Recap: Caps 2, Sabres 0
by David Getz on Nov 25, 2009 10:12 PM EST
in Game Recaps
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Earlier today I wrote, "There are a lot of ways to be a productive hockey player". By the same token, there are a lot of different ways to win a hockey game. Some nights it takes dazzling offense. Some nights it takes a team gritting their teeth and willing themselves to victory. Some nights it takes one guy putting the team on his back and carrying them to a win. And some nights - like tonight - it takes a team filling out its roster with AHL call-ups rallying behind a bad call (more on that in a bit) and playing smart, aggressive, defensively-sound hockey, including killing off a five minute major by drawing a penalty of their own and not letting the opponent register a single shot.
While the Caps' forechecking was solid and their offense pressure was consistent, the bulk of the praise for this game has to go to the defense corps, all of whom played well. Mike Green was all over the ice creating chances in the offensive zone, Brian Pothier played with controlled aggression and was a constant disruption to Buffalo's offense, John Erskine was quietly efficient, Karl Alzner looked like an old vet, and Milan Jurcina played his size. It's hard to ask for anything more from the group.
Finally, Semyon Varlamov was simply outstanding, something that had as much to do with his mental game as his physical one. After the Alex Ovechkin penalty, the ensuing powerplay, and the raucous atmosphere it would have been understandable for even the most veteran of netminders to get a little anxious. But Varlamov stayed calm and collected the entire time, which was exactly what the team needed. The effect that has on a team can't under underestimated, and Varly's quiet confidence played a bigger role in tonight's win than it'll get credit for.
Ten additional notes on tonight's game:
- Not only should the boarding call on Alex Ovechkin not have been a been a major - I'm not even sure it have even been a penalty. Patrick Kaleta may have gone into the boards face first, but Ovechkin hit him shoulder-to-shoulder.
- I've been accused of being a referee apologist in the past, and constant complaining about the officiating is one of my pet peeves, but Paul Devorski and Kelly Sutherland were awful tonight, committing a number of officiating cardinal sins. Letting the game be played like it's 2003 and hooking's not in the rule book: check. Making a call based on a result (Kaleta's injury) rather than the play: check. A questionable make-up call soon after: check. The only way they could have made it worse would have been to get perturbed at one of the teams and start making calls out of spite.
- Karl Alzner went from the AHL to playing 20:15, second-most among Capitals defensemen. If you think he's been in Hershey for reasons that have anything to do with anything other than the salary cap, your argument just got substantially weaker.
- Brian Pothier's second period hip check on Clark McArthur was pretty sweet. Of course, it would have been even better if it didn't look like he gave himself whiplash on the play.
- It might be beating a dead horse, but it's simply unacceptable to watch a guy crash the net as hard as Steve Montador did to end the second and have the other team instigate the scrum after the whistle.
- Coming in to tonight's action Paul Gaustad was first in the NHL in faceoff percentage at 63.3 and David Steckel was second at 61.4. Steckel won four of five head-to-head draws, but Guastad can always look on the bright side: he was one of five against Stecks; the rest of his team was oh-for-nine.
- He's been cold recently, but Nicklas Backstrom really turned it on after Ovechkin was shown the gate. He may not have gotten on the scoresheet for his trouble, but that's the kind of play that can help bust a slump.
- Since his last goal, which came on the 14th when the Caps played the Devils in Newark, Tomas Fleischmann's played five games and has just one assist and seven shots. C'mon Flash, where's the guy who was making things happen every shift?
- If I were Bruce Boudreau I'd implement a rule barring Semyon Varlamov form handling the puck more than three feet away from the blue paint, effective immediately.
- Only one Capitals - Eric Fehr - had an average shift length of over sixty seconds. Jeez, the guy scores one big goal and he thinks he's one of the young guns...
Just two days after "a total collapse by 20 guys" the Capitals came out and simply got the job done on a night they could have used injuries, Ovechkin's ejection, or their recently grueling schedule as an excuse and simply did what they needed to do to get the two points. That doesn't make the leads they've blown or the games the coasted through any more acceptable - but it sure does feel good, doesn't it?
Game highlights:
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I know Flash didn’t show up on the score sheet tonight, but he was instrumental in the Ovechkin goal, driving the net and creating a screen in front of Miller, as well as making sure the Sabres couldn’t collapse 3 guys on AO to take away the chance.
