Official NHL thread?

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Originally Posted by r'aggro

Alright, learned hockey fans of Sharky Forums: I want to hear your opinion on whether or not this was an illegal hit, or even just a dirty one.

Mike Richards with a huge open ice hit

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Saw that last night... that was one of the hardest hits that I've seen in a LONG time! That dude was the definition of KO'd.

I don't think that the shoulder to the head was intentional.

I think that in a sport like football or hockey that things happen so fast that it's just unfortunate more than anything. He definitely meaned to cream the guy... but I don't see how it can be said that he targeted his head with his shoulder.

It happens. And all the penalties, beatdowns, suspensions, and fines in the world aren't going to keep it from happening again.

I actually like the fighting in hockey quite a bit. And I think that there is definitely a time and place for it in the game. But one of the devcelopments as of recent that I don't like is that some players feel compelled to fight when they see one of their teamates get crushed legally. I think that's pretty retarded.

I wanted to post that question since Richards got penalized for what appeared to be a legal hit: he kept his elbow tucked in and didn't leave his skates. Hell, Ovechkin always launches himself when he hits people. Obviously the hit gave way to a 1000 post thread at HFboards in short order.;)

Anyway, iirc Richards got a 5 minute Charging penalty and a game misconduct. The hit was reviewed for a possible suspension but none was given, since he didn't break any rules. That being the case, he shouldn't have even been given a penalty to be honest. I tend to agree that split second decisions by the players can lead to bad situations like that...but dammit, you gotta keep your head up!

I didn't even know the NHL has a charging penalty. lame. Calls like that and the different style of play since the lockout is exactly why I don't watch hockey anymore. It's like a part of me died but without the hitting and fighting its not fun to watch anymore. Except for the playoffs. They let them play a bit more then.

Gawd Edmonton is annoying! Same damned inconsistency as last year!

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Originally Posted by r'aggro

The hit was reviewed for a possible suspension but none was given, since he didn't break any rules. That being the case, he shouldn't have even been given a penalty to be honest.

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Exactly. Seems like a total contradication to me.

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I tend to agree that split second decisions by the players can lead to bad situations like that...but dammit, you gotta keep your head up!

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In fact, one of the "factors" that they weigh is if they consider the other player "helpless" when they got hit.

In this case, the league actually said that before he made the pass that he took a moment to look around him and see where the other players were. He *should* have known, and as such was not "helpless".

I think that the hit was largely of Booth's own doing being careless.

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Originally Posted by Snakespy

I didn't even know the NHL has a charging penalty. lame. Calls like that and the different style of play since the lockout is exactly why I don't watch hockey anymore. It's like a part of me died but without the hitting and fighting its not fun to watch anymore. Except for the playoffs. They let them play a bit more then.

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Here's the official description of charging:

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Charging shall mean the actions of a player who, as a result of distance traveled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner. A "Charge" may be the result of a check into the boards, into the goal frame or in open ice.

1. A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who skates or jumps into, or charges an opponent in any manner.

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So I would guess they mean to "stride" into the other guy...but Richards was merely coasting at speed. I see "violent" hits ALL THE TIME that don't get a charge. It's one of those ambiguous rules that is called under a certain set of circumstances but not others...it drives me batty.

You could see a hit that includes an elbow (making it dirtier, and illegal) but if the other guy skates away from it, the offender merely gets a 2 minute minor.

I will say that hitting and fighting are as prolific as ever; it's just that extra rules these days see to it that more penalties result. This is a result of the league's quest to bring more scoring to the game, and try to lure more American viewers. More power plays should = more scoring. Mostly it just pisses off the fans they already had though.:(

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Originally Posted by Spank_Me_Hard

In fact, one of the "factors" that they weigh is if they consider the other player "helpless" when they got hit.

In this case, the league actually said that before he made the pass that he took a moment to look around him and see where the other players were. He *should* have known, and as such was not "helpless".

I think that the hit was largely of Booth's own doing being careless.

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I hope to gawd that Booth is okay and will recover soon, but yeah...as strong and fast as players are these days, all it takes is that extra half-second of admiring your pass and you can get wrecked.

Or skating the puck across the blueline with your head down; just ask Eric Lindros.

The video was removed. wish I had watched it in time!

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

This one works, and is a longer video with some slo-mo from multiple angles.

