|
Post by Skilly on May 5, 2015 20:41:05 GMT -5
I have to believe Watson was asked what he said, and they checked the replay. I don't know about you guys, but that camera is looking directly at Watson and i don't see him mouth the words "effin" or "run you out of the building" .... Admittedly, I'm not a lip reader, but "effin" is one of those words that is usually pretty easy to lip read
To use the word "baseless" in the media release I would also assume they contacted Montreal. And Prust either admitted he exaggerated, or could not point to the video where he said what he accused Watson of ...
Let's remember, it took them two days to fine Prust. They took their time to see if Prust's version occurred. Regardless, publicly speaking out against a ref is an automatic fine, a fine they could have levied on Sunday night or Monday if this was a huge conspiracy
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 5, 2015 21:02:49 GMT -5
Why would Prust make up something so outlandish?
Makes no sense....unless he's a couple bottles short....
|
|
|
Post by Skilly on May 5, 2015 21:11:43 GMT -5
Why would Prust make up something so outlandish? Makes no sense....unless he's a couple bottles short.... Why would the NHL claim Prust's version is baseless without proof .....also makes no sense. Oh wait, some may want to believe the Head Office is looking for every reason to screw Montreal. Again, that's just not true.
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 5, 2015 22:06:29 GMT -5
Why would Prust make up something so outlandish? Makes no sense....unless he's a couple bottles short.... Why would the NHL claim Prust's version is baseless without proof .....also makes no sense. I don't think it's anti-Habs bias. It's just that the league has never taken kindly to having their officials reamed out in public by players, coaches, and GMs. Automatic fines. Even if the criticism is valid. Campbell has the power to get away with saying whatever he wants...and he has. Teflon. If Prust made it all up, only he knows why. Trying to get Watson reprimanded? Trying to take the focus off the team and onto himself before Game 3? Trying to escape the wrath of the fans, his coaches, and/or teammates by saying he was verbally abused? Anyway, I'm glad it's over.
|
|
|
Post by habsorbed on May 6, 2015 1:17:37 GMT -5
Is it over?
If Prust made the whole thing up then he should be sent packing. I have no time for that kind of dishonesty. i have no time for 'the code' either. But to break the code with a fabrication is about as low as one can get - emotional or otherwise.
If he didn't make the whole thing up (and i don't think he did) then the league is rotten to the core. Interesting that Prust's apology didn't suggest he lied, nor has MT. If he made the whole thing up then Molson or MB should be fining Prust for bringing the organization into disrepute.
I'm really not liking what i'm seeing from this edition of the Habs. Both their Bruin like hockey on the ice and their unprofessional, if not dishonest, conduct off the ice. They seem to be giving the Haters good cause.
We can't have it both ways. Either we are being targeted unfairly or we are bringing it on ourselves. The CH needs to stand up and be counted. Either Prust acted improperly or the league has (probably both). But the integrity of the CH is more important. I don't like this duplicity.
|
|
|
Post by habsorbed on May 6, 2015 1:42:54 GMT -5
What is particularly disturbing is this consensus that the officials will now have it out for Prust and the Habs. Is this how the league operates? If i'm the league i would be fining Prust for his comments during his apology; saying he hopes his ratting on Watson doesn't prejudice the Habs in future games, "fingers crossed". Why would one need to cross their fingers. Shouldn't one expect to have fair refs all the time? Darren Dreger has also said that every official is furious with the Habs, and this will have repercussions in future games. What sort of league operates like that? So the game will not be officiated fairly?
I've watched Prust's apology and he never says what he said was untrue. I've also watched the replay of Watson and he is relentless on Prust and has his face right in the box and finger wagging. I can't imagine what Watson could possibly be saying that would be acceptable for a ref in that situation. This is a playoff game and the ref clearly lost it. And because Prust called him out on that, the Habs will not get a fairly reffed game. Call me naive but if that is the case then this league is worse than WWE. At least we know that was fixed.
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on May 6, 2015 1:57:32 GMT -5
If it came down to a choice between Prust's honesty and Campbell's honesty, that's a slam dunk decision. Has Prust ever acted dishonestly on the ice? Has he ever hit someone while they're down? Has he ever run someone into a stanchion and then denied having done so? On the other hand.....well, no need to go into Campbell's history with the Habs. I'm just surprised that there's any doubt that what Prust said didn't happen. I just don't think its in his DNA to fabricate those kinds of comments. Seeing Watson make that waggling motion with his fingers makes me think he said exactly what Prust stated.
