Bad Officiating - Not Just for the NHL!
May 12, 2008 WC
I got to watch Team USA take on Finland at the World Championships in Halifax, NS, but I kind of wish I didn’t. Team USA was holding on to a 2-0 lead on the back of Robert Esche, despite getting outshot by the Finns. Ville Koistinen shot the puck at the net on a feed from Montreal’s Saku Koivu, and the red light went on. However, it was plain to see that the puck went in under the side of the net. I saw it right away, and the goal went to video review. THEY UPHELD IT. Despite multiple camera angles showing that it should not have been. Everyone knows it:
The IIHF formally acknowledged after the game that Koistinen’s shot had, indeed, entered the side of the net and should not have counted, and the video-goal judge will not be working for the rest of the tournament.
Coach Tortorella was livid, but admitted they didn’t deserve to win, giving up so many chances. It was a very rough game as well, ending with a line brawl, with multiple game misconducts. Fun to watch, but the outcome sucks. Team USA ended up losing 3-2.
edit: Fanhouse reaction, Bfloblog reaction
Tags: esche, Hockey, koistinen, koivu, tortorella, world championships
World Championships - May 2-18
Apr 11, 2008 WC
The World Championships are May 2-18th, and Team USA has announced the first 17 players on the roster. Western New York is well represented (though in part because the Sabres did not make the playoffs), as Patrick Kane (S. Buffalo) and Lee Stempniak (West Seneca) made the team. Buffalo Sabres Paul Gaustad, Jason Pominville and Drew Stafford are all playing as well.
Tags: B-Lo Sports, Drew Stafford, gaustad, Hockey, kane, pominville, sabres, stempniak, world championships