I think the only reason it looks like a dirty hit is because he went a bit too high. I would have to say I would have given him a penalty too. If he had gone a foot lower on him there would be no problem with the hit I bet.

Then there was the hit with Ladd on D'Agostini:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzdnAmeT-cU

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Originally Posted by Spank_Me_Hard

Then there was the hit with Ladd on D'Agostini:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzdnAmeT-cU

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In my eyes that was clean. Shoulder down, elbow down, and he explodes into the hit. The guy simply had his head down. The one before this on the panthers player was bad due to the straight intentional head shot. Also, the puck had left the players stick a few seconds prior.

I play hockey and had something similar happen to me once. It was a clean play I was just leaning the wrong way and got caught in the face. Luckily I wear a full face mask and it didn't hurt much but it sure as hell didn't feel good. I probably would've been knocked the hell out if I wasn't wearing full face coverage though.

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Originally Posted by Nabby

Also, the puck had left the players stick a few seconds prior.

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Watch closely, Booth dropping the puck off to his left and Richards hitting him only has ~1 second (if that) of elapsed time. No where near a few seconds.

They are the same hit. No difference between them except the first vid was a bit faster. Both a little dirty and high up for the speed they were skating towards each other.

I liked this hit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOuaj...eature=related

That's the kind of hit that gets people all up in arms at first, because it looks like he's using the elbow. But when you watch the replay you can see that the arm doesn't come flying up until after the actual contact. Good hit, and love the message at the end.

He looks a bit groggy:

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

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Originally Posted by Spank_Me_Hard

He looks a bit groggy:

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

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This guy is beyond groggy, way beyond.

Not sure if it was posted here but here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPj-kCp1rGI

Shoulder hits head, head hits the ice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta6hF9eDpOQ

OUCH!

Ever been whacked with your own shoe by an irate hockey player?

http://www.nesn.com/2009/12/thirty-y...nt-at-msg.html

I read in the Denver Post today that the NHL commissioner is going to try to not let NHL players play in the 1014 Olympics. How outrageous is that? Probably half of the Olympic players are in the NHL. If I was a player I would not play and take a pay cut or something to represent my country. That is the highest honor ever for people, being picked out of millions and billions of people to represent them. What a frikkin retard.

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Originally Posted by Snakespy

I read in the Denver Post today that the NHL commissioner is going to try to not let NHL players play in the 1014 Olympics. How outrageous is that? Probably half of the Olympic players are in the NHL. If I was a player I would not play and take a pay cut or something to represent my country. That is the highest honor ever for people, being picked out of millions and billions of people to represent them. What a frikkin retard.

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From what I have heard, this is true.

And Alexander Ovechkin for one... will not comply. He has stated that he'll find a way to play for team Russia one way or another. Which I admire him for. Pride in his country trumps his paycheque. I can't imagine that the Capitals are too happy with his statement... but I admire his passion for the game and his country.

I hope more NHL players do the same thing.

Ovechkin also referenced revenues.

In the Canada-US game (which BTW, the Canadians will win a re-match IMO) something liek 2/3rds of Canada watched the game. And probably a significant US crowd as well (I know a few non-hockey fans who watched it). If there is no NHL players, what will the viewership be to see a bunch of collegiates compete? In fact, you may as well award the gold medal before a game is played to the Ruissians. There wiill be a cost to be payed for the NHL being banned from the Olympics.

These games have been epic, Oly hockey will be a complete joke without the nhl.
Every player on US and Canada, and almost every player on the swedes, finns, russians, czechs and slovaks are NHL. Quality will make a complete nosedive.

On another note, I have absolutely loved this tournament. It's so strange to cheer against players from my nhl team, while becoming a fan of guys I normally loathe! Parise and Orpik FTW!:eek:

Go Team Ryan!!

Games have been epic.

Best hockey in the world to watch IMO. Better than NHL playoffs.

This is as good as hockey gets. Intense. Even my roomates have become sucked in.

Ive been watching them a bunch too. Very good stuff. But the #1 reason I'm watching it: are you ready for this NHL? Yes I'm taking a stab at you.

IT'S FRIKKIN TELEVISED!!!!

The gold medal game is great so far. Canada sure doesn't want to lose the lead holy crap. They are pressuring the US so much that half of them cant move anywhere with the puck. Literally nowhere!