Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
The first hit: Borderline but only because the position Kassian is in. Nothing that Tkachuk does here really screams terrible hit (doesn't launch, no elbow, most contact is made with his hip), and live at full speed the announcers didn't even mention it. But when you slow it down you see how vulnerable of a position Kassian is in with his head so low.
I get why the fan base doesn't like this one but really Kassian can't put himself in that position reaching for the puck like that in that area of the ice.
Second Hit: To me this is 100% clean. Shoulder to shoulder, he turns and glides into the hit, and he makes sure he comes from an angle so that it's not boarding. This hit looks way worse than it was because Kassian doesn't know how to tie up his chin strap.
Third Hit: The cleanest of the bunch. Hard, square, and really rocked Kassian. Great hit.
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This sums up my thoughts perfectly!
I had to re-watch the first hit a few times to see that the point of contact is Tkachuk's hip into Kassian's shoulder. The snapping of his neck/head makes it look pretty bad but the primary point of contact/force is hip to shoulder.
I suspect people see the first two hits has predatory because Kassian has no idea he's being lined up as his focus is elsewhere. This speaks to the need for situational awareness on Kassian's part. Essentially, "keep your head up" or at least be aware of where your exposure is.
The third hit is, without question, a great body check and I'm happy that Tkachuk didn't change his game up after the altercation. It put a big smile on my face!
As for him turtling? Not that he should ever have to "answer the bell" for throwing big hits (especially on a non-star player but even this shouldn't matter), it's asinine to think that allowable/acceptable play should require that you defend yourself. It's like grabbing someone after they've scored a goal, a completely acceptable part of the game, and going ape#### gorilla on them because you're upset (yes, I understand body checks and goal scoring are different aspects of the game but I'm trying to illustrate that they are both acceptable parts of it and neither should trigger a physical altercation).