He was on the doorstep, stuff just wasn’t going in for him tonight. In my opinion, he was much better tonight than he had been in the last few games and Fehr took a giant step up playing below the circles.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 25, 2009 10:18 PM EST reply actions
would BB dare put #85 and #8 on a line together?
they were on the ice at the same time for a tantalizing 30 seconds or so in the 1st in between line changes. I wonder what it would take for an 85-8 combo to occur, even as an experiment. Ovie and mini-Ovie, this place might explode.
The next thought that crossed my mind shortly after that one is…damn, Backstrom is one durable mofo. Has he ever missed a game in his career? He is a workhorse.
It’s early yet but we’ve posted before on possible playoff opponents, and I’d certainly take Buffalo. You gotta be worried about their netminder but that offense is just anemic. I get way more worried thinking about potent offenses than teams like the Sabres.
Just some random thoughts…
Am I the only person who thinks the Caps didn’t have a great game tonight? Only 2 shots on goal in the first 12 minutes. Allowing maybe 5 great feeds through the crease for Buffalo, which were subsequently shot wide or into the side of the net by the Sabres. Frequently being unable to get the puck out of the zone. Granted, there was some inspired hockey after Ovechkin’s major, but Varly saved their bacon.
As an aside, could the rulebook be any more vague on boarding?
A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, based upon the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, shall be imposed on any player who checks an opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to be thrown violently in the boards."
1/4 of the hits in the NHL (including one by Schultz tonight) qualify as boarding by that definition.
A wise man once said “it gives them the flexibility to use it as they see fit without having to amend the criteria.”
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
I disagree – they worked the puck deep, made Buffalo work the whole 200 feet the all night and made some inspired backchecks. Varly was solid, but he wasn’t called on to make a highlight reel save tonight and there were no pucks on which he was defenseless. This, in my opinion, was an outstanding game for 60 minutes in every category except finishing.
Miller had an exceptional game to keep Buffalo in it and you can’t pin either goal on him. If the Caps don’t play a great game tonight, Buffalo probably wins this game on that alone.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 25, 2009 10:31 PM EST up reply actions
I can understand this opinion to a large degree; AO, Laich, BMo and Flash comprise Buffalo’s total offense to date after all, but it was encouraging to see them play sound defensively, so hopefully the good habits carry over into Saturday and the division games next week.
"Good luck and God speed, Ben. See you on the other side of the pitch."
by Bald Pollack on Nov 25, 2009 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
Have to disagree. After those admittedly dreary first 12 minutes, Buffalo got a grand total of 3 shots the next 20 minutes. 3. Sticks in passing lanes, back-checking. Closed out the show i the 3rd.
Excellent games from Baxter, Green, Ovi, Varly, F’ing Fehr, Morrison and solid, solid efforts from Pothier, Juice,Alzner and Steckel (on the dot). Fun to watch. Just wished Backstrom could have scored empty net — everyone on the ice deserved from free stats.
Having grown up with RPI alumni — my father, oldest brother & sister, i find it suprising easy to disagree with Engineers. Great school though.
I disagree as well. yes there were a couple of times they struggled to exit the zone…but only a couple. We hemmed Buffalo in for long stretches. We played with fire and grit and determination. A complete 180 from 2 nights ago ( when I wanted to burn my Green jersey! ).
Speaking of troubles exiting the zone….was that Erskine out there with Green for a couple of shifts? Didn’t seem to know where the other was going with the puck, puck jumping over stick blades, just no level of comfortableness. Me thinks that combo should just never happen anymore, it just doesn’t work.
by HateOffSeason on Nov 26, 2009 7:46 AM EST up reply actions
Mr. Kleen
Alzner’s game has a meticulous or..mathematic quality to it that really showed tonight. I like it a lot; bad day to be SMo.
There was a solid Buffalo contingent at the booth and I’d say they got shut out too.
What a massive difference it is upgrading from Tyler Sloan to Karl Alzner in one game. It wasn’t like Alzner just “held his own” or “showed he belongs” tonight – he excelled back there. I am going to be extremely bitter if/when they send him back down. Imagine what the D could look like with:
Green
Pothier
Alzner
Poti
Schultz
(deadline acquisition)
I’d love that. A lot.
Alzner looked phenomenal. He really knows what he’s doing out there. I was also surprised to see him attacking in the offensive zone the way he did.
Agree completely.
I was going to double post last night but decided to wait till someone else replied.
But yeah, if we can just deal ShaMo for the best pick we can, I’d be happy going with
Schultz/Green
Poti/Pothier
Alzner/Jurcina
Erskine
Sloan
for the rest of the season.
