“They all even out…”

That second Habs goal last night made some Avs faithful pretty upset, myself included.  During the play in question, there’s little doubt that the puck hit the protective net behind Craig Anderson.  There should have also been an interference call on whoever launched Kyle Quincey’s stick out of his hand while he protected the passing lane that was left open after his stick disappeared.  We all saw what happened, but all of the guys with the whistles, whose opinions matter in those situations, didn’t.  I was more disappointed and frustrated that everything became an even larger issue with all of the Avs players and coaches after the puck was behind Andy, but that’s what happens in the NHL, or any sport, when players quit playing and look for a call when the whistle hasn’t actually blown.

Let’s add some perspective here.  I personally think Cody McLeod’s hit on Scott Gomez in the near corner just before Ryan O’Reilly’s game winner could have easily been called boarding.  I would have had no problem with a penalty on that hit, but no hand raised and no whistle meant no penalty and the Avs took over for good from there.  The Habs fans agreed with my side, but these are the same fans that wanted a penalty when 6’3″, 270 pound Georges Laraque flopped near the Avs net late in the game too.  Two people couldn’t take that dude to the ice if he really didn’t want to go down.  Skate big guy!

My point?  The good and the bad calls always even themselves out if a huge deal isn’t made out of either.  Just keep playing (or cheering) hard between the whistles and good things will happen.  Spending (aka wasting) a lot of energy on officials and their calls is never a good thing as a player or a fan.  I was happy the Avs were able to fight through a few questionable calls (and non-calls) and get the job done last night.  I’ve coached many sports for many years and it’s definitely tougher some games than others to live by what I’m saying, but with some practice it’s pretty easy to create this habit.  If you haven’t tried it, please do.  I think it will help you enjoy watching any sport a little more.  Give the officials credit when they get tough calls right too, even if they’re against your team.  It’s actually kind of therapeutic.

Bottom line…If we trust in the sports gods good things will happen; especially when those gods I speak of seem to be on our team’s side already.  It’s about time!  Let’s go Avs!