LEAFS 4, ISLANDERS 3 OT
Isles Fall to Unfathomable Refereeing… and to a Lesser Extent, Leafs
Outsiders tend to wonder why Islander fans have such a chip on their shoulders. This is a fanbase that has seen its share of bad owners, GMs, players and a million other things over the last few decades so there are a lot of scapegoats. If you’re looking for evidence as to why this these chips exist, this 120 minute farce of unpenalized Toronto play over the past two nights is precisely one of the reasons why. Nights like these where there is no respect, no explanations to the coaching staff and a four-point gift handed to the Maple Leafs courtesy of the zebras. It’s swept up under the rug because ‘it’s Long Island, they’re low in the standings and won’t make a ruckus.’
If you’re an outsider reading this blog, that all may sound like sour grapes in the face of back-to-back losses. I understand that. If you take a quick look through the archives, you’ll also notice that very rarely do I write such strongly worded statements.
There’s no denying what happened on the ice tonight — and we’ll get to the good and bad of the Islanders’ play in a moment — but first let’s relive some of the greatest non-calls of the night (illustrations provided for the class). I’d love to make a full photo album of all the penalties that weren’t called, but I don’t have an album with infinite pages.
There’s really too many to go through, but here are two relevant down the stretch non-calls. In the third, Mikhail Grabovksi in the Islanders zone with a high stick on defenseman Andy MacDonald.
Here’s the video if you’re interested in the whole thing. MacDonald went to the ice in a heap and stayed down, with the high stick drawing blood on the play. To not see the call is to err but to not see the blood on MacDonald’s face, well… If you can read his lips from the bench, that about sums things up.
Exhibit B in our case involves Matt Martin in front of the leafs net late in the third. Martin fell victim to what is known as “being near David Steckel,” a situation Sidney Crosby knows all too well. Martin took a literal punch to the face from Steckel and went down in a heap.
But, you know, totally not a penalty.
That’s not even the end of it. There was the questionable take down of John Tavares — puck no where in sight — behind the Islanders’ net at the end of the second period. Finally, as a fateful twist of the knife, Grabovski took down Matt Moulson in the Leafs’ zone during overtime. Grabovski would get to a loose puck and was off to the races 2-on-1, eventually getting the assist on the over time winning goal.
Non-Refereeing Notes:
- The Islanders stepped up their effort from a night ago, that’s for sure. They played well for most of the night and had chances to win it in overtime but couldn’t convert.
- Has there been a better feel good moment recently than PA Parenteau’s goal with less than :20 left?
- The Isles were credited with 14 giveaways on the night and at times it seemed like a lot more. They had trouble taking care of the puck throughout the first two periods and were lucky to have only given up one goal during that time.
- How about Matt Martin’s effort and delivery on his shorthanded set up of Josh Bailey? Martin’s turning into quite a player.
- Lost in all of this is that the Islanders surrendered a 2-0 lead at home in a key game that they needed to win. They didn’t get good defensive play and the goaltending was ok, not great. There’s just so many factors at work here — both teams had fluky bounces on third period goals — it’s hard to really hang them for losing that lead, as bad as it is to drop that advantage.
About Kevin Schultz
Kevin was formerly an NHL blogger for the now defunct AOL Fanhouse and was the creator of the hockey comedy blog Barry Melrose Rocks. He now covers the Isles for Islanders Point Blank. You can follow him for instant updates on the team and talk hockey with him on Twitter @schultz88. View all posts by Kevin Schultz →218 Responses to LEAFS 4, ISLANDERS 3 OT
Isles Fall to Unfathomable Refereeing… and to a Lesser Extent, Leafs
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Greg says:
I really wanted to see some fire from capuano after this one. Take the fine and draw attention to the fact that the refs missed blatant calls. The league wont even look into this now, even though these refs ought to be fired.
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normally i admire capuano’s composure in these situations, but this time it is acceptable to call the refs out. he sat there like a dud saying same old same old. Grow a pair
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rick says:
The problem with calling out the refs is they are a union, if you call one out, every game for the rest of the season will be called like this was.
If anything, call them out in the press conference in a discreet, but obvious way…a nice little backhanded compliment to get the message across without the refs pride getting hurt where they will act out on the team the rest of the season.
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Mike says:
They have been calling crap against the Isles all season long anyway, who cares. San Jose in OT anyone ?
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RED says:
There’s nothing new about this “we get no respect’ line. It’s been like this forever. Of bigger concern is the fact we cannot score a goal without JT on the ice and the glaring deficiency in Streit’s play. I think that ‘C’ on his sweater is weighing him down.
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Steve from Jersey says:
wow the league deserves us an apology after that one… I can’t beleive that total screw job.
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highly questionable refereeing, I’d love to see cappy take the low road and rip them in the post game. Let’s also not forget how many times streit got caught and left the odd man rush wide open for the leafs. At least we got a point…
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Real Hockey Fan says:
.. How was that hit from behind on Mouslon (i think) in ot, NOT a penalty? how?
.. My goodness this mickey mouse league is pathetic, they call ticky tac penalties for “breathing” on a guy and have CASTRATED the game to ice capades
.. Yet that hit is NOT a penalty? HOW? HOW? HOW HOW? pathetic league, it really is!
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Isle Fan in Rye NY says:
Ridiculous!!
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Nick M says:
I AM PHUCKING DISGUSTED. the islanders outplayed Toronto but the refs blow. they cost the islanders 2 points and gave the leafs 2 undeserving points. this is a disgrace.
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Steve L says:
2 awful pinches by Streit led to the Leafs 3rd and 4th goal
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David in Woodmere says:
streit only had to pinch bc moulson was cross checked from behind
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He didnt have to pinch. He got beat to the puck again which created another odd man rush.
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Keith Quinn says: Point being though, that’s the right play because Moulson would’ve had coverage if he wasn’t interfered with. You can’t anticipate that there will be an uncalled penalty there.
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There should of been a penalty called for the Moulson takedown for sure. He is taken down before the pinch, which creates the loose puck that Grabovski chips past Streit and leads to the game winning goal. Bottom line is Streit once again makes a bad decision to pinch.
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Paul says:
The Isles will not make the playoffs because of their own doing. Not because of refs.
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Patrick says:
The league is a bigger joke than the NFL when it comes to officiating.
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william says:
2 games in a row with NO power play for the isles…complete nonsense!!! I hate the leafs so much!!
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Kevin says:
I’m from your neck of the woods, just outside Toronto. I feel your pain.
Losing to the scrap Leafs is WORSE than losing to the Rangers.
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Bean322 says:
The owner and GM dont give a crap about this team, why should the refs/league give a crap
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this makes absolutely no sense, champ
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jdun89 says:
Get used to it from him. He’s got a chronic problem of spitting out stuff that makes no sense.
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Oh yeah…no sense? there are plenty of more comments on how wang/snow gave up on team which has led refs/league to give up on them as well…
Boys i wish people like you would just put down the red solo cups…fans like you that keep wang happy..keep up the good work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY3cx3U0gYE-
I hope you know that you sound like a crazy, senile old man.
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Blizz says: The NHL should be ashamed of themselves. That was possibly the worst officiated game I have ever seen. Total bush league. The Islanders need to petition the league on this one. A total disgrace.
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ohio says:
Looks like the NHL wants the Leafs in the playoffs. If not these guys need fired immediately. Complete travesty.
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Stephen says:
Complete and utter b.s. Jack should rip the officiating. This kind of officiating just can’t stand. There were at least about 4 blatant penalties. And it’s not even like you could say, ‘Well we had 4 Power Plays…’
Yesterday we didn’t really deserve any but today was a completely different story. -
missed calls
-Amac high stick.(twice)
-Martin punched while trying to shoot
-Moulson tripped/cross checked
-kessel slashing everyone
-tavares interfering and cross check to face
list goes on and on -
DaGiants says:
It’s over, whatever. Hopefully after the break they send the kids up so we have something fun and interesting to watch for the rest of the season.
