Posted by At this point in their short-lived playoff history Columbus is willing to try anything to get something going against the more talented Detroit Red Wings, but using two sticks instead of one is just a tad ridiculous.
During the second period of Detroit’s 4-0 clinic last night at Joe Louis Arena Columbus’ Jakub Voracek was blatantly using two sticks while actively engaged in the game, and for some reason not quite clear to me the refs allowed it to happen. On top of that one of the sticks was broken, which in itself should have been a penalty. Have a look below:
Did he touch the puck? No, but as the rule book clearly states:
A player who participates in the play, who checks or who intentionally prevents the movement of an opponent, or who intentionally plays the puck while carrying two sticks (including while carrying a replacement stick to his goalkeeper) shall incur a minor penalty.
Pretty cut and dry, yes? Apparently not for the three blind mice. So far in this series the officiating has been absolutely rancid, and if it gets any worse the remaining games are going to get ugly. Detroit got called for an interference penalty right off the opening faceoff last night, and considering the play hadn’t even gone out of the neutral zone yet I’m still perplexed as to how exactly that happens.
With the way things are being called it won’t be long before the game we all know is transformed into figure skating with sticks. Any contact whatsoever with an opposing player will be considered a penalty, and instead of sitting in the box for two minutes the guys will be forced to crochet mittens for themselves in order to protect their delicate hands.
I don’t know where the NHL found this new crop of referees (the local bars perhaps?), but someone really needs to sit these guys down for a stern talking-to before one of their absurd calls costs a team a trip to the second round.
Paul Benvin covers the Detroit Red Wings for The Hockey Writers. Feel free to contact him with tips, video, or general dissension.
Some Other Articles That You May Enjoy:
Jacub Voracek Uses Two Sticks (2nd Angle Plus Commentary)
Did Columbus Peak Too Early?
One on One with Blue Jacket Jake Voracek
The State of the Union Blue – 10 Games In
Despite 5-1 Start, Hitchcock Sees Room for Improvement
CBJ 23 Man Roster is Set
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I can honestly say I’ve never seen that before. Unreal.
and yea… I’m pretty sure he “participated in the play” with 2 sticks… don’t know how you miss that.
That was pretty stupid on his part. I can’t believe that no penalty was called. Some of the officiating in these playoffs so far has been a little suspect.
[...] regular season has dried up. Their best player has been 19 year old rookie Jake Voracek; although playing with two sticks in game 2 was something not entirely expected or legal. Without Steve Mason in net the scores would have been much more lopsided. Somehow, they managed to [...]