Presumably, San Jose’s Ryane Clowe got a good night’s sleep and took some extra vitamins this morning, because his memory had a shocking improvement today. Last night, he feigned ignorance when reporters asked about the incident in which, from the bench, he knocked the puck away from Jarret Stoll (even though TV cameras caught him mouthing, “That was stupid,’’ after it took place). Today, Clowe told the San Jose Mercury News, “Obviously, as you can tell when I sat down on the bench, that was stupid, that was a dumb play. It probably should have been a two-minute penalty and I was lucky it didn’t cost the team. It was definitely a brain cramp at the time. Don’t think it’ll ever happen again.’’
Coach Todd McLellan concurred, and called it an “ill-advised play,’’ but the Mercury News also noted that “teammates joked about the illegal move — captain Joe Thornton called it `the play of the year’…’’ Yes, Joe, a real knee-slapper that was. The NHL did not issue any supplemental discipline to Clowe — and no in-game discipline either, since they didn’t see the incident — and once again the league fell short in offering a coherent explanation to its fans. After the Kings practiced today, there was no real anger on the part of the players or coaches. If anything, it was more disbelief. Willie Mitchell said he watched the incident online when he got home from the game.
MITCHELL: “There’s no doubt he knows it was a stupid play. You could read it on his mouth there, on the bench. I don’t know. It’s a play that definitely, on two levels, had a direct result on the outcome of the game. The first is, it should have been a penalty of some sort, and then stopping play. It’s a bit of a broken play. There was a backchecker to make it a 3-on-3, but it was a bit of an odd-man rush. I don’t know what he was thinking. To be honest with you, I have no idea what he was thinking on that. I’ve never thought of that. Sometimes there’s a skirmish in front of your bench, and you kind of want to grab a guy, but something that blatant, I don’t know. You could compare it to maybe someone running down the sidelines in football and someone sticking out a leg. That was a suspendible offense.
“There’s potential for injury. There’s potential for changing the outcome of the game is the No. 1 thing. Unfortunately, the referees didn’t see it. We accept that. That’s OK with us. It’s not the best outcome, because it would have been a two-man advantage, but I don’t make every play on the ice and no referee makes every play. That’s sports. It is a reviewable offense? I’m sure it is. I’m sure there will be some type of action, whether it’s suspendible or a fine or what. What’s done is done now, and we move on.’’
I pointed out to Mitchell that perhaps he could use his long stick to take a faceoff from the bench. Mitchell also talked about some of his odder experiences in hockey. He mentioned how, one time back in the American Hockey League, a player hid under the bleachers in order to sneak-attack a rival just off the ice. The top story, of course, is the one from 2007, when Mitchell played in Vancouver and teammate Jeff Cowan (a former King) scored a big goal.
MITCHELL: “He scored a goal, the place is going nuts and the next thing I know, there’s a bra flying out on the ice. So, I picked it up with my stick. I didn’t want to give it to the ref too quick, because I wanted to show it off for a little while, so I held it up on the top of my stick and skated around for a little bit and then gave it to the ref. [laughs] So that was pretty priceless.’’
Mitchell called it a size 38DD. In a previous telling of the story, it was a 36, so the legend is getting bustier. Getting back to Clowe, Darryl Sutter spoke with some admiration today about Clowe’s overall game, if not Clowe’s decision to become a part of the play from the bench…
SUTTER: “I bet he did that when he was a little boy. [laughs] I know him. … He’s become a good player. He was a boy who wanted to play in the NHL, and he had a lot of work to do. He was green. He had to improve his skating. He was sort of like Cliffy [Kyle Clifford]. There are things that you don’t teach that they’ve got. It’s sort of the same. But he paid his dues. What did he play, three years, in the American League? That’s the first thing I thought when we got to the shootout, because he’s a really good shootout guy. We stopped him and I thought, `OK, I like our odds a little bit better.’ But you can’t win a shootout nothing-nothing.’’
i hate the damn sharks
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Thornton joked it was the play of the year? I’ll bet his kids are real proud of their dad. What a POS. Maybe he ought to go pick another fight with Doughty, that’s noble.
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Mike C Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
@40YearKingsFan,
Well, Thornton had a good point. For the Sharks, who were supposed to be one of NHL’s elite teams, this was the play that might have saved their reputation as top in the Pacific. Hopefully not.
Or in other words, everyone knows the Sharks have had a crappy season based on their annual expectations even before the season begins.
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USHA#17 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
@Mike C,
The NHL should force the Sharks to forfeit.
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California Royalty Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
@40YearKingsFan, I hate the sharks just as much as you, but you’re now questioning his parental skills? Get over it. The players have.
He made light of a controversial play, it’s not like he’s teaching his kids to cheat.
