Avery's Screen

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I tend to agree with those guys in regards to the integrity of the game. Of course, I can see the POV that you're in the playoffs and you do what you need to do to win, but that was bush-league.

That being said, it was f*cking hilarious to see. I rewound it like 6 times, and just lauged historically.

Edited April 14, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

Whether it was right or wrong, it was f*cking hilarious to see. I rewound it like 6 times, and just lauged historically.

so thats cool. i thought it was funny as well...and i like avrey...but what do you think about it besides it being funny. should it still go on?

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

For some reason when I watched that Youtube video of the screen again, it didn't look as ridiculous to me as it did the first time, even though I did not think it should be a penalty in the first place. I don't know, maybe it was just me, or maybe it was the angle of the camera on that particular video, but I didn't think it looked that bad when I just watched it again.

[jvxp 0]

Both TSN and CBC analysts were crucifying Avery for screening Brodeur the way he did. If you didn't see it, check out this clip and see how you feel about it.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with what he was doing. If you want to take yourself out of a play like that to distract the goalie, then go for it. It wasn't dirty, and I really don't see anything unsportsmanlike about it. The only difference between this and a normal screen is the way that Avery was facing.

I've seen it and see nothing wrong with it. It was funny as hell and kind of weird but you can do that.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Haha, I know it's opinion, I'm just hoping someone who feels the same way as you can verbalize it, just so I know specifically why people don't like it. "It's a farce" is a start, but WHY is it a farce, or WHY is it unsportsmanlike?

How about that to me it makes the game of hockey look stupid. Is there a rule that says the 3rd baseman in baseball can't move up within 10 feet of the batter and start jumping up and down and hooting and hollering and waiving his arms around to distract the hitter? Probably not. But it looks pretty goddamned stupid and completely unsportsmanlike. And by unsportsmanlike I mean play the game with some damned integrity, don't make a clown out of yourself and the sport.

I was embarassed to see this. I didn't see it as funny. I can just picture the non hockey sports broadcasters and non hockey fans looking at this and laughing at how stupid it looks. Yeah, hockey's a real tough, man's game, played by the most honorable of athletes.

This makes us look like idiots.

[drwscc 212]

Basically, the way I see it is this was a one time, special case thing that Avery did. How often really do 5-3's happen, and how often are players going to want to take themselves out of the play to do something like this?

It's a risk/reward thing. He's risking a puck to the back of the head or being leveled by a defenseman by doing that. However, he's getting inside the goalie's head, which apparently lead to him scoring a bit later.

Everyone on here opposed to this is seeing it as something that players are always going to use as a tactic now, and want it banned. It's a tactic that might be used once in a blue moon, but not every game, not every 5-3. It was entertaining, and a new tactic. Leave the rules as-is and move on.

That's my take anyway.

[OsGOD 3]

I find that absolutly hilarious and brilliant....

Good job Avery where to raise the creative bar!!

How about that to me it makes the game of hockey look stupid. Is there a rule that says the 3rd baseman in baseball can't move up within 10 feet of the batter and start jumping up and down and hooting and hollering and waiving his arms around to distract the hitter? Probably not. But it looks pretty goddamned stupid and completely unsportsmanlike. And by unsportsmanlike I mean play the game with some damned integrity, don't make a clown out of yourself and the sport.

I was embarassed to see this. I didn't see it as funny. I can just picture the non hockey sports broadcasters and non hockey fans looking at this and laughing at how stupid it looks. Yeah, hockey's a real tough, man's game, played by the most honorable of athletes.

This makes us look like idiots.

I am pretty sure Bettman does that job himself... at least with avery we can laugh at it... and at least someone is having fun on the job. I see this no different as some insane celebration after a goal...

Edited April 14, 2008 by OsGOD

[edicius 3,269]

Read about in in the NJ Star Ledger today and was a bit curious why he was told that if he did it again (in Game 4), even though it's not against the rules, it would be called a penalty.

Does anyone else have a problem with this? I mean, what are they going to call him for? Screening?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Read about in in the NJ Star Ledger today and was a bit curious why he was told that if he did it again (in Game 4), even though it's not against the rules, it would be called a penalty.

Does anyone else have a problem with this? I mean, what are they going to call him for? Screening?

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

[OsGOD 3]

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

and sadly that garners more of the leagues wrath than Elbows to the head.... I think the way the NHL handles these situations is what makes them look like a joke league... not the actual incidents themselves.

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

Read about in in the NJ Star Ledger today and was a bit curious why he was told that if he did it again (in Game 4), even though it's not against the rules, it would be called a penalty.

Does anyone else have a problem with this? I mean, what are they going to call him for? Screening?

Well, even tough he didn't hit Brodeur with his stick, he was coming awfully close to high sticking. I don't think the league wants players to have their sticks that high. The goalie can get a stick through the mask, a defenseman can get hit. Avery didn't actually hit Brodeur, but for his strategy to be effective, your stick has to be right up against the goalie's mask. I've had players do that in a rec league game. The problem is, once they get about 6 inches away, I can see everything; the angle is lost. So in that regard, it's used more as a tactic to piss people off than actually score a goal.

[Firehawk 305]

I got a bigger kick out of the microphones being close to the ice for I think it was, sh*t can't remember which one last night now. I was watching all 3. Was it the Calgary game? Hmm. One of the guys was like "you're a ******* *****" and "you're a ******* *****", and as they were going over to the box, he kept saying "you won't drop em" LOL. I just thought it was bad ass that you could hear it on Television...

