Nashville Newspaper's Reactions, LINK!

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Appreciate later, stew now: Predators' season ends in brutal fashion:
On Sunday night, it was in Bridgestone Arena, which is pretty remarkable when you think about it. But this probably isn’t the time for that, not now, not after it appeared in the most painful of circumstances for the Predators and their fans. Not with Sidney Crosby lifting it above his head after leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to a championship-clinching 2-0 win over the Predators in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. Not after the way it all went down, a ridiculous officiating error costing the Predators a 1-0 lead early in the second period. The official first goal came 37 minutes later, the game winner from former Predator Patric Hornqvist with 1:35 to play..........
LINK:
http://www.tennessean.com/story/spo...edators-season-ends-brutal-fashion/387728001/

How the Penguins beat the Predators 2-0 in Game 6"
Goal stands. Carl Hagelin scores into the empty net, and the Pittsburgh Penguins will win their second consecutive Stanley Cup. A no-goal call on Colton Sissons now looms large, and the Predators can't solve Matt Murray for the second-straight game. Another shutout, this one ends the season for Nashville. It was a heck of a run, and the Predators are poised to do it for several more years to come. That doesn't make tonight any less gut-wrenching for fans of the team.......Preds fail to convert on any power play, and we play on in a scoreless tie. Less than nine minutes left in the 3rd period. Lots of passing, no score on the 5-on-3.........
LINK:
http://www.tennessean.com/story/spo...dates-predators-vs-penguins-game-6/387772001/

P.K. Subban not interested in your Listerine questions after Stanley Cup loss
Moments after Game 6, Subban did not want to talk about it. Understandably so. "I mean, I don't think that's the right question right now," he said................The reporter didn't stop with that question and had a follow up. "I just wanted to know your opinion on that." Subban: "My opinion is we just loss and we're out of the Stanley Cup playoff. And I just watched 22 guys lift the Stanley Cup. So, if you want to ask me about that I'll give you my opinion but the series is over." And so was that line of questioning.............
LINK:
http://www.tennessean.com/story/spo...y-listerine-stanley-cup-2017-game-6/388215001/

 

[Saboteur]

I'll go with Subban on this one. The reporter asked the question and was given a straight answer.
Ask it a second time to my player clearly trying to antagonize him and you're out of my locker room for a year.

 

[Twisted Pittster]

Here is my thought on the disallowed goal:

It was "scored" by Colton Sissons. He should not even have been in the game. He received a match penalty at the end of Game 5 which carries with it an automatic one game suspension. Gary Bettman, for whatever reason, unjustifiably cancelled it and allowed him to play.

Sissons should have been serving a suspension so to have a goal scored by him disallowed is karma and poetic justice.

 

[HailtoPitt]

Nashville got screwed on that goal. No other way to look at it.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

I'll go with Subban on this one. The reporter asked the question and was given a straight answer. Ask it a second time to my player clearly trying to antagonize him and you're out of my locker room for a year.

Here is my thought on the disallowed goal: It was "scored" by Colton Sissons. He should not even have been in the game. He received a match penalty at the end of Game 5 which carries with it an automatic one game suspension. Gary Bettman, for whatever reason, unjustifiably cancelled it and allowed him to play. Sissons should have been serving a suspension so to have a goal scored by him disallowed is karma and poetic justice.

Nashville got screwed on that goal. No other way to look at it.

Quite agree all around, but if Subban ever came to the Penguins he would be welcomed and is a competitor in many ways, and few to none have the talent, smarts, and skills of Crosby, but "Sidban" got into Sid's Head for a while, but Crosby's Smarts and Skills also were too much for "SinBad" & Band of Predators to handle just by 1 to 2 goals at Nashville last night, and that went for all Players on Senators, Caps, and Columbus.

Just getting through the NHL Playoffs is a Tall Task even the Sharks were Harpooned with the many Penguins Peaks Thousands Wounding Cuts working in unison with "The Mighty Sid's Guins", but no question the Competitive Spirit of Subban, "Sidbad", & "Sinbad" under any name would be welcomed by Sid in my opinion.

 

[FreeportPanther]

That was a bad break for them, but the officials tried hard to amend for it, giving the Preds 4 power plays to 0 for the Pens, including almost 40 seconds of 5 on 3!