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TiredOfIt Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
@California Royalty, Typical current society answer. Shrugg cheating and move on. You should work for the NHL
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California Royalty Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 9:01 am
@TiredOfIt, What are you talking about? Obviously I don’t condone cheating. It was a classless act. But Thorton making light of the incident is harmless. People on here are trying to be hero’s by mouthing Thorton and questioning his parenting skills. That’s a little overboard and uncalled for. None of us know him personally and have no idea what kind of person he is off the ice.
Finesse Hockey Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@California Royalty, Kids look up to their Dad and those especially who are pro athletes.
CLOWN is a cheater, a liar, and not in anyway what a Father should be as an example to his children and all those fans that pay his salary.
He is a CLOWN and a schmuck.
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California Royalty Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 6:00 pm
@Finesse Hockey, Yeah and the guy was mouthing Thorton for just making light of situation.
California Royalty Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@Finesse Hockey, You own the Kings? I didn’t know you paid his salary.
40YearKingsFan Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
@California Royalty, Good opinion but i’ll stick with what I said. Sounds like maybe you need to get over it.
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Gary Livingston Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:54 pm
@40YearKingsFan,
I laughed pretty good at that comment by Thornton. I mean, seriously, that’s pretty funny.
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OneTimer Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
@Gary Livingston,
Wasn’t funny at all.
Classless (to add onto the already severe lack of class) is what instantly came to MY mind.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 8:39 pm
@Gary Livingston, You WOULD NOT be laughing if the incident possibly affects your income.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
@Gary Livingston, I didn’t find it funny. At all.
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Pili Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:55 pm
@40YearKingsFan, No kidding 40Year. I thought he had a perfectly unethical attitude last night. I was ashamed to watch that.
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Vegas13 Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 7:23 am
@Pili, I agree…here’s to karma and the Kings getting to what comes to them…
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The league doing nothing is irresponsible and tarnishes the NHL, IMHO.
Its been a day now and I am even more angry at the way the game was called.
I think the way games are officiated must be reviewed, now. Maybe 3 on the ice and
one watching TV that can overrule onice officials or call penalties at stoppages or
thru wireless communication to on ice officials.
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Mike C Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@luc20rules,
Great post — I agree. Completely irresponsible. The fact that such an act ruined the integrity of the game didn’t raise any red flags with the league is absurd.
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Buster Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
@Mike C,
That the leagued never cared because it was aginst the KINGS makes it business as usual.
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david Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 4:05 am
@Buster,
idk.. the “clock thing” earlier in the season… not the same i know, but karmas a bitch.. coming back around…
~ cheers…
luc20rules Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@luc20rules, Right now, I am torn between supporting the Kings by purchasing tickets & airfare to where ever they start the playoffs. Too walking away from the NHL and all the horrible calls that come the Kings way. The feelings I have right now are not what any fan should have and the NHL should swallow its pride and address this. After all its not just the Clowe incident, if you watch the Clifford 5 min penalty he did not extend his arms and there was no force on the cross check. The player that dove should have been fined for diving. The Kopi tripping call where he clearly made no contact with the player that just lost his balance. I really suspect that 1 or more of the refs bet big money on the Sharks to win the game. Its the only thing that makes sense reviewing the plays.
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iansez Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
@luc20rules, calm down tiger..
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luc20rules Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@iansez, Your right, loging off. I just looked at myself in the mirror. It looks like the artery in my foreheads about to explode. Got, to stop thinking about this.
Bluecoconuts Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
@luc20rules, Agreed, this is one of the few times that I’m actually angrier the next day. Normally I swear at my TV and then go to sleep and move on the next day. I woke up today even more pissed. And then I hear the NHL laughing about it putting it on their ‘plays of the night’ talking about karma for clockgate… I just want to grab Bettman and shake him.. A malfunction that the Kings had nothing to do with (but did benefit from) makes a blatant cheat okay? If I was richer I would be sending thousands of pairs of glasses to the NHL headquarters.
If I had a bigger voice I’d suggest everything throw things on the ice next time San Jose is flying down the ice for an attack. I mean obviously the NHL believes that it’s okay for people off the ice to impact the play on the ice, so why not?
Screw the NHL, I’m sick of being cheated while the Clowes or the Sedin’s or the Crosby’s of the NHL get everything they want. They should play Westgarth tomorrow and just have him bowl over Nemi in the last few minutes of the game knock him out of the playoffs. Westgarth can take the suspension, it’s not like he plays 82 games anyway. If they want to cheat, let them cheat without their goalie.
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Mike C Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
@Bluecoconuts,
I disagree on Westgarth taking out Nemo. The Sharks goalie is lousy IMO and is one of their bigger weaknesses. They will die with Nemo in the playoffs like they did last season. And with Nabakov in so many seasons previous to this.
Best revenge — play our absolute best hockey tomorrow. A full 60 minutes of checking, hitting, pressuring and making the Sharks look stupid in their own zone in their house.
