Official 10-11 NHL Playoff Thread

[Danny]

I overheard McGuire (?) saying that goalies aren't allowed to hit even if the other guy carries the puck. It was hilarious nonetheless. To be honest Sedin would've gone down anyway because there was a Bruin in the vicinity, Timmeh just helped him along.

[racicot]

. To be honest Sedin would've gone down anyway because there was a Bruin in the vicinity

Lol, I must say, I used to love Burrows, Kesler and the Sedins, but I think I've lost some respect for them over this playoff run. Kesler especially. It seems like they are flopping, wincing and writhing in pain after the gentlest of touches.

And I'm saying this as an anti-bruins fan. I said the same thing about one of my favorite players on my team (Wizniewski) in the Montreal series. To be honest, I think at least two of the teams the Bruins played against this playoffs have had a case of the flopsies.


@Jakethesnake

I know he bit him. Not sure how hard, but whatever the strength, I don't think a suspension should have been considered.

[JakeTheSnake]

@Jakethesnake

I know he bit him. Not sure how hard, but whatever the strength, I don't think a suspension should have been considered.

Then i agree with you.

[bruins72]

Ugh! Work has been hectic and no time for posting. And this is the time of season when I want to be posting!

Anyhow, that Rome hit on Horton was ugly! Horton is out the rest of the playoffs. Who knows what happens for him next season. When they were asking him questions after the hit, he thought he was still in Vancouver. That's not good.

It was great to see the guys collect themselves and go out and play the way they need to after that though. Hopefully this will be the catalyst for a Bruins comeback.

[racicot]

Rome out 4 games. Confirmed here http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368125

I think taking him out of the playoffs is certainly fair. I agree with the NHL on this one.

[Loosie]

Too much. The hit was late, but it was not to the head, not from the blindside. Horton had his head down. Unfortunate yes, but 4 games is too much.

[Weasel]

Rome is being penalized for the results and not the hit IMO, late but not the end of the world. Compare that to Chara running buddy into the glass, what did he get?

Boy, Vancouver really stunk last night and Luongo is SOOOO over rated but the Canucks are stuck with him now with the big fat life contract they gave him. I don't know, I don't see super star when I watch him play.

[racicot]

I know what you mean Loosie. If that hit had been delivered when Horton had the puck, I would have said it was a beautiful hit. It was not a blindside hit, he didn't target the head and he led with his shoulder. The problem is that I don't even think Rome started lining up the check until after Horton passed the puck.

Yes, Horton had his head down/admiring his pass, but that hit was simply too late. But they are opinions, and I'm sure there will be plenty of different ones here

[Danny]

He made a pass and continued to follow the play as he's supposed to do. His head was in an appropriate position. It wasn't from the blindside and Rome didn't leave his feet, generally there is not much wrong with the contact itself, very unfortunate, except that it was way too late, in which case full responsibility lies on Rome. And it didn't help that Horton banged his head on the ice heavily. You can say that you are generally fine with those type of hits in the playoffs, fair enough, but Horton most certainly didn't do anything wrong here as far as putting himself into a prone position is concerned, it was a standard play made dozens of times every game by forwards entering the zone.
As far as the 4 games are concerned, as I said before, I don't care, maybe too much, maybe not enough, whatever.
One more thing, Sedin, way to go buddy, being bumped into the shoulder by Ference and faking a head injury after what just happened with Horton

[philou21]

Rome derserved a suspension but you can bet that if it was a superstart who would've done that....0 games for sure. I really didn't ike it at all when I saw Horton's arms straight in the air like that, it's never a good sign.

Since the playoffs have started, when Luongo had a bad game he stood up the next, let see.....Certainly we have a new series though.

[Círyatan]

It was painful game to watch for a Vancouver fan, especially the way the Canucks got dismantled in the defensive zone. And although I give full credit to Boston, they played a great game, I was shocked by how little effort the Canucks showed in their own end. That was unacceptable, and something I would never ever like to see again. I feel for Lou; can't blame him for the loss, given the way his own team left him out to dry, but I suppose we're still in for another handful of "trade Luongo" comments.

