The more I think on it the angrier I am getting LOL
Sigh I just hate that the Sharks know how to manipulate the media, the league into getting an advantage in the playoffs.
Im not saying Radulov is completely innocent, but in the same game he was run from behind. TSN could have shown that but they were too busy yelling at a overzealous rookie, with no prior history of being dirty.
Oh well the best way to stick it to them is to win. If we take this game without Radulov, and on the road we will be in excellent shape.
We really need to take one of these two games. We cannot go back to Nashville down 3-1 and have the momentum in San Jose's favor. I'd prefer to go ahead and win tonight, but we'll take what we can get.
We have a couple of thinks going against us though. First of all, we've never won a road playoff game in our short playoff history. Two, we play terrible on National TV.
We have to come out firing early and get the lead as soon as possible. Then we can skate and try to draw some penalties. We cannot get put in the box this game. Somehow I see the San Jose power play waking up torching us.
It will be interesting to see what is done with Forsberg since Radulov is out. I'm guessing Hartnell moves down.
We really need to take one of these two games. We cannot go back to Nashville down 3-1 and have the momentum in San Jose's favor. I'd prefer to go ahead and win tonight, but we'll take what we can get.
We have a couple of thinks going against us though. First of all, we've never won a road playoff game in our short playoff history. Two, we play terrible on National TV.
We have to come out firing early and get the lead as soon as possible. Then we can skate and try to draw some penalties. We cannot get put in the box this game. Somehow I see the San Jose power play waking up torching us.
It will be interesting to see what is done with Forsberg since Radulov is out. I'm guessing Hartnell moves down.
Need you ask? What does Trotz do every time a spot in the top lines opens? Here's a hint: you can say his name with only numbers!
Trotz menitoned either Hordy or VV will play tonight.....could be interesting.
Tennessean said this:
Quote:
Hordichuk ready: Trotz said he's likely to insert Darcy Hordichuk into the lineup tonight as a replacement for Radulov.
The Predators had considered recalling Ramzi Abid or Rich Peverley from Milwaukee, but Trotz said he's more likely to go with the physical Hordichuk. He also left open the possibility of using Vitaly Vishneski and going with seven defensemen.
Hordichuk never has played in an NHL postseason game.
"It's a great opportunity to show what I can do,'' Hordichuk said. "I know it's a physical series, but I think a few of their guys have been taking liberties on our star players. So I'll get out there, run around a little, be physical and maybe even go to the net and score a goal."
"It's a great opportunity to show what I can do,'' Hordichuk said. "I know it's a physical series, but I think a few of their guys have been taking liberties on our star players. So I'll get out there, run around a little, be physical and maybe even go to the net and score a goal."
I like it. Darcy will come out with fire in his boots.
- J.P. scores twice.
- One Pred with a game misconduct.
- Forsberg with at least 1 point.
- Hartnell at least 15 PIM.
- Ron Wilson with a tear-filled post-game interview.
I know its too important to try and experiment in the playoffs
but i think Nashville might be better off with Zidlicky playing forward and VV on the point than having Hordi in there
I'd have to guess Hordi would log less minutes than VV
Sigh I just hate that the Sharks know how to manipulate the media, the league into getting an advantage in the playoffs.
Respectfully, both sides are manipulating the media. Wilson is demanding suspensions and Trotz says things like "When you review it in slow motion, the Hartnell hit didn't deserve a penalty" or, "We came to play hockey....and they want to turn it into street brawl." when he had last change and sent Tootoo out last.
Its playoff hockey. I dont want to rationalize you out of hating the Sharks or their fans. Villians are in part what make the game so intriguing. But it is kind of strange that both sides seem more irritated at the respective teams whining coaches versus the players. I dont see Sharks fans really hating Radulov or Hartnell for their hits, but mention Raffi Torres (link) from last year .... you'll get some hate.
I hope the series gets back to hockey tonight and we can find some heros instead of villians, and a little less press for the coaches who should be in the background.
Well Trotzy has used hyperbole, theres no doubt. But all of your best players are going to be on the ice tonight and we won't have ours. I see hits in the back in several games and ONLY Radulov's is scrutinized in the media, and punished by the league. And the guys we 'cheapshotted' will be playing tonight, and we were led to believe their careers were threatened.
I dont expect you to agree, but I think its unfair.
And yes I would rather we get back to 5 on 5, physical hockey with no cry for any player to be suspended LOL
Its playoff hockey. I dont want to rationalize you out of hating the Sharks or their fans. Villians are in part what make the game so intriguing. But it is kind of strange that both sides seem more irritated at the respective teams whining coaches versus the players. I dont see Sharks fans really hating Radulov or Hartnell for their hits, but mention Raffi Torres (link) from last year .... you'll get some hate.
.
What did Torres get for that hit?
So far out of what I would term two lesser hits the two Pred players have recieved a couple 5 minute majors, a couple game penalites and one game suspension.
