Byfuglien needs to be a healthy scratch tonight. In four games he has been completely ineffective against Pronger, who he should be able to pound on because he's got 40 pounds on him.

 

The main thing is that Comcast owns Versus, is negotiating a deal to buy NBC, and also owns the Flyers. I think that's all you need to know about the lopsided officiating and why Pronger has any fewer than 30 PIM in the Finals, why Hartnell didn't get called for leg-whipping Versteeg in Game 3 and punching him in the back of the head in front of the linesman (Steeger's helmet came off, for God's sake), and the Hawks getting a bench warning for Madden questioning a call early in Game 4.

 

There is relaxing the calls on slot play to let the teams fight it out, but that argument only works if the calls are being equally enforced, which they're not. The calls in the last two games without question favored the Flyers, and as the games go on it is only getting more obvious.

It seemed as though the calls in game 1 were pretty one-sided as well.

 

Not sure I buy into all the conspiracy theories, but it is interesting nonetheless.

It doesn't matter who's playing in the Stanley Cup, the finals has to go at least 6 games for the networks to not have to provide "make do's".

Its a lot harder than it sounds when you have the first change, and the refs are allowing super late changes before dropping the puck.

 

Its not about changing lines to match their lines. Its about putting out different lines so that their coach has to adjust his plan.

 

If you keep running Towes, Buf and Kane out, he doesnt have to think much about what hes doing.

 

If all of a sudden the line is Toews, Hossa and Kopecky (etc), that gives the other team a lot more to think about. Its why in the 3rd period when the Hawks switched, they had a lot more success. Its clear Philly found a weakness with the Hawks line, so you have to change.

Ladd is playing again, no word on Burish yet. In the morning practice, all the originial lines from Friday skated together, but I still think Q is gonna mix it up.

 

Heading out to the UC now, come on you idiots, wake the f*** up and make it 3-2. Go Hawks!

I can only pray the Hawks come out strong and make this f***er as close to a no doubter as possible.

Well Q changed to the line I wanted, looked pretty good on the first shift.

Looks like Hossa is about to get a lot of minutes.

Finally a PP goal

 

GO HAWKS

Air Jordan in Hawks gear, how cool is that?

Hawks playing some awesome hockey...3-0 now

puck control, accurate passing, aggression, all 3 were gone in philly, this is why they're up 3-0

They better pull Leighton because he is shook up. He couldn't even stop a routine shot cleanly at the end of that one.

Those line changes sure did make a difference huh? guys skating around with a lot more room this time around.. Theres only one pronger on this flyers team, he cant cover all 4 lines thankfully

Michael Leighton should get pulled soon.

Boucher in.

Well that was weak, and quick.

Philly is just over-matched when the game is this open,

Geesh, they have got to stop guys from walking out from the back of the net so easily.

Didn't know you could score when an opposing player is laying in the net next to the goaltender.

NIEMI SAID NO!

And they cash in on the PP. Nice tic-tac-toe.

Of course they missed it. It was only right at the puck getting played. Why would you notice that.

NO late goals now guys...

Pronger was on the ice for the Hawks first four goals, and in the box for the 5th. Sweet.

I loved Byfuglien's hit on Pronger. He so had that coming.

Edited June 7, 201015 yr by GoSox05