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KingFanatic08 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@Mike C, HELL YES! brutal checking, hard physical play, cycle them, wear them down, and make them look like a team that plays in the AHL.
TiredOfIt Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
@Bluecoconuts, Right on!!!!!…If nothing else make one of those fish pay
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bob kudelski's hat trick Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
@Bluecoconuts, i woke up angrier than last night this morning as well. four officials who should be watching the puck carrier just missed that call. does anyone know if the NHL keeps tabs on referees missing blatant, game-changing or absurd calls?
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TiredOfIt Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
@luc20rules, You are right but this is typical. I don’t really care what others call it…cheating is cheating and every other profesional league deals with it…except the NHL and WWE
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Buster Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
@TiredOfIt,
The NHL and WWE both have a weasel running loose. The only problem was the WWE’s “weasel” almost always told it like it is. Ours would rather go down a rabbit hole rather than give the Kings ANYTHING in their favor.
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chip Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 1:48 am
@Buster, A hockey discussion brings in Bobby Heehan? I don’t know what to do with that.
McLellan’s okay.
Thornton is trash.
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dahack11 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@DLB, I agree about McLellan. I’ve never heard one thing out of him not first class.
as a Kings fan, It’s unfortunate the refs missed the play, but as a NHL fan, I’m REALLY disappointed that the league didn’t crack down REAL hard today on Clowe. That type of unsportsmanlike play does not make my favorite sport look good. It really tarnishes our sport, no matter what team you root for. If a Kings player had done it, I’d still say, VERY harsh punishment should be handed out today.
This really disappoints me.
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OneTimer Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
@dahack11,
+5
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tomb Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
@dahack11, could not have said it better myself.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 9:42 pm
@dahack11, agreed. sad day for hockey fans
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As a sports fan I have to complement hockey players for their restraint. In any other sport the athletes would go off on the officials, but in hockey they almost stand up for them. While I agree with everyone that Clowe did an idiotic thing, should have gotten a penalty and the league did nothing to explain their lack of action, maybe we should all take a page from the players and move on. Concentrate on a STL win tonight and a Kings win tomorrow and a Division title. GKG
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I applaud Jim Fox on spotting it immediately. The guy must have great vision as he spotted it as quickly as the players on the ice. He followed that by looking around to see which official or linesman caught it, but seemed in somewhat disbelief that none of the four did. His tone of voice was more than adequate based on the situation, which I was hoping would be a catalyst for the NHL to do something about it today.
I had faith they would at least do something, like change the rule immediately going forward to prevent this occurring again. Should be an automatic penalty shot in my opinion plus a suspension if determined the “act” was deliberate such as Clowe’s obviously was.
Yes, a sad day in hockey when blatant cheating was completely overlooked, unpunished and encourages this possible behavior in future games.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@Mike C, What it says to me is that the league is enjoying the situation (ratings?) and would like it to continue happening.
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TiredOfIt Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Just like WWE? Next there will be scripted outcomes and staged fights…well we already have staged fights…sort of
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JD Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
@TiredOfIt, Next will be a folding metal chair, brought onto the ice. This kind of thing would never happen on roger goodell’s watch
david Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 4:11 am
@JD..
hells bells! hes not even bud selig… hahahahahahaha..
dahack11 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
@Mike C, COMPLETELY agree Mike C.
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JackKent Cooke Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
@Mike C,
Applause for Jim must be tempered in light of his failure as the objective commentator he tries to be, in his TV interview with Colin Campbell, to ask him about Clockgate, which was potentially embarrassing to our mechanical engineer in residence, DL.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
@Mike C, agreed. It will be interesting to hear Jim’s comments on tomorrow nights broadcast.
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I wonder if the league has anything in its rules that prohibits players from bringing knives to the bench? That is the most ridiculous ruling I’ve heard in a long time. It tarnishes the authenticity of the league to say that we can’t do anything about it, because there is no rule for supplemental punishment. Since the game saw seven goals on thirteen penalties, do you think a two-man advantage might have been a big deal? What a joke…
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Shame on the league and Gary Bettman. They should be embarrassed of their officials last night and those officials should be banned from the playoffs. To ignore the situation will only encourage this type of behavior in the future. A 5 on 3 power play could have changed the outcome of the game…maybe it’s time for a “red flag” challenge like there is in football? To kings go!
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It’s on ESPN today as their # 1 “not top ten” play..
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PRMan Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@iansez, Talk about tarnishing the league. And (non-hockey) people are incredulous when you tell them that nothing will be done about it.
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It is what it is. Win tomorrow in regulation and it will be all but forgotten. WE won’t have to see that team unless both teams advance and that is highly unlikely. Karma is a bitch.
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luc20rules Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
@Bonvivant, I wonder if thats what Kings Fans said, in game 3 in 1993 Cup Finals?
