Andrew Ference has been a topic of discussion throughout the Boston-Montreal series. His French Salute after his goal gave him a $2500. Montreal fans still don't forgive him for this obscene gesture.
Now, in game 7, he does something that was perhaps even worse.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffiQUe1tfqM&feature=feedu In a tie game in the third, for no reason, he lays into Jeff Halpern behind the play. Halpern lay on the ice motionless for several minutes. At first Boston fans booed because they thought he was milking the injury. But they didn't see the hit and neither did the refs so I'm assuming (and giving the benefit of the doubt) that they missed the play because, well, they missed the play. Halpern was helped off the ice but returned several minutes later. The protocol is that he has to spend up to 15 minutes in a quiet room after a head shot but he didn't follow the relatively new rule. This caused minor uproar from more Boston fans along with analysts. "They have those new rules in for a reason. But Halpern disregards his safety and comes back," said one commentator. How can you blame Halpern though? It's game 7. He was playing an excellent game and his team needed him desperately. Additionally, the refs didn't call a penalty for the headshot, so why should he treat it like a head shot? So I have no trouble with Halpern returning almost immediately.
As for Ference. What could have been going through the young defenseman's mind? Having gotten away with his middle finger to the Habs fans without a suspension, he risks getting kicked out of a game 7 by a stupid unnecessary hit behind the play. Lucky for him, the refs didn't see it. But he'll be punished shortly. I would say he should get a 3 game suspension from the league. Yes I'm biased and bitter, but hear me out. He technically could have gotten suspended for what he did in game 4. Now, he's a repeat offender when it comes to dirty play. Also, he wasn't penalized during the game and they may make up for it for the next few games Montreal was automatic on the powerplay tonight and in a close game like that, it could have made the difference. And most importantly, he injured Halpern. Halpern did return but he wasn't forechecking as hard, skating as fast, or playing as well as he did earlier. So these are the three things going against Ference and I hope that son-of-a-b*tch pays the price this time.
Looking at the game, I was not able to appreciate it as much since I had connection to it. But I still realize how intense it was. Several friends notified me that they were also sitting at the edge of their seats throughout. Montreal battled back down 2-0 and then scored late in the third on the powerplay. It went into overtime which is a recurring theme this post season. The 14th overtime in the first round Second most all time. Also, it was the 9th day in a row that a game went into the sudden death frame. Kudos to Boston and to Nathan Horton who had his second overtime GWG of the series. As anticipated, this was a great series between a great rivalry. We (Montreal) were robbed though.'
Edit: It enrages me to say this but no suspension (or a fine or any punishment for that matter) was handed to Ference. He had a phone meeting with the NHL and got off scott free. I don't understand why or how but that's just how it turned out.
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