Shawn Thornton cheapshot on B. Orpik - gets 15 games

[Pagal4321]

Neal should get 2 or 3? Are you people serious?

While the Thorton play was an unnecessary cheap shot, the Neal play was complete chicken #### no matter what player it was he hit.

[Gator Mike]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I can understand an immediate reaction to a clean hit (since you don't know it was clean and it's instinct)

1. Erickson still hasn't touched the puck.

2. Erickson's head snapped back on contact with Orpik's shoulder.


Two nights before, Pacioretti sends Boychuk to the hospital on a stretcher, and the Bruins did nothing, because they they knew it was a nothing play. They clearly thought Orpik took a cheap shot at Erickson.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by zamler

One could put up a strong argument that incidents like this would happen more, not less.

If the highlights I saw reflect the sequence of events, I suspect Thornton wouldn't have gone after Orpik in the scrum had Orpik answered Thornton's challenge to fight soon after the hit on Eriksson.

I hate the argument that a guy has to fight after a clean hit, but that doesn't change the fact that a fight probably would have prevented the eventual cheap shot.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I don't know. From the video, it doesn't really look like Thornton really got him that hard with the punch. I guess I'm not seeing things correctly.

I think what Neal did was much worse.

I agree completely. But, I think Thronton has to accept the risk that comes along with the actions that he took. I don't think he tried to hit him that hard, and I bet he can't believe that it resulted in what it did, but that can't matter. He chose to do something he shouldn't have done, and someone got seriously hurt. Has to pay the piper IMO, but I think 9 times out of 10 Neal does more damage with that knee than what Thornton did.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

Thorton should get 10 games for that.

Neal should get 20.

Disgusting display tonight. This garbage makes me ashamed to be a hockey fan.

I'm not sure how people think Neal should get more.

Neal's play was during play, and he never actually lowers his knee to make contact. He damn sure knows what he's doing, and I'm not defending it any way - he should be suspended.

But come on now... The play is over, Thornton skates across the rink, slew-foots Orpik to the ice and then punches him twice in the head while he lies on the ground resulting in a knock-out/concussion.

Thornton's play is much worse.

[moon]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

It's the worst panel in sports history.

With ability to use Sportsnet guys (who are awful in their own right) how the h does Cassie Campbell get anywhere close to getting air time? She adds even less than Weekes who adds nothing.

[Ped]

Originally Posted by Mike F

I hate the argument that a guy has to fight after a clean hit, but that doesn't change the fact that a fight probably would have prevented the eventual cheap shot.

I'm sorry, but that argument while may be correct, shows how asinine this whole thing is.

What really would have prevented the cheap shot was if guys were suitably punished for said cheap shots by the league, and if guys like Thornton didn't act like total ######s.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Mike F

If the highlights I saw reflect the sequence of events, I suspect Thornton wouldn't have gone after Orpik in the scrum had Orpik answered Thornton's challenge to fight soon after the hit on Eriksson.

I hate the argument that a guy has to fight after a clean hit, but that doesn't change the fact that a fight probably would have prevented the eventual cheap shot.

There should be no fight and no cheapshot.

The players on the ice should not be officials. The league will deal with Orpik if it were truly an offense.

[Jiggy_12]

Whatever Bertuzzi got, give Thornton 1 game less. Whatever Thornton gets, give Neal half of that.

In order of severity, that's about right.

[nik-]

Both of those plays were disgusting and I fully expect the NHL discipline to be completely gutless.

[puckluck2]

James Neal should get 5 plus.

[Beatle17]

Neal should get at least the same amount as Thornton. Clearly went out of his way to knee a player in the head, and he plays on the same team as the poster boy for concussions.

To play the devils advocate, what is Pittsburgh's response if the next time Crosby is down someone skates by and purposely knees him in the head? It doesn't matter if its Marchand it should be treated the same way.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by moon

With ability to use Sportsnet guys (who are awful in their own right) how the h does Cassie Campbell get anywhere close to getting air time? She adds even less than Weekes who adds nothing.

Hire different people.... I think sportsnet is ok. I'm a Kypreos fan but they could use new blood. Brodeur was on HNIC last year. Use more of guys like him.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by nik-

Both of those plays were disgusting and I fully expect the NHL discipline to be completely gutless.

I suspect Thronton will get a pretty stiff penalty, the optics of the events will likely force the NHL hand on that one and Thornton is an easy target.

I suspect they will go easy on Neal unfortunately. Harder player to want to suspend, and they will have the "not 100% sure there was intent" angle they can fall back on.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Beatle17

Neal should get at least the same amount as Thornton. Clearly went out of his way to knee a player in the head, and he plays on the same team as the poster boy for concussions.

To play the devils advocate, what is Pittsburgh's response if the next time Crosby is down someone skates by and purposely knees him in the head? It doesn't matter if its Marchand it should be treated the same way.

If someone did this to Crosby they'd be thrown out of the league. The people in charge of this sport are letting dives and #### like these two plays eat away and the amazingness of the sport like a cancer.

[moon]

I laughed at the Neal play and don't think he should be suspended but I hate the Bruins and like the Pens so that could be my bias affecting what I think.

Still think no way that Neal should get anywhere close to Thornton in my view. Not close to as bad a play.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by moon

I laughed at the Neal play and don't think he should be suspended but I hate the Bruins and like the Pens so that could be my bias affecting what I think.

It must be then, because it was brutal and dangerous.

[jayswin]

I'm surprised people are going easy on Neal. That wasn't a minor 2-5 game suspension incident to me. That was one of the worst incidents I've seen in years.

He purposefully stuck his knee out and kneed Marchand in the head, while he was in a terribly vulnerable position. That's at least an 8 game suspension in my eyes. It probably won't be because of the lack of injury, but good lord, what a blatant disregard for a fellow player's career.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by moon

I laughed at the Neal play and don't think he should be suspended but I hate the Bruins and like the Pens so that could be my bias affecting what I think.

Still think no way that Neal should get anywhere close to Thornton in my view. Not close to as bad a play.

Then you definitely have a bias. I used to like reading your posts, even if I didn't agree with them but I will have to add you to my ignore list. The Neal situation was not something to laugh at, it is actually more dangerous as the Bruin was in a position where he had no chance to defend or prepare himself for that hit. What Thornton did was bush league (and should be suspended) but Orpik at least had the chance, small as it was, to stand up and defend himself.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Beatle17

I used to like reading your posts, even if I didn't agree with them but I will have to add you to my ignore list.

Oh no whatever will I do.