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the information concerning concussions is the reason, can't just continue as always, allowing players
to hit each other 'directly' to the head, purposely targeting the head.
All of life is 'learning', and the NHL is learning, players are learning, and with exception of the
wierdness of the beginning of these playoffs, YES, I was seeing a definite improvement in the players
making sure they weren't running other players into the boards so hard they are concussing, that is
noticeable.
With the increased knowledge, the NHL would look totally stupid and negligent if they didn't respond,
accordingly.
The old saying, 'JUST GOT MY BELL RUNG' is now history, as that was the response for many years to
obvious concussions.
In my opinion the suspensions are necessary, but 'no', nothing will ever be perfect when humans are
making the decisions, it is not a computerized decision, it is a human response, and the officials
are terrible this season.
Torres is a stupid man, he has shown all of us that aspect of his thought process, he is a repeat
offender, and he will be treated as such, he can't seem to learn, he doesn't belong in an arena
where he could eventually permanately injure another player, i'm just thankful that he is no longer
a canuck, and we don't have to 'again' be his team, who had watched him carelessly and stupidly
charge another player, with the intent to injure.
The seabrook incident made me feel embarrassed that canucks had such a player.
Players heads will be hit by coincidental contact, that won't stop, it can't stop, the game is just
too fast and very rough, and that aspect of the game, has to be accepted, just as any danger in
any violent and physical sport, just the way it is, and if people can't accept what can't be stopped,
then they should not watch the sport.
Elbowing has become totally unacceptable, 'just keep the elbows down', pretty simple thing to do, one
has to lift one's arm very high, aim it, and run it into another players head, duh, any player can
learn 'not' to do that. It isn't even a natural move.
Torres could have completed his hit in a very conventional manner, without adding the extra unnacceptable
moves, but it seems he can't 'think'.
cronwell in detroit gives out a very similar hit to the torres hit, cronwell has
done it many times, and he doesn't get penalized, the reason being, he is always
waiting on the boards, moving toward a player who is trying to leave the zone,
with the puck, playing the puck and very unsuspecting of cronwell moving toward
him, then 'boom', he hits them very very hard, and sometimes the player has to
be carted off the ice, 'eg. havlat a couple of years ago', he hit the ice so
hard, he didn't know where he was.
The opposition is always horified at how hard their player was hit by him, but
the hit is considered legal, but definitely very borderline.
Kesler got hit by him with that identical hit, it is his signature hit now,
but i'm sure they are just waiting for him to take that hit a bit too far,
as it is dangerous.
The hit on henrik by dustin brown was that kind of hit, many thought brown should
have been penalized, and some thought he should have been suspended, his arm
slid up henrik's body and did catch him on the chin, 'no call at all', that is
coincidental head contact. Brown did put his arm up long before he hit henrik,
not elbowing, a straight arm shivver I guess its called, pretty borderline, and
depending on the particular official, might be called, might not.
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I noticed the same thing, talloola. Shanahan was doing a pretty decent job when he was first in office. I seemed to notice a bit of a change after the owners got together for that little pow-wow a couple of months back, but I'm sure that is just a coincidence - yeah right.
Shanahan is not independent, he is under restraints put on him by Bettman - the little creep - and team owners. Fights and dirty hits fill stadiums and send up TV ratings, as was confirmed this morning when I read an article about both going through the roof after all that nastiness in the Pens vs Flyers series. The old bottom line is what still rules the neanderthal brains of some team owners and much as I would like to blame them good teams, good stadiums/arenas, etc. etc. cost big money.
I would rather see the PA take a lead in this area. I do believe that pressure to change comes from within and where better than between the players themselves. It must irk the really great players no end to see a member of their team take an opposition player out with a really dirty hit. It reflects on the entire team as we often see with things the Canucks do.
Agreed, talloola. I have often wondered how the league reconciles itself with the fact that young players are taught a much cleaner game of hockey with an edge to more sportsman-like conduct only to find that in the big leagues anything goes at times.
They are that, talloola..........and from what I've been seeing the penalty calling is uneven leaving the players guessing as to how far they can push the line at times.