Murray stoned the Preds, stopped a breakaway, and every other good scoring chance they could muster.
The Preds were outplayed in a tight checking game where Murray slightly outplayed Rinne.

But you just knew that mistake would be the bawling point. Just man up Nashville, that wasn't the reason you lost this series. The main reason was the Pens had #87 and #71 and #30, and Sully, and you didn't!

 

[TempleBAPittMPA]

That was a bad break for them, but the officials tried hard to amend for it, giving the Preds 4 power plays to 0 for the Pens, including almost 40 seconds of 5 on 3!

As I said in another thread, I don't watch a lot of hockey, so maybe my question doesn't make any sense, but how does a team go an entire game without even ONE penalty being called against them?

 

[FreeportPanther]

As I said in another thread, I don't watch a lot of hockey, so maybe my question doesn't make any sense, but how does a team go an entire game without even ONE penalty being called against them?

Well if you were a conspiracy theorist, you could surmise that the NFL wanted a Preds win setting up a dramatic Game 7 to make more $$$ and give them a big game to hype to gain more interest in their league.

Or the officials felt guilty for their mistake and worked overtime to make up for it.

Or the Predators are an upstanding, angelic, and totally fair and above the board hockey club that would never break the rules!

Of those choices, the second one is most likely.

 

[Pitt79]

Nashville got screwed on that goal. No other way to look at it.

Totally agree, but I don't care, I like winning, not just earning it, but lucky winning, even cheating winning! JUST WIN BABY. It all feels just as good to me, I don't even know what "tainted" means, because I just don't care.

 

[JoseLind13]

The refs "blew it" on the no-goal, and there's really not much debate, other than the Pens may have had a slight case for goalie interference, if the goal had counted. However, that ref call doesn't erase all of the other opportunities that Nashville was unable to convert the rest of the game, including a 5-on-3, lots of quality chances, plus zero power play opportunities for the Pens The Preds had ample chances to change the script, but the Pens seized the opportunity, which is what the best teams tends to do.

 

[wbrpanther]

Nashville got screwed on that goal. No other way to look at it.

It was unfortunate but it was the rule. The Pens also got screwed by not getting a single PP opportunity because the refs spent the balance of the game making up for the no goal. No other way to look at that either. The Preds got 4 power plays including a 5 on 3, mostly on marginal calls which also was a case of the refs trying to make up for the no goal call.

BOO HOO. Score on the gift PPs and win the game. Or go the eff home and stew on it till next year.

 

[Black Panther]

Here is my thought on the disallowed goal:

It was "scored" by Colton Sissons. He should not even have been in the game. He received a match penalty at the end of Game 5 which carries with it an automatic one game suspension. Gary Bettman, for whatever reason, unjustifiably cancelled it and allowed him to play.

Sissons should have been serving a suspension so to have a goal scored by him disallowed is karma and poetic justice.

Exactly I was thinking the same thing.It was karma.And did the Nashville hillbillies ever consider that the refs gave them every chance to score with all the power plays they got? Do you honestly think Nashville didn't comit a penalty? They did.I saw some that went uncalled.The refs turned a blind eye apparently to make up for the quote un quote bad call on the disallowed goal.

 

[pittdan77]

Hockey is just weird. I think studio wrestling is the only other "sport" that is subjected to sketchy officiating and it's generally forgiven as "just the way it is".

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Here is my thought on the disallowed goal:

It was "scored" by Colton Sissons. He should not even have been in the game. He received a match penalty at the end of Game 5 which carries with it an automatic one game suspension. Gary Bettman, for whatever reason, unjustifiably cancelled it and allowed him to play.

Sissons should have been serving a suspension so to have a goal scored by him disallowed is karma and poetic justice.

At other levels of hockey, the match penalty results in a 1 game suspension automatically. In the NHL, the rule is the same, but comes with an automatic review that can reverse the suspension. Looking at the penalty itself, it was not suspension worthy. At least thats my opinion and was also the opinion of the NHL. So Sissons playing was appropriate.

