I'm asking a very serious question right now. I want to know the Caps win-loss record with Don Koharski as head referee.

I'm not going to say outright that reffing was the problem (we should have buried it in the goal when we got the chance) but in light of the fact that the Flyers had more power plays (most penalized team in the regular season) and they won on a powerplay I think it's worth a closer look.

What do you think?

Caps have nothing to hang their head at... they played a great game and should be proud of their season.

Caps need to improve on defense in a big way.... all night the D pinched in, whiffed on slapshots and than got cought up ice, often having to slash and trip to slow the flyers up, happened twice in OT...second one killed us....

Hope we don't embarrass ourselves with a bunch of whining. A great game, great season and them's the breaks.

Terrible reffing all series starting from game two where two high sticking 4 minute penalties on the flyers were missed...officiating always seemed to go their way at every juncture of the games, especially at the ends...first the terrible Kozlov goalie interference call and now more terrible calls in OT and a missed call on goalie interference...I guess they had to find a way to screw the caps over and make up for the terrible goalie interference call in the Dallas vs Anaheim series

Not whining. Just asking a question about a referee that also called the penalty shot in the 3rd period of Game ___ (blanking).

There is a bad history w/ Koharski and the Caps (google it) and I think it is simply worth closer examination.

The Poti call on its own was kinda questionable but the Erskine trip on Kaponen was a stone-cold penalty, Game 7 OT or not... I'm of the mind that the refs shouldn't make a call in a playoff OT unless it's an obvious game-changer, but the Erskine trip clearly stopped a 2-on-1. So the Poti call may have been a make-up call, and honestly I can't be mad at that.

The refs were pretty bad for both teams throughout, but they didn't cost us the game.

It was a terrific series all in all, a definite classic. We will build on this next season.

Love my CAPS...!

I would have liked the call, however in the replay of the goal, Kozie pulls up from going to the net, I guess waiting for the whistle. I think this series should have shown the guys that you can't depend on the refs to have their whistles out. I'm not blaming anyone, but there was at least one Cap there with somewhat of a shot to jump in front of the puck.

I'm so proud of these guys with what they have accomplished, regardless of what they're still too loose on. I'm excited as H E double hockey sticks for next year.

That's the only thing thats keeping me from crying, but its a huge thing.

Let's go Caps!!!

As a Flyers fan, I can tell you that we felt the officiating was bad for us as well. How they didn't call a trip on Erskine early in the OT I don't know. And those dives by Ovechkin weren't called all series. But since both sides think the officiating was bad, it must have been pretty even.

very sad way to end the season
but a great year none the less
we have learned the intensity level needed to win in the playoffs
personally very sad that the poster child for giving 100% QUINTIN LAING never saw the ice while others played hard sometimes then floated

@ Chris A

You're going to find it hard to locate someone in this location who will root for the Flyers in the next round. I know for me, a lot of it is because of Briere, who's a midget thug. And that stems back to las season when he was in Buffalo. But kudos to your team for finishing this thing off tonight.

I hope the NHL and NBC are thrilled with their Flyers-Canadiens series in lieu of a Caps-Pens series. Serves them right for sending Don Koharski to do Game 7. If you put the whistles away, keep them away. If you don't, you have to call the Flyers for running into Huet a few minutes earlier. This guy has been the worst ref in hockey for 20 years plus and they're still sending him out there in big games. I agree that the Caps D has been a liability, and with the injuries to Poti and Green, maybe they wouldn't have fared too well in the next round. But it would have at least been nice to see them go out properly...

I hated the wild variations in officiating in this game. Poti was dumb to take that penalty, but for 15 minutes he'd had no reason to believe there were refs on the ice. Call the whole game one way, including overtime. (And dont waste my time w/ the 'penalty shouldnt decide the game' nonsense: if you dont want a foul to decide a big game, DONT FOUL.)
The Caps' speed and puck movement, unleashed by BB, were a huge contrast to their early-season style.
I expect to go to Caps games next May.

As a Flyers fan, I can tell you that we felt the officiating was bad for us as well. How they didn't call a trip on Erskine early in the OT I don't know. And those dives by Ovechkin weren't called all series. But since both sides think the officiating was bad, it must have been pretty even.

Posted by: Dave | April 22, 2008 10:27 PM

I'm a Caps fan, and I think it was even throughout. I don't think Ovechkin was diving at all. Not his style. But that's my perspective. Still, I'm of the mind that you simply don't blame the officiating. The Caps had a ton of opportunities, particularly in this game and in Game 4, but they didn't bang pucks home. Not the refs fault you can't stuff one in the net.

Tarik, thanks for your coverage this year -- both in the Post & on the blog. I think the biggest changes this year were a belief that the team can win (which I attribute to Coach Boudreau) and more fluid skating ( which I attribute to experience especially for Semin and Backstrom)

Big improvements:

Green
Laich
Eric Fehr showed he will be an NHLer
Eminger(!)
Schultz

Next season? I'm just trying not to throw up right now. G#DA$#^($^@#$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caps fans-

Let's take the high road and hop on the Philly.com and wish them congrats on a great series..

I did it and I feel better already.

What a fun year-one I'll never forget! Lets go caps!!!!

Gratz on wining the series but saying that we should root for the Flyers next round is shear ignorance.

just for even suggesting that, I will be pulling for the Habs. They don't have band-wagon fans that bail out of a playoff game with 9 minutes left in the game.

the shear audacity of that statement has me stunned.

Biggest change that needs to be made is clearing up that PK. No. 1 issue to me. It's awfully, um, awful right now.

tarik- Thanks for your hard work.

The non-call on the 2nd Flyers goal turned out to be the backbreaker.

Losses are tough, but when they come controversially, they're maddening.

I'm proud of what the Capitals have accomplished this season, but the event which decided their exit is indeed a bitter pill.

Our defense has overachieved as the series went on. Philadelphia was outworked most of the game but was still able to exploit them when it counted the most.

My expectations for the team next season are an improvement on defense and another visit to the post-season.

Great Series Caps! OV and group should make it to the finals in 2 years at most! If you could only get some real news coverage outside of the playoffs in DC, you'd have way more attendance when the team has off years. Cripes, Baltimore is even worse. You get more sports about high school girls bowling before they even get to the NHL. Don't take the troll bait. To paraphrase Ron White, "You can fix ugly, you can fix fat, but you can't fix stupid!" This is looking like a good year for an upset for the Cup!!

What about all the Hartnell and Upshall dives...i dont remember which one it was that faked being hurt for 20 seconds to try and draw a penalty but that was just classless like the whole flyers fanbase

*Bows to Tarik*

Well done this season. Best person from the Post to cover the Caps as long as i have been following them.

I'm a Caps fan, and I think it was even throughout. I don't think Ovechkin was diving at all. Not his style. But that's my perspective. Still, I'm of the mind that you simply don't blame the officiating. The Caps had a ton of opportunities, particularly in this game and in Game 4, but they didn't bang pucks home. Not the refs fault you can't stuff one in the net.

The flip in the air that Ovechkin made in game 2 was an obvious dive. Tonight he got bumped from behind and acted like he had gotten hit by a bus. I agree it hasn't been his style but he had 2 or 3 very obvious dives in this series. Hope he doesn't add this to his game permanently.

fantastic series, probably one the the best i've seen. i'm a flyers fan, but i have a newfound respect for the caps, they're a gritty, tough team that also has the capability to be flashy and pretty...great hockey team. officiating on both sides was terrible, nothing you can really do about it. i just feel lucky to get away from ovech. without him burning us too bad.

Our defense has overachieved as the series went on. Philadelphia was outworked most of the game but was still able to exploit them when it counted the most.

Posted by: bill | April 22, 2008 10:30 PM

That's the big issue. The Caps will outwork most teams and put more shots on goal. But because the defense is so weak and so bad at clearing the puck, opposing teams generate cheap opportunities at open nets. So they can strike quickly and with little resistance. The D for the Caps oftentimes don't make another team earn its goals. Meanwhile, the Caps are skating and forechecking all over the place to put a few on goal. That's why when they don't hammer home wonderful opportunities, it becomes increasingly harder for them to finish off teams. We saw it in Game 4 and Game 7, especially.

Caps have a bright, bright future ahead!! Boudreau made them believe in themselves and was able to conjure the best from the players.

