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Calgary, AB • Canada • 55 Years Old • Male
I normally I do not write this quick between blogs, but a mystery has occurred. I am perplexed and I need some help with a problem. Maybe some of you can help me.

The Red Wings seem to think that its alright to hit and run the Ducks goalie, Hiller, and the NHL seems to agree with them. Interesting -- when is running a goalie a penalty or not a penalty? It seems that Franzen has been given a free reign. But before we jump all over Franzen, all he is doing is seeing what he can get away with. No, I have no trouble with what Franzen did, I have trouble with the NHL, who have a split personality when it comes to running the goalie.

Now in all fairness to Franzen, the first run at Hiller was because of the cheap, I mean cheap not matter what anyone says, Brown elbow hit on Jiri Hudler. I know it was not intended to be a vicious hit, but it was a nasty dirty hit and deserved a major. The Ducks had to know the retaliation had to come. That does not make it right, but it's a fact in today's hockey world - an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. So Franzen runs Hiller after he scores, knocks his mask all across the rink. Franzen's goal counts, no penalty, of course the Ducks are not happy.

Now let's enter the twilight zone, where we land in Boston, and the score is 1-0 Bruins. The Caines score to tie the game on a nice shot by Jussi Jokinen. Yet after the goal, Mr. Bayda runs after Thomas, and guess what? Bayda gets two minutes. Remember, Franen running Hiller, now what happened there? Oh yeah: zip, nada, nothing. Yet people wonder why the players are confused? Guess I am left scratching my bald head (I do mean bald) wondering what is going on.

Let's skip to the last 49 seconds or so of the game, Lindstrom scores the winning goal, and our Mr. Franzen is getting to know Mr. Hiller again, and the Wings win again. Now in all fairness, I have seen highlights of the winning goal. It was not as obvious goalie interference. The ref might have missed it. The problem I am having is that I am not sure if the ref would have called it if he did see it. The inconsistency is what drives me crazy, Calls being called and not being called . . . what is a penalty? Someone please explain it to me.

Now I really do not care who wins the series. I am just a simple minded blogger who does not understand what running the goalie is. Really, if players are going to run the goalie, there has to be some consequence, or does there? I really don't care as long as it's consistent. Please, if it's a penalty in one game, why is it not a penalty in another game?

Maybe someone has not explained it to all the refs. Maybe some refs hate goalies; can that be it? Or maybe some refs hate goalies. Were they beaten up by a goalie as a kid? Maybe a goalie stole their lunch money. Or just maybe no one understands the rule. Hey, Mr. Bettman, can you maybe explain it to us? Oh wait, never mind what was I ever thinking?
Filed Under:   Running the goalie   Refs   NHL   wings   Ducks  
May 2, 2009 2:10 AM ET | Delete
well said Flamstr, first of all Mike Brown laid a CLEAN HIT on Hudler but because Hudler cuts himself on his visor its a 5 anda game?AT WORST that's a 2 minute late hit, a 5 minute PP for THAT?Then Franzen bowls our goalie and no call?It's pretty clear what the league wants, sissy hockey, which the wings embody
May 2, 2009 3:31 AM ET | Delete
please... the league is not endorsing anything... call it for what it is: a marginally bad call by the officials at the time.
May 2, 2009 7:52 AM ET | Delete
I dont see how the ref could have missed Franzen running the goalie after the goal.. considering he has JUST watched him score...also.. the brown hit was not a elbow.. it was a bicep to the head... Hudler was skating one way looking the other after a pass
May 2, 2009 9:47 AM ET | Delete
I agree with FC, that hit was clean. The problem is that Hudler was skating in one direction and playing the puck in the other direction. Therefor his head was turned around and subsequently almost got taken off. It was shoulder to shoulder. Secondly, I am a devils fan, so you know how I feel about goalie interference!! (0.2 seconds left)
May 2, 2009 10:18 AM ET | Delete
if you think thats a clean hit then you need a new name. you wont see him on the ice for a while and rightfully so. the cut from the visor will/does make it even worse, which is another rant by itself. i agree on the franzen goalie run. good goal( the puck was in) plus 2 for interference.
May 2, 2009 10:26 AM ET | Delete
Watch the CBC feed. That was a clean hit. Elbow tucked in. Hudler touched the puck less than a second before. Hudler needs to take his head out of his ass as stop admiring his passes.
May 2, 2009 12:21 PM ET | Delete
Redwings are 5 and 0 this year with Franzan running over the other teams goalie..you dont need skill to score on a goalie like that..Just have 6 foot 5 -255 lbs franzan run over your goalie and you have a great shot at scoring and winning..Now I know why the wings have been so successful this year and last year...
May 2, 2009 12:30 PM ET | Delete
Tell me this...If blood came out of Hiller face after six foot five two hundred fifty five pound Franzan intentionally ran over Hiller would it have been a dirty nasty play. ?
May 2, 2009 6:15 PM ET | Delete
6'3" 215lbs... you've somehow made him into a Pronger-monster... yeah he ran the goalie, and I'm not defending it... but come now... let's not give in to hyperbole or the ENTIRE WORLD will suffer for it! ;-)
May 2, 2009 7:33 PM ET | Delete
Flamestr, I disagree with you on the Brown hit, but the rest is spot on. I like your blogs when you get fired up!
May 3, 2009 12:23 AM ET | Delete
preds..., look at the hit in REAL TIME, Hudler is looking backwards while skating forwards IN THE PLAYOFFS. Im just looking at it in playoff terms. i dont favor either team. there is a link on my blog. check it out. it seems like when a good hit is made anywhere, it causes penalties. i dont buy it. shoulder to shoulder. clean. im still drinking scotch. long live fan driven hockey blogs. i respect all you guys.
May 3, 2009 1:59 PM ET | Delete
May 3, 2009 3:35 PM ET | Delete
The Brown hit on Hudler was clean. The Kronwall hit on Carter was not.
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