One other rule that was brought up by former ref Paul Stewart that I heard applies to the mistaken whistle. Apparently, it could have been reviewed, and if the whistle clearly did not affect the play, as is the case here, then it could have been reversed. Not sure if it is a reviewable play via coaches challenge or not but someone dropped the ball there, either the refs or Laviolette. Bad break for the Preds but like others have said they had their chances. The goal happened early enough that they had opportunities to make amends. How about Hagelin being interfered with by Rinne on that wrap around attempt when he had Rinne out to dry? That was one example of many of penalties that weren't called.

My biggest problem with the NHL is the "playoff hockey" mindset. Playoff hockey is the NHL's grandest stage. It should be a free flowing display of skill, and rules should be followed consistently to support it.

 

[Pitt79]

Hockey is just weird. I think studio wrestling is the only other "sport" that is subjected to sketchy officiating and it's generally forgiven as "just the way it is".

Do any other sports openly admit that officiating should be different in the playoffs?

 

[Pitt79]

My biggest problem with the NHL is the "playoff hockey" mindset. Playoff hockey is the NHL's grandest stage. It should be a free flowing display of skill, and rules should be followed consistently to support it.

Actually playoff hockey is more about luck. Since they don't call penalties, the winners usually get goals by throwing pucks at goals in desperation while being tackled and getting a lucky bounce.

 

[FreeportPanther]

At other levels of hockey, the match penalty results in a 1 game suspension automatically. In the NHL, the rule is the same, but comes with an automatic review that can reverse the suspension. Looking at the penalty itself, it was not suspension worthy. At least thats my opinion and was also the opinion of the NHL. So Sissons playing was appropriate.

One other rule that was brought up by former ref Paul Stewart that I heard applies to the mistaken whistle. Apparently, it could have been reviewed, and if the whistle clearly did not affect the play, as is the case here, then it could have been reversed. Not sure if it is a reviewable play via coaches challenge or not but someone dropped the ball there, either the refs or Laviolette. Bad break for the Preds but like others have said they had their chances. The goal happened early enough that they had opportunities to make amends. How about Hagelin being interfered with by Rinne on that wrap around attempt when he had Rinne out to dry? That was one example of many of penalties that weren't called.

My biggest problem with the NHL is the "playoff hockey" mindset. Playoff hockey is the NHL's grandest stage. It should be a free flowing display of skill, and rules should be followed consistently to support it.

Regarding your last point, the NHL is in a weird predicament. They have expanded well beyond their original footprint and now have franchises all over the U.S., and are continuing to expand.
They also have adopted the salary cap to enhance parity and competitiveness among the various franchises.
The problem is there isn't enough "skill" to go around. Similar to MLB, they have diluted the quality of the league by spreading the elite talent over too many teams.
If you go strictly with skating and passing and the other skills, a lot of teams won't be able to hang because they can't match the skill. Any team can devise gimmicks or clutch and grab tactics to neutralize the skill players.
Plus you also have the goon mentality prevalent in the old Canadian game, where fighting was a huge part of the appeal of hockey.
Players like Lemieux, Crosby, Jagr, and a few others will always be impeded by other team's strategies because that is the only defense they have against their superior skills.
JMO, of course, but that's my take on it and I could be wrong.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Regarding your last point, the NHL is in a weird predicament. They have expanded well beyond their original footprint and now have franchises all over the U.S., and are continuing to expand.
They also have adopted the salary cap to enhance parity and competitiveness among the various franchises.
The problem is there isn't enough "skill" to go around. Similar to MLB, they have diluted the quality of the league by spreading the elite talent over too many teams.
If you go strictly with skating and passing and the other skills, a lot of teams won't be able to hang because they can't match the skill. Any team can devise gimmicks or clutch and grab tactics to neutralize the skill players.
Plus you also have the goon mentality prevalent in the old Canadian game, where fighting was a huge part of the appeal of hockey.
Players like Lemieux, Crosby, Jagr, and a few others will always be impeded by other team's strategies because that is the only defense they have against their superior skills.
JMO, of course, but that's my take on it and I could be wrong.

No. you are absolutely correct. It's an issue for the GM meetings. And GM's are about their own job security. The way the game is played is perfectly fine for them because it allows more of them, and their teams, to remain competitive and in contention come March.

 

[Pitt79]

It's the same in the NBA, there isn't enough elite skill to go around, right now there are 2 main teams and maybe 3-4 others that are OK, and 20+ that suck. But they refuse to neutralize the skill players to even it up-you could argue that they build up and market the super skilled even more, even if they are on only a few teams. Name a single New Orleans Pelican?

