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seeler

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Darn it - I thought charging the goalie was against the rules

I admit that since the Original Six expanded to 12, and then to God knows how many, I don't follow hockey closely except for the playoffs but ...   it seems to me that interferring with the goalie while he was within his crease was an indicable offence.   It just wasn't done.  Not only would the player get a penalty, but his teammates would send their enforcer out against the opponent, and his own team would consider it unsportsmanlike conduct.  But now, it seems that is the tactic of those guys in the blue shirts.  Again and again I see them piling into the Canadiens net on top of the goalie.  They've already put one goalie out for the season.  Is it their intention to try for another?  Why is this being put up with by the referees, and the team?  

 

 

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revjohn

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Hi seeler,

 

seeler wrote:

But now, it seems that is the tactic of those guys in the blue shirts.  

 

As a Habs fan since in utero I have to disagree.

 

Every attacking player, no matter what Jersey they wear is told to go to the net and go hard.  The idea is not to steamroll the goalie, as you point out would result in a penalty and/disallowed goal.  The idea is to get command of the area outside of the crease and limit the goalies ability to see the play.

 

Every defenceman knows what those attackers are up to and every defenceman knows it is his job to prevent those attackers from getting to the net.

 

When those two goals conflict, as they must, things happen.

 

Kreider's accidental on purpose feet first slide into Price (Krieder was wearing white at the time) has put Price out for the remainder of the series.  Which is one more Ranger win away.  That will also be the end of the Habs season.  Should Montreal prevail and the Rangers know a thing or two about coming back from almost certain elimination to know it isn't impossible (Montreal has had so many favourable rings off the post when Price was beaten that it was bound to happen against them), Price will be ready for the Finals.

 

Giving Kerider the benefit of the doubt he is a very quick skater.  The kid can fly.  When those legs are taken out from underneath him expecting him to stop on a dime, on ice, is unreasonable.

 

Not sliding foot first into a goalie is not an unreasonable expectation though it is a tough call.

 

Last night it was at least one missed Ranger stick to Montreal noggin that could have changed the game.  Though if Gachenyuk had been just a smidgen lower with his crossbar ringing shot Montreal would have most likely tied the series.  And there is also that short-handed goal that first put the Rangers on the board.

 

Grace and peace to you.

John

 

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