Another Controversial Night in the NHL

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special “Hey” goes out to Hazel Mae.

Technical problems this morning – so I have asked my man Ottawa_Tilt to post this for me today.

In what has become the norm this spring - another NHL Playoff game ends in controversy, this time in New York. The Buffalo Sabres were down 2-1 with less than 20 seconds left to play when it appeared that Sabres forward Daniel Briere scored to tie the game up at two. The referees, who weren’t in position to verify that the puck had crossed the line, stopped play and spoke to officials in the “war room” in Toronto to review the play. Officials in Toronto said there was no conclusive evidence showing the puck had crossed the goal line and upheld the referee’s non-call.

Personally, I think the puck crossed the line – Lundqvist’s pad may have obstructed view of the puck, but from where it started to where it met the puck…it was definitely behind the line. This was more a case of a referee being out of position once again – I hate to agree with Jeremy Roenick, but he was right – had the referee been positioned over the net where he should have been, that would likely have been called a goal. The funny thing is had it been called a goal – officials in Toronto would likely not have overruled the referee, due to lack of conclusive evidence.

Officials in the SenaTards and Devils game on Monday night also missed a goaltender interference call that ended up being the determining factor in the game. SenaTards forward Mike Fisher was skating in front of New Jersey’s net when his skate “accidentally” clipped Martin Brodeur’s heel, knocking him off balance for a couple of seconds – just enough time for Tards D Tom Preissing to get a shot off from a bad angle past Brodeur. As often the case this year, an official standing 10 feet away missed the call – the same official that will call a hooking penalty from 75 feet across the ice if a player touches a guy with his stick.

Again, I hate myself for agreeing with Jeremy Roenick – but I’ll quote him here (although in a different context) WAKE UP NHL. Three cheers for the officiating or lack thereof in the NHL – its only marginally better than the officiating in the WWE.

Tough night for Red Sox Nation – up two runs in the top of the 9th with Jonathan Papelbon coming in to face the bottom part of the A’s anemic order should have meant lights out for Oakland. Travis Buck, who came into the game hitting .190, hit a two-run home run off Papelbon to tie the game at four and send it to extra innings – where Brendan Donnelly would eventually lose it for the Sox. Another good pitching performance wasted, this time Curt Schilling loses the win – to his credit, Schilling’s post game comments showed a lot of class on his part, refusing to dwell on the events in the ninth, instead pointing out that the work of the bullpen was one of the main reasons the Sox were in first place to begin with.

Tougher night if you are a Blue Jays fan – three first inning home runs off C.C. Sabathia should give you cause to think that it is going to be your night, especially if you have your number two starter on the mound. That would be the case for most teams, but not Toronto – not when your number two starter is “The Enigma” (aka A.J. Burnett). Burnett would give up the lead in the third inning giving up four runs on four hits and a walk, and eventually be being pulled after the fifth inning. Burnett left the game having given up seven earned runs on eight hits and four walks in five innings of work – not what you want to see from your number two starter.


HAZEL’S THREE STARS
New York Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves (though we think it should have been 28) to lead the Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres last night. Lundqvist came up big for the Rangers on more than one occasion in the third period last night – had it not been for him, the Sabres would have won the game in the last 10 minutes…they outplayed the Rangers that badly.

Anaheim Ducks LW Travis Moen scored the winning goal in the Ducks 3-2 overtime victory over Roberto Luongo and the Vancouver Canucks.

Cleveland Indians SS Jhonny Peralta had a home run and a double last night, driving in five runs to lead the Indians to a 12-4 beatdown of the Toronto Blue Jays.


WEDNESDAY’S THREE PLAY
We did ok last night – another 2-1 night, but winding up in the black this time. Some suggestions for today’s action.

San Jose over Detroit – A win tonight by the Sharks would pretty much end the series – we like the Sharks to get it done on home ice tonight against a Red Wings team that is counterfeit. Lay $100 on the Sharks - $155.

Boston over Oakland – We like Beckett to dominate the A’s order tonight and go 6-0 - the price is a bit steep, but we’ll go with the Sox who will be looking to atone for last night. Lay $100 on the Sox - $200.

Houston over Cincinnati - Oswalt has a history of dominating the Reds (17-1 lifetime) – we like him again tonight. Lay $100 on the Astros - $180.


That’s about it for this morning gang – you don’t want to hear about Red Sox West do you? Many thanks to my man Tilt for posting this for me today.

We’ll update Hazel on news about Mats Sundin later.

HAZEL’S WEDNESDAY HOROSCOPE
You will get a lead that you will have to pursue today. Whether it has to do with learning, traveling or even taking an active role in a group you find interesting, you must follow through. A lifestyle change will enhance your life. 3 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps – just because

Fuel Injected – Swollen Members

Peesth Out…Buh Bye!