Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
I agree that Cole's hit was a charge, but I don't think whether or not a player leaves his feet should be the point of decision on whether or not a hit is good or bad. Depending upon the force of the hit, both players in several instances will be lifted off of their feet. This also happens with hits that I would deem as perfectly clean.
For me, it was enough that Cole targeted Jankowski and skated across the ice to blow him up. It also looked to me like he got his arm up high when he hit him. I am undecided about whether he left his feet while launching into Jankowski, or whether it was the hit itself that carried him off his feet.
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The force of impact is what took Cole off his feet. Also, I think accusing Cole of targeting Jankowski is just an attempt at a
post facto rationalization. He was moving to cut off the breakout play. It just so happened that Hanafin set his teammate up with a suicide pass.
I'd be livid if a Flames player was given a major for that hit, and I completely understand why Avs fans aren't happy in this case.
And, not to play the appeal to authority card, but you could tell that Rick Ball was pretty surprised to see it called a major. Derek Wills didn't think it should have been a penalty, and Peter Loubardias said no penalty, or a minor at most.
Ultimately though, once you get past that issue, there's a lot to like about how the Flames responded. Bennett stepping up for his teammate was huge, and then the PPG to spark the comeback were exactly what we needed.