Avery's Screen

[vangvace 12]

Because both CBC and TSN are Canadian networks. FSN was laughing at it how it was ridiculous, but effective.. which is really all that matters. There was no contact so CBC and TSN don't have an argument.

Personally, I love Avery and I love what he did to Brodeur. Plus, I can't stand Brodeur.

Was it really that effective if no goal was scored and it turned a 5 on 3 into a 4 on 3?

I agree with you in this. He is an all around good player... he is physical and he can score.

Although it is clear he is extremely stupid. So he should be suspended right? That doesn't mean he shouldn't be in the NHL.

You can't really say he is giving hockey a bad name either because every sport has their morons. Baseball's got guys like Barry Bonds, football has guys like Michael Vick and OJ Simpson and basketball has guy's like Kobe Bryant.

OJ and Vick aren't the best examples becauase they are no longer playing but there is no doubt how many players in football do drugs and break the law...

How do athletes in other sports affect hockey's name?

Too bad Jersey fans had all of their signs confiscated before the game started. Lots of good stuff coming out of the hooker incident.

I also think it was pretty classy of Avery to Face Broduer and let him punch him in the face while looking directly at him... rather than having Brody (or any goalie for that matter) cheaply slash and crotch shot players from behind. Pretty great to actually see a player and a goalie battle face to face.

You should watch these two teams play each other more often. They have a special little place in the bottom of each other hearts that they want to rip out. They also went toe to toe in game 2.

[hak 21]

uhm this is just my opinion but i didn't like this at all. it was stupid: classless and a disgrace for hockey

can't believe so many of you thinks it's great and funny.

this doesen't belong in nhl playoff hockey

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

No, I do get what you are saying, GS&T, I just think that this whole situation could have been handled within the game itself if someone from the Devils had punished Avery for his behavior. I know they (the Rangers) were on a 5 on 3, so I don't mean at that very moment. But at some point throughout the rest of the game. Avery would absolutely have known what it was for. If someone on the Preds did this to Dom I would be pissed, but I can honestly say I would be more pissed if the Wings let him get away with it and no one layed him out on the ice. I think a play like this would have only happened once in the old days because the issue would have been dealt with on the ice by the players, and someone would have been beat down.

The point is that the only way to punish Avery was to put him in the box where he belonged. He has "punished" on the ice by players before. He also has been in Brodeur's face before. Nothing in the past deterred him from doing what he did. Pronger has been punished in the past and he continues to do stupid antics on the ice. I agree that the game police itself to a certain extent, but the only way to take care of this is to penalize a player for acting like an idiot

[Turkey 0]

Avery was warned by the ref and persisted. That and that alone could and probably should have earned him a 10 minute misconduct. He got lucky.

[union drone 0]

I foresee a photoshop of Avery and Brodeur in the near future...

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

This is the point I wish those that are ok with what Avery did would address. I haven't heard any solid refute to this type of comment, rather we just keep hearing how its not against the rules and he was "clever" enough to come up with it, so its ok.

It has nothing to do with being stodgy and everything to do with class and sportsmanship.

Well I think that is exactly what separates the two sides of the this discussion. Class. One side feels the end justifies the means regardless of appearance or criticism. The other side obviously feels it was classless and against the "unwritten code".

Its all about character and Avery has none of it.

[OsGOD 3]

n/m

Edited April 14, 2008 by OsGOD

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

The point is that the only way to punish Avery was to put him in the box where he belonged. He has "punished" on the ice by players before. He also has been in Brodeur's face before. Nothing in the past deterred him from doing what he did. Pronger has been punished in the past and he continues to do stupid antics on the ice. I agree that the game police itself to a certain extent, but the only way to take care of this is to penalize a player for acting like an idiot

I understand what you are saying, but somehow I just think that a good Scott Stevens-type hit in the center of the ice would do the job of deterrence much better than sitting in the penalty box. It's sort of like the distinction between a "time out" for children and a spanking. Not that I condone beating a child in any way, shape or form, but I know from my own experience as a child that a good smack on my behind when I did something wrong made me think twice about doing that ever again, way more than any time out did. To me, a penalty is the equivalient of a time out, whereas my suggestion is the equivalent of a spanking. I think it is more effective. And I am not sure, I don't want to state this as fact, but I don't think anyone has ever laid a hit on Avery like the type I am thinking of. I am talking about the player has no clue where he is when he gets up, and can't play for at least a week afterwards. That being said, I do agree that the play was classless, otherwise I wouldn't think such a play from the opposing team would be necessary. I just am not sure it is the refs' job to deal with it.

[Yzerfan1999 81]

I give credit to Avery for thinking of this, but it was a dick move and should have been a 10 minute misconduct based on the rules that McLean read on HNIC. He was warned, and kept doing it. I wonder what Drury was saying to him when he skated over? "WTF are you doing man?" haha.

If I was the ref, I would have given him a misconduct. No penalty, just a misconduct.

