Nov 9th, Flyers vs Lightning; The Philadelphia Experiment

[Ironhead]

So did you see the game last night between the Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning ?
Tampa end up winning in OT, 2-1, but it was happened in the first period that has the NHL buzzing today.

Start of the game and Tampa immediately goes into a trap set up. The Flyers did not want to play into the trap and stood back and tried to force the Lightning to come after them.
The Flyer defence men literally sat back and stood motionless twice for approximately 30 seconds before play was stop by the officials. The referee went over and talked to Flyer coach Peter Laviolette after both whistles. It was one of the strangest things I have ever seen at the NHL level.
To me the referees and there for the NHL were forcing the Flyers to play into the trap. The trap is not exciting hockey and will not help sell tickets.

 

[blackrock13]

There are already rules, albeit ones that aren't very often enforced that will handle it; blow the play dead and face-off in the originating teams end. This experiment won't be repeated many more times.

 

[Ironhead]

There are already rules, albeit ones that aren't very often enforced that will handle it; blow the play dead and face-off in the originating teams end. This experiment won't be repeated many more times.

Oh yes, of course, there is a rule against it. If the puck it not moved over a certain amount of time, the referee may blow the play dead.
My point was it was just an odd play and I am not certain that the rule was made with this situation in mind. I am not so sure the play should have been whistled.

 

[Rockslinger]

Reminds me of two boxers who stayed in their corners instead of meeting in the middle of the ring swinging at each other's head.

 

[blackrock13]

Oh yes, of course, there is a rule against it. If the puck it not moved over a certain amount of time, the referee may blow the play dead.
My point was it was just an odd play and I am not certain that the rule was made with this situation in mind. I am not so sure the play should have been whistled.

We are talking about Philadelphia here so not that odd.

 

[bazokajoe]

Good for Philly.If you noticed,after about the 3rd time the Lightening players made the first move.Guess they blinked first.On the down side,you can't score standing in your own end.And yes I am a Flyers fan.

 

[fmahovalich]

I understand what Tampa was doing.

I am not sure why the Flyers were doing what they were doing?

 

[Ironhead]

During the broadcast last night TSN had the answers to the question "Who is more at fault; Tampa or Philly ?".
They, or whoever, asked 18 GMs.
The results ...
- 2 chose not to answer
- 3 blamed the Flyers
- 13 blamed the Lightning



I hate the trap and I like what the Flyers did. Laviolette made a point on national TV.
Here is hoping that every team comes prepared to beat the trap.