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Kingsfanone Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
@luc20rules,
Well said.
Maybe the players said it also. Maybe its why the Kings haven’t gotten back to the Finals since.
I agree.
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Mike C Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
@Bonvivant,
I kind if disagree with this (the all will be forgotten) as if the Kings won yesterday’s game, the Sharks could have no longer caught up to the Kings. Plus the division would have stayed in the Kings hands and not Phoenix. It’s theirs to lose now. There were a lot of angry Kings after the incident so it did have an impact still during the game last night. No guarantee it would have changed the outcome, but still it had an impact on the game from that point forward.
But I will agree with it being what it is. Nothing us fans can do about it. I am not worried about Karma as San Jose is already a joke. A team picked to win like the last 5-6 seasons and they constantly die in the playoffs. When San Jose gets knocked out again, the jokes will just continue.
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tacomakingsfan Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
@Bonvivant,
I don’t think anyone will forget this incident but everyone has to move on. Hopefully this will add more fuel to the fire of hating the Sharks. We need to destroy them on Saturday!
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luc20rules Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
@tacomakingsfan, Or make some Kings follow through in bad position from behind, and draw a penalty? Or bring their stick up and decide better, but have Oscar award winning Ryan Clowe take another dive for a 5 minute major. Its hard to play angry effectively, and if I still ticked off as a fan. Its hard to see every single Kings player that has sweated and bled all year coming to terms with the calls/missed calls from last night, and no NHL action for clear off ice cheating from the bench. Ok, I need to log off again and try to relax. Got to keep the blood pressure under 220, right?
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I was watching the whole thing. Clowe was on the end of the bench by the door. and he kept opening it too. The door was open during play for way too long! then he stood there and flung at the puck in front of Stoll. This dude was planning to do something.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
@joelfink,
I think Clowe wanted on the ice but couldn’t change, then reached out to do what he’d been thinking, tip the puck away…
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Steve Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, Absolutely agreed.
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I’m going to the Angels game tonight, I think I’ll tackle one of the Royals heading for home plate, oops, I thought this was the NHL.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
@Happy Lappy,
Nice dude!
Make sure its not Pujols. He’s a big dude! Have fun!
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I don’t see how this is funny to anyone. Yeah like “WOOOW LOOK AT THIS AHAH CRAZY RIGHT?” But it totally changes a game. Every little things affects the final outcome. Every offsides. Every Ice. Everything said. Every direction skated. Every scrum. Every fight. Every fans voice. Every everything.
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I bet this Clowe thing isn’t over. Bettman is gonna have to do something with this kind of media attached to it. The integrity of the game … his most important responsibility … is what this is about.
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CB14 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@KC23, What media? The only media the NHL cares about is on the other coast.
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TiredOfIt Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@CB14, Right on to that
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DoughtyNuts Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
@CB14, Technically, Pittsburgh is not on the coast.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:24 pm
@KC23, The only media I have heard (other than here) has been nothing other than joking about the incident.
Bettman could care less what the media thinks anyway.
And add the fact that we’re the Los Angeles Kings to that.
Nothing else is going to happen.
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TiredOfIt Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
@KC23, According to the geniouses at NHL network it is over, “no harm no foul” comment from Millidiot…Nuff said
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i love how they hand out fines for comments yet when someone impacts the game from the bench nothing is done. i guess words mean more than the product on the ice.
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IceGuy Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
@teki,
+1
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28.1 Supplementary Discipline – In addition to the automatic fines and suspensions imposed under these rules, the Commissioner may, at his discretion, investigate any incident that occurs in connection with any Pre-season, Exhibition, League or Playoff game and may assess additional fines and/or suspensions for any offense committed during the course of a game or any aftermath thereof by a player, goalkeeper, Trainer, Manager, Coach or non-playing Club personnel or Club executive, whether or not such offense has been penalized by the Referee.
If an investigation is requested by a Club or by the League on its own initiative, it must be initiated within twenty-four (24) hours following the completion of the game in which the incident occurred
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Happy Lappy Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
@Subby, Stay tuned, as if they’ll do anything.
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Still struck me kinda funny……something fans will always talk about!
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You mean Joe “Slide on Your Back Across Center Ice after Beating the 7th Seed” Thornton? Well, we knew what he would say about it. I wonder if one of our guys slashed the inside of his knee and severs some ligaments, and the refs don’t see it, that will be the play of the year too.
Great tone in this post, Rich. His memory was probably aided by the fact the NHL has decided not to take action.
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ILLEGALSTICK33 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
@Steve, Yes same guy who blew us all a kiss after an O.T. winner. Same guy who used Donuts face as punching bag last night with no retaliation. That Joe.
