The second match of the Western Conference Finals was not as productive as the first – the two teams scored only four goals. But the Colorado fans were not very upset, because all the goals were scored by their team. And after a clean win over Edmonton, the Avalanches are now leading the series 2-0.

If in the opening match of the confrontation, the “oilers” could complain about the refereeing and the strange interpretation of the rules due to the episode with an abandoned puck by Cale Makar, then in the second game, the Oilers themselves did everything to lose. The team spent almost a whole period in the minority – 16 penalty minutes per meeting, while the opponent had only six.

In post-match press conferences, coaches like to talk about “stupid penalties” that prevented a victory. In such a situation, we are often talking about violations of the rules in the middle or someone else’s zone. But in the second meeting of the series, one of the removals of the “oilers” was received … on the bench and claims to be the most stupid and unnecessary of the whole season.

Imperfect Crime

The first period turned out to be modest, and the teams went to the locker rooms with a goalless draw on the scoreboard. Still, the audience had something to look at – the Colorado hockey players played in the majority three times, but they failed to break through the 40-year-old keeper Mike Smith. For the starting 20-minute Smith repelled 14 shots.

The Evs players spent the break usefully and in the pause found an approach to the opponent’s keeper – by the sixth minute of the second period, Colorado had taken the lead – 3:0.

Connor McDavid / Photo: © REUTERS / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Before the final 20-minutes, the Edmonton fans expected decisive action and a bright attack from the team. But the “oilmen” spent exactly half of the period not in attack, but on the penalty box.

At first, the Oilers did not figure it out at the shift change and were left to play in the minority due to a violation of the numerical strength. And only they had time to appear the fifth field hockey player, as the team gets the most stupid removal of the season.

Edmonton forward Josh Archibald pulled off a great force on Bowen Byram, sending the Avs player overboard. Usually in such situations, hockey players have time to play a trick on an opponent who, against his will, found himself on another bench.

However, Zach Kassian went further – the Oilers forward looked around and, as it seemed to him, quietly removed the helmet from Byram. Bowen immediately reacted and attacked the joker with his fists. At the same time, Cassian made the most surprised face and did not understand why such aggression.

Photo: © REUTERS / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

However, the judges quickly figured out the episode and removed both hockey players – Cassian received a fine for interfering with the player, and Bayram for being rude. The Oilers forward calmly went to the penalty box and smiled innocently, realizing that he had let the team down.

Cassian’s act was not appreciated by the Edmonton fans, who expected the team to score goals, and not strange deletions.

Cassian was looking for McDavid in a helmet, because he was nowhere to be seen, jokes daKid1905

This refereeing infuriates me! Kadri tore off Smith’s helmet in the first game and was not penalized at all! – considers the removal of Cassian ryanmclaren1982 unfair

It’s funny that the referees see how they tear off the helmet on the bench, but do not notice the offside on the ice, writes newfieOilerfan1

After the removal of Cassian, the Oilers hockey players did not draw any conclusions and continued to retire. At the end of the meeting, Nathan McKinnon converted the majority, removing all questions about the winner.

As a result, Colorado beat Edmonton dry – 4: 0 and led the series 2-0. It is difficult to deal with the powerful attack of Evs, because you need to play extremely carefully. The Oilers, on the other hand, did everything to give the victory to the opponent in the second match. And while it’s still not too late, they should become more disciplined and, instead of stealing a helmet, opt for abandoned pucks.