I like how he "smoothly" tries to play it off...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uib2Geixgxc

:-) :-) :-)
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Nice try, Spezza. :-) :-)
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Fail
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I don't know much about hockey. What was illegal about the stick?
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Too much curvature of the blade. The amount allowed is in the league rules.
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I thought that looked like a Cuban.
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What does the extra curvature do? Allow you to control the puck better?
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It makes it easier to lift the puck when close to the net, or in a shorter swing of the stick.

This is a very common rule violation. Teams can request any player's stick be measured (1" curve is max I believe). However, if the requesting team is wrong they get a 2 minute minor penalty. So, teams will only do so if they are 100% sure and at a crucial time of a game.

So what I'm saying is probably 50-60% of the players in the NHL use a stick that's in violation, but that is close enough where another team won't chance it. Not a big deal, and I'm no Spezza fan.
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Freakin' hilarious!!! :-)
Not sure which was funnier... the attemtped "switcheroo", or when he knew he was busted and tried flat-out breaking the damned thing! Classic!!! :-)
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Well that's another part of the rule. He has to have the stick in his hand when challenged otherwise the other team is penalized. So usually players have 5 or more sticks each in the bench area. So they often have different curves like 3 illegal and 2 legal, etc.
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he gave it a good shot....just not quick enough haha
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In addition to what has already been said, the curvature seems to add more velocity to the puck and makes its flight more unpredictable, kind of like a 120 mph knuckle ball.
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Spezza's stick was also deemed illegal because it was not at least 2" wide near the toe of the stick....from the NHL Rulebook:


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thiness of blade, toe curve, length...almost like a golf club in a way..i dont feel bad for him, everyone does it....lke they said on the video, look at alex O. his is worse, trust me i have seen it....but thanks for the post, its always funny...especailly when he broke it on the ice....lol
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Exactly! Pretty funny... :-)
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damn...almost!
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He must have bought it on the internet..
Hockey stick B&Ms get the best sticks.:-)
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:-)
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That was pretty funny when they brought up Alex the Great... and you're right, they ALL have illegal sticks (either in-hand, or behind the bench). I couldn't remember the last time I saw 'em call for a measurement, either... I think one of the announcers said Game 2, McSorely (figures! LOL), but I still haven't gone back to give it a second look.

Is it April yet?....
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I remember a couple years ago the sharks called someone for it. Ended up being pretty important, just don't remember who it was against.
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