Sean Avery ticks me off!! I used to like him...I really did. I liked his edge. But I think lately his edge has turned to something that can only be described as selfish...
Case in point, Game 4 of the Eastern Confernce Q-Finals between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers. Actually, let's back-track to Game 3 where Avery took 4 minor penalties and a 10 minute major. That's 18 minutes in penalties, which is probably more ice time than he had in the game. There was a missed penalty (that if called, may have resulted in a suspension) when Avery slashed at the throat of Caps dman John Erskine with his lethal-weapon stick.
So, I thought when Game 4 rolled around, he'd exercise a little self control. But there he was, at it again, when he took three minors, for a total of 6 penalty minutes. What was shocking was the timing of the penalties, two of which came in the third period when the Rangers had a measely one goal lead, 2 - 1. The last penalty was late in the game, with just over three minutes left when Avery kind of elbowed/high-sticked/cross-checked Caps dman Brian Pothier right in front of the ref. Who does that???!!
The thing that I don't get is why his coach, John Tortorella (mmmm, his name makes me wish for some sort of cheezy pasta dish!!) continues to give this guy ice time! I don't get it, but as Don Cherry said tonight on CBC's Coaches Corner, Tortorella wants to prove that he can control Avery.
We'll see what happens if Game 5. As an armchair coach, I think Avery should be watching the game from the comfort of his own home in Manhatten (I don't actually know if he lives in Manhatten, but I feel like it's a safe guess...) I wouldn't even allow him anywhere near the team, cause I can only imagine how his teammates feel about him. He's definitely not a team player...and with the playoff series heating up, a guy can't afford to be self centred and selfish the way Avery has been.
About Me
- queen of hockey
- I live in Calgary, Alberta CANADA...home of the NHL's Flames and the WHL's Hitmen. I love watching hockey. My favorite player is Alexander Ovechkin, followed closely by Nicklas Bäckström. Then there's my goalies Henrik Lundqvist, and Carey Price. I also like watching the dynamic duo of Toews and Kane. I like watching the Caps, Rangers, Habs, Hawks, and Canucks. But I'll watch anyone play anyone, at any time. I love the game that much. In my limited spare time, I am learning Swedish. I've actually been taking lessons since the NHL lockout in 2004. So, it stands to reason that I pay extra close attention to Swedish players/prospects. Pretty much the only time I'm not thinking hockey is when I'm sleeping, or when I'm at my boxing club.