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Guy says:
Its amazing how the awful officiating seems to take place at home.
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Bob says:
Time to remove the “C” from Streit…starting to stand for “C”aught out of position….awful pinches and he is an awful example of defenceman for the young D…those were the 2 worst pinches of the NHL season…beat Deroit, Washington and Philly and lose 2 in a row to Toronto…saw a Jeckyl and Hyde team
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Grandma's Boy says:
Why did they even bother adding a second ref? Apparently it was turn back the clock night for penalty calling. A crooked league that always favors the Canadian teams…just ask Mr. Arbour
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Hud says:
Not one to blame the refs, except tonight.
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nick says:
out of respect for the game, these officials should resign. Disgraceful is an understatement, I am completely speechless. It’s tough to win when your opponent is allowed to do whatever they want with no repercussions whatsoever
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RICH L says:
I bet the Refs laid big bets on the Leafs for the last two games, yes, I am calling them on their integrity they got paid off by either the league, or the Leafs. Bettman should go commit suicide
for the debacle he has turned this game into.-
Don says:
Lighten up Rich L. You are right to be pissed, but don’t say stuff like that. It hits home for some people.
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Tomas says:
Very well said Don. Agreed.
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hoser14 says:
Once again hosed by the league!
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Rob says:
No powerplays in two games against this team. So many obvious calls missed tonight. What a joke the officiating has been all year.
Jurcina has the hockey IQ of a mentally challenged person. You’re supposed to check a player out of the crease, not into your goalie. Terrible pinch by Streit in ot. Isles defense is atrocious.
Bottom line you can’t blow a 2 goal lead. This team doesn’t know how to win. I can’t take much more of this… -
wheres the capuano press conference. i really want to hear what he says
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Now, having said what I did in my last post please stop any, and all playoff talk,for the rest of this season. Thank you
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Isles4cups says:
The officiating was brutal in this game. Why Niedereiter isn’t playing more is beyond me. The Leafs have a bunch of kids on the ice, but not the Islanders. Let some of the young kids play, I’m tired of hearing Rolston and Pandolfo’s names.
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Isles Fan In FLA says:
Really you hear Rolston and Pandolfo’s names? I only wish they were involved that we would hear their names. Are the fans the only ones who realize they bring NOTHING to the table. I can’t remember the last time either one of them got a point.
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Kaszycki's Krew says:
Original Six teams get to high stick with reckless abandon
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martin says:
Jack Capuano is a minor league coach. John Tortorella is an NHL coach. Any questions. How Capuano isn’t blowing a gasket tonight after the refereeing is beyond me. Yet, he is a company man.
Enough said.
The lottery is a few short months away.
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True. But what does blowing a gasket in his PC going to do? It only makes fans feel a little better because we think he cares more than it looks right now. If anything, it ticks refs off more.
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Brett says:
I think thats what the fans need to see…someone actualyl care about this team jack capuano should be embarassed for not speaking up..unless he has another pittsburgh brawl up his sleeve for the next time we play the leafs then he should be ashamed…im sick of being walked on game in and game out…and whats it matter if the refs get ticked off…they obviously arent going to call any penalties anyway…and idk if anyone else noticed that toronto has the worst penalty kill in the entire league…
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It may tick off refs, but to a young team, it makes an impression. It may give them a sense of we are getting screwed and we are pissed.Us against the world mentality.
Better than the can’t fight city hall attitude.-
doc says:
I”m sure that in the locker room there is the “ticked” off Capuano addressing the team. We don’t know what happens behind the scenes. We only see the composure at the press conference.
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Orange&Blue says:
That was ridiculous! Maybe Hassenfrantz is a Mike Myers fan and did him a favor. The guy cant even speak clearly when he calls a penalty. Is it possible Bettman hired a mentally disabled ref?
How is humanly possible that a mediocre team like Toronto did not have single penalty called against them in 2 straight nights??
Hope this lights a fire in the Islanders! Its us against the world. It really is!!
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cappy with a calm interview…i would have loved to see what Torts would have said about officiating if it happened to his team…
cappy doesnt make enough money to pay those fines -
Jon in Chicago says: Leafs have had to kill 16 power plays in their last 11 games. Think about how low a number that is.
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capuano has to show some more emotion. the players feed off of it. if the islanders win these 2 games they make the playoffs. now its extremely difficult.
remember these two games.
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Anthony says:
That is horrible officiating and I am not one to blame refs. Send Streit packing and I can’t stomach watching Rolston. Hey Cap get mad your season just went down the pipes. Sick of having a coach with no emotion. Oh yeah keep the same lines the rest of the yr because it’s working so well. Niño throwing body around and playing with fire but lets keep him buried.
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the toronto sportscasters say missed penalties both ways….come on!! about 10 to 1…now i got to listen to how great the leafs are all day tomorrow…UGHH
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Vato Kakes says:
can butch freaking goring stop licking his face over the mapleloafs..this guy, who I once admired, is a freaking spastic speaking numbskull..one moment he says the mapleloafs were giving cheapshots, next he says how hard and clean the mapleloafs played.. what is it you freak….who was worse the refs who goring’s performance..survey says……DA REFS..call up some young ones garthy-poo…
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Bababoey to ya'll says:
I agree about Butch…He’s very dismissive if the leafs cheap shots and the refs cheating…
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snowang must go says:
What you are getting is plain “vanilla” announcing. Both just want to continue to get paid. Billy Jaffe is exhibit A of speaking your mind and not being brought back. It’s a joke!!
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Jim Clark says: Bad refereeing but you know what? The islanders let them get away with it. I don’t think they had a single body check in the third period. I was shocked Parenteau tied it up. Nobody can walk over you if you don’t lie down. That is what this team does.
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Joe says:
The islanders had more hits so I don’t understand your point.
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I’m gonna put on a Maple Leaf jersey and drive around town with reckless abandon – taking red lights, stop signs, driving on sidewalks and plowing over mail boxes. Don’t worry though, cops won’t be able to do a thing about it – I’ve got the Leafs Jersey on!
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mark says:
streit and jurcina are a combined minus 48!!! blame the refs all u want< this is the real issue that needs to be dealt with
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Doug F. says:
and you want to give Jurcina a comtract extension…give me a break. Get rid of him. Trade hime back to Washington for Jeff Schultz.
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Roberty says:
These last two games were a gut check for the Islanders and they failed miserably. They once again did not looked prepared to play a full game and as usual the opposing team’s defensemen were always open at the point.
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They played a good game tonight
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caber09 says:
Until the coach, GM and owner stand up for their players..noone else will, simple as that. There must be a memo not to take any fines, Torts wouldve lit those refs up…he verbally abuses the refs, yet you dont see the Rangers getting the shortend on most nights…stand up for yourself, or noone else will!
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brian says:
they got rid of konopka and haven’t used gillies all season and haley has only had cup of joe this season. is josh bailey gonna stick up? shouldn’t a guy like pandolfo be showing the way?
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AntonB says:
The NHL “command and control center” for referees is located in Toronto…truly a “home ice advantage”. Ridiculous!
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justin says:
Love Matt Martins Game!
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fan4life says:
This is embarrassing! I used to love this sport. These refs are horrible. The problem is if we “get tough” they call everything on us ! How do you win when the other teams have two extra players with whistles. We lost probaly at least 6 points this season based on horrible calls
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Jon in Chicago says:
We have every right to complain about the refs because they were terrible, but blowing a 2-0 lead is the bigger issue. Montoya looked slow.