Yeah, I'm biased, but at least I admit it. Campbell pretends he's actually objective.
|
|
|
Post by flowerpower on May 6, 2015 4:25:02 GMT -5
Whether on the ice or in team meetings, cursing and uttering obscenities is usually the rule in the NHL and it applies to players, coaches and refs alike. I'd be more concerned by Watson's body language like following Prust to the penalty box and wagging his finger at him than by what he actually said. Players can show emotions, not refs.
|
|
|
Post by Disp on May 6, 2015 6:30:24 GMT -5
Well if the reffing does slant even more the other other way. Call them out again. What's 5 grand to these guys?
We've been getting screwed all year. We're the divers, embellishers. We have such a rep they don't even consider that the teams we're playing are doing it. Really need someone in the media to start pointing it out, with video evidence. Unfortunately nobody will. The habs are hated that much more, it's just not newsworthy.
Tsn had the top ten dives of all time on last night. Stone didn't make it.
|
|
|
Post by blny on May 6, 2015 6:41:22 GMT -5
Why would Prust make up something so outlandish? Makes no sense....unless he's a couple bottles short.... Why would the NHL claim Prust's version is baseless without proof .....also makes no sense. Oh wait, some may want to believe the Head Office is looking for every reason to screw Montreal. Again, that's just not true. Makes a lot of sense for the league to deny and deflect. Why would they want to open Pandora's box, and admit that there's more than one problem with their officials? At any rate, it's time to move on. Win tonight, and you're back in it. Win tonight, and you play the next night with that momentum fresh in both teams minds. Gotta channel some of the Flames big win last night.
|
|
|
Post by Disp on May 6, 2015 6:46:26 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by jkr on May 6, 2015 6:46:45 GMT -5
What is particularly disturbing is this consensus that the officials will now have it out for Prust and the Habs. Is this how the league operates? If i'm the league i would be fining Prust for his comments during his apology; saying he hopes his ratting on Watson doesn't prejudice the Habs in future games, "fingers crossed". Why would one need to cross their fingers. Shouldn't one expect to have fair refs all the time? Darren Dreger has also said that every official is furious with the Habs, and this will have repercussions in future games. What sort of league operates like that? So the game will not be officiated fairly? I've watched Prust's apology and he never says what he said was untrue. I've also watched the replay of Watson and he is relentless on Prust and has his face right in the box and finger wagging. I can't imagine what Watson could possibly be saying that would be acceptable for a ref in that situation. This is a playoff game and the ref clearly lost it. And because Prust called him out on that, the Habs will not get a fairly reffed game. Call me naive but if that is the case then this league is worse than WWE. At least we know that was fixed. The refs are mad - boo hoo. It goes with the job; you make decisions that people aren't going to like. Someone will always be mad at you, get over it. If you don't want to get called out by players then be professional - don't stick your face in the penalty box, wag your finger & yell at the guy. EDIT: Just look at the Calgary game. With clear evidence that the puck crossed the line they still get it wrong. They will never admit wrongdoing.
|
|
|
Post by BadCompany on May 6, 2015 7:23:41 GMT -5
It doesn't matter what Watson said or didn't say. No league is going to publicly back a player over a referee in a situation like this. They'll do what they always do, which is circle the wagons, and then privately deal with it, if there is any dealing to be done. The NFL actually suspended a player who shoved a referee after being blinded by that referee with a thrown flag. Actually physically blinded, his career ended. In the heat of that moment, with blood dripping from his eye, seriously injured, he shoved the referee who had come over to apologize. And the league suspended him, because you can't shove a referee under any circumstances, even when one has actually physically disabled you. So if sports leagues can back a referee in a situation like that then are certainly going to back a referee in a he-said-no-he-said situation.
It's just the nature of the way sports is run. A lot of times it's not right, but that's just the way it is.
It doesn't help us, it's not going to help us, and it's going to be something that is going to have to be dealt with. Rightly or wrongly we have "that" reputation, and we already know it hurts us. Nothing that can be done about it now.
|
|
|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 6, 2015 7:26:11 GMT -5
We've been getting screwed all year. We're the divers, embellishers. ... don't forget whiners ... Hating the Habs is newsworthy and you only need to go on my Facebook feed to see it ... some of it is bravado, but when it comes to the Habs there's a lot of immaturity out there and when it gets to that point, people will often believe anything if it makes them feel better ... Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by franko on May 6, 2015 8:10:29 GMT -5
It doesn't help us, it's not going to help us, and it's going to be something that is going to have to be dealt with. Rightly or wrongly we have "that" reputation, and we already know it hurts us. Nothing that can be done about it now. all we can do is play our game and do what we always do did in the past: overcome and win.
|
|
|
Post by Polarice on May 6, 2015 8:44:00 GMT -5
The best thing we can do is go out and win tonight.
