Checking the Laundry: Goaltender Interference

Tyler: Good old Sean Avery, his most recent work has gotten him suspended for six games, but let’s not get into that.

In my opinion, this was totally clean, even though I’m sure many people will disagree. However, I hope to change their minds. At the time this was clean, now of course we have the “Avery Rule,” but if you understand what hockey is and the rules of the game you should know Avery broke none of them. First of all, he wasn’t in the crease, secondly he never touched Brodeur, and thirdly, there is no rule that says a player screening the Goalie must face the play. Therefore, Avery did nothing wrong and shouldn't have to be penalized.

Andy: That time of the month, eh, Tyler? Just because something isn’t written down doesn’t mean you should do it. Avery’s lucky Marty didn’t knock him out. Avery has had incidents with Brodeur in the past, and he’s lucky Brodeur didn’t have them building up inside of him. Seriously, if I had been Marty Brodeur, I would’ve grabbed his head with my glove and shoved my blocker up his...well you guys get the point. Sean Avery’s  lucky he hasn’t been killed on the ice yet, but I can see it happening pretty soon.

Tyler: So, you’re saying just because he has not written the rule book, it doesn’t mean it’s not illegal? Come on! If it doesn’t say anywhere that he can’t do why wouldn’t he? Avery is (despite the recent evidence) sometimes a smart guy. He knew there was nothing the Refs could do to give him a penalty and this had to be the most genius move I’ve ever seen.  

If you have something you want Andy and I to debate on Checking the Laundry, please leave your suggestion in the comment box, on our Leafs This Week site, or e-mail us at tml.this.week@gmail.com.

All topics are welcome; we will put the ideas to a vote on next week’s edition of Checking the Laundry. The topic with the most votes will be the feature topic on the next edition of CTL, and, of course, the name of the person that suggested the winning topic will have their name linked at the top of the article.

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