DET vs DAL
Posted on May 15, 2008 10:08 AM | Permalink
The NHL has a long history of making make-up calls - and can probably add Tomas Holmstrom's "butt in the crease'' decision from Game 4 of the Western Conference finals Wednesday.
Detroit's crease crasher was told after refs waved off a first-period power-play goal by teammate Pavel Datsyuk that his prominent posterior did not allow Stars goalie Marty Turco a clear view of the play. Holmstrom's skates were clearly out of the crease, and in a place where they had been probably 1000 times in his career - but somehow referee Kelly Sutherland felt his backside was over an imaginary line.
“The referees said his skates were outside the crease but his rear end was in the blue area,” said Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom. “That's a call I've never heard of.”
NHL Rule 69, interference on the goalkeeper, says goals should be disallowed only if an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper's ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal; or an attacking player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with the goalkeeper, inside or outside of his goal crease.
Turco claimed it was the right call.
"I really don't think it's a bad call,'' Turco said. "I don't think it's black and white like it used to. It's the ref's discretion…whether he's in the blue or not, I feel like I'm in there first and I deserve every chance to make a save.''
That was a claim Turco made in Game 1, when Holmstrom clearly was in the crease and was possibly interfering with Turco on a power-play goal. So, was this a make-up for the previous perceived transgression?
"That's a reputation call totally. It's disappointing," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "Sometimes a guy gets tripped and you miss it. Some things go wrong, and you miss it. Just don't make stuff up.
"Kelly Sutherland is a good referee, he just blew the call. That's life."
Turco said he feels things are even now: "Between the one in the first game that was allowed, and the one tonight...probably trade the two, and the series would be different.''
Stars owner said he wants co-GMs back together
When Stars owner Tom Hicks fired GM Doug Armstrong in November, he made a controversial decision by naming the first co-GMs in NHL history. By uniting soft-spoken Les Jackson with flamboyant Brett Hull, Hicks clearly was pushing some new boundaries. But he left himself an out by hanging the "interim'' tag on the duo, saying he would revisit the experiment after the season.
Hicks on Wednesday said he already has made a decision to extend the two GMs' contracts whenever the season is over and keep things moving forward.
"I look forward to having negotiations with them to talk about what the future is going to be," Hicks said.
Hicks said he has been pleased with the combination of the cerebral Jackson (whose background is in scouting) with the emotional Hull (who is one of the great goal scorers in NHL history).
"I think they've done exactly what I hoped they would do," Hicks said. "I think Les is as knowledgeable a nuts-and-bolts hockey ops. guy as there is in the league. He's thorough. He knows players. He's like me, more introverted. Brett has been exactly what I'd hope he would be. He's connected with the team. He's been a good spokesman for the franchise."
Franzen cleared for workouts, still out
The Red Wings said that leading playoff goal-scorer Johan Franzen has been cleared for workouts, but that there is no timetable set for his return. Franzen, who had 27 goals in his last 27 games, has been sitting out because of recurring headaches.
Detroit calls Franzen "day to day,'' but there was no talk of him playing in Game 5 Saturday in Detroit.
The Stars continue to sit Jere Lehtinen (leg), Stu Barnes (concussion-like symptoms) and Philippe Boucher (hip strain). They had not practiced in the past two days, but also are listed as "day to day.''
Stars find checking line answer in Iowa game films
The Stars had a strange choice to shut down Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg - they reunited the line of Joel Lundqvist-Toby Petersen-Loui Eriksson, which excelled in the playoffs two seasons ago with the Iowa Stars.
Lundqvist, the twin brother of New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, is 26 and trying to establish himself as a regular NHLer. Petersen, 28, has been a minor league leader for the Stars and is taking advantage of a lineup opening that has come because of the trade deadline move of Jeff Halpern and playoff injuries to Stu Barnes and Jere Lehtinen. Eriksson, 22, is a top prospect who had 14 goals this season and now has four in the playoffs after scoring in Game 4.
"Petersen's line was excellent for us,'' Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "They were very, very good. They played with a ton of speed."
Fun facts
- In games in which the Red Wings had the chance to close out an opponent, they were 12-0 over the past decade. Marty Turco had the first win in an elimination situation against Detroit since Ed Belfour pulled the trick in Game 5 for the Stars back in the Western Conference Finals in 1998. Detroit then came home and won that series in six games.
- Mike Modano had the 15th game-winning goal of his playoff career.
- The Stars did not hold a lead until 219:37 of the series when Loui Eriksson scored for Dallas to give it a 1-0 lead.
He said it
“We needed a thread of life and now we have it. We've got some momentum. We've got to use it to our advantage, steal a game there and now it's 3-2 and the ball's rolling the right way.''
-Stars coach Dave Tippett
Comments
"I really don't think it's a bad call,'' Turco said. "I don't think it's black and white like it used to. It's the ref's discretion…whether he's in the blue or not, I feel like I'm in there first and I deserve every chance to make a save.''
Since when did NHL goalies become soft? Does Turco want to face shots with NO ONE in front of him? What a joke!
Posted by: SK Houston | May 15, 2008 11:02 AM
I'll start by syaing that I am a life long Wings fan. It was a make up/terrible call. Homer wasn't even close to Turco. But none the less they have to get by it and move on and still find a way to win. Dallas was better last night. Simple. Saturday the Wings will be better at home and prove they are better than last night. GO WINGS!!!!!