The Rome hit on Horton was awful, in two aspects: because of how late it was, and because of how hard Horton's head hit the ice and how much damage it precipitated. I completely agree with the on ice call, and with regards to suspension, I would have been happy with anything from no further action to, say, two games. Four might be a bit too much, but I can accept that nevertheless. I fully support actions taken to make the game safer, I only hope the league's decisions will be more consistent in the future.

Lol, I must say, I used to love Burrows, Kesler and the Sedins, but I think I've lost some respect for them over this playoff run. Kesler especially. It seems like they are flopping, wincing and writhing in pain after the gentlest of touches.

I know what you're trying to say, Tim. I kind of feel the same way about the twins, wish they showed a tad more feistiness... That hit on Hank by Thomas was hilarious. An honest question, though: can someone well-versed in the rules (batdad?) tell me whether that was actually legal or not? Can't help wondering. Either way, it sure was enjoyable to watch!

Can't agree with you on Burrows and Kesler, though. I love those guys.

All in all, a great game by the Bruins, and an extraordinary performance by Timmy Thomas. One thing I didn't like: Lucic's cheapshot on Burrows. Good he said he was sorry afterwards, but still. Not pleased.

I'm really fired up for next games. This is going to be one hell of a series. Wrong: it already is!

[batdad]

1. B72 I know what you mean, not having time to post late last night or today made me nuts
2. Danny--You are not giving Thornton enough credit. His play at the start of the game and his feisty yapping, brought back the old Canucks again. We saw a little of the yap and rubbish in game 1, but not much. Looked like they had righted the ship. Until Thornton came in. As Don Cherry said on Coaches COrner, Thornton was chirping Rome on Canucks bench, the shift before Rome went out and blew up Horton late. THat started the ball rolling. Then he got on Burrows and Lapierre and got the Frenchies yapping and off their games. Then he just kept being a prick. His toughness and emotion helped get the Bs started big time. Him and that guy you wanted scratched. Never seen Recchi hit so many guys. Talk about fired up.
3/. THe Canucks and the attitude--After last season. Gillis/VIgneault spoke to every player. Sedins, Burrows and Kesler most prominently about the BS they were pulling, yapping, poking, hair pulling (Burr only), dumb retalliation and hooking, and flopping (Sedins). The boys were told to win that had to stop. Kesler, Burrows, the twins and the rest of the team totally bought in all season. Chicago tried to get them engaged in it again, and the boys refused and walked away. No yap, no rubbish. Nashville tries...same thing. San Jose too beat up, and no try at all because of that. Then...along come the Big Bad Bruins (Who are not that big and bad by the way). And what happens? G1 Daniel pushing, Henrik flopping, Burrows biting, lapierre acting stupid. OVER THE EDGE> THe Bruins sucked them back into their old habits. Game 1 it did not cost Canucks.

Game 2--Boston did not show up and did not do the things to piddle Van off. Canucks had the run of the play, and the Bs did not get in their kitchen. With the exception of Vancouver's poor 2nd Period which had nothing to do with the Bs...the Canucks controlled the game. Bad break and bad lazy mistakes by the Bs and game over.

Game 3-Thornton in, Recchi starts out the game like he is Chara sized, and 25 again. Bang, crash. Thornton goads Rome into being an idiot. Rome takes run at Horton and hurts him....bad. (Will discuss suspension in a second)...2Period a broken stick at the start of a period? Mr Edler..did you not check it? That is inexcusible. Guys are always checking their sticks. No way that should have happened. Lucky/bad goal on Ference shot. Canucks try and recover and TImmeh makes a couple of great saves.

It took Boston some time to wake up completely after the Horton injury. But THornton was wide awake. So was Recchi....in the 2nd they all WOKE UP. Canucks poked the bear so to speak. Not a good idea. Lappi has to shut up. Burrows gets stupid, Daniel dives and wrestles with Ference. Lucic toons up Burrows. Kesler goes in...not widdled at him at all for this. No choice really. CANUCKS TOTALLY LOST COMPOSURE. THey have to get it back or they are DONE. They will I think. This team has been resilient all season long. Stubborn in fact.

Now...as for Boston Bruins..I was going to hold back on this but can't. Not sure if they are brilliant or a bunch of idiots. From Julien's reaction to Looch, I would say at least he was in doghouse. Recchi too. The finger rubbish they both pulled with Lapierre (Recchi) and Burrows (Looch after killing him) makes their coach look like a complete moron. Sorry, but when Julien goes all angel to the press and discusses how "his team would never stoop to that....speaking more about Lapierre with Bergeron than Burrows, and then his veteran and tough guy leader both do EXACTLY the same thing the very SAME DAY. You have to wonder...

Rome suspension-1. changing the guard and the scope of suspensions in the playoffs is pathetic. Go look at Torres on Seabrook, McGinn on Rome, that idiot Eager on Daniel. Tell me any of those hits are not at least as bad as Rome or worse. Now go look up the penalties and suspensions. Rome hit was bad...as I said. But...even Murphy said it was 1/2 second away from not being even a penalty.
Danny-You stated all on Rome, not on Horton. Sorry but Horton is a Canadian boy. All his life he has been taught NOT TO ADMIRE HIS PASSES. My son said the same to me yesterday. He said..."Didn't Horton's dad tell him not to watch his passes and stand there like a dumbass?" Exactly what Nathan did.

That being said...IF....and ONLY IF.....the NHL new guard starts sticking to their guns on this and suspending more extremely...(Do you realize Rome's suspension is the biggest in NHL Stanley Cup final histort? In fact it is 4 times the highest. I cannot recall 2 of the 3, but one of them was a big ass dirty hit. Jiri Fisher cross check 1 game, I want to say Kamensky in COlorado for a hit from behind, but it was some other Russian for them. And then the big ugly one....just a few years ago, but cannot recall who now.

Rome--clean player, absolutely zero history, not a rule 48 hit, not a dirty hit, save it being late...way too late I agree. If Horton not hurt..no suspension. Murphy admitted that. THis is BAD. Dave STeckl will never play again if hits Crosby tomorrow. Cause Sid may never play again. Not to mention...Murphy called of all people...Brian Burke for advice. Ugh. Yeah he will support Canucks.

again..I have no problem with ROme being suspended, but if you need to make a point like clearly the NHL did...it should have been 2 games. This is too much. I know Horton is hurt, but he is 15% responsible minimum. ROME is right in front of him. Pay attention and protect yourself. He has been taught that since he was 3.

I did not watch P3 and did not see Timmeh;s hit save on replay. I have no problem with it. He was just fighting for his spot on the ice. I think goalies should do it more often.

Stat of the night..Vancouver leading hitter...Kevin Bieksa...ZERO HITS> Christian Erhoff 29 minutes of ice....0 hits. Wonder why you lost so bad guys?

rubbish Daniel and Henrik each had 2 hits. What the Dickens?

What is to come? I hope Vancouver gets its cool back. Kesler (not sure why someone has lost respect for him--I missed P3, and I know he went with Seidenberg, but not anything else he did) is the only one to me who kept it last night. The rest were off their rockers and either scared or stupid. Canucks have to change this, or they lose. Henrik is hurt, Daniel looked hurt, Edler and Erhoff look hurt, Kesler is definitely hurt (watch his bursts of speed in past videos...none is there), Raymond was scared. Higgins has no hands. If Vancouver gets its cool back, this could be a series for the ages much like the 1994 Rangers-Nucks series. If not...Boston in 6, and only 1 close score.

And whoever said Luongo sucks...whatever. A day ago you said Thomas was horrid. Both goalies have had great games, and bad plays. STuff happens. Roberto had ZERO help last night. First bad game since Chicago game 5. No issue with Roberto. He will be fine, it is the team in front of him that has to shape up.

BTW--No excuse with injuries. I know Chara is hurt, Ference, Bergeron, now Horton, Looch has something wrong with him (his shot is hideous right now), Boston is just as bad as Vancouver.

It is too bad for the Canucks.they have been hated in the past by NHL players for a reason. Krys Barch (superstar he is) belted off on the Nucks on Twitter last night. I hate to say it but because of past seasons with Van he is right. Kes, Burr, Bieksa, Sedins, alot of the team is hated around the NHL and the player circle. Fans everywhere hate the Canucks. Why? Two reasons. One...they are really really good.
Two---they know it and flaunt it. Stupidly some times. Like game 1 and last night.

