As Wings Coach Mike Babcock pointed out after game 3 of the Western Conference finals, everyone has a bad day. Coaches have bad days. Players have bad days. But according to the NHL, officials never have a bad day. That came during the postgame presser after the Blackhawks beat the Wings 4-3 in overtime. The Wings played much of the game without defenseman Niklas Kronwall after he picked up a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for a hit on Martin Havlat just past the midway point of the first period. The Blackhawks scored on that powerplay. Hawks Coach Joel Quennville thought the call was correct and the there possibly should have been a suspension. How can two people, who see things similarly a lot of the time, view this so differently? That isn't what the issue is here, and I'll address viewpoints in another blog on another day.
What is up for debate is what is and isn't being called in the NHL playoffs. Some think their is a conspiracy theory, but that doesn't make any sense when it comes to what the NHL wants...bottom line is they want higher ratings and sold out buildings, that is how they make money. Who doesn't think a Wings-Penguins rematch wouldn't do that? If they do, they are nuts. The calls from the beginning of the playoffs, in all the series, have been inconsistant. In one game a referee may call high sticking and in another, he may let it go unless he sees blood.
Wings defenseman Brad Stuart addressed that issue after practice on Saturday. Stuart admitted he's confused as to what his being called as he sat in front of his locker with a cut next to his right eye from a high stick he took on Friday.
"A lot of times, if you hit a guy too hard, they call a penalty," Stuart added. "That is what has been happening to us."
I am sure it doesn't help that since entering the league 5 years ago, Kronwall is known for his big hits. He's a six-foot defenseman who weighs 189 pounds, most of it muscle. Over the last 3 seasons, the defenseman has averaged just 49 penalty minutes. He continues to play the way he's played since being drafted in 2000 because the league lets him play that way. Unless it isn't convenient for them. Like Friday night.
Fans of the Big Ten know that every week during football season they issue at least one apology on Sunday or Monday about a blown call. Every week! They admit their errors, which in today's world says a lot. Why is it so hard for the professional leagues to do the same. All Babcock wants is accountability. If a mistake is made, admit it.
But was it a mistake? Did they call something because a player lay injured on the ice? If Havlat would have bounced back up, would the call have been made at all? These are all questions that not only the coaches and players want answered, the fans do, too. Why can't they be consistant? High sticking is high sticking, as is interference. For Havlat, the puck was in his feet and he was looking down. The puck in his feet meant no interference. They called it anyway.
People who are trying to become hockey fans have an issue with the way games are called. They can't follow it because they don't know what is right or wrong because the calls are so inconsistant.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman wants more fans. He wants the league to be successful. Here's one way to do it - streamline the calls. And if there is a mistake, just admit it.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Hard work pays off
22 year-old Darren Helm only knows one way to play and that's hard. He gives max effort every shift he gets and never backs down from anything. The Winnipeg native played in just 16 games for the Red Wings this season, finishing with one point. While playing for their minor league affiliate in Grand Rapids, Helm notched 37 points in 55 games. Helm isn't known for his goal scoring, his reputation is for speed and finishing his checks.
Since the 2009 playoffs began, Helm has played in all 9 games and notching his first point, a goal, in Sunday's 4-1 win over Anaheim. Again, he played an aggressive game, and he finally got the payoff. He even admits he's not a point scorer.
"Goal scoring isn't a huge part of his game here," Helm said after the game.
He was happy, though, to get rewarded. "It's nice to contribute one in awhile."
His teammates certainly know the value he brings to the ice each and every time he steps on it. Fellow line mate Jiri Hudler, who scored the game winner on Sunday, sung Helm's praises.
"He has tremendous speed and is strong on the puck." He went on to say, "he creates a lot of room for a lot of players because of his speed and strength."