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TiredOfIt Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
@ILLEGALSTICK33, The no retaliation part is our fault…Someone on this team should have taken thornton out…but they don’t have that fight in them…Have you actually seen a King wina fight in 3 years? nope
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ILLEGALSTICK33 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
@TiredOfIt, Ive seen some good hard fights but a winner? A real send a message winner? Nope. Not many fights end that way these days but Ive seen clifford get ko’d a few times. That would make me think twice about hitting their top guys. I’m not saying we need a Probert type player because those guys are gone. We need a legit tough guy who can win a few and make them look easy. He could bark at the other team and ask the boys who else wants a little?
1-0 Yotes…yuck.
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Come to think of it, can Davis Drewiske change his number to #38?
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I wish Dave “The Hammer” Schultz was on the Kings in his prime right now. He knew how to deal with the Thorton’s & the Clowe’s of this league.
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ILLEGALSTICK33 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
@King Alex, Jay Miller….Stu Grimson….Marty McSorley….I could watch it over and over and over again if only someone could give one of those terds a good beat down!
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Happy Lappy Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:24 pm
@ILLEGALSTICK33, Larry Playfair, most of his fights consisted of one punch knocks, he was a stud, Maloney, probably their best fighter ever.
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Happy Lappy Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
@Happy Lappy, (Knockouts)
Silence Dogood Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 12:05 am
@Happy Lappy, Dan Maloney — there was a man.We could sure use someone like him now.
St Louis scores on a rebound 1-1.
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The only place I wanna see pay back is on the score board! Take the division crown if we still can. If we have a solid lead at the end of the game and some of our 4th liners want to have a say then let them. I don’t want any suspensions for ANY of our top guys for something stupid.
“The man who seeks revenge digs two graves.”
GKG!!!!!!
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TiredOfIt Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
@ILLEGALSTICK33, Yes but hopefully the get laid in the grave first
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TiredOfIt Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:30 pm
@TiredOfIt, They
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This is how the NFL handles the Sam Alosi debacle per Wikipedia:
Sal Alosi is the former head strength and conditioning coach for the New York Jets. On December 13, 2010, he was fined $25,000 by the Jets and suspended for the remainder of the season for tripping Miami Dolphins player Nolan Carroll as the latter ran along the sideline. Two days later, the Jets suspended him indefinitely after it was discovered that he had instructed inactive Jets players to line up along the sideline so as to potentially impede opposing players. General manager Mike Tannenbaum said that Alosi had initially not been truthful about how the wall had been formed.[1] The NFL subsequently fined the Jets $100,000 for Alosi’s actions.[2]
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HockeyNerd Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
@JackKent Cooke, Yeah, but we’re talking about the NHL, the Sharks and Bettman.
Where’s the integrity to be protected in any of that?
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JackKent Cooke Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
@HockeyNerd,
There appears to be no integrity to actually protect.
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mckinggolf Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:38 pm
@JackKent Cooke, This is why the NFL is a better managed league than the NHL. I love watching Hockey, especially the Kings but the league is managed by idiots. When the league is managed better then the NHL can become a top tier league. IMHO!
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so….we will win and that ends all these “scenarios”. Just get rid of the flippin shoot outs. Win our lose they are getting old and tired. It is such a bummer to lose a game after they played hard and then it all comes down to soccer hockey….annoying.
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incidents like this don’t effect Bettman…the man could care less what the fans think. Especially if it is something where “booing” is involved because as you know…when Bettman hears Boos he thinks it’s cheering!
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He is still an ass
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I appreciate any team that plays hard….. and even plays on the edge of the rules. That’s ok. But I remember I think it was Demers’ elbow to the head of Smyth last playoffs? And now this. I mean really.
I don’t care for the Burrows stuff with the finger biting. This isn’t wrestling. It’s supposedly supposed to be hockey.
Maybe the Broad Street Bullies made history and got lots of attention (the wrong type) for the sport, but I don’t really care for that sort of thing. If I really was that I’d watch whatever that sport is where you can box, fight and wrestle the other guy. I mean, lots of people love it. It just isn’t my thing.
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Go Blues Go
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
@TiredOfIt, Blues for the Presidents Trophy. Minni for the spoiler. San Joser for the choke. Chicago for the playoff melt down. After that, everything else is gravy.
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tacomakingsfan Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
@Dominick (defrim65),
Kings for the CUP!!
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All you guys are buring the lede of this story: now we know what they mean by “bare down” in Vancouver. News you can use, someday.
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Dear Rich,
Can you temporary remove the first rule under RULES FOR BLOG COMMENTING just for today? I have something to say to the Sharks and Ms Clowe.
Thanks.
Kings fan
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Ryan Clowe’s “too many sticks on the ice” incident should have been treated as a too many men on the ice penalty. The refs missed it, so move on. No supplemental discipline is necessary.
