Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
Ya, I believe the Flames players were sent out there to fight. In a court of law, yes Hartley would probably be found innocent, but the NHL does not have to have the same burden of proof.
I said to my wife as they were getting set for the draw 'the Flames coach (because she wouldn't know who Hartley is) is going to get suspended for this'. I think he got off as light as he did because he """"""technically"""""" didn't do anything wrong.
I just don't believe Westgarth et al were going to play a normal non-fisticuff shift no matter the players who lined up against them.
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I don't dissagree with you on what the reason they were on the ice was. I actually don't think they were sent out to fight explicitly, but those guys know there roles. That said, I don't think it should not be allowed to start you 4th line, because at the end of the day it does take 2 to tango, Vancouver didn't have to oblige.
The only way I think Hartley should be found guilty would in the circumstance where the Nucks didn't respond, and our guys still throw down with un-willing combatants. Then you have to blame Hartley, and then you know he likely instructed his players to scrap.
As it played out, the only thing that was "wrong" on Saturday was Torts coming over to the Flames locker room, and that's all that should be punished.