Quote:
Originally Posted by N-E-B
I think this last 48 hours is damning proof that there is an absolute bias in the national media to favour the Oilers (more specifically whatever team Connor McDavid is on).
There were no dirty hits by Tkachuk. A player should not have to answer the bell for playing a hard, physical, and clean game. What Kassian did was borderline criminal.
I’m so happy the NHL hasn’t fallen into the hysteria the media has. Ray Ferraro comparing that to Raffi Torres is a joke, though Ray is a joke himself.
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I think there's some Oilers sympathizers that have been vocal on this topic in the National media that's some of it. And there may be more to it in terms of bias' towards the Oilers.
But overall, I think it's a fairly natural reaction from the game to recoil from a player with the reputation Tkachuk has, and vilify his actions. It comes with the territory, and it's earned a little bit to be fair. This just happens to be a case where he's actually not played the role of the pest, but he's in a bucket, and it's being analyzed as such (thankfully not by the NHL it's self).
The reaction from many in the media and all in Edmonton is what we should have expected if Tkachuk actually hit McDavid with an elbow to the head and he was out for extended period of time and Tkachuk still refused to pay the piper. This is the most overblown reaction to a handful of clean hits to one of the most physical players left in the game. It actually highlights what's wrong with NHL culture.............there's some sub culture that is suggesting the rule book is wrong, and you can't make hits like that on tough player, unless you are willing to let said tough player punch you in the face. So essentially you aren't allowed to play within the rules of hockey, unless you are willing to get your face pounded on as payment to do so. Yup, that ideology will really speed up the game, add skill and excitement versus slow it down and bring back the goon era.