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Originally Posted by ToraToraTora
Alright, so I've been thinking about this a few days, and I kind of just think why do the Edmonton media even think there needs to be some type of retribution?
Their position is that Tkachuk made illegal plays that had a high potential for injury and he needs to "answer the bell" (whatever the hell that means).
Kassian responded by making an illegal play with a high potential for injury. Shouldn't Kassian jumping him mean things have balanced out? Dirtbag play responded by dirtbag play, done and done.
The only thing I can think of is that they believe Tkachuk needs to be hurt. Then we're into an arms race.
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Yeah, this whole thing has confused me too
- 3 totally legal hit from pest to tough guy to get under his skin
- Tough guy goes berserk and pegs pest for a few
- Flames win
It seemed like a script I could write any day of the week. But they're letting this caveman with crazy-eyes address the media and push some narrative that things aren't finished yet. And they aren't, as Tkachuk knows how to get a lengthy PP from the goon they also rely on heavily for offence. But instead, we've churned this hockey rivalry through the weird "Edmonton is always the best" media and spit out something that fits.
But those hits are legal, and the large majority of respected hockey people that have chimed in on it have said as much. You watch replays (incl many of Kassian) and those hits fit right in with "delivered very well". I thought the biggest knock on Tkachuk was that he jeopardized Gio in the process. And for his efforts, Tkachuk took a few that he damn-well would know is coming. He wanted to get under the skin of a fighter, so he knew what the response was going to be. To think that this is still somehow 'unfinished' is weird.
They also forget that before the fight, Kassian had taken a pretty healthy charge at Tkachuk who braced and took Kassian shoulder-to-shoulder. And once Kassian was given a shift in the 3rd, Tkachuk finished another completely legal hit to send the message that he will keep playing hockey at him.
But it was mentioned at the time that it was uncharacteristic of the NHL to comment on Tkachuk's hits and they did so very early into all of this. I wonder if Edmonton's involvement in this incident is what encouraged the NHL to comment on this specifically, and quickly.