The undisputed kings of the NHL

[ItsGrowTime]

Comment on Avery: No he's SMART, I HAVE seen him back up his actions. BUT, the playoffs isn't the time or place to be taking a stupid penalty. Avery RECOGNIZES THIS FACT and lets the other team come after him for legal actions. AND AVERY is the only player that the NHL ever adjusted a rule because of his ability OR actions. He was creative enough to pull the stunt he did, and I really don't see why someone didn't try something similar sooner. If you've ever PLAYED the game at ANY level, shit like that happens between teams all the time; especially when those teams have a rivalry such as the one the Devils and Rangers have.

ALSO, some of the adjustments are being made, IMHO, because MANY talented players play a lot more Roller Hockey (because, obviously, you don't need ice) throughout the year. Thats were some of the more finesse oriented, younger players are coming from. USA hockey stipulates: RH is a NON contact sport. Which allows the player to develop better puck handling/deke-ing ability. Again, IMHO, the NHL is adjusting the rules to use this trend to their advantage to make the game more exciting again.

And as far as the trap goes: Eliminating the two line pass and adding the trapezoid (which you seem to agree that this also affected the trap) didn't kill the neutral zone trap, it just made it less effective. The NJ Devils were affected more by the loss of the 3 Scott's, Stevens (one of the best, most effective defensemen to play the game), Niedermayer and Gomez (IMHO, his play this year w/ the Rangers showed a lot of people that the Devils either, were holding him back or the role they wanted him to play, really hurt his game).

Im pretty much done with the back and forth but Ill quick reply on this last one. Tickets across the league are expensive. NJ's are a bit higher but not substantially. Its a vicious cycle if people dont show up then the ones that do have to pay more. Their prices were higher than league avg even at CAA but I still went to a playoff game last season in the lower bowl for $100. That's not much higher than any other club. Theres still two other franchises within spitting distance plus lower Jersey is mostly Flyers fans. Not a big sample of people to attend games. It sucks but it is what it is. Plus Lou doesnt believe in throwing big bucks at big name FAs like some other teams do to fill the seats.

No one else tried Avery's stunt because everyone else has respect for how the game is supposed to be played and sportsmanship. It's not supposed to be personal, rivalry or not. Avery made it personal with Brodeur and should have been penalized. The rule change specifically banned conduct like that. Doesn't that tell you something? There's no rule preventing a guy from throwing a firecracker at the goalie during a penalty shot either but that doesnt mean someone should do it until the NHL specifically bans it. There's just some things you don't do. Hell, even Drury had to tell him to knock it off...

Losing Stevens and Nieds did hurt in a leadership sense. They didn't do anything for the Trap that a Paul Martin or Colin White couldnt do. Thats the beauty of the Trap, anybody can play it. The Rangers are proving that right now. Not sure what to say about Gomez though, he did well in the series but his regular season production wasn't anything special compared to his NJ seasons. 70 points is around his average. Not worth the $7mil/year that Sather paid him IMHO.

 

[KharmaGirl]

$100 for a second level seat?! And you're complaining? That's a great deal........I've gone to many Sens games, sat in the second level and paid waaay more than $100. Wonder how teams like the Sens manage to have sell out after sell out if $100 is expensive??

As for Avery........ Anyone who thinks he has any actual "skill" for the actual game is not a fan of true skilled talented players.

 

[imnotcrazy]

Honestly, I've personally been involved in much worse situations than what Avery created. Like I said, they called it Bush League, I called it creative. And please don't explain how it's not the same level of hockey (I've played in several National tournaments, in 4 age bracket 14- and under through Junior and AAA). I understand that but, he didn't get hacked and it was not a penalty prior to the event, and the rule being adjusted. Think what you want, but if YOU were a Rangers fan I sincerely doubt you'd have ANY problem with what happened or anyone else for that matter.

