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Geez I'm gonna back outta this before it even begins. I learned my lesson a few weeks ago. See y'all on Wednesday!!
GO BULLS GO!!
The photo is worth a 1, maybe 2 game suspension. Since it wasn't directed at the opposing team, crowd or an official, I would guess only 1.
Now if he cross-checked an official, that is the USA Hockey Officials job to give a suspension, not Frankenfelds. The referee would have written the penalty down and a description of what happened on the OGR. This, along with game film, would be sent to Scott Brand for him to determine a suspension.
I'll agree Frankies job is to make sure all the teams are operating at tier II standards. His job is not to have his hand in every activity (in this case suspensions) but to delegate. Technically what Amarillo is doing with the hotel is not against the rules. While it may not be ideal, it's still acceptable per USA Hockey standards.
From a Bulls' parent:
Stephan...I think you are doing a great job with your website but have to clarify and question a few things especially after reading this post...I was in Amarillo a few weeks ago and the GM had asked me where I stayed and was inquiring about my hotel when It came to my mind fter reading your posts that they were looking to make a change in team hotels quite some time before your posts after Topeka raised a rukus about the current hotel...They are a first class organization from top to bottom and probably hadnt been able to get things fixed before some problems arised...I gurantee they do things right there...Obviously im disapointed in the picture of Omar Mullen that was posted and have to wonder if it was photoshopped..? Mullen is a yes sir kid who any Div 1 team would love to have...He has the heart of a lion and plays for keeps every game I have watched this season...The rivalery between Topeka and Amarillo is second to none and all players make mistakes in the heat of the battle and what bothers me is some College Coaches may get the wrong Idea about Mullen by that picture...The Amarillo Coaches do things right and work with there players to be the best on and off the ice and furthermore work as hard as I have seen to move them on to College Hockey as seen by there 10 College Commitments this year.I think they may have another 3 to 5 kids that may get commitments this year by my smell test...By your rankings they have been the best team in the league almost all season so I know you give them credit at least on the ice...As you know there are few spots left on Div 1 Hockey teams because of "Crystal Ball Recruiting" by todays NCAA Coaches and The NAHL has came along way the last 7 years I have been associated with the league to help players fill the last few spots...Remember these players are playing on "hope"and "for free" for a future in Hockey and in college so I would like to see you keep your website focused on helping as many of these kids out rather than anything that could diminish there possibilities in the future...printing that picture of Mullen gives the wrong impression of a great Heart and Soul player that most teams would kill to have on there team...Hopefully you will take the picture down for the reasons stated....oterwise some good stuff overall here....
Parent,
Corpus Christi was forced into the same property. From what I understand, nobody will be trading rooms with Amarillo next year. Well, maybe the Tornado.
Photo Shop? Come on Penguin. That's a serious stretch.
Why would kid do something this stupid? Because consequences for such actions are not considered in the heat of the moment. Because these are different kinds of players now. Entitlement, expectations, and self gratification has replaced hard work, sportsmanship, and respect for the game.
Meanwhile, the commissioner is out trying to create the NAEHL and looking like a fool in the process.
If this was the Ontario Hockey League, the "finger-pointing" player in question would get at least a 20-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the OHL.
At Stallag 13 the evidence is not credible because it was provided by JuniorHockey.com.
The kid skates this weekend against Curtale.
I know I said I'd stay outta this but I just can't do it.
I do think that that e-mail you received from a Bulls' parent has some good points. Mullan is an excellent player and a gentlemen off the ice. He's ALWAYS got a smile on his face and willing to pose for pictures. He's no doubt the fan favorite in Amarillo for his willingness to drop the mitts yet he can also score goals. This young man is working and playing for a college ride and your article seriously damages that. Thru 40 games so far he has 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points and is +26. Any college would be thrilled to have him. You've made NO mention of Topeka's Tyler Poulsen's "obscene gesture" game misconduct that was assessed in the SAME GAME that this photo was taken. Why is that? Are you mad at Amarillo? If you don't like the way Amarillo is being run or the players we have then why don't you ever leave that beach in Mexico and try to change something? But you won't cause deep down you want Amarillo to get worse and worse cause bad news in Amarillo is good press for you. This article is my case in point.
Okay, where to start, every hockey player will have moments that are not his finest. These players who gave the finger will be given another chance to prove that they are mature enough to warrant a college in investing $150K in them.
Sometimes, I wonder if parents of NAHL players (or the players themselves) even watch D1 College Hockey. It is fast and exciting hockey and it is moving in the direction of ensuring player safety. So there is no fighting and even big hits will usually get the whistle. No cheapshots are allowed so if you are a player who wants a D1 scholarship, why would you do any of these things? Fighting in the NAHL may make you a "fan favorite" but it does nothing to help you get to D1.
This is what D1 coaches want: (directly from Hobey Baker site)
Hobey Baker Memorial Award Criteria
•Candidates must exhibit strength of character both on and off the ice.
