It's been a hectic couple days for me, what with all the
wincing from that lethargic performance in Game 2. Though Washington
has been outplayed in 5 of 6 playoff periods and they were caught
standing around more than Suresh
Joachim on Saturday afternoon, they come away quite lucky to
be even at one game apiece.
While the Capitals and Cristobal Huet, who
has seen his
share of physical contact so far this series, are headed back to
Philadelphia having lost home-ice advantage, news comes from Toronto
regarding a never-before-seen type of goaltender interference -- what will forever be known as The Sean
AveryRule. In case you've missed it, here you go:
Despite this being a 5-on-3 disadvantage for the Devils,
why wouldn't Paul Martin,
the Devils D-man, obliterate Avery in front
of the net? I don't see how a ref in his right mind (other than Chris
Rooney perhaps) would call a penalty on the Devils.
Although the Devils defense had nothing to say about it,
it didn't take long for the NHL to provide a swift crackdown.
"National
Hockey League Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey
Operations Colin Campbell
today issued the following advisory on the
interpretation of Rule 75 - Unsportsmanlike Conduct: 'An
unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty (Rule 75) will be interpreted and
applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player
positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in
actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's
face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting
the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a
play.'"
Now if only the Capitals defense would act as sternly
toward the Philly players who continue run Huet.
Monday, April 14, 2008
