Exterieur / Spoiler » mbus, the Whitecaps are desperate for points

Tonight at 7:05pm et a referee will drop the puck to kick off the 2013-14 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The first round is always the toughest brand of hockey and the most difficult for the Officials to work effectively. Finishing on top of a division does not always guarantee advancement beyond the first playoff round as we have seen through several upsets in recent years. This years matchups will guarantee that some legitimate Cup contenders will be eliminated with a one and done series appearance. The margin for victory between all the teams is very slim and mistakes made by players and officials are magnified at this time of year. Simply put, mistakes can be the difference between a team and an official from going on in the playoffs or going home! Last night I joined James Duthie for a brief segment in the playoff preview show shot in Studio 9 at TSN where I will be monitoring games and officials calls on a nightly basis throughout the first round. James asked me what I will be looking for from the Officials the moment the playoffs begin. My response was for strict adherence to the letter of the law. The rules do not change during the playoffs and neither should the expected standard of enforcement! The referees have often been accused of putting their whistles away during the playoffs. Far too many times we have seen the score and time of a game factored into the refs judgment as to what constitutes an obvious penalty. I cited a game between the NY Rangers and the Montreal Canadiens from the final weekend of the regular season as an example of what we should hope from the referees throughout this postseason. In that game, referee Gord Dwyer awarded a penalty shot to Brian Gionta in overtime when the Habs captain was tripped from behind at the Rangers blue line by Raphael Diaz. Gionta was chasing a loose puck at the time he was fouled and therefore did not have possession and control of the puck. This aspect of the play could have offered the referee an out to take an easier path and simply assess a minor penalty for tripping. Instead, referee Dwyer made the correct judgment as stipulated in rule 24.8 (iii) that Brian Gionta would have obtained possession and control of the puck and was denied a reasonable chance to score. The game ended when Brian Gionta scored on the ensuing penalty shot awarded by the referee. Kudos to referee Dwyer for making this perceived tough call (video link). In reality the more difficult position a referee will place himself in is if he attempts to manage the game by letting an obvious infraction go uncalled. This often sets a chain of events in motion that is difficult for the ref to recover from. The subsequent infraction committed by the other team is usually worse than the previous one he let go. By applying a sense of fairness, the official feels helpless to call that next penalty and the standard becomes lost. The best deterrent for a player to avoid committing an infraction is the fear that he will be placing his team at a disadvantage by incurring a penalty. When that fear factor no longer exists as a result of the refs whistle being put away the game can deteriorate and the integrity of the outcome placed in jeopardy. Anarchy can result until an automatic penalty is called such as puck over the glass or too many men on the ice and a semblance of order is restored! This negative influence on a game can be avoided it the referees call the obvious infractions that are committed regardless of the score or time in a game. Whenever the officials make the tough but correct call they must receive the support of the Officiating Department heads. Management needs to demonstrate their courage by publicly backing the officials when they make the right call at a crucial time in the game. A season long subjective performance evaluation has been tabulated by the Officiating and Hockey Operations Department on each referee and linesman to determine selection to the playoffs. Congratulations and best of luck to the following officials that have been selected to the first round: Referees Francis Charron, Paul Devorski, Gord Dwyer, Eric Furlatt, Dave Jackson, Mark Joannette, Steve Kozari, Chris Lee, Wes McCauley, Brad Meier, Dean Morton, Dan OHalloran, Dan ORourke, Chris Rooney, Tim Peel, Kevin Pollock, Francois St.-Laurent, Justin St.Pierre, Kelly Sutherland, Brad Watson Linesmen Derek Amell, Steve Barton, David Brisebois, Lonnie Cameron, Scott Cherry, Michel Cormier, Greg Devorski, Scott Driscoll, Darren Gibbs, Shane Heyer, Brad Kovachik, Matt MacPherson, Steve Miller, Brian Murphy, Jonny Murray, Derek Nansen, Brian Pancich, Pierre Racicot, Jay Sharrers, Mark Shewchyk The hockey world will be watching closely as each of you display the courage and good judgment necessary to get the job done. Nike Roshe Discount . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted that its believed the Flames are working towards a new contract with the defenceman. Nike Roshe Wholesale . At this point, even he isnt sure when it is going to stop. The right-hander dropped his fourth straight decision in Los Angeles 6-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night, leaving his status very much in doubt as the Dodgers prepare for the stretch drive. http://www.cheapnikeroshe.net/ .S. womens soccer team to a 2-0 win over China in Colorado in the afternoon. Nike Roshe Clearance . JOHNS, N. Cheap Nike Roshe Online .com Tours Nova Scotia Open. The 27-year-old Sloan, a former Texas-El Paso player from Calgary matched first-round leader Rodriguez at 10-under 132 on Ashburn Golf Clubs New Course.Whilst serving notice all season long they are in amongst the cluster of top teams in MLS this season, the Montreal Impact are also making the right noises off the pitch, too. Thinking it would be beneficial to launch their season ticket renewals earlier than they did last season, the club recently announced two out of three current season ticket holders had exercised their option to renew. Having challenged his team to always give and be their very best, Impact president Joey Saputo doesnt lessen that demand for those working in