Too bad he didn't take a page out of Matt Cooke's book and try to re-make himself as a hockey player instead of a fight promoter.
I don't think the officials purposely call or not call certain infractions, I think they are not able
to keep up with the game, and can't think fast enough to make the decisions needed in a fraction of a
second, and by the time they realize, it is too late to do it.
And many times they just can't make up their mind, so they just leave it, and
let shanahan do it, but when they do that, they are letting a player remain in
the game, when they probably should have had a five minute major, and a game
misconduct, as happened when duncan keith hit daniel, if he had have been ejected
from the game, it would have allowed the game to settle down much quicker.
But shanahan and his bosses 'are' able, lots of time there, and missing the weber infraction, (not even
a hockey play), more like a pub brawl move, was a big problem, as he scored a goal next game, which he
shouldn't have been playing in at all, and that makes an impact on outcomes.
We can't just point fingers at management, because the public flocks out in bigger numbers when there
has been big controversies, and fights and other wierdness, so the more people the more money, no different
than many other walks of life, people flocking to a fire, to an accident, gathering around a street fight,
the human nature aspect of life, doesn't help it contributes, and any corporation that can bring in
more profit, isn't going to be helpful to take out the reason for those profits.
Having said all of that, I have seen big improvemenst prior to the start of these playoffs, at the moment
there has been a setback, but I think that will fade, hopefully before playoffs are over, but if not,
next season things will continue to improve, and suspensions will support that, and repeat offenders,
like torres will be hurting themselves, as they will lose more 'pay', be out longer each time, and
eventually out of the game.
And also, there is a contract negotiation coming up for the NHL and the PA this summer as well, so some
of these things will be hashed out,and also the new schedule will be set out, (not for this coming season) probably the next one.
The NHL and the PA and the players do not see all of this physical stuff in quite as serious a way for
many types of hits as the public (pretend) they do, and it is the players game, and if they want to keep
lots of the heavy physcal play, that is their decision, not ours.
Of course the concussions must be cut down, can't ever be stopped, but even 'I' don't want this game to
become wussy and too tame, it wasn't meant to be like that, they players don't want it to be like that,
and it shouldn't.
Get rid of the 'staged fights' they are embarrassing and drag the game down the pro wrestling and
roller derby like, fake entertainment, get rid of it.
The speed and toughness and emotion that is in the game of hockey does cause spontaneous breakouts from
time to time, I can accept that, they are quickly snuffed out, and the game continues, sure it doesn't
happen in the olympics, a short tournament, not an 82 game schedule, also understandable.
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I don't see any staged fights anymore: they've been gone since the mid 90s. Yes there are heavyweights but really teams can't afford the luxury, either under the cap or just with roster limitations, of having some guy on the bench whose job is to fight and actually contributing is a bonus. I AM surprised by the number of fights in the post season this year though: maybe some honest to god rivalry-based hatred is coming back into the game...
there are lots of staged fights, more than I remember in the past few years two guys waiting for the
puck to drop, they have allready agreed to fight as soon as it drops, as they will are not allowed
to do it before, happens all the time, its ridiculous.
or - two guys skating alongside each other, you can see them talking, they are making an agreement
to have a fight, then they drop their gloves, throw their helmets aside, stand around getting ready
to fight, then do, also ridiculous, don't know why the NHL allows that at all, they should immediately
be thrown out of the game.
don't know how you have missed them, they happen often, and look silly.
Marc-Andre Fleury is a MONSTER!
There were many times tonight that he was all that stood between a Pen win or a game tie and everytime he was called upon especially in the 3rd period he answered in grand fashion. Marc shone tonight, I am so happy he got his game back. He makes a huge difference in the outcome of the game for his team.
On the other hand, Malkin was a totally dolt tonight. He wipes out his Captain and keeps on skating. Then he gets two really stupid dirty penalties to put his team short against one of the best PP teams in the play-offs.
The first period was a blow-out for the Pens. They looked like they couldn't quite remember their positions or how to skate with the puck at times.
In the second, after some serious coaching during intermission, the Pens came out like a much more together group of players. They were good on the puck and made some fabulous long passes connecting for good net opportunities. Sidney wasn't much of a presence in the second though he played some good shifts.