The Wings are known for their experience and talent, but due to injury, they have had to reach down to their Grand Rapids affiliate, the Griffins, to bring up some of the younger players. Jonathan Ericsson got his chance when Andreas Lilja went down with a concussion. The 25 year-old defenseman brings enthusiasm and toughness just like Helm. He's made the most of his chance and continues to be a vital part of this team as the playoffs go on. And on Sunday, 22 year-old Justin Abdelkader got his chance after Tomas Kopecky suffered facial injuries during a fight after Friday's win in Anaheim. The former MSU star picked up his first career playoff point assisting on Johan Franzen's first goal of the game. Abdelkader proceeded to play just shy of nine minutes and finished with nine hits. That's why Coach Mike Babcock put him in the line-up, more toughness and hard work...which paid off for him, too.
Babcock also spoke highly of Helm saying "he's on the body, he plays with pace, he plays hard."
Franzen gave this organization credit for being so deep and talented. He feels that is why they go as far as they do in the playoffs. Captain Nick Lidstrom has seen a lot of players in his career and appreciates the effort that Helm gives.
"Great to see him hanging around the net, no shying away."
Darren Helm is known for a lot of things, and Lidstrom said it best, shying away isn't one of them.
Since the 2009 playoffs began, Helm has played in all 9 games and notching his first point, a goal, in Sunday's 4-1 win over Anaheim. Again, he played an aggressive game, and he finally got the payoff. He even admits he's not a point scorer.
"Goal scoring isn't a huge part of his game here," Helm said after the game.
He was happy, though, to get rewarded. "It's nice to contribute one in awhile."
His teammates certainly know the value he brings to the ice each and every time he steps on it. Fellow line mate Jiri Hudler, who scored the game winner on Sunday, sung Helm's praises.
"He has tremendous speed and is strong on the puck." He went on to say, "he creates a lot of room for a lot of players because of his speed and strength."
The Wings are known for their experience and talent, but due to injury, they have had to reach down to their Grand Rapids affiliate, the Griffins, to bring up some of the younger players. Jonathan Ericsson got his chance when Andreas Lilja went down with a concussion. The 25 year-old defenseman brings enthusiasm and toughness just like Helm. He's made the most of his chance and continues to be a vital part of this team as the playoffs go on. And on Sunday, 22 year-old Justin Abdelkader got his chance after Tomas Kopecky suffered facial injuries during a fight after Friday's win in Anaheim. The former MSU star picked up his first career playoff point assisting on Johan Franzen's first goal of the game. Abdelkader proceeded to play just shy of nine minutes and finished with nine hits. That's why Coach Mike Babcock put him in the line-up, more toughness and hard work...which paid off for him, too.
Babcock also spoke highly of Helm saying "he's on the body, he plays with pace, he plays hard."
Franzen gave this organization credit for being so deep and talented. He feels that is why they go as far as they do in the playoffs. Captain Nick Lidstrom has seen a lot of players in his career and appreciates the effort that Helm gives.
"Great to see him hanging around the net, no shying away."
Darren Helm is known for a lot of things, and Lidstrom said it best, shying away isn't one of them.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Playoff overtime hockey is the BEST
What a week-end in sports...Celtics v. Cavs with a drama-filled series that went to game seven. Mine That Bird enters the Kentucky Derby an underdog at 50-1 and wins. Wings and Ducks in game two of the Western Conference Finals go to a third overtime where a costly mistake sends the Wings to Anaheim for game three with the series tied at one after losing 4-3.
All of these are exciting events in their own right, but I contend overtime hockey in the playoffs one of the most exciting event in sports. Obviously, a game seven overtime scenario is by far the most exciting, but any overtime playoff game is more exciting than any other sporting event.
Defenseman Brad Stuart, who scored the Wings first goal said it best. "It's a battle. It's almost first team that is able to win the mental battle will win."
Playoff overtime hockey is both a physical and mental battle. Physically the two teams have already played sixty minutes of hockey and that takes its toll. Mentally, they know that one mistake, no matter how small, can cost them the game.
"It's a fine line between winning and losing in overtime" Captain Nick Lidstrom said after the game.
Todd Marchant forced a turnover near the Anaheim blue line with a back-check play, took a pass from defenseman James Wisniewski and moved into the Wings zone. He got a screen in front and took a wrist shot from the left circle that beat goalie Chris Osgood over the left shoulder. One small play which led to a turnover which led to a game winner, all in the span of one minute and fifteen seconds to start the third overtime. Game over.
If you weren't back from the restroom, kitchen, concession stand or you were texting someone on your phone, you missed the end of the game. That was it. It was over. Some will argue that a boxing match has the same intensity and dramatic finish, so maybe I should say it is the best in team sports. But in my mind, it is in all sports.
The players equate it to adrenaline rushes people get from doing certain activities. You could tell Chris Osgood, despite the loss, loves the situation.
"It's like a guy that loves parachuting or jumping out of planes or bungee jumping. For me, I love playing games like that, they're fun."
What is there not to love...exciting, non-stop play that can last less than a minute, or up to 4 extra hours of drama. Not only do the players feel the pressure, the fans do, too. That is what makes it so great.
In basketball you get five minutes to pick up a win. If the teams remain tied, they go another five. In pro football, the coin flip is important, but the coin flip winner doesn't always win the game and plenty of plays can be run before an end. There isn't "that pressure." In baseball, both teams get at least one at-bat. Yes there is drama when a team wins in the bottom of the ninth or in extra innings, but it isn't that second by second drama that happens in playoff overtime hockey when there is so much on the time.
As I said above, nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to a game seven overtime, but no matter what round of the playoffs, overtime hockey gives the fans the drama, intrigue and excitement that no other sport can deliver.
All of these are exciting events in their own right, but I contend overtime hockey in the playoffs one of the most exciting event in sports. Obviously, a game seven overtime scenario is by far the most exciting, but any overtime playoff game is more exciting than any other sporting event.
Defenseman Brad Stuart, who scored the Wings first goal said it best. "It's a battle. It's almost first team that is able to win the mental battle will win."
Playoff overtime hockey is both a physical and mental battle. Physically the two teams have already played sixty minutes of hockey and that takes its toll. Mentally, they know that one mistake, no matter how small, can cost them the game.
"It's a fine line between winning and losing in overtime" Captain Nick Lidstrom said after the game.
Todd Marchant forced a turnover near the Anaheim blue line with a back-check play, took a pass from defenseman James Wisniewski and moved into the Wings zone. He got a screen in front and took a wrist shot from the left circle that beat goalie Chris Osgood over the left shoulder. One small play which led to a turnover which led to a game winner, all in the span of one minute and fifteen seconds to start the third overtime. Game over.
If you weren't back from the restroom, kitchen, concession stand or you were texting someone on your phone, you missed the end of the game. That was it. It was over. Some will argue that a boxing match has the same intensity and dramatic finish, so maybe I should say it is the best in team sports. But in my mind, it is in all sports.
The players equate it to adrenaline rushes people get from doing certain activities. You could tell Chris Osgood, despite the loss, loves the situation.
"It's like a guy that loves parachuting or jumping out of planes or bungee jumping. For me, I love playing games like that, they're fun."
What is there not to love...exciting, non-stop play that can last less than a minute, or up to 4 extra hours of drama. Not only do the players feel the pressure, the fans do, too. That is what makes it so great.
In basketball you get five minutes to pick up a win. If the teams remain tied, they go another five. In pro football, the coin flip is important, but the coin flip winner doesn't always win the game and plenty of plays can be run before an end. There isn't "that pressure." In baseball, both teams get at least one at-bat. Yes there is drama when a team wins in the bottom of the ninth or in extra innings, but it isn't that second by second drama that happens in playoff overtime hockey when there is so much on the time.
As I said above, nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to a game seven overtime, but no matter what round of the playoffs, overtime hockey gives the fans the drama, intrigue and excitement that no other sport can deliver.
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