What ticked me off a bit was how bad the Kings lost each of the fights. The following article relays this frustration. It’s truly a fantastic read that true hockey fans who are also fans of the Kings will appreciate:
http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/23431/28-days-later-pushing-around-the-kings
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
@eric,
Wether the Kings won those fights or not didn’t matter. The Kings don’t play an intimidation game. They play a hardnosed gritty game. The main roblem wasn’t wether they could, or should win, but that they shouldn’t of let San Jose draw them into that kind of game.
Winning the fights would be nice, but winning the game is just as important, and if the Kings didn’t get drawn into San Jose’s world, they would have won that game outright.
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ILLEGALSTICK33 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), That article is FANTASTIC! Ive been saying the same thing for two years. The only way the Kings can fight back is with some kind of cheap shot which will result in suspensions! Clifford looked like the real deal for a while but now he’s not much of a factor. If you think fighting and WINNING those fights have little impact on the game watch what happens to Kopi and Quick in the playoffs.
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
@ILLEGALSTICK33,
I’m not saying it’s not important. There is a proper place and time, and somethings require a response. Last night, the Kings were drawn into that kind of game on purpose, because San Jose is #2 on the PP. They will trade PP chances because they aren’t scared of the Kings PP.
The Kings did make them pay, but without the PP, San Jose would have folded like a freshly fluffed blanket.
Eric Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
@ILLEGALSTICK33,
I completely agree. Clifford lost his intimidation factor. I hope DL realizes that the Kings need some real tough guys. Copy the Bruins’ blueprint on how to build a winner!
launch Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
@eric,
BS is one of the best sports writers of our time and a newly appointed Kings faithful. Great article as always…and he watches one of the best shows of all time…The Wire
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Eric Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 6:43 pm
@launch,
Agreed.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
@eric, good read. Kings need a milan lucic.
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I would not like to face the Blues in the 1st round. They look scary good and very fast too!!!
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
@outsider,
Not to mention their goalies are just as capable as Quick in stealing games, and relying on a strong defense. Nashville scares me too for that same reason. Any team that can reduce the games down to a low scoring afair would not be preferrable considering the Kings struggles this season.
The more wide open, the better IMO.
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bbb7 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
@outsider, You jinxed them. :p
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rogiesbackup Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
@outsider, Sorry, but I wouldn’t mind facing a “Defense FIRST” attitude team. Many times, defensive minded team cannot score in bunches like the Sharks and Canucks. I think the way the kings offense has EXPLODED all of a sudden for last month now I feel more confident they can beat the Blues.
I think if the Blues where in the Pacific they wouldn’t have anywhere close to the number of points they have.
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So according to Milbury bottom line, they didn’t get caught, end of story.
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Jack Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 7:03 pm
@dMan, Millbury is a true blooded idiot.
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Geez those guys on the NHL network are effing idiots….Joking and laughing about Clowns play saying no harm no foul and if you dont get caught then its ok?….Effing disgrace
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vinny Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
@TiredOfIt, i wouldn’t of expected anything different
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http://www.csnbayarea.com/pages/v11_videodetail?PID=hXWM2-Zey8Awh_SRRNTzBxigQMXOQO_84WPRm1
Just can’t hate enough
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 9:17 pm
@Crowns, if you were on the other side, do you think you’d feel the same way?? oh yeah, for sure, you have to have a sense of humor about these things. you don’t see that everyday. your team makes me sick
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
@Crowns, sorry just noticed the (unintentional?) play on words of Depeche Mode. i just can’t hate enough..
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SpencerMaze Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 12:34 am
@Crowns, Thornton is by far the biggest scumbag in the league. Period!
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why do i even watch a sport that I hate who is in charge of?
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Duncanz Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:57 pm
@Lake Forest, The Board of Governors?
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Does anyone know if the monarchs have a good enforcer?
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vinny Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
@ILLEGALSTICK33, justin johnson is the man, but ive only seen his highlights
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ILLEGALSTICK33 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
@vinny, Would it be possible to call him up if needed? I would hate for him to be a liability on the fourth line but if he can inflict some damage then I say use him.
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vinny Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:55 pm
@ILLEGALSTICK33, im not sure, i think youre probably on the right track in terms of him being a liability, but again ive only seen a handful of his fights in the game highlights as i dont get to see them play
Crap 2-1 Phoenix.
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first havlak give the fickle finger off fate to all of L.A. Then the nhl head office gives it to us unbelievable !!!!
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I as a fan and a parent have enjoyed sharing hockey with my son since the day he was born. We both love the game and we have had many wonderful father and son experiences watching games, participating in other events like Tip A King among others. I have always thought that the game and the people involved in it had integrity and seemed to adhere to a higher level then in other sports. Not to put anybody on a pedestal, after all we are all just human. But what am I supposed to say to my son when he asks how there was no penalty or any other type of consequence for Ryan Clowes pathetic display in last nights game. I guess the message to kids these days is if you can’t beat them fairly, cheat. Shame on you NHL.
