[News] Aulie hit on Stajan - Aulie suspended for two games

[killer_carlson]

Looking at the replays a few questions pop into my mind.

1) Clear hit to the head - 5 and a game was the right call. Is it suspendable?

2) Glad to see Bouma respond so quickly afterwards. Would not have minded had he continued the fight (as Aulie would have obliged). Question is what took Bollig so long to go over and rough up Aulie after a team veteran was laid out with a cheap hit? Isn't keeping players honest supposed to be why Bollig is on the ice?

3) When was the last time the Flames had a big open ice hit from our blueline? I honestly can't recall.


http://www.tsn.ca/video/th2n-will-au...tajan-1.172400

[transplant99]

Not suspendable IMO..if not for the height difference there is no head contact whatsoever. The call was correct because it was contact to the noggin, but beyond that there would have to be some sort of intent and there just wasnt any.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Looking at the replays a few questions pop into my mind.

1) Clear hit to the head - 5 and a game was the right call. Is it suspendable?

2) Glad to see Bouma respond so quickly afterwards. Would not have minded had he continued the fight (as Aulie would have obliged). Question is what took Bollig so long to go over and rough up Aulie after a team veteran was laid out with a cheap hit? Isn't keeping players honest supposed to be why Bollig is on the ice?

3) When was the last time the Flames had a big open ice hit from our blueline? I honestly can't recall.


http://www.tsn.ca/video/th2n-will-au...tajan-1.172400

Really it doesn't matter, these are essentially out of the game. Big open ice hits = penalties. Positional play is much more importantant and a better strategy then looking for a big hit.

[Fire]

My guess is he only gets a fine because he missed most of the last night's game.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

I think five and a game is punishment enough. It was a hit to the head, but it wasn't one of those hits where he stuck out his elbow or deliberately meant to the hit.

The fact that Stajan actually got up and finished the game makes it more likely that Aulie won't be suspended or fined.

[Street Pharmacist]

Beneficial salient points:
1) shoulder not elbow
2) head contact mainly due to being hunched over and size difference
3) Stajan kept playing

Negative:
1) Head contact first
2) Blindside
3) Vulnerable position
4) a little late

Overall I think it's a fine because Stajan want hurt. If Stajan got hurt it's 1-2 games

[alan21]

I thought it was a stiff enough punishment. If the NHL was to eliminate these blind side high hits than I don't think a one game suspension would be completely out of line.

[HotHotHeat]

Sportsnat seems to think its great entertainment and worthy of its own video.

[Mike F]

Wasn't malicious, but certainly was reckless. I suspect the NHL will take the view that Stajan made no sudden moves, so Aulie could have gone shoulder to shoulder and didn't.

Could see a fine or one game.

That being said, the guy has to play for the Oilers. Isn't that punishment enough?

[Erick Estrada]

I give up even trying to figure out what's suspendible any more by the NHL. It wasn't a Matt Cooke predatorial style hit but it's still a dangerous hit that you would hate to see lay out one of the marquee players of the league and if you want to protect those guys you have to call it the same way on guys like Stajan that aren't stars.

[albertGQ]

No further punishment.

[Plett25]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Not suspendable IMO..if not for the height difference there is no head contact whatsoever. The call was correct because it was contact to the noggin, but beyond that there would have to be some sort of intent and there just wasnt any.

I hope this isnt the league's interpretation, but if it is, doesn't it essentially mean it is open season for head shots on Gaudreau? But on the other hand, Kanzig can go headhunting on pretty much everyone except Chara.

Aulie was going for a big open ice hit and the primary point of contact was the head. If it isn't a suspendable play, it will be in the very near future.

[You Need a Thneed]

Some oilers media trying to defend the hit.

Could have been 5 min major for interference, AND 5 min major for head shot, in my opinion.

Stajan never touched the puck = textbook interference, hard hit as interference usually gets a major penalty.

Head was also first thing hit. = easy major penalty for that.

[killer_carlson]

I'm ok with the 5 and a game and no suspension.

What really gets me steamed is that it happend with Tim Jackman -er, i mean Brandin Bollig on the ice at the time and nothing was done to deter it from happening again

[habernac]

the height excuse is BS. A player needs to be in control of their body, just like they have to have control over where their stick is.

[bubbsy]

should have been a interference penalty at minimum, not sure about the major, but was naturally happy to get that, so don't know if this is suspension worthy.

That being said, pretty brutal pass by brodie there.

[btimbit]

Hard to say. 2 years ago it's a nothing hit, nowadays who knows.

-head was primary point of contact

However

-Stajan was in a vulnerable position (hunched over, looking down)
-suicide pass
-height difference

They'll take a look because they have too. I wouldn't be surprised to see a one game suspension but am fine with nothing. Missing 2 whole periods was enough.

McGrattan's hit on Alberts last year was worse and that resulted in nothing. I know the hits are completely different but I doubt the outcome will be. And that one resulted in an injury, this didn't

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Mike F

That being said, the guy has to play for the Oilers. Isn't that punishment enough?

Was just about to say this.

[Iggy Snipe]

My take on the hit was that Stajan should never have put himself in that situation. Although the pass was a suicide pass, Stajan should have let it go, considering he had to look down at his feet. That is why he got murdered.

That being said, Aulie did make contact with Stajans head. Now Aulie is a big boy, and Stajan was bent over which made Aulie hitting Stajans head inevitable. The 5 minute major penatly and game misconduct was the correct call. You cant make contact with a players head on a hit, which he did.

I do not think he should be suspended because it was accidental head contact. Aulie went in and made a big hit that normally is ok, but because Stajan was bent over and looking down, Stajans head was hit. I think the penalty, and the fact that Stajan was able to return to the game is enough discipline for Aulie.

Now dont think for one second that Aulie wont have to answer someone for the hit next Flames vs Oilers game.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by habernac

the height excuse is BS. A player needs to be in control of their body, just like they have to have control over where their stick is.

Aulie was in complete control....if Stajan doesnt lean forward at the last moment there is no contact with his head...unless you are suggesting Aulie shouldnt have hit him at all, im not sure what else could have been done.