1) While we would concede that any sentence that has 'dumb' and 'Avery' in it risks being duplistic, we will still state that we are not in favour of the NHL's new "Avery rule." For the uninformed, this past Sunday during the Rangers-Devils game 3 playoff game in MSG, super pest Sean Avery decided that he needed to try to distract Devils goalie Martin Brodeur. Instead of the usual standing in front of him, or discussing Brodeur's predilection for sister's in laws, he decided a new tactic needed to be unveiled. Avery placed himself with his back to the shooter, and lifted his stick in front of Marty's face and swung it repeatedly close, but not into the goalies mask. Back and forth to try to distract the normally unflappable future Hall of Famer.
2) Did it work? Hard to say, but Avery DID score not long after the incident. There are conflicting stories that team mates such as Chris Drury and Brendan Shanahan told Avery to cut it out during the play, but they did not confirm this afterwards to reporters. All TV commentators made note of the unusual manner in which Avery was trying to distract the opposing goalie. Almost all were in agreement that the Avery mannerisms were 'despicable/reprehensible'. There was almost universal condemnation of Avery and his tactics among writers and non Ranger fans alike.
3) So as a result of this uproar should we be surprised that Gary Bettman and his lap dog poodle Colin Campbell decided to 'interpret' the rule to make any future moves like this illegal? In reality there was no such rule, but the league had to act quickly to try to stem the tide of negative publicity that Avery had unearthed. While we don't particularly like Avery. Many may recall how we included him as our 'starting center' in our all-prickmost-hated-teams. However we detest when the NHL knee-jerks into changing rules. He never made contact with Brodeur, and he was not in the goalie crease. If what Avery did was a penalty the TWO referees in attendance Sunday didn't think so. It looked infintile/stupid, and dangerous to he and to anyone around him, but unless he actualy hits someone it doesn't appear to be against the rules. Apparently the on-ice officials agreed. If it needed to become a penalty there is a method in place to change rules, but NOT until after the season.
2) Did it work? Hard to say, but Avery DID score not long after the incident. There are conflicting stories that team mates such as Chris Drury and Brendan Shanahan told Avery to cut it out during the play, but they did not confirm this afterwards to reporters. All TV commentators made note of the unusual manner in which Avery was trying to distract the opposing goalie. Almost all were in agreement that the Avery mannerisms were 'despicable/reprehensible'. There was almost universal condemnation of Avery and his tactics among writers and non Ranger fans alike.
3) So as a result of this uproar should we be surprised that Gary Bettman and his lap dog poodle Colin Campbell decided to 'interpret' the rule to make any future moves like this illegal? In reality there was no such rule, but the league had to act quickly to try to stem the tide of negative publicity that Avery had unearthed. While we don't particularly like Avery. Many may recall how we included him as our 'starting center' in our all-prickmost-hated-teams. However we detest when the NHL knee-jerks into changing rules. He never made contact with Brodeur, and he was not in the goalie crease. If what Avery did was a penalty the TWO referees in attendance Sunday didn't think so. It looked infintile/stupid, and dangerous to he and to anyone around him, but unless he actualy hits someone it doesn't appear to be against the rules. Apparently the on-ice officials agreed. If it needed to become a penalty there is a method in place to change rules, but NOT until after the season.
3 comments:
Faux, there was no penalty on the play because this type of idiocy has never been tried before... However, are you suggesting that it could not fall under an unsportsman-like infraction? Maybe there should be something interpretive in the rule book to protect against making a "mockery" of the the game and compromsising the integrity of the sport... I mean really, what's next? - Is Avery going to start break dancing in front of Brodeur next game? Maybe he'll pull a Ned Braden and strip... That will certainly be a distraction for any goalie... Shanahan (who I NEVER agree with) and Drury definitely have a legitimate gripe against their BUFFOON team mate in this case... I just have no faith in either Campbell or BUTTman getting this correct under any circumstances...
I wonder if Avery's HO suggested that he do this nonsense...
I have hated that boy since he played out this a ways. He's gonna get his one of these days and it aint gonna be pretty
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