the front office. "Im not taking anything away from what our guys have done and the fact we have a great season ticket base but theres still a third that havent renewed and we have to find out why they havent renewed and what we can do to make sure they will be renewing," Saputo told TSN Radio 690. He wasnt finished. "Not only that, we need to increase the season ticket base a little more. At the end of the day, we need to fill the stadium and thats what we are doing." "So its nice to know two-thirds of our season ticket base like what we are doing and want to part of what we are doing." Not only are the fans supporting the club at the box office, but now finally they are also buying into club merchandise in significant numbers. Crucially, down Stade Saputo way these days, no longer is it the case a Juventus or a Real Madrid jersey appears most prominent amongst those in attendance. Everywhere you look, a sea of blue confronts you and the punters are not merely restricting it to the token jersey. Branded apparel in all forms has suddenly become the norm. This pleases Saputo. "Merchandise sales have been doing relatively well," added Saputo. "Were very excited, were very happy with the way it is going." However, just like season ticket renewals, Saputo is more focused on strengthening where there is weakness. "One of the things we need to do is to be out there a little bit more. Right now, we are very strong inside the stadium but not as strong outside the stadium. We need to work on the team store concept outside of the stadium. Thats something we are looking at in the future." Jersey sales of certain players may well be flying off the shelves but Saputo is of a strong conviction the upsurge in sales is down to the club and the jersey itself. "Without a doubt you have the Marco Di Vaio and Bernier jerseys but I think its the jersey itself and what the jersey represents. "When we talked about the jersey and when we designed the jersey with the aspect of the fleur de lys and the cross, it represents the city of Montreal. I think we have a nice product and the jersey sells itself." Di Vaio has been much in the news himself of late. Seemingly scoring goals for fun, matters of a very personal nature may well necessitate he return home to his family come seasons end. Having grown a strong bond and deep relationship with his DP, Saputo feels Di Vaios anguish personally. "Im so disappointed that he is going through some personal issues right now back home which is weighing on whether he is going to stay or not." Not wanting to provide any false hopes to the supporters but the Impact president did confirm that under better circumstances, Di Vaio would sign his 2014 option. "This is a person who wants to stay. This is a person who wants to be here but at the end of the day, he is going to makke a very, very tough decision," said Saputo.dddddddddddd "He doesnt want to finish playing, he still feels he has a year or two left in him. Its going to be tough for him to hang up his boots at the end of this year if he decides to go back to Italy. We hope that he will stay. He is a definite asset to this organization, not only on the field but off it, too. Saputo also addressed reports from the Italian media where some suggested Di Vaios return would be in a playing capacity. "In our discussions with Marco if he goes back it is not to play," Saputo stated. "If he goes back, it is to be closer to his family and if a position was to open at a club as a Sporting Director or a General Manager of some sorts, he would definitely take a look at it. From my understanding, from what he told me, he is not looking to play. Thats what makes it difficult. He doesnt want to go back to Italy to play. He wants to stay here but hes torn between the situation with his family and staying here in Montreal." Of course, Di Vaio isnt the only Italian player who might not be trotting out at Stade Saputo in 2014. During an interview Alessandro Nesta conducted with the BBC earlier in the summer, the central defender strongly indicated he was hanging up his boots at seasons end. Saputo puts that down to Nestas jovial side as he anointed him the clubs prankster "Sandros a little bit different and obviously he has joked around a lot," offered Saputo. "He is the biggest joker in the club so sometimes you wonder what he says whether he is joking or whether he is serious. You know at times when things dont go well, he is ready to pack up and leave. At other times, he is already planning for next year. "I can tell you one thing, from a heart standpoint, he would play another 10 years but I dont know whether his legs will last that long." With a mouth-watering encounter against the Whitecaps at home Saturday afternoon, the Impact know they have to step it up dramatically if they want to have any chance of avoiding a third straight defeat. Saputo knows exactly why Columbus pulled off the shock road win but doesnt expect his players wont be up to the task come 2pm et Saturday. "We need to play it more desperately. I think its something we lacked on Saturday. We werent hungry and Columbus were. We cant give away three points at home, its not like us and the players have to understand that and I think they do." Just like Columbus, the Whitecaps are desperate for points as their playoff hopes have dwindled away. Two old foes both in need of the three points. "Theres been some great games with Vancouver in the past and this should not be any different. Its going to be a good game and our players should be ready for it," said Saputo. If the Impact win, the playoff horizon will come into full view. For Saputo though, making the playoffs wont be reason enough to celebrate. "Its been a great season and people are extremely excited with the fact its been a great season and with what weve done. Theres still a lot of work to be done for us to not only make the playoffs, but not to bow out early in the playoffs." You can reach and follow Noel Butler at:Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca@TheSoccerNoel Montreal Impact v Vancouver Whitecaps - Live TSN2 and CJAD800 Radio Saturday, 2pm et/11am pt The full interview with Saputo is available at TSN Radio 690 on TSN.ca ' ' '