2-1-1 is our record so far in the playoffs. The last 1 referring of course to that sorry excuse for officiating we had to endure last night so the refs won that one. Everyone in Flyers Country knows that we aren't exactly the refs or the league's favorite team. I'm not one for conspiracy theories, and I'm always looking for another excuse as to why the team loses, and there usually is one. Bad goaltending, a non-existent powerplay, stupid blunders, or just pure unadulterated lazyassness. None of which I saw last night, with the obvious exception of the powerplay but it was a shutout so what do you expect? The team played pretty decent hockey in the first 40, and just flat out phenomenal in the last 15/10 minutes. You could make an argument that Miller stole the game for them, and you'd be partially right. But the refs last night were the real reason we lost last night. I have 3 examples, but I'm sure there was a bunch more. These 3 are the ones that stood out the most though. Number 1:
Admittedly I didn't see this one right away, I saw it on the replay. But it is so damn obvious, blatant and dangerous that it is beyond me why the league isn't handing out supplemental discipline to Kaleta. Now this might not have been the refs fault per say, there's only 4 of them and they have to keep their eye on everything. But if I were in the NHL front office and saw this, Kaleta would be getting a 1 game suspension; a fine at the very least, this shows a clear intent to injure Zherdev.
Number 2 is Carcillo getting a roughing call after being punched in the face by Miller and then choke slammed by one of the Sabers defensemen. Can't find a video for this one but if you watched the game you know exactly what I'm talking about. Carcillo didn't even retaliate, which is so not in his character. I mean yea, he did get up and try to go after Miller but he never actually made any contact. That one was WAY beyond my understanding. I've never liked Carcillo at all, but dude played one hell of a game last night and definitely didn't deserve that penalty. It was the crest on the front and the name on the back of his sweater that got him that trip to the box.
And number 3...the biggest bullshit call of the game, and you probably know what I'm talking about...Richie getting 5 minutes for defending himself. Here's the vid:
Now, just to set the record straight...What he did WAS a penalty. He threw up his elbow and that's a big no no. But listen to that video again, JJ, Coatsey and Bill are all completely amazed that Richie was banished to the box for 5 minutes. Anyone that's listen to these guys over the years knows that, while they are our color commentators and analysts; they are really fair about blaming the Flyers if they do something wrong. In fact, hardly ever do you hear them just flat out disagree with the refs. They usually try to be impartial, no matter how much they have to strain rationality. So for them to just flat out say it's ridiculous...that's saying something.
Game 5 is tomorrow night in Philly and you can bet your orange and black asses that the Fly boys will be out for nothing less than Patrick Kaleta's head with a side helping of Ryan Miller's balls. I had tremendous respect for Miller after the Olympics last year...yea that's all gone. He's managed to make me go from liking him to hating his guys in just 4 short games...bravo sir. And Kaleta has moved into 1st place on my most hated players list. He was floating around number 5/6 or so but this series has propelled him straight past Cooke, Avery, Gillies and their ilk. And here's an interesting quote from Lindy Ruff, or as I affectionately call him "Hush puppy" about us whining about last night's game:
"I just feel they're doing a lot of whining. They're really doing a lot of whining. I didn't hear any whining when they had 10 powerplays in Philly and I didn't hear any whining when the powerplays in the first game were lopsided. But all of a sudden there's all this whining about we're getting away with murder. That's a bunch of crap. That's for the media, that's for the officials to read. Here, let's get the next call. That's a bunch of crap. Let's just play.
We're just playing. There hasn't been one word about the officiating out of us. But if they want to cry about the officiating and whine about different calls, go ahead. Go ahead."
So there's some brain food for you guys to digest...and just to lighten the mood:
