So let's poke the fire a little bit.
During Saturday's Boston-Toronto game, Maple Leafs forward Matt Stajan was on the receiving end of a crushing open-ice hit from Johnny Boychuk, much to the delight of Bruins announcer Jack Edwards.
As long as players keep getting bigger, faster and stronger -- while the playing surface remains the same size -- and the rules stay the same, players are going to keep getting lit up like this and the debate will rage on while more players inevitably suffer significant head injuries.
The only penalty on the play went to Alexei Ponikarovsky for roughing Boychuk following the hit. Toronto ultimately won the game, 2-0, thanks to goals from Tomas Kaberle and Jason Blake, while rookie goaltender Jonas Gustavsson earned his first career shutout by stopping 25 shots.
Toronto has now won eight of its past 13 games, climbing to within four points of the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I am a leaf fan and was watching the game and first thing out of my mouth was 'clean hit but man he rocked him.' On the replay though he lifted his elbow a fair bit, but then kinda made it legal by just lifting that side of his body.
So then I said (and remember I am a Leaf Fan) "okay so I'd give him a 2 min for elbowing. But if theres a suspension I'll flip out because thats nonsense! Its one of those borderline hits'
So I stand by that opinion. I also love seeing guys like Poni and Komi standing up for there teammates. Would Poni have done that last year? I don't think so, I like the changes to this team's mentality.
Here's hoping Stajan does not have any problems! Go Leafs Go
Oh and in regards to head shots/these suspensions. What they need to do is hand out less suspensions for these 'eh' plays, but when there is a real need for a suspension don't make it 3 games or 5 games, or even 10 games. Send a BIG message, make it half a season or a full season.
Instead of giving out a 3 game suspension once a week on questionable hits, punish the non-questionable ones for REAL. 3 games is nothing monetarily or even game wise. Its less than 5% of the season. They are symbolic more than anything esle. You take away a guys earnings for half the year and you send a REAL message
Fully body to body hit is similar to NFL WR going over the middle to catch the pass and exposing himself - some receivers choose not do it. Same in this situation - cant expcet NHL checker to assume some lower/akward position to totally avoid head contact with bent-over low skating stick handler. The passer must also take the responsiblity for such a pass to a teammate and the receiver should be aware of his position and nearest opposition to him. Otherwise we'll have type of hockey like that played in recent NHL All Star games.
More say this hit shouldn't be legal, so, slow the game down, instead of hits, have the defender tap the player and say "you're hit"
It's a fast game, split second reactions, Stajan was vulnerable, head down, and Boychuk stayed on his feet, arm and elbow tucked in. Sorry, Legal hit
How many voters have played hockey and/or are fans?