What does the phrase “overcoming the fix” mean? That’s probably what I would ask had I visited this site to read some post game thoughts. Well, it all points to the conspiracy theory rapidly gaining strength that the league, or Bettman, or someone up there is trying to make the Sabres the cup champs as a way to showcase the “new nhl” style being exciting, and a style that can win. This is summarized very well here.
The question I have to ask myself is, do I believe there is a fix? I mean, I saw the Sabres get some pretty 1-sided reffing, and some pretty 1-sided help from Toronto in their series against the Islanders. Still, I didnt think anything of it. I saw the Sabres get an inexplicable goal in game 1, eerily similar, yet worlds different than what happened today, after which I said:
It is my contention that the refs MADE THE RIGHT CALL. the refs called it no-goal. the video review crew blew it. not because they want buffalo to win, but because they are idiots.
Link
Now, after seeing deja vu all over again, one really has to ask yourself. Is the league just that incompetent? Seriously though, the official explanation the Rangers got was this:
“The puck didn’t deflect off Rachunek’s skate and in. The pass from Hossa hit Rachunek in the skate … then … Rachunek propels the puck in with his skate,” NHL video director Damian Echevarrieta explained. “You can’t score a goal with your skate unless it hits you in the skate and goes in based on the momentum of the shot or pass. You can’t propel the puck in with your skate.”
All I can say to that is, show me where it says that in the rulebook. I have read, and re-read the parts that are relevant here, and the only rule governing a play off of the skate is as follows:
Did you see a pendulum motion? I sure didnt!
So either the rulebook is conveniently missing this information, or the head hanchos are making up rules as they see fit. This is a gross abuse of power in my personal opinion.
So, is there some sort of vast conspiracy to help the Sabres win the cup? Probably not, but the fact that I am no longer saying “definitely not” should be of concern. Because any other impartial NHL fan, probably is thinking the same thing.
-Inferno
