Excuse me while I vent

The Dallas Stars win 2-1 in Columbus against the Columbus Blue Jackets…yada, yada, yada, what the hell is going on with NHL officiating? I do not want to make it a normal occurrence to complain about officiating as over time I have come to accept that the refs are human and calls are missed sometimes and these guys are not up to par some nights with what we would hope for. Sad to say but they do not always make the right calls and some of the areas that the league is trying to improve or change are the areas that are being missed.

But last night in a city in Ohio there was one of the worst officiating jobs I’ve seen in years probably and most of it went against the Stars. What is funny too is that many places are not talking about it or the one thing they are talking about is the one call the Stars got all night that was questionable and they are making it seem like Columbus was cheated. In the first period there was an instance where Stephane Robidas was slew-footed. For those of you unfamiliar with that call or term, it is when another players sweeps the legs out from under a player and causes the player to fall backwards. It basically is kicking the legs out from under a guy and leaving him to fall either on his back or head/neck. This is supposed to be outlawed and illegal in the NHL as it can result in serious injuries. But instead of a major penalty as it should be, it was ignored or left unnoticed by the refs. The in the 2nd period Nicklas Grossman (video and DBD reaction here) was run at by Tom Sestito of the Blue Jackets and it looks like a blatant hit to the head and one player trying to deliver a shot to do damage to another. After the hit a huge scrum breaks out and the Stars are livid about the hit. Some fights happen and scuffles and plenty of words are exchanged. The end result is the play stays 5-on-5 as all that was called were off-setting majors and game misconducts for the fighting and scuffling. Nothing at all for the hit. The exact type of hit the NHL is trying to get rid of and has been showing their refs videos of to show them what is not allowed. No call…it should have been a major and game misconduct, but instead it just gets ignored and a few seconds later the Blue Jackets get a powerplay as Dallas was still furious and Benn takes a roughing call. I will acknowledge that the goal that was taken back on a Columbus scoring chance was questionable, but these goalie interference calls are harder to figure out then tax records. Two blatant plays that are exactly with what the rulebook says the league does not want in the game and both should have been at least major penalties? Now I have no idea what to expect in games anymore.

On a good note the Stars did win 2-1 as Brad Richards continues to show why Dallas NEEDS to resign him and why he is the guy that can be the top guy and offensive leader some years to come. Richards puts in a powerplay goal in the 1st and even strength one in the 3rd to give Dallas both of their goals. Kari Lehtonen handled the rest and was spectacular in net last night to keep it a low scoring games as Dallas came out flat and was bombarded early. Needed points were again picked up by the team and now even not winning today still makes this two games in two days on the road weekend still a semi success.

The Stars travel to the hated Detroit Red Wings today and play a strange 4PM CT game at the Joe. Raycroft in net again and let’s hope that Dallas does not come out flat after doing so last night and then getting into a physical affair. Dallas has improved to 5-2-1 in their last eight games away from the AAC and I would be satisfied with just one point today. It will be a rough game and the Red Wings are the only team with more points then the Stars in the west right now. Detroit is coming off a 4-1 beat-down from their rival Chicago on Friday night and won’t be in a good mood. Here is hoping the zebras don’t screw this up and the Stars give us something fun to watch today. My reaction to the game and any sort of stupidity from it should be up tonight.

If you are in the area the Stars Fanatics are having a watching party at Frankie’s in Lewisville from 3:30 until whenever today and anyone is more then welcome to join. Good place to watch the game and I will be joining them today as it will be the final watching party for their longtime president who is about to move to the DC area. Here is the link and address: Watching Party.