Hitmen vs Hurricanes: WHL Round 1

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Jagger

Oh oh. Just waiting for Snakeeye's synopsis on why the ref (good ol' Savage in this case) decided the game against the Hitmen. Not saying that he didn't as Savage is one of the best at being 'the show.' He's a ref that's annoyed the crap out of me at times. We all know that Snakeeye is good for a moan or two at the refs expense each game though!!!!!

If I really wanted to, I could as Savage did make his typical game altering call in game 3. Mike Reich comes out of the box, glides into the back side of the Hurricane player's shoulder - didn't even knock him down. The turnover resulted in a 3 on 1 for Calgary, or would have if Savage hadnt somehow figured that was checking from behind. If Calgary scores there, it's 4-1 and the game is over. Instead, Lethbridge gets the goal and are right back in it.

Interestingly, Ryan Stone hit Carson at precicely the same angle in last year's playoffs, except that Stone was accellerating the entire way, and hit Carson with intent to injure. There was no call. The referee was Chris Savage.

I'm looking forward to seeing Derek Herman, as the WHL has already forced us to suffer two of the worst referees in hockey in this series, so why not complete the trifecta?

That said, Savage did not cost us the game. Pogge played a role, primaraly because he made the ridiculous decision to go with new pads for that game, and struggled with the puck all night long until he finally changed back into his old pads for the third. Lethbridge's third goal only went in because of Pogge's new glove, which he couldnt get closed properly. And that was the goal that truely changed the momentum, as the Hurricanes ran right over the Hitmen for about 5 minutes after that, netting two more markers for their efforts.

The main reason why we are behind though is Kisio. Kisio is being outcoached so badly I half hope that King fires him mid-series as a mercy killing. Twice in two games, the Hitmen have fallen apart, and the coach has just stood there like an idiot both times.

As impressive as the Hurricanes were at times on the ice, I was extremely disapointed in their cowardace at the end of the game though. Especially Farmanara, who speared Petterson with 3 seconds left, then immediately turtled when White called on him to defend himself. After being saved by the linesmen, Farmanara went off high fiving teammates like he was some kind of hero, then ended up taunting the fans behind the bench, including what looked like a middle finger salute. Extremely classless actions by a guy who really does not belong in this league.

That was followed up immediately by Riege spearing another Hitmen player after the final buzzer, then running behind the linesman to protect himself.

The Hurricanes completely embarrassed themselves at the end there, and hopefully it has the exact opposite effect of what they intend. The Hitmen have been losing to massively inferior teams for some time now becuase they arent really playing as a team. Hopefully these low class actions from a club that plays a cowards game brings the Hitmen together, and they end up stomping Lethbridge in three straight.

After the Canes actions, it's more than they deserve.

[Buff]

I did not see the game, nor did I see highlights, but what you are describing does not sound like the Hurricanes at all. The Canes are not a team that backs down from fights or goes hiding behind the refs. They aren't like the broadstreet bullies, but the Canes are a team that will initiate a fight and gladly accept any challenges.

Bryan Maxwell put together a perfect blend of talent and thuggery and it got them to the Memorial Cup in 1997. Maxwell's plan was to hurt the opposition physically and on the scoreboard and make them afraid to play the Canes. When Maxwell left, so too did that game plan.

Now that they've got Michael Dyck, Maxwell's former assistant coach in Lethbridge, the Hurricanes are employing a watered down version of Maxwell's game plan. Play hard, hit hard, don't back down from anything and keep the pedal to the metal.

I'm not saying that Farmanara and Reige didn't spear anybody, or that they didn't hide behind the linsemen. It just doesn't sound like something they would do.

It does indicate that the series is heating up though. When the players start getting dirty, the tempers start flaring and players start playing harder to do whatever it takes to win.

[Resolute 14]

I know why they did it - they want to get Calgary off their game even further. I guess they dont have any problems swallowing their manhood if it offers the chance of having the Hitmen focussed on revenge for two cheap shots rather than winning the game. It's the Jarko Ruutu school of thought, which is an embarrassing indictment of the game of hockey.

Dyck certantly has been impressive as a coach in this series. He's been able to pull his team back up when needed. Thanks to Pogge, the Hitmen have rarely faced any real adversity this season, but when they did, things often fell apart in a hurry.