One more thing: how could you not get tonight’s Jumbotron question right: “which current Cap played for the RPI Engineers”? They don’t get any easier than that.
Harumph.
an outrage!
especially since they’ve crammed Poti’s Beanpot down our throats, effectively making the question: “Pothier or Sloan: Who owns a slide rule?”
by redlineblue on Nov 25, 2009 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
To answer your question, damn it feels good to be a gangsta.
Fight, you time-wasting figure skaters!
One more for all you Schultz haters out there – watch how he plays guys like Connolly and Gaborik. Great positional and stick play to keep them to the boards and prevent them from creating chances.
Schultz for Norris.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 25, 2009 10:33 PM EST reply actions
And Malkin.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
Schultz for Malkin?
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
that can’t be good for the salary cap…
by twistedlogic on Nov 25, 2009 11:20 PM EST up reply actions
T to the his.
"Good luck and God speed, Ben. See you on the other side of the pitch."
by Bald Pollack on Nov 25, 2009 10:43 PM EST up reply actions
Well...
If I have to make a choice on who I want Jeff Schultz able to shut down, Malkin, Gaborik and Connolly all rank higher than Dubby.
It’s a fair criticism that he can’t handle guys with astonishing quickness, which Dubby has. However, he’s better than 90% of the league at dealing with high skill guys that beat you with that skill instead of blazing lateral movement.
In summary:
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 25, 2009 10:47 PM EST up reply actions
I thought this would be a Chappelle’s Show picture.
"Good luck and God speed, Ben. See you on the other side of the pitch."
by Bald Pollack on Nov 25, 2009 10:48 PM EST up reply actions
Not familiar, but I’ve always loved this little animation.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 25, 2009 10:57 PM EST up reply actions
It’s nice, but that quote cloud reminded me of this.
"Good luck and God speed, Ben. See you on the other side of the pitch."
by Bald Pollack on Nov 25, 2009 11:01 PM EST up reply actions
That’s classic, I wish I had a gif of that.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 25, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions
Best I can find.
Now I’m out.
"Good luck and God speed, Ben. See you on the other side of the pitch."
by Bald Pollack on Nov 25, 2009 11:09 PM EST up reply actions
Does anyone have video of Ovi’s hit? I couldn’t see it from my section and the VC refused to show any replays of it.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
I don’t know, but I do know that BB said he saw the replay “half a dozen times” and hated the call. Apparently Ovie hit Kaleta in the shoulder.
Kaleta is also a really chippy player. If anyone would milk or embellish a call it’s him. I hope it hurt, couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4PtE6qDfxI
Found that, its a video of the MSG broadcast, terrible quality but shows that Ovie definitely got more shoulder than anything else.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
And allow me to take the opportunity to express my disdain with NHL.com’s choice of feed and replay angles. It was definitely contact on the shoulder and Kaleta definitely saw AO coming. Scumbag earned his team an advantage the hard way. AO, glad you earned it because cheap fouls always suck but at least you know you fucked up one of the most hatable guys in the NHL.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
agreed. crappy call…he was looking at ovie the whole time. although i think DMG’s assessment that the refs called the penalty based on the injury is a little off. they showed the replay of the hit looking right up the boards. the ref had his arm up as soon as kaleta hit the boards. bad call nonetheless
by twistedlogic on Nov 25, 2009 11:22 PM EST up reply actions
And you didn’t get to watch? Well your boy Karl was awesome. I’d be a bit more effusive about it than DMG. He makes the D better immediately.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
Ugh, lost the radio signal right around the Delaware line, got to my mom’s without about 10 left in the third and she only has one TV, and my brother, well, there’s a reason we don’t exchange Christmas cards. (who the hell only has 1 TV?! It’s like living in communist East Germany or something)
Glad to hear Karl had a good night :) Love that kid. And seriously, Steckel won 93 freaking percent of his faceoffs? (and still can’t get a goal. sigh)
Communist East Germany would be like having no TV, no Internet, and a radio that could only tune in to one station.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
they showed the replay of the hit looking right up the boards. the ref had his arm up as soon as kaleta hit the boards.
Yes, but I think if Kaleta pops right back up none the worst for wear it’s two minutes.
What, no girlfriend or wife?