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 6, 2015 9:19:59 GMT -5
Hating the Habs is newsworthy and you only need to go on my Facebook feed to see it ... some of it is bravado, but when it comes to the Habs there's a lot of immaturity out there and when it gets to that point, people will often believe anything if it makes them feel better ... Cheers. Immaturity and ignorance….willful ignorance… Even though the truth is out there, I found myself arguing with a guy a week or so ago who used the old, "It's not so easy when the Habs don't control all the French-Canadian players, is it?"I correctly explained the rule. The person was dismissive all the way through. He didn't buy a word of it. 24 Cups, boys. The jealousy and envy is palpable…and it runs right through the league and the media, IMO. And so they look for/outright concoct "black hat" issues that do nothing but serve their confirmation bias. I would hope that Molson and Bergevin have some cache and respect among their peers. Or are they sneered at behind their backs at meetings, conferences?
|
|
|
Post by Forum Ghost on May 6, 2015 10:24:27 GMT -5
It doesn't help us, it's not going to help us, and it's going to be something that is going to have to be dealt with. Rightly or wrongly we have "that" reputation, and we already know it hurts us. Nothing that can be done about it now. all we can do is play our game and do what we always do did in the past: overcome and win. Exactly. In last year's playoffs against Boston, the Habs' game went to another level when they felt that the Bruins were disrespecting them. In addition, after the Bruins went up 3-2 in the series everyone wrote the Habs off and that fueled them too. This year, they could point to the same thing happening. The Tampa bench were laughing at Prust after he threw his elbow pad at them and if what Watson said is true, then it's just another form of disrespect. Add that to most of the hockey world already writing the Habs' obituary and I think that they can utilize the same motivation that helped them rise to victory last year. I still believe that they can do it.
|
|
|
Post by Polarice on May 6, 2015 10:41:39 GMT -5
I agree with FG....the Habs have to use this as an us against the world.
|
|
|
Post by jkr on May 6, 2015 10:43:24 GMT -5
Hating the Habs is newsworthy and you only need to go on my Facebook feed to see it ... some of it is bravado, but when it comes to the Habs there's a lot of immaturity out there and when it gets to that point, people will often believe anything if it makes them feel better ... Cheers. Immaturity and ignorance….willful ignorance… Even though the truth is out there, I found myself arguing with a guy a week or so ago who used the old, "It's not so easy when the Habs don't control all the French-Canadian players, is it?"I correctly explained the rule. The person was dismissive all the way through. He didn't buy a word of it. 24 Cups, boys. The jealousy and envy is palpable…and it runs right through the league and the media, IMO. And so they look for/outright concoct "black hat" issues that do nothing but serve their confirmation bias. I would hope that Molson and Bergevin have some cache and respect among their peers. Or are they sneered at behind their backs at meetings, conferences? I still think there his an undercurrent of anti French bigotry in that kind of thinking. I try not to read internet comments much but believe me, the anti French sentiment is there. Just makes me shake my head - hard to believe people still think that way.
|
|
|
Post by blny on May 6, 2015 10:59:36 GMT -5
It's all about tonight. Win, carry the momentum into tomorrow. No rest for the loser.
