Month: November 2024

Buffalo shut down and shut out Los Angeles

Sabres 1 – Kings 0 Buffalo and LA both won on each other’s ice for a split in their season series, in last night’s effort the Sabres (UPL & RW Tuch return from injury) penalty killers prevented success during five Kings’ power plays.

The Referees for the game, R Hamilton who is an experienced AHL referee under an NHL contract and rookie R Hanson who has only officiated five NHL games total.

These referees whistled five penalties from the 4:34 mark of the second period until halfway through the third period in a tight low scoring game giving the Kings at home four power plays to the Sabres one chance (overall, the Kings had 5 PP to the Sabres 3).

A hard-fought road victory to get the Sabres back to 500% in the standings playing 5-5-0 in their last ten games earning a positive goal differential as well, the three game West Coast trip continues 10 o’clock Friday night in Anaheim.

Official’s non-call suspiciously blatant

Rangers 4 – Canucks 3 Vancouver is having difficulties winning at home compared to their outstanding road record of 6-1-0, so as discussed in length about favoritism in officiating a look at last night’s example highlights this opinion.

During last night’s contest Referee Furman South had vision problems watching a Ranger’s breakaway develop as the Canuck’s player obviously hooks the New York forward.

At https://scoutingtherefs.com/2022-23-nhl-referee-stats/ you can research for yourself that Referee South calls penalties against the home team at a 47% rate with 53.8% rate of power plays for the home team.

This is what the NHL wants their officials to do, (historical perspective) to ensure the home crowd will still purchase tickets to attend the game before technology made attendance a moot point. (highlighted by the covid drama).

Realistically NHL teams do not depend on ticket and concession sales for financial stability as they once did, a plethora of streaming services paying the NHL so that anyone anywhere can watch an NHL game is the big money now.

There is nothing quite as enjoyable as attending an NHL game although the league has priced itself out of the reach of regular working people with a family.

Observing any arena’s ticket price list for a family of five that is not in SRO or the nosebleed section, and then factor in some popcorn, a beer (over 10$ for one can) or soda and you are looking at hundreds of dollars (even if you opt for the cheapest seats) that most lower income fans balk at.

Last week’s answer: C Skrudland two-time Stanley Cup champion with Montreal and Dallas did not wear #99, wore numbers 10, 20, and 39.

Everyone should know that Wayne Gretzky wore number 99, but most do not know that LW Dudley wore number 99 with Winnipeg during the 80-81 NHL season, and RW Wilf Paiement wore number 99 with Toronto during the 79-82 NHL seasons.

In keeping with sweater numbers this week’s question is Which Buffalo Sabres goaltender wore number #00 before the NHL decided to disallow double zero on NHL sweaters?

A) Tom Barrasso

B) Darren Puppa

C) Roger Crozier

D) Martin Biron

Four Games Last Night

Capitals 5 (en) – Knights 2 LW Ovechkin now has 23 points in his first 17 games of the season as he scored even strength, on the power play, and one empty net for his 31st hat trick.

Carolina 4 – Blues 1 C Necas score twice with two assists to bring his total to an incredible 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points in his first 17 games of this season.

Rangers 2 – Kraken 0 In an outstanding goaltender’s duel New York’s G Quick attained his second shutout of the season last night in only his fifth start to assist the Rangers securing a road victory at virtual signaling arena, Seattle.

Predators 5 (en)- Canucks 3 In their second road victory of the season, Nashville scored twice on the power play thanks to C Stamkos highlighting why the Predators brought him to Nashville.

Last week’s answer: Clinton

Some hockey fans are not aware that more than one NHL player wore # 99