Officials Blow Whistle On New York Rangers' Comeback in Pittsburgh

After watching the many games between the Rangers and Penguins since, and including last season's playoff series, it has become clear that the NHLPA's representative to the officials, Sidney Crosby has had his voice heard by the officials, and it makes me nauseous in more ways than one. 

Initially it was just watching the officials watching Sean Avery like he's some serial killer. Sean Avery has served his time, and is still being watched. Do the words Chris Simon or Todd Bertuzzi mean anything? Avery has never done anything nearly as gruesome. Fortunately that hasn't cost the Rangers a game, yet.

However, on Saturday afternoon's game in which the Rangers were penalized nine times including a third period five minute major and game misconduct to Colton Orr the Rangers penalty kill was excellent killing off all of the penalties, but the momentum killer was that call, or more accurately, mis-call.

Colton Orr made a hit on a stopping/off balance Penguins player. The hit was shoulder to shoulder but as the player fell he clipped his face on the dasher and Orr was called for a five minute major, and ejected from the game.

The call was made by a linesman and was the momentum killer for the Rangers who came back from 2-0 and then 3-2 to tie the game. Almost the entire first half of the third period was played in the Rangers end due to the mis-call.

Not only that, the Referees didn't put anyone in the penalty box for the Rangers. After killing off the major, the Rangers had to remain shorthanded until a whistle. The next whistle was called an icing even though the Rangers had four players on the ice.

The tired penalty killers were forced to remain on, due to the rule which doesn't allow players to change after icing the puck. It was only a matter of time before the Penguins scored. 

A minute and change after the Rangers got the proper players on the ice, Sidney Crosby put in the game winning goal.

For something like that to determine the outcome of a game with six remaining and this tight of a playoff picture is completely ridiculous. Playing against the Penguins disgusts me because of repetitive situations that mimic this one.

As John Tortorella said in his post game interview, and I'm paraphrasing, "Hopefully this isn't what determines the playoff pictures and the play(ers) are allowed to decide that".