As much as the defense was shaky... I thought they had a stellar performance tonight.

"What about all the Hartnell and Upshall dives...i dont remember which one it was that faked being hurt for 20 seconds to try and draw a penalty but that was just classless like the whole flyers fanbase"

It was Hartnell and I wouldn't call it a dive as much as I would call it bad acting. He got clobbered. I'll admit that, now admit the Ovechkin dives!

Another way I'm consoling myself in the wake of this heartbreaking defeat is the knowledge that we would inevitably lose (in probably more heartbreaking fashion) to Pittsburgh in the next round. Face it, we weren't going to win the Cup this year.

addendum) Boudreau's postgame on Comcast now.. he says the Poti penalty is the right call--"He tripped him"--and mentions the Erskine non-call minutes earlier. Boudreau is a CLASS ACT. I love our coach, I couldn't think of anybody I'd want more as the leader of this team. This guy is the truth, all class.

Should have ended a 2-1 game in regulation. Refs blew it big time. Call it whining or whatever, I dont care... I think we, as fans of hockey, deserve better officiating that what we've seen this series and I hope some immediate changes are made for the sake of the sport.

The CAPS made gigantic strides this year. In a sense they didn't "just" make it into the playoffs. They roared into the playoff. Sure, they need some D-men, but remember it's a young team. We CAP fans have some good years to look forward to.

As Scotty Bowman always wanted in playoffs -- the veterans!

While Vogel was pointing out that giving more time to Hatcher would hurt Flyers, it was the opposite. ...considering that the old bunch was suppose to lose...

Tough, tough lose...

As much as I hate Flyers, I hope they will dismantle the Pens or Habs... Whoever won in these series, maybe has already won the Stanley Cup.

Whether or not there were penalties committed in OT is immaterial. The officials clearly pocketed their whistles in the third period. They can't haul them out suddenly and call a chippy penalty in OT of a game freaking seven and not expect serious heat for it. If the officials are going to call penalties, they should call them. If not, then not. Don't make the players guess what will and will not be allowed from minute to minute. That's bad officiating and the league shouldn't abide it.

I hadn't realized that it was Koharski who blew the whistle. Damn that explains a lot. That guy has been a bane of the Caps existence for as long as I can remember.

Uncatim: Thanks for the good wishes for the Bears. I'll be there tomorrow night cheering them on. But we're in an 0-3 hole and we have a very inexperienced team. It'll be interesting to see Caps training camp next year when Bourque and Lepisto and some of the prospects come in. Sad right now, but the future looks bright.

Thanks to Tarik for a terrific job.

Heckuva season.

Congrats Flyers. Go Montreal!

Can't complain on the Poti call, especially after Erskine got away with a trip.

The non-call on the goalie interference was horrible. I just wish the Capitals had a bigger presence in front of Biron.

And for the homer who used the words "Ovechkin" and "dive" in the same sentence, please. The best player in the NHL doesn't dive.

At least I can shave now ... sigh.

the refs blew the 2nd goal call, no way you let that goal stand, it's interference, ....and in game 7? the OT call well, it was the second time, you have to call it, then again, the refs swalled the whistle all 3rd period, so why change. let them play unless it's blatant...

still a great season, need to resign huet, olie, federov, cook, and ofcourse the restricted FAs in green and laitch.....

With the Caps and AO out, what I'm looking forward to is the NHL's spin machine cranking up efforts to rename the remainder of playoffs "The Sidney Cup". THAT'LL be a lot of fun.

@Caps fan in TN

Where in TN are you?

And was it Koharski? I thought it was Devorski.

Proud to be a Caps fan.
Great year.
Let's hope McPhee can get a couple of established, TOUGH D'men and a winger to help Ovie. We don't need much more.
Fabulous series, great effort by Semin, in particular. I was really impressed by the intensity.

Tess -- I know, I follow the Bears pretty close, From Frederick I can get there almost as quick as the Verizon Center. I know they are in trouble, but one can hope. I really dont like the WB-S Pens. Both Borque and Lepisto should be good assets for the Caps and there are other prospects as well. Anyway, good luck.

And thanks for all the hard work, Tarik!

I don't even bother with any other hockey sites ... the WaPo and Capitals Insider are all I need.

Now ... let's sign Huet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh6t7McxDQc

Its a dive.

i was at the last caps game against the lightning this year, and we had a play extremely similar to there second goal, with are man hitting there D man into ramo, and after review the goal was called off but...what can you do?

and also, just preemptively for those flyers fans who will come talking about some of are fans throwing stuff onto the ice and at there players well, ok i honestly believe if we had won like that in philly you guys would have done the same and also at least we dont boo are own team in the playoffs or boo are star player when hes in a slump

anyways, good series, we where THIS CLOSE to making it to the second round so Pittsburgh could destroy us! best season in a decade by far and i couldnt be prouder for everything we've accomplished this year

Very dissappointing.
But I hope this is just a taste of what our team can do.

Here is to Tarik
Here is to the Flyers
Here is to some of the great discussions on this blog this season

...and last but far from least,
Here is to the "Young Guns"
Can't wait to see what you boys do next year.

I know people don't want to hear this now, but look what we have to look forward too. Ovie, Backstrom, Semin (quit taking lazy penalties and trying to skate thru everyone) Green, future stud in Alzner,(hopefully) and a great coach. This team will bring a championship to D.C. Book it. Just tie up some loose ends, defense especially. It pisses me off because they should have won this game. I know by the rules it was a penalty, but I question calling it. Call a penalty if there is a scoring threat, on both sides. Let the players decide, not a 5-4 power play goal.

I know I should drop it, but I just read this:

"The NHL posted an explanation on the Web, saying Thoresen legally body checked Morrisonn and no Philadelphia player made contact with Huet."

Did Morrisonn have the puck? Way to confirm that it should've been an interference call.

@Colin

I'm near Chattanooga.

---

I called my brother who lives in Maryland and is a Capitals fan after the game.

After such a tough loss, it's hard to know what to say beyond "that sucked."

So I said, "Olie would have made that save."

He laughed.

Nothing but respect for our guys. They fought their guts out and next season they will undoubtedly be better. Defense is a concern, of course. The fourth line was very impressive last few games but they may also need some young blood. Anyway, I'm proud to be a CAPS fan.

I know I should drop it, but I just read this:

"The NHL posted an explanation on the Web, saying Thoresen legally body checked Morrisonn and no Philadelphia player made contact with Huet."

Did Morrisonn have the puck? Way to confirm that it should've been an interference call."

I think you better look at the video again...Morrisonn had the puck when Thoreson began the check.

Excellent series. To the bitter fans out there, you have Ovechkin for 13 more years. Once you get an established supporting cast for him (you are off to an excellent start) you will have the Cup soon enough. Breath. Exhale.

On a side note: to those who think the Caps losing is the worst thing in history: sorry to burst your bubble. Having the US's 4th largest television market and the most storied franchise in NHL history playing each other is hardly a nightmare for the NHL.

I hate to say this after what looked like an obvious penalty by Erskine but I thought it was too early in OT to call a penalty after what few calls there were in the 3rd. This was Game 7 not a mid winter game in January. Let the teams play 1 good overtime period and then warn the players that the game would be called tighter in the 2nd OT if it gets that far. I hate to see a series decided so early by penalty in OT. Thoughts?

Pro sports leagues rarely call out refs, they back them up. They can't admit to mistakes being made. It looks bad.

The Devorskis and McCreary grew up with GM GM in Guelph, Ontario and seem to go out of their way to prove that they don't favor the Caps.

Tough way to end the year. Great season, really. I am done watching hockey for the year. Can't wait for Training Camp.

Go Caps!

Refs should be arrested for theft, thrown in jail, and told the penalty is "non-reviewable".

Tarik, you've been a great guide through all this.

I do think officiating sucked, but it sucked more or less against both teams.

Biggest team improvement: grit. Still in its baby steps, but it will get better -- they've been digging in the corners, chasing after they dump, just generally acting like they had a job to do instead of giving up at the first obstacle.

@Dave

I looked at the Ovechkin-Umburger play again and I've changed my mind ...

That's a 5-minute major for kneeing, intent to injure.

No? Well, that's just as insane as the "diving" explanation.

