Avery's Screen

[seeinred 1,488]

i agree with bluemonk on this. if we were to let this go what would be next...tootoo really wearing a tootoo and shaking his ass in front of dom?!?!? come on we have to not let this kind of stuff go on. like BM said its a farce.

1st of all, there are uniform restrictions in place.

2nd of all, I want to know WHY you think it's a farce? Is it the simple fact that he wasn't facing the puck? I just want to know.

[calfan 0]

Maybe Avery should try this next time

I don't see why Bettman would want to put a stop to this, doesn't he want to increase scoring? I wouldn't put it past him to add an additional skater to each team who's sole job is to taunt the goalie!

The Flames Eric Nystrom did this earlier this year in the minors.

I think Avery is a tool and he proves it almost every game. There's no room for that in hockey. And the comment that a 10 minute misconduct could be given is exactly right.

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

1st of all, there are uniform restrictions in place.

2nd of all, I want to know WHY you think it's a farce? Is it the simple fact that he wasn't facing the puck? I just want to know.

because its my opinion. and the opinin from most of the nhl im sure. if not it would have been going on way before this time. this makes me feel like when Terrell Owens ran out and done his pose on the dallas star in texas stadium. its unsportsmanlike conduct i feel and it should not be allowed. like i said if it is going to be it will get worse so it needs to be stopped now.

[imisssergei 0]

The only reason there was any debate about this is because it was Avery who did it. Had it been Crosby who did it, CBS would be planning one of those 'how to' session with Murphy based on it. It would be labeled as fresh, exciting, innovative, creative, and funny.

But it was Avery. Big deal. He isn't the first guy to do something like this. I'm not sure who it was or even how long ago it was. I want to say it was 2 years ago in the playoffs. Someone was screening the goaltender, but the goaltender was looking around him for the puck. So the player just put his hand in front of the goalie, and moved it whenever the goalie moved. I don't remember if it worked, I just remember chuckling about it.

I'm not sure why MacLean brought up the rule he did, but I loved the counterpoint Stock made, "Well if someone hits me hard, it might make me want to take a penalty." He showed how Don and Kelly were taking that rule out of context.

What Avery did was a great idea to distract Marty. It was a 5 on 3 PP, and we all know that most goals scored on a 5 on 3 PP are a result of a passing play. If Marty is one second late in getting across the net, it's a goal.

For the record, I believe it was Drury who came over and said something to Avery. We don't know what he said. For all we know he could have been telling Avery to get back into position so they could work whatever play it is the Rangers had drawn up.

Please, those of you who think this was a penalty-worthy play, put your thoughts together in a post. I'm interested in hearing why you think it is. So far all I've read is that you guys didn't like it, or you thought it was 'cheap'. Back up your thoughts.

[seeinred 1,488]

because its my opinion. and the opinin from most of the nhl im sure. if not it would have been going on way before this time. this makes me feel like when Terrell Owens ran out and done his pose on the dallas star in texas stadium. its unsportsmanlike conduct i feel and it should not be allowed. like i said if it is going to be it will get worse so it needs to be stopped now.

Slippery slope arguments don't work. I realize it's your opinion that it's not good, I'm just trying to figure out why. There's almost always a reason behind people's opinions.

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

The only reason there was any debate about this is because it was Avery who did it. Had it been Crosby who did it, CBS would be planning one of those 'how to' session with Murphy based on it. It would be labeled as fresh, exciting, innovative, creative, and funny.

But it was Avery. Big deal. He isn't the first guy to do something like this. I'm not sure who it was or even how long ago it was. I want to say it was 2 years ago in the playoffs. Someone was screening the goaltender, but the goaltender was looking around him for the puck. So the player just put his hand in front of the goalie, and moved it whenever the goalie moved. I don't remember if it worked, I just remember chuckling about it.

I'm not sure why MacLean brought up the rule he did, but I loved the counterpoint Stock made, "Well if someone hits me hard, it might make me want to take a penalty." He showed how Don and Kelly were taking that rule out of context.

What Avery did was a great idea to distract Marty. It was a 5 on 3 PP, and we all know that most goals scored on a 5 on 3 PP are a result of a passing play. If Marty is one second late in getting across the net, it's a goal.

For the record, I believe it was Drury who came over and said something to Avery. We don't know what he said. For all we know he could have been telling Avery to get back into position so they could work whatever play it is the Rangers had drawn up.

Please, those of you who think this was a penalty-worthy play, put your thoughts together in a post. I'm interested in hearing why you think it is. So far all I've read is that you guys didn't like it, or you thought it was 'cheap'. Back up your thoughts.

yeah because we need to back up our thoughts just like you did in your post. ..please....if you would read our posts its our opinions we are stating. yes there is no rule to say you can't do it. we all know that. but to me it looked unsportsmanlike to do something like that. and again...if it were such a great move why don't you think any other player has done it? there has been and are today players that are more of an ass then avrey is. answer that.