In the 3rd, the Pens with the aid of Fluery held off the Flyers to take the game 3 - 2 and we are off to Game 6 with the series now 3 - 2 for the Flyers.
I Believe.
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Nashville just won their play-off series with the Detroit Red Wings who go down to defeat in Game 5.
On the other hand, Malkin was a totally dolt tonight. He wipes out his Captain and keeps on skating. Then he gets two really stupid dirty penalties to put his team short against one of the best PP teams in the play-offs.
The first period was a blow-out for the Pens. They looked like they couldn't quite remember their positions or how to skate with the puck at times.
In the second, after some serious coaching during intermission, the Pens came out like a much more together group of players. They were good on the puck and made some fabulous long passes connecting for good net opportunities. Sidney wasn't much of a presence in the second though he played some good shifts.
In the 3rd, the Pens with the aid of Fluery held off the Flyers to take the game 3 - 2 and we are off to Game 6 with the series now 3 - 2 for the Flyers.
I Believe.
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Nashville just won their play-off series with the Detroit Red Wings who go down to defeat in Game 5.
Heck there was one just the other night, but I've watched so many play-off games, I forget which teams were playing. Right off the puck drop, the other players pulled back, the sticks were dropped, the gloves came off and the dance of the bears began. And basically that's all the dolts did was dance. Neither got a particularly hard punch in or came out the victor as they finally wrestled to the ice and were subsequently kicked out of the game.
All I could do was sit back and wonder at the absolute inanity of it all. Then the game got back to hockey and the rest of the night was if not calm at least more settled. So, maybe the stupid staged fights work as long as the perps are tossed so as not to display their idiocy yet another time.
kind of wierd seeing the wings go down so early, oh well, the beginning of a new era me thinks, and
they had trouble with nashville, that peca rinne, looks so big and plays so well, very hard to score.
It does seem strange doesn't it, talloola especially in the first round. Can't wait to see the final outcome of Round One as we could very well witness some further surprising upsets, methinks. :smile:
its a long long road to any of that happening, so we'll see how it all plays out.
if the top four teams happen to win, then canucks will play nashville, so I
should be cheering for san jose to defeat st. louis, then we won't have to play
against peca rinne, but doesn't look like will happen, so we need chicago to
defeat phoenix, then we would play chicago, don't want to meet smith either, those
two goalies are murder to score on.
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replay ~ defo jumps off the ice to land the shoulder:
Marian Hossa stretchered off ice after hit from Raffi Torres - YouTube
A one game suspension and a few hours of community service should do as punishment.
Marian Hossa stretchered off ice after hit from Raffi Torres - YouTube
A one game suspension and a few hours of community service should do as punishment.
Torres deserves a pretty good suspension for that hit. It was late, he hit the head of Hossa and the jumping up to do it makes 3 different violations of the way the NHL looks at these hits... but who knows? Rinaldo didn't get anything for mugging Michalek in the Pens-Flyers game the other night, and Shanny let Weber off too. Shanahan is FAR better than Colon Cancer...er Campbell was (and Burke before him for that matter) but the inconsistencies make me wonder about the constraints the league brass place on him.
Fleury was incredible. He was shaky and there was a lot of concern about his confidence level after the first 3 games but last night it looked like he found his mojo. He wasn't able to do much on the PP goals in the first but after that, he channeled Gandalf vs the Balrog from Lord Of The Rings with his "You Shall Not Pass!!!" play. Malkin had a good outing in game 4 but has been a disappointment the rest of the series, especially considering he should be the MVP for the regular season; many in hockey refer to Sid as the best player in the world, but this season Malkin made a strong case to be considered 1B to Sid's 1A. The young guys the Pens brought in on D (Dupres and Strait) have played really well and the 7 defenseman strategy Bylsma is employing seems to have stopped the Flyers in their tracks. This series just got a whole lot more interesting.
Detroit has been so good for so long, it seems incomprehensible that they need to retool, even partially... but stars get old. I don't think they'll be down for long: Datsyuk isn't old and they've got some other younger guys, coupled with the fact that Devellano & Co. have done a decent job of fiding talent over the past decade or so. I don't like that I am hearing people going after Howard though: Detroit's weakness (philosophically) has been their willingness to write off goaltenders too quickly and doing so in this case, I think would be a big mistake. They need to commit more to team D, not just leave the man between the pipes on an island by himself.
