The League has issues....
Thursday June 05, 2008 @ 04:20 PM EDT
Here are a couple of issues I was thinking about last night….. All through the finals Therrien was screaming interference. Many people say “poppycock” to this, however, I did some thinking about it and thought of a couple of issues.
The Redwings: A very strong defensive team that takes time, space and the man off the puck better than any other team in the league. This team is so good at defensively “manning up and anticipating what teams will do that it seems like a redwing is on the opponent just as the puck gets there, simply outstanding.
The Penguins: when faced with a good defense, the pens employ what I call a "soft dump self pass” type of technique for getting the puck deep, and generate their cycle. I am sure the Pens do this out of necessity and, with the exception of the wings, the player usually gets by the defender and eventually generates a scoring chance.
There are 2 issues directly related to these tactics and Therriens complaints about obstruction:
1. Is it obstruction or interference if the player dumps the puck and is hit within one or two seconds after releasing the puck?? Conventional logic would say if the player is hit or obstructed after two seconds of releasing the puck: make the call. Otherwise it is just a defender doing his job.
2. Is it diving or unsportsmanlike for the penguin, or any offensive player to dump the puck simply to get the puck deep and cycle, or to avoid the check in the hopes of drawing the penalty?? The penguins used this tactic often throughout the playoffs, and with the lone exception of the redwings: it worked like a charm. The defender would peel off and allow the guins to cycle.
I would say this SCF generated a bit of controversy and arguments from both the Eastern and Western teams presenting two serious cases that, in my humble opinion: The NHL is going to have to deal with in the offseason. The biggest issue I had personally, was the inconsistency in the calls. As long as the soft dump self pass is legal…..and the obstruction/interference rules stand: The league has to tell it’s officials to make the calls, and be consistent with them. The other option would be to modify the rules in some way.
The NHL and it’s poor(inconsistent)officiating created all of the problems or anger in the playoffs this year. Quite the little ethical dilemma Lord Bettman has in this offseason: good for him!! deal with it!! 
P.S. Either the league wants a faster more exciting product or it doesn’t: the rules are there in black and white for every and anyone to read: until modified in some way, dance with the partner you have!!
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Commentsxfire_lady
Jun 09, 2008
Hmmmmm......
..I’ve been thinking about this blog for a week now trying to figure out how to comment, seeing as all my thoughts have already been more or less said. To be honest, except for the absolutely obvious penalties, it’s almost impossible to cover how each rule and regulation could be seen on the ice by the officials and if a penalty should, or should not be called. It’s just too damn subjective. And seeing how there’s so much inconsistency in officiating in the league, addressing such particular plays like this is almost asking too much of those “men in stripes” on the ice, don’t you think? Hell, they can barely make the obvious calls!
YankeeDevil
Jun 05, 2008
I'd just like some common sense applied
Your soft dump in example.What gets me is when the player dumps the puck in then proceeds to make contact with the defender.the player dumps the puck runs into the defender and the defender takes the interference.Something is wrong with that picture.For me the common sense answer in that situation is if the fore checker initiates contact the defender is not impeeding him.No penalty, shut up and keep skating.
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Second point.I don’t see a real problem.Dump ins are part of the game.It’s not cheap.As far as drawing penalties I think skating is more efficient.If you beat a man to the inside you basically force him to hook or trip versus giving up the break away.It’s funny people want to talk down about the European game but the Swedes beat the Pens with old school defense.The definition of old school defense in this sentence is simple: Play the body not the puck.The Detroit defense stood the man up at the line and trusted their partners to gather up the puck.
TED83
Jun 05, 2008
its like with goalies
after the lockout, if a goalie left the crease and went anywhere except behind the red line they would be penalized for a delay of game.for instance,if a puck is shot down, and he leaves the crease and heads toward the blue line and gets the puck, that was a penalty,I’ve never seen that called after the first season after the lockout,I’m not sure if that is still called or not…
vehyrehk_11969
Jun 05, 2008
well I think you
almost had it then lost it AndyPoo, in so much as Detroit’s tenacious defense is/was centred around puck support, whether it was in the offensive zone or the defensive zone. I do believe that the Pens became more competitive when they learned (on the fly I might add, those first two games were hard to watch) to do exactly what the Wings were doing. You probably would know better than I if that kind of puck support was lost and gained again throughout the playoffs, but the ability of the Wings to “GLOM” onto another player as they go by is their main technique so as for not getting beat defensively and they tend to fall down (remember how often that would happen?) when the Pens or anyone were actually getting by them and take the opposing player out of the play long enough for their support to back them up! It’s soo infuriating that it looks like and often is obstruction but they’re so damn sneaky good at it, that they don’t get called for it unless the Ref is paying good attention (and in the right position) to see what’s really happening with their hands, skates and sticks.
So I agree with you fully that something needs to be done to clarify these issues and make sure that the referees are on the same page next season. Just hopefully we’ll see it take place and watch some even faster paced hockey through the neutral zone that will be keeping the goalies on their toes!!
Great Blog man!!! thanks for listening to my blather yet again.
TED83
Jun 05, 2008
if a player
has the puck and a defender is coming at him for a check if the player releases the puck the defender is allowed to finish the check,or if two players go for the puck,if close to the puck either are allowed to check the other. the only thing I hate is that calls depend on the ref,which ok is odd, but I’m fine with as long as they are consistent,its annoying watching a slash called then a period later the same type of slash happens but no call,that gets me,but for your question a player is allowed to finish a check once he goes toward the player with the puck..