Devils benefit from first ever blind referee, beat Panthers 4-2
In what was a historic night for the NHL, Buffalo, New York native Steven Zalewski was given a chance to ref his first pro game despite being legally blind. "It was a wonderful opportunity for me", said the enthusiastic official after the game, "I think I did a fine job, obviously there was a missed call everybody was talking about, but they need to cut me some slack given the situation". The NHL was happy to give Zalewski a chance and look forward to seeing how he performs in future games, "the NHL is very proud to have Zalewski as an official, we have proved to the world that anybody can be part of this wonderful league".
While the mood was generally happy for the on ice official, his family, and the New Jersey Devils, who walked out of Sunrise, Florida with the victory, the Panthers locker-room was not quite as excited about tonight's historic event. "I don't think blind people should be allowed to officiate in the NHL", said winger Sean Bergenheim to the media after the game, "I mean, its great that he got this opportunity, but he missed a CLEAR goalie interference penalty that may have cost us the game".
What Bergenheim is eluding to is the Adam Henrique goal, which gave the lead and helped them win tonight's hockey game. Patrick Marleau clearly pushed goaltender Jacob Markstrom out of the way and allowed Henrique to bury the rebound opportunity. "I didn't see him", said Marleau after the game, "what? Don't look at me like that".
Panthers GM JSolari was not happy about the no-call by the NHL's first blind on ice official, "He didn't see Marleau shove Markstrom completely out of the way to give them the goal", said the angry GM, "I mean, is he (expletive) blind or something!?"
JSolari was later informed that the official was, in fact, blind.
"My bad", said the Panthers GM.
With the 4-2 victory, the New Jersey Devils are now just 4 points shy of a playoff spot. "We aren't thinking about making the playoffs" said the Devils coach Pete Deboer, "because when we do that, we lose. And right now we need to win, so logically we'll just forget about the whole situation and take it a game at a time".
When asked about the blind official's performance in tonight's game, Deboer said "he did fine, for not being able to see anything, you have to give him all the credit in the world"
Good games Tampa Bay! It was nice to get the win in game 1 but then in game 2 the 2-0 loss hurt. I don't know what my chances are at the playoffs, 4 points out, still some hockey left to play, but the teams above me are really good.
I think the reason I'm in this mess in the first place is 1. horrible goaltending at the beginning of the season and 2. Unable to win many games in a row. My problem isn't that I LOSE a lot necessarily, its that my record usually goes -
W L W W L L W W W L L W L W L W L W W L L L W W
Hopefully next season I'll find a way to win more games in a row. As for this year, it'll be a fun ride the rest of the way until the playoffs. I'm all done until the next advance!
Good games Tampa Bay! It was nice to get the win in game 1 but then in game 2 the 2-0 loss hurt. I don't know what my chances are at the playoffs, 4 points out, still some hockey left to play, but the teams above me are really good.
I think the reason I'm in this mess in the first place is 1. horrible goaltending at the beginning of the season and 2. Unable to win many games in a row. My problem isn't that I LOSE a lot necessarily, its that my record usually goes -
W L W W L L W W W L L W L W L W L W W L L L W W
Hopefully next season I'll find a way to win more games in a row. As for this year, it'll be a fun ride the rest of the way until the playoffs. I'm all done until the next advance!
Good games to you too. That seems like a typical Eastern Conference home and home series to split the games and nobody really gains any ground. I'm pretty sure my team will never be healthy though. Right when I'm about to get Carle and Salo back, I lose Markov, granted for only 8 games.
Went 5-1 during the sim and only had a pair of short-term injuries. Purcell is still out for 2 which stings (he's been great for me, not stats wise but he balances my lines and can play in any situation).
Reimer has put in some beastly games against me this season! Did so again for my first game of this play period``
I only had 3 games this period, only 1 remaining (versus ) which I should be able to get in today, wouldn't mind an advance tonight!
Last edited by ahabsfanfromtoronto: 11-19-2012 at 07:31 AM.
14) Ability to trade Injured Players
15) An active Game Ticker that shows updated scores of current games going on in the league
16) Ability for Commissioner to Approve trades at the "Trade Details" screen, instead of having to go back and forth with terrible menus
17) Ability to track Prospect Progression and see detailed scouting reports for prospects
Updated Wishlist. Thinking about sending this in to EA in about a week. Any other suggestions?
So with Thanksgiving coming up and a lot of people being inactive over the next week or so, here's the plan...
-This sim period will only be two days long since most of us only have 3-4 games
-I'll advance tomorrow night at 11pm Central
-The next sim period will (hopefully) have a lot of games in it
-It will go from Wednesday morning to Sunday night
-I'll advance Sunday night at 11pm Central
-We should be at the last 10 games of the season at this point
3-3 during advance still hold division lead
) which I should be able to get in today, wouldn't mind an advance tonight!
