Enlighten me as to how the Pen's beat your Rangers if it wasn't fair and square. I can see some underhandedness in a single game, but not over five games. Yes, I'm serious, and not trying to stir the pot. I totally understand that guys like Ovechkin and Crosby are being promoted as the stars of the league, but I fail to see how an entire series was slanted to make sure one team won.
I used to be a big fan of the NBA, back in the 80's and 90's. I know the NBA always wanted Jordan to be in the Finals or Magic and Bird. But those players also made plays to win, so it wasn't like they were so-so and the league rigged the playoffs for them to win. So the concept you are eluding to does not totally escape me. I'm just mostly interested in how you see it in the NHL? Are you talking about the diving and favoritism calls for guys like AO and Sid? Do you really think it is that bad in the NHL? If you do, why bother watching the game if you're convinced it's rigged?
there's no favouritism for AO... AO is what hockey is all about. If he was American or Canadian, his face would have been on the NHL store's front facade for a year and he would be in the Gatorade commercials. But anyway, here's a good read and it explains the gripe... and it is sour grapes, maybe I'm the soul Ranger fan on here who can confess to being beaten by a good team, but when I watch my man's blood pour and gush onto Igloo ice from a Pens stick, then watch that same man get called for a phantom high stick from his knees on a follow thru, with one minute to go in a tied game... the very same place where the same teams captain dove, away from the puck with one minute and thirty to go in a game days before??? maybe they aren't so sour, maybe they stink, on ice... here goes...
Problems in the NHL Sands
Watching Crosby, watching the Pens this series showed me A LOT about the NHL and NBC and all of the channels which when airing a Pens game turn into "The Crosby Channel."
The NHL has given a lot to the Pens to save them from moving the team. And it's a little too much now.
The Pens will be in the Finals. This I Guarantee.
But when the NHL tries to hand the cup to a player to promote hockey... that's where we need to draw the line.
Crosby needs to man up. He's a great player but with the way the NHL is treating him it's making people lose respect for his play. It didn't take long for be to realize Crosby is not Ovechkin. Ovechkin at least is a hard physical power forward sniper. If anything he is the next Mario. Crosby... well he's not the next anything. He's great, just not great on his own...for now.
Crosby makes the NHL millions of dollars a year. There it a reason why if you touch him on the ice you will get a penalty. It's really making the NHL look bad. Now I'm NOT saying he dives but he has his own class of penalty rules. If half of the things done to Jagr where called I would think different. But some players get bad treatment by the refs and some get baby treatment. Crosby is the baby of the NHL and will be nursed the rest of his career. So as long as he makes them money The NHL will be there to milk him along the way.
The sad thing is Crosby is a great player. Maybe one of the best ever. And everyone knows he could win a cup and will, maybe even a few times throughout his career.
What's even sadder is that the NHL has been giving everything they can to the Pens to make sure they have not gone under. What doesn't make sense is why the NHL has been babying Crosby to the point where it's making real hockey fans sick.
NBC, Versus, everywhere on the NHL network... All they do is promote Crosby. And thats fine I guess but to go as far as help this team more and more by giving them their own set of rules...?? I don't know, it makes them look really bad.
Malkin Slue footing players (major penalty by the way, intent to injure) at the end of games, no call..... Crosby crying to refs (unsportsmanlike conduct). Penalty's being missed and quick whistles on saves by Fluery... something has to give. Their is a reason why Ranger fans booed him when he touched the puck.. and it's not because he's an amazing hockey player and were upset with that. They were upset with the league. They booed him night in and night out to prove a point to people watching.... him being helped by the NHL is not respectful. He lost respect in New York... Philly fans are not far off from Ranger fans... they will see what goes on as well.
The Rangers lost, they played bad, gave up a 3 goal lead in Game 1, but Crosby embellishing a hook away from the puck...a play which the refs gave the game winning power play to the Pens was beyond shady. Then Game 2 the Rangers had a game tying goal taken away on a very quick whistle as the puck crossed the line which ruined game 2. It seems the Pens in their building get a little help from the Refs almost every time.
That being said... the Rangers did NOT deserve to win in my mind, they did not play as a team most nights.
BUT news reports from around the league on game 5 were the same from every analyst in the league.... which were "the refs have to let the Rangers play, and allow them to hit these kids cleanly without fearing a penalty from the refs as protection of these young stars."
Every paper read the same, every analyst felt the same... it's strange to me to hear this, because it shows what people are thinking.... the Pens are getting some help. That seems to be in everyones mind that this might be true. I mean 8-1?? they aren't that powerful of a team behind Malkin and Crosby. They are good.. but not great by any means.
But like I said they were and are better then the Rangers that is without question. But this series should have been 6 or 7 Games without any question. If you truly feel the refs did not help the Pens in these rounds.. well thats a die hard Pens fan trying to brush off what everyone sees.
The league is looking at the Money coming in and trying to attract attention around the sporting world, which is fine.. but to push him through the playoffs to make money... it's kind of scary.... what is my sport turning into? Crosby world? How many cups will they give him?
I'll tell you what, he can win cups on his own and will... but to get help this year and see it and have to watch it.. it's tainting Crosby's cup this year.. cause as far as I can see, If the Pens win the cup... It was done with the help of the NHL. He better do it on his own first before he even thinks he is becoming a great player... WIN A CUP ON YOUR OWN CROSBY... THEN ACT GREAT.
We are not impressed.