Edited April 14, 2008 by Firehawk

[OsGOD 3]

Well, even tough he didn't hit Brodeur with his stick, he was coming awfully close to high sticking. I don't think the league wants players to have their sticks that high. The goalie can get a stick through the mask, a defenseman can get hit. Avery didn't actually hit Brodeur, but for his strategy to be effective, your stick has to be right up against the goalie's mask. I've had players do that in a rec league game. The problem is, once they get about 6 inches away, I can see everything; the angle is lost. So in that regard, it's used more as a tactic to piss people off than actually score a goal.

So kinda like the job Maltby gets praised for... to piss people off and get them off their game.. but not actully directly score a goal?

But without contact there is no highsticking so that has to be moot... they don't have penalties for "almost but not quite" highsticking.

[58Miles2Joe 12]

I think they should handle the way everything in America is handled:

Make a law ! Think of the children !

Edited April 14, 2008 by 58Miles2Joe

[union drone 0]

Am I the only one who think that Avery was being a total jackass?!!

Yeah, sure he is distracting the goalie, which plenty of other guys do, including Homer (a fav of mine), but Avery crossed a line which in my opinion makes his behavior unsportsmanlike. Sure, it might not say anything specific in the rules about doing exactly what Avery did, but I am guessing that the unsportsmanlike conduct rules are open to enough interpretation to make it a viable call.

If this is allowed to continue unfettered, and others start copying Avery, the position of goalie will be reduced to that of a basketball defender in the low-post...unless someone is willing to take a penalty to stop it...which would be incentive enough to keep doing it.

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

So kinda like the job Maltby gets praised for... to piss people off and get them off their game.. but not actully directly score a goal?

But without contact there is no highsticking so that has to be moot... they don't have penalties for "almost but not quite" highsticking.

Oh I know they don't call almost highsticking. My point is that normally, a player's stick is along the ice unless he is deflecting a puck or hitting it out of mid-air. Avery was not using his stick for any of those purposes: he wasn't trying to deflect a shot, he wasn't trying to shoot. He was swinging his stick dangerously close to Brodeur's head. Now, if he would have used his hand, I would have no problem with that. I don't know why he didn't; your hand can block more than your stick can.

Personally, if I was Brodeur, I would have stuck my head out and drawn a penalty. All he would have to do is move forward quickly and swing his head back; ref would have called it in a heartbeat.

[JayUp88 1]

As much as it may have been a jackass move I think it was great.

[Opie 308]

I have a distinct problem with what he did, it was disrespectful and made him look like an ass, is it illegal not by a long shot. But I am not the only one that had a problem with it. Ask Scott Gomez Drury who skates over and gives him a little chuck in the side, imo to say hey cut the s*** you look stupid and you are making the rest of us look that way.

I am one of the few who doesn't want this guy anywhere near the winged wheel again, he is what is wrong with the game. He respects no one in the game and does whatever he can to screw with people. I am not sure he even respects himself.

Part of me thinks in his head, hey if I do this I will make it on TV and get another hot G/F.

Edited April 14, 2008 by Opie

[OsGOD 3]

Oh I know they don't call almost highsticking. My point is that normally, a player's stick is along the ice unless he is deflecting a puck or hitting it out of mid-air. Avery was not using his stick for any of those purposes: he wasn't trying to deflect a shot, he wasn't trying to shoot. He was swinging his stick dangerously close to Brodeur's head. Now, if he would have used his hand, I would have no problem with that. I don't know why he didn't; your hand can block more than your stick can.

Personally, if I was Brodeur, I would have stuck my head out and drawn a penalty. All he would have to do is move forward quickly and swing his head back; ref would have called it in a heartbeat.

Brody did punch him with no call on him... so i think its funny about the unsportsman like call being brought up...

[union drone 0]

So kinda like the job Maltby gets praised for... to piss people off and get them off their game.. but not actully directly score a goal?

But without contact there is no highsticking so that has to be moot... they don't have penalties for "almost but not quite" highsticking.

So if Pronger makes a motion to stomp on a guys head but intentionally misses, it is perfectly alright...and if Marty McSorely takes a two handed chop at someones skull but pulls up at the last second and misses by an inch, no problem?!!

I was looking through the rulebook... there is no mention of chainsaws. I think Avery should come with a chainsaw next game and start swinging it around. As long as there is no contact, it should be perfectly fine.

end sarcasm.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Brody did punch him with no call on him... so i think its funny about the unsportsman like call being brought up...

I brought it up because edi asked what call they were going to make if Avery did it again. I never said anything about agreeing with the validity of it.

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

Brody did punch him with no call on him... so i think its funny about the unsportsman like call being brought up...

yeah he would have never be able to do that if avrey wasn't being an ass in front. everyone knew it thats why the ref let it go. dom chops at people so do you think that should be called every time?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Not to add another log on the fire, but I would like to know what his teammate said to him during the play. You could clearly see him go up to Avery, mention something quickly and then got back in to position. I would love to know what he actually said, because it looked like Avery finished up his tactic shortly after hearing from his teammate.

[Gizmo 21]

I agree with the analysts that this tatic will have a life of about 24 hours in the NHL before it's ruled illegal... and I think that it'll be a good call. Like MacKenzie said in the clip, it's one thing to act like Homer and screen the goalie and also try and set yourself up for a tip-in in the process and acting like Avery and do something has absolutely no offensive value other than to try and screw with the goalie.

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

Not to add another log on the fire, but I would like to know what his teammate said to him during the play. You could clearly see him go up to Avery, mention something quickly and then got back in to position. I would love to know what he actually said, because it looked like Avery finished up his tactic shortly after hearing from his teammate.

NFM i have made that argument and all that was said is "how do you know he didn't tell him to keep doing it" we will just have to wait and see if it comes out. I hope it does. someone needs to do some interviews about it.