I have tried really, really hard this year to be more neutral towards the refs, and for the most part I’ve been pretty good about not saying too much when things have been particulary bad. Well, that’s about to change. (And even worse? I’ve become one the dreaded yahoos.)[Warning: Extreme Rant About To Commence]
This was the most frustrating game that I have ever seen. The reffing by Park was extremely bad. His calls – missed or invented – changed the course of the game and that is not what you want to see ever. It’s so bad, that in future I would like to know when Park is reffing, because I will definitely stay far, far away.
And while I’m ranting, one more thing:
The only positive thing, was that Park’s superior (Dave Lynch) was apparently watching. Let’s hope that something good comes out of that.
67s and Petes tie 3-3.See OHL game summary here.
IN THE NEWS
From the Ottawa Sun Barre Campbell writes, Tie isn't a win for hungry 67's. And from the Peterborough Examiner Petes still have shot to win conference.
PRE-GAME NOTES
The game was broadcast on radio (TEAM 1200/Dave Schreiber and AJ Jakubec) and television (Rogers Television 22/Scott MacArthur, Ed Hand, Lee Versage). Some notes from Schreibs and AJ:
* With 5 wins in last 6 games, 67s hope to continue momentum.
* 67s can place anywhere from 3rd to 6th.
* PET has 3 good lines, watch from Ryder, Reddox, Kaleta.
* Akeson is back. He missed 21 games with his Achilles and wrist injuries. Will play on 4th line with Ouellette and Alphonso.
* Lawrance and Jarram will both sit.
PRE-GAME INTERIEW WITH THE COACH (TEAM 1200/Schreibs):
On the last game against Mississauga (loss 4-3): The important thing is that they went to the end. They played ’til the end and that was important to me.
On the team’s better play of late: We’ve been playing better. More guys are taking it serious. A lot of players have picked it up. There are still a couple that could be doing better.
On the teams they’ve been facing: Every time I look up we’re playing a league leader. It’s good though, because you get to see how you stack up or compare. This game is important to us for that reason.
On the improved PP: We need to move it around more. If it becomes better, then other teams watch what they do around you.
LINE UP
*Forwards: McGinn, Talbot, Hulit (started); Bickell, Bonello, Mancari; VanderVeeken, Petruzalek, Kaspar; Akeson, Ouellette, Alphonso.
*Defensive pairings: Colbert, Joslin; Staubitz, Reid; Van Herpt, Beard.
*Starting in goal: Battochio. Guadagnolo on the bench.
*Scratches: Spezza (healthy), Lawrance (healthy), Jarram (healthy), and Lahey (inj-concussion).
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
First Period.
The game started off very physical, with both teams playing hard and skating fast. I had a bad feeling when I realized that Park was the ref – and the bad feeling continued to get worse throughout the game.
The 67s got the first PP and scored – a bullet from Mancari which was credited to Bonello (who tipped the puck into the net). There was a ton of holding and interfering but no calls were made.
Mancari was given a penalty and the Petes scored – Reddox – to make it 1-1.
Joslin made a good move to poke check the puck away from Reddox after he got a semi-breakaway.
Hulit was called for high-sticking Kaleta-PET – which he didn’t; elbow yes, high stick no. Instead of getting 2, plus another 2 for blood (which they had to search for with a magnifying glass) Hulit was given 5 and kicked out of the game. Killer FREAKED out at Park. Lots of yelling with words that start with f- and bull- etc. On the ensuing play Bonello got a penalty for slashing, giving Peterborough a 5 on 3. Bonello did slash, but Park had let other instances go earlier in the period, leading me to believe Park was calling it to spite Killer for yelling at him.
Park let a crosscheck by Reid on Tardif-PET go, but then called Staubitz for a hit after the whistle. Reddox-PET was lying on the ice like he was really wounded, and the Peterborough trainer came out to assist him off the ice, but then he stepped on the bench without a problem, smiling. Another 5 on 3 for Peterborough.
Battochio did an amazing job during this time. He was steady in his position, making huge saves. Talbot was a penalty-killing machine. Unfortunately, the Petes scored with 0.2 seconds left making it 2-1 for the Petes.
Akeson and VanderVeeken both played with Talbot and McGinn, replacing Hulit.
Overall, a disappointing period by the on and off ice officials. Some particularly noticeable things:
*The linesmen took forever to drop the puck, and were making bad offside calls.
*The ref, well, I’m speechless . . . terrible, terrible, terrible . . .
*The off-ice officials were not counting SOGs. In one instant, Kilpelainen-PET held the puck to force a face-off, and they didn’t count it as SOG.
SOG were 7 for Ottawa and 19 for Peterborough. (Take it for what it’s worth – not much in terms of accuracy.) The score at the end of the first was 2-1 for Peterborough.
Second period.
Park, realizing the crappy job he did in the first, decided to give Ottawa their very own 5 on 3. He called Ryder-PET for hooking Bonello – but missed the elbow by Bickell just prior.
Another penalty was called against Peterborough (Dawson) for cross checking Bonello who was stationed in front of the Petes’ net. Since Ottawa had the puck, it was a delayed call. Hendrikx didn’t even have his stick and he tried to hit the puck with his glove, and he didn’t get possession, but Park blew his whistle anyway.
