joey_corleone

I can't stand how the referee's are not held accountable for anything in the NHL. If a player or coach does something inappropriate they get penalized, fined, whatever. A ref does whatever the f he wants and nobody can even challenge it. Refs for the cup final are supposedly based on merit????? You have got to be kidding me. I mean I just can't believe that could possibly be true. The no goal in game 1 ... everybody who is anybody in the hockey community INCLUDING announcers, commentators, and even a guy I know in Pittsburg said it was terrible. Yet, you can't challenge the call. WTF is the point in having all this technology, replays, cameras, if you can't utilize them? I would really like to know what happened to the "every goal is reviewed in the war room in Toronto" bullcrap they claimed a few years back? Homer gets molested in front of the net by Gill...at times 5, 6 crosschecks in a row right in front of the ref, no call. Cleary's breeze as he skates by the net hits Fleury and it is goalie interference? Sickening. I'm not saying the refs lost the game for us, but I am saying that it sure seemed like they tried. Whats more infuriating is that there is nothing anybody can do about it.

Ok this is something I wanted to post because it is really irritating and NOBODY has been able to give me a straight answer. This is an anamaly my brother and I discovered last season, and it has continued into this season. Whats more frustrating, is that it seems to be spreading like some sort of disease, and many people probably don't even realize it. THE PROBLEM: There is a major issue with the "replica" jersey's now being sold by Hockeytown Authentics, and the vendors inside Joe Louis (I think they get their stuff from the same place) The replica jersey's that sell for $155 are being made and sold with incorrect numbers! Yes, the numbers are actually way too small. If you compare a jersey that was made properly before last season, or compare with an "official" jersey you will no doubt recognize this. The numbers on the newer replicas are much smaller, particularly they are not as long. This makes the jersey really a waste of money as far as I'm concerned. Now, if I was purchasing a wings jersey from some shady guy on the street corner, I would expect this sort of product. But, when I am purchasing a jersey directly from the wings, or from their "official" store that prides themselves on selling authentic merchandise (the word "authentic" is even in the store name!) I expect....well authentic merchandise. WHY? Nobody has been able to clear this up for me. I've spoken to Hockeytown Authentics in Troy, and 3 different stands at the Joe Louis. Nobody gets it. In fact, most get defensive when ask them why they are selling jerseys with incorrect numbering and marketing them as replicas. One older guy working there told me "they have always been like that" which is bullcrap because my family, friends, and myself have had redwings replica jerseys for 25 years and never had this issue until last year. Another lady working at a different stand says it's because they are the replica's and thats why they are $155 instead of $330 like the new Rebok. I asked her what replica means, which she replied a copy. I then asked her if it's a copy how can the numbers be smaller...it was like arguing with a brick wall. This all started when my brother was given a Holmstrom jersey last year for his birthday that was purchased at hockeytown authentics. It was the new smaller and incorrect numbering. He had to argue and plead just to get a refund. Not only that, but he then went over to Perani's and got one correctly done with no problem. I know I can't be the only one that notices this or cares. It seems whoever is supplying the "official" redwings merchandise has made a horrible mistake and nobody will even acknowledge there is a problem. If this irritates you and you want your REAL jerseys back then BOYCOTT HOCKEYTOWN Non-Authentics crappy jerseys and demand they do them right.

I totally agree that Bettman is (already has) destroying the game we love. I also think this is a great idea ...however the sad reality is that nobody with the power to make the decision will care about fire Bettman night. Look at the fire Millen situation here in Detroit for God sakes. The sad truth is that people will still be IN THE STANDS, as paying customers, weather they have t-shirts and signs that say fire Bettman or not. Nothing will change until the league, NHLPA, owners, somebody does something, or until people get so fed up they actually stop supporting the league.

I agree. If there was an NHL award given to the player that exerts the absolute minimum amount of effort required to keep his job, Samuelsson might win it. Or Robert Lang haha

Everyone here knows I don't like Dom Hasek. With that being said, I can't say it was his fault at all. In fact, I feel Dom has been more solid so far this year than I've ever seen him. You can't have officiating that is that bad, on that level, facing the defending Stanley Cup champs in their freaking building and expect to win...I mean 11 powerplays? Come on! If I recall, we had 26 minutes in penalties. Thats nearly half the game lol. I blame the officials for nearly the entire loss. In my opinion nobody played undisciplined hockey. Which calls exactly? All I really saw were random whistles and ridiculous phantom calls. - Joey

I am totally with you man...you get it.

When I was talking earlier in another thread about how the new NHL rules have ruined the game completely, this kind of officiating is exactly what I was referring to. Where is the guy that replied saying how great it was because of less "clutching and holding".

Exactly... and yes, as I am posting this Z gets ******* butt ended in FRONT OF THE REF and goes for elbowing! LOL

oooooooooooooooo gotta bury that Danno!!

I am salivating

Sorry but that was a bulls*** call on Anaheim too lol...oh well lets hope what I said is true...we are somehow "owed" some pp's and stick it right up their asses right now!

Go Hank!! woooo! I pray now that we are somehow "owed" some PPs and stick it right up their asses with a goal or two

Yes, in fact all 7 calls HAVE been total and complete bulls*** in my opinion

Whats to stop Chris Chelios from having a heart to heart with the refs and getting this game going?

Ducks score on ANOTHER penalty call...suprise suprise.

This officiating is so frustrating it makes me want to puke. On BOTH teams. I swear to God they blow the whistle at random intervals then draw a card out of a hat in the penalty box to see what they will call.