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TURNUPTHEHEAT says:
EXCUSES EXCUSES EXCUSES.. It must be the refs fault. Welcome to playoff hockey. It is a nasty game. We don’t have the players to play this type of game. When is someone goint to stand up for Tavares. The guy gets destroyed every game. We have 5 million dollar Rolston and has been Pandolfo out there. Management would have us believe we have a playoff team and we are about to make a run. Don’t believe it for a minute. Thank you Charles and Garth. Another WANGTASTIC season. But then again, “WHO NEEDS PLAYOFFS, WE HAVE DRAFT PARTIES”
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Isles since 6 says:
Dear Garth Snow,
after watching every game this season on NHL center ice, I’ve decided to do you a favor and offer my services to this team as it’s clear that there is plenty of room for improvement past the first line. I will sign a contract at the league minimum and even bring my own equipment (although it is goalie gear)
I have no professional ice hockey experience and have been playing for fun in recreational leagues on and off since I was 16, but mostly ball or roller hockey. That being said, I’ll be a good quote and I have my own jersey.
I would prefer to play goalie but its clear that you’re in desperate need of help everywhere, so I’ll play wherever the muppet you have coaching says I can play. I figure at least the third line, since Brian Rolston has been playing 2nd and 3rd line wing all year, and I won’t even ask for power play time, and I’ll hustle and backcheck like a fiend although I can’t skate backwards well, so don’t play me on defense HA!
I’m sure if you can afford to pay Brian Rolston 5 million dollars a season I’ll be a much better deal, because I’ll stand in front of the net and watch my linemates work the corners, and I’m sure I could hit an empty net as well if you want to play me late in a game.
I’d prefer not to play friday or saturday night as those are date nights, but a lot of your players don’t show up to games so I think this is a reasonable offer.
Please respond whenever is convenient, if I don’t pick up the phone immediately it’s likely because I’m trying to improve my kill:death ratio on battlefield 3, but I will call you back as soon as the round is over
yours truly,
Isles since 6-
Lanny says:
LOL Isles since 6 you just made my night that was great thank you
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Great one my friend.
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Kevin, what happened to the must see tv post game interviews…are they warned not to mouth off and get fined by Wang/Snow…no wonder why we get hosed by the refs, even our mgmt/ownership dont care, even Mibury wouldve said something by now
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Look at that second Toronto goal. Yes the player was pushed into the crease but he just stayed there until the goal was scored. doesn’t he have to make an effort to get out !
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moonshine says:
i was invited to the ranger game so i was scoreboard watching at the garden, but just the visuals from this blog paint the picture. that high stick isn’t a call that a ref can miss in good faith.
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Rob Cush says:
Let’s not forget the high stick on Pandolfo
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Petey Palmtree says:
If I had a dollar for every time the Islanders get screwed, I could:
-Sign us a top 6 forward
-a top 2 defensemen
-buyout DP’s contract
-And have tonights refs beaten with Grabovski’s high stick -
Phil L says:
I’m never one to blame the refs, but it seems all to often all the missed calls go against the Isles. Not sure about some evil conspiracy, but I do think even the refs have in their mind, hey its the isles, no one cares. Had the same blown calls gone against Bos, NYR, Tor, Det etc, it would be all over the media, etc, but again, its just the Isles, no need to open your eyes during the game refs.
Still no excuse for last night or blowing the lead tonight though. -
Candyman says:
Let’s not forget the first meeting with Toronto when Tavares got cross checked in the fact yet somehow he was called for diving.
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onecupin71 says:
The absloute worst officiated game I have seen in many years. It is no secret that so many refs come out of the Toronto Junior A programs. It is a joke and the complete lack of integrity makes it so much harder to buy tickets.
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Blizz says:
Something has to be done. At times I wondered if I was just biased being an Islander fan. But tonight was atrocious. I can not fathom what the league could possibly say.
We either have total incompetence by the league, or something more sinister going on. Which ever its unbecoming of the league. Why the hell doesn’t Snow or Cappy start barking? Something just isn’t right people pay good money to watch their hockey teams and they where just hosed in front of a home crowd.
Maybe as fans we can gather a petition to the league.
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I’ll be calling the NHL offices tomorrow
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FDP says:
How come Cappy never tears a strip on the refs for such horrid calls??? He seems so subdued behind the bench like he could give a flying ffffffffff… It really bothers me that he seems to show no emotion behind the bench, as if he’s happy to be lucky enough to have a job behind the bench in the NHL. Show some emotion Cappy!!! Throw a stick on the ice….do something!
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Blizz says:
…i totally agree. Looks like a tool back there with that dumbass look on his face.
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You have to watch the end of the game where Cappy is yelling f$%k you your a f#@cking joke to the refs. It was right before they went to commercial and before his post game. It was the most animated I’ve ever seen him. I think a little emotion at the post game would make all of us feel better but you know he’s told not to make waves. That’s not the kind of coach management wants. Frustrating to say the least.
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
This is probably the ONLY instance where I miss Milbury. He would have thrown everything but the kitchen sink on the ice!
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BobbyNy23 says:
Need someone to bodyguard JT since no one on this team sticks up for each other. Stop blaming the refs and let’s police ourselves. Bring up Haley and gillies , enough is enough.
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i dont understand what the fuss is about. this is par for the course and will continue until wang owns the team. as a earlier posted said which is so true, why should the refs and the nhl respect the isles when their own owner and so called gm dont. snow and cappy will never say anything because wang is too cheap to pay any fines, no matter how bad the nhl treats the isles. a perfect example are the nj devils who are bankrupt. even though they lose more money then the isles, if the isles do lose anything with wangs new nvmc deal, how come nj is on the fan with the strongest 50,000 watt station in north america with no third jersey and the isles with their rich tradation have the most hideous and disgsting third jersey clown suit and no radio station. that tells it all. as long as the owner of the team runs the isles as a third rate laughing stock with no respect to the teams legacy and no respect to the fans treating us as garbage, their is no reason for the nhl to respect the isles. sad but true. p.s. you can be sure the isles are the only team in the nhl and any team sport for that matter to charge sports writers for bottled water thanks to their sick delusional and desfuntional owner and ringmaster of the circus, charles wang.
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Blizz says:
that is one big load of crap right there. Although you are correct in many facets it does not give the Refs the right to hose the team like that at home.
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giz says:
Game made me sick tonight thanks largely to refs! Bailey actually played like he cared for a change he will make a nice 4th line center next year.
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That was a chippy game, and the ref’s definitely missed calls on both sides, but the Isles really got screwed on a few real bad calls. The high stick on AMac was right in front of a ref an he swallowed the whistled. What is most frustrating about pulling for this team is the overall lack of management to drive and promote this team on so many levels. Not pushing the league when they clearly seem to be prejudiced against from a penalty perspective. To not push cablevision to put their team on an HD channel. Did anyone notice that the Rangers where not on MSG or MSG II, but there telecast was in HD. So I went onto NHL Center ice online and the feed they had was from Cablevision and the feed was an HD feed. So how is it they can get an HD feed, but I can’t get one on my damn TV. For the longest time I disagreed with the Wang bashing, but I’m on the bandwagon now. It is time for someone to stand up for this team. Stand up when the ref’s call a poor game and stand up to cablevision and demand that all of their telecast get broadcasted in HD.
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IslesCT says:
the night before only the isles were playing, no knicks game. MSG was playing old Ranger highlights and the Isles were on MSG plus. Thats BS.
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Isles316 says:
Where is Garth snow in all of this ? Stick up for your team. It’s the perfect chance while playing the media hotbed to make a point. You can’t let players get headshots and not stand up for them if the referees aren’t doing their job ! Let’s go here
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Damian in Buffalo says:
The questionable referees are always going to exist when you play the original six and sid’s bunch of losers. This is why the nhl is a joke compared to the other sports. They always favor the big market teams. It’s not sour grapes because there have been plenty of examples over the years, the nhl should be ashamed but they won’t be. Just business as usual. People still talk of the no goal here in buffalo in 1999. That’s another example.
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Blizz says:
this is the type of thing that leads to BRAWLS!!!!!
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Marc says:
Very frustrating indeed. Perhaps the NHL’s VP of Officiating can release some Shanahan-esque REF suspension videos. Other coaches would’ve blown a gasket.
