After seeing he events of Tuesday, and subsequent discipline hearing, and other outcries from this event, I was ready to post on it Thursday...But then (surprise, surprise) laziness kicked in and now I'm writing this on Friday (and using it to take up the mostly-empty space for Saturday's post, how clever). Anyway, onto the topics.
Pacioretty/Chara Hit
After viewing it over (and over, and over, and over...) my opinion is still the same: Clean hit, unfortunate result. *Important: I'm a diehard Habs fan defending an action AGAINST my team, so sue me* The only thing that Chara can get pegged for in this situation is the interference - which he was called for. We can all agree that the geography did play a part in the injury, if it was anywhere else it would just be a normal defenseman-rubbing-out-the-attacking-player play. The stanchion is the real culprit here, but there is very little to do about it outside of removing the glass between the benches. Probably the most used (and somewhat ridiculous) argument against this is that Chara knew who he was hitting. Outside of saying that Chara already denied that he knew it was Pacioretty, I don't want to pick any sides. I will point out though that this can draw comparison to the Bertuzzi-Moore incident (with more accident). Pacioretty did already have a
previous confrontation with Chara - just like Moore and the Canucks - so a conclusion of a premeditated attack may be correct, but in a 0.000001% way (er, hopefully). The fact there was no suspension was barely surprising, but it does raise questions that Campbell was really addressing the issue than stepping aside like reported. Still, Chara has a clean record and it was more unfortunate than purposeful. The fact that politicians and police are getting involved is overkill. At the end of the day though, it's Chara...If you want to do anything bad to him, be prepared to be between two pieces of bread and be eaten by him (as legend has it).
Air Canada/Bettman
Two things before my comments on this:
1.
Excellent article from Steve Buffery, and he's got the right advertising for them too.
2. Since this was reported today, Bettman apparently
signed a five-year extension back in November. So Phoenix and Atlanta are safe for another 5 years...Oh, and NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
While it's very hard for any hockey fan to like Bettman, the man does have a moment or two on rare occasions. So that's why I have to give him kudos (hopefully the ONLY time I say that) for calling out Air Canada. Now, maybe because "Canada" is in the name, Bettman had said what he did without thinking of backlash - then again, the threat was pretty damn empty to begin with. True Story: On a flight to Calgary back in February, I had the tray table down so I could put the book I was reading on it. Without any warning - even it being gradual would have alerted me - the guy in front of me forced his seat to lean back, hitting me in the head. Nothing serious, but now I wonder if Air Canada will stop flying since plane seats have the potential to cause concussions. Yes, that is a BIG leap from just a small knock on the head, but the principle stays the same. Of course, now that I went on a bit of a tirade about Air Canada, there is a damn good chance my next flight will be with them.
UPDATE: VIA Rail has also taken issue with this incident, but hasn't threaten to pull their sponsorship (coattail riders!)
Price/Halak
I'm definitely saving this debate for another day, but for future reference (a.k.a SPOILER ALERT) the big argument in this is that Price can't handle internal pressure. What I mean by "internal pressure" is a goalie-to-goalie competition, not fan pressure ("external" or outside of the players). I will congratulate Halak on beating the Habs 4-1. I've always like him since he played in Long Beach (ECHL) back in 2005-06, no bandwagon-jumping here.
Quickly
The 2014 Sochi Olympics will
feature European-sized ice, with a good reason for it too.
Staying international,
Moldova got a U-18 team. Expect them to be promoted to Division II in 2020.
Jet's Meter Update: Still barely better than a snowball's chance in Hell.
Crosby
spectulating retirement? The NHL would be doomed!
Finally, two highlights of the Leafs/Flyers game Thursday: Phaneuf taking Grabovski's
head off for a sake of a goal, and either Komisarek with
one of the strongest stick-nudges I've ever seen or Carcillo diving again (and yes, I realize I cheer for a team that employed Maxim Lapierre).
Lineup Notables
Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Montreal: Andrei Markov, Josh Gorges, Jaroslav Spacek, Mathieu Darche, Brent Sopel, and Max Pacioretty are all out indefinitely. Carey Price will start.
Pittsburgh: 8-man IR list includes Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Brooks Orpik, Mike Comrie, Arron Asham, Eric Tangradi, Alex Grant, and Nick Johnson. Marc-Andre Fleury gets the start tonight.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Buffalo: Derek Roy, Patrik Lalime (a.k.a: Lalimius-Fiveholius), and Patrick Kaleta are out. Ryan Miller is expected to start.
Toronto: Colton Orr and Jonas Gustavsson are out, Fredrik Sjostrom is doubtful for tonight. James Reimer maybe starting tonight.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames
Vancouver: Their IR list is down to Andrew Alberts, Kevin Beiska, Lee Sweatt, and Alexander Edler. Roberto Luongo will start tonight.
Calgary: Daymond Langkow, Raitis Ivanans, Brendan Morrison, and Adam Pardy are all on IR. Miikka Kiprusoff gets to start.
