Playoffs 2000:Caps steamed over Klee holding penalty

Caps steamed over Klee holding penalty
Associated Press

PITTSBURGH -- The Washington Capitals didn't like where the NHL made them play Game 2 against Pittsburgh. What made them madder still was how the officials made them play.

The Capitals, trying to get back to their dump-and-grind style that was so successful this season, were shorthanded nine times in a 2-1 loss Saturday decided by Penguins star Jaromir Jagr's overtime goal.

Capitals coach Ron Wilson was angered that defenseman Ken Klee was called for holding Alexei Kovalev in overtime, leading to Jagr's game-winner.

"I thought we played a great game," Wilson said. "I can't control what is a penalty or what one team's allowed to do and the other team pays the price. It's very frustrating to see the other team get warned for interfering, for slashing and, for the same offenses, we don't get a warning and we are in the box."

Klee called the penalty "unbelievable" but said it was "typical" of referee Paul Stewart.

"He's too good for the players," Klee said. "It's his game."

Several Capitals accused Kovalev of taking a dive on the Klee penalty. Kovalev denied that, saying, "I never dive. I always go for the puck."

Goalie Olaf Kolzig not only questioned the Klee penalty -- Klee's second in a span of six minutes -- but, "You have to question a lot of them."

The Capitals played Saturday without star Chris Simon, who was suspended for cross-checking Penguins defenseman Peter Popovic across the jaw in Pittsburgh's 7-0 victory in Game 1. Popovic played Game 2, which was supposed to be played in Washington but was moved to Pittsburgh because of arena scheduling problems.

The "Burn the Floor" dance show was supposed to occupy Mellon Arena next week. Instead, it's been replaced by the Capitals' slow burn.

"Maybe they've got a great medical staff ... but you're going down, you've been cross checked in the head, you're got a severe concussion, possible broken jaw and you're right back out there the next night," Wilson said.

Early in Game 2, Penguins forward Matthew Barnaby crumpled to the ice after being slashed by Sergei Gonchar, who was not penalized. Barnaby was taken to the dressing room for medical care, but returned to play.

"You go off with a broken arm and you're right back out there five minutes later," Wilson said. "This is frustrating. I don't know what to say. Every time a guy is down, (Penguins captain) Jaromir Jagr comes over to complain about it and, the next time, we have a guy in the box."

Through two games, Pittsburgh is 4-for-17 on the power play to Washington's 1-for-10.

Wilson also accused Jagr of hitting Klee in the head with a stick late in regulation without being penalized.

"He (the referee) certainly would have seen Chris Simon hit someone over the head with a stick," Wilson said.

The Capitals also lost an apparent goal that would have put them up 2-0 when the officials ruled goalie Ron Tugnutt had covered the puck.

"It would have been 2-0 and maybe we shut them down from there," Kolzig said.