•Candidates must contribute to the integrity of the team and display outstanding skills in all phases of the game.
•Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and sportmanship.
•Candidates must comply with all NCAA rules: be full time students in an accredited NCAA college or university; and complete 50% or more of the season.
Do these things and you will have a chance to play D1.
Heisler did not harm Mullins chances, Mullen did.Players who want to climb the ladder have to realize their actions have consequences.Player obscene gestures are not that rare and don't usually damage a player when done (Poulson).But to flip off someone taking a picture of you is just not thinking(Mullin).Maybe the photog said something not so nice to Mullin to get him to look up.Squirting fans to me is no big deal.The fan probably deserved it.Cross - checking a ref can be if the ref felt it was a deliberate action directed at him.Linesmen get in the way of a good scrum all the time and get roughed up.If the ref felt it was no big thing in his report then it is no big thing.Mullen probably is a decent kid and he really has improved his game this season.But he didn't help himself getting caught like this.Fatal blow? I doubt it.As for suspension one maybe two games.To give a player 20 for something like this is just rediculous.BTW , looks like Omar was on the losing end of a battle too!.
Andrew,
The problem is not in Amarillo, it's in Frisco. Frankenfeld's head is on top of the league structure and it is his responsibility to maintain standards. When he does not, this is the kind of baloney that comes to the top of the pool.
Stephen,
You just said "the problem is not in Amarillo", yet in your e-mail to Frankenfeld you said, and I quote, "Your tendency to look the other way has severely damaged the leagues reputation. Fix the problem in Amarillo...." So which is it?
Andrew,
Frankenfeld maintains standards and Amarillo would be too scared to pull those tricks.
Do you think that CSH would ever try that crap in the Western Hockey League? Hell no.
Enough said.
Ok then Stephen just for sh*ts and giggles lets say that you're in Frankenfelds position. What would you do? How would you handle the picture with Mullan and the problems with Amarillo? (Host hotel, fan problems, etc..)
The first thing that SHOULD have been done is to establish the line with the BOG.
Here are the standards. Here is where we are going to exceed them as a league.
Teams that operate outside of these lines will be dealt with.
Players that are unable to maintain of their emotions will be dealt with.
Enforcement of these standards and rules are not going to be selective. Do the crime, do the time, pay the fine.
Mullan will get 5 or even 10 games. Clark may be out for the season.
Well, todays "program music"
Stephen, Martin and Robert
"Word Up"...Gun (version) (hey, if anybody decides to watch the film "Barb Wire" intro, its up to you!, just watch through to the high heel)...
Andrew (note: you started it) and "Parent"
"Blinded By The Light"...Manfred Mann's Earth Band
"Its Only Love"...Tina Turner and Bryan Adams...(note: I understand)
+
"Don't Misunderstand Me"...Rossington Collins Band
+
"Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"...AC DC (Bon version!)
"Master of Puppets"...Metallica
ALL the Players
"Takin' Care Of Business"...BTO (Bachman Turner Overdrive)
Me
"I Was There"...Green Day
"Rock In A Hard Place (Cheshire Cat)...Aerosmith
+ finally:
" I Can't Dance"...Genesis
Enjoy! (or not)...(caution: with Music titles and lyrics (at least partial), I can go untill I croak...Har
But as you stated earlier, Mullan will not be suspended this weekend correct?
posted Jan. 29th, 2013 - 2:41pm
Ric Davis says:
Stephen
These people are not thinking big enough, it's not Amarillo.
Keep up the good work, I've watched too much BS get swept under the rug. I'm glad you're not getting burned out by banging your head against the wall. You, as well I know, that part of the problem is like minded thinkers in control of certain teams, the Executive Committee, and the Chair of the Board.
Mullan will be getting hit with 5 to 10 games...
Stephen,
How do you know that?
From the photographer...
My name is Sheena LeMay-Nelssen and I am the photographer who took that photo of the Amarillo player flipping me off. Beyond the fact that the player had no right to flip me off, I am also 4 1/2 months pregnant and one of the RoadRunners' players was kicked out of that game for "an obscene gesture" but this player returned to the ice where he stayed the rest of the game. Thank you for sending the photo on for others to see.
I am baffled why first and foremost no one is holding the coach responsible for the behavior of his team. He ultimately can keep his team in line with playing or lack of playing time. With the "roach motel" lack of leadership etc..I can see why we on the east are so lucky to have the NAHL come in and save us from ourselves.
As the photographer of the photo in question I will swear by my work that it was not photoshopped. I would never pass off a photoshopped photo as a real photo and also I dont have the time. I also did not say anything to the player. I was just taking photos.
Geez he flipped off a girl to boot.Nice job Omar.Just curious has Mr. Mullen at least apologized to the photographer yet?
I bet Mullan plays this weekend
Andrew,
How much?