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If clowe does this against DET, PITT, VAN, BOSTON… Is there a diff outcome and is r announcers laughing bout it?
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vinny Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
@Scott, idk but i bet if it happened to the rangers, tortz woulda taken the fine to voice his displeasure, which i think woulda been cool
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
@Scott, exactly. What if that was game 7 of the finals?? then is it just funny? did he just get caught up in the cup? did he just want to win so bad he cheated so it’s okay?? EXPLAIN YOURSELF NHL.
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Is Justin Johnson of the Monarchs any good in the fight department?
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maybe we could beat St. Louis in the first round….cuz it looks like we blew it for the Pacific title last night
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TiredOfIt Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
@TiredOfIt, Now that PHO is rocking the Blues
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Blues are playing like they dont want to get hurt
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And for those that don’t listen to HNIC in the afternoon or Hockey Central in the morning.
Clowe’s play was seen as understandable do to playoff positioning. An no big deal. That was the over all opinion’s.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
@Jamesonafterawin, unreal.
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I think the kings were also on a PP which would have made it a 3 on 5 if the play was called.
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I am in total disbelief.
I just purchased my flight from Costa Rica to Los Angeles to come enjoy the LA KIngs in the playoffs, but like somebody said earlier… I am not too sure the NHL deserves that kind of loyalty or donation. The Kings do…… The NHL does not.
That was a shameful display of sportsmanship from a professional athlete and for their team captain to joke about it??? Really? The word integrity comes to mind. Or lack thereof.
This isn’t the first time this year that the refs or the NHL have been able to provide us fans with a legitimate explanation or proper disipline of the wrongdoings. It really is a bummer, and I’m not quite sure I want to support that to be continually shocked and disappointment by their inabilities to keep the best sport….. legit. What a joke.
Yeah, my flight is booked. GO KINGS GO!
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So nice that Sutter knew Clowe as a boy, and thinks it’s all so cute and funny. DS has burned it with me. He can get the hell out of here and go into the knee-capping business with Clowe.
Where’s Leiweke? I thought he was the only King or AEG guy to make a critical remark last night but can’t find it now. No one repeated it. I’m sure the Kings will love it if attendance drops off. They’re not getting mine. Hundreds of dollars to take your family to a game, and any punk can play from the bench? How do you win against that? It’s as if people in a baseball dugout run out during play and catch a fly ball or hit your pitcher over the herad with a bat as he’s delivering a pitch.
Is that NHL hockey from now? And why not? If Clowe can do it and Sutter laughs and the NHL office is annoyed that you even ask, why shouldn’t it becoem common. Not a six-man game anymore, but seven or 10. The whole bench can come out and smash the other team. This BS is unbelievable. Most unblievable are the people who say, “Oh, don’t be distracted. This will never happen again” Wanna bet?
Sutter should have refused to continue play until the officials reviewed the tape. They review it 10 times a game for much less important things. Nothing is more important than Clowe’s atrocity.
The excuse that the refs didn’t see it so they can’t review the tap and make a decision s another
atrocity and cowardly lie. Almost all of the reviews are for things the refs “didn’t see.” They didn’t see where the puck was when the net was dislodged. They didn’t see if a player intruded into the crease. They didn’t see if the puck crossed the goal line before time ran out. They didn’t see if a goal was scored with the stick above waist level. They didn’t see if the puck was deliberately kiced twoard the net or only accidentally. They didn’t see, they didn’t see….on every one of those plays and others so they review the tape so they CAN see. But not when the POS Clowe sets his stick on the ice from his seat on the bench for a long time and then poke checks the puck way from a King headed toward the goal. That they didn’t see but they won’t review. And it’s not that they review only on a call the official made but didn’t really see. They review also when no call was made because the ref couldn’t see enough to even make a call. Happeneded the other night when a King shot was sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssscrossing the goal line as the net was dislodged.
This is just a bunch of incompetent cowards from Bettmann and Shanahan down to the game officials who are too lazy or too frightened to offend the Sharks. If Sutter had any balls or brains he would have refused to continue play until the video was reviewed. Even if they lost the review, which was imppossible, they were already in the playoffs. They could have forfeited the game and walked out on principle and they’d still be in the playoffs. But Sutter didn’t have the character to stand on principle even for a sure thing. He’d rather turn the NHL over to Clowe’s gutter hockey. And the same for Betmann.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 8:09 pm
@Royal Drone, Do you realize, there was not one single vestige of positivity in your rather protracted post?
I don’t feel like you do right now. Maybe there’s something wrong with_me_.
…. so what do you think
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illegalstick33 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
@Duncanz, Best post of the day! Man, I wanna run through a wall or something! I wish you were our coach!