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Hubie McDonough says:
Jonathan: Referees are constantly evaluated and the missed calls will be brought to their attention. I know this because I have a relative who works in the NHL office in Toronto. Unfortunately, it will not do the Islanders any good after the fact.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not blaming last night’s loss entirely on the officiating, but in 30+ years of watching hockey, I have NEVER seen a team, any team, go unpenalized in both ends of a home-and-home series. The referees last night were dreadful. Absolutely dreadful. And I’m actually glad that Kevin used this forum to expose the “120 minute farce of unpenalized Toronto play.”
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Jonathan, Smithtown says:
Proud to say.. I was one of the loudest fans scowling “ref you suck!” Ya know I bring my father to the game and have him disappointed from non calls like that, he is from the old school hockey era. An embarrassment to our sport and these refs need to be evaluated, fined or fired. I am not buying the fact that it-is-the-islanders-and-they-get-the-worst-refs.. This is the NHL, if you sign up for the job, do your effing job! I work in a windowless office and am proud that I dont make careless mistakes like that.. Shame on you NHL for allowing such disasters of referees in our league, its pathetic.. wait till somebody gets hurt and no arm is in the air, then what??
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Same ref tonight that called the delay of game vs. san Jose that cost us a point early in year. Hassenfras
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lets expose him to the best of our ability.. I go to watch a hockey game, not a biased affair or whatever you want to label that monstrosity as.
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Not only am I pissed about the officiating, but did you see the players walking back to the lockerroom, several them slammed/broke their sticks in frustration…and then Crapuano comes on and says oh well at least we played well for the most part…come on grow a set and back your players.
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well, props to parentau for sending into OT.. and yes Cap needs to either step down or back his team in a bad loss.. This is New York, we are supposed to have a chip on our shoulder.. I say he goes after this season
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lou da puck says:
We need a Rex Ryan type coach to come in here and change the face of the franchise. Bring up the kids …we have nothing to lose… Cut DP and lets have some fun.
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Madchef says:
yeah cause he is doing wonders with the bigmouth jets who dont show up and cry about eachother and don nothing in the clutch. perfect replacement
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Dan C. says:
I’d prefer a Coughlin-type coach who is classy and successful.
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Mike says:
Cappy should have went nuts! He should have thrown the whole stick rack on the ice! Do you think Torts, Keenan, Burns, Sutter, Etc. would let this crap happen? Capps a nice guy, but he isn’t the guy for this job!
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Dk says:
He is precisely the guy for the job
….. He makes no money and doesn’t question his puppet masters. Just the way Chuck likes it. Nolan questioned things and got a raw deal pink slip. This is the way it works in wang’s world.-
Nolan’s problem was he played old washed up players like Fedetenko and kept all the young guys on the bench. Good coach, not right for a young team like the ISles.
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winning44 says:
I’m sorry, but the Isles are getting what they deserve. The league knows that Wang gave up desire to win half a decade ago. So the league gives up on the islanders….big suprise. Remember 1993 playoffs against montreal? What a bs job that was by the refs. The refs are all born in canada. The league needs new refs from european countries.
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We dont need Rex Ryan, we need someone like Torts who knows when to blow up, not some blowhard like Rex Ryan.
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so we need a big baby who crys when he doesnt get his way?
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Torts is a helluva coach. Players play hard for him, he makes adjustments by the minute rather than by the 20 game stretch, and he doesn’t take anything from the refs even to the point of questioning the integrity of the league on national TV after a win! I sure wish he coached the Isles.
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The problem is that when we try to stand up for ourselves they call everything against us. It’s really embarassing !
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Sm says:
The leafs played two games without going man down. That’s, kinda odd. They have one of the worst PK’s in the league. It’s called getting screwed. The game is over, move on.
It’s bullshite, it’s unfair and from a ex islanders recently seen on HBO’s 24/7. ” Toronto, it’s the same no call shite every time.”
Doesn’t help us. Can’t get fired up about a pair of losses when it’s pretty obvious there was an officiating agenda. Please, two games without going man down. How many times does that happen in a season. Too tired to research it. Hail Toronto, you still suck. -
Walt says:
Another PRESSURE game that we lose. Season is over, time to bring up some of the kids to see what we have. Streit should be traded he is on the downside of his career. The old wood should be released or bought out, I don’t think they can be traded. Trade for, invite, beg, borrow or steal any good defenseman you can find. Force red light rick
to the minors if he won’t retire and go with Montoya and Poulin. Nabokov should be traded with Streit. Draft the best offensive player in the 1st round of the draft. You can take all defense after that if you like. Last but not least pray that Tavares stays healthy. -
The Pork Chop Express says:
My plus/minus of this one
+ Better effort than the previous two games
+ Bailey/Martin creating plays
+ JT goal
+ Montoya looked pretty good
- Streit/Jurcina looked awful. Jurcina has to learn pushing the opposing player into your goalie is not a good thing.
- Long shifts do not work
- Another goal with a minute left in a period. You don’t win too many hockey games when you do this.
- The officials were pathetic. Too many head shots in this concussion crazy world.
- Howie Rose stat that the Leafs have had only 16 penalty kills in the last 11 games. Based in on toronto’s play I have hard time believing that they are that discplined/clean. The isles should send the video tape to Bettman. Those non calls have a major impact on the game.
-line 2-4 is still not the right combo
- Bailey works well with Martin but needs the other winger to be more offensive minded. Move PA/Nino to that line.
- Grabner huge disappointment. He needs to work the middle of the offensive zone. Sitting on the perimeter is not good. The guy needs to step it up.
- What is the role of the 4th line? They are not defensive/checking. -
Look what happened last year. In his first game back from penquin game Gillies throws a hard legal check and gets suspended
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were not even sure if this team will be on long island in 3 years
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Ct 74 says:
I think all of our complaints regarding officiating, and league disregard for the Isles will be borne out when Shanahan takes no action against the numerous missed assaults. Of course we will not bring up Gillies and Haley. Maybe Tavares could keep his head on his shoulders, other Islanders as well, but no, chucky won’t protect his family, nor does snow. Oh yes andGoring gave the refs a “C” for tonight! IF I wasn’t such a lifelong fan, I would be laughing at all this.
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yeah lets get that lil guys face healed and give him a shot with the big boys
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Nick from Austin, TX says:
Paging Ryan Strome.
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Steve from LI says:
I know a lot of people hated him on Long Island, but let’s face it, if Mike Milbury were here and this happened, you would see some legendary much-needed hell raising after a game like this, Mike had no problem with calling out poor, possibly biased officiating.
I was at the game tonight. Just a disgrace.-
or he would just trade tavares for a 1st round pick and a couple of ahl lifers.
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gdmike says:
I need to see ullstrom up immediately. brings so much to the table. Some offense and tenacity.
Rolston brings absolutely nothing. Can’t keep up with the play and doesn’t kill penalties. Scratch him
I can live with Pandolfo on the fourth line. At least he is a great Penalty killer and doesn’t make mistakes.
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It’s official. The leafs jumped ahead of the rags as my most hated team. And the nhl players are correct. Phaneuf IS the most overated player in the league. JT made him look silly more than once these past two games.
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nightbite21 says:
Just got home from the game. Got to the point where I didn’t even look at the refs after infractions, knew absolutely nothing was gonna be called. Phaneuf is one big pile of shit and deuschebag Lupul is not too far behind. This isn’t the first time that premadonna has thrown cheapshots at us…and it certainly won’t be the last. What’s to fear on this team but some solid bodychecks from Martin??? Went bananas after PA tied it up and laid into some Leafs fans only to have the bubble burst cause of inexcusable officiating.
So Cappy held his tongue once again? If the doubledildo steering this ship doesn’t care and not only tolerate but welcome this apathetic behavior then why should we be surprised.
Tough, tough loss.
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braksahniam says:
hahahaha your use of the term “doubledildo” made my day.