Great season to build on. Caps NEED to resign Huet and NEED to resign Federov. He's the perfet guy to continue to guide this young group of stars and give us much needed stability and experience where our other vets have little to none. Shore up Laich and Green and let the other chips fall where they do, but Federov and Huet are key.

Dear Dave,

Eat s**t. Ovechkin doesn't dive. He's a tough guy. Tough player. Plays right. Flyers don't have a lot of divers either. Bunch of tough guys. Except for Upshall, who dives. Hartnall got buried.

Tough call on the non-goaltender interference in the second. I almost threw the ottoman at the TV. But it the contact was by the defenseman, which makes it a more complicated call.

Caps were the better team. They just couldn't find the third goal. Not sure why.

@ Caps fan in TN

Where in TN are you?

Hate to see it all evaporate in a moment but a great season. I started as a Caps fan in 03-04 so this was my first winning season. Love what I've seen from these guys and they have truly become one. Bruce is a gift from the hockey gods. Now lets sign Green, Huet, Kolzig (yes, let him stick around and mentor and enjoy the success he's given up so much to build), Cooke and Feds.... Let's keep this thing going. And, yes, lets add some toughness and skill at the blueline. Ted now sees that he's right. Build a winning team and the seats will be filled. The money is there, expect some good pickups on July 1 and rock the red next year...

@ KingHuet

Dead on about veterans...our younger defenseman were brutal at times. Hatcher turned out to be a calming presence for the D. Congrats to the Caps on a great season and a fantastic run since the break.

I question the refs on the 2nd goal, but not on the call in OT. It was a trip, a couple minutes after an OBVIOUS trip. You can't blame them for blowing the whistle.

Jacke, they should never had stopped making calls in the first place. This is a big problem in the NHL, this idea that you don't make calls late in the game or even worse, calling make up calls. If the Flyers hadn't scored, the Caps would have gotten a shot on the PP shortly after as a make-up for making an OT penalty call.

This series reaffirms my thinking that the Caps belong back with their old Patrick Division rivals. I swear half the apathy toward hockey in DC is a result of being forced to play Atlanta, Florida and Tampa game after game.

Planning for next year--I'd be prepared to spend bucks to resign RFAs Green and Laich and would try to sign Huet. Fedorov will probably be too expensive if he decides not to retire, esp. with Nylander coming back at center. He was great for the playoff push and in this series, but they need to keep the young guys coming up. Need another D-man, even with Alzner on the horizon. Any UFAs out there?

Allot of Flyers fans assume OV dives because that is what they are told. I had to watch the game on Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia and it was embarrassing to hear these guys. It was insanely bias and that is why Flyers fans think the way they do. That clown Hartnell falls down for 20 seconds and they said it was an amazing play... Good luck against the Habs. 4 games.

Caps lost... tough game guys... they outplayed the flyers most of this game and couldn't solve biron... biron go figure eh?
Anyway I'm a little busy right now So i'll check back and let you guys know what i think later... tough break though guys and a great series and great game... I think i need a heart transplant

See 10:43 p.m.

I'm near Chattanooga.

See 10:43 p.m.

I'm near Chattanooga.

Posted by: Caps fan in TN | April 22, 2008 10:51 PM

My fault. So many posts coming through that I miss a couple.

Cool about Chattanooga. I only asked because I was in Memphis for a couple of years. In N.C. now.

@ Orange Crushed

I couldn't agree more. I used to make trips to the old Cap Center in Landover for some of the classic Flyers-Caps games. Nothing beat the Patrick Division rivalries. I'd have a tough time getting excited about ATL, FLA, and Tampa too...

I know I'd welcome the return.

"@Dave

I looked at the Ovechkin-Umburger play again and I've changed my mind ...

That's a 5-minute major for kneeing, intent to injure.

No? Well, that's just as insane as the "diving" explanation."

There might have been a penalty on Umberger but it was a dive to embelish. Magically Ovechkin was well enough to stay on the ice...

I saw the Flyers commit quite a few legitimate penalities in the 3rd period ... were there any penalties then? NO.

Koharski was also the one that gave the Flyers a penalty shot earlier in the series (helped lead to a Flyers win)... this is basically unheard of in playoff hockey.

I would have liked to see the outcome of the game without the wildly erratic refereeing, that's all I want to say.

I'm also bothered by the fact that the most penalized team in the league (by far) had the most powerplays tonight. Give me a break. Let's take another look at this game!

Orange Crushed -- I think your rivalry/apathy analysis is right on. I dislike SE opponents because I am stuck with them, I loathe Patrick Division rivals because they are natural enemies.

@Colin

No problem. Bet you've been smiling in Hurricane Country huh?

@Dave

Russian Machine never break.

How can a team skating rings around the other team and outshooting the Flyers 47-37 in regulation only get 4 PP (to their 6) from the 2nd most penalized team in the NHL?
NHL officiating remains the worst in pro sports, and they always call the retaliation (never the call that should have been made in the first place).

Final score should have been 2-1 in regulation. Period.

I agree with KV if you guys think you owe the Flyers a "Good luck next round," find a copy of the Philadelphia broadcast. "Sammy Kapenan plays with more heart then anyone on the Capitals." "Ovie is known for his diving so why should we expect anything less tonight," etc etc. It really is classless. You guys have all the right to be mad about this one. Great year. Be proud. We were all behind you.

All I want this summer is Alzner and Lepisto promoted, Clark and Nylander healthy and Green and Laich resigned....and maybe a goalie.

Penalty should have been called on Erskine earlier as that broke up a legitimate scoring chance. But what about all the non-calls in the third period. Refs need to be consistent. I don't think they were.

Next year Caps will be very deep and should make it into at least the second round.

@Caps fan in TN

I sure was smiling. And I went to that last Caps game in the Raleigh, the penalty shot Caps winner.

Just watched the clip again...Morrisson indeed had the puck when Thoresen hit him into Huet(he swept the puck to the left circle). Please put this to bed already.

Good series and the Caps should be excited about their team in years to come.

The eight games with the Florida Panthers each year allow me time to do other things ...

I'm sure the FLA fans would disagree, but I find those match-ups with the Capitals nearly unwatchable.

You know what else surprised me? Seven game series ... only one fight ... and that was a lightweight push between Mike Green and Upshall. Brashear and Erskine didn't drop the gloves once.

Completely agree about the old patrick division rivalries.

Koharski was Schoenfeld's "have another donut"/"fat pig" ref, correct?

Well, it was nice to have my hockeys thoughts ignored by all you people, instead of just being ignored by my girlfriend & brother. Thanks.

Please explain to me how the faster, better skilled team was called for 1.5 times more calls than the slower, simpler team? How many goals did the Flyers score on 5-on-5? Honestly. The flyers couldnt buy a goal except for the power play. If it wasnt the calls in the last 3 minutes of the period, it was the first 3 minutes. Huet gets run over all series, caps guys get blatantly cross-checked all night, and no calls. Poti takes a whack at a guy's stick and misses in the neutral zone, Semin gets a stick in a guy's midsection in the Flyers zone and they call a penalty? Seriously, how in the world did that happen? A penguins-caps series would blow out the ratings and the media attention for the NHL, which is still on shaky ground. How that isnt happening is beyond me. Caps dominated repeat dominated 5-on-5. Unbelievable. Look forward to your comments. Thanks.

Checking a player into the goalie is the same as an interference call. Thats in the books. Otherwise you could run the D into them all night long. Even if it's not a penalty it makes Avery's nonsense look tame.

@Uncatim
What were your GF and brother doing while ignoring you? Maybe it's better for you that the season is over. ;-)

@ uncatim

Thats hilarious...

The 11:00 news is opening with the PA primary -- what screwed-up priorities.

One other thing to look on the bright side, Ovie proved he is not a regular season star alone. Not that we should be surprised, but I can't recall any other "star" Cap (let's face it, we've never had a superstar on the roster) continue the charge into the post season like Ovechkin did.

Even when he wasn't scoring, his presence was felt. He adapted his game and eventually did break out. Too bad the Caps as a team had to learn on the fly and had to fight back from a 3-1 deficit. Count me in as very high on their future, if a little numb right now.

I think Flyers second goal should've been waived off. It was clear the Thoresen pushed Mo into Huet. BS call!