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illegalstick33 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
@illegalstick33, Mr. Throne of course.
Crown Royal Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 8:57 am
@Royal Throne,
I agree in principle with what you’re saying. I’m not sure about Sutter refusing to continue etc. but the fact that Clowe wasn’t suspended demonstrates what a joke the league has become. I’ve never believed Bettman even likes hockey he seems content to collect his millions and represent the best (financial) interests of the owners.
How can a player sitting on the bench interfere with a game in progress in a major sport and not face the reprecussions? Sutter laughing about it is a discrace and the only reaction to this I respect is Leiweke’s, at least he had the guts (unlike Sutter or Bettman) to complain or do anything about what happened.
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They fine the rangers coach for words and do nothing when a player effectively cheated during a game. Something wrong with the NHL. After a game you get fined but during the game it’s just funny. Bettman is an ass and the NHL is now the biggest joke.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 6th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
@Twnclick, completely agree. is there someone we, as fans, can contact within the nhl (via email) to voice our disgust, and outrage about this?? if bettman had 1000 emails from pissed off fans, he might change his tune.
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Bushwack league through and through….Dress Westy and send a head clobbering message.
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Embarrassing for the league thats for sure, man would think this can never happen at this level and to associate this with the clock incident is just dumb…
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How is there no repercussions for that??? I’m still shocked. Good work NHL, dummies.
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I think Sutter is a jerk for praising the *hole But I think he is abetter coach than TM
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Remember when Sean Avery was standing in front of Martin Broduer facing him and waving his stick inches in front of Martin’s face…trying to distract him on the PP? The NHL responded immediately and made a new rule that you CANT do that. I dont remember if Avery got a penalty or not…but again…something was done by the league.
I think what Clowe’s tardedness is even more ridiculous than Avery’s…
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God forbid in the year 2012 the laughing stock sports league of the world “the NHL” give it’s inept clueless ref’s the ability to maybe look up at the jumbo tron screen and see the stunt that was pulled and call the penalty!!! Only the most important game of the year, only a division title on the line, only home ice in the Playoffs on the line!!!!!
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Perfectly said by Bobby Scribe from Surly & Scribe:
“He is the kind of player that will betray his team and teammates, cares little about the fans and has zero integrity. That is what Ryane Clowe is and what he showed himself to be as a member of the San Jose Sharks tonight. It doesn’t matter that he is a good hockey player. Sean Avery was a good hockey player but neither Avery or Clowe are professionals. The penalty that should have been called is unsportsmanlike conduct. That is exactly what Ryane Clowe is. Unsportsman”.
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If this happened in a game between the Rangers and the Bruins, things would be much different.
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re: Thornton’s comment of Clowe making the “play of the year”, I disagree, that play would have been made by McSorley’s “illegal stick”. I’m sorry but Clowe’s actions affected the total outcome of that game, and I’m not lying. Clowe’s family must be proud.
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Kingstane9 Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 8:21 pm
@Dennis Wuethrich, yeah and Havlat’s as well…
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This might be the last post in this thread yet… I just had to Google “Ryane Clowe Cheater” this morning over my morning cup of caffiene….
Hey CLOWN, congratulations you have over 13 pages of Google hits for your name as a CHEATER. Maybe you can stop by Google on your way to the game and pay them to clean up your mess.
What a wonderful legacy to leave your family and fans on the internet forever…
Hey CLOWN close your eyes and imagine this…. Flash forward 25 years with your granddaugher on your knee…. She looks up at you and says, “Hey Grandpa, why does your name come up with the word CHEATER on the internet?” That just might be the best discipline that anyone, including the (gutless) NHL, could ever hand out.
GKG!!!!
WE BELIEVE!!!!
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Perfect post ! The world has a beautiful way of always coming full circle……All the great players who have passed on are watching down and shaking their fingers & heads at CLOWN, Thornton and the everyone else who thought it was a cute little play that CLOWN got away with…..Karma will come knockin !
GKG !
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Zebras got a lot of cash from San Jose for this game.
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San Jose’s Ryane Clowe will now, from this day forward, will be simply known as “The Cheater”.
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I can’t believe the NHL is not going to discipline Ryane Clowe! Not only did he make a “cheating play”, he lied about it to the press later on!! Really!!! Is there no integrity anymore? This really makes the players, referees and owners look bad. I’m shocked.
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Kingstane9 Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
@John J. Plante, seems like the NHL league tolerates this kinfd of plays, so it+s totally allowed to show middle fingers, play from the bench and so on. I won’t be surprised the next time I see it…
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Kingstane9 Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
@Kingstane9, I really suck at this ‘+ and dfd today
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The best revenge is kicking their rear ends tonight in their building. Here’s to a Phoenix loss and a Kings win!!!
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