 

[FreeportPanther]

It's the same in the NBA, there isn't enough elite skill to go around, right now there are 2 main teams and maybe 3-4 others that are OK, and 20+ that suck. But they refuse to neutralize the skill players to even it up-you could argue that they build up and market the super skilled even more, even if they are on only a few teams. Name a single New Orleans Pelican?

That's what makes Records, like in baseball, so ridiculous.
Ted Williams hit .400 and Joe DiMaggio hit in 56 consecutive games at a time when there were far fewer major league teams. The league's talent was concentrated.
Today, players compete against players who back in the day would be playing sandlot or low minor league baseball. Imagine what Williams, Dimaggio, Ruth or Gehrig would do against that competition?

 

[Fk_Pitt]

That's what makes Records, like in baseball, so ridiculous.
Ted Williams hit .400 and Joe DiMaggio hit in 56 consecutive games at a time when there were far fewer major league teams. The league's talent was concentrated.
Today, players compete against players who back in the day would be playing sandlot or low minor league baseball. Imagine what Williams, Dimaggio, Ruth or Gehrig would do against that competition?

Interesting point. How many teams were there then? The US population in 1960 (179,000,000) was exactly half what it is today. It's tough to compare eras. I think more importantly, there is significantly more advanced scouting and advanced statistics that makes it harder for today's elite athletes. And it turns marginal athletes into systematic robots.

 

[ncyajleel]

If you cannot score on a 5 on 3, even if it was only 30 seconds, in the middle of two consecutive power plays, you don't deserve to win anyway.

It was unfortunate but it was the rule. The Pens also got screwed by not getting a single PP opportunity because the refs spent the balance of the game making up for the no goal. No other way to look at that either. The Preds got 4 power plays including a 5 on 3, mostly on marginal calls which also was a case of the refs trying to make up for the no goal call.

BOO HOO. Score on the gift PPs and win the game. Or go the eff home and stew on it till next year.

 

[FreeportPanther]

Interesting point. How many teams were there then? The US population in 1960 (179,000,000) was exactly half what it is today. It's tough to compare eras. I think more importantly, there is significantly more advanced scouting and advanced statistics that makes it harder for today's elite athletes. And it turns marginal athletes into systematic robots.

From 1903 until 1961 there were 16 major league teams. In 1961 the Angels and Washington Senators were added, then the Mets and Houston Colt 45's.
Today there are 30!
I agree it is impossible to make level playing field comparisons between eras. While today's players have better equipment and training facilities and medical care, the old timer's didn't have to compete with great Black or Latino players.
Comparing records across generations is a fool's errand, but it is fun for fans.

 

[UptownPrivileges]

Everyone, since the Pens played Columbus were hoping to get rid of them. The announcers seemed always bragging about whoever the Pens played.. all I can say about that is WE WON!! Great job by Sullivan and staff playing most of season with a patch work lineup

 

[upj87]

From 1903 until 1961 there were 16 major league teams. In 1961 the Angels and Washington Senators were added, then the Mets and Houston Colt 45's.
Today there are 30!
I agree it is impossible to make level playing field comparisons between eras. While today's players have better equipment and training facilities and medical care, the old timer's didn't have to compete with great Black or Latino players.
Comparing records across generations is a fool's errand, but it is fun for fans.

nowadays the new timers do no have to compete against black players either. Shame they have pretty much given up the game.

 

[FreeportPanther]

nowadays the new timers do no have to compete against black players either. Shame they have pretty much given up the game.

Good point. NFL 70% Black, NBA 75% Black, MLB 8% Black.
Didn't realize that until I looked it up!

 

[TempleBAPittMPA]

nowadays the new timers do no have to compete against black players either. Shame they have pretty much given up the game.

They're still there. It's just that nowadays, instead of the names being Smith, Jackson, and Robinson, they're Ortiz, Hernandez, Marte and so on.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Good point. NFL 70% Black, NBA 75% Black, MLB 8% Black.
Didn't realize that until I looked it up!

Yep. Just another measure that makes comparison very difficult.

But the other point about there being twice the teams diluting the talent seems irrelevant, given the population and subsequent player pool is twice the size, unless there are less kids playing said sport these days as a % of overall population. And in hockey for example, there are more Americans and more international players playing hockey today and feeding the NHL than there were when there were 6 teams or 21 teams.