I was hoping they would stay smart so I would not have to agree with Barch last night. The Canucks if they win the cup, will not be respected the way other cup winners are, by many fans around the NHL, and many many players. They have been classless at times in this series, and have to stop.

But...and this is a big but...BOSTON has been pretty pathetic too. Let the frigging bite go already. Jesus. How bad is this for hockey and hte perception of the NHL? Last night looked like a game the Johnstown Chiefs were playing in. STOOPID. Bad rap for the league. In its biggest showcase. ONly thing worse would be a brawl in the Winter Classic.

The NHL lets go stuff like the slash on Bieksa. The hits on Seabrook (Torres), Rome (McGinn) and D Sedin (Eager). All dirty hits. All guys with histories, and Rome gets freaking smacked down? A guy with barely any minor penalties in his life? Few if any fights? No dumb stuff?

NHL punishing Rome because they effed up on Burrows, Lapierre and now are being mocked on the ice by Recchi, Lucic, Lapierre and the rest of the clowns. NHL get it together.

I HOPE TO GOD THEY STICK TO PUNISHING DIRTY HITS NEXT YEAR the way they punished Rome. A hit like that will be worth 10 games in regular season, which makes a hit like Torres on Eberle, Seabrook or McGinn on Rome at least 15 games. Problem is...as soon as Ovenchicken does it to say...Ference...no suspension. This is on the league as much as it is on Rome. Brutal decisions in the playoffs this season. Brutal. Again, Rome should be suspended no doubt. 2 is enough. 4 is too much UNLESS the league institutes this stuff across the board.

Murphy admitting Horton's injury and seriousness has something to do with the suspension. Boston hierarchy telling media he has a "SERIOUS CONCUSSION". Please go back and read the Bruin management comments about Max Pacioretty's concussion. I believe they said something along the lines of "a concussion is a concussion, there is no such thing as one concussion more serious than another"

Not whining for Canucks..they deserve to lose right now. Just pointing things out.

[batdad]

Holy essay batdude.

[Manimal]

I think Thomas' it was OK as I saw Sedin as the puck carrier. Kerry Fraser agrees with me:
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368195

I have been enjoying his articles on different rule-questions

[Danny]

Good post batdad, will reply in detail later, not much time now, but clearly Thornton and Recchi read TBL and got fired up by me

[philou21]

Murphy admitting Horton's injury and seriousness has something to do with the suspension. Boston hierarchy telling media he has a "SERIOUS CONCUSSION". Please go back and read the Bruin management comments about Max Pacioretty's concussion. I believe they said something along the lines of "a concussion is a concussion, there is no such thing as one concussion more serious than another"

Really? Wow pathetic at the highest point.

[Loosie]

Thornton's effect in this series (albeit only one game so far) reminds me of the Leafs/Isles series from 01/02. The series went 7 games and was a homer series. The sole reason that it was? The play of one Steve Webb for the Isles. He was all over the palce taking cheap shots ,late runs and dirty plays at home, but when the games were in Toronto he was invisible. If Steve Webb had played like he did through the whole series I think the Isles would have that one off. Now granteed Thronton was not in game 1 and 2, but he strikes me as that kind of player. One who will only show his 'toughness' at home.

[batdad]

No Loosie. Thornton is a very good hockey player. He will be tough and has proven all his career he is. He is a guy I would love to have as a 4th liner on the Canucks. He is Raffi Torres on a good day minus some speed plus the ability to chuck them. I cannot and won't ever slam Thornton. He is as greasy as they come.

[archibalduk]

Holy essay batdude.

You're not half wrong - but well worth the read.

I agree with everybody who feels a four game suspension is too harsh. Had it been in game four or game five, I wonder if it would have been three or two games respectively. It seems more that the punishment is for him to miss the remainder of the final rather than being handed a fixed game penalty in proportion to his infraction.

Did anybody else enjoy Marchand's goal? I think that was my favourite of the game. Granted Vancouver weren't on top of the game, but it was still a nice goal nonetheless.