Next big question is can Vancouver claw their way back in that series. Quick has outplayed Luongo and Schneider and if that trend continues, its over. I like the Kings: they've got a pretty young team but they've also got a few talented veterans too. It seems a little wiered to me the way the media seems to be on the "Luongo is done" bandwagon, but he hasn't been able to win the big one, so its bound to happen. I don't like the Canucks defensive commitment much more than I like Detroit's and I think thats why the goaltenders suffer but thats just my opinion.
For today, go 'Hawks! Go Blues! Go Devils!
Fleury was incredible. He was shaky and there was a lot of concern about his confidence level after the first 3 games but last night it looked like he found his mojo. He wasn't able to do much on the PP goals in the first but after that, he channeled Gandalf vs the Balrog from Lord Of The Rings with his "You Shall Not Pass!!!" play. Malkin had a good outing in game 4 but has been a disappointment the rest of the series, especially considering he should be the MVP for the regular season; many in hockey refer to Sid as the best player in the world, but this season Malkin made a strong case to be considered 1B to Sid's 1A. The young guys the Pens brought in on D (Dupres and Strait) have played really well and the 7 defenseman strategy Bylsma is employing seems to have stopped the Flyers in their tracks. This series just got a whole lot more interesting.
Detroit has been so good for so long, it seems incomprehensible that they need to retool, even partially... but stars get old. I don't think they'll be down for long: Datsyuk isn't old and they've got some other younger guys, coupled with the fact that Devellano & Co. have done a decent job of fiding talent over the past decade or so. I don't like that I am hearing people going after Howard though: Detroit's weakness (philosophically) has been their willingness to write off goaltenders too quickly and doing so in this case, I think would be a big mistake. They need to commit more to team D, not just leave the man between the pipes on an island by himself.
Next big question is can Vancouver claw their way back in that series. Quick has outplayed Luongo and Schneider and if that trend continues, its over. I like the Kings: they've got a pretty young team but they've also got a few talented veterans too. It seems a little wiered to me the way the media seems to be on the "Luongo is done" bandwagon, but he hasn't been able to win the big one, so its bound to happen. I don't like the Canucks defensive commitment much more than I like Detroit's and I think thats why the goaltenders suffer but thats just my opinion.
For today, go 'Hawks! Go Blues! Go Devils!
Quick hasn't had much to do. Most of his shots in games 1 thru 3 came from way out and with 5 Kings standing there to either block them or clear rebounds. Schneider's performance has been the best of any goaltender. However, all he has to do is look human for 1 of the next 3 games and it's over for Vancouver.
torres got a 25 games suspension, won't see him till after next season starts.
i'm sure his own team would like to take him out behind the shed and give him a going over,
as they needed him for the rest of the playoffs.
idiot
i'm sure his own team would like to take him out behind the shed and give him a going over,
as they needed him for the rest of the playoffs.
idiot
that was a definite gliche in shanahan's decisions, i'm sure he would like that one back, wondering if
he was told by NHL 'not' to suspend weber because it would be too costly for nashville, can't figure
out any other reason for his 'non' suspension on that one.
He stated it was because zetterberg wasn't injured, but zetterberg said that his helmet was cracked
from the blow, but I suppose his helmet didn't have a concussion, that must be it. lol
I have to admit though, the force of zetterberg's head against the glass wasn't all that much, and
the fact that he wasn't injured 'at all' proves as much, and Weber did have to pay the $2,500.00 fine,
so it wasn't unnoticed, and now weber is a repeat offender as well, I think that was his 2nd or 3rd
offense that went to shanahan for review, so he has to watch himself for any further idiotic moves,
or he will be dealt with more severely.
The intent of Weber was obvious, to smash someone's head against the glass. The only reason to do that is to cause injury. Torres on the other hand showed no intent to injure anyone.
