The Avery Rule

Just when I thought Ive seen it all in hockey... Sunday night happened. In a bazaar move, Sean Avery decided to get creative when screening the goalie during Sunday Nights Devils - Ranger Playoff game. He literally took himself out of the play, during a Ranger 5-on-3 powerplay, put is back to the play and waved his stick and arms around trying to screen the goalie. Watch the Video Here. He scored not long after by the way. I think you have to applaud him for the creativity of the move, although he could have gotten seriously injured.

The funniest part of it all, is the aftermath, which included the NHL amending rule #75 which now states: National Hockey League Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell issued the following advisory on the interpretation of Rule 75: Unsportsmanlike Conduct:

"An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty (Rule 75) will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face for the purpose of interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play."

And after all that.. god love the Fans.. you can now purchase the "Avery Rule" on a t-shirt. God I love this game.

Now there is the debate around the hockey world.. did he go too far? Of course people that already hate him say yes. People who don't, realize that he found a loop hole and used it. He found a way to annoy the other team and screen the goalie. Both perfectly allowed. Hell, you have to remember that this game is for entertainment. But the NHL takes itself way too seriously and has to punish him by amending rules. No wonder the NHL isn't as popular as other sports. If the NFL penalized players for waving their arms at the line of scrimmage, what would people say then? The way he should have been dealt with, is someone from the other team should have came and knocked him on his ass. Did they? No. I say All's fair in love and hockey. Play On Boys! Game 4 is Wednesday night.. who's up for wings and beer :)