[batdad]

More and more stories coming out from NHL players on how much they hate the Canucks and that their behaviour is tarnishing the team and if they win the cup...it will not be respected by others. Granted this is coming from Chicago, Boston and Calgary. Three places not known for loving the Canucks right now. But Milbury is all over them as well (Bruin guy). I love his line:

IF I had known biting was legal I would have eaten Guy Lafleur back in 1979. Atta boy Mike.

Penis head mcGuire is all over the nucks, of course he is working for NBC. Roenick too.
I read a comment today on another board that those watching NBC are not seeing what is really going on on the ice, and that some of this may actually be causing the viritol towards the Canucks. The stuff behind the play is completely being missed. For example, they apparently did not even show in a highlight the massive slash on the back of the legs that Bieksa took. No idea if that is true, but wow.

These same people are saying CBC are in love with the Canucks. I don't think so...especially Simpson. Hughson, yeah tough for him to be neutral as he grew up in Vancouver and has been a Canuck guy all his life. Simpson HATES the Canucks.

Ron Maclean-Is known well for although complimenting Burrows on his rise in hockey and never say die attitude, for shredding him over and over. Did it again the other night. Don Cherry? yeah sure..Bruins are in the final. Kelly Hrudey has nothing nice to say about the Nucks except Kesler and to defend Roberto.

The hatred that Boston and Vancouver developed for each other after only playing 2 games against each other in 3 year is astounding. Right from the first shift this has been one NASTY series.

Again, reminding all people out there. Blanket statements about how one team is classless and another is sooo classy. Not so much. I can imagine how widdled Julien was the other night with his guys after the finger extending stupidity.

Anyone does it from now on...2 min unsport, 10 min misconduct. Good.

Oh and to those whining about VIgneault asking the league for clarification on Timmeh Thomas and the way he plays out of his net. It is not about the hit on Henrik. Although AV did not like that play, he is not talking about it. He is discussing how when Timmeh comes way out of the blue paint, the Canucks go in behind him. Then Timmeh just comes running back through the Canucks standing there. The puck is not there, and he hits or trips or shoves them to get back in his net. AV is right...that is interference. You come out of your position, someone else can go there. This is not being called and should be.

[Weasel]

.

But Milbury is all over them as well (Bruin guy). I love his line:

IF I had known biting was legal I would have eaten Guy Lafleur back in 1979. Atta boy Mike.

Penis head mcGuire is all over the nucks, of course he is working for NBC. Roenick too.


Oh and to those whining about VIgneault asking the league for clarification on Timmeh Thomas and the way he plays out of his net. It is not about the hit on Henrik. Although AV did not like that play, he is not talking about it. He is discussing how when Timmeh comes way out of the blue paint, the Canucks go in behind him. Then Timmeh just comes running back through the Canucks standing there. The puck is not there, and he hits or trips or shoves them to get back in his net. AV is right...that is interference. You come out of your position, someone else can go there. This is not being called and should be.

- Milbury > useless coach, useless commentator, total Lidstrom.

- Mcguire > the guy didn't make it as a coach, being fired after half a season but you listen to this weenie and he knows everything there is to know about hockey and each position. Whenever there is a game on TSN that I watch I mute the sound as soon as that pin head starts to talk.

- Thomas > love his play and think he is great, but I agree, if you are out of the blue paint you are fair game. If he is up at the hash marks playing the puck is it ok to hit him, probably not the way the cry babies are making the NHL into junior b game. I would rather Thomas in Vancouver net over Luongo, but as stated earlier, I have never been L. fan.

Anyone else find it ironic when the commentator says "great save", well yeah, that is what he is suppose to do, any NHL goalie can stop the regular shots. Now Martin Broduer, that was/is a great goalie.

[Danny]