[ducks head]
by red army line on Nov 26, 2009 8:19 AM EST up reply actions
But, he’s missed if the team loses, not so much if they win.
by red army line on Nov 26, 2009 8:20 AM EST up reply actions
He has been missed when the team has won. Back in the days when they beat Atlanta and the Islanders and Semin was out sick. The power play was negative 2 in the scoring department, a shortie per game and no PP goals. They nearly blew a fairly big lead against Atlanta in Period 3 (when else) and played like crap against the Islanders but cam back to tie in Period 3 and then win.
Philosophically though, they got the win both those times. Changing what they had would be risky.
by red army line on Nov 26, 2009 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
If I were Bruce Boudreau I’d implement a rule barring Semyon Varlamov form handling the puck more than three feet away from the blue paint, effective immediately.
Yes, quite right. Thank you for pointing this out.
I mean, not to nitpick a goalie who just earned a shutout, but…
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
Jumbotron Song?
Does anyone know what song is played during caps games. It sounds like AC DC and the video has a bunch of fans/ players celebrating. I think “Hey, OH Yeah,” is repeated. I know this is a vague description but your help is appreciated.
unless it's Goal Breakers, Ice Shakers, THE CAPS!!!
i have no idea
by DonnieKnutts on Nov 25, 2009 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
It’s “Kickstart My Heart” by Motley Crue. It’s “Whoa, Yeah” BTW I actually heard it on the telecast and texted that line to my sister who was there sitting in my seats. (not bitter…but I am)
thanks! I heard it at the game, and somehow knew I would forget the lines when I got home to download it.
by Garyland1177 on Nov 25, 2009 11:25 PM EST up reply actions
while we're on the subject
…do you also know who does the ’we will never Lose. toYou" song?
by redlineblue on Nov 25, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions
It’s Neocon by The Offspring off the album Splinter
by Gin and Tonic on Nov 26, 2009 12:54 AM EST up reply actions
Thanks
I drive my wife crazy with that song, and now I can do it Better.
by redlineblue on Nov 26, 2009 7:07 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Morrison
How good of a pick up has he been? Wish we would have signed him to 2 years instead of Knuble (not taking anything away from Knubs)
Gangsta’s scoring streak ended tonight. :(
But he can start another one on Saturday. :)
SO FЯIENDS, IS BATTLE NOW.
Cost of one ticket to Caps game=$80
Popcorn + beer= $12.50
Sight of watching little Bufaslug fans leave Verizon frowning and near tears=priceless
Bufaslug fans deserve to leave Verizon frowning and near tears. They were absolutely obnoxious after the game last April where they beat the Caps in OT.
Buffalo’s fans are the most obnoxious in the league. (I don’t particularly hate the team but their fans are obnoxious.) At least Pens fans have more of a reason to be obnoxious. (I totally detest the team.)
i’m usually ok with buffalo fans, but i had a really obnoxious kid behind me tonight who just grated on my nerves… root for your team, yes – i’ve been in that position at an away game before. but when you’re at an away game, have some respect. when you boo loudly every time ovechkin has the puck, you just make yourself look like a dumbass.
"No Brooks Laich, no win. Know Brooks Laich, know win."
Buffalo fans, obnoxious. Yes. But have you been to Caps-Penguins? The most obnoxious fans I’ve met were sitting next to me, one whooped in my face after Gonchar scored(an ugly 40 year old woman who was wearing a Staal sweater, who I’d earlier gotten into words with laughing about how at least none of our players had ever gotten arrested for underaged drinking), and after (the events of the game winning goal will be removed due to injury of my mind) they started yelling about how awesome it was that Crosby got the GWG and how it gave him his hat trick…as if he had actually scored it. They then proceeded to leave the arena chanting and yelling and shoving Caps fans. Joke.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
Agree. The Penguins and their fans are obnoxious. The Pens’ whole mode of operation annoys me to heck. (Formula: play like total crap for 1st half of year, get coach fired, pick up trading deadline acquisitions, and then get hot).
I admire teams that are most consistent (see Detroit, NJ, San Jose, Boston of last year) than teams like the Pens.
(On the fans. Pens fans are obnoxious, that is true. But Slugs’ fans were really obnoxious last year, given the fact that their team had missed the playoffs.)
Also agree. I was at the OT loss last season, and had to remind their fans that while their boys would be playing golf, I would be in the VC cheering my Caps in the playoffs. They didn’t like me much.