No, they clearly stated in that clip that there is NO PLACE in the rulebook that states that this cannot be done, and went on to say that the NHL cant just now pass out a piece of paper saying that this is not allowed.

I am not sure what you mean by this? Of course they can change the rules, thats how they got rid of 2 line passes, etc. Maybe I am just not understanding your statement. Sure, they can't punish Avery NOW for it, but they sure as hell can use his actions as a reason to change the rules.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

I kinda see it.... i mean i watch dom chase out and slide tackle oppsoing players... where if they were to touch him out there they would be le busted...

ummm how is that relevant to anything discussed here?

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

I understand what you are saying, but somehow I just think that a good Scott Stevens-type hit in the center of the ice would do the job of deterrence much better than sitting in the penalty box. It's sort of like the distinction between a "time out" for children and a spanking. Not that I condone beating a child in any way, shape or form, but I know from my own experience as a child that a good smack on my behind when I did something wrong made me think twice about doing that ever again, way more than any time out did. To me, a penalty is the equivalent of a time out, whereas my suggestion is the equivalent of a spanking. I think it is more effective. And I am not sure, I don't want to state this as fact, but I don't think anyone has ever laid a hit on Avery like the type I am thinking of. I am talking about the player has no clue where he is when he gets up, and can't play for at least a week afterwards. That being said, I do agree that the play was classless, otherwise I wouldn't think such a play from the opposing team would be necessary. I just am not sure it is the refs' job to deal with it.

I agree; personally I think one of the Devils should have blasted him right in front of the net. The problem is that it's the playoffs and that is EXACTLY what Avery wanted. He doesn't mind getting creamed; that's what makes him a great instigator. The reason a penalty is more than a timeout is because if Avery had gotten a penalty for that, his coach would have been livid with him and guarantee they wouldn't let him do it again. Penalties don't just punish the player, they punish the team.

[Turkey 0]

National Hockey League Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell issued a statement Monday to make the league's position clear going forward. The statement said:

"An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty (Rule 75) will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play."

[Dano33 41]

I understand what you are saying, but somehow I just think that a good Scott Stevens-type hit in the center of the ice would do the job of deterrence much better than sitting in the penalty box. It's sort of like the distinction between a "time out" for children and a spanking. Not that I condone beating a child in any way, shape or form, but I know from my own experience as a child that a good smack on my behind when I did something wrong made me think twice about doing that ever again, way more than any time out did. To me, a penalty is the equivalient of a time out, whereas my suggestion is the equivalent of a spanking. I think it is more effective. And I am not sure, I don't want to state this as fact, but I don't think anyone has ever laid a hit on Avery like the type I am thinking of. I am talking about the player has no clue where he is when he gets up, and can't play for at least a week afterwards. That being said, I do agree that the play was classless, otherwise I wouldn't think such a play from the opposing team would be necessary. I just am not sure it is the refs' job to deal with it.

Unfortunately, hits like this don't happen every game. the oppotunity for something like this to happen is somewhat rare. How often is avery brining the puck through the neutral zone with his head down while Phaneuf or Blake are out there ready to step into him. I do agree that this would help, but since it doesn't happen that often, the referees need to step in.

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

Excellent! Good to hear the NHL won't sit back on this

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

National Hockey League Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell issued a statement Monday to make the league's position clear going forward. The statement said:

"An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty (Rule 75) will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play."

Swift and effective.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

No, I do get what you are saying, GS&T, I just think that this whole situation could have been handled within the game itself if someone from the Devils had punished Avery for his behavior. I know they (the Rangers) were on a 5 on 3, so I don't mean at that very moment. But at some point throughout the rest of the game. Avery would absolutely have known what it was for. If someone on the Preds did this to Dom I would be pissed, but I can honestly say I would be more pissed if the Wings let him get away with it and no one layed him out on the ice. I think a play like this would have only happened once in the old days because the issue would have been dealt with on the ice by the players, and someone would have been beat down.

I agree that somebody on the Devils has to eventually do something. Even if its next year. The point I was making about those who don't get it are the ones that think this type of behavior is okay for the game of hockey. Whether or not somebody makes Avery pay for doing it is a different issue. Being okay with Avery doing it in the first place is absurd IMO. Not saying you in particular, just anybody who thinks this was a "good" or savvy or okay thing for Avery to do. It's an embarassment to the sport to behave like that.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I understand what you are saying, but somehow I just think that a good Scott Stevens-type hit in the center of the ice would do the job of deterrence much better than sitting in the penalty box. It's sort of like the distinction between a "time out" for children and a spanking. Not that I condone beating a child in any way, shape or form, but I know from my own experience as a child that a good smack on my behind when I did something wrong made me think twice about doing that ever again, way more than any time out did. To me, a penalty is the equivalient of a time out, whereas my suggestion is the equivalent of a spanking. I think it is more effective. And I am not sure, I don't want to state this as fact, but I don't think anyone has ever laid a hit on Avery like the type I am thinking of. I am talking about the player has no clue where he is when he gets up, and can't play for at least a week afterwards. That being said, I do agree that the play was classless, otherwise I wouldn't think such a play from the opposing team would be necessary. I just am not sure it is the refs' job to deal with it.

