Paul
Rookie
Johnny LaRondelle
Posts: 14
|
Post by Paul on Feb 1, 2004 12:52:36 GMT -5
Leafs are embarassment to the league: after watching last nights fiasco between the Senators and the Leafs it just ra-affirms my assestment that the Toronto Maple Leafs organization is an embarassment to the NHL. Their clutch and grab wrestling tactics were taken right out of the WWE. Pat Quinn and his charges should be fined heavily for thier outrageous tactic's last night. To come to a press interview after and state the Senators deserved what they got shows absolutely no class from Pat Quinn(as if he had any to start with). When players go out with the intention to injury the other teams players with dirty tactics the league has to step in. Let me confirm I am a Habs fan and have no love for the Sen's or the Leaf's but last night was not a hockey game it was a circus with Pat Quinn being the Ring Master.
Tie Domi also showed us his last name should be spelt "Dummy" for his cheap shot on Van Allen an guy with no fighting majors and a broken jaw (Dummy must of thought it said Van Damme on the back of his shirt). Owen Nolan's cheap shot from behind on Spezza warrants a suspension and the league should review how many times Belfour tried to chop lumber. He looked like Paul Bunyon clearing a path through a forest.
Quinn and his clowns should be re-evaluated by the higher ups, but that won't happen because they don't want to hear Quinn whine about how everyone is out to get Toronto.
I thought Maple Leaf wrestling ended years ago but I see it was alive and well at the ACC last night. Pehaps the Leafs thought the CBC camera's were there to film Slap Shot 3, but if this a preview of what there games are going to be like in the playoffs when they can't skate against the better skilled teams, god help us.....
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 1, 2004 13:24:18 GMT -5
Didn't see the game, but heard that the Sens were 1 for 14 on the powerplay. And the Leafs were 4 for 7.
That was the difference in this game.
Although, listening to the first period on the radio when the Leafs took the first 5 penalties, radio guys Joe Bowen and Jim Ralph were all over the refs....obviously the Leafs deserved every penalty they got, from reading the post above.
I wholeheartedly agree with you, and I've said this before: the Leafs are the Philadelphia Flyers of the 70's reincarnate. Why else would they sign Marchment? He fits right into this plan....Nolan, Domi, Roberts, Tucker, Belak, McCabe...all capable of the most heinous acts on the ice. It starts at the top and it's sanctioned by the coach....I call it "Quinntimidation".
Go ahead Leaf fans, call it "grit", call it "heart", call it whatever you want...but the refs better continue to call it a "penalty". Enough of those, and they'll do themselves in again.
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Feb 1, 2004 16:46:15 GMT -5
The Leafs did deserve those penalties (except for Niewendyk's goalie interference) and the Sens deserved the ones they got. I too, thought Nolan should have gotten a penalty for that brutal crosscheck on Spezza, which was probably 1" further from the boards to warrant a major for boarding. Belfour was indeed axing away, and all the Sens were outside the crease at the time. The answer to that is to simply go head hunting with slapshots at Belfour. Then make a casual remark that the slapshots will drop the moment the chopping stops. The slashing was pretty hard and I'm surprised it didn't cause injuries.
|
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 1, 2004 17:23:18 GMT -5
This game was an anomaly. The Sens were playing their 3rd road game in 4 nights. Once they got the lead & all those power plays they may have thought they were in for an easy night - especially after the 7-1 game. I expect the resulr to be quite different the next time they meet.
As for Domi - he is definitely slipping. He was beaten by Andrew Peters of Buffalo last month& had a tough time in Atlanta on Friday. I actually saw him try to take on Eric Weinrich of all people. He must be feeling the pressure. The leafs now have Perrot who can do the same thing for a fraction of the cost.
