Just reading some of the Pittsburgh media and Pens fans talk about the whole Staal thing makes me realize why people hate this franchise, and its fans so much. Sid is fine, I don't think Staal actually meant to crosscheck him in the head, it was a 2 minute blown penalty call. I mean James Neal straight up rammed his stick into Fast's mouth last night, he didn't mean to do it, reffs made the right call. Stop whining so much pens fans.
- Grinder47

I think he certainly meant to.

All fanbases whine and think they are getting hosed with the calls.

I think this particular scenario bears out special attention. He literally cross-checked someone in the neck. And, to top it off, the announcers glorified it as "old time hockey" which is just asinine. If a Pen did that to Nash or whomever, I'd be singing the same tune.

I'm usually not one to bash the refs. However, the officiating has been particularly bad this playoff season, across all games. They let assaults occur in some situations and others they call what appears to be a minor slash that occurs against a player that isn't even in scoring position.

As a fan, its frustrating because you don't know whats a penalty and what isn't. That's my beef.

Soapbox passed...

I think he certainly meant to.

All fanbases whine and think they are getting hosed with the calls.

I think this particular scenario bears out special attention. He literally cross-checked someone in the neck. And, to top it off, the announcers glorified it as "old time hockey" which is just asinine. If a Pen did that to Nash or whomever, I'd be singing the same tune.

I'm usually not one to bash the refs. However, the officiating has been particularly bad this playoff season, across all games. They let assaults occur in some situations and others they call what appears to be a minor slash that occurs against a player that isn't even in scoring position.

As a fan, its frustrating because you don't know whats a penalty and what isn't. That's my beef.

Soapbox passed...
- 87_71_11_29

Why are you so concerned over the penalties called on Pittsburgh this series? The Rangers power play gives the Penguins energy and glorious chances as soon as penalized players finished serving said penalties.

Series is far from over but the Penguins deserve the series lead and the Rangers deserve to be trailing. No excuses from where I am standing.

Why are you so concerned over the penalties called on Pittsburgh this series? The Rangers power play gives the Penguins energy and glorious chances as soon as penalized players finished serving said penalties.

Series is far from over but the Penguins deserve the series lead and the Rangers deserve to be trailing. No excuses from where I am standing.
- MidnightMarauder

Personally, I don't care about the pens penalties. I just think the reffing has been atrociously inconsistent across the whole league this playoff year. They're reffing to increase entertainment value (or in the case of the Rags, that the law of averages will kick in and they might eventually pot one through some miracle pinball Rube Goldberg Machine type situation) and not to actually maintain the rulebook.

But that's just my opinion.

Personally, I don't care about the pens penalties. I just think the reffing has been atrociously inconsistent across the whole league this playoff year. They're reffing to increase entertainment value (or in the case of the Rags, that the law of averages will kick in and they might eventually pot one through some miracle pinball Rube Goldberg Machine type situation) and not to actually maintain the rulebook.

But that's just my opinion.
- ScienceJesus

Rangers power play couldn't convert if it was five shooters against Fleury and Fleury alone.

They are playing with a severe lack of confidence, on the man advantage, and Fleury is gaining more confidence by the shot.

Despite the lack of goal scoring the series is only 2-1 Pittsburgh. Rangers usually respond well when their backs are gainst the wall. I would classify Game 4 as back against the wall type scenario for NY.

Was one of the first things I was taught back in the day, never blame the refs for your poor play/loss. If the refs suck they are usually bad for both sides. So much other stuff to talk about rather than a moot point.

Great win last night! Though as much as it seems like we dominated most of the past two games the score for majority of the time was fairly even and could have been swung the Rags way if not for great plays by the defense/Fleury! We definitely need to keep the foot on the gas!!

It's baffling, but a lot of guys just seem to play this way regardless of their own circumstances (wasn't Staal concussed by his own brother ?).
- MadCap2008

My god I get it that the head is the new focus, but hockey is so pussified these days. The players use to play with concussions. Back in the 80's, most of the 90's hockey was dirtier and better. Now we sit and watch 2 guys in stripes decide when penalties should be called. Scores use to be 7-3 because the penalties or score didn't factor in. A hook was a hook. Interference could be called every shift but the NHL wants to even the playing field for average teams. Hockey is a crap product these days.

Personally, I don't care about the pens penalties. I just think the reffing has been atrociously inconsistent across the whole league this playoff year. They're reffing to increase entertainment value (or in the case of the Rags, that the law of averages will kick in and they might eventually pot one through some miracle pinball Rube Goldberg Machine type situation) and not to actually maintain the rulebook.

But that's just my opinion.
- ScienceJesus

Agree but disagree...if they were reffing to increase entertainment value, the infractions committed against the most talented players would or should be called more frequently. To me, whether conscious or not, the games are being officiated to level the play one the ice.