Like it or not, there is just as much of a MENTAL aspect to the game as there is physical. What Avery did can be frowned upon, but again IGT agrees as he also said Winning is all that matters; it was effective, got under Brodeur's skin and at that point Avery could play his game. Brodeur promptly finished choking in that series, doubtful the Vezina is his considering both of the other contenders made it to the next round before voting.

IGT: What about the jab Brodeur threw, they evened each other out in my eyes. Arguably that's why the ref didn't call either.

And as far as ticket prices, it is A LOT more when you used to be able to get tickets, basically same seat position for $50-70 less. Also parking tripled, and no kind of discount for season tickets. Doesn't matter how prices were around the league, when NJ fans used to get the same tickets for half or less it detracts from the draw of the new arena. The proof is the fact that the new arena is MUCH more accessible due to mass transit and the stands are really not packed any more than they ever were.

OH and:

KOVALEV SCORES, IT'S A SHORTHANDED GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ItsGrowTime]

The difference is the NHL is a league of professional athletes making large amounts of money. Its not some minor league game out in the snow in bumfuck Canada. Sportsmanship should be learned by then. But hey, if Avery's only way to beat Marty is to stoop to that level then I guess he should be flattered. The jab was well deserved after the refs let Avery go on and on without being called. I have a soft spot because, like you, I played competitively and was a goaltender. Avery's antics would not have been tolerated in any venue Ive ever played in. He probably would have ended up with his teeth embedded in the ice. He should consider himself lucky that it was a 5 on 3 and the rest of the team was busy.
Trophy voting is concluded prior to the playoffs, btw. The announcements are only after the playoffs have started to prevent playoff results from tainting the outcome. Statistically, Brodeur should win the Vezina again. Lundquist only had more shutouts but that shows that when he didnt get a shutout he was scored on reliably more than Marty was, even while facing less shots.

Nice comeback by the Habs btw. I thought they were done after 2-0.

 

[ToKEN]

so did I IGT. kinda bummin, but there's more games to come. It was a SICK game. very intense.

edit: thing that sucked though was that towards the end of the intermission that channel messed up for me and got stuck on the announcers talking. So I had to just sit there and listen to OT. it sucked but still intense.

 

[imnotcrazy]

Token, least you got to watch most of the game bro... All I had was radio @ canadiens (dot) com

Either way.......

GO HABS GO

P.S.: Almost broke my rally towel when Kovy scored the tying goal in the 3rd...

Hittin Bed Bath and Beyond to pick up a 5 pack today....Just in Case

 

[etncrew]

Token, least you got to watch most of the game bro... All I had was radio @ canadiens (dot) com

Either way.......

GO HABS GO

P.S.: Almost broke my rally towel when Kovy scored the tying goal in the 3rd...

Hittin Bed Bath and Beyond to pick up a 5 pack today....Just in Case

my homie who's from Montreal originally came over to watch the game last night with some sour grape (the good kind ). I was almost worried for a second when it was 3-1, but les habitants have done it again

 

[ToKEN]

yeah, all I can say from the game last night is that this series is gonna be nuts. Can't wait for saturdays game! my friend and I are making a party out of it. (probably just gonna be us sittin on the couch with some buds, beers and munchies) but none the less, it'll be great!

anyone know who'se playin tonight and at what time?

 

[KharmaGirl]

NYR vs. Pittsburgh 7:00 pm est
Dallas vs. San Jose 10:00pm est

www.nhl.com

 

[cocktail frank]

c'mon kharmagirl, at least avery is still playing, shithead or not.
he is fun to watch too, as long as he plays for "your" team.
where did all the "talented, skilled" players for ottawa get you?
swept!

GO RANGERS


p.s. no offense towards you personally, i just love to talk smack when it comes to sports WOOOOO

 

[KharmaGirl]

As I said, if insults are what this thread is about, I won't be participating much. Whether the team I like wins this year or not or even next year, I'll still watch the games the following season. I like the actual game, and no, I would be embarrased if Avery was on our team.

