Well, I think the Oilers did their part to stir up some animosity on Wednesday night. Heck, they made their own fans hate them.
I don't know whether these were coaches' orders or what, but with about 2 minutes gone in the third period, and Carolina clinging to a four goal lead, the Oilers
Carolina scored on the ensuing power play, taking a 5-0 lead. At that point, the Oil gave up, and it was clear.
Just a few minutes later, Ryan Smyth high-sticked Aaron Ward. It looked really bad at first, but there was no injury, and in my mind it was completely unintentional. However, it was still a product of overly aggressive play.
At 11:14, Laraque was called for tripping Nic Wallin. I guess there wasn't much else the referee could have called, but it looked suspiciously like he was intentionally leading with the knee. Wallin avoided most of the contact, but ended up being tripped. After spending two minutes in the box, he decided that he wasn't through.
At 16:44, "GG" Laraque committed a textbook example version of a boarding major. Andrew Ladd was facing the glass, trying to play the puck. He wasn't skating fast, didn't make any sudden moves. Laraque came at him very hard and intentionally used his elbows and forearms to shove Ladd's head into the board. The fact that he never tried to plead his case, and that Craig MacT looked very calm as his player was being ejected speaks volumes. That was no "mistake". It's almost as if MacT decided the game was a lost cause, and sent GG (who has a history of goonish play in these playoffs) out there to do his worst.
Am I mad? You bet! Am I overreacting? Maybe. Am I trying too hard to demonize MacT and his players? Probably. Point is, you got what you want. Now we hate the Oilers.
I doubt very much that we'll see such garbage in game three. In fact, I think it'll be a very clean game with a much better performance by the Oilers.
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Cmon. The Smyth play was a result of him falling after a hit. Totally unintentional. The tripping call was a phantom call, given because the refs don't know how to deal with Georges size and strength. And Ladd turned and took that hit from behind. Every player does it, on every team, but don't blame Le GG because Ladd was stupid enough to risk his life for a penalty. The Canes couldn't have been too worried. I didn't see a single player do anything about any of the "thuggery."
Andy... We agree about the Smyth high stick. It was absolutely unintentional. I didn't mean to suggest that it was an act of thuggery. Only that it marked the beginning of a sharp drop in the Oiler's level of discipline.
We kind of agree on Laraque's tripping penalty. I reviewed the play several times, as I'm sure you did. Although it wasn't much of a trip, the referees wanted to find him guilty of something. I think they missed it, and they should have called him for kneeing. That is, of course, my opinion with which I'm sure you disagree.
On the boarding thing, I just don't see how anyone can say Ladd turned into the boards. Regardless, Le GG knew what he was doing, and it was clearly intentional. He followed with the forearms and elbows.
Whether you agree with the call or not, Le GG will be suspended for game 3. Under rule 48(b), any player who incurs two game misconducts for boarding (during the course of the regular season or during the course of the playoffs) will be suspended automatically for the next game.
I doubt very much that there will be any further suspension or fine. I also think that there won't be any more of that in these finals.
errrr.. sorry. 48b refers to checking from behind. I meant 44c, which refers to boarding
Laraque was head hunting. I noticed it immediately live and watching the recording only confirmed it for me. I don't know if Ladd turned into it or not, but Laraque followed through high and the refs did the right thing in getting him off the ice. The "intent to injure" was the important factor in the decision.
dlee- agreed on Moreau and to an extent on the LeGG boarding but the Smyth hit, as Andy said, was completely accidental, if a bit careless. He spun around and lost the handle on his stick.
Not a lack of discipline - he was finishing his check on Ward just as LeGG had a couple of good clean hits before the Ladd play.
If the Oilers get back in the series and they have to win the next two games to make that happen the hope is that the Canes D will be a little more tired and maybe a little more shy in games 5, 6 etc.
Have to keep hitting. I hate the dirty stuff as well but you have to play it physical right through to the final whistle.
From the camera angle that we had, it didn't look like Laraque was doing any talking. I couldn't tell from in the arena either. Maybe you saw something different with a slightly different camera angle from the CBC. I dunno.
What exactly was your point in all those links regarding the boarding call against Doug Weight? That we're not perfect? Of course we're not.
There's a difference, though, in getting a two minute call in a tie game, and getting a five minute major and game misconduct when your team is down 5-0 late in the game. And how many boarding calls has Weight been called for in his career? That one is hardly a "pattern". Laraque has one other boarding major (with game misconduct) and two other major penalties in this playoff season alone.
And from a guy whos greatest asset is, in his own words, "fighing"? The pattern is with Laraque's play.
Maybe the reason you haven't heard the players complaining is that they have other things to worry about. We fans don't.
Prior to this season, Le GG had played in 21 playoff games and recieved no major penalties.
Prior to this season, Dougie played in 69 playoff games, and recieved two major penalties. I'm not yet to the point where I know what those penalties were for, but I'm working on it.
Okay.. I dug it up,
In 1999, in the Oilers series with Dallas, Dougie indeed took a boarding major.
In 2001, in the Oilers series with Dallas, Dougie took a "checking from behind" major.
These are essentially the same type of foul, so we'll lump them together and say that Dougie has two of those in his playoff career prior to this season. Laraque has recieved zero in the playoffs prior to this season.
Your guess would be right, then concerning post-season play.
the oilers have had some cheap shots at the end but i dont think canes fans are at a point of hate towards oilers. maybe frustration but far from hate.
lets go canes!!
B E L E I V E
best of luck to roloson
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