Did AV also criticize the refs for not calling all the dives by the Sedins that should be called ? Thought so. It is what it is, mind games, Boucher did it all the time during our series, even when he didn't have a point. And as usual with mind games, there will be plenty of people whining about it. And no, the NBC did not miss the slash on Bieksa at all. So clearly the person claiming this is lying because he/she doesn't have any valid arguments. The Canucks are not respected because of players like the Sedins, Burrows, Lapierre or Kesler, like it or not, people see them as fake-tough guys (except Sedins) who yap with the zebras in between but rubbish their pants once a real tough guy is in the vicinity, and most of them (including Sedins) are excessive divers/cheaters. No need to look into conspiracy theories like TV stations ignoring incidents or people not seeing what's going on. Of course then you have guys like Cherry blowing things out of proportion, people on agendas, and general incompetence by a lot of media people, which maximizes the outcome. It's not so much classy vs classless, which in itself is a completely overused term when it comes to hockey anyway. Bruins are no angels, Canucks are not the Devil, and players/coaches from both parties will spout a lot of rubbish to the media, nothing new there. People simply don't respect the Canucks because of their style of play, end of story. Are they worse than the Bruins ? No they are not. Just different. While the Bruins cross the line with excessive aggressiveness (at times), excessive physical intimidation on finesse players and unnecessary nastiness, the Canucks cross the line with excessive diving and fake-toughness antics, and in the end of the day the average neutral hockey fan will usually not side with the latter. I don't care if someone hates on the Bruins for gooning it up...because they effin do and it's a part of their gameplan. And it's working. Just like the Nucks dive and troll a lot. And it's a part of their gameplan, please don't be so naive to deny that. But for some reason most Nucks fans, even the reasonable ones, have a problem accepting that. It is what it is. Accept it or become a Bruins fan
Which is why I stay away from this type of debates on other boards. Too many idiots throwing around their classiness "arguments", conspiracy theories and other rubbish. Although I do not mind sparring with you here B.Diddy.

And btw, quote from AV: "We've talked to the NHL about that. We've talked to the NHL about him initiating contact, like he did on Hank, and they're aware of it"
Yes, he's very much whining about TImmeh dropping the primadonna.

No Loosie. Thornton is a very good hockey player. He will be tough and has proven all his career he is. He is a guy I would love to have as a 4th liner on the Canucks. He is Raffi Torres on a good day minus some speed plus the ability to chuck them. I cannot and won't ever slam Thornton. He is as greasy as they come.

Right, best playing enforcer in the league by a solid margin. Fan favourite, great dude off the ice as well, re-decorated the Bruins dressing room 70s style for the playoff run together with Hnidy as a surprise for the other guys Don't see the Bruins letting him walk.

2. Danny--You are not giving Thornton enough credit. His play at the start of the game and his feisty yapping, brought back the old Canucks again. We saw a little of the yap and rubbish in game 1, but not much. Looked like they had righted the ship. Until Thornton came in. As Don Cherry said on Coaches COrner, Thornton was chirping Rome on Canucks bench, the shift before Rome went out and blew up Horton late. THat started the ball rolling. Then he got on Burrows and Lapierre and got the Frenchies yapping and off their games. Then he just kept being a prick. His toughness and emotion helped get the Bs started big time. Him and that guy you wanted scratched. Never seen Recchi hit so many guys. Talk about fired up.

Didn't mean to diminish his impact at all, just saying, this game would've probably gone the same way without him in the line up. This team has changed since being called out by the entire hockey world for their pathetic response (the lack thereof really) to the Cooke hit on Savard. Plenty of Bruins games where someone trolls them and they go ballistic on everyone. Doesn't require Shawn, but helps to have him. He's obviously a scary dude when angry.

Now...as for Boston Bruins..I was going to hold back on this but can't. Not sure if they are brilliant or a bunch of idiots. From Julien's reaction to Looch, I would say at least he was in doghouse. Recchi too. The finger rubbish they both pulled with Lapierre (Recchi) and Burrows (Looch after killing him) makes their coach look like a complete moron. Sorry, but when Julien goes all angel to the press and discusses how "his team would never stoop to that....speaking more about Lapierre with Bergeron than Burrows, and then his veteran and tough guy leader both do EXACTLY the same thing the very SAME DAY. You have to wonder...

Lip service to the media and mind games. He might not have encouraged it but he certainly won't mind. Doesn't make him look more like a moron than AV for complaining about Timmeh out of his crease.

Rome suspension-1. changing the guard and the scope of suspensions in the playoffs is pathetic. Go look at Torres on Seabrook, McGinn on Rome, that idiot Eager on Daniel. Tell me any of those hits are not at least as bad as Rome or worse. Now go look up the penalties and suspensions. Rome hit was bad...as I said. But...even Murphy said it was 1/2 second away from not being even a penalty.
Danny-You stated all on Rome, not on Horton. Sorry but Horton is a Canadian boy. All his life he has been taught NOT TO ADMIRE HIS PASSES. My son said the same to me yesterday. He said..."Didn't Horton's dad tell him not to watch his passes and stand there like a dumbass?" Exactly what Nathan did.

