I dislike, no, HATE exaggerations.

[Nick]

But this one is funny:


I'm not sure if it's worse that there are so many players doing it now, or that you seem to have to in order to get a call.

The line "shouldn't put your stick there" is pure BS, if you didn't hook or trip or slash, it doesn't matter that your stick was there. Players turning their backs to boby-checks (White's turn on Glass) is frigging embarrassing. I know it's been consistently called, however it's purely favouring the small man, as they crumple and look dead, big guys just hurt their shoulders or nothing at all.The amount it happens now in the NHL is silly, it would be like a running back turning his back and becoming illegal-to-tackle, this is a contact sport and the individual needs to be responsible for the position they put themselves in.

Sorry, little rant on some playoff stuff driving me insane.

[shooker]

I agree somewhat. Chara's flop last night was absolutely laughable. The turning the back thing I disagree with. sometimes you have to turn to make a play IE daniel sedin before the eager hit. The bear hug rule is needed for that, it actually amazes me that it hasn't been discussed more.

the shouldn't put your stick there is 100% true lol. Players don't even have to exagerate for players to get called for hooks and slashes without an actual penalty occuring so the player should never just put his stick up. I think the best quote ive heard was after the kesler grab on weber, "we are in the stick on the ice era" which also rings true and makes defending that much harder. I yell at the canucks nightly for doing it and as much as it pisses me off when my players get called for phantom hooks I know every team gets those. However players grab on and hold and its definately getting worse but I feel this has been going on forever its just more noticeable with this crack down post lockout.

Those two things don't bother me too much but what really bothers me is the all out dive. The Chara of last night, that thornton one above and I am sure we can find 100 more from these playoffs alone. I think there needs to be a bigger crack down on those as in after game fines and such. Auto for unsportsmanlikes (although lapiere the puke wouldnt have a dime to his name) and the head refs watch the games anyways why not have them hand out some fines to ones that werent called. This isn't soccer lets not let it become it.

[kimmer]

It's already become like Soccer...

FIFA's fall of reputation itself in the purposes of winning arguably the world's famous trophy every 4 years have gotten some of these teams to not only dive, but hire acting coaches to learn how to dive effectively without looking fake. This is really nothing in the NHL what's going on. Except for the fact that taking too many penalties/fouls in soccer doesn't always directly effect the outcome of the game as much depending on the location of the foul; that is, until someone recommits and gets a red card out and they are now short a player.

I think in hockey they definitely should control this behaviour, as every minor/double minor penalties result in a PP, and PP is pretty much what playoff teams depend on to score goals. They rely on PP so much that this has become their little tool of helping hand to try to win the game. It is definitely disgrace to the sport, but understanding why they do it for the world cup, you wonder how badly these guys want the Stanley Cup. The only way I see this stopped is the refs start not calling these tripping calls unless you see an intentional slash to the legs to a certain force.

[tyler]

Hockey is turning into soccer. Nuff said.

[Shep]

Day by Day hockey is pussified.

[bma]

Ban the EUROS from the NHL. That would fix it. Their culture is invading the NHL.

[Nick]

Thornton was mocking dats on that play incase anyone was wondering - not sure everyone remembers the sequence - whistle had already gone and he was laughing with ref afterwards - no calls or anger or attempts to act hurt

Its not just the euro's though. Lots of NA guys are too greasy as well.

[shooker]

Thornton was mocking dats on that play incase anyone was wondering - not sure everyone remembers the sequence - whistle had already gone and he was laughing with ref afterwards - no calls or anger or attempts to act hurt.

Its not just the euro's though. Lots of NA guys are too greasy as well.

they actually both got minor penalties in that exchange, franzen for slashing (or tripping I forget) and joe for unsportsmanlike conduct lol

[Nick]

sarcasm really missed?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxzB8fgXeUE[/youtube]

[kimmer]

is it just me? or that actually does look like a pretty solid strike. It might have really hurt if HE WASNT WEARING SHIN PADS