Nhl refs in game 4's of conference finals?

Question

do you guys think that the refs are setting up game 4's of the conference finals? I don't like thinking of it this way because its wrong...but as far as television ratings...both game 5's will be watched on nbc(which will get more viewers) than say VS.. or cbc..maybe bettman has it all set up. I know it sounds crazy. but what do you guys think? serious answers please.

Answer 1

as a pens supporter, i'll admit that the flyers are playin a little better, but the refs must have run into sum crack on the way to wachovia center. i mean, how could they send gonchar to the box when richards clearly started it?

see that? if upshall doesnt go to the box for that shot on sykora, it'll be too obvious.

Answer 2

I don't know. I think that kind off stuff all the time. The Flyers did handle the Pens in the reg. season though. I was not exspecting a sweep. As for Detroit. I did not think they would lose period...... So I don't know, but I too will remain tortured by these thoughts.

Answer 3

Something is going on.  How else do you explain 2 teams severely overmatched all of a sudden playing well?  I don't get it.

Answer 4

no I don't

Answer 5

Yeah, thats what the NHL wanted. So now game both game 5s on NBC will be close but both Detroit and Pittsburgh wil move on, because the NHL wants Crosby and Malkin to play Zetterberg and Pavel.

Answer 6

I know everyone thinks Bettman can effect the game that much, but I disagree.  The refs can't be bought OR can they.

Answer 7

ok come on now 2 goal,s waved off

a bunch of non calls?

a butt in the crease/

?

is all good   come on back to the joe where you cant win marty     go wings

Answer 8

The days of game fixing are pretty much over as the professional teams and leagues simply have too much at stake to do something so risky.

As it stands today, all it would take is just one whistleblower who could furnish concrete proof of any major sports league (MLB, NHL, NBA, NFL, etc.) fixing games... and game fixing would involve many people for sure. If that were to happen, if someone could show that the league was indeed fixing the outcome (or even influencing) of game, that league would lose billions of dollars in market value almost overnight. Team owners, players, and the leagues themselves simply have too much at stake to trade a short term ratings spike (small dollars) for something that could cripple its business for years if not decades.

Why chance it?

The NBA handled it's fixing scandal pretty well, but the saving grace was that it was controlled by outside gambling influences - something that each and every sports league publicly distances itself from. Had it been shown and proven that commissioner Stern and the league was behind game fixing, professional basketball as we know it would have taken a massive publicity and credibility hit.

No, the games are NOT fixed or set up.

Answer 9

to see dallas get all the penalty calls in the 1st period last night and then the refs called off the goal when holmstrom was clearly not in the crease or touching the goalie is clear that something is messed up with the refs. I'll admit detroit got outplayed for most of the game...but it might not have been if the refs hadn't called off that goal because detroit plays so well with a lead. i haven't seen much of the philly-pens game so i can't comment on it...but after reading everyone else's comments it seems some of the same stuff is going on. either both teams are finally waking up and playing like their old selves or the refs are just making a ton of bad calls.

Answer 10

That would be denying the fact that the losing team deserved to lose those games. I'm a Wings fan, but Dallas deserved to win that game last night, they just outplayed the Wings. And so far Philly is doing the same to Pitt. A little season ending desperation can go a long way. The players are losing the games, not the refs.

Answer 11

Inconsistent officiating doesn't have to have a conspiracy slant to it.

The 1st period called tonight was the exact opposite of the 1st period called in game 3. In both instances, calls were marginal, inconsistent and unnecessary.

Officials have been way too visible as of late. They've been literally deciding games during these playoffs, much more so than the regular season or playoffs past.