AO suggests Game 6 was rigged

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

Oh right because Torterella is the only coach in the NHL that tells his team not to take penalties. Whereas I'm Oates was on the Caps bench saying "hook, hold do whatever you want". What a ridiculous post.

Cause that's exactly what I said, right? Of course Tortorella was emphasising the need to avoid penalties against Washington.

If you don't think they're discussing what to do if you're behind the play on a developing 3 on 2 depending on the team they are playing then you're mistaken on how in depth the coaches are, that's why they make millions. Taking a penalty on a 3 on 2 against Winnipeg is entirely different than taking a penalty on the same play against Washington. No 2 play is the same and instincts take over so it's never an exact science but there is such thing as a good penalty and against Washington there is fewer than any other team.

Did New York get away with a few? Of course, it's the playoffs every team does. Doesn't require a conspiracy - especially one that's going to prevent a possible Crosby vs Ovechkin Conference finals.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

wtf was that for easy to to say from a distance

Now, now. Don't get all Est1980 on me.

And my point stands. It doesn't take balls to invent an inane conspiracy theory. Especially when you make millions of dollars a season and likely won't face anything more than a $10k fine for the comments.

Ovechkin's idiocy is underscored by the fact that his own poor performance had a greater impact on the series than the officials did.

[Locke]

If you want to win in the playoffs you have to be able to play the game 5 on 5.

[killer_carlson]

It sounds like AO was watching too much NBA playoff coverage. Chicago has been laying it on pretty thick about a Miami bias in the playoffs.

As an aside, did you see Cherry tonight? He gave AO props for hitting, and even said he hit too much, and said people should give AO some slack.

[FAN]

I do believe that the NHL does issue directives to the refs. Remember the year Boston won their Cup and TB was killing them on the PP? Guess what happened in Game 7? The refs stopped calling penalties.

[Cheerio]

I didn't follow it that closely because it was mostly all way over my head, but wasn't there that Colin Campbell referee controversy a few years back?

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by FAN

I do believe that the NHL does issue directives to the refs. Remember the year Boston won their Cup and TB was killing them on the PP? Guess what happened in Game 7? The refs stopped calling penalties.

A game 7 with neither team getting a penalty doesn't exactly scream bias.

If the directive was "let them play" I'd agree, wouldn't be the first time the refs put away the whistles in an important game. If it was "make sure Boston has the edge" why wasn't there a PP for them? They were scoring on it as well and they didn't have a goal until late in the third that game. Or if they wanted Boston to advance, why make any call against them in game 6 when Boston is winning and Tampa's PP was really clicking? If you want Team A to advance, calling consecutive PP's against them when they are up is about the worst way in the world to go about it.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

I didn't follow it that closely because it was mostly all way over my head, but wasn't there that Colin Campbell referee controversy a few years back?

That regarded his son, Savard and a ref. He called Savard a fake artist and didn't like the penalty his son got against him thinking it was a dive. He also didn't like the ref making soft calls late into games (not exactly a surprise).

It was a bit damning, but the emails were sent like 5 years before they got leaked. If that's the worst the league has on them, Campbell venting about a some bad calls going against Florida of all teams, that's probably a lot better than the rest of the leagues.

[FAN]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

A game 7 with neither team getting a penalty doesn't exactly scream bias.

If the directive was "let them play" I'd agree, wouldn't be the first time the refs put away the whistles in an important game. If it was "make sure Boston has the edge" why wasn't there a PP for them? They were scoring on it as well and they didn't have a goal until late in the third that game. Or if they wanted Boston to advance, why make any call against them in game 6 when Boston is winning and Tampa's PP was really clicking? If you want Team A to advance, calling consecutive PP's against them when they are up is about the worst way in the world to go about it.

Why does it have to be clear as night and day? Boston was the best 5 on 5 team in the playoffs while TB was one of the best on the PP. If no penalties are called, who do you think the game favors? When you want a team to win and you are in the position to influence the result, you kind of try to be less obvious about it?

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by FAN

Why does it have to be clear as night and day? Boston was the best 5 on 5 team in the playoffs while TB was one of the best on the PP. If no penalties are called, who do you think the game favors? When you want a team to win and you are in the position to influence the result, you kind of try to be less obvious about it?

But the exact reverse of the argument comes in game 6. Boston is up 2-1. Penalty parade happens and Tampa scores 3 goals on consecutive powerplays.

[FAN]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

But the exact reverse of the argument comes in game 6. Boston is up 2-1. Penalty parade happens and Tampa scores 3 goals on consecutive powerplays.

Perhaps the directive came after Game 6?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by FAN

Perhaps the directive came after Game 6?

Or, perhaps, there was never any directive of any kind at any time because the NHL doesnt care to be involved in something that would threaten a 2+ billion dollar a year business and could not care less who wins the Stanley cup in any given year?

The whole "conspiracy" thing among fans (and even players now apparently) is so over the top dumb it makes my head spin.

Why? Why would the league care who does what as far as results go?

[you got PHANUEFED]

Cant help it but laugh at the guy, Shut up and play hockey.

[puckluck2]

Ovechkin was playing with a fractured foot.

I think sometimes we are too tough on players in the playoffs. So many players who look off are sometimes injured and gutting it out.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Ovechkin was playing with a fractured foot.

I think sometimes we are too tough on players in the playoffs. So many players who look off are sometimes injured and gutting it out.

If you're an exclusively offensive player and cant produce because you're injured, you're not getting any brownie points. Get off the ice.

Look at that pathetic effort to backcheck by AO. He has a fractured foot? Great, put out someone who doesnt and can backcheck. That cost them the game. Series went to 7 and they lost.

Sometimes 'gutting it out' is the wrong decision. By both player and coach.

[TurdFerguson]

Amazing he was still able to his broken foot wedged firmly in his mouth.

[moon]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Ovechkin was playing with a fractured foot.

I think sometimes we are too tough on players in the playoffs. So many players who look off are sometimes injured and gutting it out.

The "broken foot" didn't seem to hinder him from charging and running guys late in game 7. Maybe it only flaired up when he needed to shoot or backcheck.

[SofaProfessor]

If there was a conspiracy to fix games you would see either the biggest markets playing in the finals or the smallest ones (to increase exposure). Toronto and Montreal would still be around. Or maybe Phoenix and Florida would have made the playoffs and gone on an exciting run.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Ovechkin was playing with a fractured foot.

I think sometimes we are too tough on players in the playoffs. So many players who look off are sometimes injured and gutting it out.

Ovechkin is still a whiner, having a broken foot doesn't change that.

[Stay Golden]

Until Ovy figures out you can't play the part of a rover and that he has to stick to a more conventional hockey system and stick to his position come play off time he will not succeed.
Was the reffing tilted to NY it appeared to be on occasions but Ovy has to do all the little details during a game and lead that way because when he freelances on the ice most of the team follows the same way. They blew the series lead and they lost it with bad habits.