[thymebalm]

Bloodfetish also commented on the hit, calling it boarding.

I was listening to the Heat's PBP guy Branden Astle. That's how he called the play. He was following the puck so the check was behind him. He likely wasn't focusing on the hit as it happened.

Before we jump to conclusions and call the hit 100% clean, I'd like to bring the character of Ben Eager into question. How can we be sure this hit wasn't boarding with intent to injure considering Eager has flown completely off the handle this month?

56 PIMs in 6 GP this month.
1 - OKC Eager, 17:34 - Unsportsmanlike conduct, 2 min (PP)
3 - OKC Eager, 16:26 - Interference, 2 min (PP)
3 - OKC Eager, 16:26 - Misconduct, 10 min
3 - OKC Eager, 7:46 - Fighting, 5 min
3 - OKC Eager, 19:50 - Roughing, 2 min
3 - OKC Eager, 19:50 - Roughing, 2 min
3 - OKC Eager, 19:50 - Misconduct - Unsportsmanlike conduct, (75.4) 10 min
1 - OKC Eager, 16:39 - Roughing, 2 min (PP)
1 - OKC Eager, 16:39 - Fighting, 5 min
1 - OKC Eager, 16:39 - Misconduct - Continuing altercation, (46.5) 10 min
3 - OKC Eager, 10:33 - Elbowing, 2 min (PP)
1 - OKC Eager, 13:27 - Interference, 2 min (PP)
1 - OKC Eager, 13:27 - Unsportsmanlike conduct, 2 min

Looks like someone who's going out there to try and hurt people. Now the hit doesn't sound like it was from behind (Astle thought it was initally) but I'm not sure I believe it was 100% clean and legal.

The games against the Heat at home are the only times this month he hasn't been penalized. Not a single ref put up with his #### during an away game.