Shawn Thornton cheapshot on B. Orpik - gets 15 games

[jschick88]

Sucks these two teams don't play each other again this season.

@DarrenDreger Bruins forward Chris Kelly suffered broken ankle from Dupuis slash last night. Quite a game.

[Tailgator]

That Neal play was one of the worst things I've seen. His comments are complete BS. He braces himself, aims his knee at Marchand's head, hits him hard enough that he does a semi helicopter, and Neal doesn't break stride or look back. If he "didn't know he was there", wouldn't he look back to see or trip on something he wasn't expecting to hit? That was garbage and if Marchand was hurt, people would be screaming for Neal's head. Tha fact that he's only getting a phone hearing is just another example of how useless the league is at handing out discipline to the most gutless payers in the league.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by nik-

There's a difference between dirty and a penalty.

Yup, and if it was a run of mill pick for interference, then it's just a penalty. When you step up and make "huge" open ice hit on an in eligible player, then it's dirty.

Sarich's classic hit on Marleau in the playoffs a few years back is dirty if Marleau never touches the puck because Sarich stepped up to throw a huge hit to hurt hit. If you do that on a player that has never touched the puck, it's dirty.

If Chara through the same hit as Orpik did on Crosby, he'd be getting suspended, and the majority would be calling it dirty.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Don't think it did touch him. And interference is a dirty hit when you step up and level someone. Anyone can step up and throw Scott Stevens like crushing blows if they don't have to be concerned with ensuring the player you are about to hit is eligible to get pasted. And players are responsible for being aware of themselves and be ready for hits when they are eligible to be hit, but players who aren't eligible shouldn't have to be prepared to get run over if they aren't holding the puck.

That's what makes Dmen who can time that stuff right so intimidating. If every damn in the league just went for huge open ice hits with no regards for the rules cause its "just interference" if they miss, we'd have a lot more injured and concussed players in this league. Crosby and all other superstars would probably be injured 80% of the season if the only penalty for miss timing or hitting players with out the puck with huge open ice hits is just "interference".

The hit is debatable, we can all agree on that. Some will say it's dirty, some will say it's not. That changes nothing, and in no way, shape or form justifies what Thornton did. In fact the hit should be a discussion for a different thread because of the bolded.

This is what Thornton said a few days ago:

Dec. 4/13

Thornton (with ESPN): "I take a lot of pride in that. I do. People could probably criticize that I’m a little too honorable, I suppose, in some instances. I've been a firm believer my whole life that what goes around comes around. If you’re one of those guys that suckers someone when they’re down or you go after somebody that doesn’t deserve it or isn’t the same category as you, that will come back and bite you at some point, too."

Even Thornton himself believes that what he ended up doing was way, way out of bounds.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by zamler

The hit is debatable, we can all agree on that. Some will say it's dirty, some will say it's not. That changes nothing, and in no way, shape or form justifies what Thornton did. In fact the hit should be a discussion for a different thread because of the bolded.

This is what Thornton said a few days ago:

Dec. 4/13
Even Thornton himself believes that what he ended up doing was way, way out of bounds.

I said in my original post that I didn't think it justifies what Thronton did. Find it interesting though that the Pens are calling it clean.

It also makes me feel that Orpik should have had to fight because of it. I'm against people having to fight for a clean hit, but Orpik missed and should have had to pay the piper and should have stepped up to that responsibility. However, I don't think he should have had to fight Thornton, a more reasonable partner should have gone after him.

[moon]

That is a clean hit 100% from Orpik.

Not sure how people can whine about that at all.

[zamler]

Here is the hit, watch the puck it does hit the stick and changes direction/wobbles.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by zamler

Here is the hit, watch the puck it does hit the stick and changes direction/wobbles.

That's a good view. I honestly can't tell if it did hit his stick for sure, but it may have. Question, does he need to posses the puck for it to be clean, or just tough it?

[Azure]

Neal is a good example of a 'star' player that gets away with dirty plays because the NHL is scared of taking a real stand for player safety.

[Beatle17]

And now we hear that Chris Kelly has a broken ankle from a Pascal Dupuis slash in the game. Thornton is a punk for what he did, but Neal and Dupuis need long suspensions also, although they play for the puck possession Pittsburgh Penquins so they can't be dirty players. The league needs to step up and quit playing favourites because if they don't I can see a situation where some meathead goes after Crosby.

[Dogbert]

Originally Posted by Beatle17

And now we hear that Chris Kelly has a broken ankle from a Pascal Dupuis slash in the game. Thornton is a punk for what he did, but Neal and Dupuis need long suspensions also, although they play for the puck possession Pittsburgh Penquins so they can't be dirty players. The league needs to step up and quit playing favourites because if they don't I can see a situation where some meathead goes after Crosby.

Also true. Teams playing dirty because they're favoured by the NHL and can get away with it; teams playing dirty because they know the stripes are too incompetent and/or chicken#### to call it all - this is all the NHL front office's fault. There's no reason all of this couldn't have been prevented a long time ago.

[kn]

The NHL has always been gutless about dealing with discipline and handing out suspensions. Apart from fighting, it's another reason the league can't be taken seriously down south.

Whatever. This game will change nothing. I've long given up hope that the NHL would one day wake up.

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Question, does he need to posses the puck for it to be clean, or just tough it?

From Rule 56.1 Interference

Possession of the Puck: The last player to touch the puck, other than the goalkeeper, shall be considered the player in possession. The player deemed in possession of the puck may be checked legally, provided the check is rendered immediately following his loss of possession.

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by zamler

Here is the hit, watch the puck it does hit the stick and changes direction/wobbles.

I can't see how anyone can say thats a dirty hit.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by $ven27

I can't see how anyone can say thats a dirty hit.

Agreed. It's hard, but it's clean

[d_phaneuf]

Boston Media

http://bostonherald.com/sports/bruin...nHerald.com%29

Minutes later, Thornton confronted Orpik and wanted to fight. Orpik backed away. This was a great example of why fighting must remain part of the game: If Orpik had had the courage to answer for his dirty and dangerous hit, he probably would have gotten his butt kicked. But that would have settled things. None of the ensuing ugliness would have occurred.

[$ven27]

Lol ^

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Boston Media

http://bostonherald.com/sports/bruin...nHerald.com%29

This is the exact kind of garbage I want out of the game.

[zamler]

If Orpik had had the courage to answer for his dirty and dangerous hit, he probably would have gotten his butt kicked. But that would have settled things. None of the ensuing ugliness would have occurred.

Classic case of blaming the victim.

...wow the comments on that article, unbelievable.

[moon]

Outside of Bob Ryan Boston media is full of some of the biggest scum bags and hacks there is. Not surprised to one of those idiots try to blame Orpik here.

As for the comments they are always bad but including the idiot Boston sports fan in there is going to make 100x worse.