RANGERS 101

This past Wednesday evening, Rangers 101 tuned into 'The Instigators', a live blog radio show hosted by longtime Ranger fan and hockey aficionado Pauly Dee, along with his partner Chris Kotsopoulos. Ranger fans undoubtedly remember Kotsopoulos, a 6'3 215 pound mean-edged defenseman who came up through New York's organization and was a key member of the Rangers run to the Stanley Cup semi-finals in 1980-81. 'Kotsy' played 10 years in the NHL, also wearing the sweaters of the Hartford Whalers (he was traded for Mike Rogers), Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings.

The chemistry between the passionate hockey fan and the former blueliner was quite evident and entertaining, and they tackled some of the key issues facing the NHL, the Rangers, and the game in general without holding back or backing down. The first round of banter centered on the officiating of the Winter Classic, and the uproar that followed some of the worst calls any fan of any sport has ever seen.

  While going over the late third period calls that led to some (most, including Rangers 101 and John Tortorella) hockey observers outright calling the NHL and NBC co-conspirators in a bid to 'rig' the ending of what was already a great game, Kotsopoulos not only voiced his displeasure over the problem but actually came up with a solution. Why not have the referee's attend post-game press conferences and answer questions about their performance? Players do it, coaches do it. Why, even some general managers do it. If they are forced to sit through media grillings and answer honestly, why not the officials? Why is that such a taboo subject and not ever considered?

If Gary Bettman thinks this will undermine the 'integrity' of the game and it's officials, he should think again. His sport's integrity IS being questioned, right now! The fact that the head coach AND general manager of perhaps the NHL's most valuable franchise, and certainly it's largest market, came out and accused the referees and NBC of trying to manufacture a 'Classic' ending in the name of ratings and money should be the knock on the door that get's Gary's attention. And by attention, we don't mean fining Tortorella and forcing him to read a written, prepared apology.

Think it can't work? Let's go back to June 2nd, 2010, in another sport. Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga has apparently just recorded the 27th and final out of a perfect game, but hold everything. On a reasonably close play at first base, umpire Jim Joyce calls the runner safe. He was wrong, and it was obvious. Everyone in the ballpark knew Joyce blew the call, and not only that, blew Galarraga's brush with immortality. 

What did Joyce do, hide behind a dark curtain held up by MLB? Refuse to answer questions, and let the commissioners office tell us we didn't see what we thought we saw? Change his name and move to Idaho? No. Joyce was out front, apologizing for blowing the call. Emotional, he personally apologized to Galarraga, who reciprocated by acting like a professional. A mistake was made, one that affected baseball history, and it was admitted and dealt with. Fans everywhere supported the show of sportsmanship on both sides.

Would the NHL have done the same? Obviously not. If there's nothing to hide, put the referees out there and let them explain their calls. If they made a mistake, so be it. Humans do that. Fans will accept it. At least there will be no allegations of shadowy dealings between television and a major sports league.

 That doesn't happen, right?

A brilliant suggestion by Kotsopoulos that makes perfect sense. Which probably means we will never see it happen under Bettman's administration.

Also, the two co-hosts touched on another hot issue. Toronto GM Brian Burke, lamenting over his decision to demote former Ranger enforcer Colton Orr to the minors, bemoaned the fact that  NHL enforcers are becoming obsolete. The lack of intimidation has led to more cheap shots being taken, which has led to more serious injuries including concussions. If a player knows he can throw an elbow at Sidney Crosby's or Marian Gaborik's head, or that he can run over Henrik Lundqvist or Tim Thomas, without having to deal with facing the opponents muscle toe to toe, why wouldn't he take liberties? As Kotsopoulos has said repeatedly, once the league stopped allowing players to police themselves on the ice, injuries would rise. As Pauly Dee noted, he was dead on.

Join Rangers 101 and tune in to 'The Instigators' weekly on blog talk radio. Check out their Facebook page, The Instigators Hockey Show, for dates and times.

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