That being said...IF....and ONLY IF.....the NHL new guard starts sticking to their guns on this and suspending more extremely...(Do you realize Rome's suspension is the biggest in NHL Stanley Cup final histort? In fact it is 4 times the highest. I cannot recall 2 of the 3, but one of them was a big ass dirty hit. Jiri Fisher cross check 1 game, I want to say Kamensky in COlorado for a hit from behind, but it was some other Russian for them. And then the big ugly one....just a few years ago, but cannot recall who now.

Rome--clean player, absolutely zero history, not a rule 48 hit, not a dirty hit, save it being late...way too late I agree. If Horton not hurt..no suspension. Murphy admitted that. THis is BAD. Dave STeckl will never play again if hits Crosby tomorrow. Cause Sid may never play again. Not to mention...Murphy called of all people...Brian Burke for advice. Ugh. Yeah he will support Canucks.

That's the problem right there. The mindset has to change. Just because you as a player think some other dude is admiring his pass doesn't give you the green light to end his career. This is not the Scott Stevens NHL anymore, dudes are bigger, stronger, faster, elbow/shoulder pads made out of concrete. Rome didn't commit to the hit until the puck was off Horton's stick. That's not trying to separate somebody from the puck, that's blatant intent to injure. Doesn't matter that Rome is a clean player. This needs to end as well. Clearly he's capable of delivering a head shot. Marchand isn't know for dirty hits either and then all of a sudden took RJ Umberger's head off with a nasty elbow. And got two games when he should've gotten 10+.
And seeing as how Burke holds the Bruins first round pick I think the Bruins are the ones who have a right to be upset that this man is having an influence on the finals. Either way, Ballard>Rome. Don't think Horton would get 4 if it was the other way round. Maybe one. Or strong hockey play. Rome's a no-name, easy to lay down the law on those. And maybe they were afraid the Bruins might kill him if he comes back at some point, and you don't want that kind of publicity in the finals on national TV.

But...and this is a big but...BOSTON has been pretty pathetic too. Let the frigging bite go already. Jesus. How bad is this for hockey and hte perception of the NHL? Last night looked like a game the Johnstown Chiefs were playing in. STOOPID. Bad rap for the league. In its biggest showcase. ONly thing worse would be a brawl in the Winter Classic.

Canucks forced them. Do whatever it takes to win. I don't give a darn about the perception of the NHL. And I'd have loved a brawl at Fenway against the Flyers.

Boston hierarchy telling media he has a "SERIOUS CONCUSSION". Please go back and read the Bruin management comments about Max Pacioretty's concussion. I believe they said something along the lines of "a concussion is a concussion, there is no such thing as one concussion more serious than another"

My impression was the Bruins had a problem with the Habs releasing an overly dramatic and premature prognosis for MaxPac's career ("he might never play again") and that concussions are unpredictable and it takes more time to determine what's going on just prior to Chara's hearing. Couple of days later it turns out he can start skating/practicing soon. Clearly the Habs tried to influence the hearing. Any other team would probably have too. And the other team would have a problem with it. 100% of the time.

[Manimal]

- Thomas > love his play and think he is great, but I agree, if you are out of the blue paint you are fair game. If he is up at the hash marks playing the puck is it ok to hit him, probably not the way the cry babies are making the NHL into junior b game.

That is not what Batdad is saying. Under NHL rules you may never intentionally make contact with a goaltender. Batdad was talking about Thomas interfering with other guys

[batdad]

While the Bruins cross the line with excessive aggressiveness (at times), excessive physical intimidation on finesse players and unnecessary nastiness, the Canucks cross the line with excessive diving and fake-toughness antics, and in the end of the day the average neutral hockey fan will usually not side with the latter.

