New Rules, New Schmules

[CentreHice]

What is it...Game 4 of the new NHL with the rule crackdowns?

Didn't see the Habs'-Sens game....but arrived home just in time to see the rest of the 3rd period of Philly-Toronto. Toronto had just gone up 3-2 on the PP....didn't see the Flyer penalty.

Then I saw the Leafs commit at least 7 glaring infractions. Hooks, water-skiing in the neutral zone for a good 15 feet, McCabe cross-checks Forsberg to the ice from behind (any stick work above the waist will be called?), holding along the boards.....none called. In fact, amid all that, the Flyers got another penalty and Lindros made it 4-2. That third period was horrendously officiated considering the Leafs received no penalties. Couldn't have the centre of the universe winless in 4 to start the season now, could we?

Very disillusioned/skeptical after seeing that tonight. There is no way two refs could have "missed" what was right in front of them. They chose not to call them. If I was Hitchcock, I'd be fuming.

Is this happening in other games? Did the whistles stay in the pockets in Montreal?

[Bob]

centrehice said:

What is it...Game 4 of the new NHL with the rule crackdowns?

Didn't see the Habs'-Sens game....but arrived home just in time to see the rest of the 3rd period of Philly-Toronto. Toronto had just gone up 3-2 on the PP....didn't see the Flyer penalty.

Then I saw the Leafs commit at least 7 glaring infractions. Hooks, water-skiing in the neutral zone for a good 15 feet, McCabe cross-checks Forsberg to the ice from behind, holding along the boards.....none called. In fact, amid all that, the Flyers got another penalty and Lindros made it 4-2. That third period was horrendously officiated considering the Leafs received no penalties. Couldn't have the centre of the universe winless in 4 to start the season now, could we?

Very disillusioned/skeptical after seeing that tonight.

Is this happening in other games? Did the whistles stay in the pockets in Montreal?

I watched the Habs game on RDS and didn't think the refs let much go. Once or twice I thought the Senators could have been called for something but that was probably more my personal bias than anything.

As for the Leafs game, the refs probably gave in to Quinn's constant bellyaching.

[CentreHice]

bob said:

I watched the Habs game on RDS and didn't think the refs let much go. Once or twice I thought the Senators could have been called for something but that was probably more my personal bias than anything.

As for the Leafs game, the refs probably gave in to Quinn's constant bellyaching.

You know, it's not that the Leafs won the game that bothers me....it's HOW they won it....by getting away with their old tricks. On one play in the Leafs' end, a Flyer was hooked by McCabe AND slashed by someone else as he was going for a loose puck in the corner.

Both refs should be reprimanded for that third period.

[Bobs_HABit]

I'm afraid that's the way it has always been and always will be. Leaf fans, of course, don't see it, but it's like clock-work.

Here is the official Ref handbook...

Leafs get an early powerplay;
as long as the game remains tied or heaven forbid they fall behind, keep giving them pp;
Even in the old days of tackle hockey, if a 1-man advantage isn't enough, give them a 2-man;
If the opponent starts to increase pressure, give the Leafs a pp to change momentum
If the Laffs get up a few goals, give the opponent a few meaningless pp to even up the stats.

and on and on...

I've always said that they received more 2-man advantages than all their opponents combined.

Look at these early stats...
game 1 Ottawa 6 pp Toronto 11!!!! Laffs have 1:30 2 man advantage
Game 2 Montreal 4 pp Toronto 6 Laffs have 2 short 2 man advantages
Game 3 Ottawa 7 Toronto 9 Laffs have 2 medium 2 man advantages
Game 4 Philly 4 Toronto 6 Laffs never trail and oddly have no 2 man advantages