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LOL. Seemed appropriate for those two clowns.
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it did feel good to stand up and tell the Canada people to shuuuuut up! as they were chanting go leafs go.. those pu**ies just sat right back down, at least 50 of them hahaha what a wuss of a country.
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definitely a stronger hatred has been built tonight.. rags, your off the hook for the time being
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Joe says:
Worst NHL game I ever saw with regards to the refs. Looks crooked and it’s a disgrace. Not sure if I will watch another NHL game again
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Rolston with 0 points in January
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joe torre stromboli nose says:
danny you are 100% correct.
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Danny says:
we can blame the refs all we want, until our owner is called out for the fraud he is nothing will change.He runs a minor league operation, is a control freak, and only hires yes men who would never have a job in the nhl anywhere else but the circus that Chuckles has created on Long Island.The teams actual on ice payroll is 29 million dollars, 5 million of which is being wasted on Brian Rolston, who needs Haley and Konopka when we can have Pandolfo and Reasoner.After the Pen game last year the skill guys knew they could play and thier backs were covered, so what does Garf do, castrate the team. I have been a fan for 36 years and a season ticket holder for 24, I am at my wits end and don’t think i can give our owner another dime of my money after this year.
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jimfromstjames says:
Bamboozeled!
Royal Canadian Screw Job, Sometimes it’s so obvious it’s not funny -
D in Big D says:
Next time we play the Leafs time for a Penguins Type game.If I had the $ Wang has who cares about the fines.Enough is enough!!Over pay some gritty fowards/d-men & screw the refs.A-mac is like Franz just on D.Kick some ass you Panzy!!!Al looked OK tonight.Good enough to lose the game.Hamonic(I like him) can’t hit the net!JT is doing his best to motivate his teamates but they are just too soft.Call up Gillies,Haley,Yablonski,Casey,Ullstrom & lets send a message back to the league that WE will take the game seriously!Oh hey Franz lovers where was he tonight?Another invisible,perimeter game.This guy aint worth $5.00.I’d love to hear from all the people that support this owner/management!!What would you have to say?The refs don’t have anything to do w/ ownership!BS!!Open your friggn’ eyes.If I owned this team I would @ least bring in NHL level staffing to gain some F****ing respect!!Leafs get 4 points & we should be satisfied w/ 1!Get real!I will no doubt stop following this miserable franchise until changes are made,starting w/ ownership!Wang just move the team already.What ever happened to refusing to play in the NVMC!Arent there valid issues w/ safety?Grow a pair already & put us fans out of our misery already!!
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RWM says:
Yabo is gone, would have loved to see him called up at some point that he was here.
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Brian G says:
Nice 2-0 lead tonight…defense was not good. And for a must win game before the break, let’s sit one of the hottest goalie’s in the league…Montoya could have waited til the 1st game after the break to play carolina. I know Nabokov has been playing many games but after today he is off for a week! Great Coaching Cappy….10 pts out and having to jump 7 teams to make the playoffs, they are done….no reason why Rolston & Pandolfo need to be on this team anymore..Let’s see Cizikas, Ullstrom,& Rahkshani play in the NHL the rest of the year. And start getting rid of the UFA dmen.
Thanks for another Great season Wang & Snow!
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Tom D in NJ says:
Officiating was horrendous, but at the end of the day this season was doomed from opening night. Garth made all the wrong moves and has done nothing to correct them.
The guys who give it their all night in and night out are wearing down and all the guys Garth brought in for this season have contributed ZERO and will continue to contribute ZERO. Should have kept Kanopka, Haley, Gillies and young energy guys to compliment the skill guys. Nobody has their backs. There is no acountability on this team from top to bottom. -
Jim Clark says:
We are at tye all star break and DiPietro has more points than Pandolfo, Wallace and Neiderreiter.
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dork says:
Were the Refs French Canadian?
I remember watching the flyers vs a canadian team team this month. Laviolette went off on the refs for making bias calls on the ice. -
I can see, and hear Wang, and Snow locking arms, and dancing while singing this refrain,
“the flowers will bloom in the spring tra la”.
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I bet the Refs laid big bets on the Leafs for the last two games, yes, I am calling them on their integrity they got paid off by either the league, or the Leafs. Bettman should go commit suicide
for the debacle he has turned this game into.Lighten up Rich L. You are right to be pissed, but don’t say stuff like that. It hits home for some people.
You’re right Don, my bad.
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Hey Big d, Yablonski is no longer islanders property, guess wang couldn’t get him to come over to his side, if you get my drift.
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At this rate I am glad I can’t watch them due to TWC, and MSGs wussy fits,I tried to get them on my puter but couldn’t due to my needing to download some other program, so I am going by what I read.
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What do you suppose would be the call if someone like Dion Phenauf almost removes the head of JT, with the officiating having an obvious bias against the Isles, I would say the call would be 2 minutes on JT for delay of game for dripping blood all over the ice.
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G.B. says:
They would’nt dare do that at the garden!
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SnowBalls n Wong says:
Looks like the new NHL killed another rivalry. Brutal where is the toughness. How anyone can watch this or pay to watch this is beyond me?
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Kevin says:
Rolston is soooo bad he has the lowest shooting percentage in the NFL for anyone with a goal, even Pandolpho with 1 goal has a shooting percentage higher than Rolston.
Cappy brings nothing to the table, at least Weight shows fire and passion on the bench and I would be all for dumping Cappy and hiring Weight as the interim coach.
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since'72 says:
The refs have always favored Toronto teams, but these guys have taken it to a new level. Overlooking clutch and grab has morphed into non calls on cross checks, high sticks and hits to the face. I have said in these posts before that the refs have it in for the Isles since that Pittsburgh game last year, but at what point does it end? The non calls may have cost us this game. While we are out of the playoff picture, is it fair to the team who may miss the playoffs by a point in the end when Toronto slips in with this kind of help?
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Quentin Jones says:
The officiating in last night’s game was quite possibly the worst i have ever seen in any game and that covers 40 years of watching hockey. But then again, when your own GM and owner do not care about their own team, why would the officials and or the league care. Sell the team.
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Michael Clay says:
I was at the game and you could tell from the body language that the ref(s) knew he should have made calls he did not. Arms tightly folded across his chest after the non-calls. A very defensive posture for someone who did not see it.
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Costas says:
I too was at the game last night. I’ve come to expect this from the refs against the Isles. I think it stems from Milbury calling them out and embarrassing them with a video explanation during a press conference back during the Isles vs. Leafs series back in 01-02.
JT was consistently mugged last night. Cheap shots in front of the net, behind the net, away from the puck…..I could’ve called a better game than these clowns, and I’m half blind! -
Kerry Fraser says:
The officiating takes any credibility this league had and makes it look more and more like the WWF. We talk about getting rid of wang/snow well I say the NHL needs to clean house from the top. Bettman must go. He’s the person responsible for this new NHL. If the lack of competent officiating isn’t addressed by the league (and of course we know it wont be) and last nights game is the product Bettman is looking to promote then this league in my opinion is a disgrace.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
I would love to hear Ted Nolan’s post game if he had a game like this. He told it in black and white. Caps has no emotion and no heart and as a player that has to get to them. If your coach is standing up for you after the game then you know he has your back. I wonder what the players thought of the plain post game comments.
Also, with any normal operating team the GM would definitely make a stand after the game and show his players, coach, and entire organization he cares. Not that it’s any secret but this product is a mess from the top down. Imagine if we picked Duchene and where we’d be today…
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Pat Lough says:
I’ve sat in the same seats for fourteen years now, and have seen some horribly officiated games, but last night took the cake. I’m most disappointed in Capuano for not reacting. It’s time to grow a couple sound off, take the fine, damn Wang should pay the fine!
I had two Toronto fans behind me that commented, they were embarrassed to leave the building with a win like that.