|
|
|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 6, 2015 11:43:39 GMT -5
It doesn't help us, it's not going to help us, and it's going to be something that is going to have to be dealt with. Rightly or wrongly we have "that" reputation, and we already know it hurts us. Nothing that can be done about it now. all we can do is play our game and do what we always do did in the past: overcome and win. This is what our club had to do in 2010 ... they went as far as Halak could take them, but they survived what seemed to be an endless procession to the penalty box in several of the games ... I'd like to see them hand TB their butts right in their own barn ... easier said that done, granted, but it's do-able ... Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by Skilly on May 6, 2015 12:14:21 GMT -5
I like it! Has me re-thinking my stance. My biggest beef in all this, as BC alluded to, isn't what was said or even how it was said. It's the fact that Prust just wouldn't go to the box and take his 2 min penalty. It was a penalty. And yes, players goad others all the time to get the even up call, but in that game the refs had already set the tone. In fact, it took them 1:35 approximately to show the players that they were going to choose just one from the scrums. We were the beneficiaries the first time. So why Prust needed to repeatedly punch, and then complain about it, just annoys me. There was no need. As for Watson. If he did berate Prust, we will find out soon enough. He won't have a job, or will be sidelined, like Peel, for these playoffs. I agree with the article, that a ref does a good job when they arent noticeable, and Watson was definitely noticeable that game. And, yes, he shouldn't have followed nor engaged Prust. This is a circus that is now going to be played as a no-win for the Habs. Either the refs become less noticeable (put the whistle's completely away, not sure thats good for us either)and the pundits note that our whining paid off ... or the refs crucify us and the pundits say we made our own bed. This isn't going away and we now have to live with the reprecussions. Hopefully, it inspires the team One other thing that has been eating at me. According to the CBA, Prust could not be suspended for what he said post game (I heard one analyst say that). However, I have seen cases where players throw stuff and they get suspended. I'm starting to wonder, if the league did a trade off with the Habs management. "We will not suspend Prust, but you have to publicly back our assertions" Lost in all this is the penalty time keeper ... he had to hear it. Or better still, the fans behind the penalty box. In today's social media, I'm surprised we havent seen some tweets on it
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 6, 2015 12:46:25 GMT -5
Prust already is a target of the refs. Just like Gallagher. And Subban.
The NHL has made its "infallible" declaration.
Brandon Prust is a liar and Brad Watson is reffing in Washington tonight. (Just heard on TSN690)
Of course he's still working. To remove him from further playoff work would be admitting guilt.
But I bet Watson got an earful from Campbell.
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on May 6, 2015 14:00:32 GMT -5
If this inspires the boys to take a win at all costs approach to the game, good.
Go get them boys. It is snowing like crazy here, so it feels like hockey season again!!
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 6, 2015 15:09:29 GMT -5
Sounds as if Desharnais will be back in the lineup. His voice is hoarse….but he says he doesn't need his voice.
Likely a third line centre assignment, as he was paired with Parenteau….not sure who else.
Pleks will be with Max and Gallagher.
Good luck, boys. Wonder how often Cooper gets his best out against our 3rd pairing.
|
|
|
Post by Polarice on May 6, 2015 15:35:16 GMT -5
Sounds as if Desharnais will be back in the lineup. His voice is hoarse….but he says he doesn't need his voice. Likely a third line centre assignment, as he was paired with Parenteau….not sure who else. Pleks will be with Max and Gallagher. Good luck, boys. Wonder how often Cooper gets his best out against our 3rd pairing. He was paired with Prust and Parenteau.
|
|
|
Post by Polarice on May 6, 2015 15:36:23 GMT -5
Prust already is a target of the refs. Just like Gallagher. And Subban. The NHL has made its "infallible" declaration. Brandon Prust is a liar and Brad Watson is reffing in Washington tonight. (Just heard on TSN690) Of course he's still working. To remove him from further playoff work would be admitting guilt. But I bet Watson got an earful from Campbell. Be interesting to see if he works the next round.
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 6, 2015 15:48:51 GMT -5
Prust already is a target of the refs. Just like Gallagher. And Subban. The NHL has made its "infallible" declaration. Brandon Prust is a liar and Brad Watson is reffing in Washington tonight. (Just heard on TSN690) Of course he's still working. To remove him from further playoff work would be admitting guilt. But I bet Watson got an earful from Campbell. Be interesting to see if he works the next round. Watson will work from here on in. Campbell has already called Prust a liar and that's the end of it. For Watson to sit would admit guilt. But he knows Campbell is watching him closely now, so he'll just stop confronting players. Then it'll be: "See, Watson doesn't do that…." Nice support system the powerful have in hand.
|
|
|
Post by HFTO on May 6, 2015 17:18:16 GMT -5
The Habs hatred is deep rooted despite being pretty much irrelevant for 2 decades. Cue the last few years with their modest success and emergence of a few league stars.
It started with. Cherrys rail on Subban soon after high profile players jumped board, along the way the Patches debacle but yet the Habs have pushed steadily forward.
Just the perception that they maybe getting close has seen them become divers and whiners thanks to the Bruins PR dept and the fact Colin Campbell leads there charge in the league office. ...so when they do dive or whine like (every other team )it's brought to an even higher scrutiny by the league haters and the media.
The Habs winning or being relevant brings up so much jealous passion ...they can't win in situations like Prust brought to light.
You think people hated the Habs before wait until they win again ...hopefully we are around to witness that...not sure we have seen anything yet.
Had a Leaf fan say we're done then say all we do is live in is the past ....I said at least we have a past with memories and a better future ....I asked him what memories he had ...end of conversation.
|
|