chippa13

The talking heads for the past two days have also discussed whether or not the VGK situation had any bearing on the decision of the on-ice officials.

Having watched a lot of McAvoy, I didn't think he was trying to get the head. Stil, I was surprised that it wasn't called a major. Perhaps the referees were gun shy about having the NHL "apologize" again on them. I haven't seen anything about the NHL looking at the hit for discipline and Anderson seemed more than ok about it in the handshake line. I doubt McAvoy misses any games.

Good start taking game 1 on tired legs. They caught a team coming off a long lay-off and that always helps. I expect Columbus to be much better from the drop of the puck for game 2.

Maybe in the long-drive competition or closest to the pin.

Matthews hate? Where exactly are all of these "Matthews-haters" that you speak of? I get that there will be some Leafs fans who will be irate that he didn't score 6 goals in game 7 to lead them to victory but there isn't any Matthews hate south of the border.

Life is too short to spend your free time and discretionary income on something that you aren't enjoying. Take time away and if you get the itch then find somewhere else to play other than where it wasn't fun anymore. Remember, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

Stay strong, Steve. Oh, and I agree the Fins got robbed. It was such a bang bang play that the US goalie had no chance for the rebound even had there not been contact. Common sense says the goal should have stood.

Back when I reffed I would sometimes point at the offending player with my unraised arm until I had a good handle on who the penalty was going to be on. When I blew the whistle I would full stop, definitely point at the offending player and with a loud voice call out player number, jersey color and infraction with appropriate hand signal.

Leafs smothered the Bruins tonight. They struggled to generate anything. You can always tell early when the Bruins are going to lose and this was one of those nights. They have to find a way to create space.

DeBrusk deserved a cross-check to the head? Ummmmmm, ok. The two were after each other all night, mostly stemming from Kadri's slew-footish/questionable finish on DeBrusk late in game 1. Surprised this isn't somehow all Marchand's fault.

Tonight is the first time I've ever seen a player lie down on the guy they cheap shotted to hide from retribution. Kadri deserves anything that happens to him.

Wait, what..........pros don't use the retail patterns that have their names on them? Such talk.

This is where you tell both teams that they have a choice on what you'll be doing, keeping an eye on the bullshit away from the play or being in position for the right line, icing, and goal calls but you can't do both. Also, the second the bullshit starts then just make it a parade to the penalty box. Teams usually catch on.

Well this is sure working out for the Kings.

When it got to be too much of a pain in the ass to find sticks with my preferred pattern.

Call it what you want, you still don't want it.

I've done many games by myself in the past. You need to be with the play as much as possible but also be aware of what might be happening behind the play. You have to be confident in your calls and also call it a little tight early. Leave no wiggle room for guys to start taking liberties. Any bullshit after the whistle puts someone in the box and never be afraid to tack an extra either on the guy who started it or the guy who decides he wants the last shot that keeps anything from cooling down. Be vocal when any kind of gathering happens around the net letting guys know that you've got X player for the original and telling them the next shot or whatever is also going. When I've spotted a delayed call for any physical penalty (rough, slash, etc.) I'll let out a "I've got him, skate away" or "Don't retaliate, I've got him." One of my favorite memories was doing a midget select game (here that is 16-17 year olds) by myself. I was sweating more than any player at the end of that one. About a week after I saw the guy who put me on that game and he asked me, "what happened in that game?" I told him nothing special and asked why. He proceeded to tell me that he had heard from both teams that is was one of the best officiated games they had in quite a while.

A quarter will do the trick for customers to check level edges.

The Predators and Black Knights are both in the wrong division.

On top of the edge control and balance, the amount of power that figure skaters can generate is impressive. And they're doing it all with a much softer boot in the ankle than a hockey skate.

There are a couple of reasons why the "rumour mill" type section wouldn't work. First, because then the site wouldn't be honoring manufacturers' wishes; and, second, because that is how a lot of misinformation gets out which then manufacturers and JR have to work that much harder to correct.

Raise a milk and Pepsi.

I wonder if they're any worse than the entitled 20-something's in the 300k houses. If not for my father and nephew, I'd probably cut the cord on Facebook tomorrow.

One of the most important things to have as a ref is situational and positional awareness. You should have a feel for where the play is heading and where players are, especially those near you. The last thing you want is somebody close behind you or to find yourself trapped in the play.

I might have left off the doors and just put a large fan in front. That said, nice effort there and nice organization