Lord Stanley

[1990C4S]

Crosby's slash on Methot is standard NHL fare, heck it's not even uncommon in my beer league (I might even be the worst offender). In the NHL you see dozens of these every game.

I have long advocated (with little acceptance) a mandatory bright orange ring on the stick about 18" from the heel. Slash (or hook) above the mark is a minor penalty. Below the mark is fair game.

Problem solved. I will wait for the accolades to pour in.

{And don't get me started on the ridiculous 'slashing' penalties when a guys stick breaks, sure some are legit. But some are clearly light taps on a compromised stick.}

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye's-911T

At the end of the day - this whole incident may or could be attributed to all the bullsch1t stick-work going on and its seemingly tacit approval by the league especially come playoff time. It is not my intention to censure or criticize any individual as I have witnessed some egregious fouls by some of my favourite players (some of said fouls were highly cringe-worthy) but to call out the brain-trust running the show.

We could do with a little less "hackin'& whackin" - in my opinion. You can't legislate it out of existence but the game will not suffer if the message is sent out; stick-work infractions will & should be called tighter. All lot of us have played 'beer league' hockey & save for a few extreme cases, stick-work never seemed to be a real issue once the boys got the message. Just sayin......

Cheers
JB

Well said.

How often do you see guys cross checking each other and the ref lets it go until someone gets really slammed?

They wear stupidly strong equipment until someone hits a soft spot. (Like Cindy's head)

Maybe all stick infractions where there are 2 hands on the stick should be called.

[1990C4S]

Wouldn't that leave us with one handed slashes?

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Wouldn't that leave us with one handed slashes?

Yes. Wouldn't that be fun to watch? lol

[1990C4S]

And you can cover a larger circle...

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

My question is simple; does anyone think that Niskanen would have reacted exactly the same way if it was a team-mate sliding into him?.

Of course not. Niskanen himself said that he was moving in to clear Crosby out. So I have no problem imagining Nisk winding up to whack him around the hips, but then Crosby goes down putting his head too low and it gets whacked instead. Yes Niskanen must control his stick but the hit to the head was not intentional IMO.

[trader220]

I watched the first period of the Oilers Ducks game last night. That place was rocking and the Oilers had it going. During intermission I flipped channels, by the time I flipped back it was 2-2 and the place was quiet.

[911boost]

It got really loud in Edmonton again as the game went on.

That pass in OT was great....

Bill

[911boost]

I was a bit surprised the slash by McDavid on Gibson was called, but then again, the star treatment comes into play.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

My question is simple; does anyone think that Niskanen would have reacted exactly the same way if it was a team-mate sliding into him? If OV slid across the crease in Crosby's place would Niskanen's stick have contacted his head with the same force?

Cue the annual Ovechkin golf club image...

Yes, the reaction in a split second is to defend yourself. Niskanen wasn't expecting Crosby to be falling down in front of him right then. He didn't lunge, push out, or follow through. You of all people should know how fast this game is played these days and that it is way too easy (and totally wrong) to judge things in slow motion replay. "Armchair quarterback"...

Ovi and the clubs: I've got the jpg waiting. Sadly, I really would like to see Ovi go farther. He is quite a humanitarian off the ice and on ice he gives 110%. Besides Ovi being in a slump, I just don't see Holtby give his best and that will kill their chances.

BTW, if Ovi wanted to trash Crosby he had the perfect chance in game one and pulled up at the last minute. The NBCSN commentators have said as much many times.

[Buckterrier]

I was watching the game with a friend that isn't a hockey guy. When Crosby got mugged I said to the guy, This is what I don't like about hockey. Correct me if I'm wrong but all the 'stick work' isn't tolerated in international competition?
Last night heart won the game for the Pens and of course Fleury is playing lights out.
I also thought Edmonton was cruising but that turned quickly!

[greglepore]

Difference btw Canadian and Olympic hockey. Canadian is better.

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Difference btw Canadian and Olympic hockey. Canadian is better.

Apparently a whole continent disagrees with you.

I like the physicality of North American hockey just not the stick work.

Looks like the Rangers are going on a run. Series could go 7 but if Karlsson is out for any length of time it may end with the Rangers winning 4 in a row.

[billybek]

My impression is that there is more stick work in the international style game.

That has changed with the number of import players and the NHL's instigator rule.

During the Olympics, they have some of the best players playing and they are, for the most part, on their best behavior. I find it entertaining and different to watch with the large ice surface favoring very fast and mobile players.

OTOH, nothing like a game 7 in the NHL playoffs....

Rangers looked good last night!
Blues need to get something going tonight or they will be able to make their Saturday t-off time.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

Correct me if I'm wrong but all the 'stick work' isn't tolerated in international competition?

Technically there are no rule differences with respect to 'stick work' between the NHL rules and International hockey rules. There is no fighting allowed internationally (still happens occasionally) but at the World and Olympic levels there are no goons on the ice.

There are lots of other minor differences, but they are slowly merging.

If you were to watch some old time time games between USSR and the Czechs you will see more stickwork than in five minutes than a single NHL game....

[Hawkeye's-911T]

I am in agreement with the 2 preceding gents - stick-work seems more prevalent in international play at present but is assuredly on the rise in the NHL. This is one of the unintended consequences of the 'instigator rule'.

Cheers
JB

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by billybek

My impression is that there is more stick work in the international style game.

That has changed with the number of import players and the NHL's instigator rule.

During the Olympics, they have some of the best players playing and they are, for the most part, on their best behavior. I find it entertaining and different to watch with the large ice surface favoring very fast and mobile players.

OTOH, nothing like a game 7 in the NHL playoffs....

Rangers looked good last night!
Blues need to get something going tonight or they will be able to make their Saturday t-off time.

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Technically there are no rule differences with respect to 'stick work' between the NHL rules and International hockey rules. There is no fighting allowed internationally (still happens occasionally) but at the World and Olympic levels there are no goons on the ice.

There are lots of other minor differences, but they are slowly merging.

If you were to watch some old time time games between USSR and the Czechs you will see more stickwork than in five minutes than a single NHL game....

Originally Posted by Hawkeye's-911T

I am in agreement with the 2 preceding gents - stick-work seems more prevalent in international play at present but is assuredly on the rise in the NHL. This is one of the unintended consequences of the 'instigator rule'.

Cheers
JB

I stand corrected. Let me try another way of saying the same thing...
The international game isn't as vicious?
I totally agree on the instigator rule comment. I'll add to that the 3rd man in rule. Players used to police themselves. Can you imagine Gretzky playing without McSorely?
There may be no more 'goons' in the game, or very few, but IMHO there are more dirty players because of the rule changes. And yes Joe, Matt Cooke was one of them.

[1990C4S]

Bigger ice leads to less contact...International rules on an NHL surface is pretty similar, the primary difference is we only see elite players playing under International rules (Olympics and WHC).

If the NHL adopted International rules you would likely not notice. There were only 0.25 fights per game this year (iirc).

[911 Rod]

Not sure if you can blame the instigator rule.

How long have we had the rule?

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Not sure if you can blame the instigator rule.

How long have we had the rule?

Let's say Gretzky got the slash Crosby received from Overcheckin, which wasn't penalized. McSorely 'instigates' a fight with Overcheckin. He'd get the extra 2 minutes right?