Monday Morning News - 6.1.09

by Travis Hughes on Jun 1, 2009 10:42 AM EDT in Philadelphia Flyers News

2009 STANLEY CUP FINAL

The Red Wings went up 2-0 in this years Final, beating the Penguins 3-1 in Game 2 last night. Here are some reactions from around the web.

The neutral reaction from James Mirtle at From the Rink, focusing largely on the Evgeni Malkin vs Henrik Zetterberg fight at the end of the game. It was the first NHL fight for each player. Mirtle has a video if you missed it.
flyrsfrk05 has a nice rundown of the series so farr in the FanPosts this morning.
Winging It In Motown is obviously happy with the Wings lead, and they rave about Detroit's determined play.
Pensburgh isn't so happy, and they're feeling a lot like we did after Game 2 in the first round. Optimistic as they head home, but cautiously.
Malkin was suspended for his actions at the end of the game, but the NHL rescinded that automatic ruling.
Puck Daddy has another neutral point of view with their recap, including more on the Malkin/Zetterberg fisticuffs.
Game 1 was the most watched program on television on Saturday, albeit on a weak night of programming according to Puck The Media. But regardless, as Steve from PTM points out, the Associated Press is flat out wrong and irresponsible by saying that ratings are down.

No Flyers news on this Monday morning, but here's a look around the NHL today.

The Dallas Stars have named Joe Nieuwendyk as their new general manager. Former co-GM's Brett Hull and Les Jackson to other positions in the organization. Defending Big D has thoughts on the shakeup in Dallas.
The Montreal Canadiens aren't moving away from Montreal, in case you were worried.

And a quick look around your Philadelphia sports...

The Phils swept the Nats at home this weekend, sit in first place as June rolls in, and are starting a 10 game road trip this evening in San Diego. [The 700 Level]
The Sixers hired Eddie Jordan as their new head coach this weekend, in case you missed it. [Liberty Ballers]
Former Cowboys coordinator Brian Stewart is joining the Eagles coaching staff. [Bleeding Green Nation]

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of course the league rescinded the Malkin suspension. no surprise whatsoever. nevermind that he tried to beat Zetterberg over the head with his stick.

had that been Carcillo swinging at Malkin at the end of the game Carcillo would be down at central booking getting fingerprinted right now.

If it is an “automatic suspension” how can they just rescind it like that? can the NHL rescind that “automatic slashing” call on Giroux in OT of game 2 that ultimately cost us the game?

by njh3293 on Jun 1, 2009 8:30 PM EDT reply actions

In general, I'm okay with no suspension.

But the NHL is ridiculous. I’ve come to the conclusion that the NHL is becoming just as corrupt as any sport today. Anyway, from the game recap:

Rule 47.22 states: “A player who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five minutes or at any time in overtime shall be suspended for one game, pending a review of the incident. The director of hockey operations will review every such incident and may rescind the suspension based on a number of criteria. The criteria for the review shall include, but not be limited to, the score, previous incidents, etc…”

Following that review, Campbell said: “None of the criteria in this rule applied in this situation. Suspensions are applied under this rule when a team attempts to send a message in the last five minutes by having a player instigate a fight. A suspension could also be applied when a player seeks retribution for a prior incident. Neither was the case here and therefore the one game suspension is rescinded.”

In other words, a) It was Evgeni Malkin; b) He wasn’t sending a “message” but rather just picked a fight. Mainly, reason a. As I said, I’m generally okay without a suspension. The fight came in a scrum, and while he clearly picked the fight, how often do players stand around in a 5-on-5 battle?

My biggest worry is the fact that Malkin swung his stick at Zetters head. That in itself should be worthy of a suspension, but the NHL being what it is, that throws the series to Detroit. Pittsburgh can’t win without their No. 2 man. (Detroit IS winning without their No. 1 man) And I don’t want to have to smack Pens fans down for being whiners if he was suspended. Rather avoid them crying.

by Geoff Detweiler on Jun 1, 2009 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Although, really…having Malkin get suspended would give us some ammo for those stupid Pens fans who act like their team is full of choirboys who would never stoop to instigate a fight like the lowly dirtbag Flyers.

That being said, I’d rather the Pens get beaten at full strength than hear excuses as to why they lost. It’s more fun if they lose with Malkin on the ice & failing rather than watching rinkside.

by doubleh on Jun 1, 2009 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

No surprise.

You know the rule was written this way just in case Crosby, Malkin, or another star of the league instigated something at the end of a game. It made it far too easy for Colin Campbell to say, “Hey, this guy has no prior history, so he’s off the hook.” Remember, Carcillo’s reputation played into his suspension…

I feel dirty rooting for Detroit to be honest with you, but I’d much rather they win than Pittsburgh. That being said, I would not be surprised if the Pens tie this series at home. From what I’ve seen, they’ve outplayed Detroit for the most part, and Osgood has gotten lucky on a number of occasions.

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Jun 1, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes. Double standard. Its unreal.

I would like to sit down with Colin Campbell and get his definition of what “message sending” is. He is forever changing his explanation of what it is. Remember back to Carcillo’s suspension? Mike Cammalleri does the EXACT same thing and did not get suspended? And then he tries to defend his decision by bumbling on about “circumstances.” I understand the “repeat offender” claim but come on! What Malkin did was a form of message sending. He knew exactly what he was doing, intentionally circling around the net to go after the Red Wings best player. He then proceeds to swing his stick at Z’s head and as Z is skating away to avoid the trouble, Malkin starts to sucker punch him from behind?!?! That sounds worse then Carcillo and Cammalleri’s incidents combinded!

Sorry, Colin, that is message sending, bud. Wow.

by Mitchell Green on Jun 2, 2009 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree, but really, Malkin beat a guy with his stick. Suspension or not, that should be ammo. But Pittsburgh always has excuses. (Side: I try not to instigate pissing matches with Pens fans, but rather defend since they always have the same attacks)

And yes, I badly want to see a Versus commercial next year with two straight years of Crosby and Malkin slumped over the bench in heartbreak.

by Geoff Detweiler on Jun 2, 2009 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh, I never instigate, either, but it’s nice to see that they have such selective, hypocritical memories.

At least when the Flyers instigate, they do it when the other guy is watching and don’t sucker punch from behind or go after the family jewels.

by doubleh on Jun 2, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Thoughts:

Malkin should have been suspended for treating the hockey stick like a baseball bat and Zetterberg’s head like a Putz floater, let alone the instigator penalty. Satan came thisclose to a third-man-in penalty, IMO. Osgood embellished the impact, but Talbot did spear him with the blade end of the stick. Those two minutes of the game were dirty and stupid play by Pittsburgh that should have resulted in a suspension for Evegeni “Axeman” Malkin.

"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"

by The Dark on Jun 2, 2009 3:04 PM EDT reply actions