I don't know about anyone else, but, IMO, this is only the beginning. My expectations for next season are that Caps will be one of the top 5 teams in the east, or better yet, in the league!

LETS GO CAPS!

The Philly broadcasters called Huet, EwwwAye all game long. It was incredibly low. The Caps broadcasters never do such things from what I see on Center Ice package. Terrible.

Thanks for the link to the Ovetchin "dive". Turn the sound up & you'll hear the TSN announcers saying it was a Knee on knee hit by by Umberger.

So far you've been dead wrong on all posts, but what can you expect from Flyers cockroach trolls?

Here's an idea: Take a deep breath. It's a tough loss but dem's the breaks. The refs sucked on both sides. The officiating didn't lose us Game 7, and whoever scored more goals at even-strength is irrelevant. Power plays and penalties are part of the game.

I can't honestly say Philadelphia's a better team than Washington, but guess what... the series turned on an overtime goal in Game 7. It doesn't get any closer than that. If the Caps played 20 games with Philly, it might be 10-10.

History lesson!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXpcb5aTnPk

Jim Schonfeld ended up becoming Washington Caps coach for a number of years. Koharski and Jim never had the greatest relationship.

This series reaffirms my thinking that the Caps belong back with their old Patrick Division rivals. I swear half the apathy toward hockey in DC is a result of being forced to play Atlanta, Florida and Tampa game after game.

Posted by: Orange Crushed | April 22, 2008 10:49 PM

Dude, you are so right on. How about we get rid of Phoenix, Atlanta, Florida, Columbus and reinstate the Nordiques, Jets, and Whalers and realign all the divisions again. It is hard to get up as a fan for the Thrashers, Panthers, and yes even the Hurricanes. It doesn't have the same flavor as the Flyers, Penguins, and Rangers. Bettman really created all this, but that is another story for another day.

You just hate to see a Game 7 Overtime end on the power play. period.

Disbelief,

The Caps lost because Philly was the better team. Washington often held the puck in the Flyers zone at even strength but got very few actual scoring chances as the Flyers kept them from the net. What turned the series was the turnovers by the Capital defensemen and the Flyers took advantage of chances they were given.

great year caps !

As for the rest of the playoffs : ABP (ANYONE BUT PITTSBURGH !)

geauxcaps... one word:

DINO!

new post up.

I went to the rule book. Rule 69 (there's a certain - thing - about that) covers interference with the Goaltender. Amazingly, there is no verbiage anywhere in the rulebook on the kind of contact leading to the Philly's second goal. It discusses contact between the offensive player and the goalie, vice versa, and a d-man pushing an offenseman into the goalie.

I think during the off-season, the players should become refs. Go to school and find out what they can and can't do on the ice. Then play like Philly does - right up to the edge of the rules.

OK. No. Not really. One thing I don't want is for the Caps to become the Flyers.

The OT call, was marginal. There were missed calls on both sides. More of Briere hitting Huet on his way back up ice. I don't like Briere. If he was on my team, I'd want him traded away. I don't care if he scores 100 goals in a season. He's bad for the sport and it doesn't need him.

As long as you are putting Erskine and Jurcina out there, you will have problems

Beagle,

Koharski went to the Washington bench and issued a warning about diving right after that play. If they kept the clip going you would have heard the announcer say that.

Diving calls usually happen after a legit call. Umberger tripped Ovechkin but the flip was laughable.

I can't think of a bigger heartbreaker than to lose in OT in Game 7. Even more painful is that Poti's my favorite player (yeah I know, I'm on the only one with that opinion) and his penalty resulted in the win...and with only 9 seconds left.

Nonetheless, I'm so happy with what the Caps have accomplished. I feel like this year's success is even better considering how the season started out - we have definitely come a long way! Here's hoping that all the new fans who showed up to the games during the playoffs this year stick around, because next year's definitely going to be something incredible!

I think I'd cheer for Crosby before the Flyers quite honestly. They had no respect for us all series.

Tarik, you are top notch. Its been a long road and I have ready your column's every day since October. Say hey to Bryan tommorrow.

Biggest improvements seem to be the Caps tenacity. They simply wont quit like they seemed to do under Coach Hanlon. Its like they believed they could win every game regardless the score.

The officiating is suspect at a minimum, but that is nothing new coming from me. This whole series has had plenty of bad calls and non calls. I will submit though that the absolute worst officiated game EVER was the Caps game in Boston in early March. I watch a lot of hockey (living in Denver) and I can safely say that the Caps seem to get the crappiest calls (or non calls) against them.

On a positive note, the Caps came from DFL in November to making the playoffs. Pretty remarkable. There are good things on the horizon for this squad provided they can keep some of their key guys, i.e. Green and Laich.

Other than that, props to the Flyers for a hard fought series. Good luck the rest of the way and watch out next year, cause were going to be on you like a west Texas dust storm. That goes double for the Pens.

out.

pch49

@ Colin

I don't disagree with most of what you say, i.e., we did miss our chances, however . . . if memory serves me correctly, less than a month ago, the Caps had a goal called back for Goalie Interference on a play that involved significantly less contact. If it was wrong then, it should have been wrong tonight.
As fans who pay to see a well-played game, that also implies a well-officiated one. If we don't let the league know the concerns we have with inconsistent officiating, and how it can adversely affect the game, they will have no incentive to address the issue.
After all, had tonight's call gone the same way as ours did last month (waived off), there would have been no overtime.
Just sayin'

Dave, Morrisonn didn't have the puck. Huet made the save and Morrisonn was checked into Huet. Losing is bad enough. Some bonehead trying redefine what really happened to justify the outcome is pretty nauseating. Give it a rest.

Hey, Poti was unreal on the 5 on 3. Shame his penalty was the one that took us down. Hell of a playoff for all these guys and our team wouldn't be the same without Erskine either.

Thanks Tarik for exceptional coverage. And thanks to Caps fans for exceptional support in rocking the red. A tradition is beginning!

As to the officiating there are two things in the NHL that are very difficult to understand: 1) What actually constitutes "Goalie Interference"; and 2) How Don Koharski is still a major officiating presence in this league after 20+ years of inconsistent, ineffectual performance. Don't know about the rest of you but I had a very queasy feeling the moment I saw that we were once again saddled with Koharski. Oh well.

Must say that I can't wait for next year! This is a team that seems built for the long run. Thanks Ted!

I agree, Dino, was a great player. But, his presence on the ice never approached that of a Lemieux, Gretzky, Bossy, Orr. Ovechkin is in that realm.

The best team on the ice tonight lost. The most exciting team we've seen in a while has been eliminated (and I'm from Montreal). The second Philly goal never should have been allowed. This league can't seem to be able to do anything to improve the reffing and that leaves us with tonight result. Let's hope that the faithful will be back to support this promising team.

This is a tough way to go. If we had been out-played then you chaulk it up to innexperience and look forward to next year. But the caps outplayed the flyers and got robbed. Three thoughts:

1. No call for the flyers having 12 men on the ice in the 3rd period.
2. No call for interference, goalie interference, incidental contact with the goal-tender (washout of goal) on the flyers second goal, any or all of these.
3. Power play in OT. I mean - it was a trip but, if you are going to let something as obvious as too many men on the ice go the you have to let a trip that had no bearing on the play go. I commended the officials for "letting the guys play". But then they blew it. I mean just be consistent.

Here's to a great season and looking forward to next year.

To Dave:
Regardsless of whether Morrison had the puck, you cant cross-check him into the goalie after he gets rid of it. The crease is not the same as the boards, unless your team is allowed to do it (except once) all series.
Go to the Philly Boards, where you won't be assigned to the Special Ed classes.

@ Capies

I think the Flyers have a ton of respect for the caps. All things considered, I don't think this series was as nasty as I would have expected. I was tight, hard hitting, and gritty but never really got dirty.

Gustafson, Look at the play again, he swept the puck out of the crease just as he was being hit by Thoreson. Theres nothing in the rules that prohibits a player from checking someone with the puck or finishing a check on a player that just had it.

Oh and BTW the caps are now 0-6 in the playoff wih Don Koharski as the referee. How this guy got the call to call this game I have no idea!

great season, but i expect nothing but more disappointment and heartbreak next year.

nevertheless, i'll still be rooting for the boys. such is the life of a Caps fan.

