A Hockey Nightmare
I just felt as a hockey fan,I needed to comment on the current "nightmare" (as the announcers so accurately put it) now taking place. 3 AM in the morning..game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals is over..Dallas won..Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff in an outrage. The tapes are replayed...and Brett Hull's skate is in the crease. Being both a Stars and a Sabres fan,this is kind of hard to digest. Rules being rules,the goal doesnt count..but what can be done now.. The ceremony has already taken place..the players are celebrating. There is no possible way to take the trophy away..no possible way to say to Dallas "okay,we know we gave you the trophy,but we're dis-allowing the goal and you have to play game 7". Plus,just think,the game would be *in* Dallas. How do you think the fans would react to the team who took away the greatest prize in a hockey player's career? Right now in Dallas they're worrying about riots...think of the riots if the Sabres came into town. As far as my opinion goes.....rules are rules..the goal does not count...but...there is no possible way to remedy the situation. I understand why more devoted Sabres fans are irate...but I also understand why the league is allowing the goal to count. Yes,Brett's skate was in the crease,it was obvious,but it (in my opinion,keep in mind) had no effect on whether or not he scored. 2 defensemen tried to block him,they didnt succeed,and he scored. There was no interference on Dom,therefore,in all reality,the shot could have been stopped. If interference had taken place...I agree that it should have stopped imediately right there and been announced as no goal...but what's done is done. Dallas is the winner,and personally,I'm very happy for them. Both teams deserved the cup,both worked extremely hard for it,and in the end,it came to triple overtime for one of the teams to take the cup.
Ya know,the first thing I thought of when the announcers said "oh no,what a nightmare" and told what had happened,I thought of Brett's father Bobby. The feelings he must have been having at that moment must have been overwhelming...anger towards the Buffalo team for wanting the goal to not be allowed...sadness for his son,for this to happen to him...amazement that this even would happen to anyone...
I've heard several people (including my father) say that if it wasnt for Hasek,Buffalo wouldnt have made it..I dont agree. That team is filled with great guys and great players. People on the email lists that I am on complain about how the other team is holding/hooking/checking/playing dirty...and it really kills me..my inbox is starting to fill with messages from fans saying these things....but you know what?..I'm on both Sabres *and* Dallas lists...*both* are saying this...I dont understand why they are complaining about the other team doing it,when obviously,their team is doing it also. I love the Tiger Sharks..and I defend the guys on things I probably shouldnt..but when they instigate something,then I say they deserve the same in return. If they hook someone,they should expect a hook in return..if they ask for a fight,they should expect a fight. Same with Dallas and Buffalo...there was an uproar about how the goalies were getting messed with..one team complained about how their goalie was getting checked when he came out of the crease,but when it came game time,that same team did the exact same thing. Dallas coach Hitchcock said something along the lines of,if a goalie comes out of the crease,he becomes a defenseman. I agree with this to a point. If he goes to play a puck,he should expect to get bumped around..not saying the forwards should have free reign..but you're going to have to know that they want that puck,and they're going to do whatever they have to,even knock you out of the way. Far as this flipping and checking of the goalies goes...nuhuh..that's where the line should be drawn. And if the goalie cannot get back to his crease..it should not be allowed to happen.
Back to the original subject....because of the NHL's hesitation on this man-in-crease controversy,it's come back to bite them right in the butt,and in the most important game (other than game 7,of course) of a NHL season. In my opinion,because of this,on Monday (I think that's the right day) when the league's officials were/are going to meet about this rule (unless I mis-read several of the emails I've gotten.....if I have I appologize),the rule will be changed to allow the goal to count.
Anyways,I may add to this later,but,heh,seeing as it's 4:30 in the morning,the networks dont seem to be showing any new information,my eyes are refusing to focus,and my boyfriend's already fallen asleep on me,I'm headin to bed. Feel free to email me about this..I'll definitely write back. Night all!
Rule regarding a man in the crease **note letter b
Brett Hull's game winning goal - avi format 56K