My dad and sister were in my seats the other night, and they said there was a family in front of them all wearing Buffalo stuff, even an infant in a Sabres onesie, except one small child. He was rocking an AO jersey and carrying a Caps stick. When AO scored, he was screaming his head off. His family shushed him and made him sit down. Great family.
my neighbors family is from buffalo and is down here visiting. There was this timid little knock on my door around lunch time. I opened it to find my neighbor standing at the bottom of my steps and his positively adorable little niece standing in front of me, rocking her little Ovie jersey, and greeting me with “Go Ovechkin! YEAH!”
Apparently, the rest of the family, living in Buffalo as they do, doesn’t quite know what to make of this little girl with her Ovechkin and Caps obsession, but my neighbor happily sends her boatloads of Caps gear.
Thoughts
- I’d like to throw in a vote of confidence for Fleischmann…no goals, maybe, but the guy is working harder than almost any forward on the team and creating opportunities for others. I don’t know what this thrombosis stuff is, but maybe he could spread some of it around if this is the kind of energy one gets after having it.
- Disagree to an extent that Green had a “good” game. Still seemed lackadaisical and easily knocked off the puck, though nothing like Ottawa (tweet or no tweet). And while the delay of game can happen to anyone (when will they make that a judgment call and not automatic?), it came at a terrible time. Focus, Greenlife.
- Scared for Ovie’s growing, undeserved reputation as a dirty player. Not sure what measures Gabby and GMGM (or even Ted) can take at the NHL executive level to inject a dose of reality into the penalty calling on #8, but if the phantom roughing call the other night against Ottawa and tonight’s insane 5 minute major are any indication, he’s got a giant referee’s bullseye on his back that is going to dog him for his career. It seems all it takes is a couple of well-placed media comments about Ovie’s “dirty” play and you might as well mark him down for 2 (or 5) PIMs in the next game…
- Missed Semin. Sure, he might’ve lost it for us in the 3rd with some bonehead penalty had he played, but the added sense of chaos/anything can happen on a shift is part of what attracts me to Caps hockey. We played a very workmanlike game tonight that nabbed us the win (and I appreciate it after the rash of 40 minute efforts in Canada), but still would’ve liked to have seen a couple dazzling moves from #28 to bring a spark to the contest.
didn’t see tonight’s game, but rarely does Green look anything but lackadaisical. It’s really quite remarkable. He never looks like he’s giving all that much effort, even when busting his ass.
I’m glad the Caps were able to skate off Ovi’s major penalty. Because of so many comments on Ovi’s “dirty” play, the refs are now out to get him.
The Caps seem to be more focused in killing major penalties than in killing minor ones. (It seems that every time I’ve seen them take a major penalty, it’s with a 1 goal lead in the third period. Usually, it’s Shaone Morrisonn who gets them.)
Of course, if the Caps hadn’t skated off the major, then they’d be in trouble. (I cringed when I heard it was a 5 minute major and thought “Here we go again.”)
I remember last year in Hershey when Chris Bourque was in the box for a 5 minute major and it proved costly for Hershey and lost them the game. Note: Bourque was a healthy scratch for the next game. (We don’t have enough forwards to healthy scratch anyone.)
Bill Laimbeer feels Ovi's pain
Sports Illustrated put Bill Laimbeer on the cover for its November 5, 1990 issue, in which Laimbeer discusses getting tagged with the dirty player label. This is long-form sports journalism at its very best.
Obviously AO’s situation is a little different, but one could perhaps find some parallels.
SO FЯIENDS, IS BATTLE NOW.
I think your comment about Semin struck a chord. Sure we need disciplined play and I think Sasha will get there but having lived through years of Bryan Murray’s play not to lose offense (no offense Gartner or Cccarelli) a little chaos is maybe what we need. If only we could create it a little closer to the net!
No. 1 goalie
I think this just put a stamp on it, Theodore’s personal issues have left the door open, and Varlamov has stepped through like the man in charge. To borrow from the theme songs thread, “I’m number one with a bullet, I’m a power pack.”
true dat, but I like to think he’s a slithery lizard --
after all, calling him “V” reminds me of a TV miniseries…… (see my newest avatar)
Rock the Red! Rock the White! Rock the Blue! Rock the Pens!
by RedskinFan4Life on Nov 26, 2009 8:28 AM EST up reply actions
Question: How do you do that screencap thing? I’ve always wondered. Specifically for Macs, if you know how.
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Nov 26, 2009 1:37 AM EST up reply actions
Leave Ovechkin Alone!
Quite possibly the finest 2:24 of footage ever posted on the Intertubes. I know what I’m thankful for today!
SO FЯIENDS, IS BATTLE NOW.
Backstrom was unreal. Is there anyone better bringing the puck up the ice, avoiding hits, not making a panicky feed. Wow.
I missed one Alex Semin for about 20 seconds, then I didn’t.
I missed Alex Semin every time Clark tried to finish a play that 8 and 19 started.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 26, 2009 8:45 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m planning to go watch practice also. We need that Rink Rat gang sign…
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Nov 26, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions
Excellent point. I think Clark’s playing much better than at the outset of the season, but Sasha may well have had 2 goals last night given Clark’s chances.
by mechanicsville on Nov 26, 2009 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
He hit Kaleta in the back of the shoulder. A good shoulder to shoulder hit should not result in face into glass. In real time I’m sure ref thought it was the right call.
But Brawndo's got what plants crave. It's got electrolytes.
So much of it depends on your angle. The first time I saw a replay of the hit, I thought it was a marginal, correct call for a penatly, although not a major. Then I got a better look, and saw that the call was pretty much bogus. If drawing blood was the standard for calling a major penalty…….
It apparently is — these days. Although I remember a time last year when Ovi did something to a guy on the other team, blood was drawn and Ovi was given a double minor.
There was a little bit of sarcasm fail on that. I was implying that there have been plenty of times when a Cap has been bloodied and there wasn’t a call, and I’m sure that’s true for every team. It just goes back to that crap of subjectivity. If they had called double minor on Ovie, he wouldn’t have been tossed from the game.
I do think our team gets called for more than its share of crap penalties. I think this particular penalty was an “out to get Ovi cause certain people think he’s dirty” penalty. Now I’m really getting paranoid here.
The “Bleatings of a Cap Nut” blog feels the entire penalty on Ovi (major + match) was warranted. Not sure I agree. Plus, I can’t believe we saw no replay at VC last night.
Same here. My initial reaction, and even my reaction after about 10 min was that it was the right call. Saw the replays from the right angle and saw the shoulder-to-shoulder and realized that the player somehow decided that after sending the puck up ice, he was going to turn away from the play.
If someone’s going to do that, there’s nothing the checking player can do…
I don’t understand how the ref makes that call if he really saw what happened, and I definitely don’t understand how the ref calls a major + match if he is not certain it was deserved.
I’m willing to forgive mistakes but a ref who makes a call like that does not belong in the NHL.
by grapejoos on Nov 26, 2009 11:03 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that the team’s mood improved with Knuble back on the ice (even on practice ice).
SO FЯIENDS, IS BATTLE NOW.
Observations (Belatedly) From Section 421
1) The hit by Ovechkin merited a penalty… a 2 minute penalty, or perhaps 4. My good friend who used my other ticket, a Sabres fan, didn’t believe Ovechkin should have been tossed from the game.
2) Varly was great last night, but was lucky to get a shutout. There were a couple of chances that should have gone in.
3) Miller was also outstanding, and he robbed a number of Caps players during the game. Team USA is certainly set in goal for Vancouver 2010. For the first two periods the game almost looked like a personal battle between Ovechkin and Miller for supremacy.
4) The snakebites have been spreading. Now Clark seems to be snakebit as well….ugh.
This was a great, great effort by the Caps and they deserved to pick up 2 points against a top-notch opponent. Now if only the Caps would play this way against some of the bottom feeders in the conference like Toronto. If they play this way against the Habs Sat. night, then they should get a win….
Let's go Caps!
Just a comment on Sutherland.
I’ve been watching this guy for the better part of 2 years now, and of all the ref styles I’ve come to know and love/hate, Sutherland is a guy I can’t get a bead on. He’ll have one game where he calls so few penalties it’s maddening. Then he’ll have another that just gets out of hand and he starts calling fouls on guys cause they look at him funny. (PHI game last year comes to mind.)
He’s got to be my most hated Ref in the business right now, and the league needs to start taking longer, harder looks at the games he calls. The last thing you want as a player is a Ref that’s calling a game based on his mood, not based on precedent he’s set.
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
50 | 24 | 15 | 11 | 59 |
|
Washington
|
51 | 27 | 20 | 4 | 58 |
|
Winnipeg
|
53 | 24 | 23 | 6 | 54 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
50 | 22 | 23 | 5 | 49 |
|
Carolina
|
53 | 19 | 25 | 9 | 47 |
(updated 2.4.2012 at 6:07 PM EST)
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