Some of the Carolina Hurricanes (hello there, Rod Brind'amour) and some Hurricanes fans were fuming about the referee allowing Ryan Smyth's go-ahead goal in Game Three which stood up as the winner.
If Mick McGeough hadn't gone upstairs for a goal review, I could certainly understand Brindy's fury on Saturday night.
The eye in the sky ruled the goal stood, and that should've been the end of it.
Besides, Brind'amour conveniently overlooked the fact the Oilers had a goal disallowed in the second period, when McGeough lost sight of the puck and whistled down the play, even though replays clearly showed the puck was still in play.
But McGeough was within his right to do so as the rule book clearly states the ref is to stop the play if he loses sight of the puck. If he had allowed the goal after whistling the play dead, that would've been something more worthy of Brind'amour's ire.
Game Three is over, folks, and the Oilers goal stands. Get over it.
There's no conspiracy theory here, no dark plan to "let the Oilers back in the series", no favoritism amongst the on-ice officials. Remember, McGeough was the referee for Game One, which I recall was won by the Hurricanes, and I don't recall a lot of whining about his officiating in that one by either team.
Oh, there was McGeough's call for a penalty shot after Niclas Wallin covered the puck with his hand within his crease that resulted in a Chris Pronger goal, but replays clearly showed McGeough not only made the correct call, but he was in perfect position to make it.
I realize that on-ice officials aren't infallible. They're going to miss calls sometimes and that's going to upset players, coaches and fans, or they'll make a questionable one from time to time.
But lemme tell ya, folks, I'm pleased with the overall quality of the officiating in this year's playoffs, especially compared to recent years.
In the bad old days, this is how the refs used to call the games: Call everything in the first period to let the players know who's boss, ease up on the calls in the second, call only the blatantly obvious in the third, and #### your whistle in overtime.
The end result was so much obstruction it looked like football on ice.
The officials are now calling the games more closely throughout, and the end result has been a game with more flow and energy, compared to the choppy, obstruction-laden snooze-fests of the past.
Yes, the number of penalties are higher, but I'd rather see an increase in powerplays than obstruction masquarading as defensive hockey sucking the life out of the game.
So let's stop the whining about the refs and enjoy the Finals, where ultimately the players, not the refs, will decide the outcome.
Good call Spector. I am a Canadian boy who has moved to the States and have been here for the past six years. As a matter of fact I even cheered for Detroit last year and this year, (Except when they are playing my Oilers). Heck I even hoped the Pistons would win the NBA this year. There are many reasons for moving to the good US of A, and I am patriotic to the "STARS AND STRIPES". There is however one thing that really erks me. Almost every US sports caster has pinned the Oilers to lose every series they have been in. Well.. Where are they now? Certainly not playing golf. Now all this being said, I was born wearing skates nad I bleed Oil. All you US fans should really take some time to read the rule book before you start talking about what is a goal and what isn't. The rule clearly states that if the player was following the puck to the net and it hits the goalie and bounces off the player (IN THE CREASE) it is a goal. That is the rule in a nut shell. So please, for the love of God, quit your whinning and lets get on with the series. Had it gone your way you would feel entirely different. I still belive in the refs whether a call go's either way. Thats hockey folks ya can't have every bounce go your way.. Accept it or quit watching. I still belive in my Oilers.. If they win tonight, watch out...
Here's the actual rule: 78 (i)
http://www.nhl.com/rules/rule78 .html
In a rebound situation, or where a goalkeeper and offensive player(s) are simultaneously attempting to play a loose puck, whether inside or outside the crease, incidental contact with the goalkeeper will be permitted, and any goal that is scored as a result thereof will be allowed.
But that's all in the past. The Oilers are still in a must win situation and are going to have to play even better in game 4 to stay alive. Go Oilers.
The Smyth goal and the resulting "complaining" from Brindy and the small group of fans is exactly what the NHL wants. Brindy refused three requests for comment after the game by reporters through the Canes media rep. The NHL then essentially threatened Brindy to talk to the reporters, so they got what they wanted. If he had to do it over again I doubt he would of done it but who knows. Should be a great game tonight.
Last edited by Canesworld on June 12th at 11:56 AM.
I wish one Mr. Horcuff, for the love of God, would quit HIS whining. Rod Brind'Amour is and has historically been one of the finest face-off men in the league-even when he was a Flyer. Mr. Horcuff was and probably still is crying foul mouth accusing Brind'Amour of cheating. How low can you get? Mr. Horcuff-get a life! Go 'Canes go!!!
Good point Flyerfan, Edmonton even sent a tape to the league crying about the "cheating". We will see what happens when and if a disputed call goes the other way.
flyerfan - If you watch the replays from game one, you can see that Horcoff did have a point about Brind'Amour not setting up properly before faceoffs. When Horcoff said that Brind'Amour was cheating, this wasn't a knock against the Canes captain(who was only doing what he could get away with), but a knock against the linesmen who didn't make sure the faceoffs were fair. If Horcoff didn't have a point, then why did Brind'Amour's faceoff stats go from 82% in game one to 50% in game 2 and 37% in game 3. That big of a turnaround isn't explained by the Oilers being "rusty," which is what Rod the Bod tried to suggest.
If all it takes to rattle the Canes captain is to suggest that he gets some breaks because of his tenure in the league, then I'd have to suggest he needs a thicker skin.
Canesworld - Mac T said in a press conference (I think yesterday) that the Oilers never sent a tape to the league. He joked that since the league was already in Edmonton right now, they would have had to forward the tape back to Rexall. TSN on the other hand, did put together a very compelling video to support Horcoff's argument the day after game 1.
Last edited by oilersfan on June 12th at 12:50 PM.
I agree 100% Spector. I've been saying since the Super Bowl that people should stop whining about the refs. Refs aren't out to screw your team. They do make mistakes, its a part of the game. GET OVER IT. (In fact I awarded those who complain of refs co-holders of the #### of the Week)
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