*sigh*

I agree that the defensive giveaways is what ultimately hurt the team. We need a solid D man next season regardless if Pothier returns. With the way the Caps performed this season I don't see them having a problem retaining their guys and then bringing in a free agent or two. There should be more of an interest in players wanting to play in DC.

The Flyers will need the same turnover advantage next series or there won't be a series against Montreal... well, maybe they can try running into the young goalie (Carey Price) they got up there, and throw him off his game. That might work.

@ drburka

Where did you get that statistic with Don Koharski?????

new post. olie rips nameplate and bolts after loss.

Caps trivia question... was Koharski the same ref that Coach Shoney told to go eat another doughnut a few years back? Cant remember but pretty sure it was him.

I couldn't agree more MTB. Game 7's shouldn't end that early in a game where so few penalties were called. At least let the players play for one OT unless something is really obvious, like pulling someone down on a breakaway etc.

Oh it was him

Look, Dave. I did look at it again. I looked at it on the highlights, and I looked at it on TIVO. You're just wrong. Just like you are wrong about the diving. Is there anything else you would like to be wrong about?

History lesson!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXpcb5aTnPk

Jim Schonfeld ended up becoming Washington Caps coach for a number of years. Koharski and Jim never had the greatest relationship.

Beagle,
Oh now its cross-checking....thought it was interference a few minutes ago. Checking can happen anywhere, not just by the boards.

There is absolutely no rule against checking someone in the crease that has the puck. Please show me that rule

How does the NHL decide on who is going to ref where anyway?

http://boards.washingtoncaps.com/index.php?showtopic=36788&st=0&p=660985&#entry660985

See above link. In 2006 the caps playoffs were 0-4 with Koharski. He blew game 3 in this series which made it 0-5 and now it's 0-6.

Yes he is the one who got it from Schoney.

If you read the Flyers boards (like I did) after Game 6, all you'd see (other than fans jumping OFF their team's bandwagon) is about how the refs gave us the game, how there was a conspiracy to get the Caps into the second round, how the Flyers lost Game 6 solely because of bad officiating, etc....total sour grapes.

Let's not go that route here.

Tarik - glad you got a laugh out of my sign during your pre-game taping. Thanks for everything.

NoCountryForCapsFans - during the game, I did not raise the sign... thought it would be bad to do, so I'm sorry for not gettin on TV. I was actually filmed by Comcast right when I entered... but did not hold it up at all during the game.

Fat Jack - good times heckling... Cote and Hartnell def wanted to beat our a$$es... I was surprised they were talking back. Boo! - was that you next to me?

Sombrero Guy - that was me raising my hand to you as I was leaving... did you pick up on that?

Flyers Fans - I hope you all choke on a cheese steak and then try to get the broom out of you arse for the sweep that is about to take place very soon.

As for the refs - I hope they are happy for changing the outcome of a very important game... who wants the Flyers playing anyways? Nobody likes them... Here's looking forward to a 4 game sweep.

Thanks all - it's been fun!

Don't know what to tell you Gustafson. Perhaps the diving thing is more of an opinion but its hard to dispute seeing a player(Morissonn) use his stick to sweep a puck out of the crease while another player starts to hit him.

That was an amazing series.

As for the 2nd PHI goal, it was completely legal. Morrison played the puck and Thorizen simply threw a body check. He never once touched Huet, so I don't know why Caps fans keep bringing it up. This was one game where the Flyers actually stayed out of the crease.

As for Hartnell, it was a digusting act. I hope he gets traded next year. As the series went on, I disliked him more and more. He's a talentless hot head.

I'm sure the Flyers as a team respect the Caps but the organization is just too far biased to give props. The things their broadcasters said throughout this series was unreal. I mean, EwwwAye? It's Huet, every commentator in the league can pronounce. No other commentators come as close to the Flyers' to being straight up propaganda. They even sliced together footage to make Hartnell look like he made an amazing play after taking his dive. Do they not think their own fans are watching the game to know how that play ended?

Clearly, so far in the playoffs this year the Goalie Interference issues need to be cleared up!

NHL says because Mo did play the puck he was fair game and the hit was legal. Upon further review he did indeed touch the puck, but these calls often go the other way, so either the refs don't have a clear understanding of the rule or there needs to be more black and white rule.

All that being said I think this was a great learning experience for the Caps and they should be much better for it next year. Having BB on board for the whole year should help a lot, and we need more D- Help.

@ drburka

Right you are. Thanks for the link. I'm not happy that Koharski reffed our game tonight.

There is nothing illegal about knocking a player with a clean check into a goalie...there just isnt...and as for the poti penalty, there is a vast difference between clutching/grabbing no-calls and a clear trip....the refs hadbeen letting the hooks, grabs, and interferences go the entire overtime...a trip is a trip is a trip....LETS GO FLYERS...dont hate on Briere because he outperformed your precious little dive-master, late-hitting Ovie

The officiating was dreadful this series. There were bad calls both ways, however alot of the bad calls cost the Caps goals because of their timing and also the superior power play of the Flyers.

Tonights 2nd Flyer goals was just a dreadful call by the official. The Flyer pushed the defender right into the goalie making for an empty net. Sure there were missed calls going the Flyer way but that no call directly caused a goal.

hopefully next year we'll have federov, nelander and huet. I'd also love to see kolzig in a backup role but sort of doubt it will happend.

As for the flyers second goal...It wasn't goalie interference, it was regular interference. You can't check a defenseman who doesn't have the puck when you're team has control of the puck OR when the puck is loose.

You duplicitous jackass, it's called goalie interference.
Why do you think there are all the scrums if the offense takes "liberties" with the goalie? You cannot crash into the crease, whether by yourself or because you cross-check a defender in front of you and fall in as well.
BTW, they just showed the replay on CSN and the crash happened right after Huet made a save. MORRISON NEVER TOUCHED THE PUCK. GIVE IT UP!
Oh, I forgot: Go back in your parents' basement and turn off your computer so you can get to McD's bright and early tomorrow.

Dave - why are you here? Go celebrate with the rest of the losers from Philly... all you want to do is talk smack about what you think is right... and right now... it's making no sense to a bunch of heartbroken fans. Caps fans are not going to agree with you...

Briere took a dive in game 4 or did everyone forget that one because well lets face it, we're all paying more attention to the greatest player in the league...Why else am I on this ridiculous blog while watching my Flames?
The flyers are extremely jealous of Ovie like we all are and if they say otherwise then they don't know hockey.

Dr Burka,

Everything you said is accurate except the part about Morrissonn not having the puck! Look at the replay before posting such BS

To issues that seem to be unaddressed here thus far.

1. How does Koharski get the call tonight when....a. He blew game3
b. the caps are 0-5 (before tonight) in the playoffs when he refs. Seems awfully suspect for such an important game. I'm not suggesting any sort of conspiracy. Rather, just suggesting that it was poor judgement in picking the referee for tonight.

2. Noone seems to mention the 12 men on the ice that went un-called in the 3rd period. I mean there is no grey zone in the rules there. I have no problem letting that one go but then also let the trips go.

What is everybody watching. Clearly Morissonn has the puck at his skates, and the Flyer SHOULDER checks him, he collides with the goalie clearly seperated from a Flyer. That was a textbook check. If fooling yourselves that it was anything else then that makes all feel better I'm glad it helps. Though many bad call both ways, the tripping call in OT was legit. Asking them only to call that on a scoring opportunity has the same outcome as telling them not to call itat all.

It should have been coincidental contact. I've seen it called for much weaker plays that were no different.

That was the WORST CALL IN THE HISTORY OF HOCKEY. That will go down as the NHL'S tuck rule call. HOW THE F WAS THAT NOT A PENALTY!!!!

Briere outperformed... haha, Our 20 year old Rookie is better than Briere... 1st rookie in 10 years to have scored in 4 straight games. Briere is a nobody - always has been, always will be.

@coop

Blatantly ignoring all the penalties committed by BOTH teams in the 3rd period does not warrant a random penalty (as deserved as it may be) called in OVERTIME.

The Flyers got away with murder in that game.

Koharski is suspect.

I thought the zebras killed it for us, and unfortunately it was obvious, there can't be denying that. The second Flyers goal came off interference, it bothered me the goal was not reviewed. You have to admit, penalties against players is a different thing than a goal that is not legit.