Another factor is schoolyard vs organized player development and how that effects talent.

 

[FreeportPanther]

They're still there. It's just that nowadays, instead of the names being Smith, Jackson, and Robinson, they're Ortiz, Hernandez, Marte and so on.

Latino's in MLB is around 32% of total players.

 

[FreeportPanther]

Yep. Just another measure that makes comparison very difficult.

But the other point about there being twice the teams diluting the talent seems irrelevant, given the population and subsequent player pool is twice the size, unless there are less kids playing said sport these days as a % of overall population. And in hockey for example, there are more Americans and more international players playing hockey today and feeding the NHL than there were when there were 6 teams or 21 teams.

Another factor is schoolyard vs organized player development and how that effects talent.

Yes, those are fair points.
I know less kids are playing baseball today than when we grew up in the '50's. Tons of more options for kids today including video games!
When's the last time you saw kids playing a pickup game in a vacant lot?
Used to be pretty active in LL baseball, around 2000 or so.
Had 7 teams for each of 3 different age groups. Today, probably half of that even after consolidating with neighboring communities. Anecdotal, I know, but telling.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Yes, those are fair points.
I know less kids are playing baseball today than when we grew up in the '50's. Tons of more options for kids today including video games!
When's the last time you saw kids playing a pickup game in a vacant lot?
Used to be pretty active in LL baseball, around 2000 or so.
Had 7 teams for each of 3 different age groups. Today, probably half of that even after consolidating with neighboring communities. Anecdotal, I know, but telling.

Yeah. That's what I wondered. We have twice the population but are we delivering twice the amount of talent than we did in 1960? I don't see any school yard baseball today and it's a shame. Our summers as kids were baseball from 9am until 9pm. I don't know how that affects things in MLB, but in US soccer, a theory is that all of the soccer players domestically is under the supervision of a coach. Whereas kids in other part of the world learn creativity and perfect their craft in streets and schoolyards where a coach isn't there to yell at them.

 

[pittdan77]

Do any other sports openly admit that officiating should be different in the playoffs?

I don't know of any but it's odd that changing the rules is acceptable.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

At other levels of hockey, the match penalty results in a 1 game suspension automatically. In the NHL, the rule is the same, but comes with an automatic review that can reverse the suspension. Looking at the penalty itself, it was not suspension worthy. At least thats my opinion and was also the opinion of the NHL. So Sissons playing was appropriate.

One other rule that was brought up by former ref Paul Stewart that I heard applies to the mistaken whistle. Apparently, it could have been reviewed, and if the whistle clearly did not affect the play, as is the case here, then it could have been reversed. Not sure if it is a reviewable play via coaches challenge or not but someone dropped the ball there, either the refs or Laviolette. Bad break for the Preds but like others have said they had their chances. The goal happened early enough that they had opportunities to make amends. How about Hagelin being interfered with by Rinne on that wrap around attempt when he had Rinne out to dry? That was one example of many of penalties that weren't called.

My biggest problem with the NHL is the "playoff hockey" mindset. Playoff hockey is the NHL's grandest stage. It should be a free flowing display of skill, and rules should be followed consistently to support it.

But it has to be a balance. You can't take alot of physicality out of the game. I don't want it to be like an NHL All Star game where it is "free flowing display of skill". There has to be a happy medium. I will post later if I was king of hockey, and what changes.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

But it has to be a balance. You can't take alot of physicality out of the game. I don't want it to be like an NHL All Star game where it is "free flowing display of skill". There has to be a happy medium. I will post later if I was king of hockey, and what changes.

Just enforce the rules. That is all.

 

[PittPat3]

That's what makes Records, like in baseball, so ridiculous.
Ted Williams hit .400 and Joe DiMaggio hit in 56 consecutive games at a time when there were far fewer major league teams. The league's talent was concentrated.
Today, players compete against players who back in the day would be playing sandlot or low minor league baseball. Imagine what Williams, Dimaggio, Ruth or Gehrig would do against that competition?

It's true that there was more concentration in baseball then, as there were fewer teams. On the other hand, there were no black, latin, or Asian players, which, I would suggest, more than offsets the impact of fewer teams.