Hitting people from behind and slashing people is not intimidation - it's just cheap shot hockey. They will pay for it in the long run. A post several days ago about 5 on 5 goals for and against showed that the leafs are down the list. It idicates that they struggle in even stregth situations & their play against teams like Philly & New Jersey bear this out. They will draw the penalties, the opposition will take advantage & the whining will begin.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ged on Feb 1, 2004 19:59:58 GMT -5
After their previous game in which the Sens thoroughly embarrassed the Leaves, I made it a point to tune in to this one. I've seen a tonne of hockey games and a tonned of dirty hockey games, but last nights affair was one of the most disgusting displays of hockey I have ever seen. The Leaves showed their true colours. Half the team should have been tossed by the mid-point of the second perios. Simply ugly, disgusting, vile actions on their part. I was hoping someone would lose it on Belfive as he was swinging to hurt. Even Billy Smith would have been proud. Domi is a complete punk, going after a non fighter, and one with a complete face shield at that. Overall hockey was a big, big loser on this night as this game was complete bush league.
|
|
|
|
Post by ForgottenRebel on Feb 1, 2004 20:47:05 GMT -5
Definently a disgrace of a hockey team out there last night
I don't think domi has any respect left from anyone in the league, if he really wanted to fight in that last minute neil was on the ice, instead he attacks a guy with a broken jaw
McCabe is always trying to injury when he hits, hell he will even throw that low hip check if he happens to be forechecking, i wish Chara had of got some punches in on him instead of rag dolling him
The leafs are defintly the dirtiest team in the league, the only ones close are the Rangers, the penalties will cost them in the future no doubt
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 2, 2004 17:19:51 GMT -5
Damien Cox is the only Toronto reporter to call the game correctly. He agrees with me fully about the Leafs/70's Flyers comparison.
Damien Cox (from the Sunday Star)
"The Leafs, in the end, were fortunate to get away with about as much dumb, brutish hockey as you can imagine courtesy of Belfour's excellence.
You name the foul, the Leafs committed it. They charged, cross-checked, elbowed, slashed and hacked their divisional rivals all night long and because the Sens couldn't slip a pea past an extra-caffeinated Belfour, the Leafs didn't pay for it.
That's the same formula Freddie (The Fog) Shero used with the Flyers in the 1970s, and they called him a genius.
Still, it was priceless to hear Leafs coach Pat Quinn — a Shero disciple, no less — try to put the reverse spin on the proceedings, claiming Senators such as Daniel (The Swedish Butcher) Alfredsson were the true criminals, not his Lady Byng bunch.
C'mon. The Leafs played mean, vicious hockey last night, then gooned it up after their thug coach put the muscle out in the final minute, and still walked away with two points because their goalie was Bernie Parent brilliant.
Why pretend that's not what happened? No one's looking for an apology, and it's not like the officials didn't call the penalties."
Good for you, Damien. A hockey fan in Toronto...who'd a thunk?
|
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 2, 2004 18:59:46 GMT -5
Damien Cox is the only Toronto reporter to call the game correctly. He agrees with me fully about the Leafs/70's Flyers comparison. Damien Cox (from the Sunday Star) "The Leafs, in the end, were fortunate to get away with about as much dumb, brutish hockey as you can imagine courtesy of Belfour's excellence. You name the foul, the Leafs committed it. They charged, cross-checked, elbowed, slashed and hacked their divisional rivals all night long and because the Sens couldn't slip a pea past an extra-caffeinated Belfour, the Leafs didn't pay for it. That's the same formula Freddie (The Fog) Shero used with the Flyers in the 1970s, and they called him a genius. Still, it was priceless to hear Leafs coach Pat Quinn — a Shero disciple, no less — try to put the reverse spin on the proceedings, claiming Senators such as Daniel (The Swedish Butcher) Alfredsson were the true criminals, not his Lady Byng bunch. C'mon. The Leafs played mean, vicious hockey last night, then gooned it up after their thug coach put the muscle out in the final minute, and still walked away with two points because their goalie was Bernie Parent brilliant. Why pretend that's not what happened? No one's looking for an apology, and it's not like the officials didn't call the penalties." Good for you, Damien. A hockey fan in Toronto...who'd a thunk? Cox is about the only hockey reporter in Toronto worth reading - that is if you want an unbiased opinion. The difference between the present day leafs and the great Flyers teams was the quality of the roster. There is only one bona fide Hall of Famer in the group & that's Belfour - because of his stats & his Cup ( 5 years ago). The Flyers roster was peppered with talented guys - some now in the HOF - Parent, Barber, Clarke. They had real snipers like Leach and McLeish. They were mean but they were talented. |
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 2, 2004 19:12:20 GMT -5
This game was an anomaly. The Sens were playing their 3rd road game in 4 nights. Once they got the lead & all those power plays they may have thought they were in for an easy night - especially after the 7-1 game. I expect the resulr to be quite different the next time they meet. I didn't realize it when I posted this but the next game is in Ottawa this Thursday. If the result is not a lot different and the leafs try their goonish tactics again I think Muckler must do something. Varada's going to be gone for a long time and his presence should be replaced. If he is going to go after someone on the Caps it shouldn't be Bondra but someone with a physical presence like Mike Grier. Muckler has enough skill but unfortunately, due the leafs strategy, he will be forced to deal for another grinder. It's too bad for hockey but just shows you how desperate the leafs are now. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2004 20:40:35 GMT -5
If Belfour was chopping at my knees like that, I'd just turn around and give him a good stright-armed smash over his face.
