Quote:
Originally Posted by Gator Mike
So, here would be my biggest problem with the Orpik hit.
When did "Keep your head up", turn into "Keep your head up, or I'm going to put you in the hospital and/or possibly end your career and/or permanently degrade your quality of life"???
Even if the hit was "clean", when did NHLers lose enough respect for each other that they're out there trying to concuss opponents? It's not even something specific to Orpik as there are a ton of hits every night in the NHL that fall into this category.
I dunno. I just remember a guy like Ray Bourque playing 20+ years as a devastating body checker, and I don't ever remember him sending anyone to the hospital.
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Orpik doesn't try and put him in the hospital; he stands his ground on the play. He's not striding, his arms are down, he's not contorting his body to make sure he inflicts the most damage. Eriksson ran into a wall. It's a violent game.
Neal and Thornton did things that were completely uncalled for. Orpik played the game the way everyone wants it to be played.