@ Dave, Flyers fan. Enough with dive or no dive on Ovie. It was not a dive. Watch it again and this time with your eyes open. Or better yet just enjoy your team's victory. Go celebrate.

The Caps had a great run, they've done a lot for me personally this year! Thank you to everybody on the team. Thank you, Tarik, for your coverage. I will miss them the next 5 months and looking forward to the next season!

Great season. Feel a bit bitter about the loss. Don't like Philly, hope they lose.
Looking forward to next season, want to see and hear Semin speak English and keep this playoff style going next season.

Stanley Cup in DC baby!!!!

It should have been coincidental contact. Any contact with a goaltender taking him out of making a play.

not sure what you are watching. Morrison NEVER has control of the puck. It's either a free puck or in control by the flyers either way it's interference. If it's in his skates it's not

@ Joe Baker

You truly represent the subterranean Troll Flyer fans. And why it seems insane that any Caps fan could find any reason whatsoever to respect or pull for these whiney chumps. To think that a punk like Briere is somehow above or better then Ovechkin??? God, what a joke. I told a friend the other day that in my 25 years of being a Caps fan there are two things that have never changed: I have no respect for Don Koharski, and none for the Philly Flyers and their "knowledgeable" and "loyal" fans.

I'm not sure what you are looking at. The puck is either free or in control by the flyers. Either way it's interference. If it's in his skates it's not in his control and it's not legal to take him down.

once again Koharski 0-6 with the caps. Is anyone surprised.

Why is everybody harping on the 2nd goal is beyond me anyway. Do you think, had the goal been disallowed, that the game would've finished 2-1 in favor of the Capitals? SERIOUSLY, LET IT GO. The Capitals did not lose this series because of poor officiating. WE couldn't put the game away when we had chances, period.

History lesson!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXpcb5aTnPk

Jim Schonfeld ended up becoming Washington Caps coach for a number of years. Koharski and Jim never had the greatest relationship.

Thanks Tarik! Great season!

I'm sad but in good way. These Caps have made me proud...This beats the pants off of the way I felt in 2003.
Thanks Caps! Get your rest, its gonna be a loooong post season next year!

You do not need to have control of the puck. A legal check can occur when the puck and the player meet. For example the puck comes around the board the puck is at the players skate, an opposing player can check the player when he does not have control. This happens all game. The check was legal on the Caps player. Accept it and move on.

DrBurka,

I know you're distraught the Caps loss, but making thing up doesn't help your cause.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280422023

Watch the highlight. Kapenan does a spin shot that completely misses the net. Puck slides right on Morrison's stick and he knocks it away. Thorizen throws a check. Huet never touched the puck. Thorizen never touches Huet. Absolutely legal.

Don BLOWHARDski.....

Still Sucking After 25 Years.....

Regardless of the penalty, we still had a chance to kill it. It's part of hockey though. The loss sucks, but next year should be even better. I see no reason why the Caps can't make it to the conference finals.

Looked at that link. I still don't think it's interference. He doesn't have the puck when he gets hit. Does he potentially send it to the wall - hard to say from the ESPN angle if it goes off his foot or if he directs it that way. Regardless, an open ice check on a defenseman who does not have clear control of the puck in front of the net is not legal. AND at the very least it is incidental contact with the goal-tender and the goal should be washed out with or without a penalty. AND yes I believe had that call been made the caps would have won 2-1.

You're definitely being bias if you can't see that he swatted the puck away. When a player touches the puck they are free game. Players are taught to always finish the check.

I'm a Flyers fan and when it happened, I felt it was a bs goal too. But after watching the replay without prejudice, you can't argue that it wasn't legit.

Congratulations to Caps fans for a great season and a great series. You have many years of fantastic hockey from Ovechkin to look forward to. And unlike Crosby, he's a class act.

I'm sure the Caps and Flyers will meet again in the playoffs - I'm getting nostalgic about the old Patrick Division days.

I literally know how you guys feel right, having been scarred at an early age by Dale Hunter's OT series-winning in Game 7 back in the 1988 season.

(That Dale Hunter goal is on Youtube if you search for "Dale Hunter OT"...)

No, Burka is right. The whole point of incidental contact is that it's exactly that: incidental.

You'll remember the Flash incident at the end of the season where he nudged the Defenseman into Tampa's goalie, and they washed out the goal immediately. He didn't get a penalty for interference, the goal just got washed out because of the incidental contact.

If that isn't a straight penalty for interference, which in all honesty it may not have been, it was at the very LEAST an incidental contact, merely for the fact that he did, no matter what you say, check the Defenseman into the Goalie. The Goalie is NEVER fair game. For that goal to be allowed, they'd have to do a pretty good job of proving that Morrisonn checked himself into Huet. Only then is it not a form of interference.

as much as this may sound weird. the biggest improvement in my opinion was :

ATTITUDE

for me the capitals just got a much better attitude with Bruce and it was fun watching them. they came out focused but at the same time you could see that they were happy to be there and that they would definitely give it their all. every game I watched I felt like they were playing for us: the FANS and I definitely loved that feeling.

I think the caps can definitely go beyond people's expectations, they've proven that this season.

GO CAPS !!!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/19201-Capitals-Lose-in-Overtime-Horrendous-and-Downright-Criminal-Officiating

No, there shouldn't have been a goaltender interference call on the second goal's play. There should, however, been an interference call, as Morrisonn was not on the puck. Or near it.

That play single handedly handed the flyers the series, as you knew they would eventually win it anyway, because the refs will be damned if their bets won't pan out.

The NHL is dead to me until they get a system that can't be rigged so damn easily by a zebra with a gambling problem.

Great run caps, too bad I won't be watching you next season.

There is no way the NHL can square the non-call on the 2nd goal with the waving off on April 3 of Laich's goal in the first period because of "incidental contact" in precisely the same manner--an offensive player pushing a defender who then fell on his own goalie. We wuz robbed! But we also had plenty of chances to seal the deal in the 3rd and early OT, and didn't get it done--so that's hockey.

Thanks for a great ride, Caps!

"To have the referee decide the series like that, with two teams battling like that, is tough to swallow. I definitely didn't think it was a penalty," Poti said.

He then made reference to Philadelphia's second goal, when a Capitals defenseman was knocked into Huet by an opponent, and said: "It's tough to beat the officials as well as the Flyers."

http://www.examiner.com/a-1355001~Flyers_beat_Capitals_3_2_in_overtime__win_on_Lupul_s_goal.html

You guys with the "the game was fixed" stuff are obviously going through some sort of grieving process.

If the league wanted to pick a winner, it would have been the team with the emerging superstar in a major market that is re-establishing its fanbase, not the pariah team with multiple early-season suspensions and a personal warning from Colin Campbell with a guaranteed fanbase.

Rob -

Regarding interference. I stand corrected per the NHL rule book regarding who has "possesion" of the puck -

"Possession of the Puck:
The last player to touch the puck, other than the goalkeeper, shall be considered the player in possession. The player deemed in possession of the puck may be checked legally, provided the check is rendered immediately following his loss of possession."

Since this rule does not distinguish between touching with a stick and a foot I now agree that morrison was fair game.

However....Also from the NHL rule book regarding goaltender interference....

"(h) Subject to (i) below, if an attacking player enters the goal crease and, by his actions, impairs the goalkeeper's ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

(NOTE 1) The overriding rationale of subsections above is that a goalkeeper should have the ability to move freely within his goal crease without being hindered by the actions of an attacking player."

Since he definetely did enter the goal crease in checking mo and this action impaired the goalkeeper's ability to defend his goal - koharski erred in not disallowing the goal.

The bottom line is Koharski and the caps = 0-6 -- coincidence?

Wow just beyond belief how again the pathetic officiating in the NHL has taken a playoff series from our Caps. Koharski and the other idiot simply decided that the Flyers were going to win. The Flyers second goal should not have counted...if a player can shove a defending player into the goaltender, then we should do it every game next year. Huet was run over the whole series and nothing was called.

All the missed calls in the late first period and second that Philly got away with were ridiculous. Then the OT call. Beyond belief...the NHL has the worst officiating of any sport. Period. And they seem to hate the Caps because this has happened before. Congrats NHL, your best player is out of the playoffs and your fat, old, inept referee Donut Man and his partner are to thank.

