or not. Sharks say yes, Kings say no.
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Feb 20, 2009 11:40 AM PST up reply actions
There’s been plenty of suggestion about a suspension, I think. Just glancing above,
But, in my opinion, that was a hit to the head, and should at least get looked at by the league. Especially since they were/are trying to crack down on head injuries.
These sort of statements confuse me into thinking we were talking about postgame discipline. My mistake.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
The physical nature of the game didn’t bother McLellan.
“It’s hockey. It’s supposed to be physical,” he said. “I have no concerns at all.”
At least your coach isn’t diluded.
by Nut on Feb 20, 2009 9:31 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
And, from a philosophical point of view, head shots SHOULD merit some kind of escalating suspension. Intent or no intent, it just isnt necessary. I don’t mind the big hits, the scrums, the hard physical play, but head shots got to go. Our hockey heroes shouldn’t have to have scrambled eggs for brains upon retirement to be good hockey players. I feel the same way about football and head shots on the QB. They add nothing but injury to the game.
I’m a bit torn on the subject. I do hear what you’re saying, but there’s an entire Church of Scott Stevens that absolutely adore that guy’s style of play. And at the end of his career, his most remembered and celebrated moments? Probably all would fall into your escalating suspension plan.
And even though Stevens murdered Kariya back in ‘03, it’s tough — I still respect the hit, the hitter, and the player. We’ll see — this debate probably will go on for another five years, I’m guessing.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Final Take
Because honestly the Sharks got two points out of this and everyone walked away intact.
I think you really have to put the situation into context to get a full view on the situation. Whether or not you feel that the hit deserved a suspension (I’m erring on the side of no), the fact that the Sharks didn’t receive a power play in either of the situations makes me pissed at the referees more than anything. There was nothing done on ice by the officials to discourage those shots.
Now absolutely rip my head off if I’m wrong here, but if the Sharks are down 4-2 instead of ahead, they receive a power play. Period.
Sure the zebras are able to call the rink a dink interference calls off the faceoff, but on questionable hits along the boards they are content to throw out coinciding minors. On a broad NHL level, the game last night reaffirmed in my mind that fighting needs to stay in the game. I just don’t trust the league and Campbell’s Wheel O’ Justice to discourage this type of behavior going forward.
All that being said, helluva game last night.
Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated
Sure the zebras are able to call the rink a dink interference calls off the faceoff, but on questionable hits along the boards they are content to throw out coinciding minors.
Yeah, I’ll agree here, but it’s tough for me to blame the refs here — this is exactly what the Rule Change Committee made happen when they decided to prioritize petty interference calls after the lockout. And while scoreboard-based refereeing is not new by any means, it does carry an extra weight when there’s always some soft penalty that can be called based on a referee’s particular mood or whim.
And fighting needs to stay in the game, whether it serves a purpose or not. If for no other reason than I’m a sucker for watching punch-monkeys on skates.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
True, but on the flip side of the coin, if Dustin Brown or Ryan Clowe are the checkers in that scenario, maybe there is no penalty and no one is upset about it.
I’ve got to think that the reason why there is such an outcry from Sharks fans, and why Kings fans are quick to come to the defense of their guys, is because of Gauthier’s reputation and Marleau’s captaincy. For the record, I honestly feel that neither of these should be a factor in any suspension or on-ice penalty, although I can understand how future actions over the course of the game are premeditated in a situation like this. I don’t think Sharks fans would be nearly as upset if the hit were on a guy like Kaspar (his two career goals have each come against the Kings), but the players involved doesn’t change the legality of the play, and shouldn’t change the severity of any punishment.
That being said, I really don’t know what’s gonna happen, nor do I care. I personally don’t feel Gauthier should be suspended for the hit; Armstrong’s was more severe because Ehrhoff (right guy?) had his head banged into the glass on a clear boarding call, a play that in all likelihood wouldn’t have happened if Gauthier hadn’t checked Marleau. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were, because we saw the NHL wasn’t in any hurry to give him 5 games for a hit on a Canadien player I had never even heard of before, which is unfortunate because I don’t think a play should be any more legal or a penalty should be any more severe because of the players involved.
