Ref 'n ready in Philly
NHL officials are on alert for 'hot' series
With trouble a-brewin' on Broad St., tonight, a prominent sheriff is expected to be watching. National Hockey League director of officiating Andy VanHellemond should be at the Wachovia Center when the Maple Leafs visit the Flyers to open a home-and-home series. Both teams have had issues with officiating this month, in Toronto's case, as part of a saga of poor relations with the zebras.
Flyers' Jeremy Roenick, meanwhile, is sitting out tonight's game for abusing referee Blaine Angus on Tuesday in Buffalo, both verbally and tossing a water bottle in the official's direction.
Flyers general manager Bob Clarke backed his player, but that's just part of the swirling controversy in Philly, born of their recent losing ways.
With the rival Leafs in town, determined to get tough after two blowout losses to the Flyers, including their previous trip here in the playoffs, it's no surprise VanHellemond is tentatively penned in as the game supervisor.
"There's a good possibility he's going, but in all honesty, it's just coincidence," said Mike Murphy, vice-president of hockey operations. "He was in the New York area and it's part of his job to grade all the officials. But he sees the Leafs at the Air Canada Centre all the time. We watch 'hot' games all the time, such as when Anaheim and Los Angeles play. This one is no different. It's part business, part coincidence."
Leafs winger Darcy Tucker doubted either team will alter its game plan based on any league executives in the stands.
"I don't think we've ever been a team that pussyfoots around and I don't think they are, either," Tucker said. "Physical things happen in a game and emotion happens in a game. You take those things out of it, you don't have (real) hockey anymore, you have pond hockey. This is a big series for both teams and everyone expects both teams to play hard."
Toronto defenceman Bryan McCabe inquired in jest if VanHellemond would don his old referee's sweater.
"(His presence) won't make any difference," McCabe said. "We'll go about business as usual. Sometimes there are fireworks the first night that carry over to the second. But it should be a good atmosphere for fans and players."
Expect some intense play in front of Toronto goaltender Ed Belfour. Philadelphia's dominance in the slot led the way to last year's seven-game playoff series win.
"They're a great team down low, that cycle the puck well," McCabe said. "I don't think they have a forward under 6-feet-2. It will be a good test for us. They're great fans there, very boisterous, like the Islanders. It's a good atmosphere to play in, a carnival atmosphere if you like. We love that."
Fellow defenceman Ric Jackman predicts both clubs will play on the edge -- but not cross it.
"I wouldn't say more (cheap shots) go on in these games," Jackman said. "They're a big crash and bang team and there's a little history between us there. But we have to be smart. I know we don't want to sit in the penalty box all night and I'm sure that's not their plan."
NHL officials are on alert for 'hot' series
With trouble a-brewin' on Broad St., tonight, a prominent sheriff is expected to be watching. National Hockey League director of officiating Andy VanHellemond should be at the Wachovia Center when the Maple Leafs visit the Flyers to open a home-and-home series. Both teams have had issues with officiating this month, in Toronto's case, as part of a saga of poor relations with the zebras.
Flyers' Jeremy Roenick, meanwhile, is sitting out tonight's game for abusing referee Blaine Angus on Tuesday in Buffalo, both verbally and tossing a water bottle in the official's direction.
Flyers general manager Bob Clarke backed his player, but that's just part of the swirling controversy in Philly, born of their recent losing ways.
With the rival Leafs in town, determined to get tough after two blowout losses to the Flyers, including their previous trip here in the playoffs, it's no surprise VanHellemond is tentatively penned in as the game supervisor.
"There's a good possibility he's going, but in all honesty, it's just coincidence," said Mike Murphy, vice-president of hockey operations. "He was in the New York area and it's part of his job to grade all the officials. But he sees the Leafs at the Air Canada Centre all the time. We watch 'hot' games all the time, such as when Anaheim and Los Angeles play. This one is no different. It's part business, part coincidence."
Leafs winger Darcy Tucker doubted either team will alter its game plan based on any league executives in the stands.
"I don't think we've ever been a team that pussyfoots around and I don't think they are, either," Tucker said. "Physical things happen in a game and emotion happens in a game. You take those things out of it, you don't have (real) hockey anymore, you have pond hockey. This is a big series for both teams and everyone expects both teams to play hard."
Toronto defenceman Bryan McCabe inquired in jest if VanHellemond would don his old referee's sweater.
"(His presence) won't make any difference," McCabe said. "We'll go about business as usual. Sometimes there are fireworks the first night that carry over to the second. But it should be a good atmosphere for fans and players."
Expect some intense play in front of Toronto goaltender Ed Belfour. Philadelphia's dominance in the slot led the way to last year's seven-game playoff series win.
"They're a great team down low, that cycle the puck well," McCabe said. "I don't think they have a forward under 6-feet-2. It will be a good test for us. They're great fans there, very boisterous, like the Islanders. It's a good atmosphere to play in, a carnival atmosphere if you like. We love that."
Fellow defenceman Ric Jackman predicts both clubs will play on the edge -- but not cross it.
"I wouldn't say more (cheap shots) go on in these games," Jackman said. "They're a big crash and bang team and there's a little history between us there. But we have to be smart. I know we don't want to sit in the penalty box all night and I'm sure that's not their plan."