Are players sure what the rules are anymore? It seems like rules and the penalties for infractions are invented or thrown out on game by game basis.
but weber did not injure anyone, torres did, big difference, he didn't intend to do it, but he is so
stupid that after many previous hits that caused him to be questioned, and previous suspensions, he
is not learning, hence bigger suspensions, the call in my opinion is correct.
sure, his hit is just careless, thoughtless and dumb, doesn't mean he shouldn't be punished - again.
torres could have hit within the rules, probably would have received a interference penalty, end of
story, didn't happen that way, he had lots of time to adjust his speed, and NOT launch himself into
hossa.
on the other hand weber, also being stupid, could have hit zetterberg's head into the glass much
harder, causing a concussion, or maybe more serious injury, he didn't.
Shannie stood tall on this one...........bye bye Torres.
Whatever he channeled, it worked.......so very glad for Marc-Andre, he was absolutely terrific. Malkin was an absolute dolt last night......don't know what was stuck in his craw but after the hit on his C, he went on to do his best to help the opposition with those two stupid needless penalties......shame really as I agree he did so well during the regular season and helped keep the Pens in the running.
So much for the Pens folding eh, wulfie.........ain't gonna happen now.
PENS ALL THE WAY! GO PITTSBURGH GO!
I think the Predators were hungrier than the Wings.........sure played like they were.........still it's a bit of shock to see Detroit out of it in the 1rst round.
That is the question, wulfie.........will they be able to force a game six against Quick............will just have to keep my fingers crossed for them.
I'm onside with that too.
Not to take anything away from Corey...........but Holtby for the Caps hasn't been hiding under a rock either, Kreskin..........just saying. Actually there has been some really good goal tending in this first round and now that Marc-Andre has found his 'mojo' as wulfie calls it, look to him for some more fabulous saves.
That was what I meant by Brendan not being 'independent' talloola, of course the league 'suggested' that Webber get off lightly, he actually can play the game when he isn't being a so-called goon. Just look at how he has contributed to the Preds since the hit. So much for any autonomy for Shanahan. I think it stinks but nothing you can do about it.
He better or Shanahan will have no choice but to hand him his head too.
lots of real good goaltenders in the playoffs, and the rest of the league too, it is the time for the
goaltenders to rise and be noticed, and very respected.
rinne for nashville was the cause of the detroit demise, and smith for phoenix is fabulous, and is a
big reason for them being so strong in the first round, but on the flip side of that, crawford has let
in two very easy goals in overtime to let his team down big time.
Fleury and bryzgalof (sp?) can be good, but they both can come undone as well, never know when that is
going to happen.
Howard has been very good, but rinne is the difference in that round.
Holtby is making his debut very nicely, and we will see him for many years.
Schneider is great, and I am sure he will be remaining with the canucks, and that is not trashing
Luongo, but schneider is just better, and in games that are so low scoring, that one bad goal can
mean a loss.
Brodeur is hanging in there, but he definitely is coming to the end of his career, but don't try
telling him that, he is still very competetive.
Theodore is so good looking I don't want him to go anywhere, but he can be sievish at time. lol
Oh yeah, forgot thomas, great goalie, but I was surprised to find out that the
clan was interested in hockey, oh well, live and learn. lol lol
goaltenders to rise and be noticed, and very respected.
rinne for nashville was the cause of the detroit demise, and smith for phoenix is fabulous, and is a
big reason for them being so strong in the first round, but on the flip side of that, crawford has let
in two very easy goals in overtime to let his team down big time.
Fleury and bryzgalof (sp?) can be good, but they both can come undone as well, never know when that is
going to happen.
Howard has been very good, but rinne is the difference in that round.
Holtby is making his debut very nicely, and we will see him for many years.
Schneider is great, and I am sure he will be remaining with the canucks, and that is not trashing
Luongo, but schneider is just better, and in games that are so low scoring, that one bad goal can
mean a loss.
Brodeur is hanging in there, but he definitely is coming to the end of his career, but don't try
telling him that, he is still very competetive.
Theodore is so good looking I don't want him to go anywhere, but he can be sievish at time. lol
Oh yeah, forgot thomas, great goalie, but I was surprised to find out that the
clan was interested in hockey, oh well, live and learn. lol lol
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