Makes me wish the Canes had knocked us out last year in the first round, because that almost certantly would have spelled Kisio's end with the Hitmen. One can only wonder what this team might do with a decent coach at the helm.

Working hard is only half the equasion. Both the Hitmen and Hurricanes work hard. Right now though, only one team is working smart.

[Buff]

I'm glad that the Canes got knocked out in the 1st round by the Hitmen last year. I just wish that the Hitmen blew out the Hurricanes in four straight games. It would've made it easier, and would've been better timing for the Canes to fire their GM and Coach. Stasiuk and Dyck could've had a full year to build this team and make it even better. However, they're doing damage in the playoffs and will be a tremendous team in a couple of years, so I guess things worked out for the good anyway.

When Dyck was the assistant coach with the Canes the Canes were able to come from behind in any game they wanted to. I remember one game where they scored 5 unanswered 3rd period goals to win the game by one goal. Then they did it in the Memorial Cup, but I think they wound up losing that one in OT, IIRC.

Dyck learned a lot from Maxwell and whomever else he was an assistant to, and could be a great WHL coach and may even wind up coaching in the NHL in some capacity.

[Flickered Flame]

Hitmen with a huge 2-1 win tonight to tie the series at 2. Down to a best of 3, with game 5 Saturday afternoon in the dome. The Hitmen still need to work on their discipline as the Canes had 10 more power plays ( I think) tonight and 40 already in the playoffs.

[Resolute 14]

Yeah. the Hitmen certantly took a lot of bad penalties tonight. Pogge was on his usual form, and that made all the difference.

But, as has been the case the entire series, the referee was an embarrassment tonight. Calls a good first two periods, then in the third completely changes the rules.

Roman Wick elbows Moore from behind on what very easily could have been a major penalty, and no call. This after Calgary was twice called earlier in the game on much weaker elbows.

Freddie Petterson gets kneed late in the game, McLean just watches it and ignores it. Calgary was also penalized on exactly the same play earlier in the game.

The complete lack of consistancy in the officials in this league is a major problem, and it is ruining what otherwise could be a great series.

Hopefully Moore is alright, as we need him for the rest of this series. I saw him return to the bench, but I don't remember seeing him on the ice after he was elbowed. Last thing we need is to lose a defenseman to a dirty hit, but really, I am surprised it took this long for someone to get hurt on a dirty play, because the referees have been asking for trouble all series long.

(Did I live up to expectations, Jagger? )

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

(Did I live up to expectations, Jagger? )

Ah, now I can rest easy. All is as it should be!

Important win for the Hitmen tonight. Sounds like a much more typical Hitmen win. It's the way they have to win, none of this run and gun stuff.

[Buff]

One thing you have to understand about the WHL officiating is that it is a junior pro league. If the ref is good he'll quickly be snatched up by the pros. Most, if not all, of the officials have other full time jobs. They don't even dedicate their lives to being officials. Officiating is just something they do on the side.

I used to work with one of the linesmen about 5 years ago. He is still officiating but he works as a partsman or service rep at a car dealership. (Last I saw of him anyway). I went to school with another linesman as well. These guys are just doing it for extra cash and/or a reason to still be on the ice.

These guys aren't in the pros for a reason, and we know how well the refs and linsemen in the pros do.

In other words, quit'yer bitchin!

[Resolute 14]

Heh.

I dont think anyone who has seen more than three WHL games is under any illusions about the overall quality of officiating, but it has been a joke this series. I'm sorry, but when you watch a guy get kneed, you have to call it. Especially when you already called the other team for the exact same infraction.

Any referee who doesnt make that call does not belong in this league.

Though really, I wonder how much of McLean's blind eye was the result of him trying to make up for the Hitmen's 2nd goal, which looked iffy when it happened, and apparently later replays suggest that it never crossed the line.

The WHL is too big a buisness to have the officials regularaly dictating the outcome. When every fan of this league know Savage, Rehman and Herman's numbers, and know what to expect each time they see them, there is a problem.

[Dogbert]

The Hurricanes are taking many stupid penalties here.

[ratech]

2 - 2 after regulation.

[Dogbert]

Dupont scores less than a minute into overtime, 3-2 Hitmen.