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

Slippery slope arguments don't work. I realize it's your opinion that it's not good, I'm just trying to figure out why. There's almost always a reason behind people's opinions.

and i totally understand that. thats why i say its MY opinion that i thought it was a bad play. it has nothing to do with avery because of the most part i like him until he pulls this kind of stuff.

[seeinred 1,488]

and i totally understand that. thats why i say its MY opinion that i thought it was a bad play. it has nothing to do with avery because of the most part i like him until he pulls this kind of stuff.

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?

[miller76 463]

Personally I enjoyed the screen. I thought it brought a little humor to the game. God forbid we laugh at something in a hockey game

[DyingAlive 27]

Is it legal? Yes.

Do I think they should do something to prevent it? Yes.

Was it hilarious? Hell Yes.

I don't usually like the pricks of the NHL, however, I have no problem with Avery

[The Noodle 39 14]

Is it legal? Yes.

Do I think they should do something to prevent it? Yes.

Was it hilarious? Hell Yes.

I don't usually like the pricks of the NHL, however, I have no problem with Avery

Ditto! LOL was so funny to see Avery doing that... and you would only expect something like this from Sean Avery haha good stuff!

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Didn't like it at all. Imagine if that was one of the Preds or whoever it is doing that to Dom or Ozzie. Wouldn't be so funny then would it.

I'm an Aves fan but I thought it was a jackass move.

[#19forPresident! 1]

In this case I'd say it's the defenseman's job to deal with Avery's BS.

I agree.

It's not a rule violation, regardless of people's opinion on the appropriateness. Any edge without breaking a rule is fair game especially in the playoffs, so if I was Brent Sutter I'd have one of my heavy hitters send a message to Avery personally, and if that didn't have any effect I'd be on their end of the ice doing the same exact thing to Lundqvist.

[HkyTwn 5]

Pfft, I thought it was funny.

[seeinred 1,488]

Didn't like it at all. Imagine if that was one of the Preds or whoever it is doing that to Dom or Ozzie. Wouldn't be so funny then would it.

I'm an Aves fan but I thought it was a jackass move.

Nothing's funny when it happens to your own team

I'd be crying for whoever was out there to take whoever did it's head off, but I certainly wouldn't think it deserved a penalty, even in that case.

[Dano33 41]

If your only intention is to go out on the ice, not be involved in the play and distract the goalie, you don't deserve to be out there. there is a reason he straps on $600 skates and pulls a New York Rangers Jersey over his head. It's because he can play hockey. Anyone who has been on skates in their life could go out and do what avery did.

[seeinred 1,488]

If your only intention is to go out on the ice, not be involved in the play and distract the goalie, you don't deserve to be out there. there is a reason he straps on $600 skates and pulls a New York Rangers Jersey over his head. It's because he can play hockey. Anyone who has been on skates in their life could go out and do what avery did.

So players whose primary purpose it is to fight shouldn't play hockey either then? Avery was involved in the play, just not exactly in the traditional sense.

[SweWings 45]

Not really surprised it's Avery pulling a thing like this out of his hat. I was watching some of the game, including tht play, and Brodeur was distracted by it so it was effective in its own particular way. Holmström manages to distract goalies AND play the game which is something Avery didn't really mange - can't really play if ur stick isn't on the ice. It seems to be a new thing and it remains to be seen whether it'll be allowed. Not really sure if I like it or not, tbh it looked like something a 10 year old might do. But Avery does have real talent for antagonizing players...

[Reds4Life 51]

Nothing wrong with what Avery did..it was hilarious

[Shaman 713]

Incase anyone missed it, it was great, not as good as homer who faces the play with his stick on the ice, but, makes the price of a playoff ticket worth it even if your team loses

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

so one of the greatest players that stand in front of the net is homer...why don't you think he hasn't done this if its ok to do?

[SweWings 45]

so one of the greatest players that stand in front of the net is homer...why don't you think he hasn't done this if its ok to do?

Because he was brought up by Yzerman which made him a good boy.

[Firehawk 305]

I think that was the most awesome screen I ever saw. If Holmstrom didn't have the hands, I'd say to do that himself LOL.

[erok 0]

Apparently I am the only one (besides the TSN folks) who does not like this. I admit it is creative but I too think it is a little too much. I suppose he could also take off his jersey and hold it up in front of him too to block his vision. Better yet, squirt him in the eyes with his own water bottle. I know I am exagerating but there are many other 'legal' things that can be done to distract the goalie and I think this is unsportsmanlike conduct.

My question was: where were the defenders? I understand it was a 5-3 PP (right?)... try that 5on 5 and he would be been laid out quick.

Lets just hope this doesnt in our amateur leagues.. just play real hockey!

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

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.

Seems Bush League to me. I'm surprised so many of you are ok with this.

Personally, what's next, players will be standing in front of the goalie waving their arms up and down like they are trying to land a 747 or something?

Looked pretty ******* stupid to me.