Trampled By Replays and Pecked By the Ducks

By Adam W Parks

Wednesday, February 3, 2009 Red Wings 1 @ Ducks 3

I'd like to drive to Toronto and rip the video replay judges apart, limby by limb. I don't want to blame this loss on (another) failure of the replay system, so I won't, but here is the video of Anaheim's game-winning goal that was questioned:



Here is what the official NHL rulebook has to say:

78.5 Disallowed Goals –
Apparent goals shall be disallowed by the Referee and the appropriate announcement made by the Public Address Announcer for the following reasons:
(i) When the puck has been directed, batted or thrown into the net by an attacking player other than with a stick.

The rule is as clear as Kyle Chipcheater's free hand moving in a downward motion, in the same type of motion that he would make if he were directing a tip-in with his stick.

Jimmy Howard, who was standing with a perfect view, directly behind Chipcheater, figured the rule reaction:

"I asked the ref why it was a goal, and he said because he didn't intentionally (direct it in)," Howard said. "I figured when it went in off the glove, whether it was intended or not intended, it was no goal."

You would figure that, you know, since it is the rule.

Boy, Did The Ducks Trade The Right Goalie?

On Sunday, January 31, Anaheim traded the superbly talented and overtly disgruntled Jean-Sebastien Giguere (pictured left) to Toronto. Giguere earned the Conn Smythe Trophy in a losing effort in 2003, but raised the Stanley Cup in 2007. After the championship he signed a four-year, $24 million contract and went on to post his career highs in goals-against average (2.12), save percentage (.922), and shutouts (4) in the following season.

But now his days of being a dumb duck are over, and, needless to say, he got his wish. "I would rather retire than be a backup goalie," said Giguere to the L.A. Daily News in November of this season.

In that '03 playoff run Anaheim upset the Wings in the first round on an unbelievable and unpredictable path to the Finals. Mike Babcock was the coach for those Mighty Ducks. He acknowledged the great achievements of Giguere, but understands Anaheim's decision to trade.

"Obviously, Giggy did a great job here," Babcock said. "There's a banner hanging up in the air here and everyone has a Stanley Cup ring because of him. When I was here, he got us to the finals, as well. That's the measure of a goalie. And yet, the sport is all about the next guy coming in and taking your job."

Who thought that the next guy would be a 92-year-old actress/comedian and a one-time disciple of Bob Hope? Yes, the brick wall in Anaheim that was J-S Giguere has crumbled, and now stands the impregnable Phyllis Diller in net, and boy is she flexible and quick for her age.

Before lacing up the skates and putting on the pads, Diller cut her teeth in the entertainment business during the 1960s with television appearances, shows on Broadway (Hello, Dolly!) and films like Boy, Did I Get The Wrong Number!. More recently she has played memorable cameos like Mimi's grandmother on The Drew Carey Show and Peter Griffin's mother Thelma on Family Guy.

Who ever said you can't teach a crazy old lady new tricks? Diller not only earned a job goaltending with the Ducks last season, but she supplanted Giguere during the playoffs, and now she is the future between the pipes in Anaheim.

The bitch was spectacular against the Wings on Wednesday night, stopping 46 of Detroit's shots and 36 in the final two periods. Congratulations on reinventing yourself, you old battle axe.

It's Only One Game, But...

Jonathan Ericsson looked like a different player on Wednesday, like the guy we saw last season in the playoffs. It was a humbling couple of days for the big guy after Mike Babcock made him a healthy scratch in San Jose. He might have sat even longer (what with his replacement Derek Meech notching the game-winning goal) if it were not for Niklas Kronwall tweaking his knee.

His plus/minus rating has been atrocious and he seems to lack confidence with the puck, evident by a plethora of turnovers. But what has bothered me the most about E this season is his lack of physical play.

Perhaps watching other guys throw their bodies around against the Sharks had an effect:



That was such a good check, Ericsson should have at least one crunch like that per game. Here is another solid hit:



Ericsson finished the game in Anaheim with three hits, tied with Darren Helm for most amongst Wings. Although he was a minus-1 for the game, he made his presence known early and often without hurting his team. His stat sheet looked appropriate for what we should expect from him: 1 blocked shot, 3 hits, and 0 giveaways on 26 shifts and 17:02 of ice time. He stood tall and accepted the challenge from his coach, and Troy Bodie. Ericsson could be, should be, an imposing and intimidating figure in red and white, and the Wings will be better when he fully realizes that.

Hopefully he has found a corner in order to turn this season around for himself.

Peace.