Case in point, the Pens have dominated possession this post season but have been whistled just as much for penalties for and against.

The Staal cross check happens. It should have been two minutes as should the Gibbons crosscheck in the first. The Goc call was a joke. Both should have been sent off. Moore acted like he was shot.

My god I get it that the head is the new focus, but hockey is so pussified these days. The players use to play with concussions. Back in the 80's, most of the 90's hockey was dirtier and better. Now we sit and watch 2 guys in stripes decide when penalties should be called. Scores use to be 7-3 because the penalties or score didn't factor in. A hook was a hook. Interference could be called every shift but the NHL wants to even the playing field for average teams. Hockey is a crap product these days.
- lloyd095

Scores were 7-3 because the size of the goalies was 15% less than what it is today.

NHL15 have a 'Be A Ref' feature? that would be quite fun esp come playoff time.

Scores were 7-3 because the size of the goalies was 15% less than what it is today.
- Tiogadog

Not saying that wasn't a factor but todays games are CONTROLLED by officiating and it's obvious.

My god I get it that the head is the new focus, but hockey is so pussified these days. The players use to play with concussions. Back in the 80's, most of the 90's hockey was dirtier and better. Now we sit and watch 2 guys in stripes decide when penalties should be called. Scores use to be 7-3 because the penalties or score didn't factor in. A hook was a hook. Interference could be called every shift but the NHL wants to even the playing field for average teams. Hockey is a crap product these days.
- lloyd095

Are you saying hockey would be better if players played with concussions?

Not saying that wasn't a factor but todays games are CONTROLLED by officiating and it's obvious.
- lloyd095

Not to mention that off-ice workouts, strategy, and average player size was all significantly less than it is now. Plus, the talent gap was significantly larger than it is now and the goalies didn't really have much in the line of coaching. Hell, the first full-time dedicated goalie coach only showed up in the league about 15 or so years ago. The whole league is a lot more advanced than it was 20-30 years ago when you saw a lot of 7-3 games.

Agree but disagree...if they were reffing to increase entertainment value, the infractions committed against the most talented players would or should be called more frequently. To me, whether conscious or not, the games are being officiated to level the play one the ice.

Case in point, the Pens have dominated possession this post season but have been whistled just as much for penalties for and against.

The Staal cross check happens. It should have been two minutes as should the Gibbons crosscheck in the first. The Goc call was a joke. Both should have been sent off. Moore acted like he was shot.
- Tiogadog

Depends on your definition of entertainment value.

Their definition seems to be close games where the last few minutes really matter and determine the outcome of a game/series. Like Basketball. I mean, we all do remember where Bettman came from, right? They want games that come down to the wire. However that is accomplished, they don't care.

Our definition of entertainment value would be seeing the best players play at the highest level without someone hanging on their back.

But sadly, I don't think many of the fans agree with this when it means that the result of actually officiating the game according to the rules means that their blue-collar hard-working guys are getting beat by talented players all the time because they can't obstruct and hook and hold and interfere to slow the game down to their level and they're getting beaten 5-1

Are you saying hockey would be better if players played with concussions?
- BulliesPhan87

I'm saying hockey was better... Every hit is overanalyzed these days in SLO-Motion. Society in general is softer and it has leaked into hockey.

I'm saying hockey was better... Every hit is overanalyzed these days in SLO-Motion. Society in general is softer and it has leaked into hockey.
- lloyd095

somebody please help my eyes are rolling out of control

Why are you so concerned over the penalties called on Pittsburgh this series? The Rangers power play gives the Penguins energy and glorious chances as soon as penalized players finished serving said penalties.

Series is far from over but the Penguins deserve the series lead and the Rangers deserve to be trailing. No excuses from where I am standing.
- MidnightMarauder

Overall, I'm not one to harp on penalties called or not called. But, that cross-check to the neck was pretty bad. All I'm saying.

And the announcers response to it being "old time hockey" was abhorrent.

Doesn't matter that my guy (Crosby) was on the receiving end and your guy (Staal) was the giver. That shouldn't be allowed to any player, shouldn't be tolerated, and certainly not applauded by the announce team.

I'm saying hockey was better... Every hit is overanalyzed these days in SLO-Motion. Society in general is softer and it has leaked into hockey.
- lloyd095

I think sports in general have to be "softer" as you say. Not saying I like it but I understand it.

Players today are too big and too fast. If stuff that was allowed to happen 20 years ago was allowed today, players would be dropping like flies.

I think sports in general have to be "softer" as you say. Not saying I like it but I understand it.

Players today are too big and too fast. If stuff that was allowed to happen 20 years ago was allowed today, players would be dropping like flies.
- 87_71_11_29

That's why they make the big money