Petruzalek scored on this PP. (The 67s had out: Petruzalek, Talbot, McGinn, with Mancari and Kaspar on the point.) The score was 2-2.
Park made another bad call against Peterborough (Hunter) for hooking Reid (who looked like he fell down). I guess Hunter had his stick up on Reid, but if it’s a penalty then why aren’t they called every time it happens? ’cause it happens A LOT. Anyways, Ottawa scored a PP goal making it 3-2. Controversy again regarding credit for the goal. Bickell appeared to tip the goal (it was definitely tipped) but they gave it to Staubitz. (Which is the reverse of what happened earlier with the Mancari/ Bonello goal.)
Peterborough got a SH goal – a great job by Reddox and Ryder to get puck control and break out down the ice. It looked like Battochio got most of it, but . . . This tied the game at 3-3.
Mancari had a great chance at the end of the period – a hard shot that hit the post.
SOG at the end of the period were 33 for Ottawa and 31 for Peterborough. The score was tied at 3-3.
Third Period.
And the craptacular reffing continued. Mancari pounded the crap out of Dawson-PET. Then Kaleta and Akeson got tangled up. Kaleta dropped his gloves – that’s 5 for fighting – but not in Park’s world. He gave him 4, and Akeson 2.
So many craptacular calls, I just can’t keep up with them all. Kaleta and Bickell ran into each other, and of course the crybaby Kaleta falls to the ice. Bickell gets a penalty because you know, the Petes player was ON THE ICE! HE MUST HAVE BEEN STRUCK DOWN BY ONE OF THOSE NASTY 67s PLAYERS!
AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Mancari shot a bullet from the blue line and it went in – a goal. But, the goal judge didn’t see it, the ref didn’t see it. Furthermore, the original pass from Bonello (to Mancari) was a two-line pass – and you guessed it! – the linesmen didn’t see it!
A wonderful display of linesmaning, reffing, and goal judging wouldn’t you say?
The OHL should be so proud of these officials. *barf*
Talbot got called for Cross-checking with about 6 minutes left. Watching this on the tape at home after the game, he had absolutely nothing to do with any cross-checking or any players falling on the ice in the pile. This is an entirely made-up call. What made it worse, was Lee Versage in the background saying that the 67s need to keep their emotions in check! Was he even watching the game? Talbot had NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PENALTY! NOTHING! IT WAS ALL PARK.
And just to make it even, Park calls a Too Many Men on Peterborough for having - 5 - men on the ice. PUHLEASSSSSSSSSSSSSSE. I mean, it’s not like it’s a tied game, with minutes left to go, or that the points even really matter, right? Right?
And to top off a great night of officiating, Park calls a penalty on McGinn with 41 seconds left in a TIED game. No biggie.
SOG at the end of the third were 48 for Ottawa and 35 for Peterborough. The game ended tied 3-3.
Overtime.
Ottawa started off the OT period short-handed, with McGinn in the box. They got out of that unscathed. No more goals were scored, and more astonishing, no penalties were called. Talbot did some more great PKing. The final shots on goal were 50 for Ottawa and 42 for Peterborough. The final score was 3-3.
IMPRESSIONS OF THE 67s
The 67s played a good game. They were physical, forechecked, skated hard, defended well. They had some bad moments, but overall a good game.
Mancari. He got 3A, had a good fight. Should have been credited for his goal. But, he’s a classy guy. He was shafted by Park and his nonsense.
Battochio. I think the score would be double digits against Ottawa if not for his amazing job in nets.
Alphonso. He played really strong on his shifts, working through checks, fast skating.
Talbot. Absolute workhorse.
Akeson. A strong game for his first back.
IMPRESSIONS OF THE PETES
I think that Peterborough has been taking some lessons from the London Knights. I don’t remember them being such a bunch of falling-on-the-ice/ diving/ crybaby turtles.
Kilpelainen. An awesome job in nets. Outstanding.
Kaleta. A huge S-disturber, and he did a great job. An Oscar™ winning performance for his display – he was falling all over the ice, and Park kept falling for it. Add Tardif, Hunter, and Hendrikx to the list.
SCORING
OTTAWA
1, Bonello, (26) (Mancari, Colbert), 04:07 (PP)
2, Petruzalek, (23) (Talbot, Mancari), 02:58 (PP)
2, Staubitz, (7) (Bonello, Mancari), 08:17 (PP)
PETERBOROUGH
1, Reddox, (35) (Hendrikx, Morrison), 11:47 (PP)
1, Reddox, (36) (Flood, Hendrikx), 19:59 (PP)
2, Ryder, (29) (Reddox), 12:35 (SH)
THREE STARS
The OHL three stars were: (1) Mancari, (2) Kilpelainen, and (3) Battochio.
The TEAM 1200 three stars were: (1) Battochio (just brilliant tonight; made quality stops, especially during first period), (2) Reddox (2G and 1A; great play on the SH goal by Ryder), and (3) Mancari (3A and a big fight; a big night for him; too bad about the goal; great effort tonight).
REFFING
Park. THE. ABSOLUTE. WORST. REF. IN. THE. ENTIRE. WORLD.
ATTENDANCE
9862. Another sell-out.
UP NEXT
3.20 at home this Sunday afternoon against Kingston. The last regular season game of the season.
[End Rant]
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