Sean Avery Gets Creative with Screening the Goalie

Screening the goalie is a longstanding hockey tactic that every team employs whenever possible, especially on the power play. Look no further than Tomas Holmstrom of the Red Wings in the Predators playoff series for a masterful goalie screener. But is there an unspoken line that shouldn't be crossed when it comes to screening the goalie? Or can you do anything you want short of touching the goalie in the name of distraction? In the clip below, Sean Avery of the Rangers pushes the limits (and Martin Brodeur's patience) with some creative screening antics.

The NHL has come out against Avery's tactics and said it would call a penalty if it happens again. I tend to disagree. NHL referees already let players get away with murder when it comes to clearing out in front of their goalie, so there's no reason a Devils player shouldn't have just knocked him out of the way. Most rules of hockey (and sportsmanship) go out the window in front of the net, and Avery's mime show is no worse than say, a cross-check to the back. If you call him for a penalty, you really should start calling every brutal cross-check that takes place in front of the net.