by FLPensFan on Thu Feb 21, 2013 10:17 am
My problem with the game was the officiating. Officiating has been a sore spot with me for the past two seasons. I saw the dump-in interference play several times last night, and a lot of whacking and hacking going on that was not called. Basically, it seemed like the officials adopted the "let them play" mentality because it's a big rivalry, but in reality they are giving Philly an advantage. That is the Flyers style, so if they are allowed to whack, hack, etc, where in a "normal game" it is a penalty, they have an unfair advantage. The refs let it go for too long, the Pens are forced to retaliate, and then the refs decide they want to only call retaliation penalties. It's dumb and happens too often. Call the rules like you are supposed to.
Same thing goes for 4 officials missing numerous high sticks to the face. I believe Letang had one that was missed, the Sutter one, while there was a never good replay, I believe was actually the puck and not a stick, and there was one other I don't recall who it was but was not called. NHL officiating is just awful anymore. Not saying that is why the Pens lost the game, but it is hard to play Pens style hockey when the refs are tilting the calls towards the Flyers style of play, which is most often borderline, and often crosses the line.
And, while the Pens can't play the Flyers game, the 3rd line occasionally and 4th line always should be going out there and using the body constantly in attempt to wear the other team down. Didn't see enough of that last night. There was some general hitting in response to the overall tone of the game, but my view is the Glass-Adams-Vitale line should be trying to keep the opposition in their own zone, and laying the body every chance they get.