Sure you take the chance that all referee’s will take it out on the Islanders for the remainder of the year if you expose last nights crew for their incompetantance, but hell could it get any worse?
Last nights display of no-calls was disgusting and a safety issue Mr. Shanahan!
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kingdm9 says:
wow that’s all i could say. that was like watching someone get beat up and then not helping and walking away..(today that’s a civil crime)
in the end isles lost what they started and that was a 2-0 lead.
i did love the fact jt came to and aid of a player.
shame on garth for no hailey call up. letting martin do all the dirty work is taking away from his development !!!!!!!!
montoya sorry man but you should take some of the blame. that flutter goal has heart wrenching to see.
Jurcina that was one of the worst games played. you deserve to watch tape of every goal that you were on the ice for this season during the allstar break.
Capp. scream man!!!!! This called for classic mad mike stuff by throwing sticks to the ice.. or maybe carry a pair of glasses get a ref to come over for and explanation and offer them to him.
i wanted those 4 points the team got one. disappointing.
the only good… jt is starting a new streak
josh is finding his game
and pa is proving his worth to the team .
the real first star is the spirit of the coliseum for making that play happened ,even the old building cant take it.
JT HAVE FUN IN OTTAWA SUCK IN ALL IN..AND ADD IT TO YOUR GAME MAN!!!!!!
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john says:
as big a disgrace the refs were still doesnt change the fact that pandolfo, reasoner,eaton,rolston are all on this team!!! are you kidding me already with this???? what a joke! i cant even watch these guys anymore. they make me want miko makala to come back!
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Joey says:
Anyone remember Haley or Gillies????? There needs to be a presence of toughness on the bench. The other teams know this and take advantage of the lack of. (Penguins??) A call up is overdue and it will not get better until they stand up for each other.
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PA ISlanders says:
Wathced the game last night on game center live, from the toronto feed, (cant listen to butch anymore)Even the toronto broadcast stated “alot of non calls going on” and wasn’t knock that islanders were getting away with stuff, even they noticed horrible job by the refs.
Mike Myers was at the game, i think that is the first real celebrity they have had in colisuem to watch actualy watch hockey, be it he was rooting for th leafs but hey, he seemed nice enough to the isles fans around taking pictures with them and what not. couldn t tell if he rented a whole section for himself or there was just little fans there.
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2 straight games without a penalty???? Really?? Who else but the beloved leafs could get that treatment! Disgraceful, obvious snub of the Isles. This is when Garth, who was always known for his fire should have a little talk and voice his displeasure. Leave Wang out of it, I truly believe the guy has no clue what is, or is not a penalty. Also, we are not winning with Pando, Rolston, Reasoner in the lineup. They are slow, ineffective, and just plain awful. One of them would not be on any other team, never mind all 3! For the love of God, can Capuano pleeeeease change up the lines. Flash: They are not working! stumping Nino’s growth. it is as plain as the Ref’s bias!
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how is it that everyone watching these games can see pandolfo, reasoner, rolston, eaton are just aweful and painful to watch, offer nothing to the team, but management that gets paid alot of money to evaluate players cant see this??? it is so frustrating to watch this game after game…
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Amerks44 says:
As I liked Jurcina as a D-Man, last nite he was on for what 3 of the goals and a minus 2. Bring up someone else and scratch him as well….
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Tom says:
Here is what I sent NHL.com:
In watching the Isles-Toronto games the last two nights I have concluded that you may have gambling or other illegal activities taking place (either the front office or within your referee pool). All year the Isles have had phantom penalties…but the last two nights revealed a clear bias against calling penalties for the Isles (like a blood drawing high stick). I understand you have the original 6 teams that you must get into the playoffs at all cost (I mean, it is revenue right?). Also, in all likelihood the majority of your referees are from Toronto and are Leafs fans, but the bias is so bad a non-fan can spot it.
My company specializes in ethics training and investigative consulting. We helped the NBA assess their ethics program risks during the referee betting scandal. Please let me know if you would like to engage us now for a risk assessment. It is always better to address negative issues in advance of their occurrence.
Thank you for your time,
Thomas Parker
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thats funny. right… but funny
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Watch the Post Game on Isles site. Tavares looks likes he wants to explode about the officiating and frustrated…
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what needs to be address in the second half.and the keys to the islanders having a good second half.
frans – must step up big time . and produce points
grabbner- must finish those chances.
amac- must produce (sophomore slump)
hamonic- must get the shot off quicker
jurcina- must play like last year and must get physical
streit – must make smarter decision with less costly mistakes. the captain needs to get back to his allstar form
Nino- 5min is a shame this kid should have been in brideport if this was the case. should be getting shifts with all 3 top lines and about 10 to 14 min.
pando and rolls must see less time .
4th line needs to be a force. last year konapka martin gillies/hailey is not even close to this years.
babies cry and man win wars.
ISLANDERS MUST STEP UP TOO THE CHALLENGE. They must find that cant fu@k with me attitude because if they are crying in the regular season they will be balling in the playoff’s .
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Steve says:
This was the kind of game we really needed a Konopka like enforcer. Even Martin is backing away from fights and to his credit, Taveras is stepping up. All I could think about was the Pittsburgh game last year. Though a lot of people thought it not so good, the league respected the Isles more the rest of the season. Of course I think that’s when the refs turned a blind eye to opposition penalties for the most part, and maybe are carrying that over.
Point being, the team must back up each other, and each of them has to be an enforcer. Sure a bunch of them aren’t fighters but they need to show solidarity. If the refs won’t give them equal respect, then they’ll have to take it.
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I agree with everyone on this site about the refs but we gave this game away. Streit does not deserve to be the captain. JT is a budding superstar. In the last few years concussions have become an epidemic in this league, Crosby is the latest victim to have his career ruined by them. The fact that players continue to take runs at our franchise player and we do nothing about it sickens me. We obviously can’t count on the leagues to protect our players and we have no one who protects him. To beat this team all you have to do is play the body and take every shot on JT possible without the thought of a reprecussion. It is truly sad that Garth would assemble a team that has no one to protect our crown jewel. No one ever hit Gretzky , Bossy , etc because they was always someone there to dish out some punishment. Who cares if Gillies gets a suspension for going after Phaneuf ? Would you rather lose guys like that or jeopardize the best player we have had in the last 20 years ? You make me sick Garth and as a fan I hope Wang sells so someone who actually cares about these players can do the right thing.
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CM says:
Could care less about wins or losses.
Team does not need to step up. Owner is steering the shop without a sail.
Wang needs to step out. All games are menaingless until Wang sells or does something with this team.
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Mike says:
The islanders are a passive team. It comes from the top and trickles right on down to the players. Capuano should have made a statement – taken the fine. They are also trying to turn Matt Martin into a finesse player. Wrong idea idiots. MOVE NINO UP NOW! This kid is rotting.
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I really hate to single players out but at this point the Nassau fans present at games need to boo Rolston every time he has the puck until he is taken off the 3rd line and replaced by Nino.
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the bomber says:
i think folks dont get how hard snows job is. he cant pay a coach, he cant pay scouts, and he must get to the cap floor by paying players who have literally no shot of signing elsewhere (or trust me they would). Then he has to keep them in the NHL when half his AHL team is better than them. Think he wouldnt like to truly explain to everyone the sh-t he has to go through to keep this job?
And while I’m on it, have any of you ran a business? Do you know what its like to piss away your own money in a failing business with no way out? Our owner is getting his clock cleaned on this whole mess, and he was promised a new arena would happen when he bought the team. Duped by Bettman again! Now he knows he’s not getting one. Why would he dump one extra penny of his money than he is forced to (see – expense cap floor) into this absolute disaster. Unless you truly know what it’s like to watch something you bought for a goof wipe away your life savings and your reputation day by day, then you just don’t get it.
This franchise has one shot at surviving, and its if #91 can save it. The odds are still stacked against the Isles making it, but I dont think people realize that the owner has tried to offer his own money to build an arena (in which case he’d keep the profits), and hes offered to use town money (in which case the town could keep the profits). Neither was good enough – even though we all know there will be no profits.