Sure, the coach would be miffed at me for making a really selfish play, not to mention the suspension and fine, but regardless, I can't believe the composure the Sens had to his whacking.
|
|
|
|
Post by franko on Feb 2, 2004 22:01:15 GMT -5
The fans in Ottawa don't call it composure--they call it gutless. The knock against the team in their own town is a lack of grit. Coach Martin's head is continually called for because there is very little fight-back from his players.
Works well when they score. 1-14 on the PP? Uh-uh. The Sens stick up for each other physically less than the Habs have done.
|
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 2, 2004 22:21:28 GMT -5
Self control is fine most of the time but there comes a time when you have to stand up for your teammates. There will be consequences - a penalty, a power play goal - whatever. But in the long run it puts a stop to the bullying.
Chris Neil can't do it all my hiimself. Muckler needs to find someone else that can play a little hockey and do a lot of enforcing.
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 2, 2004 22:52:13 GMT -5
Cox is about the only hockey reporter in Toronto worth reading - that is if you want an unbiased opinion. The difference between the present day leafs and the great Flyers teams was the quality of the roster. There is only one bona fide Hall of Famer in the group & that's Belfour - because of his stats & his Cup ( 5 years ago). The Flyers roster was peppered with talented guys - some now in the HOF - Parent, Barber, Clarke. They had real snipers like Leach and McLeish. They were mean but they were talented. In no way was I drawing an exact parallel between the two teams....but the Leafs are the CLOSEST thing to the 70's Flyers we've seen since then. Intimidation, brutalily, intent to injure, and enough skilled players to get the job done. The ONLY thing that is going to kill the Leafs is if Belfour falters or another team beefs up and kicks the $not out of them. I was talking to a die-hard, but knowledgeable Leaf fan tonight, and he agrees with me. He is embarrassed at Quinn's tactics. He wants the Leafs to win, but it seems tainted if they have to win that way. Sadly, he is in the minority. And when you got Joe Bowen, Jim Ralph, Harry Neale, Don Cherry, Bob Cole, and Ron McLean kissing every Leaf player's derriere, well it just makes it unbearable here in Ontario for a Habs fan. RE: the 70's Flyers. It was the skilled Habs (and a thunderous Robinson check into Gary Dornhoefer) that spelled the end for them. 4-0 Finals win. Done...see ya. And I guess, the Habs had the guys who could stand up to the Flyers idiots.....but who can do the same to the Leafs today? In the East.....not Ottawa, Jersey is iffy, perhaps Philly (like last year). In the West....Detroit? Colorado? Vancouver? Either Toronto takes enough stupid penalties to take themselves out of it....or somebody tougher has to play their game better and knock them out. Wait til Tucker gets back...sheesh....what a circus. |
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Feb 3, 2004 0:04:45 GMT -5
Still boils down to goaltending. Belfour's good right now, or the Leafs would be near the bottom in penalty killing and other key categories.
