5-hole.com Pick ‘em – OMG! Controversy! – 12/23/08
There is controversy brewing over the Penguins’ game winning goal scored by Sidney Crosby in overtime last night. The big question is whether Crosby made contact with the puck above or below the crossbar. The goal was reviewed and it stood. So what’s the problem? The call on the ice was goal. The replay did not conclusively disprove that. It’s a goal right? Maybe, maybe not.
Why it’s a goal:
1. The NHL says it’s a goal, therefore, it’s a goal.
2. Someone at Pensblog drew a cute picture! They can’t be wrong, can they?
Why it’s not a goal:
1. Conspiracy theorists claim the NHL is just furthering the Sidney Crosby love fest.
2. The picture from Pensblog is misleading because the puck was not in line with the corner where the post and crossbar meet when it made contact with Crosby’s stick. It was actually closer to the center of the crossbar. Oh no! The new line goes under Crosby’s arm and the puck! NO GOAL!
3. Commenter Tom L. on the Puck Daddy post says, “Crosby is 5′ 11″, 6′ 3″ on skates. The crossbar is 4ft high and the puck hit a few inches below his armpits. Unless Sid’s swollen head is 28 inches tall, that’s well over 4ft.”
4. If the NHL had disciplined Crosby for his actions in the game against Atlanta, he would not have even been playing in this game.
5. This picture left by another commenter in that Puck Daddy post shows with more lines that the net is only 80 pixels tall in the image, while the distance from the puck to the ice is 91 pixels. 11 pixels isn’t all that much but it’s still something.
I say it was no goal. But what do I know? Onto the picks!
#2 Boston Bruins @ #9 New Jersey Devils
Eric – Bruins - Both teams are hot, I’m going with the Bruins.
Rory – Bruins - I hate the Devils.
#28 Atlanta Thrashers @ #30 New York Islanders
Eric – Thrashers - This could be a contender for the worst game in the history of the NHL.
Rory – Thrashers - This is like picking between getting poked in my right eye or my left eye.
#7 Washington Capitals @ #4 New York Rangers
Eric – Rangers - I just can’t pick against them.
Rory – Rangers - Good Lord I hope I’m right. Washington’s going to be looking for someone to embarrass after coming off a 7-1 loss to the Flyers, but I think the boys can handle ‘em.
#26 Ottawa Senators @ #6 Philadelphia Flyers
Eric – Sens - Niittymaki sucks. A lot.
Rory – Flyers - Ottawa sucks, and Philly’s coming off a 7-1 ass-kicking session they delivered to the Caps.
#24 Los Angeles Kings @ #23 Columbus Blue Jackets
Eric – BJs - Quick gets the start for the kings tonight against Mason. Quick has played in 2 games this season and has a GAA of 4.70 and SV% .860. Good luck.
Rory – BJs - Hehe.
#25 Dallas Stars @ #20 Toronto Maple Leafs
Eric – Stars - The Leafs flew from Atlanta to Toronto last night and they have either a hurt Vesa Toskala in net or the second NHL game ever for Justin Pogge.
Rory – Stars - I just love that Dallas is all of a sudden doing amazing now that Avery’s gone. Plus Joel Lundqvist is back from his shoulder injury, so the team’s physicality is back on track.
#29 Tamba Bay Lightning @ #11 Pittsburgh Penguins
Eric – Pens - Honestly, if the Pens have trouble with the Lightning, there’s a problem there. *gimmie*
Rory – Pens - If Tampa wins this, we can all go ice skating in Hell. *gimmie*
#17 Nashville Predators @ # 19 Florida Panthers
Eric – Panthers - Vokoun is fresh off of his shutout and they stayed put waiting for the Preds to come to town.
Rory – Preds - Jed!!!
#27 St. Louis Blues @ #3 Detroit Red Wings
Eric – Wings - Wings roll at the Joe.
Rory – Wings - Really?
#15 Carolina Hurricanes @ #18 Minnesota Wild
Eric – Wild - Backstrom vs. Ward could be very interesting. Or it could be a blowout. We’ll see.
Rory – Wild - Barring Gaborik’s groin deciding it’s time for him to take another vacation, El Wild should take this one.
#16 Phoenix Coyotes @ #22 Colorado Avalanche
Eric – Coyotes - I’m tired of the snow.
Rory – Avs - Phoenix sucks.
#13 Anahiem Mighty Ducks @ # 12 Calgary Flames
Eric – Flames - The Ducks almost battled back to tie the game last night against the Canucks. But let’s see how they do against a better goalie in Miikka Kiprusoff.
Rory – Ducks - Why not?
#10 Vancouver Canucks @ #1 San Jose Sharks
Eric – Sharks - Canucks are tired, Sharks are good.
Rory – Sharks - Rejection Wrath of Henrik Lundqvist!!!
About the author: Eric is an engineering student from Long Island, NY. His all-time favorite Rangers are Mike Richter and Petr Prucha. Currently, his favorite players are Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan, and Marian Gaborik. Related posts:
In my opinion, you can’t tell from any picture if it was a goal or not.