So what else can the guy do. His new arena is going up against the same forces that shot down a football stadium and the olympics in NYC. The strongest forces in NY.The Dolan’s.
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I don’t buy Wang crying poor. Look at how he ran CA. He knows how to hid money and is not trustworthy. Team should be bankrupt by now. Sell, recruit investors get better advisors,…but he does none of this and hires puppets.
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The Islanders are being ignored by the league and the officials. They have no respect for Wang, Snow, or Capuano. Hence the team has had the fewest power plays and penalties in the league. Sucks being dismissed!!
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Cold Spring Harbor says:
One of the referees had on the number 2 which means he has seniority, if he is one of the best, God help us the rest of the way. But then again Mike Lego was also “senior” when he meant to blow his whistle on Witt’s playoff goal against Buffalo. No respect, dress someone who will push back. Guys like Kessel and Brown just skated around all night doing whatever they wanted to. Sad.
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here’s an anecdote of the rangers being classless:
i’m at the rags-jets game last night, with an eye on the islander score. as the ranger game winds down the msg scoreboard has the islander score as 3-2 toronto with 13seconds left, which i assumed play was stopped at that mark. as the rags game ends that score is not updated for several minutes. they must have know the islanders scored the next second (and not off a play stoppage). they were just too classless to post information that the islanders had scored the tying goal. basically they preferred to lie and tell people the islanders were still losing. -
Eddie Shack says:
You mean to tell me that we have no one in Bridgeport BETTER than Rolston? If this is so, then we are in big trouble for the next five years.
I have a new job for Bailey. Teach Grabner and Taveres how to score on a breakaway.
I don’t go to games anymore because of the futility of it all, and why waste my money. Been going since 1972.
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it was interesting that as soon as the islanders scored the early goal, the ref made a tacky call on martin to give the leafs a pp. at that point you might think it’s one of those nights when they call every little thing. instead no, it turns out the exact opposite. which is to say that if the isles hadn’t jumped to that quick lead, i don’t think they call interference on martin. that call seemed designed to prevent that the isles bury toronto early.
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Blizz says:
agreed
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mike gallant says:
Man that Rolston signing was dumb…and Iknow it was a cap move but come on….
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just think the devils traded rolston for a guy we knew couldnt skate any more. they are the most shrewd front office in hockey, and we thought we were pulling one over on them?? how happy were they to get rolstons money off their books. but we were just as happy to get rolstons money ON our books….
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Justin Timber says:
Leaf fan here to say that yes, the officiating was poor in the game. Calls were missed, and the Leafs definitely benefited from many of the non-calls. Although some calls were missed against the Leafs, the balance was tilted against the Islanders, in my opinion. I don’t blame you for being furious. I was the same in the recent game between Toronto and Ottawa, where non-calls led to goals against. I feel for you, I really do. However, to say that this is the result of some league “conspiracy” is irrational at best. Calls do tend to go against you at times, and for you at others. It’s easy to remember the ones where you felt “robbed” but remember that it would be impossible for the league to mandate a policy of favoring any one team. If you truly feel that your team is being victimized by the league, it’s time to stop watching games.
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Blizz says:
2 games no PP…unfathomable. Bias clearly.
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West Coast Fan says:
Was discussing the games with a co-worker who is a very knowledgeable hockey guy – a transplanted Canadian.
He plays hockey with a guy who is an NHL off-ice official. The off-ice official confirmed to him that the league does (unofficially, of course) instruct its officials to have a positive bias for certain teams, and a negative bias for others. The positive bias teams are the original six franchises, plus Vancouver and especially Winnipeg; the negative bias teams are those in the non-hockey markets, such as Anaheim, Dallas, and the Florida teams. He also said the negative bias is applied to the Islanders, but he honestly isn’t sure why.
The rationale for applying the bias against the outliers is because the interest level and, accordingly, revenue received when a team like Anaheim gets to the finals is so comparatively low, the NHL simply doesn’t want it to happen.
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“I heard from a guy, who knows a guy who has inside knowledge, and it’s TOTALLY LEGIT, you guys.” Uh huh…
Your theory doesn’t make any sense. Why would the league deliberately weaken it’s market in struggling locales, then refuse to move them to the supposedly favored places? Rumors about Phoenix moving to Quebec have been prevalent for ages, yet the league is doing everything in its power to prevent this. And you claim that the league wants to tilt the playing field in favor of teams that are doing well, financially? Granted, increased TV viewership would be welcomed by the NHL, but to marginalize other markets that Bettman has been entrusted to develop, (poorly attempted, in my opinion,) seems a little too far fetched for me. Don’t get me wrong; last night’s game was very poorly officiated, and I do not blame any Islander fan for being angry. I just want to point out to the irrational ones that the flames are being fed by emotion, and not logic or truth. I respect your opinion and your right to express it; I only wish to offer a countering perspective.-
Actually, I’m not stating whether I subscribe to this theory or not. I’m simply relating what I was told; I thought it was interesting, particularly given the nature of the source.
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My apologies. I didn’t mean to unfairly accuse you of anything, and I must have misinterpreted your intentions. Posting rumors and speculation, however, will lead some readers to believe it, and can’t believe how often they use these unsubstantiated “facts” as “proof” to support their opinion. There are many fans that posted here that the officiating was poor and seemed biased; I agree with them. I just disagree with the conspiracy theories or the fact that the Leafs (or any team for that matter,) are only in their current position due to a “fix” by higher powers. Referee incompetence or bias surely exists in all sports to varying degrees as the job is performed by humans, but to discredit an entire organization/league based on feelings seems irrational to me. Every team in every sport has been victimized by poor calls; it would be impossible for all of them to be the result of a grand scheme to artificially assist any team(s).
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As an aside… a team doesn’t have to go deep, or even make the playoffs, to be successful financially. (Look at the Leafs, year in and year out.)
So… facilitating the success of certain franchises for the sake of maximizing league exposure/revenue would not directly result in the market weakening of other non-beneficiary franchises.
If a franchise is going to fail, it’s primarily going to be for reasons other than its on-ice success. Look at how pathetic Detroit was in the pre-Yzerman days…
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Good point about teams being financially successful despite on-ice failures. It amazes me too. The Leafs’ lack of success and continued ability to make so much money appears to defy logic. I guess that’s the power of the brand, and the money corporations can spend on whatever price tag the team slaps on their season tickets. I don’t understand how regular people can afford to go to games any more.
That being said, their financial success has nothing to do with officiating. I also believe that if you blatantly “screw over” any team enough, the fan base will tune out. This will result in lost revenue for the team and league. Failing franchises help nobody. Can you imagine a major corporation deliberately sabotaging one of their franchises in order to strengthen an already thriving market? It just doesn’t make sense to me.
Bottom line, I appreciate your civility in a topic that is clearly an emotional one. I enjoy getting differing perspectives and offering my own. I understand that my opinion will not necessarily be accepted by all, nor should it be. I think the world would be a lot less interesting if we all agreed on everything. I don’t know enough about the Islander organization to state that they will or will not become a successful team in the future, but I do see some great pieces that I would love to have on the Leafs. It’s not easy being a fan of a “rebuilding” team; I’m a Leaf fan, after all. I used to love watching Bossy, Potvin and Goring back in the day, and wished that the Leafs could be that good. Maybe one day? It is frustrating when your team needs every point they can, and they are seemingly denied a victory by outside forces. But those outside forces are not as sinister as some people may think.-
Well, I can tell you that living out here in California, I play hockey with a ton of transplanted Leafs fans. They’re all great guys, and we regularly commiserate about the recent lack of success of our respective teams.
I was fortunate enough to grow up watching that dysnasty team, and sadly, I don’t think we’ll ever see the likes of it again, anywhere. I think something like 16 players were on all four Cup teams, which would simply be impossible today, given current salary levels, the cap and free agency.
