Wow. I am dumber for having read that hack job of an article.

The worst part is that the MSM is actually buying into the Penguin Coach’s whining about (the nonexistent) obstruction.

That’s Western Conference Hockey son. Forecheck, backcheck and pressure HARD.

Posted by moocat on 06/01/08 at 12:27 AM ET

So...anything that stops the Pens from scoring is obstruction? Ozzy makes a save, and it’s obstruction?

Was this guy watching the same game I was? There’s a huge difference between obstruction and good defensive positioning. I’m starting to get tired of all this whining, Wings brass needs to get a box full of razors and shaving cream and leave it in the visitors locker room for Monday night.

Posted by Jeff on 06/01/08 at 12:47 AM ET

Yeah, the refs really demonstrated their unwillingness to call obstruction in the third period of a close game, especially when one team is already on a penalty kill.  Were you flicking between channels and came back to the game a bit late, David?  There was a penalty call made earlier--two, in fact, that pretty much send your point flying out through the window.

Zetterberg wasn’t called because it wasn’t a penalty.

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 06/01/08 at 12:52 AM ET

Ya, me too.

He tied up his stick low. He didn’t touch him. There was no clutch or grab. Its not a fowl.

It sounds like David Staples wants a no-touch rule.

And for the record, the other North American pro leagues don’t call all the fowls either. In the NFL, there is holding on mostly every play. They only call some of them.

Posted by EverRev from TwoInTheBox on 06/01/08 at 12:52 AM ET

All the calls that didn’t happen, and this reporter whines about a non-existent penalty? Did he watch the game, or just Pittsburgh’s whinefest (aka press conference) at the very end?

Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 06/01/08 at 12:57 AM ET

that was a perfect defensive play..

what a bell end

Posted by Pharazon from England on 06/01/08 at 01:03 AM ET

If stick on stick like Zetterberg did is a penalty then I’m done watching hockey. He didn’t slash the stick out of Crosby’s hand he just simply placed it over in a puck battle. If that’s not allowed how are you supposed to play defense.

The game would be incredibly boring to watch if there wasn’t some sort of of challenge to the offense.

I *#$%@& hate media types.

Posted by jkrdevil on 06/01/08 at 01:03 AM ET

wow...that was painful.

Posted by Osrt on 06/01/08 at 01:06 AM ET

I am a huge Penguins fan, but that was no penalty by Zetterberg, just a great play.

Posted by NHLJeff from Boston, MA on 06/01/08 at 01:14 AM ET

I LOVE IT!

...they refuse to call crucial obstruction penalties, and that’s why Pittsburgh failed to come back and tie the game on the Penguin’s five-on-three powerplay in the third period

The Penguins are on a 5-on-3 PP and this guy seriously says the refs aren’t calling the crucial penalties? David Staples, official fluffer for the Penguins’ Coaching Staff.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/01/08 at 02:48 AM ET

Wow. I’m almost speechless. I’m stunned actually. One of the worst hockey articles I can ever remember reading, ever. Why some MSM fall all over Crosby to the point that they throw out their integrity as reporters is beyond me. That play was a textbook, last second stick check. I mean what is the point of even attempting to play defense if that is called a penalty.

Posted by UMFan from Colorado on 06/01/08 at 03:03 AM ET

So, let me get this straight:

Maul Holmstrom in front of the net = no penalty.

Put your stick on top of the Golden Boy’s stick = penalty.

Got it!

That was a perfect defensive play - no body contact, just using your stick to prevent his stick from knocking in the puck.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/01/08 at 05:36 AM ET

Maybe I missed some subtle sarcasm but this article is just painful to read…

Posted by Ben from Europe on 06/01/08 at 07:31 AM ET

is this person being serious?  i don’t even know how to respond.  i just wasted two minutes of my life by reading this nonsense.

Posted by Kellie from Baltimore, MD on 06/01/08 at 08:32 AM ET

I recommended he read the section on the “Stick Press” from this page:

http://www.nhl.com/laceemup/clinic/stickcheck2.html

Posted by Steve J from Columbus, OH on 06/01/08 at 08:34 AM ET

Funny how two different people in the media can have such different opinions.

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/historic_penalty_kill/

Steve, thanks for posting the link to “Stick Press”. It’s pretty embarassing that someone in the Canadian media, writing out of a hockey-mad and hocky-savvy town, could write an article that is so utterly wrong.

This isn’t really a matter of opinion. There was no penalty on the play.

Posted by Nathan on 06/01/08 at 08:57 AM ET

I would expect a little more insight from a hockey writer in Edmonton.
His observations on holding in the NFL and contact in the NBA also suggests he has as little insight into those sports as he apparently does with hockey.

Posted by BobS. on 06/01/08 at 10:32 AM ET

Two things

1.  To be fair he probably covers the Oilers so he has no idea what it looks like to see a forward actually play defense.  So he probably thought that was a penalty, not a routine stick check.  There was no slash, Z just tied Crosby’s stick up.

2.  It should have been 4-on-4 or 4-on-3 with Sid in the box for diving.  Lilja had position on Sid as they chased the puck towards the endboard, so Sid jumped and then dove and of course the refs fell all over themselves to call intereference.

Nick Lidstrom was asked about the call during the post-game presser and he was very diplomatic.  He said he was on the ice and it was difficult for him to see what happened.

Same with the refs I guess.  But if Sid goes down it’s got to be a penalty on Detroit. So other than those two minor issues Staples really nailed it in this article.

Posted by Dave on 06/01/08 at 11:05 AM ET

The Red Wings set as many illegal picks as the 2001 Devils used to, but the Zetterberg play on Crosby’s stick wasn’t one of them. It was simply smart hockey.

Posted by Steve from pittsburgh on 06/01/08 at 02:26 PM ET

Obstruction? Give me a break. That was perfect defense!

John McCain: Bush is right - Screw kids!

Posted by whatever from nc on 06/01/08 at 04:36 PM ET