Carolina Hurricanes: Force Game 7 against the Capitals

Discipline Will Win the Series

Another Kodak moment. Ovechkin leaving the game early after having a hissy fit on the ice. But let’s back up a little and talk about what started all this. Yes it is time to talk about the no-goal controversy.

Halfway through the third period the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin thought they had tied the game at three. However the goal was immediately waived off and subsequently reviewed. The call on the ice was no goal for goaltender interference. The officials spoke to the office in Toronto and it was confirmed on the ice.

The issue was that no reason was given. The fans did not care, but Ovechkin wanted to know why his fifth goal of the series did not count. When the officials told him that he shoved Mrazek’s pad out of the way to get at the puck, he lost it, continuously informing the officials that the call was “F**king Bulls**t” several times.

Now as the Captain of the team, it is his right to express his issues with the officials. But to do so so repulsively drained whatever patience the officials had for the Russian superstar. Was it a goal? I honestly have no idea. Does it matter? Well according to Ovechkin it that goal would have given the momentum back to Washington and instead Carolina got the momentum back to score twice more.

I would disagree. The biggest opponent on the ice against the Washington Capitals last night were the Washington Capitals. They played a very undisciplined game. The officials tried to swallow their whistles for most of the night as well. There were blatant holding of the stick by Holtby (pictured below) that went uncalled as well as many many slashes and other penalties, on both teams.

I love this picture. Holty is holding onto the tick with both hands as if he were trying to stop Justin Williams from leaving the Capitals two years ago. Its over Holtby, do like Elsa and LET IT GO. Figuratively and literally. What completes this picture is the fact that the official is RIGHT THERE. They tried to keep this game going. Carolina complied. Washington did not.

The Capitals committed six penalties during the game, Carolina only got called for three. Carolina’s crimes were the kind that happens during intense play. A couple of high sticks and a hold. Washington committed a bit more conscious penalties to include a couple of slashes, a hook, and some unsportsmanlike conduct in response to the hold by Carolina.

Our favorite of the night however belongs to everyone’s favorite wedding dancer, Alex Ovechkin. Still upset with the no goal and somehow convinced that it was all a conspiracy to bring him down, he takes a liberal slash at Saku Maenalanen who simply ignores him as the refs raise their arms for the final time of the night.

Ovechkin did not like the fact that he was under a microscope and mocked the officials with some golf clapping along with what some words that I am certain is not the recipe to the famous big fish pie he brings to the weddings :

Children, when life has you down, don’t get mad, get even. Carolina did exactly that. They evened the series at three wins apiece. Ovechkin got mad and was subsequently told he couldn’t play anymore that night. Stay humble. Stay out of the box. Because that is how you win games, thats how game seven will be won.

As LL Cool J says: “Don’t call it a comeback. I’ve been here for years”

Question for CC Readers: What are your predictions for game 7?