There’s a lot of vitriol on this board towards Charles Wang, and I understand the frustration of Islander fans – particularly when it comes to things like signing Rick DiPietro for 15 years. While this signing was, in hindsight, misguided, I truly believe the concept was an attempt to figure out how to build a core that wouldn’t have to be dismantled, just as the Isles had in the early 80s.
People can say what they want about Wang – but he’s losing $20 million a year, not to mention all the money he sank into the Lighthouse proposals, etc. My own take is that he really cares about what happens to this team, and Long Island in general. While I agree he should let hockey operations be controlled by hockey minds, I don’t think its fair for anyone to say his heart isn’t in the right place.
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it doesn’t take much to list factors short of ‘official league policy’ for why a toronto-islanders match was refereed a certain way.
we all know who the leafs are, and who the islanders are. we also know the islanders have ‘annoyed’ some people (pitt massacre, detroit coach blowing gasket. hockey people refs included see that and yes, it affects their attitude).
it doesn’t take much to believe that the high stick on mac donald would have been an automatic call had it happened the other way, regardless of what sort of night the ref was having. just to name one… -
Wang says it, so it must be so. FAILURE STARTS AT THE TOP. Say good things about Charles and you become GM AND ASSISTANT COACH. Disagree with Charles, and you are BANISHED. ASK PAT LAFONTAINE ABOUT THAT. Strange his NO. 16 is not in the rafters?There is a reason players do not want to come here. ONLY WASHED UP PLAYERS WILL SIGN WITH THE ISLES (ROLSTON, PANDOLFO, REASONER). NABAKOV is counting down the days to FREEDOM.
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what’s good about last night’s game, which is over and dusted anyway, is that the islanders have to learn that this is how certain games are played, and that until they win a few of them even against bad calls, they’ll never be able to count on truly objective officiating.
does anybody really think refs don’t see certain things? i remember when pitt came back to nvmc after the massacre, their guy getting a breakaway in ot by swatting down the puck with his stick over his head, all alone at center at the blue line, while refs looked on and, it’s no exaggeration, inwardly cheered.
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Joe R says:
I am just as pissed off as any of the islander faithful. But this conspiracy theory is just nuts. That being said, I can’t offer any other explanation as to the complete failure of the refs in this game.
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Just watched Ron Wilson’s comments from the Post Game last night. “We thought there were a few cheap shots out there, so we had to start finishing our checks” What a fucking joke.
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Battfist says:
A fair question
Did Islanders management put Al Montoya in a situation where he can “best” succeed and help this team?
The answer is no. Why was he playing? Especially in a must win game. Terrible call by whoever makes these decisions…Garth or Jack..or Wang…or Weight.
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Kelly Hrudey and Glenn Resch were busy on their telecasts. Get some tough guys up here by next week and a little character wouldn’t hurt either. Good to see PA so pissed off at the end and JT cross cehcking the Leaf guy in the crease, we need lots more of that.
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Tedge77 says:
Please Lets try something else. If no one to trade for Pandolflo or Rolston for playoff experience. Expose them to waivers and send them down. If we lose them who cares. Play Nino on second or third line. Bring Haley some other more physical hungry players. We have nothing to lose. I liked Wallace’s play when he first came up but he faded quickly. shuffle it up. end some guys down Avery was sent down who would have thought that a few years ago. What bothers me about the rolston deal was Garth didi the Devils a HUGE favor by taking Rolston and got nothing in return. They were in such cap trouble and Garth should have squeezed Lamoriello a little more. That is the Garth’s inexperience showing through.
Also, after last night it is clear that they need muscle in the line up. please Joffrey Lupol (nice name) cross checks Tavares in the head. Why was allowed to skate around the rest of the game they shuold have knocked him all over the ice. PLEASE get us some toughness to police the ice its obvious no one else is going to. If we lose Tavares for any period of time we are so SCR%#D it not funny. Please someone tell me if im wrong. Id also like to see Cappy take a fine.
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My money says Weight is taking a fine long before Cappy… lol
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AFIsle says:
we should have officials off the ice with an announcers point of view. maybe they can catch the calls that the on ice officials “missed.”
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Unfortunately Rolston is not going anywhere…need hissalary to reach the cap floor..everyone loses sight of that. was at the game last night everything that has been said is correct. refs,non calls.etc…
leave Cappy alone! do we really know what goes on behind the scene regarding his coaching conduct etc..? Posters have skewered Jon Sim the past four years for his play. I would rather have a plugging grinder who gave it his all every shift as oppposed to Rolston who i watched last night just drift around aimlessly, us t collecting his $$$$ knowing he won’t be waived because of the Isles cap situation. VERY sad! -
Adam from Astoria says:
So many people made so many good points here. Didn’t get to read all 200+, but I didn’t see anyone talk about the fact that Haley remains down on the farm when the Franchise (#91) is getting a vicious cheap shot around his head last nite. Someone made this point a day or two ago: WHAT ARE YOU LOSING BY BRINGING HALEY UP? THE GREAT OFFENSE OF TIM WALLACE? OF ROLSTON? And don’t tell me about needing Rolston for the salary floor: you can just scratch him every game like they’re doing w/ Staios. Haley would have made that Leaf pay- big time- for trying to crosscheck JT in the head! And maybe he never would have tried it to begin with.
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Agreed!
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rjmkrm says:
The whole Rolston thing is really confusing. I mean even the average fan can see that he cant play anymore and that is he apathetic the majority of time he is on the ice. Its hard to believe that management cant see this or does see this and chooses to do nothing about sit.This player has no upside. I mean, if they have decided that they dont want to give Nino more ice for whatever reason, is there no younger player that they believe deserving of an opportunity? They could just scratch Rolston and he would still would count against the cap. If there is no younger player that they believe could contribute more than Rolston, the entire rebuild in in the crapper
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Peter DeBenedetto says:
Would the Isles nation be interested in PK Subban?
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Suban would be a good pickup but I think they could get Yannick Weber cheaper.
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jeffwall says:
Hey Kevin
I have an idea; but I dont have time to pull it off. How about grab a basement blogger (not you calm down, a real one). Pull a spoof where a shananhan like guy breaks down the 4 huge non calls against the islanders and in good satire breaks them down as to why they were non calls. Post it in you tube through twitter and it will burn like wildfire. We need to get a vioce somehow. Besides, there is more people who hate the leafs then like them. -
Danfromouteast says: I wonder how much extra the refs got for the game
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Islebethere4u says:
As far as the officiating went the last two games, it goes without saying…..conspiracy or not,it sucked. Nice goal by PAP. Another monster game by JT.
I would love to Haley make the jump to the big club. The problem is that I don’t think that he will get the minutes. Cap seems to be rolling all four lines when he can. As with Gillies last year, I don’t think Cappy will play Haley much, thus upsetting the rotation. If Strome can make that leap up to the big club, they just might have a bonafide top six forward, who can make that second line go and take some pressure off JT. But like with JT, that probably wont happen for three years. (Strome, Ullstrom, Nedereiter..not a bad second line) Grabner, Parenteau and Cizikas as a third line and Martin, Neilsen and Bailey as a fourth line line. and hey… is there still any chance that the two kirils (petrov and Kabanov) could still pan out? As far as D is concerned, we still have Padan, Mayfield, DeHann and Ness to think about.( I still like Wishart too!) -
We need Haley , end of story. We need to protect our studs and Matt Martin needs to concentrate on blossoming into the beast power forward that he is capable of being. I honestly believe that Haley given Rolston’s ice time would have more than 8 points and bring much more to this team, mind boggling how they keep him in the lineup everynight. What do you think would help JT more , hearing Rolston’s war stories about winning the cup in 87 or Haley leaping over the boards to punish anyone taking liberties ?
Jon LaRosa 
How much are the Toronto Maple Leafs paying the zebras. Unbelievable…….