Stephen,
I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't play Friday night, but anything more than 1 game is ridiculous. He didn't direct "the finger" at a ref, coach, fan, or another player. I bet he plays at least 1 game this weekend. I'm just basing this on opinion, I don't have unlimited resources like you lol. But I'm a good sport so I'll play along. If Mullan doesn't play at all this weekend then on Monday on your new rankings I'll say "The Topeka RoadRunners are the greatest team to ever grace God's green earth" But if he does skate this weekend then you have to come to Amarillo the weekend of March 8th and 9th and experience the rivalry 1st hand and see what Bulls fans are really like.
Deal?
Here it goes. Until my wife can travel with me, I'm not going anywhere.
We never should have had to leave in the first place. Getting her a "change of status" from a visitor visa to a permanent resident as a spouse should have taken little more than marriage certificate and evidence that the marriage is genuine.
Needless to say, that was not the case and here we are. Have lemons, make lemonade.
We are still "in the process" and when we complete it, we will likely go back for visits to experience the atmosphere in places like Amarillo again.
Will I move back to the states? I'm looking out my window and all I can see is the sea, sand, and palm trees. A little later I'll go down to the market and spend $8 on enough fish to keep our tacos filled. Veggies will cost another $8,a bit of Carne Asada (fresh off the mesquite grill) is $6. 24 bottles of Corona is a little over $13. Toss in another $15 for milk and the other stuff and we are back home with enough grub for a week.
Happy kids, happy wife, happy hockey writer.
Well I never said y'all needed to move here lol.
So no deal then?
Honestly, It may take us a year to get this crap straightened out...so maybe next season.
Really Stephen? Did you read some of the reviews??
Here's 2....
"We always stay here and get a room facing Polk street. Yes, it's noisy but you get a great view of the riots in front of Tatum's. Last time were were there, 25 cop cars were called and 45 arrests made. Better than HBO".
"I stayed at this hotel because it is conveniently located in downtown Amarillo. However, the night clerk was terrible, rude, and made our stay miserable".
Surely the king of junior hockey deserves better
""He didn't direct "the finger" at a ref, coach, fan, or another player.""
so a photographer isnt a fan? maybe theyre just a 'paid employee'. kind of like a ref, or a coach...
nice justification of childish behavior...
posted Jan. 30th, 2013 - 8:25pm
Jr Ruiz says:
Actually that particular photographer IS a fan...
And that gesture shouldn't be directed at ANYONE during the game...
...
Was in the Courtyard last week. Very nice property in a renovated old downtown building. Good choice.
Jr,
You're right it shouldn't be directed at anyone during a game. I'm a huge fan of Mullan but I admit he messed up, and I'm sure he regrets his actions. **it happens and people move on. Stephen's made it well known that Amarillo's not perfect, regardless of what us Bulls fans think ;) Looking back #8 Gage Christianson got a 6 or 8 game suspension (don't remember how long exactly) in November while visiting the Tornado for an "Obscene Gesture", but that was directed at the ref.
My guess is Mullan sits on Friday and skates on Saturday.
37 posts. Man anything Bulls related sure pulls a lot of opinion!Well bottom line Mullan messed up.Now he will have to do the time.Earlier we had someone get 6 games(from an Amarillo game , what a surprise!). So it should not be any more than that. I have a question. Why is he bleeding? Did someone loosen some dental work? Just curious.
Mullan got a tooth knocked out from a high stick back in early October in Amarillo against Odessa, I believe he got another high stick in Topeka which led to a fight, (I don't know for sure tho as I was only watching on fasthockey, maybe Christian or JR could fill in more on that). I also just noticed that pointstreak has updated the penalties from Saturday night and has included this....
Amarillo - Omar Mullan - (Obscene Gestures) (Game Misconduct), 10 MIN, 0:00
Looks like my "guess" of Mullan missing 1 game will be wrong..
Looks like mine for 5 was right-on.
Well unfortunately Stephen we don't all have a crystal ball lol
Look's like Christian's kid is also getting a little vacation as well.
"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"...U2
"How Many More Times"...LED ZEPPELIN!...
...man, its been a while, now thats Jimmy Page
posted Jan. 31st, 2013 - 2:12pm
Jr Ruiz says:
Hockey math: 1 Finger = 5 Games...(So far!)
Well, if that's the case, nobody ever accused the refs (Marionettes) and the league of being precise...
...I bet the Cheshire Cat (aka Master of Puppets, Bullwinkle) and the others (aka Lex Luthor, Rocky) weren't grinning when that picture showed up though...
...but, as has been said before and just recently here; playing Hockey also teaches to learn from your mistakes, life isn't fair, to respect the game,
and "Keep Pushin"...REO Speedwagon...
...GO RUNNERS!
Stuff like that happens with the intensity that these teams have. I would still pay to see Mullen play. Oh wait I did. Anyway, I like the way he plays. With a chip on his shoulder. If he played here for us he would be a fan favorite. Players with a spirit like his don't come along all that often anymore. I can't wait for the next set of games with Amarillo. Hell I might even make the trek down there.
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