SoupGuru

I agree with you completely. I just think you shouldn't touch his head with your shoulder when he's in a vulnerable position.

But you're assuming that the only way to take him out of the play is to crush his head with your shoulder. I'm of the opinion there's an equally effective way of preventing him from coming in front of the net without bashing his face in - probably even a way of dishing out some pain to make him rethink it at a future time too. But if you have someone lined up and you realize he's not paying attention... I think you have a responsibility to lay off a little out of respect. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

You know what would be funny? If in Game 3, the Flames' skaters get their act together and play a solid game only to have Kiprusoff take the day off...

R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me I don't know what happened but there seems to be a lack of respect on the ice. Players need to respect each other. I can't remember exactly what Hull said about the Armstrong hit, but it was something like: Even if it was a clean hit, you shouldn't take it because it's ridiculously dangerous to the player receiving the check. It's just part of respecting the players you play against.

We're talking about Datsyuk coming in one on one and trying to cut to the middle of the ice, right? I thought Phaneuf put his shoulder into Datsyuk's chest and it was a clean hit. I could very possibly be wrong or we could in fact be talking of different hits.

Heh, that Phaneuf hit on Datsyuk was a nice check. Gotta love seeing a hit like that if you're a fan of the game. I was actually surprised to see Datsyuk deliver almost as much of a hit as he recieved. Obviously Phaneuf is bigger and had better leverage and balance but he didn't lay Pavel out like I was expecting.

You can't really argue with two game misconducts in two games as an indicator of dirty a team is. And then the crowd chants "Ref you suck!" as if kicking someone out of the game for a blatant charge/board that leaves the recipient collapsed on the ice for 5 minutes is nothing wrong. And Pete and Terry go on about how if the other guy wasn't there it would have "just moved him down the boards" and wouldn't have been fine.

Pete and Terry on Center Ice are seriously going to drive me crazy. But yet I can't turn away because I can't wait to hear something even more ridiculous than what they just got done saying. It's an addiction that will eventually lead me to suicide, I fear.

Hudler will sit. Players like Cleary and Maltby were built for the playoffs. No chance they'll sit. I don't hear Franzen's name mentioned. I don't think he should (or will) sit either since he's a force to be reckoned with as well. I also think Lebda should get a chance at the point on the power play. He's been nothing but reliable.

Enough with the pity penalties

Another thing: the puck had been passed a significant amount of time before the hit. I'm not saying people shouldn't hit after a couple of seconds and I don't think there's anything really wrong with it but after a couple of seconds, that hit had better be more of a love-tap than flying in elbows and knees first.

Man, Cheechoo sidestepped him and still got an elbow in the mouth! Imagine what would have happened if he didn't sidestep and took the hit like a good little munchkin!

It just so happens that it destroyed the Sharks top star's knee, it just so happens the elbow got up and knocked out a tooth or two, it just so happens it's the first game of a playoff series, it just so happens the puck had left the area a couple of seconds ago, and it just so happens the guy doing it has a certain reputation for dirty plays.... ...but I'm sure it wasn't intentional - it's just a lot of coincidences!

A couple of stills here. I didn't notice the elbow before... http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hock...s/cheechoo_out/

It was a good two seconds after the puck was passed too... that's what struck me about it.

I'm also pleased to see that Rooney didn't make it either.

I think Datsyuk is gifted with some great skill and talent and can be an elite player in the leagure for years (if he isn't already). My concern is that sometimes he seems to coast. He plays better when someone lights a fire under his ass or motivates him. I hope a 5 year deal doesn't make him too complacent. Not taking anything away from what he's done this year: he's totally worked hard and has become a well rounded player. I just want him to continue working hard.

And why wouldn't he? He's been doing everything we've asked of him and more. He just seems to be one of those guys that seizes the opportunities that come his way... not to mention that he seems to learn quickly.

As I said in the GDT, Kronwall is always making that move: spinning away with the puck along the boards... it was only a matter of time until the forechecker guessed right. Too bad he didn't learn his lesson with a bump and a bruise and instead got clocked really hard. I know it might be sacrilegious to say it around here but i think Lilja has played a strong couple of games.

A nice twist on a favorite topic - it seems Nashville thought they got hosed by the refs last night. I thought the game was pretty evenly balanced with regard to the officiating: bad calls both ways, missed calls both ways, etc.

Kronwall always makes that move and I don't know why. It was only a matter of time before the forechecker guesses right.

I suppose if both sides think the refs suck, they must be doing something right

No, you're not the only one. John Kelly is a known moron.

The only thing I know is that I want to strangle those Calgary home announcers on Center Ice.

I don't think Babcock is calling him out because he doesn't like him. On the contrary I think he does like Hudler and wants to see him grow as a player. Bowman used the press a lot to motivate his players to get better and i don't see why this is any different.