Quote:
Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan
I have to adamantly disagree with the bolded. It was absolutely a hockey play, and he was literally separating the man from the puck. I bristle at the idea that there's no place for a body check, especially when you're trying to keep the puck in the offensive zone. I have no issue with the general idea of the play.
However, the player was vulnerable. He did also hit his head first before anything else. He could have let up a little but chose to hit him as hard as he could. To me, this is a cultural issue the NHL has about "blowing guys up", and that has to change, but it will take time.
To me, it's absolutely suspension worthy for the hit to the head on a vulnerable player, but probably no more than 2 games.
|
Well he didn’t have possession so I’m not sure how you can even argue it separated the man from the puck. He never had the puck.
It’s not a hockey play as injuring people for no reason has nothing to do with hockey.
Even if we consider a hit a method of eliminating the player from making a play on the puck, which is a hockey play when a player has possession (which he didn’t but let’s play along), then it’s still a terrible method of doubt that. It was pretty much the least effective way to separate man from puck. A poke check, less severe collision, straight up taking the puck away would have all been more effective for Trouba and his team. Any of those plays would have given the rangers a far better chance and turning the play into an offensive chance and regaining possession.
Laying a devastating hit accomplishes none of those things and in no way helped his team.
So not only did it injure a guy but it was an ineffective play.