Welcome to that special time of year again; commonly known as let’s Bash the ref!

 

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs have started which means that the whining from fans, coaches, players and media “blabbermouths” is louder than ever. In particular, when one’s favorite hockey team loses a game in the post-season the blame usually falls in one of three directions: questionable officiating, suspect coaching and/or poor goaltending.

 

At the forefront of this list, of course, is the refereeing.

 

As a result, and as a public service, I present the following form letter that fans can send to league officials, newspaper editors, friends, family and team reps which can be used in this playoff season and for future years:

 

          To whom it may concern:

 

As a long time hockey fan I have never been so frustrated. The frustration has been building since the puck dropped to start the playoffs. I would like to outline some of my concerns in this letter. 

 

I was watching the game the other night between (insert teams) and I could not believe the amount of penalties called against (insert team). It’s a real shame when the referees try to take over and run the show. I mean, look at all the power-plays they (insert team) had compared to (insert team). Do the refs not realize there are two teams out there competing?

 

I certainly don’t want to question one’s character, but it appears the so-called superstars like (insert players) are getting preferential treatment. Case in point- (insert regular player’s name) was called for unnecessary roughness in the first period but when (insert superstar’s name) did the exact same thing later in the game, it was ignored.

 

It seems to me that the league and even some of the officials want to see (insert teams) win and not (insert teams). Of course, it isn’t a secret that the NHL would love to see two major markets like New York and Chicago in the final. How about the small market teams, and more importantly the Canadian teams who subsidize the rest of the NHL? 

 

What about the players’ perspective? They often look confused because they don’t even know what a penalty is anymore. All anybody is looking for is consistency.

 

There are a few other things that I need to raise as well. The ref’s should know the difference between a dive and a trip. Let’s get real. Do you remember the call on (insert player) that cost (insert team) the game? In addition, somebody needs to tell the officials that quick whistles really hurt the flow of the game.

 

 

In conclusion, this game is about the fans, not the referees. I am like many fans, a hard working family guy who pays top dollar to watch these elite athletes battle. The least we deserve is to get fair, consistent and unbiased officiating.

 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I will be waiting with my fingers crossed, with hopes that this situation will be resolved in the near future.

 

If you would like to discuss this further please feel free to email me at jpoppycock@whining.com.

 

Yours truly

 

Joe Poppycock

 

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Can a 5-on-3 advantage actually be a detriment? Apparently so! Just ask the St Louis Blues, who failed to score while having a 5-on-3 for over five minutes in their short four game series against the Vancouver Canucks. It is reasonable to expect that teams should find the net when up two men, especially when it is for a lengthy period of time. However, more often than not, the momentum swings to the team that was shorthanded and it remains in their favor for the remainder of the game. In other words, a successful kill is a key turning point.

The Canucks were very impressive in the opening round with special teams playing a significant role as St. Louis was just 1-for-24 on the power play while Vancouver was 4-for-18. Roberto Luongo has been as good or better than advertised, the Sedins line was scoring and the defense was solid. Usually at this time of the year, Canuck fans are signing the “Blues”. Yes, times are changing.

 

 

 

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The Detroit Lions, 0-16 in the 2008 season, have unveiled a new logo with a fiercer looking lion. If this works will the Toronto Maple Leafs change their logo to poison ivy?

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A judge has rejected Madonna’s petition to adopt another child from Malawi. She is already mother to three pampered children. Four, if you count Alex Rodriguez.  Comedy writer Alan Ray

 

 

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Former NY Knicks coach Isaiah Thomas has landed a job with Florida International College. The contract is for 5 years and includes a base salary, incentives and freshman assistants that can’t spell harassment. Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

Psychologists say a recent study shows that people who smiled for old photos have a much better chance of staying happily married later in life. In high school, Larry King was voted “Most likely to frown for the Rest of his Life”.  Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/