Awesome post, you put into words what I wanted to, only better. Bravo!

This is exactly the kind of officiating that infuriates me. This is what I am talking about when I speak poorly of the "new" NHL rules. If you are watching, specifically the calls on Lidstrom, and Chelios, both resulting in Anaheim goals....god damnit!!! Jesus Christ, 90 seconds into the game, and they had already called 2 absolutely ridiculous "holding" penalties. OK, now with about 1 minute to go in the first...what the hell even just happened? How was that 3 penalties there nobody barely even touched anybody! don't know what happened to my original post, was deleted when I was trying to edit it. So, sorry to the person that had replied and agreed with my perception

I will admit that while I think he is an attention craving cry baby sometimes, and that the Redwings would basically be throwing away any sort of self respect by re-signing him, I would be excited to see him in the lineup. Because he puts up points, and he would fit well

I have not thought of this a great deal. What I would love to see would be like a Michael Pecca or Ryan Smyth type guy...but I think the wings would have to sweeten the deal quite a bit to get a player of that caliber. Maybe more realistically, something along the lines of a Marty Lapointe second coming??? I concede on my wanting all grit all the time. I'd also like to see somebody else that has proven to be a hard working team player with consistant numbers up front. Like a 2nd or 3rd line forward that is not Samuelsson. I'm not trying to be all negative I honestly just don't see what he has really brought to the team, and he gives the puck away all the time and refuses to ever hit somebody. I don't think one has to be considered a very gritty player that hits everybody whenever he gets the chance, but in hockey sometimes the right play is to step into your man, and take him out. Samuelsson doesn't do that, ever. Sometimes that is a play that seems so small but results in a goal for the other team eventually

Better to have Lang kill us a few times a year, then have to deal with watching his lackluster play that makes me want to puke for the full 82 game season. Also, I think Lang was not much more than a liability every time he was on the ice. Poor back checking, poor defensive play, poor overall effort. Chicago can keep him. I don't like Samuelsson's style of play, and I don't really see him as very valuable. OK he has 4 points so far, big deal. Where was he in the playoffs? I just think his play is generally sloppy and lazy thats all.

awesome post, couldn't agree more. Hasek is way over rated in my opinion. Say what you will about his "unique playing style" but the fact of the matter at least to me is his stick is in the corner or he is on his back for no reason all the time. Yes, he has great numbers. That still doesn't mean I have to like him.

Federov was a great hockey player, and frankly one of the most talented I've ever seen. But, I don't think he had much heart, and after what he pulled (holding out for more money then going to Anaheim where he could get more attention for LESS money) he can go to hell I'd love to see th wings pick up D Mac at the deadline ore before...You know he is hard up too, so we could probably sign him to a 1 year deal for cheap...add some grit, leadership for the playoffs...plus the Joe would be rockin! Love Shanny, would love to see him back, but it won't happen. He left on his own merit and is on a very competitive NYR team where he is fitting in very well. Frankly, he has no reason to want to come back.

OK, my post and opinion on Samuelsson is not based on 1 game. I have never liked Samuelsson, ever. He has never showed me anything special. All I really see from him is occasionally being in the right place at the right time, and having a pretty good shot. Other than that, I see him as the second coming of Robert Lang if anything...lazy, soft, and giving the puck away on a regular basis. My opinion is not that if a guy has a bad night trade him, or if a new guy has a good night trade a guy that had a bad night. Rather, it is to trade a guy that I see as a constant let down that in my opinion shows no real killer instinct to win anything other than maybe the lady bing (sp?) If you love Sammy great you can love whatever players you want to and for your own reasons. But understand why I don't like him instead of generalizing what I said into something that you think

Yes, there may be less clutching and grabbing and holding which I think is good, but what about the penalty calls that make it seem like you can't even finish your check or look at somebody the wrong way? I'm being honest when I say half the time I have no idea what they are even calling anymore. It's almost as if they blow the whistle at random intervals and then pull a penalty out of a hat to call. That is horrible. The shootout is horrible. I will admit it is exciting as hell, but terrible way to end a hockey game, let alone a way to potentially decide who makes the playoffs. Why? Because hockey is a team sport. The best team should win, not the team with the best goalie or best offensive players only. I would like to see more hitting, less cluthing and grabbing like you said, and lay off on the lame penalty calls. As far as wanting to see crappy Boston, Toronto teams over good Nashville teams...absolutely. In a heartbeat. I had more fun at the Chicago game and the Toronto pre-season game actually then at Calgary. Not to say Calgary was not a good game, it was a great game. Something about a good old fashioned original 6 matchup is exciting and you can feel it in the air. The players seem to also, because it seems teams rise to the occasion when they are playing a rivalry. Also, since when are the jackets "competitive"?? They are as big of a joke as Boston...more of a joke actually. Another thing to keep in mind is that while Nashville might be competitive now, that won't always be the case. So, looking at the big picture, I'd still rather see the wings and Toronto, NY, Montreal, Boston because there will be times in the future where those teams will be good (not to say NY is not good, I think they have a shot at the cup). Then there is the whole timezone thing. Everybody is sick of this 10:30 bullcrap. The Wings constantly get crapped on come scheduling time. The west coast trips are especially brutal come playoff time, and it is an unfair advantage to other teams that don't have to deal with it. As far as no fan base in other cities, I don't care. Of course the world doesn't revolve around me, and the NHL wants to make money so of course it matters to them. Maybe if they didn't put hockey teams in Anaheim, Florida, Nashville, Atlanta, etc where nobody gives a crap about hockey they would not have this problem .