Actually Danny...this is what I was trying to say. The Canucks basically got rid of that rubbish for the entire season. It has not been happening. Burr, Kesler, Bieksa all shut up all year long and just played hockey. Bieksa got dumb one game vs Chicago and pummeled on a guy that was nowhere near his match (Stahlberg). Then they went back to playing hockey the next game..no yap, no dive, nothing after the whistle. All year this team has preached and acted the same way. NOTHING after whistle, no yap no nothing. Other team can do it, we skate away and take advantage on PP should it come.

Against the Hawks, they got away from this game 1 time. Then they played horrible in one other game. Nashville, they pretty much stuck to their guns, save a couple of dives from Daniel and Henrik which they got rubbish for at the bench from not only AV, but Kesler and after the game from Manny.

Now...two out of three games vs Boston they have lost their way and have gone back to the BS. They are an exciting team to watch when they play their game, and stay away from the BS. They skate so well, the defense are so involved, and so much exciting hockey happens. Game 1 and even game 2 in Vancouver showed that in the 2nd periods in particular. Exciting end to end hockey, with good hard hitting and lots of chances and good goaltending. That is Vancouver style. Last game they lost their way.

Lapierre has upset the apple cart here. But when he keeps his mouth shut and goes hard..never minds the antics. All is good.

Canucks do not have fake tough guys. They don't have tough guys and they know it. They are physical and skate well. Bieksa is the toughest they have. They know it. The Canucks should not be fighting. That is not how you win in the NHL these days. But they also have to stop stirring the rubbish like they did for 2 games. Honestly though...last game...not the Canucks. The Bruins instigated the rubbish, and the Canucks fell for it. That cost them the game. As for you Danny not caring about the perception of the NHL that is silly. You should...the more negative the perception, the less chance their is that the NHL improves and gets better. The more places liking the sport, the better the game gets and the more fun it is to watch.

Claude Julien-was widdled at them. Trust me he was. (I happen to know this from a source pretty close to one of those two players)..they got ripped a new hole.

Av re Thomas....First of all, both coaches get to meet with the referee gang on off days and vent. You don't think Mr Julien vented a bit about a few things? I am sure he did. As for AV vent...it was not about Thomas hitting Henrik. He mentioned it, yes. But his vent is more about when Thomas gets way out of the crease, and a Canuck gets behind him (Burrows tripping penalty game 1) and as Thomas comes back, makes contact with Canucks, and the Canuck either gets a penalty, or Thomas gets nothing. it should not be a free pass for Thomas there. He should not be allowed back to his net, with a free pass when Canucks are in the way. He bumps em and falls down..his problem...if he interferes with a Canuck going to he net, while behind him..Thomas should be penalized for interference. It is NOT his ice to do whatever he wants.
FYI: I don't want free game on goalie out of crease, that is dumb. But when he is out...loses his spot on ice, and anyone can go there. He just cannot go back and knock em over etc when they don't have puck. This is totally different from Henrik situation which I am fine with.

As for paying attention...so you think players should be allowed to skate around with head down? Not watch what is going on? Dude it was 1/2 a second from a legal hit. Murphy said so. Blink an eye, half a second.Try not paying attention for 1/2 a second when driving and see what happens. The car coming the other way...whose fault is it? Think about it. Horton MUST be more aware and smarter than he was on that play. PERIOD.

Yes suspension warranted...but Horton has to wake up there. Unless you want hitting out of the game Danny, and considering you are a Bruins fan..I highly doubt you do..you have to aware for a long long time out there. Like ALL THE TIME. Seriously anyone who plays the game, works in the game knows that.Even if you disallow body checking still have to be aware. Still 10 bodies ripping around the ice at high speeds. Just have to be ...collisions going to happen. Horton NOT aware on this one. Still bad Rome. Not a dirty player, but waited too long. Suspension is fine by me, and I am happy with the length AS LONG AS THE FREAKING NHL STICKS TO ITS GUNS IN THE FUTURE. They won't though.

[philou21]

Danny, it's not the Habs that tried to influence the hearing. It's the fan itself more than the hockey club. Still Pax got a severe concussion too. Everyone probably freaked out too quick but the situation was so disgusting to watch that how someone couldn't react to that? Especially in MTL. It's not because he started skating 1 month after the event that he wasn't seriously injured, he still loss consciousness on the impact and that's automatically a severe concussion, just like Horton.