Hazardous...wasn't near the puck? go watch the replay and take a closer look.

Open ice check? Where is the puck when he gets checked? The ONLY rational response I have read about this goal is incidental contact...THAT'S IT!! All you others who say it was interference, he didn't have the puck, etc. are just grasping.

@drburka

According to some postings on the Caps Forum, Koharski was the ref for at least the 1988 game 7 win (Dale Hunter's breakaway) so we cannot be 0-6 with him.
http://boards.washingtoncaps.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=69588&view=findpost&p=1466453

The link you provided was our 0-4 record with Koharski during the 2006 regular season (I think). I agree it was a completely bogus non call though.

@FN

1988 was pre "have another doughnut"

I'd like to see the win-loss stat for the Caps under Koharski AFTER the Jim Schonfeld era as Cap's coach.

DrBurka -

"Subject to (i) below, if an attacking player enters the goal crease and, by his actions, impairs the goalkeeper's ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

(NOTE 1) The overriding rationale of subsections above is that a goalkeeper should have the ability to move freely within his goal crease without being hindered by the actions of an attacking player."

The "attacking player" did not enter the crease, so that just throws your rule right out the window. You wanna try again?

Hmmm...not sure to be honest. BUT, I know HE made multiple bogus calls against the caps the last time they made the playoffs against tampa.

Ummmm...dude look at the tape again. There is NO question the attacking player is in the crease.

@Phan - It will be interesting to hear you parse the rule when it happens to Biron.

Oh, no doubt I'm not happy with Mr. Koharski right now. I was just hoping for some positive mojo considering it was game 7 against the Flyers after coming back from 3-1 in the series going to OT after coming from behind AND with the same ref. I thought it was 1988 all over again. I guess it was too fairytale to be true.

Thoreson's skate catches the crease on the follow-through after the hit, I believe. But that was after the defender's collision with Huet and therefore isn't in violation of the goaltender interference rule.

The overriding things here are that Thoreson a) had the right to check the defender b) did not touch Huet c) checked the defender from outside the crease even if his skate may have crossed the crease after the collision.

Well it stinks to end this way, but I am really proud of the team. I hope the way things ended leave them hungry for more, and I hope they can play all season long with the fire and intensity that they played with since Bruce took over.

Yes the refs stunk to say the least. Yes there were blatant non calls that befuddled each of us, and yes we SHOULD have won the game ans the series.

But the positive side is our boys battled, they learned some tough lessons about playoff hockey and they very easily could (should) have won if not for a couple unlucky breaks and bounces in games 4 and 7.

Even more positive is that something like 90% of the goals the Caps scored in the playoffs were scored by guys 24 or younger. This team has nowhere to go but up, and I for one can't wait to be a part of the ride.

Burka, you're crazy. If, and that's a big IF, he's in the crease, it's AFTER he checks the defenseman and his momentum carries the tip of his left knee into the crease. The play had already developed and he, IN NO WAY, violated that rule you tried to pass off.

Burka, disregard my post and read John B's above mine. Perfect post John. Exact and to the point!

Any way you slice it, the Caps had a goal overtuned against Tampa Bay for the exact same thing. I try not to dwell on bad officiating or nitpicking call/noncalls, but this basically gifted Philly a goal in a game they were being badly outplayed.

3-2. Nuff said and goodnight.

The Caps' overtuned goal against Tampa Bay also occurred outside of the crease. And it was reviewed to boot.

John b and Phan the NHL rule book can be found here..http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/rulebook/ I'd be interested to know what sections you are quoting that state that entering the crease after a colision with the goaltender make entering the crease legal.

In fact, what i am finding is that collisions caused by the actions of an attacking forward limiting the mobility of the goaltender whether they occur inside or outside the crease are to lead to goals being dissallowed. The only exception to this is if the goaltender does initiates the contact.

If you are able to find another rule I do no know about I would be more than happy to see that quote and consider that rule applicable. Until that time though I have to assume you are simply speaking out of your ass.

Perhaps all you whiny Caps fans can get together somewhere to discuss how the officiating killed your season, as opposed to a bunch of players (including your self-proclaimed "Best in the League") who couldn't finish when they had to. I'll be watching the Flyers play the Habs. GO FLYERS!!!!

Montreal in 4

@Brian
All us "whiny Caps fans" did get together for a post mortem - on OUR home town paper's hockey blog. Where did you expect us to post, genius? http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=troll

Open mouth, insert cheese. Goes great with your WHINE!!!!

Either Phan is posting in his sleep or now there are TWO of them!

Dave,
Seriously, How can you even look at yourself in the mirror? Philly fans left with 9 min. remaining. Vengeance now, for what? Having to live in that stinkhole with nothing to look forward to? Have fun never winning a cup with your antiquated playing style. And just wait, Briere will eventually get his. Diving? Dirty play? Watch any clip of Briere/ Richards. Divers who aren't willing to back up their pseudo toughness. And how about Cote backing down from Brashear in game 6. We will have a cup within 3 years, you'll still be thinking of Bobby Clarke when he was respected, not the NHL's punchline.

saying the Caps will win in 4 does not bother us. The fact is, we're here to pester the Caps fans, whose team just lost. Next week, we'll be on the Montreal board, pestering them. Caps in 6

I'm a douchebag.

did you really say Cote backed down???? Try watching that one again.

Let me say it once, and say it slow. It doesn't matter if the Flyers lose the next round...THEY ARE STILL PLAYING!!!

Phan -

I apologize, you are correct. I just watched the replay and he doesn't enter the crease until after the contact is made. It just frustrates us fans, but that goal didn't win the game. We had plenty of chances to win it.

@Posted by: | April 23, 2008 12:54 AM
Well, I'm pretty sure the ones who aren't drunk are hooked up to oxygen, but I take your point. You win, we lose, yours is bigger than ours, yadda yadda yadda

I'm most proud that Ovechkin not only shook hands, but seemed to embrace most of the Flyers and say compliments or encouragement as they did the traditional hand shake afterwards. He's a class act. :) The Flyers coach and players all said complimentary things about the Caps, Ovie, and their "never say die" attitude.

I just want the Caps to build on this and move forward. Sulking over penalties, bad calls, unlucky bounces, "what might have been" and "Curse lez Capitals" (as Kornheister might say :p) - that's something for just us fans to get sick about. :-)

Like everyone else I'll be eager to see whether the trade acquisitions (Huet, Federov, Cooke) stay, go or retire (in Federov's case, a possibility, though I'd love to see him get at least a one year deal here); to see whether Clarke's groin and Pothier's concussion can truly heal in the offseason, along with Nylander's injury; and whether the Caps keep developing youth or give in to the temptation to add free agents to get over the playoff "hump."

I'm really going to miss rushing home to catch these playoff games. I'm not ready to be in baseball mode, and the Wizards are stinking up the playoff joint. :(

Actually Dr. Burka, I appreciate your honesty but I've re-watched the clip and the truth is that there is no NHL rule that could possibly allow us to take out a player on your team and take out your goaltender. That was definetely goaltender interference and taints the series. It's unfortunate that we won in such a fashion. So is hockey though.

Best of luck next year when you win the presidents cup. You were the better team but we advanced. Next year we probably won't win 10 games. We are probably going to get swept by montreal. Oh and I'm still a douche.

Phan & Brian -

We're just upset that our team lost in such a dramatic fashion. It was a pentaly (the OT) call and we paid for it. There's always next year, we have a young team.

Burka -

"Actually Dr. Burka, I appreciate your honesty but I've re-watched the clip and the truth is that there is no NHL rule that could possibly allow us to take out a player on your team and take out your goaltender. That was definetely goaltender interference and taints the series. It's unfortunate that we won in such a fashion. So is hockey though."

Can we agree on one thing? It wasn't "definitely" goaltender interference. If anything, it was incidental contact and the goal should not have counted.

@Geo
Seriously. The Caps amazing run is done, and the 'Zards looks like it'll never get started. So let's get excited and root for the Natio... Wait, how about DC Unit... *sigh* Washington sports SUCKS! And the worst of it is, with the Nats in the tank and everyone else finished, 'Skins 24-7 coverage will commence with the draft THIS WEEKEND! God give me strength...

