Early Whistle Hurts Wings, Makes ’09 Playoffs That Much More Interesting

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ5FHOLWM_k&w=425&h=344]

Ouch. Cue all those ‘the NHL is out to get the Red Wings’ conspiracy theorists. 

That’s got to be one of the toughest ways to go down 2-1 in a best of seven series. You fire 45 shots on the opposing rookie netminder — many of which come from the uber talented sticks of Hossa, Datsyuk and Zetterberg — and somewhat improbably he stands tall only allowing two pucks to get by him. As it turns out, your goaltender allowed two pucks to get by him. So, after playing three overtimes against this same team two nights before, you’re headed for overtime again right?

Not so fast. 

Turns out the referee totally botched one of your goals in the final minute. You know, the one that was supposed to at the least send the game to overtime. But the goal is disallowed, the clock ticks down and you’re down a game in the series. 

Nothing should be taken away from the Ducks here. They overpowered the Sharks for six games in the first round and have given the Red Wings all they can handle so far in the second round. But they got away with a fast one here. Not any of their own doing of course — all the blame lands on the Zebras — but they got away with one that would have sent this game to overtime. And you never know what happens once we’re playing bonus hockey. 

But hey, the NHL playoffs sure are unbelievably intersting this year, huh? The Capitals coming back from 3-1 down to beat the Rangers. All that Ovechkin vs. Crosby stuff. The Ducks knocking off the Sharks. The Devils and Hurricanes playing an absolutely epic series. The Jekyll and Hyde of the Blackhawks. Did I miss anything? Oh, right. We’re only halfway through the second round. Wow. Hang onto whatever is close folks, if you haven’t already been blown away.

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