Posted by: HIM19 | May 15, 2008 01:38 PM
When zebras blow calls like that it make the whole league look bad. Now wherever I go on the internet there are a hundred theorys about why it happened.
Please fix this NHL! You are becoming a laughing stock!
Posted by: AAAAAAARRGGG Windsor | May 15, 2008 03:26 PM
The fourth game of Detroit/Dallas was a sham. Detroit was being called for every time a Dallas Star fell down. Three penalties in a row in the first period. Dallas was being offered the game on a platter. When they finally HAD to call Dallas on an obvious hook and Detroit scored right away, they took the goal away for NO REASON. Everyone knows this game was fixed and it's a real tragedy that hockey has become the pitiful game it is today - all thanks to Bettman. I'm done watching NHL hockey. I'm not interested in watching grossly obviously manipulated phony hockey games.
Posted by: steve phillips detroit | May 15, 2008 04:12 PM
This is a rules question. I watch tons of hockey but I'm not completely confused about the purpose of the crease. I remember there used to be replays whether or not any part of the skate was inside the crease while the puck was going in. Aside from the obvious kicking issue, I've seen tons of goals go in and count with guys standing in the crease. Last night when Dallas scored the first goal their player was clearly completely inside the crease and the announcers didn't even mention it and it wasn't even reviewed. So officially, what is the purpose and enforcement of the crease now? Thanks hockey experts!
Posted by: bdlogic | May 15, 2008 05:40 PM
Good old hockey game.....NOT. Someone please call an investigation as to the conversations between Bettman and the officiating comission that may have led to the Fixed game 4 in Dallas. Dallas had 3 extra players on the ice and they were dressed like zebras. Bettman should be ashamed at the mess he made of the NHL. Dallas, your loose display of minor league style hockey makes me wonder how you ever got past SJ and why anyone would want to help you survive another day.
Take a close look at the plays in question during game 4. They are obvious and if that game was officiated properly, Detroit wins 3-2. Quick puck drops after very questionable plays is proof enough to investigate this tragedy. Like Rafalski's goal...yes GOAL and the obvious puck crossing the goal line along side a sliding Datsyuk. I thought Toronto reviewed this stuff during commercials while watching Little Mosque on the Prarie. I have nothing more to say that can be printed.
%&$@ *!!
Posted by: Wayne Hockeytown | May 15, 2008 06:00 PM
I didn't mind the call on Homer. If it was a makeup call then fine. However, I DID mind the lack of calls in the third period. It seemed like the Stars would have to shoot a Wing down to be called. Did anyone see Stuart let go of his stick while the Stars player skated around with it, and the ref was looking directly at him? I'm pretty fair but that last game was a joke. Seems that the Stars are finally warming to the brilliance of the Ducks, the refs aren't going to call every hook and trip. Thus, if we can survive getting called on a few, then we can get away with murder. Plus the ice was horrible and the Wings looked like they were tired of skating on it.
Posted by: Adom | May 15, 2008 06:50 PM
It is amazing to watch how poorly the Canadians hand the officiating of the NHL. I have watched Hockey for almost 30 years and I can not believe that the entire Officiating body of the NHL can miss as many calls as they do when they have two Referees and to Line Judges. If rule 69 applies to Holmstrom's butt, two of the Dallas goals should have been disallowed. One of which the Dallas player's stick made contact with Osgood's leg. Honor and Integrity are earned. When the Officials of the NHL promote or turn their heads, they become corrupt, it is the job of the referees to call the game with no bias. The NHL is being watered down and the Hockey Gods can not be happy. Crashing the net was always a penalty, but the officials did and do not enforce the rule. During the Coaches Corner of the Fliers vs Penguin's game, Don Cherry refused to address the poor officiating. He credit the Dallas Star so called victory to their Play....LOL. It may take a long time before the NHL becomes a Legitimate league once again. This is truly a dishonor.
Sincerely,
Bruce
Posted by: Bruce Nierzwick | May 15, 2008 08:43 PM
Bad call. It happens. The thing that upsets me the most is Turco claiming the "series would be different" if Homer's game 1 goal was disallowed.
Wings were rolling in game 1, outplayed Dallas and won outright. The same goes for games 2 and 3.
They had their chances, most notably 6 powerplays and Clearly missing a wide open net , in game 4, but just couldn't find a way to put the puck in the net.
They got to get past it and move on. If they can score the first goal, hopefully the first 2, in game 5, that should do it.
Posted by: Jeremy Sands Detroit | May 16, 2008 12:07 AM
I got the feeling that Tomas didn't know what to do after that dumb makeup call. He seemed a little bit awkward without confidence subsequent to the call. It's the equivalent of calling a penalty on Gretzky for standing behind the net. Seriously bad call.
Posted by: Tim Anderson Michigan | May 16, 2008 01:14 AM
Why the NHL wants Dallas or whoever plays the Red Wings to win is mystery to me. The Red Wings are by far the best team in the NHL. Bettman is a disgrace to NHL. These playoff games are turning into a circus because of him. It obvious why he's not the commisioner of the NBA anymore.
Posted by: jlily HockeyTown | May 16, 2008 01:33 PM
Having read all the comments brings me to the
conclusion that most commentors agree on the
one main issue, the referees were not very
professional during the 4th game in Dallas.
I give the Red Wings and their coaching staff
a PLUS for keeping their COOL(so to speak)
Please bring in professional referees for
game 5 in Detroit.
Nimrod66
Posted by: vince kennie | May 17, 2008 12:43 AM