S. Burnside wrote a pretty good piece on espn.
I remember when the caps lost in the playoffs and it's happened a lot, I was pissed at the team, owner etc. for not doing their part. But I do agree w/ him in that this time I am still pissed about the loss, but not in the team and the direction they are headed.

Think about this. Backstrom is so young, and so damn good. He has earned the respect of defenders and players in the NHL in one short year. They back off him when he has the puck. Is he even 20 yet? Clark comes back, maybe Nylander, and we have a very good team.

I think the only thing the Flyers had was a little more experience and for that reason they got off to a faster start, and a lead in the series was the result. The Pens went through that last year.
All great teams do.

I thought the fans throwing stuff on the ice after the end was classless, just like the idiot that is posting here now. Unfortunately, when the team wins many non-hockey fans show up to jump in the party. Take a lesson from the players on the ice and show some class.

"

John b and Phan the NHL rule book can be found here..http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/rulebook/ I'd be interested to know what sections you are quoting that state that entering the crease after a colision with the goaltender make entering the crease legal.

In fact, what i am finding is that collisions caused by the actions of an attacking forward limiting the mobility of the goaltender whether they occur inside or outside the crease are to lead to goals being dissallowed. The only exception to this is if the goaltender does initiates the contact.

If you are able to find another rule I do no know about I would be more than happy to see that quote and consider that rule applicable. Until that time though I have to assume you are simply speaking out of your ass."

That's like challenging me to find a rule that says that you're not allowed to skate around with a pickle in your ear. Can you find a rule that says that entering the crease after a collision is ILLEGAL?

Not sure if you're still stuck in the mid-90s rules or not but entering the crease is legal now.

The rule clearly states that it's only illegal to enter the crease if you do so to interfere with the goalie.

BUT any hockey fan can tell you that plays like the one we saw tonight ARE called as penalties more often than not. In that sense, the Capitals did get screwed even if the play (barely) wound up on the right side of the letter of the law.

yes, at least incidental contact.

Is the sun not coming out tomorrow?

Cheer up mates: the future is brighter than we can imagine.

@ least we have a future vs. some of the other teams.

Enjoy the ride these next 10 years with our Caps.

John B,
I've already copied multiple rules that prove that the actions consitute goaltender interference. In response you and phan stated that in fact it wasn't because the player didn't enter the crease until the play was over. My response was that that is garbage and find me a rule that states that is true. The crease in fact has nothing to do with it. The actions of the goaltender were impeded by the actions of the atacker - hence goalie interference.

cote backed down. he will again next year too. maybe you can put up a billboard that shows him skating away. btw did the fans actually read wise's column or did the pa have to read it too them? philly's only sports hero was fictional and he lost. way to put up that statue. 3 superbowls, an nba title, 4 mls cups, etc... philly is a dead, loser city. great fans too. hope some of them can read this.

Please somebody, can you explain to me, why Caps goal on Apr 4 against Tampa was disallowed (incidental goaltender interferance) and tonight Philly's goal was allowed and not even reviewed. The only constant I see - both were against the Caps (and the last name Devorski among those officiating).

On a side note, it seems there are more Philly fans on this post than at the game tonight.

Looking forward to the next season with the Caps. We have a bright future ahead! We have a great team!

I never saw the Tampa incident, but on the Flyers' second goal, the Flyer hit the man with the puck, (Kapanen's first shot was weak and blocked by the defenseman) who then flew into Huet. I think it's a goal.

Someone said it earlier, but the Poti penalty only gets called because they let Erkine get away with a bad one earlier.

I don't think you can hang this on the officials, calls went both ways for both teams. It was a great 7 game series (after that foul taste of losing goes away), they were all exciting games, and something that really impressed me was how Ovechkin handled the shaking hands at the end, he wasn't doing the bitter 'good game' routine, he was legitimately congratulating the Flyers, offering hugs (including Mike Richards) and other kind words throughout the Flyers roster.

Great series. I'm a flyers fan, the reason the fans at the Wach acted that way is because you can see this team dissolves sometimes. I am a season ticket holder and it is our way of saying they need work harder. That's really all there is to that. They stop skating and stand around sometimes, and it is infuriating.

The reason they called the trip is because Kappenen was on the way to a 2 on 1 before and got tripped, and nothing was called. Then it happened again, they really forced the refs hands there. Both trips were obvious. That is not to say that I agreed with a lot of calls in this series. I would be bitter about that goal if it went the other way too. But look at it this way, I am 28 years old, I have been watching the Flyers since I can remember. I watch all Philly sports team and they lose every year. There really is no reason (besides highlights of the 74-75 Flyers, I wasn't even alive) for me to invest so much in these team. But, like a moron, I buy all the gear, all the tickets, everything. You guys have hockey back in your town for a long time to come. It was a great series. Bottom line.

Btw, what is up with your sound system there? That is the loudest thing I have ever heard. And the guy announcing goals takes about 5 minutes. What is that all about?? Just thought I would throw that out there.

In the end, Flyers are moving on to the next round and the Capitals are heading to the golf course. Argue all you want, but they won.

I really enjoyed watching the Capitals fans throw trash onto the ice and at the players. They actually threw a bottle and hit Jeff Carter while he was talking on tv. I throw that in the face of everyone out there who says the Flyers fans are classless.

What an absolute embarrassment to the NHL. The outcome of a game seriously affected by the poor officiating of the game. The non-calls and poor calls went both ways in this game. I won't claim the Caps were saints while the Flyers were all to blame.

The only ones to blame tonight are the refs. Koharski, why am I not surprised?

Anyone arguing that the second Flyer goal was legit is simply mistaken. Otherwise they have introduced the 3rd-party pick to hockey. If this logic holds true, all one need do now is check an opposing player THROUGH his goalie, and instant open net! WHy haven't they thought of this before?! Oh wait, they did, it's ILLEGAL. Moreover, Thorisen knew what he was doing, you could see him holding the Caps players down as he looked up at his teammates.

Pathetic officiating. Almost as pathetic as the jerks throwing crap on the ice. It made me disppointed in my fellow Caps fans.

Whining done.

The Flyers played hard, as they always do. They're turnaround from last year is fantastic. Still sucks to lose to them though.

Thanks Caps, Bruce, Ovie, Olie, Huet and everybody else. You've made it fun to be a Caps fan again, from comebacks to playoffs, it's been great!

I'm a Caps fan. I just want the refs to be consistent. If there is a penalty, make the call. You cant turn a blind eye to penalties in certain points of the game. Its unfair to both teams. A penalty is a penalty!!! It's tough to swallow when the Caps couldnt buy a call in the third when they were on the attack for most of the period. Then all of a sudden the refs start enforcing penalties when it's the other way around.

It stinks to lose the series to the Flyers. I think the Flyers second goal was bogus - should've been disallowed. Bad calls and non-calls were seen for both sides, but I definitely think the Caps got the poopy end of the stick more often. That said, I think the Caps have a lot to be proud of. I expect their post-season to last longer next year, and their regular season to be even more successful -- esp. if they can sign Huet, plug some holes in their D, improve their special teams. They displayed grit and determination and a real "will and want"(as Bouds says) to compete and succeed. I think Boudreau has it in him to lead this team to a Cup like he did in Hershey. For now though, I'd like to see the Habs and Carey Price (the Bears/Boudreau's nemesis in the Calder Cup finals last year) kick the Flyers to the golf course in short order.

Tarik - thanks for the great coverage this season. I come to you first for updates.

Its WHINE and cheese day in Washington!

@ Dave

About your comments of Ovechkin diving...if Ovie dived I would fess up to it...but that video does not show a dive. I don't know if you play hockey but I do and when your going at a high speed like in that play and your knee catches something you go flying. I am just thankfull he wasnt seriously hurt because knee to knee injuries can be the worst.

I also thinks its rediculous that Philly has been complaining about the refs favoring the caps all series. The refs have missed soooo many calls on the flyers and called so much bs crap on us along with allowing bs goals and other crap. Granted the refs definatley missed some calls against ust, but we got royaly screwed compared to philly. I am not blaming the series on the refs thoe, the refs made it a little harder, but its our own fault we didnt win and I give props to philly for what they did, I did not expect philly to be that good.

Typical whinning fron the CRAPITALS fans. If the futture of