And I don’t even know what’s best for the Kings; they were 4-1-0 (.800) during the suspension, and are 1-1-2 (.500) since he returned, but as much as I dislike him, I don’t want him to miss games because of a suspension I don’t feel he deserved.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
Unfortunately, according to the NHL rules, prior suspensions are a big factor in determining future suspensions. I guess we can debate whether that makes sense (and I think in a lot of cases, it does — it is helpful to know Chris Simon’s history, for example), but for now the NHL should stay consistent with what their rules dictate. And Gauthier, like Pronger, does have his priors which will count against him.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Is it actually in the NHL rules, or is it just something the committee considers to determine probable intent? I know that for Chris Simon’s case he got the 20-game suspension or whatever because he had just returned from a 10-game suspension and did more of the same, but is there some sort of “statute of limitations” for how long a player’s past can hurt him?
And anyway, what exactly has Gauthier done to earn this reputation? I only know he has the reputation, and the only play I know of from before he signed with the Kings was when he injured Roenick in preseason three years ago.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
I don’t have a listing of Gauthier’s prior suspensions, but the league certainly does. I don’t know of any official statute of limitations, but it’s not a formula — they’ll factor in if a player hasn’t been suspended in five years vs. five days.
But yeah, the NHL considers two things: the play, and the suspension history of the offender. Sort of like a court of law.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
New perspective from last night
I admit, I was pissed off about the Marleau hid. I was incredulous after the Ehrhoff hit. But now, after stewing it over? Yeah, I still hate Gauthier and Armstrong’s hit was unnecessary, but I don’t think it was as bad as I initially thought it was, and does not warrant a suspension. That’s right – I am admitting that I was wrong.
It was just the straw that broke the camel’s back, for me at least. There were a lot of liberties taken by players in both the Oilers and Kings games; punches to the face, cross-checks, slashes, etc. that all weren’t called. And then Patrick Marleau – arguably the comeback player of the year for the NHL, as well as the Sharks captain and scoring leader – gets hit in the head in a race to beat the icing call. Now the intent to actually hit Marleau in the head was questionable at best, but putting the check over touching up was pretty obvious. We all know what could happen if something goes horribly, horribly wrong on a physical play on the icing when fast players with lots of momentum collide, and I did not want to see what happened to Kurtis Foster to happen to Marleau. So the reaction to Gauthier by most Sharks fans was probably more of a preemptive strike, one that was probably increased because of his recent suspension due to the headshot on Gorges.
The Armstrong hit probably should have gotten more attention, especially because it did look more intentional than Gauthier’s, but it happened to a player that’s been streaky all year (it seriously went from “Yay, Ehrhoff!” to “WTF Error!” back to “Non-Error Ehrhoff is back!” and so on and so forth) and a guy that is notorious for complaining about penalties. The fact that it also followed the Marleau hit made it just seem like a lesser cheap-shot and simply another reason to get mad at the Kings.
Oh, and the fact that the Sharks didn’t get a power play from either of those hits pissed me off as well, although I do understand that Seto, Blake, and Clowe offset that with their retaliation roughing penalties. Which, in retrospect, I’m completely fine with.
A good reasoned assessment, I think (though I never saw the Army hit).
In general, I try to do as little criticizing of referees as my sometimes-hot-head will allow. It’s not only just that they’re human, but there’s incredible pressure from a lot of sides to do some non-compatible things: call every infraction, not decide games, and let the players play. Yeah, there’s always going to be crappy calls — sometimes for you, sometimes against you, sometimes huge, sometimes insignificant — but by and large those get balanced by the end of an 82-game season.
And to get a little Sharks-specific, you may have to get used to some of that punch-monkeying from the opposition. Few teams feel prepared to go skill-on-skill against the west-leading Sharks, so oftentimes the strategy becomes “muscle our way into this game”. It’s worked for underdogs in the past, so it’s probably something you’ll see some more down the stretch.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I admit, I am pretty hard on the refs. I sometimes forget that they don’t have the advantage of a wide, sweeping view with multiple replays available.
And I’ve definitely seen teams get more and more physical against the Sharks as the season has gone on, no question. One of the problems with the past two games is that Jody Shelley has been injured, and the enforcing duties fall to Staubitz and Semenov, who don’t exactly strike fear into anyone’s heart. They have this odd inability to get fighting majors.
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Pacific Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Jose
|
54 | 31 | 17 | 6 | 68 |
|
Los Angeles
|
57 | 27 | 19 | 11 | 65 |
|
Phoenix
|
57 | 27 | 21 | 9 | 63 |
|
Dallas
|
56 | 28 | 25 | 3 | 59 |
|
Anaheim
|
56 | 23 | 24 | 9 | 55 |
(updated 2.15.2012 at 5:59 AM PST)
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