[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

1. Why is Scott in the game in the first place?

Because every team has guys whose job it is to set the tone. Whether that be to be a #### disturber or to be an enforcer each player has their role. We saw last season with the Flames just how small a team can play when the hired gun is not available and how ineffective they can be with out that #### disturber. Scott was there to do his job and send a message.

The question you should be asking is what was Kessel doing out there? Leafs had last change and Kessel was put out there for a reason. Why?

Players like Scott are becoming more and more unnecessary because they are becoming less and less effective.

Yet teams continue to go out of their way to find them and give them roster spots. What is happening is that teams are now trying to find guys that can intimidate and contribute to some position in some meaningful way. The Flames didn't draft Kanzig because they saw the second coming of Chara.

The only time Scott sees ice-time is NOT to make a hockey play, but rather to "send a message". Usually that message ends up in the delivery of a quasi-orchestrated exchange of blows between him and another useless player with no skill set beyond his ability to box on skates. It is predictable and arguably, completely ineffective, since the end result always sees the two combatants in the penalty box, and then firmly stapled to the bench.

Exactly, so why is Kessel put out there next to him?

2. Why did Scott attack Kessel?

That's the big question, but based on the jawing before the faceoff I would say something was said by Kessel. Scott didn't hesitate and Kessel was ready with lumberjack routine all too quickly.

"Kessel obviously instigated"?? Really??!! I am not sure how you can determine that based on the video from the game, as I am assuming you were not present on the ice to hear and witness the exchange between Scott and Kessel in person.

Seems that you're trying to say that you were on the ice to make the opposite claim. The only thing we can go on is the video and the results. It appears from the video that Kessel enjoyed poking, and slashing, the bear so to speak. We already concluded the tough guys and #### disturbers send a message, well so do the actions of the other players out there. You're ignoring the actions of Kessel.

Did Kessel goad him? I expect that he probably did, but it is patently naïve to ignore the obvious here: that Scott had predetermined to start an altercation—perhaps not necessarily with Kessel, but pretty clearly with someone. Kessel confirms as much in his statement following the game that Scott had verbally threatened him (why the hell is he yapping with Kessel in the first place, if not to threaten him)?

You're not asking the right question again. Toronto had last change. Why was Kessel out there? Carlyle knew what was happening when Scott was sent out there. Why did he do what he did? Couldn't be that Carlyle is, and always has been, a world class punk and this was just another way of cementing that reputation? Couldn't be that he was trying to get his players wound up and intentionally put his "star" opposite the goon waiting for fireworks to ensue? Based on the abuse Carlyle took all summer for his team not being tough enough this was a great start to dispelling that myth early. Mission accomplished by Carlyle.

[QUOTE]3. Why did Kessel and the rest of the Leafs respond as they did?

Extension of their coach?

If John Scott could play hockey, then by all means he should play. But because he can't, he does not belong on the ice in the NHL.

I don't disagree with you on the goon thing. They should be gone from the game. But the reason they still exist is so little punks that act like Kessel have to pay for their actions.at some point. I don't agree with it, but it is part of the game and part of the code the players follow. I still want to know what the hell was going through Carlyle's head when he made the line match up he did. He held last change and put out the players he wanted. He obviously was hoping for some sort of outcome.

Another thing I found interesting in watching the fights was the number of Buffalo players that lost their lids when the mayhem broke out. It was like the Leafs players had been schooled to get the helmet off first before you do anything else. Just an observation.