[Resolute 14]

Well, it's nice to see the goofy officiating really favor the Hitmen for once this series, though the Hitmen powerplay was atrocious today. We killed half of their penalties for them by simply passing constantly rather than trying to make any kind of adjustment (you know, Kisio, coaching?).

Calgary should have won this game running away, but their own inability to shoot the damn puck nearly did them in, especially after Yellow Horn got that pathetically weak goal to tie it.

Impressed by the discipline the Hitmen showed this afternoon, though they got away with a couple, especailly a couple of pretty good high sticks in the third. Gonna have to be a hell of a lot better tomorrow to prevent this one from coming back to Calgary for game 7 though.

[Sylvanfan]

Well from what I remember 10 years ago the WHL's officiating rates were pretty low. Living and reffing in Kamloops I knew all the local guys who did games in the dub. I think the league had a few full time referees and stuck to mostly local guys for lining games. In some places in the states they had to get officials from the lower mainland to travel. But to referee a game was like $120 and it required you be at the game an hour and a half early, and you stay an hour after the game so it was like a 6 hour time commitment. To line a game was $60 with the same time committment. To put that in perspective you could do 3 or 4 Mens rec league games in the two man system at $25 a game not have to skate, put up with minimal crap and get more money for the time. The WHL gets what it pays for when it comes to officiating. After I heard those rates there was no way in hell you could convince me to do a dub game, as it was way under paid.

[Resolute 14]

That wouldnt surprise me. I've never been under any illusions about the quality of WHL officiating, but this series has been a complete joke.

The CHL pulls in over 8 million fans a year. Slap a 10 cent surcharge on tickets and use that money to both develop quality officials, and to pay them a decent wage.

[Resolute 14]

Pogge and Leclerc are putting on a goaltending clinic tonight, but Wick has two for Lethbridge, and Petterson two for the Hitmen. Tie game late in the third.

[Resolute 14]

Overtime went 4:48 without a whistle, and on Calgary's 50th shot, Jeff Schultz scores to eliminate the Hurricanes.

On to round two, and in all likelyhood, the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Congrats to the Hurricanes for making a good series out of it. Amazingly, this is the first years since 1997 that Lethbridge has won even just two games in the playoffs.

[zarrell]

I read somewhere that Shaw would be showing round 2 on TV. Is this true?

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Overtime went 4:48 without a whistle, and on Calgary's 50th shot, Jeff Schultz scores to eliminate the Hurricanes.

On to round two, and in all likelyhood, the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Congrats to the Hurricanes for making a good series out of it. Amazingly, this is the first years since 1997 that Lethbridge has won even just two games in the playoffs.

Just got back from the hospital, I had to leave the game midway through the 3rd b/c my wife called me as my son suddenly took really sick. He is well though, it is croup, which apparently can come from out of nowhere and sound horrible right off the bat.

On to the game...

Officiating was poor, but from what I've heard of the other games it was better. The Hitmen's first goal came with the Hitmen having too many men on the ice. Leclerc got a penatly early in the 1st period for delay of game. He froze the puck in his crease and a Hitmen was barreling in on the net. Should not have been a call. Can't remember who the Hurricane was (Fadden or Farmanara, I think) but he reached from behind a Hitmen grabbed his shoulder and pulled him down... no call. The officiating was equally bad for both teams... it scares me since the ref in tonites game is supposed to be the best ref in the WHL. Apparently he was named the top ref 3 years in a row, or 3 of the last 4 years or something like that.

It was a good game and I wish I could've gone to the other 2 games in Lethbridge. Lethbridge will definitely be a force to be reckoned with in a couple of years. Leclerc could even make the Canes a strong team next year. Boychuk, D.King, Kerr etc. this team has a bright future. As a Hurricanes fan, I'm glad that Stocker is gone and somebody who knows hockey is running the show.

Congrats to the Hitmen for winning the series, good luck against Medicine Hat... you're gonna need it.

It looks like my prediction of Hitmen in 6 was correct.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by zarrell

I read somewhere that Shaw would be showing round 2 on TV. Is this true?

Most likely. They did Vancouver/West in the first round, so the good money is on Calgary/East being the second round series.

Bufff - The referee was Rob Matsouka, and sadly, last night was the best officiated game of the series, though it sounds like he did blow a few calls.