|
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 3, 2004 18:41:36 GMT -5
RE: the 70's Flyers. It was the skilled Habs (and a thunderous Robinson check into Gary Dornhoefer) that spelled the end for them. 4-0 Finals win. Done...see ya. And I guess, the Habs had the guys who could stand up to the Flyers idiots.....but who can do the same to the Leafs today? In the East.....not Ottawa, Jersey is iffy, perhaps Philly (like last year). In the West....Detroit? Colorado? Vancouver? Either Toronto takes enough stupid penalties to take themselves out of it....or somebody tougher has to play their game better and knock them out. Wait til Tucker gets back...sheesh....what a circus. Ottawa has the most skilled team in the East and like you referenced in your post, the skilled Habs made the Flyers pay. Thursday's rematch should be interesting. If the leafs try to push around the Sens & are sucessful, I believe Muckler has to act. If Georges Karaque is available the pay the price. Toronto doesn't play this obvious intimidation style all the time. They just seemed really jacked up to play Ottawa. I don't think New Jersey or Philly are shaking in their boots at the thought of playing Toronto. Both those teams have enough toughness to stand up to them. The leafs have only one win in six tries against those teams. Toronto isn't going to shove its way to the top. There is a reason why no one has succeeded at since the Flyers of the seventies - it doesn't work If you look at Cup teams since that era I think you will find mostly highly skilled teams with enough toughness to do the job - not the other way around. |
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 3, 2004 18:49:49 GMT -5
Still boils down to goaltending. Belfour's good right now, or the Leafs would be near the bottom in penalty killing and other key categories. Belfour was strong last season and had an average to poor playoff. The numbers suggest he is not playing as well as he did last year. His save % for instance is below the league average. I live in Southern Ontario and most of the games I see ( unfortunately) are leaf matches. He seems strong for a stretch and then average for a while. He has been pulled more often ( just my impression) and injured more often. ( he is out again tonight). The guy will be 39 come playoff time & no one has won with someone that age since the 6 team era. That was a time when the season was shorter, there was very little travel and the playoffs lasted only 2 rounds. He also plays a lot of regular season games & I just don't think he can stand up to the strain. Tonight's game against the Hawks is an example of why Belfour has to play so much - Chicago is leading 4-1 after 2 periods despite having only 13 shots. |
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Feb 3, 2004 22:18:37 GMT -5
Tonight's game against the Hawks is an example of why Belfour has to play so much - Chicago is leading 4-1 after 2 periods despite having only 13 shots. Balance returns to the universe. |
|
|
|
Post by franko on Feb 3, 2004 23:24:37 GMT -5
Ottawa has the most skilled team in the East and like you referenced in your post, the skilled Habs made the Flyers pay. Thursday's rematch should be interesting. If the leafs try to push around the Sens & are sucessful, I believe Muckler has to act. If Georges Karaque is available the pay the price. The best way to make a team pay is to go more than 1-14 on the PP. Embarrass them on the ice. The next best way is to stick up for yourself: hit hard and hit often. Ottawa just does not have the players (nor the coach) to do it. Laroque does not seem to be available. Rumour has it that he has told the Oilers that if he is traded he'll simply retire. One final thought (just because I hate the Leafs): there may come a day when their goonerism catches up to them. All that needs to be done is for someone to run Belfour and make him pay the price for his Billy Smithishness. |
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 4, 2004 19:54:07 GMT -5
(nor the coach) to do it. Laroque does not seem to be available. Rumour has it that he has told the Oilers that if he is traded he'll simply retire. I chose Laraque because he seemed to be in the doghouse.- but there are others available. A 35 year old Rob Ray that hasn't played all year is not their answer. BTW - Lowe should call Laraque's bluff. Retire? Yeah right. Where is a 27 year old going to make that kind of money working about 6 months a year? |
|
|
|
Post by franko on Feb 4, 2004 20:13:00 GMT -5
A 35 year old Rob Ray that hasn't played all year is not their answer. You've got that right! BTW - Lowe should call Laraque's bluff. Retire? Yeah right. Where is a 27 year old going to make that kind of money working about 6 months a year? Especially when there may not be a next year; better to make the shekles while he can! |
|