I don't hate the Sharks players or fans at all.....but it gets kind of old in a series so far with plenty of questionable hits that if you require medical attention and have your coach complain enough then you get more severe penalites. In particular when those injured players seem fine the next day.
Sharks and fans shouldn't hate the Preds for the hits, they should hate they did not take advantage in game 2.
And given the hit by Schubert yesterday...the Hartnell hit was nothing.
I will say, this makes for some great playoff hockey..
Well Trotzy has used hyperbole, theres no doubt. But all of your best players are going to be on the ice tonight and we won't have ours. I see hits in the back in several games and ONLY Radulov's is scrutinized in the media, and punished by the league. And the guys we 'cheapshotted' will be playing tonight, and we were led to believe their careers were threatened.
I dont expect you to agree, but I think its unfair.
And yes I would rather we get back to 5 on 5, physical hockey with no cry for any player to be suspended LOL
I understand your point. It's unfair if we have Bernier back and you still have Rudalov out. Our player is in and your's is out. I see that inequity.
But Bernier is still a GT decision. Would it be more fair if he felt dizzy in warm-ups and couldn't go? Would it have been more fair to not suspend Radulov given the backdrop of the series so far, and then see Bernier not pass his baseline and be out for the series, so Radulov would be in and Bernier out? And what about Hartnell? He is still 100% and Cheechoo was playing at 50% last game.
Its hard to be "fair." I think the League and the refs have done a pretty good job of evening things up so far - all things considered, and hope the focus can return to physical and entertaining hockey instead of hearing all this noise in the background about dirty play and whining coaches.
I dont think Torres even was penalized on the play, but I dont remember for sure. The fact he was over at the bench talking to his mates tells you he didnt even get a minor for the play. I dont remember if the League handed out supplementary discipline either but they may have. The hit ended Michaleks series though. That I remember, and he had post-concussion syndrome for months as I recall.
But again, its not reasonable to presume that Chechoo or Bernier were laying on the ice to dress up an injury so as to get a Pred suspended, or that there is a League conspiracy so the Preds will lose and move to KC, or a directive from RW, or any such conspiracy. Neither player came back to the ice. They were unable to play. And specifically to that point - there is nobody in the press who questions Cheechoo or Berniers conditions. Why? Name any NHL'er that would lay on the ice and feign a serious injury, then not come back to play in the playoffs if they really could play? NHL players will play hurt. Cheechoo played about 50% in game 2. He played hurt. There was no miraculous recovery.
Think of it this way, do you honestly believe if the roles were reversed that Kairya would pretend he was more hurt than he was, so Clowe would get ejected? Its a bad trade. Karyia is one of the teams best players and he is a tough player too. He would let his own teammates down to not be on the ice. In the case of the Hartnell incident, you think Cheechoo as the teams top scorer, would lay on the trainers table with the game in OT? These guys are too accountable to each other to even consider that behavior.
I dont think Torres even was penalized on the play, but I dont remember for sure. The fact he was over at the bench talking to his mates tells you he didnt even get a minor for the play. I dont remember if the League handed out supplementary discipline either but they may have. The hit ended Michaleks series though. That I remember, and he had post-concussion syndrome for months as I recall.
But again, its not reasonable to presume that Chechoo or Bernier were laying on the ice to dress up an injury so as to get a Pred suspended, or that there is a League conspiracy so the Preds will lose and move to KC, or a directive from RW, or any such conspiracy. Neither player came back to the ice. They were unable to play. And specifically to that point - there is nobody in the press who questions Cheechoo or Berniers conditions. Why? Name any NHL'er that would lay on the ice and feign a serious injury, then not come back to play in the playoffs if they really could play? NHL players will play hurt. Cheechoo played about 50% in game 2. He played hurt. There was no miraculous recovery.
Think of it this way, do you honestly believe if the roles were reversed that Kairya would pretend he was more hurt than he was, so Clowe would get ejected? Its a bad trade. Karyia is one of the teams best players and he is a tough player too. He would let his own teammates down to not be on the ice. In the case of the Hartnell incident, you think Cheechoo as the teams top scorer, would lay on the trainers table with the game in OT? These guys are too accountable to each other to even consider that behavior.
Its all in how the Ref's call it and media covers it afterwards.
The Media latched onto the Hartnell hit and the Radulov hit after the referee's called the 5's. Now whether the media did that because of the whining done be both coaches that can be left up to debate, but
Clowe hit radulov from behind and got the 2 for boarding
Boogard kneed' Anaheim's Huskins really bad later that night (i believe) after the radulov hit and only got a 2 minute kneeing penalty
and then Schubert last night with the hit on Scuderi only got a 2 for boarding
no media outcry for either of those 3 IMO Dirty plays
but there was media outcry for the Hartnell/Radulov.......and for a clean hit on Eaves go figure
I place complete blame on Inconsistent Reffing which in turn implicates NHL Head office for their directives and on the Media
Like it or not the talking heads and the talking blimp head bob mckenzie influence NHL Head office
LW Mark Bell (groin) doubtful