Oh and.. a couple of the skilled Sens will be playing for Team Canada next month.

 

[nycdfan042]

Dont let em getcha KG!~ we all know franks a cock!

whos watching games?

 

[nycdfan042]

Ok who else is sick as hell of that dodge journey cross over commercial??? its just as annoying as the hippy dipy volvo adds!!!!!!!!!!

Penguins need a little help on the PP

 

[ToKEN]

lovin the game right now. I like the guins, but I'm hopin rangers win because when it comes down to it...and if it does...I know flyers can kick the shit out of the rangers. Although when it comes to playoff times teams seem to switch up their style...so I dont know.

I wanna see either the sharks or avalanche go for the west though

 

[nycdfan042]

wow... its not over yet!! wow 2 goals within 14 seconds and then another two 20 seconds apart!!! whoa!!! sakoras goal! sick!

 

[ToKEN]

dude, this is a great game man. REAL INTENSE. lovin it

 

[nycdfan042]

Fleury almost ate another one at 14 seconds!!!!!!! SICK GAME!

 

[B4O2N0G]

Lets go Stars! 2-1..10 minutes left in the second period.This is a crazy game.

 

[imnotcrazy]

KG: No one was insulting anyone. Unless it was taken as me insulting Brodeur (who doesn't post here as far as I/we know). I actually thought it was a pretty good hockey discussion with good points made by everyone. Recognize, I'm a HOCKEY player/fan First and a Montreal Canadiens fan Second. I like a good discussion/debate on the topic, that's all. Hope no one took anything the wrong way.

BUT, all I had ever said was: Just because he's the best puck handling goaltender, doesn't make him the best goaltender, that's all. He's mediocre at best when compared to the other high end goaltenders in the league. Just lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. His puck handling skill fit the trap, very well, might I add. I never did say he wasn't ANY good though. Obviously, if he wasn't any good at all, he never would have been drafted or have the longevity he has had in the league. But my point was, and still is, if he had played for any other team, he would have never played as many games per season or have the records he has had.

But IMHO, he doesn't deserve all the "the best goaltender to have ever played" clout he receives. Especially when out of all his years playing, how many games did he see UNDER 20 shots and most of those he did see came from wide angles VS. the second place contender who stood on his head half the time to keep the same/similar GAA/Save %.

Put a guy like Nittymacki, Lundqvist or even a guy like Theodore behind a team like the 94-2000 Devils and they'll have Star repertoires as well (more so than they already have). My main argument is that the Vezina is awarded to the Goalie who "is judged to be the best at his position". In my thinking, that means the goalie who best assists his team to win games/succeed during the season. Not the guys who backstop one of the best defensive teams of all time (SHIT, even Chris Terreri looked good until Brodeur took over and where is he after the devils dumped him?).

And I love the age argument, because most goalies tend to get better and hit a peak in their career then slip off due to knee problems that Brodeur will never have. 2 reasons I know this: #1 He isn't a "Butterfly" style goaltender and you won't tend to have hip/knee problems (not nearly as bad) if you play a Stand-up style. And #2 I go to the physical therapist/trainer who also does contract work for the NJ Devils and it was discussed (Brodeur's knees/hips/shoulders VS mine) just for kicks to keep the sessions moving.

Also I'd like to add, Mental Toughness is a REQUIREMENT as a goaltender. He is lacking in this department as well. IMO, that's why he choked in the 1st round this year. Too worried about Avery's next "antics" to do his job, IE: JOB #1 as a goalie.....STOP THE PUCK, shooting it is secondary... as everyone can see, his ability to shoot the puck didn't get him and the Devils to the next round. The Devils played well enough that if he had DONE his #1 job, they would have had a MUCH better chance at making it to the next round.

 

[ItsGrowTime]

Still baggin on Marty? Jeez...if anything, tonite's game should show how Lundquist faired against an offensively focused team. Talk about choking!

Anyway, KG was referring to frank's comment about the Sens (KG's team), not our discussion.