GLENDALE, Ariz. – It was a Shane Doan we never saw before.
Bitter. Frustrated. Unhinged.
"I bit my tongue this whole series," he said. "This whole series."
The Phoenix Coyotes' magical season came to an end Tuesday at Jobing.com Arena and it was hard for the captain to bow out gracefully.
Don't be too hard on him. The inconsistency in officiating that has defined the NHL postseason needs to be addressed, and it might just take someone as highly regarded as Doan to get the commissioner's attention.
This is what you need to know about Doan's unleashing after a 4-3 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings in Game 5.
He repeatedly said he didn't want to take anything away from the Los Angeles Kings.
He repeatedly said he knows the officials are working hard and trying their best.
It's important not to take it out of context.
But it's also important to note if someone like Doan, who doesn't like to rock the boat, has issues, it's worth exploring.
Doan's diatribe came on the heels of coach Dave Tippett recently lamenting his concerns about of the direction of the game, including the excessive theatrics by players — flopping — that seem to sway officials.
"You tell me where my penalties were these last three games," Doan said. "You tell me."
Doan was called for one penalty Tuesday, a game misconduct called after the game was over.
Coming into the game he had most penalty minutes on his team, 31.
One hit that was a hot topic after the game was Dustin Brown's hit on Michal Rozsival in overtime.
"How do you miss that?" Doan said. "I mean Rozy's knee's blown out. How do you miss that? How do you miss that when it's after the whistle and it's a knee? How can you possibly miss that?"
Said Brown: "Rozsival was cutting to the middle and I cut across and made contact. Obviously, they thought it was a kneeing. It happened at high speed. I felt like I got him with my shoulder and my left side and his right side all made contact from toe to shoulder."
Coyotes players thought the hit came after the whistle.
"If Raffi Torres gets 25 games for his hit during the play then this guy (Brown) ought to be done forever," goalie Mike Smith said.
Coyotes coach Dave Tippett respectfully declined when asked to elaborate on the officiating.
"It won't do any good right now," Tippett said. "You guys should write what you saw. There's a lot of blood, sweat and tears going into this game. A lot of emotions going on."
Coyotes players will stew on this for a while. And then they'll reflect on the heartache of the loss. In time, they'll recognize what a great season this was.
"It still feels awful," Doan said. "You don't want to be a part of it. You have to give credit to L.A. They played a great series. They are playing really well right now."
And the Coyotes' journey is over.
A team predicted by many to finish last in the Western Conference almost finished first. But in the end skill and speed won over moxie and grit and Los Angeles is moving on to the Stanley Cup Finals.
An overtime goal by Dustin Penner was the difference.
What a ride. A franchise that had never gone further than a first-round series was just three games away from playing for the championship.
It picked up plenty of new fans in the process. After the game, as the players stayed on the ice, fans cheered, "Let's go, Coy-otes."
There is no doubt this playoff run will help expand this community's fan base. The increased exposure has already made a difference.
"It's not even close," Doan said about being recognized. "Going into grocery stores, wherever you go now, for sure."
The numerous television and radio appearances have exposed a whole new group of fans to these players, who are as likeable a bunch of professional athletes as you'll find.
"It's been a steady growth," Tippett said. "The buzz continues to get better and better. Obviously this run in the playoffs here has been a lot more excitement."
It's been a great run. And after the Coyotes get past this loss, they'll realize it.
Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99
Babe Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html
Hunk Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html
0 comments:
Post a Comment