Actually, this is the most clear cut case i've ever seen of a penalty should do the trick just fine.

Think about it, there is not ref discretion here. If you face the goalie, wave your arms and stick around face high and are unsportsmanlike, you put him in the box. When he asks why he was put in the box the ref tells him exactly why. DONE DEAL. You think he's going to do it again after that, especially in the playoffs? This isn't a hook or hold you might get away with. This is a blatant act and no ref is going to miss it. A penalty would've ended this behavior permanently.

[Ontario Wingsfan 0]

This new rule explains itself a lot better. Much clearer.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Swift and effective.

AGREED!

Here's a list of folks from Page 1 only of this thread. I wonder what excuse they'll make now for it being ok when obviously the league, and those of us who "get it" already knew this wasn't kosher.

Buehler..............

SeeinRed

Viperar

OntarioWingsFan

LadyWildcat

Vincanni

Earthhuman

irishtemper14+25

Wings_Rule_1010

umredwings11

Sergeiwasmyfav

Rivalred

seriously, people need to go back and read some of these folks comments from page 1.

edit: OntarioWingsFan has been stricken from the list, good for you!

Edited April 14, 2008 by GordieSid&Ted

[Viperar 16]

good for the nhl, now that they have established that this is not allowed, it shall be penalized and we can move on.

As for before i still hold my argument saying Avery should not have been penalized at that point because there was nothing to call.

[drwscc 212]

On your high horse much?

Wow..you are now penalized for being mean to the goalie. We better start penalizing all screens then, as we might impede the goalie from making stops.

Look, I for one recognize that Avery was pulling a dick move, and that it's not the right thing, bad sportsmanship, etc. That doesn't mean you have to make a rule about it. Show me the rule in MLB where the 3rd baseman can't move in close to the plate and distract the batter. There's not one, because it's left to the players to use common sense.

Hockey is just setting itself up for more bad publicity. "Look. Sean Avery is doing something stupid and that takes away from the rest of the guys out there. Hockey decided to make a rule about it. Let's call it Avery's rule" What a joke.

We better make the rule about how all 4 guys on the power play can't all stand in front of the goal then. Oh, and the rule about how you can't tape the puck to your stick, and just skate around for the whole game. Might as well ban calling out an opposing player's nickname, cuz he might turn the puck over, and that's bad sportsmanship. Gotta make sure dick moves like these are punished, or the league will look silly.

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

On your high horse much?

Wow..you are now penalized for being mean to the goalie. We better start penalizing all screens then, as we might impede the goalie from making stops.

Look, I for one recognize that Avery was pulling a dick move, and that it's not the right thing, bad sportsmanship, etc. That doesn't mean you have to make a rule about it. Show me the rule in MLB where the 3rd baseman can't move in close to the plate and distract the batter. There's not one, because it's left to the players to use common sense.

Hockey is just setting itself up for more bad publicity. "Look. Sean Avery is doing something stupid and that takes away from the rest of the guys out there. Hockey decided to make a rule about it. Let's call it Avery's rule" What a joke.

We better make the rule about how all 4 guys on the power play can't all stand in front of the goal then. Oh, and the rule about how you can't tape the puck to your stick, and just skate around for the whole game. Might as well ban calling out an opposing player's nickname, cuz he might turn the puck over, and that's bad sportsmanship. Gotta make sure dick moves like these are punished, or the league will look silly.

They didn't make a new rule. They already had "unsportsmanlike conduct". The ref could have called Avery for doing that yesterday, but he didn't. The league is just letting everyone know that those actions will be interpreted as "unsportsmanlike conduct". No new rule was created here.

[drwscc 212]

So lets add all the other stuff I mentioned to Unsportsmanlike conduct. We have to make sure none of that stuff ever happens.

[OsGOD 3]

When can we start getting penalties for the teams also... I mean i can see the goalies now... "I mean I was so going to stop that puck... but some dick in the 3rd row told me i sucked... and it disctracted me!!!!!!!"

I can not wait for that day to happen when fans can get 2mins for saying, "YOU SUCK" to a player.

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

So lets add all the other stuff I mentioned to Unsportsmanlike conduct. We have to make sure none of that stuff ever happens.

Taping to stick - not sure how that would happen because to do that you have to pick up the puck (penalty) and grab tape from the bench and then tape the puck to your stick.

Shouting teammates nickname - Are you kidding me? This is not even the same realm of situations as what Avery did.

The unsportsmanlike conduct allows the ref to call penalties to what he deems as "unsportsmanlike conduct" He could have called Avery for that last night; he chose not too. Now the league issued a statement to let everyone know that it will not be let go again.